Today, we will visit the iconic Khor Virap Monastery, right on the foot of the biblical Mt. Ararat. The legend of this monastery is associated with St. Gregory the Illuminator, who was imprisoned here for 13 years. This is one of the primary tourist sites in Armenia with its panoramic view of Mount Ararat and the Turkish border. We continue our visit to the 4th largest city in Armenia, Etchmiadzin. Before 1945, it was officially admitted as Vagharshapat.

Nowadays, the city is best known as the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church “Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin” and as the location of its Cathedral. The Cathedral of Etchmiadzin was built in Ancient Armenia, in the early 4th century, following the adoption of Christianity as a state religion by King Tiridates. In Etchmiadzin, visit also St. Gayane and St. Hripsime Churches dated from the 7th century. These two churches were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

On the way back to Yerevan, you’ll stop by at Zvartnots Cathedral. The latter was built in the 7th century and is considered the oldest and largest aisled tetraconch church in ancient Armenia. The Cathedral was destroyed in an earthquake in the 10th century, but in spite of this, it was reconstructed in the 1940s. Owing to this restoration, Zvartnots’ ruins are considered a famous tourist attraction. Return to Yerevan at the end of the day tour.