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One-Day Route
Khor Virap - Azat Reservoir - Garni - Geghard by Car:
Best One-Day Trip from Yerevan
A monastery at the foot of Ararat, the turquoise Azat Reservoir, a 1st-century pagan temple, and basalt organ pipes — all in a single day.
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Distance
~140 км
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Drive time
5-6 часов
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Road type
Paved
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Format
Loop
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ROUTE: SEE ON MAP
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Start: 20 Khandjyan St., Yerevan
Caravan Rent a Car office — route starts 5 minutes away
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Хор Вирап
4th-century monastery with a view of Ararat — parking at entrance — free entry
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Azat Reservoir
Turquoise mountain water, secluded and scenic — turn off highway, accessible only by 4x4 or on foot — free entry
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Symphony of Stones paid entry ~ 300 AMD
Basalt columns above the Azat river — 3 min walk from parking
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Temple of Garni paid entry ~ 1 500 AMD
Armenia's only pagan temple — 1st century AD
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Geghard Monastery
10th-century cave monastery carved into rock — UNESCO — free entry
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Seasonal Warnings
| November–March: the road near Azat reservoir may be icy — dangerous for sedans |
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| Azat reservoir: the turn-off is a dirt road, slippery after rain — sedans won't make it |
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| Symphony of Stones in winter: do not descend in a sedan — risk of getting stuck |
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Which Car to Choose
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April — October
Kia Forte / Toyota Camry
Any car works — paved road throughout the route
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November — March
Kia Seltos / Toyota RAV4
SUV or 4x4 required — available in Caravan's fleet
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Estimated Daily Budget
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Approximate costs — prices may vary. Based on Kia Forte during peak tourist season.
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Kia Forte rental (1 day)
Peak season — caravan.am |
~ 31 000 AMD |
| Fuel (~140 km) |
~ 8 000 AMD |
Garni temple tickets
~ 1 500 AMD / person |
from 1 500 AMD |
Lunch at a restaurant near Garni
~ 8,000 AMD / person |
from 8 000 AMD |
| Total for car + 1 person |
~ 49 000 AMD |
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What to See & Do
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Azat Reservoir
Swimming and photography at the turquoise water — a popular local summer spot
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Photo session at Garni Temple
Armenia's only 1st-century pagan temple — set against the Azat river gorge
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Hiking at the Symphony of Stones
~30 minutes along the Azat riverbank through basalt columns
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Geghard Monastery
Cave halls carved directly into rock — UNESCO World Heritage — free entry
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Food Guide
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Gata and Matzoon
Market at Geghard entrance — homemade
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Grilled Trout
Restaurants near Garni — fish from the Azat
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Lavash with Cheese
Garni village market — from local vendors
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Choose the right car for the season and book now.
Office at 20 Khandjyan St. — the route starts just 5 minutes away.
Book your car at caravan.am |
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