While in Yerevan, I booked a day trip with Yerani Travel to Garni and Geghard. The weather was memorable because we started with sun, then had snow and rain, and finally sunshine again. The tour was a great way to see the mountain area to the east of Yerevan. I also learned more about Armenia from our tour guide, Hazmin. She mentioned that Armenia used to be much larger but they lost a lot of wars. I also learned that the world’s oldest known winery is located in Armenia, so of course I had to try some local wine back in Yerevan.
The Pagan temple at Garni is uniquely the only surviving Pagan temple in the country. However, it is mostly reconstructed. The views from the temple down to the Garni Gorge are beautiful. Later, we went down for a closer look at the Symphony of Stones. We spent the most time at Geghard monastery, which is a beautiful structure on two levels. While there we started in a snowstorm and ended with sunshine. The interior is impressive, and we were treated to Hazmin singing a traditional song for us to demonstrate the acoustics. On the way back to Yerevan, we stopped to admire the view from Charent’s arch. On a clear day, it is is possible to see Mount Ararat. Unfortunately, it was not a very clear day but the view was still stunning.
Highlights
- Garni Pagan Temple
- Garni Gorge
- Symphony of Stones
- Geghard Monastery
- Charent’s Arch
Before you go
- The weather can be variable. We had sun, snow and rain all in the same day
- Geghard has narrow stairs that can be slippery in wet weather
- Lunchtime in Armenia can be later in the day so bring snacks if you get hungry
Transport
- A car or bus is needed to reach Garni and Geghard
- I booked a tour through Yerani Travel, and the guide and driver were great. We were in a mini bus which even drove through snow to get us to the various highlights
Accommodation
- Since I visited on a day trip, I did not need any accommodation. My hotel was in Yerevan and I took the tour from the city
Food
During my day trip to Garni and Geghard, I had just one meal at Harmonia Garden. Before we ate, we watched two Armenian women making lavash the traditional way. One of them prepared and rolled out the dough. Next, the other lady stretched it by spinning it around. Then she placed it on a padded board and cooked it in the clay oven. It comes out thin and slightly crispy. Delicious!
In addition to the lavash, we had barbeque chicken, potatoes, cheese and salads. It was nice to sit with some of the other guests from around the world and get to know each other over lunch.
FAQs
Q: Do I need a tour guide?
A: Yes you need a guide and driver to reach Garni and Geghard
Q: Do people speak English?
A: The tour guide spoke English, Armenian and Russian. However, the driver did not speak much English and neither did some of the other people we met during the travels.
Q: Is it a walkable area?
A: No, you need a car to get between the places to see
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