Garni, Geghard, Lake Sevan and Dilijan Day Tour Yerevan
4.5 (429 reviews) from travellers who booked this experience
Overview
This nine-hour day tour from Yerevan fits the classic sights of two regions into one route. In the morning you visit Garni Temple, the basalt Symphony of Stones and the rock-cut Geghard Monastery, then you drive north to the blue shore of Lake Sevan, the hilltop Sevanavank Monastery and the leafy old quarter of Dilijan. Choose a live English-speaking guide, or a photo-stop version where the driver takes you between the stops. It suits first-time visitors who want a lot of Armenia in a single day.
Highlights
- Garni Temple, the only standing Greco-Roman colonnaded temple in the region
- The Symphony of Stones, a gorge wall of basalt columns that look like organ pipes
- Geghard Monastery, a UNESCO-listed church complex cut into the mountain
- Lake Sevan and Sevanavank, a hilltop monastery above a high-altitude lake
- A stroll through the Old Dilijan complex with its craft shops and wooden balconies
- Live English-speaking guide with the default option, or a driver-only photo tour
- Two regions in one day, with about nine hours door to door
Full Description
Garni Temple and the Symphony of Stones
Garni Temple is a first-century Hellenistic building with slender columns, standing on a cliff above the Azat river gorge. It was probably built under King Tiridates I and was rebuilt from its original stones in the 1970s after an earthquake. A Garni Temple tour is usually the first stop of the day, and the guide explains how a pagan temple survived in a Christian country.
A short drive below the temple, the Symphony of Stones shows hexagonal basalt columns hanging from the gorge wall like organ pipes. Entrance fees for both Garni Temple and the Symphony of Stones are not included, so bring a little cash, and note that opening hours change by season.
Geghard Monastery
Geghard Monastery lies at the end of a narrow valley, where its churches and chapels are carved straight into the cliff. The name means the Monastery of the Spear, after the lance said to have been kept here, and the complex is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The main church dates from the early thirteenth century, and the chambers behind it have a deep echo.
Searching for a Geghard Monastery tour from Yerevan usually brings up this stop together with Garni, because the two sit close to each other. We give you about half an hour, which is enough for the main church, the rock-cut chapels and a look at the carved stone crosses.
Lake Sevan and Sevanavank Monastery
Lake Sevan is a large freshwater lake high in the mountains, often called the Pearl of Armenia. Its blue water and cool air make it a popular day trip from Yerevan, especially in summer. On the northwestern shore, the Sevanavank Monastery stands on a peninsula and is reached by a flight of steps, with wide views over the lake from the top.
Is Lake Sevan worth visiting? On a clear day it is one of the most photogenic stops in the country. The best time to visit Lake Sevan for swimming is July and August, while spring and autumn give the clearest views. Boating on the lake is not included in the price.
Dilijan and the Old Dilijan complex
Dilijan is a forest town in the green hills of the Tavush region, often compared with a Swiss mountain village. Its national park covers wooded slopes, and the air is cooler and damper than in the Ararat valley. The old quarter, restored as the Old Dilijan complex, has traditional houses with wooden balconies, craft workshops and quiet streets.
Our Dilijan day trip from Yerevan gives you time for a walk through the lanes, a few photographs and a short break. Many travellers like it because it feels very different from the dry plain around the capital, and it rounds off the tour with a calm, green afternoon.
Itinerary
- Meeting in YerevanMeet your group at 10:00 at the point confirmed after booking and leave the city.
- Garni TempleWalk around the Hellenistic temple and its gorge viewpoint, about forty minutes.
- Symphony of StonesAbout thirty minutes at the basalt column wall for photographs.
- Geghard MonasteryAbout thirty minutes in the rock-cut churches of the UNESCO-listed monastery.
- Lake SevanA stop on the shore of the lake for fresh air and views, about thirty minutes.
- Sevanavank MonasteryClimb to the hilltop monastery above the lake, about thirty minutes.
- DilijanA break and a walk through the Old Dilijan complex, about thirty minutes.
- Return to YerevanDrive back to the city, about an hour and a half, finishing the day after about nine hours.
What's included
- Comfortable transport
- Driver taking you between the stops
- Scenic stops at Garni, Geghard, Lake Sevan and Dilijan
Not included
- Guide
- Entrance fee to Garni Temple
- Entrance fee to the Symphony of Stones
- Boating at Lake Sevan
- Meals and drinks
- Personal expenses
Not suitable for
- Travellers who suffer from altitude sickness, as the lake stands high in the mountains
- Anyone who cannot manage steps and uneven paths at the monasteries
- Visitors who want hotel pickup, which is not included
Meeting point
This tour does not include hotel pickup. You meet your group at a point in Yerevan, and the exact place and time are confirmed after booking. The tour starts at 10:00 and lasts about nine hours.
Important information
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring cash for the Garni and Symphony of Stones entrance fees
- Bring a warm layer, because Sevan and Dilijan are noticeably cooler than Yerevan
- Cover shoulders and knees for the monasteries
- Meals and drinks are not included; plan lunch or bring snacks and water
- Eating and drinking inside the vehicle is not allowed
- Boating at Lake Sevan and personal expenses are not included
- Opening hours change by season, and the order of the stops can change on the day
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Garni, Geghard, Sevan and Dilijan tour cost?
The price depends on the option you choose. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, so you can compare the guided and photo-tour versions before you book.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. You meet the group at a point in Yerevan, and the details are confirmed after booking.
How long is the tour?
The day lasts about nine hours and starts at 10:00, including the drives between the stops.
What is the difference between the options?
Both options follow the same stops by comfortable transport. The default option adds a live English-speaking guide, while the photo tour has a driver who takes you between the stops and no guide on board.
Are entrance fees included?
No. The entrance fees for Garni Temple and the Symphony of Stones are not included, and neither is boating on Lake Sevan.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, school-age children usually enjoy the basalt columns and the lake. It is a long day with several hours in the vehicle, so bring snacks and something to do.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable shoes, modest clothing for the monasteries, a warm layer for the lake, sun protection, water and some cash.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Often yes, depending on availability for the date. Pick your date in the booking panel to see what is open.
Is Lake Sevan worth the long drive?
Yes, for the fresh air, the monastery view and the change of scenery. It is easiest to enjoy on a clear day in late spring, summer or early autumn.
Can I swim in Lake Sevan?
In summer many people do, but this tour has only a short stop at the shore, so swimming is limited. Bring swimwear if you want a quick dip in July or August.
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