Armenian Historical & Heritage Tour: Monasteries, Caves, and Winery

Discover antiquity in a day! Visit Khor Virap and Noravank monasteries, explore the 5500-year-old "Bird" cave in Areni, and enjoy a winery tour with tasting. Unveil Armenia's treasures with me!

Experience details

• Destination

  Yerevan

• Category

  Day trips

• Duration

  7 hours

• Mode of transport

  Car

• Available languages

  English

• Highlights

  • Family friendly

• What's included

  Entrance tickets • Private guide • Driver • A/C Car • Kids join for free

Here’s an overview of your tour

Your itinerary

• Meeting point

  Yerevan

• Khor Virap church

  The monastery complex is considered one of the sanctuaries and places of pilgrimage of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The most interesting fact about Khor Virap is that the monastery was built on the site of the royal prison, where Grigor Lusavorich, the first Catholicos and the first head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, was imprisoned for 13 years. A unique view of the biblical mountain Ararat opens from the territory of the monastery complex.

• Noravank monastery

  The Noravank monastery complex is located in a gorge surrounded by red rocks. It was founded in the 13th century on the territory of two ancient churches that existed earlier. The complex was built by prominent architects Siranes and Momik and is the most recognized spiritual center and shrine of Vayots Dzor region. Noravank is a magnificent work of medieval architecture. It is a unique beauty, especially with the mysterious shade of red rocks.

• Areni-1(Birds Cave)

  Birds Cave located in the gorge.It consists of 3 halls, has approximately 500 m² area, the large part of which still hasn’t been explored. As a result of studies, metal knives, fruit seeds, grain residues, rope, dishes, clothing, dried grapes and plums, dated to 4200-3500 BC, were found in the cave. The oldest leather shoe of the world was found right here. It is more than 5500 years old. Also, in the same area, there were found world’s oldest women’s skirt (3900 BC), as well as the first winery in the whole world. Nowadays the mentioned winery is considered to be the ancient one and it is referred to 4th millennium BC. No one has lived inside the cave, at the meantime, wine consumption was of ritual meaning for people.

• Areni winery

  Viticulture in Armenia began many years before our era. Areni is considered the birthplace of Armenian winemaking. The oldest winery in Armenia is located here, around which more than 20 types of grapes are cultivated. The most valuable of them is the Areni grape, from which the famous Areni wine is made. It is produced annually in the amount of more than 250 tons and sold not only in Armenia, but also outside its borders.And Areni opens the door up to taste one of the famous wine in Armenia

Select your local guide

Explore the city with our diverse Withlocals hosts—passionate storytellers offering unique perspectives on every tour.

• Ruz

  Let's discover Armenia

  Ruz

  5.0

  27 reviews

  I speak

  English
  Choose

Good to Know

• Tips

  • Bring a reusable water bottle to reduce plastic
  • Be mindful of sharing the real secret spots - let's keep them a secret
  • Be aware of cultural norms & be mindful

• Included

  • Entrance tickets
  • Private guide
  • Driver
  • A/C Car
  • Kids join for free

• Cancellation

  • Receive a full refund for cancellations done 7 days before the experience date.
  • Your experience can be cancelled and fully refunded within 24 hours of purchase.