Armenia tour: Khor Virap, Noravank & Areni wine tasting

See four of Armenia's most significant sites in a single day, from monastery to winery to waterfall.

An 11–12 hour tour through Armenia visiting Khor Virap monastery (with views of Mount Ararat), the two-storied Church of Holy Mother of God at Noravank, Hin Areni wine factory, and Jermuk's mineral water gallery and waterfall. Choose a shared or private vehicle and decide whether to travel with a guide or self-guided. Pickup and drop-off are included within Yerevan.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Khor Virap, Noravank, Areni, Jermuk

• Visit Khor Virap monastery
• Explore Noravank monastery complex
• Tour Hin Areni wine factory
• Taste mineral waters at Jermuk gallery

The experience

The tour starts at Khor Virap, Armenia's most important pilgrimage site, where Saint Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned before converting King Trdat to Christianity in 301. The monastery sits at the closest point to Mount Ararat on Armenian territory, and the views of the Biblical mountain from the grounds are the main reason travelers come here first. From there the route moves to Noravank, a 13th-century monastery complex built into a narrow valley surrounded by hundred caves. The standout is the Church of Holy Mother of God, the only two-storied monastery in Armenia, notable for its sculptural detail and architectural precision.

The afternoon centers on Hin Areni wine factory in the Vayots Dzor region, where grapes found at the nearby settlement were dated to 6000 years ago. The winery blends traditional Armenian winemaking with modern equipment and can process over 250 tonnes of grapes annually. A tasting is available at the factory. Jermuk, a health resort in the northeastern part of the region, comes next: visitors walk through a drinking gallery lined with pump rooms serving mineral water at temperatures ranging from 30 to 50 degrees Celsius, then see the waterfall. The mineral waters have been known for medicinal properties since the medieval period.

You can book this tour as a private vehicle for 1–3 travelers or a shared minibus for up to seven, and choose whether to travel with an English or Russian-speaking guide or navigate independently. Pickup and drop-off within Yerevan are included, as are bottled water, vehicle insurance and a professional driver. The tour runs 11 to 12 hours, so plan for a full day away from the city.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off within Yerevan.
• air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver.
• vehicle and passenger insurance.
• bottled water.
• professional English or Russian-speaking guide (if you choose the guided option).
• stops at Khor Virap, Noravank, Hin Areni wine factory and Jermuk mineral water gallery.

Options for this experience

4 options

For 1-3 travelers, without a guideUp to 3 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 09:00, 09:30 and 10:00Includes bottled water, vehicle insurance, and pickup from the hotel

For 4-7 travelers, without a guideUp to 7 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 09:00, 09:30 and 10:00Includes bottled water, vehicle insurance, and pickup from the hotel

For 1-2 travelers, with a guideUp to 2 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 09:00, 09:30 and 10:00Includes bottled water, vehicle insurance, and pickup from the hotel

For 3-6 travelers, with a guideUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 09:00, 09:30 and 10:00Includes bottled water, vehicle insurance, and pickup from the hotel

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 09:30 and 10:00

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 18

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Hyur Service

Is this one for you?Book with a guide if you want historical and architectural context at each monastery and insight into Armenian winemaking traditions. Travel self-guided if you prefer to move at your own pace and spend as much time as you want at any stop. The shared minibus option suits travelers comfortable with other passengers. A private vehicle works better for families or groups who want the day to themselves.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Khor Virap monastery and why is the view of Mount Ararat important?

Khor Virap is Armenia's most famous pilgrimage site, built in the 17th century over the dungeon where Saint Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned before he converted King Trdat to Christianity in 301. The monastery sits at the closest point to the Biblical Mount Ararat on Armenian territory, and the mountain views from the grounds are the primary reason the site draws visitors.

Can I taste wine at Hin Areni, and what makes the winery significant?

Hin Areni wine factory offers tastings and showcases indigenous Armenian grape varietals using both traditional methods and modern equipment. The winery is located in Vayots Dzor, where grapes discovered at the nearby settlement of Areni were dated to 6000 years ago, making it one of the oldest centers of winemaking in the world.

What is the Jermuk mineral water gallery, and how does it work?

Jermuk's drinking gallery is a row of pump rooms where visitors can taste spring water at different temperatures, ranging from 30 to 50 degrees Celsius. The mineral waters have been valued for medicinal properties since medieval times, and the gallery also provides access to a nearby waterfall.

Should I book with a guide or travel self-guided?

You can choose either option at checkout. A professional English or Russian-speaking guide provides context at each stop. Self-guided travel lets you set your own pace. Both options include the same vehicle, pickup and drop-off from Yerevan.

How many people can travel together, and is the vehicle air-conditioned?

Groups range from 1 to 7 travelers depending on the option you select. All vehicles are air-conditioned, insured and driven by a professional driver, with bottled water provided throughout the day.