One Day Jeep Tour to Smbataberd Fortress

During our one day jeep tour to Smbataberd Fortress you will drive to the South of Armenia and will see the medieval fortress on the edge of a cliff. We will start the track which leads us through Yeranos mountains to Ararat valley. First we will visit the famous and significant monastery Khor Virap. From the territory of Khor virap monastery you will enjoy the most magnificent view of Mount Ararat. This monastery is famous not only for its spectacular views of Mount Ararat, but also for its historical significance. This was where the patron saint of Armenia, St. Gregory the Illuminator, was thrown into a pit and imprisoned for 13 years by the king Tiridates III.

Khor Virap literally means a “deep pit”. You will have the opportunity to descend the pit and feel what sufferings Gregory experienced centuries ago. You will also learn why this place was considered sacred and why the Church was later built on that place.

Khor Virap

Then we will continue to Vayots Dzor region. We will start jeeping to Smbataberd fortress. Smbataberd is an impregnable fortress of the V century, surrounded from three sides by steep slopes, which go down into the gorge, where the rivers Artabuyn and Yeghegis flow. From here you can enjoy a magnificent view of Mount Teksar. During its entire existence Smbataberd Fortress was captured only once – and only thanks to a cunning plan: the horses were fed with salt and let out to pasture around the fortress. Thirsty animals began to look for water and found a pipeline, cutting off the water supply to the fortress. The defenders were thus forced to surrender.

Smbataberd fortress

Afterwards we will drive to medieval monastery complex Tsaghats Kar, not far from Smbataberd Fortress. The complex consists of three parts – the church of St. Nshan, St. Karapet and St. Astvatsatsin. The bas-reliefs on the walls of the church of St. Karapet display emblems of princely families of Syunik (IX-XI centuries).

Tsaghats kar

Then we drive to Yeghegis village where we will visit Zorats church and a Jewish cemetery. The cemetery is the historical evidence of the Jewish community in Armenia. The oldest tombstone is dated 1266 and the latest 1346. This cemetery is thought to be one of the biggest Jewish cemeteries in the world.

Another site of Yeghegis village is Zorats church. Zorats is completely unique among Armenian churches. It is the only Armenian church that has an open-air altar. It was constructed in such a way so that the warriors sitting on their horses could enter the church and get blessed before going to war.

Zorats church

In the evening we will drive back to Yerevan.

Tour price:

Number of Participants	Price per group
2 – 3	125 000֏
4 – 6	215 000֏

The price includes:

the service of the English-speaking guide
transportation on off-road car

The price does not include:

Alcoholic beverages

For booking as well as for all questions, please contact us.

The book “The Mountainous Island” is a great present for both your hiking friend who is interested in the mountains of Armenia, and for yourself. All of the mountains described in the book were climbed by ArmGeo throughout the course of his 10-year career.

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The Mountainous Island

“The Mountainous Island” is the best representation of Armenia and might become an essential part of your book collection․ It will forever remember you of your days and treks in Armenia.