Seven Wonders of Armenia

One of Amaras Tour's most packed routes — seven landmark places of Armenia in a single day. Ancient history, monasteries, mountains, natural monuments and Lake Sevan are combined in one big journey.

The first stop is Khor Virap, one of Armenia's best-known monasteries and one of the best places for a panoramic view of Mount Ararat.

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

During the visit you can see the monastery complex, the famous pit of Gregory the Illuminator and, if the weather allows, majestic Ararat.

Next we head to the Azat Reservoir, a picturesque spot among the mountains. A stop is planned here for a walk, a rest and photographs against the water and the surrounding landscape.

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

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

After Garni we descend into the gorge of the Azat River 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.

Then we visit Geghard Monastery.

According to tradition, the monastery was founded as early as the 4th century by Gregory the Illuminator, while the main part of the surviving architectural ensemble dates to the 13th century.

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

Geghard Monastery, together with the upper Azat River valley, is inscribed on 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 lies at about 1,900 metres above sea level and is surrounded by mountain ranges. There will be time here to enjoy the panorama of the lake and take photographs.

Then we climb up the Sevan peninsula to Sevanavank Monastery.

The surviving churches of the monastery complex date to the 9th century. From this height one of the best-known panoramas of Sevan opens up — the vast lake and mountains on almost every side.

This is where our big journey ends — from the foot of Ararat to the shores of Sevan.

Seven Wonders of Armenia is an excellent choice for a first acquaintance with the country and for those who want to see the maximum in one day.

One route combines the history, architecture, religion and nature of Armenia: Khor Virap and Ararat, ancient Garni, the Symphony of Stones, rock-hewn Geghard and high-altitude Sevan.

This is a full excursion for travellers who want not just to visit individual sights but to see the different facets of Armenia in one day.