Haghpat Monastery
Sanahin Village
Akhtala Monastery
Sanahin Monastery
Sanahin Monastery
Akhtala Monastery
Haghpat Monastery
Alaverdi - Copper Smelting Factory
Aircraft MiG 21
Sanahin Monastery
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Private Day Trip to Armenia

(5)
Tbilisi, Georgia
Bus & Minivan ToursPrivate Car ToursPrivate Round Trips
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About this activity

Cross into Armenia for a full-day cultural immersion from Tbilisi, visiting two UNESCO-listed monasteries and experiencing Soviet-era heritage across dramatically different landscapes. This 11-hour private tour condenses two neighbouring countries into a single day, revealing how centuries of history have shaped each nation's identity.

Meeting point: Tbilisi ( the tour includes pick up from the hotel )

Endpoint: Tbilisi ( the tour includes drop off at the hotel )

Available dates: Everyday

Pick up time: 09:00

End time: 21:00

Duration: 12 hours

One Day Trip to Armenia is the best possibility of visiting a new country just one day and seeing how different two neighboring countries might be. You explore 2 UNESCO heritage sites, try delicious local food, see how local people live, and feel the influence of the Soviet Union. Visiting such historical places makes you think that time is changing with centuries in just a few minutes. You think you are traveling with a time machine, but it is just our car driven through these beautiful places.


09:00 Pick up from the hotel

Our guide picks you up from the hotel at 09:00 and takes you to our company for the check-in procedure, then an unforgettable trip begins.


10:00 Georgia-Armenia Border
Duration: 1 hour

It takes an hour to get to the border and around 40 minutes to cross it. You’ll be able to exchange money after entering Armenia in Armenian currency. However, it is a bit complicated at restaurants and souvenir shops to pay by card. Because of this, it is better to have local currency.

11:00 Local shop in Armenia
Duration: 20 minutes

After crossing the border, we stop at a local shop to exchange money and buy the local product.

12:00 Akhtala monastery
Duration: 45 minutes

The first sight of the tour which we visit is Akhtala Monastery. A church from the 13th-century with beautiful frescoes, surrounded by copper smelting caves, a copper smelting factory, and the central defensive fortification of the southern part of Georgia.

13:15 Lunch in Armenia
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

Armenia is famous for its cuisine. With delicious food, you can taste many different traditional Armenian dishes at the lunch place.


14:30 Haghpat Monastery
Duration: 1 hour

The second destination of the tour is Haghpat monastery, located in Haghpat village, and is a UNESCO heritage site. One of Armenia's most beautiful medieval masterpieces takes your breath away.


16:30 Sanahin Monastery
Duration: 45 minutes

After lunch, we visit the second UNESCO heritage site called the Sanahin Monastery, one of the most beautiful monasteries from the 10th-century. On the way to Sanahin Monastery, three extra stops are available: one for the bridge, which is originally from the 12th-century and from the bridge you see a copper smelting factory which makes you feel the time of the Soviet Union; the second place is Debed canyon with an astonishing view; the third sight Mikoyan Brothers’ Museum which will amaze you with original aircraft MiG 21.


18:45 The Border
Duration: 45 minutes

From the last stop to the border, it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The average time for crossing the border is 45 minutes in the evening.


20:30-21:00 Drop off at the hotel


Highlights:

  • Akhtala
  • Haghpat Monastery
  • Copper Smelting Factory
  • Debed Canyon
  • Aircraft MiG 21
  • Sanahin Monastery

Highlights

  • ✓Akhtala Monastery — 13th-century Armenian church with ornate stonework and frescoes
  • ✓Second UNESCO heritage site (Khor Virap or equivalent monastery complex)
  • ✓Georgia-Armenia border crossing with local currency exchange stop
  • ✓Authentic Armenian village life and traditional cuisine
  • ✓Soviet-era architecture and cultural contrasts between Georgia and Armenia

Insider tips

  • ★Exchange sufficient Armenian dram (AMD) at the border stop — card payments are unreliable at restaurants and shops outside main towns
  • ★Bring a passport valid for at least 6 months; visa requirements for Armenians may differ — check yours before booking
  • ★Wear comfortable walking shoes for monastery exploration and uneven terrain
  • ★Start conversations with locals about post-Soviet life — personal stories reveal cultural nuances better than any guidebook

Good to know

  • •Hotel pickup and drop-off included in central Tbilisi (confirm location at booking)
  • •11-hour duration includes 1 hour travel to border and ~40 minutes border crossing time
  • •Private vehicle ensures flexible pacing at sites; lunch and entrance fees not specified — clarify what's included
  • •Monasteries require modest dress (covered shoulders, knees); some areas involve stairs and uneven ground

Who it's for

History and architecture enthusiasts interested in Byzantine and Armenian medieval sitesCulture-seekers wanting to compare two post-Soviet nations in depthPhotographers drawn to dramatic monastery settings and landscape contrastsSolo travellers and small groups seeking private, flexible itineraries

Best time to visit

Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) offer mild weather and clearer views of both countries' landscapes. Early summer is busy but safe; avoid winter for unpredictable roads. Visit monasteries mid-morning to mid-afternoon for best light on stonework and frescoes.

Frequently asked questions

Available
From€227
per person