Yerevan Private Tour: Lake Sevan, Sevanavank, Kecharis Monastery

Four stops in seven hours: medieval churches, a high-altitude lake, and a mountain view that reaches Mount Ararat on clear days.

A private tour from Yerevan visits Lake Sevan, Sevanavank monastery on its peninsula, the spa town of Tsaghkadzor and the medieval Kecharis monastery complex, with hotel pickup and a professional driver included. The tour runs seven hours and covers sites spanning from the 10th century to the present. A professional guide in English or Russian is available as an add-on. Infants can ride in specialized seats, and the itinerary suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Lake Sevan and Tsaghkadzor

• Visit Lake Sevan
• Explore Sevanavank Monastery
• Ride Tsaghkadzor ropeway
• Tour Kecharis Monastery

The experience

The tour starts with hotel pickup in Yerevan and heads northeast 63 kilometers to Lake Sevan, the largest freshwater high-altitude lake in the Caucasus. Set at 1,900 meters above sea level and covering 1,240 square kilometers, the lake is ringed by mountain ranges. Sevanavank monastery sits on the lake's peninsula, founded in 305 by St. Gregory the Illuminator on the site of a pagan temple. The complex holds two churches built in 874, St. Arakeloc and St. Astvatcatcin: along with khachqars (carved cross-stones) scattered across the grounds. Wood-carved capitals from the churches are now housed in the Armenia State Museum of History and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg.

From the lake, the route moves to Tsaghkadzor, a spa town in Kotayk province known for skiing and its mountain climate. Here you visit Kecharis monastery, a medieval complex in the northwestern part of the city. Construction began during the Bagratuni dynasty and continued under the Pahlavuni dynasty over 220 years, with a 150-year interruption. The first church, St. Gregory the Illuminator with a domed hall, was built between 995 and 1003. The complex now includes three churches, two chapels and a courtyard, with structures arranged in a distinctive straight corner on their own pillars: a design unlike other Armenian monasteries.

The chairlift at Tsaghkadzor takes 32 minutes to climb from 1,966 to 2,819 meters above sea level. On clear days, the view reaches Mount Ararat. In any weather, the perspective spans across Armenia. The ropeway has operated since 1967 and was modernized in 2004 and again in 2017. An air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi on board and bottled water returns you to your Yerevan hotel after the day ends.

What’s included

• Your tour includes private transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off in Yerevan.
• an air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi on board.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• and a professional driver. A professional guide in English or Russian is available depending on your selected option.

Options for this experience

6 options

1-3 travelers, no guideUp to 3 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 11 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00Private tour to Tsaghkadzor, Kecharis Monastery, Lake Sevan and Sevanavank, without a guide. Duration: 7 hours. Sedan car. Includes pickup.

4-7 travelers, no guideUp to 7 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 11 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00Private tour to Tsaghkadzor, Kecharis Monastery, Lake Sevan and Sevanavank, without a guide. Duration: 7 hours. Minivan. Includes pickup.

With a guide, for 1-2 travelersUp to 2 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 11 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00Private tour to Tsaghkadzor, Kecharis Monastery, Lake Sevan and Sevanavank, with a guide. Duration: 7 hours. Sedan car. Pickup is included.

See 3 more options

8-15 travelers, no guideUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 11 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00Private tour to Tsaghkadzor, Kecharis Monastery, Lake Sevan and Sevanavank, without a guide. Duration: 7 hours. Minibus. Includes pickup.

With a guide, for 3-6 travelersUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 11 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00Private tour to Tsaghkadzor, Kecharis Monastery, Lake Sevan and Sevanavank, with a guide. Duration: 7 hours. Minivan. Pickup is included.

With a guide, for 7-15 travelersUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 11 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00Duration: 7 hours. Minibus car for 7-15 travelers, with a guide: private tour of Tsaghkadzor city, Kecharis Monastery, Sevan Lake and Sevanavank 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$ 8

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?Choose the option with a guide if you want the history and architecture explained at each monastery and lake stop. Without a guide, you move at your own pace through the sites. The chairlift ticket and any meals are booked separately, so you control those costs and timing.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

What is Sevanavank monastery and why is it on this tour?

Sevanavank is a monastery complex founded in 305 by St. Gregory the Illuminator on Lake Sevan's peninsula. Two churches built there in 874, St. Arakeloc and St. Astvatcatcin: feature wood-carved capitals now displayed in major museums, making the site significant for both religious history and medieval Armenian craftsmanship.

How high is Lake Sevan and what makes it notable?

Lake Sevan sits at 1,900 meters above sea level and is the largest freshwater high-altitude lake in the Caucasus, covering 1,240 square kilometers. It is surrounded by mountain ranges and known for its pure fresh water and clean mountain air.

What happens at the Tsaghkadzor chairlift?

The chairlift climbs from 1,966 to 2,819 meters in 32 minutes. On clear days the view reaches Mount Ararat. From the top, all of Armenia is visible. The ropeway has been in operation since 1967 and was modernized in 2004 and 2017.

Can I add a professional guide to this tour?

Yes, a professional guide in English or Russian is available as an add-on depending on which tour option you select at checkout. The guide is not included in all options.

What's included in the tour price?

Private transportation, hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, a professional driver, bottled water and WiFi on board are included. Food, drinks and the Tsaghkadzor chairlift ticket are separate.

How long does the tour take?

The tour runs seven hours total, covering four stops across the region northeast of Yerevan.