Lake Sevan and Dilijan Full-Day Group Tour Yerevan
4.7 (837 reviews) from travellers who booked this experience
Overview
This ten-hour group tour takes you from Yerevan to Lake Sevan and the forests of Dilijan, with two of the best-loved monasteries in the north. You walk up to Sevanavank above the lake, stroll through Dilijan, stop for lunch at your own expense, then visit Goshavank and Haghartsin among the trees. A bilingual guide, air-conditioned transport, light refreshments and Wi-Fi are included. It suits nature lovers, photographers and families who want a green day away from the heat of the capital.
Highlights
- Lake Sevan, a large freshwater lake high in the mountains, with a walk up to Sevanavank
- Dilijan, a wooded town often compared with a Swiss mountain village
- Goshavank, a medieval monastery with a finely carved cross-stone
- Haghartsin Monastery, three churches among old oak trees
- Bilingual guide in English and Russian, and air-conditioned transport with Wi-Fi
- Light refreshments on board, with a lunch stop at your own cost
- A reduced child fare is available for ages three to seven
Full Description
Lake Sevan and Sevanavank Monastery
Lake Sevan is a large freshwater lake high in the mountains, and it is the main reason people choose this day trip. Visitors often ask whether Lake Sevan is worth visiting from Yerevan: with its cool air and blue horizon, it is. The tour starts here and gives you about an hour on the shore and on the peninsula.
Sevanavank Monastery stands on the peninsula above the water and is reached by a climb of roughly two hundred steps. Two small churches of the ninth century survive, built from dark stone. The best time to visit Lake Sevan is from late spring to early autumn, when the weather is warm and the water is clear.
Dilijan, the forest town
Dilijan lies among oak and beech forests in the Tavush region and is often compared with a Swiss mountain village. Its air is fresher and cooler than in the capital, and a national park surrounds the town. The guide shows you the old streets and tells you about the craft traditions of the area during a short guided stop of about twenty minutes.
If you search for a Dilijan day trip from Yerevan, this stop is what you will find: wooden balconies, a quiet lane and a break among trees. After the stop you have an hour for lunch at a local restaurant, which is not included, and the guide can suggest simple places. Bring cash, since cards are not always accepted.
Goshavank Monastery
Goshavank is a medieval monastery in the village of Gosh, founded in the twelfth century by the scholar Mkhitar Gosh, who also wrote a famous law code. The complex has churches, a scriptorium and a chapel, and the grey stone walls are decorated with khachkars, or cross-stones.
Just in front of the main church you can see one of the best-known khachkars in Armenia, carved by the master Poghos in 1291. A Goshavank tour from Dilijan takes about fifty minutes, which is enough to walk around the courtyard, step inside the main church and photograph the carved stones.
Haghartsin Monastery
Haghartsin Monastery is hidden in the woodlands of the Tavush region and dates from the tenth to the thirteenth centuries. It consists of the churches of Saint Gregory, the Holy Mother of God and Saint Stephen, together with a refectory. An old oak tree, nearly as old as the buildings, stands beside them and gives the setting a calm feel.
The visit lasts around seventy minutes and includes a downhill walk of about six hundred metres from the vehicle, so wear sturdy shoes. Many visitors think Haghartsin is the most atmospheric stop on the tour, especially in autumn, when the leaves turn gold around the stone.
Itinerary
- Meeting in YerevanMeet your guide at 10:00 at the point confirmed after booking and board the air-conditioned vehicle.
- Lake Sevan and SevanavankAbout one hour on the shore and the peninsula, with a walk up the steps to the monastery.
- DilijanA guided stop of about twenty minutes in the forest town.
- LunchOne hour for lunch at a local restaurant, at your own cost.
- Goshavank MonasteryAbout fifty minutes at the monastery with its famous cross-stone.
- Haghartsin MonasteryAbout seventy minutes, including the downhill walk, among the churches and the old oak tree.
- Return to YerevanDrive back in the air-conditioned vehicle, finishing after about ten hours.
What's included
- Bilingual guide (English and Russian)
- Air-conditioned transport
- Light refreshments (bottled water and sweets)
- Wi-Fi on board
Not included
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Personal expenses
Not suitable for
- Wheelchair users, because of the steps at Sevanavank and the walk at Haghartsin
- Travellers who cannot walk on uneven paths or climb stairs
- Anyone who needs hotel pickup, which is not included
Meeting point
This tour does not include hotel pickup. You meet your guide at a point in Yerevan, and the exact place and time are confirmed after booking. The tour starts at 10:00 and lasts about ten hours.
Important information
- Wear comfortable shoes, because there are about two hundred steps at Sevanavank and a downhill walk at Haghartsin
- Bring cash for lunch, since cards are not always accepted at the restaurant
- Bring a warm layer and weather-appropriate clothing, because the lake and forests are cooler than Yerevan
- Cover shoulders and knees for the monasteries
- Seats on the vehicle are not fixed in advance
- Lunch and personal expenses are not included
- The stops can change slightly on the day, and opening hours change by season
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Lake Sevan and Dilijan tour cost?
The price depends on the option you choose. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for adults and for children, so you can see the fare for your group 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 tour lasts about ten hours and starts at 10:00, including a one-hour lunch stop.
What is included?
A bilingual guide who speaks English and Russian, air-conditioned transport, light refreshments of bottled water and sweets, and Wi-Fi on board. Lunch and personal expenses are not included.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes. Children aged three to seven have a reduced fare and infants aged two and under are also catered for. Note the steps at Sevanavank and the long day in the vehicle.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable shoes, a warm layer, modest clothing for the monasteries, cash for lunch and a camera.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Often yes, depending on availability for the date. Choose the date in the booking panel to see what is open.
Can I swim in Lake Sevan on this tour?
The stop is mainly for sightseeing and the monastery, so swimming time is limited. Bring swimwear only if you want a quick dip on a warm summer day.
Is Haghartsin Monastery worth the walk?
Yes. The setting among old trees is peaceful, and the downhill walk is short, though you should expect to climb back up at the end of the visit.
Why are seats not assigned?
Seats on the vehicle are not fixed in advance, so please arrive a few minutes early if you want a specific place.
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