Tbilisi Yerevan Trip – 2 Days

The Tbilisi Yerevan Transfer works both ways – Any of the given cities can be the starting & ending point. We can organize a tour form Tbilisi to Yerevan and vice versa.

At a time convenient for you, your driver will pickup you up from your hotel in Tbilisi or Yerevan to start the tour.

Sadakhlo Border is located in a 1 hour drive from Tbilisi. Once we reach the border crossing, the driver will stop for you at the exit point – you will walk through the border and enter Armenia where you will be met by your driver(the same driver).

Please check in advance if you’re required to have a visa and/or if you’re eligible for a visa on arrival.

Note that if for some reason, you are not allowed to cross the border we will return you your hotel, however 50% of the total price amount will need to be covered.

Founded in the X Century – The Monastery & Fortress of Akhtala was built as a defensive unit for the locals. People living in the nearby villages would take shelter in the safety of the walls of the castle.

Multiple buildings are located within the fortress walls – including Monastery Complex with 3 Churches. The Main Church – St. Astvatsatsasin was constructed in the 13th century and is a unique monument with influences both from Armenia And Georgia.

Walls of the Astvatsasin church are decorated with stunning murals chronologically depicting biblical scenes and also showing images of heaven and hell.

Akhtala Fortress is located on a beautiful hill and offers a stunning view of the surroundings.

The Monastery of Haghpat was founded between 929-953 AD by the King Abbass Bagratuni. At the time only the first church – Surp Nshan was built. The Monastery got it’s current form in the 12th century.

Today the Monastery boasts a big number of impressive stone buildings – Churches, Gavits, A Repository, A dine hall and a huge bell tower.

One of the gems of the Monastery is the Gavit of the Astvatsatsin Church. It’s known for it’s unique architecture. Also, a famous Armenian Movie – Taste of a Pomegranate by Parajanov was filmed here.

Monastery is also a home to exquisite Khachkars (Armenian Cross Stones) which have been preserved by the monastery and also donated to it in the nearest past.

The Monastery of Sanahin is located right next to the ghost city of Alaverdi. As both the Sanahin and Hagphat Monasteries were built in the same periods, they resemble each other. However, Haghpat is a lot larger and more impressive. If you have to make a choice between the two – We recommend you take Haghpat.

This complex used to be one of the biggest educational centers of Armenia. During your visit you will notice the Academy walkway between the two main churches of the monastery.

It boasted a big repository of ancient manuscripts, the oldest one linked to the Sanahin Monastery is a scroll from the 4th century (Currently kept in the Manuscript Museum in Yerevan).

Also, Sanahin is known for the rare depiction of Kings Gurgen and Smbat.

As of now (11/12/2018) Sanahin Monastery is going through rehabilitation process and is partly closed.

Once we are done with the Sanahin Monastery, we will start the drive to Yerevan. Direct drive to the capital of Armenia is 3 hours from here.

On the way we can make stops for Lunch or taking photos.

We will reach Yerevan around 18:00 and your driver will deliver you to your hotel in Yerevan, from where you can enjoy your evening on your own.

At a time convenient for you (09:00 AM Recommended) your driver will pick you up and we’ll start the second day by heading to the Monastery of Khor Virap.

Monastery of Khor Virap is one of the iconic places of Armenia. Located in front of the Mount Ararat the fortress is very picturesque. This is also the place where Armenia became the first ever Christian country in the world – in 301 AD.

However, the History of Khor Virap (Translated “Deep Dungeon”) begins in the 2nd century BC. It was a prison in the city of Artashat – at the time the capital of Armenia. Capitals of Armenia changed many times since, however the prison of Khor Virap remained in Artashat.

The prison had deep underground dungeons where the prisoners had to withstand a true test of life.

Grigor the Illuminator – the monk who converted Armenia to Christianity was imprisoned in this dungeon for 15 years. He had refused the Armenian King – Trdat III who told him to convert to paganism.

You will explore the full monastery and have a chance to climb down in to the same dungeon. Khor Virap offers amazing views of Ararat mountain.

It’s also a local tradition to make a wish in the dungeon – people write their wishes on a small paper and put it in one of the small holes in the dungeon walls.

The Garni Complex is located in a half hour drive from the capital of Armenia – Yerevan. Here you will find multiple monuments from Hellenistic and early-Christian era. The most notable are: The Temple of Garni dedicated to Mitra – the god of sun and light and the fortress of Garni. Complex also attracts visitors with the ruins of the royal palace and the roman baths. Garni is on the UNESCO World heritage sight list.

Temple of Garni is the only building from the Hellenistic era in Armenia. It was one of the central pagan temples of the kingdom and is thought to be from the first century AD. The Temple is built in a classic Greek style and looks very much like the temple of Athena in Greece.

The fortress of Garni is located on top of a deep ravine with stunning stone formations and offers captivating views. Historians estimate the foundation of the fortress to be between the 3rd – 2nd Centuries BC. However the deepest layer of the wall is thought to be from the Bronze age.

Last but not least, the roman baths – They were located outside of the royal palace. King Trdat is thought to have built these baths in the 3rd century AD. Inside the baths you will find the gem of the whole complex – a roman mosaic that has miraculously survived throughout the centuries.

“The Blue-eyed beauty” of Armenia – Lake Sevan, in earlier days known as the “Sea of Gegham” is one of the biggest natural mountain lakes in the world. It’s located at 1900 meters from sea level.

The lake is of a volcanic formation: thousands of years ago a volcanic eruption blocked of a river which built up into a huge pool currently known as Lake Sevan.

Sevan lake is the biggest lake in Armenia and is known for it’s pristine beauty. People from all over Armenia and the world come here to enjoy this beautiful resort year-round.

As for the Sevanavank Monastery, it is dated back to the 10th century and used to be a “monk prison” – back in the day, this monastery was located on an island and the monks that had sinned would be sent to this monastery as a punishment.

In 1938, Soviet Union decided to use the lake for generating hydro-energy – this would prove to be a big mistake. As a result, the whole ecosystem of the Lake Sevan changed and the well known island where Sevanavank was located became a peninsula.

After we’ve visited all the spots, you’ll have the option to stop for lunch or snacks in a local restaurant.

Finally, we will had back to Tbilisi crossing the Sadakhlo border. You will arrive in Tbilisi around 19:00 in the evening.

Your driver will drop you off at your hotel address.