Haghpat Monastery, Sanahin Monastery, Mendz Er Cave

Tour program 

• Haghpat Monastery
• Sanahin Monastery
• Mendz Er Cave

Tour inclusions

• Professional Guide+driver service
• Air-conditioned vehicle-4-18 seats

Tour exclusion

• Mendz er Cave entrance fee-5 dollars

1. Haghpat Monastery

Haghpat is located close to Sanahin and is a vast monastic complex with many churches and religious and secular buildings. The first church, Surb Nshan, was built in 976. The biggest library in Armenia was found in Haghbat, where there was a special way to store books. They were placed in the holes, and wine was placed with them in an open state so that moisture would not spoil the manuscripts. Haghbat has been an important center of Armenian history, culture, and education for centuries.

2.Sanahin Monastery

The monastic complex of Sanahin is one of the mystical pearls of the medieval Armenian architecture. The elements of the pagan temples of Armenia are preserved in the Sanahin Monastery complex to a greater extent than in other Armenian structures. The monastery was a major spiritual, scientific and cultural center of medieval Armenia and was built in the Gugark region of Historical Armenia (Sanahin district of Alaverdi town, the Lori region of the modern Republic of Armenia) on a mountainous plateau, where the Dzoraget and Pambak rivers merge in the gorge, forming the Debed River.

3.Mendz Er Cave

The “Mendz Er” cave is located on the road leading to the Sanahin, in one of the most beautiful Alaverdi neighborhoods in the Lori Province of Armenia. The formerly inhabited cave, which later served as a hiding place for the herd of goats, is now the ethnography museum & restaurant.

In every corner of that natural cave, which has become a museum, the life-size mannequins in traditional garments present a certain periods of life of the Lori region and several customary professions of the Lori inhabitants. In another corner, the maquette of the 200-year-old metallurgical Alaverdi forge, with its metalworking process, and the model of the Alaverdi bridge are on display.

To say that the view from the cave is magnificent, would be quite an understatement. Fairyland of Lori opens to the visitor, with its stunning mountains and lush valleys. From this cave you can observe the city of Alaverdi, with its cozy corners, and the sliver of the mighty Debed River.

The “Mendz Er” cave offers services for people with different interests and preferences. You can just walk in into an ancient cave full of surprises, admire the views from the cave, taste the locally served delicious Eco friendly food, do some yoga or meditation, or just enjoy the rest of your day in harmony with silence, peace and beauty of this place.