Armenia · UNESCO Heritage Sites

10-Hour Haghpat and Sanahin Monastery Tour from Yerevan

10 Hours Round trip from Haghpat Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Visit Haghpat Monastery, one of the largest monasteries in Armenia
02 Explore two UNESCO World Heritage monasteries in the green Lori region
03 See the 10th-century Sanahin Monastery in northern Armenia
04 Learn the legend behind the father-and-son builders of Sanahin and Haghpat

Take a journey from Yerevan to one of the greenest regions of Armenia - the region of Lori. Visit the two UNESCO World Heritage monasteries, Haghpat and Sanahin, on this day trip to the northern province of Armenia. Legend says that both monasteries were built by father-and-son masons, with Sanahin built earlier by the father. Their names reflect this story: Sanahin literally means "this is older than the other," whereas Haghpat means "great wall." The main churches in both complexes were built by Queen Khosrovanuysh for the prosperity of her two sons, Princes Smbat and Kurike.

Filled with ancient graves, darkened chapels, and medieval study halls, its inner sanctum, the cross-shaped Surp Astvatsatsin, is the oldest structure and dates back to 934.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 10 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Yerevan, Sanahin, Haghpat

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Journey to Haghpat and Sanahin Monasteries

Travel to the provincial city of Lori to visit monasteries included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin are closely connected and located within a 20-minute drive of each other.
Haghpat Monastery, also known as Haghpatavank, is a medieval monastery complex in Haghpat, Armenia. It was built between the 10th and 13th centuries and houses a rich collection of manuscripts. Haghpat Monastery was a major scientific center, with spaces for copying manuscripts and studying. Monks are believed to have studied medicine, astronomy, music, literature, and more at Haghpat.
Sanahin Monastery is an Armenian monastery founded in the 10th century. Filled with ancient graves, darkened chapels, and medieval study halls, its inner sanctum, the cross-shaped Surp Astvatsatsin, is the oldest structure and dates back to 934. Like Haghpat Monastery, Sanahin was also renowned for its school of illuminators, calligraphers, and medical studies.