Seven Wonders of Armenia

One of Amaras Tour's most action-packed routes — seven landmark sites of Armenia in a single day. Ancient history, monasteries, mountains, natural monuments and Lake Sevan are all woven into one great journey.

The first stop is Khor Virap, one of Armenia's most famous monasteries and one of the best places to take in a panoramic view of Mount Ararat.

According to church tradition, it was here that Gregory the Illuminator spent about 13 years in a deep dungeon. After his release he played a key role in Armenia's adoption of Christianity in the early 4th century.

During the visit you can see the monastery complex, the famous dungeon of Gregory the Illuminator, and, weather permitting, the majestic Ararat.

Next we head to the Azat Reservoir — a picturesque spot amid the mountains. There's a stop here for a walk, some rest and photos against the water and the surrounding landscape.

The next point on the route is Garni Temple, a unique monument of pre-Christian Armenia.

The temple dates to the 1st century AD and is traditionally linked to the Armenian king Trdat I. Its monumental colonnade and its position above a gorge make Garni one of the country's most recognizable architectural landmarks.

After Garni we descend into the Azat River gorge to the famous Symphony of Stones.

The huge basalt columns formed naturally as a result of ancient volcanic processes. Their unusual geometric shape resembles a giant stone organ — hence the name "Symphony of Stones".

Next we visit Geghard Monastery.

According to tradition, the monastery was founded back in the 4th century by Gregory the Illuminator, while most of the surviving architectural ensemble dates to the 13th century.

Geghard's main distinction is its astonishing architecture: some of its churches and tombs are carved directly into the rock.

Geghard Monastery, together with the upper Azat valley, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

After the historical part of the route, we head to one of the country's main natural symbols — Lake Sevan.

Sevan sits at an altitude of about 1,900 meters above sea level, surrounded by mountain ranges. There will be time to enjoy the lake's panorama and take photos.

Then we climb up to the Sevan Peninsula to Sevanavank Monastery.

The surviving churches of the monastery complex date to the 9th century. From up there opens one of Sevan's best-known panoramas — an enormous lake with mountains on almost every side.

It is here that our grand journey comes to an end — from the foot of Ararat to the shores of Sevan.

Who this tour is for

"Seven Wonders of Armenia" is an excellent choice for a first acquaintance with the country and for those who want to see as much as possible in a single day.

One route brings together Armenia's history, architecture, religion and nature: Khor Virap and Ararat, ancient Garni, the Symphony of Stones, rock-hewn Geghard and highland Sevan.

This is a jam-packed excursion for travelers who want not just to visit individual sights but to see different facets of Armenia in a single day.