Yerevan to Tatev Monastery, Noravank & Shaki Waterfall Day Trip

Red cliffs, a ropeway across a gorge, and a waterfall in one day from Yerevan.

A 12-hour day trip from Yerevan visits three of southern Armenia's most significant sites: Noravank Monastery set against towering red canyon walls, Tatev Monastery reached by the Wings of Tatev Ropeway gliding above Vorotan Gorge, and Shaki Waterfall cascading into a natural basin. An English-speaking guide and air-conditioned vehicle handle the route and timing. You choose whether to add the ropeway ticket at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Tatev Monastery1h
2. Shaki Waterfall45m

Explore southern Armenia's highlights

• Drive from Yerevan to Noravank Monastery
• Visit Noravank Monastery and canyon views
• Enjoy lunch break
• Ride Wings of Tatev Ropeway over gorge
• Visit Tatev Monastery and explore site
• Visit Shaki Waterfall and take photos
• Stop for dinner before returning

The experience

The day starts with a drive south from Yerevan toward Noravank Monastery, where the building itself sits against sheer red cliffs in a narrow canyon. The monastery is an architectural landmark: centuries old, built into the landscape rather than simply placed on it. After time to walk the grounds and photograph the stone work against the cliff face, you break for lunch before the longer leg of the journey continues toward Tatev.

The Wings of Tatev Ropeway is the access point to Tatev Monastery. The cable car spans Vorotan Gorge, and the ride itself, roughly 5.7 kilometers, is the moment most travelers remember: you're suspended above deep canyons with mountains and valleys visible in all directions. Tatev Monastery sits on a plateau edge and is one of Armenia's most historically significant religious sites. The architecture and the vantage point from the plateau are the draw. The ropeway ticket is optional and priced separately, so you can add it or skip it when you book.

The final stop is Shaki Waterfall, where water drops from volcanic rock into a clear pool in a quieter, more intimate setting than the morning's canyon views. The waterfall is smaller and more intimate than Noravank or Tatev: a place to stand in the spray and breathe mountain air. Before the return to Yerevan, the group stops for dinner. The drive back takes roughly six hours of the 12-hour total, so the day is built around travel time. Most of the daylight goes to the three sites themselves.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the full 12-hour day.
• transport to and from Yerevan.
• access to Noravank Monastery, Tatev Monastery, and Shaki Waterfall.
• lunch and dinner stops.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Thursday and SaturdayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to5h before

AgesAdult (2 and older) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 17

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 26

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tranquil Holidays

Is this one for you?The 12-hour commitment means you leave early and return late, so plan this as your main activity for the day. It does not fit alongside a morning flight or an evening engagement. If you want to add the ropeway ticket, the choice is yours at checkout. The tour reaches Tatev Monastery either way, though the cable car crossing is the more dramatic approach.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 2): 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 Noravank Monastery and why is it set against red cliffs?

Noravank Monastery is a centuries-old Armenian religious site built directly into a narrow canyon, with the stone structure rising against towering red cliff walls. The monastery is an architectural masterpiece. The dramatic canyon landscape is part of what makes it one of southern Armenia's most photographed sites.

How do I get to Tatev Monastery, and what is the Wings of Tatev Ropeway?

The Wings of Tatev Ropeway is a cable car that spans Vorotan Gorge and carries you to Tatev Monastery on the opposite side. The ropeway ride is roughly 5.7 kilometers and offers views of deep canyons and mountain valleys. The ticket is optional and added at checkout if you want to include it.

What is Shaki Waterfall like compared to the monasteries?

Shaki Waterfall is a smaller, more intimate natural site where water cascades from volcanic rock into a clear pool. Unlike the architectural and historical focus of Noravank and Tatev, Shaki is a place to experience the mountain landscape itself: the spray, the sound, and the quiet setting.

How much of the 12 hours is spent driving versus at the sites?

Approximately six hours of the 12-hour day is drive time between Yerevan and the three locations. The remaining time is split between Noravank Monastery, the ropeway and Tatev Monastery, Shaki Waterfall, and a lunch and dinner break.

What is included in the tour price, and what costs extra?

The tour includes an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned vehicle transport, and all driving time. Meals (lunch and dinner) and the Wings of Tatev Ropeway ticket are not included in the base price. You can add the ropeway ticket when you book if you want to ride it.

Is this tour suitable for someone with limited mobility or health concerns?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. It is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health due to the length of the day, the ropeway ride, and the amount of walking at each site.