Guided Sightseeing Tour to Garni Pagan Temple & Geghard Monastery

This tour, widely known as the Garni-Geghard tour, is one of Armenia’s most popular sightseeing experiences, offering a captivating journey from ancient pagan history to the dawn of Christianity. Located just a short drive from Yerevan, these landmarks provide a perfect opportunity to explore Armenia’s rich cultural heritage.
On this tour, we’ll visit the Garni Pagan Temple, a striking example of Hellenistic architecture and the only surviving pagan temple in the post-Soviet territory. We’ll also explore Geghard Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its remarkable rock-hewn architecture and spiritual significance. The monastery was home to the Holy Lance, which, according to tradition, was brought to Armenia by the Apostle Thaddeus and kept there for centuries.

On this sightseeing tour, we will visit the following destinations. Below is the detailed itinerary:

Charents Arch
Garni Pagan Temple
Symphony of Stones
Geghard Monastery

Charents Arch

The Arch of Charents, also called the Temple of Ararat, is a monument in Voghjaberd, Kotayk, standing at 1,500 meters. Designed by architect Rafael Israelyan in 1957, it perfectly frames Mount Ararat on clear days. Built with basalt and lined with orange tuff, the arch measures 10 x 5.5 m and stands 5 m tall.

Charents Arch serves as a magical frame, perfectly showcasing the biblical Mount Ararat

Garni Temple

Garni Pagan Temple, built in the 1st century AD during the reign of King Tiridates I, is the only surviving Greco-Roman colonnaded temple in the post-Soviet territory. Dedicated to Mihr, the Armenian sun god, it withstood centuries of history, including Armenia’s Christian conversion in 301 AD. Destroyed by an earthquake in 1679, it was meticulously restored in the 1970s. Today, Garni stands as a rare testament to Armenia’s pre-Christian heritage, attracting visitors with its grandeur and historical significance.

Garni temple in April

The Symphony of Stones

The Symphony of Stones is a stunning natural formation of hexagonal basalt columns resembling organ pipes, shaped by volcanic activity and erosion over millions of years.

Similar basalt column formations can be found around the world. Famous examples include Fingal's Cave in Scotland, Devils Tower in the USA, Svartifoss Waterfall in Iceland, and the Giant's Causeway on the north coast of Northern Ireland.

As you walk beneath these magical formations, the sound of the Azat River accompanies you, creating a unique natural melody

Geghard Monastery

Geghard Monastery, a UNESCO-listed gem in Kotayk Province, dates back to the 4th century and was founded by St. Gregory the Illuminator. Its name, meaning "Monastery of the Spear," comes from the Spear of Geghard, also known as the Holy Lance—the relic believed to be the weapon used by the Roman soldier Longinus to pierce Jesus Christ’s side during his crucifixion.

According to tradition, the Apostle Thaddeus brought this sacred relic to Armenia in the 1st century, making it one of the earliest Christian relics in the region. For centuries, it was kept at Geghard Monastery, which was named after it. Today, the Holy Lance is preserved in the Treasury of Etchmiadzin, the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Carved into cliffs, it stands as a masterpiece of medieval Armenian architecture.