Private Tour
Private Tour to Khor Virap, ancient Areni cave or Areni winery, Noravank
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Spend a day exploring some of Armenia’s most spectacular landmarks. This private tour from Yerevan is exclusively for you and includes visits to the monastery of Khor Virap (built-in 642, translated from Armenian means “deep hole” ), Noravank (founded in the XII century on the site of ancient buildings), Areni Cave, Bird’s Cave or the birthplace of winemaking – Areni.
Khor Virap – Armenian monastery, built in 642, translated from Armenian means “deep hole”. Khor Virap is one of the shrines of the Armenian Apostolic Church, a place of pilgrimage.
Areni is the birthplace of winemaking. Viticulture on the territory of Armenia originated many years before our era. In Armenia, grows a lot of wild vineyards, and a large number of local varieties of grapes.
Noravank Monastery is among the wonderful steep red rocks on the ledge of a meandering gorge. It was founded in the XII century on the site of ancient buildings.
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Hotel drop-off
WiFi on board
Bottled water
Wine tasting
English or Russian speaking Guide service (optional)
Air-conditioned vehicle
Hotel pickup
All taxes and handling charges
Lunch
The entrance fee of Birds' Cave
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Khor Virap
Khor Virap – Armenian monastery, built in 642, translated from Armenian means “deep hole”. Khor Virap is one of the shrines of the Armenian Apostolic Church, a place of pilgrimage. The most interesting fact of this monastery is the fact that it was built on the site of the royal prison, where Gregory the Illuminator was previously imprisoned – the patron saint and the first official head of the Armenian Apostolic Church by the Armenian king for 13 years. From the territory of the monastery there is an unusual view of the biblical mountain Ararat.
Areni Wine Factory
Areni is the birthplace of winemaking. Viticulture on the territory of Armenia originated many years before our era. In Armenia, grows a lot of wild vineyard, and a large number of local varieties of grapes. And here there is the oldest winery of Armenia, where you can taste the most delicious wine from the best varieties of grapes.
Options
1-2 travelers, with a guide
Private Tour to Khor Virap, ancient Areni cave or Areni winery, Noravank, with a guide
Duration: 9 hours
Pickup included
8-15 travelers, without guide
PRIVATE TOUR: Khor Virap Monastery, Areni winery or/and Bird’s Cave, Noravank Monastery
Pickup included
3-6 travelers, with a guide
Private Tour to Khor Virap, ancient Areni cave or Areni winery, Noravank, with a guide
Duration: 9 hours
Pickup included
4-7 travelers, without guide
Private Tour to Khor Virap, ancient Areni cave or Areni winery, Noravank, without guide
Duration: 9 hours
Pickup included
1-3 travelers, without guide
Private Tour to Khor Virap, ancient Areni cave or Areni winery, Noravank, without guide
Duration: 9 hours
Pickup included
7-15 travelers, with a guide
PRIVATE TOUR: Khor Virap Monastery, Areni winery or/and Bird’s Cave, Noravank Monastery with a guide
Pickup included
Reviews
22 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Lovely Guide and Driver--Flexible, Kind, and Knowledgeable
hjcaveney,
Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My sister and I enjoyed a lovely private tour to Areni region with Kristine as our guide and Davit as our driver. The car was comfortable and both accommodated our request to stop for a snack on the way into the region (so that our stomachs wouldn't be empty for the tasting!). We visited Khor Virap first, followed by the Noravank Monastery (We visited five monasteries in our time in Armenia and this one was by far the most ornate. It is also in a very beautiful location surrounded by mountainous terrain. Kristine's knowledge of the monasteries was top notch. After the monasteries we visited the Bird Cave, also known as Areni 1 Cave--now known as the oldest known winery having been discovered only in 2007. Excavations are yet in progress. Then we moved on to the wine tasting. Our AirBnB host in Yerevan had recommended we visit Old Bridge Winery as it is in the area. We asked and were happy that Jan Armenia Tours accommodated our request. We paid for the tasting itself at the Winery (as it was not part of the itinerary)--very affordable and EVERY wine we tasted was delicious!! I brought home one bottle. Kristine and Davit left us alone at the winery to enjoy for about an hour or so, but then were ready to depart when we were. We stopped at the original scheduled Areni Wine factory for a tour and tasting--which was fine, but Old Bridge was amazing! We arrived back into Yerevan around 17.30 and had the evening for ourselves. Davit and Kristine were both friendly and kind. They answered all of our questions and we enjoyed Davit "dj-ing" for the ride back to Yerevan, sharing some lovely Armenian music with us. It was a delightful day.
