Garni Temple, Geghard & Lake Sevan: Private tour from Yerevan

UNESCO and ancient sites in a day, starting at a pagan temple from antiquity

A private one-day tour from Yerevan visits Charents Arch, Garni Temple (Armenia's only surviving pagan temple from the 1st century), Geghard Monastery (a cave complex carved into rock), and Lake Sevan, one of the world's highest freshwater lakes. Hotel pickup and drop-off, professional guide and air-conditioned transport are included. You choose your group size and whether to add a guide at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Garni Temple1h
2. Geghard Monastery1h

Visit Armenian historical and natural sites

• See Charents Arch near Yerevan
• Explore Garni pagan temple
• View Symphony of Stones basalt columns
• Tour Geghard cave monastery
• Visit Sevanavank monastery at Lake Sevan

The experience

The tour starts with Charents Arch, located between Garni and Geghard in the village of Vokhchaberd. Garni Temple, built in the second half of the 1st century by King Trdat III, stands as the only pagan temple preserved on Armenian soil. The structure rises from massive basalt columns, nearly 50 meters high, arranged in a paradoxically symmetric pattern of hexagons and pentagons that dominate the landscape.

Geghard Monastery is one of Armenia's greatest medieval architectural achievements, and unlike most monasteries, it is completely hollowed out of the cave itself, earning it the name "cave monastery." The complex sits on the peninsula of Lake Sevan, which was founded in 305 by St. Gregory the Illuminator on the site of a former pagan temple. Lake Sevan itself is one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world, surrounded by mountains and offering both historical depth and a landscape that shifts between volcanic geology and open water.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water and WiFi on board. If you select the guide option, a professional English or Russian-speaking guide travels with you. Without a guide, you navigate the sites independently. The tour runs eight hours total. Infants can sit on an adult's lap, and specialized infant seats are available. All fitness levels are welcome.

What’s included

• Private transportation with an air-conditioned vehicle and professional driver.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Yerevan.
• bottled water.
• WiFi on board.
• professional guide in English or Russian (if selected at checkout).

Options for this experience

6 options

For 1 to 3 travelers, without a guideUp to 3 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 15 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00Private tour covering Charents Arch, Garni, Symphony of Stones, Geghard, Lake Sevan and Sevanavank Monastery. Duration: 8 hours. Car: sedan. Pickup is included.

For 4 to 7 travelers, without a guideUp to 7 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 15 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00Private tour covering Charents Arch, Garni, Symphony of Stones, Geghard, Lake Sevan and Sevanavank Monastery. Duration: 8 hours. Car: minivan. Pickup is included.

For 1 to 2 travelers, with a guideUp to 2 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 15 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00Private tour covering Charents Arch, Garni, Symphony of Stones, Geghard, Lake Sevan and Sevanavan Monastery. Duration: 8 hours. Car: sedan. Pickup is included.

See 3 more options

For 8 to 15 travelers, without a guideUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 15 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00Private tour covering Charents Arch, Garni, Symphony of Stones, Geghard, Lake Sevan and Sevanavan Monastery. Duration: 8 hours. Car: minibus. Pickup is included.

For 3 to 6 travelers, with a guideUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 15 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00Private tour covering Charents Arch, Garni, Symphony of Stones, Geghard, Lake Sevan and Sevanavank Monastery. Duration: 8 hours. Car: minivan. Pickup is included.

For 7 to 15 travelers, with a guideUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 15 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00Private tour covering Charents Arch, Garni, Symphony of Stones, Geghard, Lake Sevan and Sevanavan Monastery. Duration: 8 hours. Car: minibus. Pickup is included.

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 day15 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00

Book up to20h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 5

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Jan Armenia Tours

Is this one for you?Book with a guide if you want context and stories at each site. Book without one if you prefer to move at your own pace and explore independently. The eight-hour window fits all four stops into a single day, so the fixed itinerary is what makes the breadth possible. You see the pagan temple, the cave monastery and the lake without splitting the experience across multiple days.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

What is Garni Temple and why does it matter?

Garni Temple is Armenia's only surviving pagan temple, built in the 1st century by King Trdat III. It stands out for its unusual basalt column construction (nearly 50 meters high, arranged in paradoxically symmetric hexagons and pentagons) making it architecturally distinct from any other structure in the region.

Is Geghard Monastery really carved into a cave?

Yes. Geghard is completely hollowed out of the rock itself and is called a "cave monastery." It is one of Armenia's greatest medieval architectural structures and sits on the peninsula of Lake Sevan, founded in 305 by St. Gregory the Illuminator.

How high is Lake Sevan, and what makes it special?

Lake Sevan is one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world. It is surrounded by mountains and offers a landscape of volcanic geology and open water, creating both a historical and natural focal point for the day.

Can I do this tour without a guide?

Yes. You can book the tour without a professional guide and explore the sites independently, or add a guide who speaks English or Russian at checkout. Both options include hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport and bottled water.

What group sizes are available?

You choose at checkout: 1–2 travelers, 1–3 travelers, 3–6 travelers, 4–7 travelers, 7–15 travelers, or 8–15 travelers. Guide availability varies by group size option.