Sevan, Dilijan & Goshavank Tour: Lakes, Monasteries from Yerevan

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.74 (564 reviews) 84% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/12

Duration8h–9h

GroupUp to 50

LanguagesEN · RU

Mobile ticketAccepted

Medieval monasteries rise from forests that Armenia calls its Switzerland.

A guided day tour from Yerevan to Lake Sevan, Dilijan, Haghartsin Monastery and Goshavank, with a professional guide and transport for eight to nine hours. The route includes a walk through Dilijan's historic district, where local craftspeople still work in studios and galleries, and a stop at Ijevan Wine and Brandy Factory for a tasting of signature wines paired with local snacks. Sevanavank Monastery sits on a peninsula and requires climbing stairs to reach it.

8h–9h

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Sevan, Dilijan, and Monasteries

Visit Sevanavank Monastery
Explore Lake Sevan surroundings
Tour Haghartsin Monastery
Visit Goshavank Monastery complex
Tour Ijevan Wine and Brandy Factory
Admire Dilijan historical district

The Experience

Lake Sevan anchors the day—a volcanic lake at 1,900 meters above sea level and the second-highest freshwater lake in the world, ringed by mountain ranges. Sevanavank Monastery, built in 874, stands on the water's edge; the 17th-century khachkar inside carries biblical scenes carved across its face. The name Yerevan itself was first recorded on the dome of this monastery, making it a landmark of the city's own history.

From the lake, the route moves into Dilijan, a valley town surrounded by forests so thick and green that locals call it Armenian Switzerland. The old quarter preserves wooden balconies and narrow streets where carpenters, bakers, potters and jewelers still keep their workshops open to the street. You walk through this district from the vehicle, seeing how the craftspeople work and how the town holds its past. Haghartsin Monastery rises in the Tavush forests nearby, built over three centuries from white travertine and basalt stone—an unusual pairing in Armenian construction. The refectory stands as an architectural masterpiece, and a royal mausoleum sits within the grounds.

Goshavank, named for the medieval scholar Mkhitar Gosh, closes the monastery circuit. The complex holds five churches, three chapels, a vestibule and a refectory, with a 13th-century embroidered khachkar by master Poghos that draws attention for its detail. The final stop is Ijevan Wine and Brandy Factory, where you tour the production halls, learn how local grapes move from fermentation through aging, and taste several signature wines and brandies paired with light local snacks. The guide handles the route and timing; transport is included throughout.

What’s included

Transport to all four monastery sites and Dilijan, plus the wine factory.
a professional guide in English or Russian.
entry to Sevanavank, Haghartsin and Goshavank monasteries.
a guided tour of Ijevan Wine and Brandy Factory production facilities.
a tasting of signature wines and brandies with light local snacks.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by ONE WAY TOUR

Is this one for you?Pick this tour if you want to combine two separate regions—Sevan's lake and Dilijan's forested hills—in one day, since the drive between them takes time you'd spend solo; the guide also leads you through Dilijan's artisan quarter and the winery, which ties the monasteries together into a narrative rather than isolated stops.