PRIVATE TOUR: Yerevan sightseeing city tour & Garni Temple

Step into the culture and history of Armenia on this private tour in Yerevan that can be created according your schedule and interests.

The building that now houses the Cafesjian Center for the Arts is well known to the Armenian people, especially those living in its capital city of Yerevan. Known as “The Cascade". It is the favorite place of locals and travelers.

Cascade Statistics:
Number of steps - 572
Distance from the bottom to the top of the Cascade: 302 m / 991 feet
Distance from the bottom to the top of the Monument Terrace: 450 m / 1476 feet
Width: 50 m / 164 feet
Height of Monument Terrace: 118 m / 387 feet
Incline: 15 degrees

If you are going to visit Armenia and its ancient capital Yerevan, then you should definitely visit the Republic Square, which is located in the center of Yerevan and is considered one of the most amazing and famous places of the capital.

This area is formed by five famous buildings:
- The National Art Gallery and History Museum of Armenia, which contains about 400,000 exhibits covering the entire history of the Armenian people from primitive society to modern times.
- The Government House of the Republic of Armenia, on the tower of which the country’s main clock with bells is set.
- The Central post office of the Republic of Armenia, which offers telegraph, long-distance phone calls, money exchange, postcards for purchase, sending and receiving packages.
- The “Mariott Armenia” hotel, which warmly welcomes all the guests of Yerevan and in spite of its authentic architecture, provides the most advanced services.
- The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.

The St Grigor Lusavorich Cathedral is the symbol of the 1700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as a state religion in Armenia as well as a tribute to St Gregory, the illuminator, who was responsible for introducing Christianity to Armenia.

Vernisage is the biggest flea market in Yerevan. It works all the year around. Here you can find souvenirs starting from Soviet times to the modern days; hand made crafts of all themes and colors.

Charents Arch is located near Yerevan, between the pagan temple of Garni and Geghard Christian monastery complex in the village of Vokhchaberd.

Garni Canyon or Gorge is attractive for the wonderful natural rocks. The gorge is called "Symphony of Stones" or "Basalt Organ". The monument consists of huge paradoxically symmetric hexagon and pentagon basalt columns (nearly 50 meters high). These stones hanging against the gravity resemble an organ, which explains why it is also referred to as “Basalt Organ Pipes”

Geghard Monastery is one of the greatest medieval architectural structures in Armenia. Geghard is completely hollowed out in a cave, it is also called a “cave monastery”. This monastery was founded in the 4th century AD. in place of the sacred spring, originating in the cave. The name of the monastery complex Geghard (spear) comes from the Langin’n spear, which pierced the body of Jesus Christ on the cross. At the moment this spear is kept in the museum of Echmiadzin. The monastery complex Geghard is included in UNESCO World Heritage List.

The pagan temple of Garni was built in the second half of the 1st century by King Trdat III. This is the only pagan temple, which has been preserved on the territory of Armenia. After the adoption of Christianity it became the summer residence of Khosrovadukht, sister of King Trdat III. It was destroyed in 1679 by an earthquake. Parts, fragments of graceful columns and wall stones were spread around the temple. It is supposed that the temple was dedicated to Mithra, the God of the Sun.