8–9 hours· Family-friendly
Khor Virap, Noravank & Areni Wine Region
The classic view of Ararat from Khor Virap, a 13th–14th century monastery in a red canyon, and the villages where Armenia's best-known red grape grows.
View tour →Price on request
Multi-day · 2 days, 1 night
Tatev, Goris & Southern Armenia: 2-Day Tour
Noravank on the way south, a night in Goris, the long cableway ride over the Vorotan gorge to Tatev, and the cave village of Khndzoresk.
Overview
Tatev is about 4.5–5 hours from Yerevan by road, so a same-day return means 10 hours or more in the car for a couple of hours at the monastery. Splitting the trip over two days is much more comfortable. You break the journey south at Noravank, sleep in Goris, and reach the Wings of Tatev cableway the next morning while you are still fresh.
The cableway crosses the Vorotan gorge from Halidzor to Tatev village. At 5,752 metres it is listed by Guinness World Records as the longest reversible cableway in the world, and the ride takes about 12 minutes. Tatev Monastery, on a spur above the gorge, was one of medieval Armenia's great centres of learning. On the way back you can stop at Khndzoresk, where a swinging footbridge crosses a gorge to an abandoned village of cave dwellings. Day 2 ends with a long drive back to Yerevan, so expect to arrive in the evening.
Highlights
- Noravank Monastery in its red-rock gorge, on the way south
- An overnight in Goris, with its old cave dwellings on the hillside above town
- The Wings of Tatev cableway, 5,752 metres across the Vorotan gorge
- Tatev Monastery and its 9th–10th-century church of Sts Paul and Peter
- The Khndzoresk swinging bridge and cave village (optional)
Suggested itinerary · arranged on request
Day-by-day plan
Day 1
Yerevan to Goris via Noravank
Leave Yerevan at around 09:00 and drive south across the Ararat plain and over the Tukh Manuk pass into Vayots Dzor. About two hours later, turn into the Amaghu gorge for Noravank Monastery, with its carved tympana and Momik's two-storey church of 1339 (allow about an hour). Lunch can be arranged in Areni or nearby, and a short winery tasting can be arranged with a local winery, subject to availability. In the afternoon the road climbs over the Vorotan pass into Syunik. You reach Goris around 17:00–17:30, in time for a short evening walk to the cave dwellings above the old town if you have the energy.
Overnight: Goris
Day 2
Wings of Tatev, Tatev Monastery, Khndzoresk and return to Yerevan
A short drive from Goris brings you to the Halidzor station for the first cabins of the day (10:00 from March to November, 10:30 in winter). Glide 5.7 km over the Vorotan gorge to Tatev and spend about 1.5 hours at the monastery: the church of Sts Paul and Peter, the swaying Gavazan column, and the remains of the medieval university. Ride back, then drive about 20 minutes past Goris to Khndzoresk. Here you can walk down to the 160-metre swinging bridge, opened in 2012, and the abandoned cave village (about 1–1.5 hours with the climb back up). Leave by mid-afternoon for the drive of about 4 hours back to Yerevan, arriving at around 19:30–20:00.
Timings are indicative. The order, pace and stops are agreed with you.
Route
- 1Yerevan
- 2Noravank Monastery
- 3Goris
- 4Wings of Tatev, Halidzor station
- 5Tatev Monastery
- 6Khndzoresk swinging bridge and cave village
Ways to take this tour
With Khor Virap on day 1
Start at 08:00 and stop at Khor Virap for the view of Ararat before continuing south. This adds about an hour and a half to a day that is already long, so we suggest it mainly in spring and summer, when there is more daylight.
Three-day version
Spend two nights in Goris or Tatev and drive back on day 3, adding Jermuk or the Selim caravanserai on the way. This makes the return much more relaxed.
Without Khndzoresk
Skip Khndzoresk to reach Yerevan around 18:00–18:30 on day 2.
Main attractions
- Noravank Monastery
- Goris and its old cave dwellings
- Wings of Tatev cableway
- Tatev Monastery
- Khndzoresk swinging bridge and old cave village
Optional experiences
- Short winery tasting near Areni on day 1, which can be arranged with a local winery, subject to availability
- Evening walk to the old cave dwellings above Goris
- The Khndzoresk swinging bridge and cave village on day 2
- Devil's Bridge, a natural rock bridge with mineral springs below Tatev, if you go by road
- Extending the trip with a second night to add Jermuk or a slower return
Practical notes
- As of November 2026, the official Wings of Tatev timetable lists the cableway as running Tuesday to Sunday and on public holidays, so it doesn't run on regular Mondays. Plan day 2 for Tuesday to Sunday.
- Official operating hours (checked November 2026): May–September 10:00–19:00 (last departure 18:45); March–April and October–November 10:00–18:00 (last departure 17:45); December, February and from 2 January 10:00–18:00, with the first cabin at 10:30, the last at 17:30 and departures every 30 minutes.
- The operator warns that additional non-working days can occur because of weather or technical issues, and posts updates on its website and social media. It has also closed for planned maintenance in the past, for example from 18 to 31 January 2014. Check tatever.am before you travel.
- If the cableway isn't running, Tatev can still be reached by road from Goris on a winding route down into the Vorotan gorge and back up, which takes about an hour each way.
- Tatev and Noravank are active monasteries. Shoulders and knees should be covered, and women may wish to bring a scarf.
- Your hotel in Goris and any meals are confirmed in your written quote.
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 who are comfortable with long drives. The cableway ride is easy, though it is high above the gorge. The walk down to the Khndzoresk bridge and back up is steep and optional.
Best season
May to October is best. The road over the Vorotan pass can be snowy in winter, and the cableway's winter timetable is shorter. Autumn colours in the gorge peak around October.
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit Tatev as a day trip from Yerevan?
It is possible but tiring. Tatev is about 4.5–5 hours each way by road, so a day trip means at least 10 hours of driving. The two-day version with a night in Goris is far more comfortable.
Is the Wings of Tatev cableway open every day?
No. As of November 2026, the official timetable lists Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays, so it doesn't run on regular Mondays. It can also close at short notice because of weather or technical issues. Check tatever.am before you travel.
What happens if the cableway is closed?
Tatev Monastery can still be reached by road from Goris. The winding drive down into the Vorotan gorge and back up takes about an hour each way, and Devil's Bridge can be added on the way.
Is the cableway scary?
The cabin travels high above the gorge, but the ride is smooth and lasts about 12 minutes. Most people, including children, find it exciting rather than frightening.
Is the Khndzoresk bridge safe for children?
The bridge is used by many visitors, families included. The path down to it is steep and can be slippery after rain, so children should be supervised and good shoes are essential.
Where do we stay overnight?
In Goris, in a guesthouse or small hotel chosen to suit your budget. The exact accommodation is confirmed in your written quote.
Request a Quote
Request This Tour: Tatev, Goris & Southern Armenia: 2-Day 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.
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