Great day trip
A1221NH ,
Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our private driver Davit made our trip unforgettable. Clean car, willing to give us information about Armenian history and very good English
Awesome day, highly appreciated
reneezz2025,
Aug 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was an amazing tour with our awesome, lovely and professional guide, Jasmine and the professional nice driver Davit. We really enjoyed every bit of it all day long with no exception. It is highly recommended. Thank you so much. Humanity is still there, thanks God.
Traveler634416,
Jul 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I chose the excursion in individual and in French to the monasteries of Khor Virap and Norevank with a stop at the wine cellar of Areni and I really do not regret it. It was a success: the places visited are really interesting. The driver and guide, very available and attentive, gave me complete satisfaction.
Must see one day tour in Armenia
Tourist32545875010,
Jun 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Monasteries was amazing!! Great service from driver and nice lunch! Tour was super, my family and I was surprised with views and pleased!
An excellent trip to Archaeological wonders
95abyf,
Mar 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An amazing time visiting the monastery and the Areni Caves. The scheduling was perfect and we were able to spend ample time in each location. Got to see rural Armenia up close. Was able to visit some of the most historically significant locations in Armenia.
Unforgettable tour with an excellent driver
O12YVgemmas,
Feb 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Karen went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable, provided fascinating insights about the area, and even gave us great local recommendations. The vehicle was clean and comfortable, making the journey even more enjoyable.
Amazing scenery, very good wine, perfect guide.
olivierrN3176UV,
Jan 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our first surprise was: it's a private tour, not a bus tour. We will enjoy our private driver for the whole day 😍. And when I say "enjoy" ... I mean it. Karen was a prefect driver of a brand new BYD electric car: comfortable & silent. Cherry on the cake: there is free Wi-Fi in the car (in case you can't disconnect). But more than that, Karen is perfect tour guide. He knows his Armenia up - down, left - right. We got all the historical, political, geographical information you can dream of. The tour talks about 2 monastery and a winery ... we got way more. Khor Virap is nice monastery atop a hill. Like many places ... destroyed, rebuild, etc.. If you are not scared, you can climb a ladder down to a prison cell. Don't forget to climb on top of the hill for a breathtaking view of the surroundings. Areni cave, hosts artifacts dating 6000 years back and proving it was the oldest winery on earh. We went to Hin Areni winery. No point to visit the factory in winter, but the tasting is a must. You pay a small fee, and ... travel from white to red, from young to old wines. If you have space on your luggage you can get a few bottles at a top price. Since it was lunch time, Karen took us to a very nice restaurant: Lchak. You eat in small cabin and the food is ... delicious. We had a grilled sterlet, some local cheese & herbs and ... the local wine. Karen shared our lunch (not mandatory) and we enjoyed a lot more stories. And last but not least: heaven also known as Noravank. After a magnificent road in the mountain, Noravank appears on the right ... high in the sky. It's a beautiful monastery, in an extremely peaceful place. And suddenly you ask yourself: how did they bring the stones there in the 11th century... If you are lucky you might see some wild life in the mountains. This was a fantastic day 10AM to 7PM, I higly recommend it!
A fantastic day out of town in Yerevan.
GiovanniandJenn,
Dec 24, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Khor Virap, a site of extraordinary historical and political significance. The guide told us the traditional story of St. Gregory the Armenian, revealing the Armenian destiny and culture. Then we explored the wine tradition of Areni, tasted many types of wine and brandy. We saw bottles of 30-year-old red wine. Finally we visited the Noravank monastery. The real luck was to have Mr. Vegan as a guide who in perfect English explained everything to us, answering questions in an extraordinarily informative way. ENGLISH: Khor Virap, a site of extraordinary historical and political significance. The guide told us the traditional story of St. Gregory the Armenian, revealing the Armenian culture. Then we explored the wine tradition of Areni, tasted many types of wine and brandy. We saw bottles of red wine aged 30 years. Finally we visited the monastery of Noravank. The real luck was to have as a guide Mr. Vegan who in perfect English explained everything by answering questions in an extraordinarily informative way.
Excellent experience
marinathl,
Nov 25, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great place to visit. Services by Jan Armenia tours and travels were awesome. Our driver Vahan was very good, friendly and flexible. They made our trip really memorable.
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