Jermuk & Shaki Waterfalls tour from Yerevan: Private guide option

Two waterfalls, one monastery, and 70 meters of falling water in a single day.

A private full-day tour from Yerevan through southern Armenia, visiting Shaki Waterfall, Jermuk Waterfall and Khor Virap Monastery with views of Mount Ararat. The route includes a stop in the Areni wine region and ends at the Jermuk Mineral Water Gallery, where you taste natural spring water. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. A driver-guide in English or Russian is available, or you can book a driver only.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Khor Virap Monastery10m
2. Shaki Waterfall1h

Explore waterfalls and landmarks

• Photo stop at Khor Virap Monastery
• Short stop in Areni wine region
• Explore Shaki Waterfall
• Visit Jermuk Waterfall
• Taste water at Jermuk Mineral Water Gallery
• Enjoy panoramic views over Jermuk canyon

The experience

How do you fit two major waterfalls, a monastery and a spa town into one day from Yerevan? This tour threads them together across southern Armenia's mountain landscapes, starting with hotel pickup and a drive south. The first stop is Khor Virap Monastery, where you photograph the building against Mount Ararat in the background: the mountain dominates the view from here. A short detour into the Areni wine region breaks up the drive. The canyon there is part of what makes the route scenic rather than just functional.

The Shaki Waterfall comes next, a cascade that drops about 18 meters surrounded by dramatic cliffs. You walk to it and stand in front of it. The water is the point. Later, the Jermuk Waterfall, also called "Mermaid's Hair", falls from around 70 meters, making it the day's most powerful single sight. After that, the tour moves into Jermuk itself, a spa town built around mineral springs. At the Jermuk Mineral Water Gallery, you taste natural mineral water drawn from different underground sources, a small moment that explains why the town exists. A scenic viewpoint over the Jermuk canyon closes the day before the drive back to Yerevan.

The tour runs 10 to 12 hours total. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water provided. If you book the driver-guide option, your guide speaks English or Russian. If you choose driver only, you navigate the stops yourself. Either way, the route and the stops stay the same.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Yerevan.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the full route.
• a driver-guide in English or Russian if you select that option at checkout.

Options for this experience

5 options

Driver Only TourUp to 3 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00Includes pickup

Driver-Guide TourUp to 3 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00Includes pickup

Driver Only MinivanUp to 7 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00Includes pickup

See 2 more options

Driver-Guide MinivanUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00Includes pickup

Minibus TourUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00Sprinter or minibus, includes pickup

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 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00Last departure this season: 30 Nov

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 32 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

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Land of Noah Travel Agency

Is this one for you?Choose the driver-guide option if you want context and stories at each stop. Pick driver only if you prefer to move through the sites at your own pace. Either way, the 10- to 12-hour commitment fits a full day from Yerevan with no other activities planned.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

How far is Jermuk from Yerevan, and how much of the day is driving?

Jermuk sits in southern Armenia, roughly 170 kilometers from Yerevan. The full tour runs 10 to 12 hours, which includes both driving time and stops at each site. The drive itself takes several hours each way, with the Shaki and Jermuk waterfalls and Khor Virap Monastery breaking up the route.

What is Shaki Waterfall like when you get there?

Shaki Waterfall is a cascade dropping about 18 meters, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and natural rock formations. You walk to it and stand at the base. The water and the cliff walls are the main features.

Can I taste the mineral water at Jermuk, or is it just a stop?

The Jermuk Mineral Water Gallery is a tasting stop where you sample natural mineral water from different underground springs. Jermuk is one of Armenia's most famous spa towns, built around these mineral sources.

Do I need a guide, or can I explore the stops on my own?

You choose at checkout: book the driver-guide option for a guide in English or Russian at each stop, or choose driver only and explore the sites yourself. The vehicle, the route and the stops are the same either way.

What does Khor Virap Monastery look like from the viewpoint?

Khor Virap Monastery is one of Armenia's most iconic landmarks. The photo stop there frames the monastery building with Mount Ararat in the background. The mountain view is what makes this stop distinctive.