Garni Temple Half-Day Tour with Lavash Masterclass

Make Armenian flatbread, then stand inside a cave monastery carved from stone

A half-day private tour from Yerevan visits Garni temple (a UNESCO-listed pagan shrine built in the 1st century), Geghard Monastery (a medieval complex hollowed into a cave), and Symphony of Stones (50-meter basalt columns in a gorge), plus a hands-on masterclass in making traditional Armenian lavash bread. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. A professional guide in English or Russian is available depending on the option you choose.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Garni Temple1h
2. Geghard Monastery1h

Visit Garni, Geghard, and Symphony of Stones

• See Charents Arch viewpoint
• Explore Garni Temple ruins
• Tour Geghard Monastery cave
• Visit Symphony of Stones natural monument
• Attend Armenian Lavash bread masterclass

The experience

The tour runs six hours and starts with hotel pickup from Yerevan. You'll pass through Charents Arch, a stone gateway positioned to frame Mount Ararat on the horizon, before reaching Garni temple: a 1st-century Greco-Roman shrine dedicated to Mithra, the sun god, and the only pagan temple preserved on Armenian soil. The structure was destroyed in a 1679 earthquake. What stands now is a reconstruction built from original stone fragments scattered across the site.

Next is Geghard Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site carved directly into the mountainside. The complex dates to the 4th century and takes its name from the spear (geghard in Armenian) said to have pierced Christ on the cross. That artifact now sits in the Etchmiadzin museum. Walking through the cave chambers and carved chapels gives the scale of medieval Armenian craftsmanship in a way no photograph conveys. The monastery sits near a sacred spring that originally drew monks to the location.

Symphony of Stones follows: a natural monument of hexagonal and pentagonal basalt columns rising nearly 50 meters from a gorge where the Azat River runs through. The formation resembles organ pipes, which is why locals also call it the Basalt Organ. The river's sound carries through the canyon and adds texture to the stone landscape. From here you can enter Khosrov Forest State Reserve, one of Armenia's protected areas, if time allows.

The masterclass in lavash making happens during the tour. You'll learn to prepare and bake the traditional Armenian flatbread by hand: a skill passed down for centuries. The bread is baked in a tonir, a clay oven sunk into the ground, and the process is quick enough to fit inside the afternoon. Bottled water and air-conditioned transport are provided throughout. WiFi is available on board.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from Yerevan.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• WiFi on board.
• a hands-on masterclass in making traditional Armenian lavash bread.
• visits to Garni temple, Geghard Monastery, Charents Arch and Symphony of Stones.
• a professional guide in English or Russian (included in select options only).

Options for this experience

6 options

1-3 travelers, unguidedUp to 3 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 11 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00Private tour of Garni temple, Geghard Monastery and Symphony of Stones, without a guide. Duration: 5 hours. Pickup is included.

4-7 travelers, unguidedUp to 7 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 11 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00Private tour of Garni temple, Geghard Monastery and Symphony of Stones, without a guide. Duration: 5 hours. Pickup is included.

1-2 travelers, guidedUp to 2 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 11 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00Private tour of Garni temple, Geghard Monastery and Symphony of Stones, with a guide. Duration: 5 hours. Pickup is included.

See 3 more options

3-6 travelers, guidedUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 11 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00Private tour of Garni temple, Geghard Monastery and Symphony of Stones, with a guide. Duration: 5 hours. Pickup is included.

8-15 travelers, unguidedUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 11 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:008-15 travelers, unguided. Pickup is included.

7-15 travelers, guidedUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 11 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00Private tour of Charents Arch, Garni Temple, Symphony of the Stones or Garni Gorge, and Geghard Monastery. 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 day11 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00

Book up to20h 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.

Paid on siteUS$ 5

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Jan Armenia Tours

Is this one for you?Choose an option with a guide if you want context on the history and architecture of each site. Without a guide, you travel at your own pace and spend more time at each stop. The lavash masterclass is part of every option, so the choice comes down to whether you prefer guided interpretation or independent exploration.

Traveler reviews

4.88★★★★★★★★★★

68 verified traveler reviews

5 ★63

4 ★4

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

What exactly is Garni temple and why is it significant?

Garni temple is a 1st-century pagan shrine built by King Trdat III and dedicated to Mithra, the sun god. It is the only pagan temple that has survived on Armenian territory and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. An earthquake destroyed it in 1679, but it was reconstructed from the original stone fragments found at the site.

Can I actually make the lavash bread myself, or is it a demonstration?

You make the lavash yourself during a hands-on masterclass. The bread is baked in a traditional tonir oven, and the process is fast enough to complete within the tour's six-hour timeframe.

Is a guide included in every option, or do I choose?

A professional guide in English or Russian is included in some options but not all. When you book, you'll select an option that specifies whether a guide is part of your tour. Options range from one to fifteen travelers, with or without a guide.

What is Symphony of Stones and how long do we spend there?

Symphony of Stones is a natural monument in a gorge near Garni, made up of massive hexagonal and pentagonal basalt columns nearly 50 meters high. The Azat River flows through the canyon. The site is one of Armenia's most striking geological formations and is included as a stop on the tour.

Does the tour include lunch or meals?

Lunch and food are not included in the tour price. Bottled water is provided on board, but you'll need to arrange meals separately or bring your own snacks.

How fit do I need to be for this tour?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. The tour involves walking through monastery caves and around the basalt columns at Symphony of Stones, plus standing and moving during the lavash masterclass. The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers.