Garni Temple & Lake Sevan tour from Yerevan: UNESCO monasteries

Four centuries of carved stone, two monasteries, and a pagan temple overlooking Ararat

This private day tour from Yerevan visits Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery and Sevanavank Monastery over 7 hours, with all entrance fees included and hotel pickup. You'll see a 1st-century Hellenistic temple where an Armenian sun god was worshiped, walk through a UNESCO-listed monastery carved into a rock gorge, and climb to a 9th-century monastery perched on a peninsula in Lake Sevan. A guide in English or Russian is available as an option at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Geghard Monastery1h
2. Garni Temple1h · entry included

Visit Garni, Geghard, Lake Sevan, Sevanavank

• Stop at viewpoint of Ararat mountain
• Explore Geghard Monastery
• Visit Garni Pagan Temple
• Walk along Lake Sevan shore
• Tour Sevanavank Monastery

The experience

The day starts with a short stop at an arch with views toward Mount Ararat, then moves to Geghard Monastery in the Azat River Gorge. The complex is partly carved directly into the basalt rock face. The name Geghard comes from the Armenian word for the spear that pierced Christ's side, which the monastery housed for five centuries. The oldest chapel dates to the 12th century. The main church, Surp Astvatsatsin, was built in 1215 and its adjoining vestibule with nine arches followed a decade later. The stone carvings throughout are detailed enough to reward a slow walk.

Garni Temple comes next: a 1st-century masterpiece of classical Hellenistic architecture built by King Tirdates I as a shrine to Mihr, the Armenian sun god. It stands alone on a hilltop and is one of the few pagan temples still standing in the region. After Garni, the tour includes a short walk along the shore of Lake Sevan, Armenia's largest lake, which sits 1,900 meters above sea level. The water level has changed dramatically since the 1930s when it was diverted for irrigation and power generation. What was once an island is now a peninsula.

The final stop is Sevanavank Monastery, a 9th-century complex on a rocky outcrop overlooking the lake. All entrance tickets to these three sites are included in the price. The tour covers 220 km total and lasts 7 hours. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water on board. Pickup and drop-off happen at your Yerevan hotel or any location in the city. Drivers are non-smokers and experienced. Guides speak English or Russian depending on your choice at booking.

What’s included

• All entrance tickets to Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery and Sevanavank Monastery.
• private air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi on board.
• bottled water.
• free hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Yerevan.
• baby car seats upon request.

Options for this experience

2 options

For 4 to 8 people, without a guideUp to 8 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 12:00Pickup is included

For 4 to 7 people, with a guideUp to 7 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 12:00Pickup 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 day5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 12:00

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 11 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Skyline Tour Service

Is this one for you?Choose the option with a guide if you want context for the carvings and history at each site. The tour works just as well without one if you prefer to explore at your own pace. Groups of up to eight travel together, so a family or small group books as a single party without splitting up.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

What is Geghard Monastery and why is it famous?

Geghard Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site carved partly into the rock face of the Azat River Gorge. It is named after the holy lance that pierced Christ's side, which the monastery kept for five centuries. The main church, Surp Astvatsatsin, dates to 1215 and features detailed stone carvings. Its adjoining vestibule with nine arches was completed by 1225.

Can I choose whether to have a guide on this tour?

Yes. You can book the tour with a guide who speaks English or Russian, or without a guide. The choice is yours at checkout. Either way, all entrance tickets to the three sites are included.

How far is Lake Sevan from Yerevan, and what do you do there?

Lake Sevan is Armenia's largest lake, located 1,900 meters above sea level. The tour includes a short walk along the shore. The monastery stop at Sevanavank sits on a rocky peninsula. The lake was much larger before the 1930s, when water was diverted for irrigation and power generation.

What was Garni Temple used for?

Garni Temple was built in the 1st century AD by King Tirdates I as a shrine to Mihr, the Armenian sun god. It is a masterpiece of classical Hellenistic architecture and one of the few pagan temples still standing in the region.

Does the tour include pickup from my hotel?

Yes. Free pickup and drop-off are included at any location in Yerevan, including your hotel. The vehicle is air-conditioned and bottled water is provided on board.