Tatev Monastery & Shaki Waterfall tour: Wine tasting in Areni

Ride the world's longest cable car to a 9th-century monastery, then hike to a waterfall that falls 18 meters into a gorge.

A guided group tour of southern Armenia visiting Tatev Monastery, Shaki Waterfall and Areni village, with an English or Russian-speaking guide, air-conditioned transport, and wine tasting included. The Wings of Tatev cable car (6 km, a Guinness World Record holder) carries you directly to the monastery. The cable car ticket is optional and paid separately. The tour runs 13 to 14 hours and suits all fitness levels, with children welcome from age 1.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Tatev, Shaki Waterfall, and Wine Tasting

• Ride Wings of Tatev cable car
• Visit 9th-century Tatev Monastery
• Walk to Shaki Waterfall
• Enjoy wine tasting in Areni village

Stops and time spent at each 2 stops

1. Tatev Monastery 1h
2. Shaki Waterfall 30m

What’s included

• Guide service in English or Russian.
• air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi on board.
• bottled water and local gata pastry.
• entrance fees to Tatev Monastery and Shaki Waterfall.
• wine tasting in Areni village.

Times

• Tuesday and Saturday 08:00

Last departure this season: 14 Nov

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Before you book

Group Up to 19 2 private ›

Live guide English and Russian Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. 2 with pickup ›

Book up to 2h before

Ages Adult (11 to 95 years) · Child (3 to 5 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years): free

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Public transport nearby Infants must sit on laps

Operated by Yerani Travel LLC

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

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The experience

You start the morning with a pickup and a long drive south into the Vorotan Gorge region. The cable car station arrives first. The Wings of Tatev is a 6-kilometer non-stop ride above the gorge, and it holds the record for the world's longest double-track cable car. The monastery sits on a high plateau at the far end, built in the 9th century when it was one of Armenia's most important educational and spiritual centers. The complex is surrounded by mountains and dense forest, and the views from the cable car down into the gorge are the reason people book this tour.

From Tatev, the group moves on to Shaki Waterfall near Sisian. The waterfall drops 18 meters off basalt cliffs into a deep gorge, and despite the modest height it carries a large volume of water. You hear the rumble from a distance. The path down is narrow and winding, so you'll leave the vehicle and walk the final stretch. The territory around the falls holds traces of ancient civilizations in rock niches and grottoes. A local legend tells of a girl named Shake who fell from the cliff rather than submit to conquerors, and her dress became the waterfall in her honor.

The tour ends in Areni village, Armenia's wine capital and home to one of the world's oldest grape varieties. You visit a local winery and taste a selection of wines. This is where winemaking was born in the region, and the tasting is part of the day. The guide is with you throughout, speaking English or Russian. The vehicle is air-conditioned, bottled water and a local sweet pastry called gata are provided, and the whole day runs 13 to 14 hours from start to finish.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 5 years); Infant (1 to 2 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Wings of Tatev cable car and do I have to ride it?

The Wings of Tatev is a 6-kilometer cable car that holds the Guinness World Record for the world's longest non-stop double-track cable car. It carries you directly to Tatev Monastery above the Vorotan Gorge. The cable car ticket is not included in the tour price and is optional. You pay separately if you choose to ride it.

How difficult is the walk to Shaki Waterfall?

Shaki Waterfall requires a narrow, winding path down from the vehicle to reach the base. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, but the walk is not flat or paved. Wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for an uneven descent.

What kind of wine tasting happens in Areni?

You visit a local winery in Areni village and taste a selection of different wines from the region. Areni is known as Armenia's wine capital and home to one of the world's oldest grape varieties, so the tasting focuses on local production.

How long is this tour and what's included in the price?

The tour runs 13 to 14 hours and includes guide service in English or Russian, air-conditioned transport, bottled water, local gata pastry, entrance fees to the sites, and wine tasting. The Wings of Tatev cable car ticket is not included and costs 6 to 14 euros per person.