About 4 hours (longer with museums)· Family-friendly
Yerevan City Tour
Soviet-era squares, the Cascade staircase, the Vernissage craft market and the lanes of Kond, with museum stops chosen to suit your interests.
View tour →Price on request
Day trip · 5–7 hours
Garni, Geghard & Symphony of Stones Tour
Armenia's only standing Greco-Roman temple, a gorge of basalt columns and a monastery carved into the cliff, all within 45 minutes of Yerevan.
Overview
This is the classic first day trip from Yerevan, and it is popular for a reason. In a single relaxed day you can see three sites from three very different chapters of Armenian history. Garni is a first-century temple from the pagan kingdom. The Symphony of Stones is a natural gorge lined with hexagonal basalt columns. Geghard is a medieval monastery whose churches were cut directly into the rock of the upper Azat valley, and it is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The drive is short, about 40–50 minutes to Garni, so the day works well as a gentle introduction to the country, as an add-on on arrival or departure day, or with children. Most travellers spend 5–7 hours door to door.
Highlights
- The Charents Arch viewpoint, with Mount Ararat on clear mornings
- Garni Temple, the only standing Greco-Roman colonnaded building in Armenia and the wider former Soviet region
- The Symphony of Stones: towering basalt columns in the Garni gorge
- Geghard Monastery, partly carved out of the mountain (UNESCO World Heritage)
- Optional lavash baking with a local family in Garni village
Suggested itinerary · arranged on request
Suggested itinerary
09:30
Pick-up in Yerevan and drive east
Your driver-guide collects you from your hotel. Leaving the city, the road climbs towards the Kotayk plateau.
10:00
Charents Arch
A short stop at the stone arch built in 1957 to honour the poet Yeghishe Charents. On a clear day it frames Mount Ararat across the Ararat plain. Mornings usually give the best visibility.
10:45
Garni Temple
Walk through the fortress grounds to the Ionic temple. It is traditionally dated to the 1st century AD and was rebuilt from its original stones in 1969–1975. You will also see the remains of a royal bathhouse with a mosaic floor and the views over the Azat gorge.
12:00
Symphony of Stones
Descend into the gorge to see the basalt column formations along the Azat River. Fit travellers can walk down and back (allow about an hour). Others can reach the bottom by car.
13:30
Lunch in Garni (optional)
Garni village has several family-run restaurants. If you would like to watch or try lavash baking in a tonir oven, we can request it in advance, subject to availability.
15:00
Geghard Monastery
Continue about 15 minutes up the valley to Geghard. The main church dates from 1215, and the adjoining chambers were hollowed out of the cliff. If you are lucky, you may hear singing in the acoustically remarkable rock-cut hall.
16:30
Return to Yerevan
Drive back to Yerevan, arriving in the late afternoon.
Timings are indicative. The order, pace and stops are agreed with you.
Route
- 1Yerevan
- 2Charents Arch
- 3Garni Temple
- 4Symphony of Stones
- 5Geghard Monastery
Ways to take this tour
Half-day version
Garni Temple and Geghard only, about 4–5 hours, ideal on an arrival or departure day.
With lavash and lunch
Adds a lavash-making demonstration and a home-style lunch in Garni village, subject to availability.
Main attractions
- Charents Arch
- Garni Temple and fortress
- Symphony of Stones (Garni gorge)
- Geghard Monastery and the Upper Azat Valley
Optional experiences
- Lavash baking demonstration in Garni village (on request)
- Lunch at a family-run restaurant in Garni
- Extending the day to Lake Sevan (makes for a long day; we usually suggest a separate trip)
Practical notes
- Geghard is an active monastery. Shoulders and knees should be covered, and women may wish to bring a scarf for the churches.
- Garni Temple charges an entrance fee. Geghard has no ticket. Current fees are confirmed when you request your quote.
- Wear shoes with grip if you plan to walk down to the Symphony of Stones.
- Ararat visibility depends on haze and cloud. It is never guaranteed, and mornings are usually clearer.
What's included
Inclusions such as vehicle, guide, entrance tickets and meals are agreed with you and confirmed in your written quote before anything is booked.
Who it suits
Suitable for most travellers, including families with children and older visitors. The walk down to the Symphony of Stones is optional and can be replaced by a short drive.
Best season
All year. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable. In winter the gorge path can be icy.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Garni and Geghard tour take?
Most travellers spend 5–7 hours from pick-up to drop-off. A shorter half-day version covering only Garni Temple and Geghard takes about 4–5 hours.
Can I see Mount Ararat on this tour?
From the Charents Arch viewpoint you can often see Ararat on clear days, especially in the morning. Visibility depends on the weather and haze, so it can't be guaranteed.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes. The driving distances are short and the sites are easy to walk. Children usually enjoy the basalt columns at the Symphony of Stones and watching lavash being baked.
Can this tour be combined with Lake Sevan?
It is possible but makes for a long day of about 10 hours. Most travellers enjoy both more as two separate day trips.
Request a Quote
Request This Tour: Garni, Geghard & Symphony of Stones Tour
Every tour is tailored to your dates, group size and preferences. Send a request and we will reply with an itinerary and a written quote.
Sending a request is free and does not commit you to anything.
Thank you, your request has been sent.
We will reply by email, usually within one to two working days. Nothing is booked or charged until you approve a written quote.
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