Day trip to Armenia UNESCO sites with homemade lunch

Two medieval monasteries separated by centuries of architecture, both standing in the same afternoon.

A day trip from Tbilisi into Armenia visits two UNESCO heritage sites—Haghpat Monastery and Sanahin Monastery—with a professional English-speaking guide, round-trip transport, and homemade lunch prepared by a local family. The tour departs at 8:30am from Avlabari metro station and runs 11 hours, crossing into a neighboring country to see 10th- and 13th-century churches, copper smelting caves, and Soviet-era landmarks. You'll need your passport and a visa arranged in advance.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day trip visiting Armenian heritage sites

• Meet guide at Avlabari metro station
• Visit Akhtala Monastery and surroundings
• Visit Haghpat Monastery UNESCO site
• Enjoy homemade lunch
• Visit Sanahin Monastery UNESCO site
• Stop at 12th-century bridge and copper factory
• View Debed canyon
• Visit Mikoyan Brothers’ Museum

The Experience

The day starts at Avlabari metro station at 8:30am, where your guide meets you with the company flag. From there, the route crosses into Armenia to reach Akhtala Monastery first—a 13th-century church ringed by copper smelting caves and a defensive fortification that shows how the landscape itself was engineered for protection. The frescoes inside mark the shift from one era to another, visible in the stone itself.

Haghpat Monastery comes next, a UNESCO site in Haghpat village that stands as one of Armenia's medieval masterpieces. After lunch—cooked by a local family and eaten together—the second UNESCO stop is Sanahin Monastery, a 10th-century structure. On the way, three optional stops break up the drive: a 12th-century bridge where you can see a copper smelting factory and feel the weight of Soviet industrial history; Debed canyon with its open views; and the Mikoyan Brothers' Museum, which holds an original MiG 21 aircraft. The full day is 11 hours, and transport, the guide and the meal are all included.

Bring your passport—you'll cross an international border and need a visa arranged before the trip, not on arrival. The tour suits all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers. Public transport options exist near the meeting point if you need an alternative way to arrive.

What’s included

• Round-trip transport from Avlabari metro station.
• professional guide service in English.
• homemade lunch prepared and shared with a local family.
• entry to Haghpat and Sanahin monasteries and Akhtala Monastery.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Gamarjoba Georgia Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you have a full day free and your visa is already arranged—the 11-hour schedule and border crossing mean you need both time and documents in place before you arrive at the metro station.

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Top questions

What time does the tour start and where do I meet the guide?

The guide meets you at 8:30am in front of Avlabari metro station with the company's branded flag. From there, transport takes you across the border into Armenia.

Do I need a visa to visit Armenia on this tour?

Yes, you need a visa arranged in advance—it is not available on arrival. Bring your passport with you on the day of the tour.

What are the two UNESCO monasteries I'll visit?

Haghpat Monastery, located in Haghpat village, is one of Armenia's medieval masterpieces from the medieval period. Sanahin Monastery, built in the 10th century, is the second UNESCO site and stands as one of the most beautiful monasteries in the region.

Is lunch included, and who prepares it?

Yes, homemade lunch is included and is prepared by a local family. You eat together as part of the tour experience.

What optional stops are available on the way to Sanahin Monastery?

Three optional stops break up the drive: a 12th-century bridge with views of a copper smelting factory; Debed canyon with panoramic views; and the Mikoyan Brothers' Museum, which displays an original MiG 21 aircraft.

How long is the full tour?

The tour runs 11 hours total, departing at 8:30am and including transport, guide service, and lunch.