Spend a day exploring some of Armenia’s most spectacular landmarks. The high-mountainous Lake Sevan is the “pearl of Armenia”. Lake Sevan – located at an altitude of 1,900 m above sea level in the center of the Armenian highland. Hayravank monastery is an Armenian architectural monument built in the 9 -13th century, in the Hayravank village, on the coastal foreland of the Sevan Lake. The trip will continue along the shore to reach Noratous, a village which is home to the largest collection of the Armenian Khachkars – stone steles engraved with a cross, designed to show the way to salvation. After Selim Pass you will continue the trip to Jermuk that is positioned within forests and mountains. The plateau is partitioned into two parts by the Arpa river gorge. The town is unique with its fantastic waterfall. And here there is the oldest winery of Armenia, where you can taste the most delicious wine from the best varieties of grapes.
Private tour to Lake Sevan, Sevanavank, Noratus cemetery, Hayravank monastery, with a guide
Duration: 11 hours
Car, Sedan
The high-mountainous Lake Sevan is the “pearl of Armenia”. Lake Sevan – located at an altitude of 1,900 m above sea level in the center of the Armenian highland, 63 km northeast of the Armenian capital of Yerevan city and is the largest of the Caucasus lakes. From all sides, Sevan is surrounded by mountain ranges, offering a stunning view of alpine lake.. The lake is famous for its purest fresh water, and pure mountain air has a beneficial effect on health.
The monastery complex Sevanavank is located on the peninsula of Sevan. In 305, it was founded by St. Gregory the Illuminator, who built the church on the place of a pagan temple. In the 9th century the princes of Syunik made Sevan a point of their suppurt. In 874 the wife of the Syunik prince Vassak and the daughter of the king Ashot Bagratuni – Mariam built here two churches – St. Arakeloc and St. Astvatcatcin. They are rich in various wood-carved capitals, a aprt of which is kept in the Armenia State Museum of History and in the Art Gallery of St. Petersburg (Hermitage). In 1869 a spiritual school opened in the complex. On the top of the mountain of the island the remnants of the church with a domed hall are preserved. The teritory of the cloister is rich in khachqars (cross-stones).
The trip will continue along the shore to reach Noratous, a village which is home to the largest collection of the Armenian Khachkars – stone steles engraved with a cross, designed to show the way to salvation. According to the legend, Hayk – the ancestor of all Armenians – ordered his people to decorate every single stone in Armenia, which is why you will see some 3000 of these decorated stones, depicting various stories from different ages. Selim Pass is a mountain pass in Armenia. It is located at an altitude of 2 500 meters. From the pass, beautiful views of the surroundings open up: a wide and spacious valley covered with green grass is crossed by babbling brooks and winding ribbon of the road. A unique panorama opens from the top of the pass.
You will make your own way to the meeting points