Haghpat, Sanahin & Akhtala Monasteries Armenia Day Trip from Tbilisi

Akhtala Monastery and its frescoes

Akhtala is the first stop after crossing into Armenia. It is a fortified monastery on a rocky spur above the Debed valley, and its main church is covered inside with medieval frescoes painted in the thirteenth century. In a country of many old churches, Akhtala is unusual for the amount of painting that survives, and the colours still glow when light enters through the narrow windows.

The complex was originally a defensive fortress, and you can walk around the walls and see the mountains and the smokestacks of the mining district below. Allow about forty-five minutes here, and photograph the frescoes only where it is permitted. If you are searching for a day trip to Armenia from Tbilisi, this is one of the best introductions to Armenian religious art.

Haghpat Monastery, UNESCO World Heritage

Haghpat Monastery was founded in the tenth century and stands on a green terrace above the village of the same name. Together with nearby Sanahin, it is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list as a masterpiece of Armenian medieval architecture, with stone churches, a bell tower, a scriptorium and khachkars, the carved cross-stones that are a national symbol.

Your guide explains how Haghpat was a centre of learning and manuscript copying, and how its layout reflects Armenian church design. Plan for about an hour here. Wear modest clothing, as the churches are active places of worship, and bring cash for candles or small souvenirs.

Sanahin Monastery and the Mikoyan Brothers Museum

Sanahin Monastery is older than Haghpat, and by tradition its name means 'older than that one'. It was a renowned school and library in the Middle Ages and preserves fine carving on its churches and gavit. It is the second UNESCO site on the trip, and you visit it after lunch.

Sanahin is also the birthplace of the Mikoyan brothers: Anastas, a Soviet statesman, and Artem, the designer of the MiG fighter aircraft. The museum in the village displays a real MiG-21 in its garden, which is a surprise for visitors. On the way you stop to see an old stone bridge over the Debed and to look across the canyon at the industrial town of Alaverdi.

Lunch with a local family, the border crossing and planning

Lunch is a family-cooked meal with a local family in Haghpat village, with traditional Armenian dishes. It is a relaxed hour and a chance to meet local people. Tell us in advance about any dietary needs.

The tour meets at Avlabari metro station in Tbilisi and lasts about eleven hours, including the border crossing, which can take time in busy periods. Bring your passport, because you will cross at the Georgia-Armenia border. A visa is not included and cannot be issued at the crossing on this tour, so check your nationality's requirements before booking. The best time for the trip is spring to autumn, when the roads are clear and the hills are green.