Khor Virap - The Khor Virap monastery is located about an hour’s drive away from the capital Yerevan, and offers an amazing view of Armenia’s defining symbol – the majestic Ararat. “Khor Virap” translates as “deep dungeon”, and was built of the place of the former royal prison, located on the historical site of Artashat. It was this very prison in which they kept Gregory the Illuminator, the first Armenian Catholicos, for a whole 13 years.

Saint Hripsime Church - You will visit the St. Hripsime church, which was built on the sepulcher of a Christian nun Hripsime who fled from the Roman Empire and was killed in Armenia. This amazing building has stood upright from the day of its construction since 618 A.D, making it one of the oldest standing churches in the world.

Saint Gayane Church - Five minutes drive away will be our next spot: the 7th century church of St. Gayane. Gayane was the nanny of Hripsime, and shared Hripsime’s tragic fate.

The Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots - World’s first Christian Cathedral – the Holy Ejmiatsin, built in 301-304. According to the legend, Jesus Christ descended on the same spot where the Dissention Altar stands today, where Gregory the Illuminator ordered to build the church.

Zvartnots Temple - A rather beautiful 7th century temple, included in the UNESCO heritage list. In fact, all of the churches included in the tour, as well as the city of Echmiadzin itself, are listed on the UNESCO World’s Cultural Heritage Sites.