Our one day cycling tour to Etchmiadzin will help you to feel the spirit of Armenian architecture and get acquainted with the cultural heritage. This trail is for those who prefer cycling on the straight roads without any difficulties. Our first stop will be in the city of Ashtarak which is one of the oldest cities of Armenia a is famous for its historical and cultural monuments. After we will ride to Oshakan village which is the place where Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of Armenian alphabet, is buried. We will continue pedalling to the city of Vagharshapat. Here we will see the oldest church built in IV century Holy Etchmiadzin.
According to the legend, Gregory the Illuminator, who was preaching Christianity in Armenia, had a dream of Jesus Christ coming down from heaven with a hammer in his hand and hitting on the place, where a pagan temple was located. Gregory the Illuminator told his dream to king Tiridates, and he ordered to replace the temple with a church and called it Etchmiadzin (And begotten came down). For more than 17 centuries, the Holy Etchmiadzin has been and still is the center of Armenian religion, culture, sciences, theology and spirituality.
Not far from Etchmiadzin we can see another medieval architectural monument Zvartnots Cathedral. Though we can’t see the cathedral standing there, but only the ruins of it, but we can feel there the spirit of Armenian architecture. The monuments both are included in the list of UNESCO’s tangible cultural heritage.
Details of the trip
Location:Aragatsotn / Armavir provinces
Distance from Yerevan: 60 km
Length of the routh: 60 km
Difficulty level: moderate
The price includes:
- The service of the instructor
- Rent of the bikes & equipment
Gear list:
- backpack
- warm clothes
- personal first aid kit
- raincoat
- cap or bandana
- sunglasses
- forehead flashlight
- sun cream
For booking as well as for all questions, please contact us.
Cycling Tours in Armenia
