Top activities
Top landmarks
Trip ideas
Nearby places
Port schedule
You booked this experience
Make your trip unforgettable

Khor Virap, Echmiadzin Cathedral and Zvartnots Private Tour

8 Reviews 4.88 out of 5 stars Based on 8 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers | Yerevan, Armenia
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 29 (0) days in advance.

6 to 7 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
and 1 more
Russian
Instant confirmation

Overview

"Khor Virap Monastery offers the most breathtaking views of the Biblical Mt. Ararat. The monastery holds significant religious and historical importance - sight where Saint Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned and Christianity took its start in Armenia. Echmiadzin Cathedral (literal translation: The descent of the Only Begotten) is the center of the Armenian Apostolic church originally built in the early 3rd century BC and a number of sources also state that Etchmiadzin is the oldest official Christian church in the entire world. This is your chance to visit and explore such a unique and one-of-a-kind place in the world! The church of St. Hripsime is dedicated to one of the 40 virgins who escaped from the Roman empire. Standing largely intact since its construction, the church has been widely admired for its architecture, considered a masterpiece of classical Armenian architecture, it has influenced many other Armenian churches.

What's Included

  • WiFi on board
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Bottled water
  • Lunch (upon request)
  • Entrance Tickets
  • Professional guide (upon request)
See 1 moreSee 3 more

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
Read more

Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free

Khor Virap

The Khor Virap monastery is located about an hour’s drive away from the capital Yerevan, and offers an amazing view of Armenia’s defining symbol – the majestic Ararat. “Khor Virap” translates as “deep dungeon”, and was built of the place of the former royal prison, located on the historical site of Artashat. It was this very prison in which they kept Gregory the Illuminator, the first Armenian Catholicos, for a whole 13 years.
Read more

45 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Saint Hripsime Church

You will visit the St. Hripsime church, which was built on the sepulcher of a Christian nun Hripsime who fled from the Roman Empire and was killed in Armenia. This amazing building has stood upright from the day of its construction since 618 A.D, making it one of the oldest standing churches in the world.
Read more

30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Saint Gayane Church

Five minutes drive away will be our next spot: the 7th century church of St. Gayane. Gayane was the nanny of Hripsime, and shared Hripsime’s tragic fate.
Read more

30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin - Armenian Apostolic Church (Armenian Orthodox Church)

You will be able to observe the first world’s first Christian Cathedral – the Holy Ejmiatsin, built in 301-304.According to the legend, Jesus Christ descended on the same spot where the Dissention Altar stands today, where Gregory the Illuminator ordered to build the church.The cathedral is a symbol of Armenian national identity and heritage, reflecting the country's deep-rooted Christian tradition.
Read more

45 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Zvartnots Temple

Zvartnots Cathedral, now in ruins, is a 7th-century centrally planned aisled tetraconch type Armenian cathedral built by the order of Catholicos Nerses the Builder from 643-652.According to legend, the name "Zvartnots" means "celestial angels," inspired by the belief that angels once watched over the temple.It is included in the UNESCO heritage list. In fact, all of the churches included in the tour, are listed on the UNESCO World’s Cultural Heritage Sites.
Read more

45 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Show 4 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Possible languages: English, Russian. In case the tour is organized in other language, changes of the prices are possible.

Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Khor Virap, Echmiadzin Cathedral and Zvartnots Private Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+04). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-55659P62

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.88
8 reviews

Average 4.88 out of 5 stars based on 8 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
7
4 stars
1
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 29 (0) days in advance.

Similar Tours & Activities

Private Tour: Khor Virap, Areni, Noravank, Jermuk

Khor Virap Monastery is one of Armenia’s most important pilgrimage attraction with an amazing views of the sacred Mount Ararat where Noah's Arc landed. This …More

Khor Virap Monastery is one of Armenia’s most important pilgrimage attraction with an amazing views of the sacred Mount Ararat where Noah's Arc landed. This...

8 to 11 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (11)
from
$150

Photography tour in Yerevan (Yerevan city tour)

A combination between a tour and a photography session to conserve your greatest moments, in the evenings of Yerevan, where beautiful streets and the cloture …More

A combination between a tour and a photography session to conserve your greatest moments, in the evenings of Yerevan, where beautiful streets and the cloture...

3 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
4.8 (6)
from
$18

Khor Virap, Garni, Geghard & Lake Sevan Private Tour

Take your chance to discover some of the most popular destinations of Armenia during this private tour from Yerevan. Admire the beauty of the Biblical …More

Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Take your chance to discover some of the most popular destinations of Armenia during this private tour from Yerevan. Admire the beauty of the Biblical...

9 to 10 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (7)
from
$153

Private tour to Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery, Tsaghkadzor, Kecharis Monastery

During this one-day private tour you will visit the unique pagan temple in Armenia – Garni, UNESCO heritage listed monastery – Geghard & Tsaghadzor city! …More

During this one-day private tour you will visit the unique pagan temple in Armenia – Garni, UNESCO heritage listed monastery – Geghard & Tsaghadzor city!...

8 hours Free Cancellation
4.9 (11)
from
$130

Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

Group Tour: Garni, Symphony of Stones, Geghard, Lavash Baking

Join the group to explore most amazing attractions of Armenia! First up visit Garni, the only pagan temple which exists in Armenia. See the "Lavash" (Armenian bread) …More

Join the group to explore most amazing attractions of Armenia! First up visit Garni, the only pagan temple which exists in Armenia. See the "Lavash" (Armenian bread)...

5 to 6 hours Free Cancellation
4.9 (968)
from
$28

Garni, Geghard & Symphony Small-Group Day Trip with Lavash Baking

Start at the scenic Arch of Charents, a panoramic viewpoint overlooking biblical Mount Ararat. Continue to the 1st-century Garni Temple, the only surviving pagan temple …More

Start at the scenic Arch of Charents, a panoramic viewpoint overlooking biblical Mount Ararat. Continue to the 1st-century Garni Temple, the only surviving pagan temple...

6 to 7 hours Free Cancellation
4.9 (253)
from
$26

Group tour: Khor Virap, Noravank, Areni Winery and Cave

Join this group tour to explore most amazing attractions of Armenia! Visit Khor Virap monastery, a great place for embracing the most picturesque views of Biblical Ararat …More

Join this group tour to explore most amazing attractions of Armenia! Visit Khor Virap monastery, a great place for embracing the most picturesque views of Biblical Ararat...

9 to 10 hours Free Cancellation
4.9 (674)
from
$35

Group Tour: Lake Sevan (Sevanavank), Dilijan (Goshavank, Haghartsin)

On this 9-10-hour tour visit Lake Sevan, pearl of this mountainous country and one of the largest freshwater high-altitude lakes in Eurasia. You will also …More

On this 9-10-hour tour visit Lake Sevan, pearl of this mountainous country and one of the largest freshwater high-altitude lakes in Eurasia. You will also...

9 to 10 hours Free Cancellation
4.9 (1,023)
from
$32

What's Included

Activity name

  • WiFi on board
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Bottled water
  • Hotel Pick up and Drop off
  • Lunch (upon request)
  • Entrance Tickets
  • Professional guide (upon request)

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Possible languages: English, Russian. In case the tour is organized in other language, changes of the prices are possible.

Report Product Issue

Activity name