Lan Wandered

“Khor Virap Monastery is undoubtedly one of the most iconic site in Armenia with the most stunning view of Mt. Ararat.”

Hey, are you looking for a historical place in Armenia with the most beautiful and picturesque view of Mt. Ararat? Khor Virap is probably the best place for you to visit. It is one of the famous spots offering otherworldly view of the magnificent Mt Ararat. It is 43 kilometers away from Yerevan and accessible to tourists. I am pretty sure that you will not regret traveling to this iconic site. Definitely, one of the places that you should not miss visiting while in Armenia. I already write here the complete guide on how to get to Khor Virap Monastery for your reference.

About Khor Virap

Khor Virap Monastery is one of the significant religious site in Armenia, located in the Ararat plain, near the border of Turkey. In the year 301, the monastery played an important role in the adoption of Armenia to Christianity, thanks to Gregory the Illuminator. Khor Virap means deep dungeon, referring to the church lore where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years by King Tiridates III after confessing his Christian faith. Subsequently, after he was released, Saint Gregory became the king’s religious mentor, and both of them led the conversion of Armenia to Christianity. Today, it is one of Armenia’s most visited pilgrimage sites.

How to get to Khor Virap?

DIY, Public Transportation:

Take a Marshrutka/minivan/minibus in the Intertown Bus station of Yerevan, going to Ararat. To reach Intertown Bus station, you will need to head to Sasuntsi Davit Train station then look for the parking lot area where the minibuses are stationed. The fare is around 500 AMD and mostly takes around an hour. After that, catch a taxi or minibus number 467 going to Khor Virap Monastery, otherwise walk for about 1.5 kilometers.

Alternatively, 2^nd Option for public transportation is to ride a taxi from Yerevan directly to Khor Virap, with fare around 13 to 16 USD depending on your exact location. You can download the GG or Yandex Taxi App in case you have difficulty of finding one.

Private Vehicle: Drive from Yerevan going to Kho Virap for about an hour. If unsure with the location, use google maps for accurate route guide.

Renting a Car in Armenia:  There are many cars for rent to select in Yerevan, Armenia and most of them have air conditioning, allowing you to travel comfortably. The rent is around 20 USD per day for economy class. This option is great if you are planning to explore many places in Armenia and would like to travel at your own pace and time. This also a great option for a group. Just ensure that at least one or two of you have international driver license that is accredited in Armenia.

Tours with transfer: For convenience, join a day trip from Yerevan available in any travel agency tours offering this experience to reduce your cost. The tour cost is around 40 USD. You also have an option to do private excursion for 100 USD with driver only and around 120 USD with tour guide.

By the way, I visited here in the month of February, still winter. Hence, I opted to join a group tour with transfer. The package includes a day tour to Khor Virap, Areni Winery, Areni Cave and lastly Noravank Monastery. I highly recommend this one, especially if you are traveling solo and want to reduce your travel cost.

Other Option Package Tour from Yerevan: Khor Virap, Echmiadzin, Zvartnots Cathedral

If you are curious, I book my tour in G7 Euro Travel & Tours or known in Filipino community as Kabayans and Pinoys in Tbilisi, Georgia, highly recommended. It’s my second time doing a transaction with them, so I can confidently say that they are one of the best Travel & Tour agency providers in Georgia & Armenia. You can also check Viator.com for more info of tours package in Armenia.

How many days required to wander in this place?

A day trip from Yerevan is enough to explore and wander in Khor Virap Monastery.

When is the best time to visit?

Khor Virap Monastery can be visited all year round. However, if you prefer going there with fewer group of tourists, Winter is the best time to travel particularly in the month of February. Otherwise, depending on your choice of view and ambience, you can choose from different season month in Armenia.

December to March– It is the winter season in Armenia and provides a magical and tranquil atmosphere in the surroundings of Khor Virap.

April to May– (Spring) If you want to see Khor Virap area with blooming flowers around, then visit on this month.

June to September– Peak season in Armenia is usually during summer. If you want to visit Khor Virap with lush green surrounding, then visit this month.

October to November– Autumn season is a colorful month in Armenia, giving a yellow and reddish vibe background in Khor Virap area.

As for me, Since I am a Filipino who lives in a country with a tropical climate, it has been a dream of mine to experience snow during the winter. Thus, I opted to visit here in the month of February. Note that, there is no snow already in Khor Virap ground area during this month, however, the surrounding mountain like Mt. Ararat is still covered with snow. Overall, the view is magnificent as it gives you a clear view of the Mt. Ararat as the sky is clear.

My journey going to Khor Virap

When I was planning for my trip to Armenia, one of the places that captured my interest was Khor Virap Monastery. The photos I’ve seen in some blogs and tours online are really spectacular. Moreover, the history behind this pilgrimage site is intriguing, as it played a substantial role in the adoption of Christianity in Armenia. Not everyone knows, but Armenia is actually the first country in the world to declare itself a Christian Nation. It was the first time I learned about that, hence, If I did not travel to Armenia, I would not know this information.  On top of that, the location of Khor Virap is superb, as you will see the iconic Mountain of Ararat. Legend says it was depicted as the Mountain where Noah’s Ark landed. How interesting was that? The mountain was known as Holy Mount Ararat and is 5,165 meters (16,946 feet) in height. Although lying outside the borders of modern Armenia, the mountain is the principal national symbol of Armenia and has been considered a sacred mountain by Armenians. So, when I had the chance to visit Armenia in February, I did not miss visiting this magnificent place.

By the way, I am an Overseas Filipino Worker in Saudi Arabia, so from Dammam International Airport, I traveled to Yerevan, Armenia. On my third day in Armenia, I joined a group tour to Khor Virap Monastery, which cost 40 USD. The tour includes Khor Virap, Areni Winery, Areni Cave and lastly, Noravank Monastery. We are eight in the group, plus one driver and tour guide. By the way, I am staying at the City Center Hotel by Picnic. From my hotel, the tour guide and our driver picked me up around 8 a.m. And, I just want to commend our Van vehicle; it was really nice and comfortable.

From Yerevan, we traveled around an hour to reach Khor Virap Monastery. It was a smooth and wonderful ride, and the view outside once you come closer to the Monastery is Magnificent. You will have a first glance at Mt. Ararat on the road and then a combined beauty of the two once it reaches the destination. We arrived at the monastery before 10 am and started walking up. And since I wanted to document this trip, I brought out my insta 360 camera and started walking up the stairs. Don’t worry, it’s not that high. By the way, there is no entrance fee to enter Khor Virap. Once we reached the top, our tour guide started to give us information and history about Khor Virap. The monastery is stunning, it is surrounded by green pasturelands and vineyards within the Ararat Plain. On top of that, it is facing Mt. Ararat, which makes it more mesmerizing.

Upon hearing all the stories of Khor Virap, I was fascinated by how someone can live in an underground jail for 13 years. And that is actually what happened to Gregory the Illuminator during the time when he was imprisoned in the dungeon at Khor Virap. Thus, I was curious to see the deep dungeon to which they are referring. I take the narrow stare’s right from the altar down the dungeon and see it for myself. It has a depth of about 6 meters and is quite small. Even after seeing and experiencing the atmosphere underground, I am still wondering how Gregory the Illuminator was able to survive that for 13 years.

After we roamed around the monastery, we took a trek up the hill behind Khor Virap to see more of the view of the Mt. Ararat. Once you reach the top, you will also see the Flag of Armenia. Similar with my experience in Lake Sevan, while I am standing at the hill facing the Mt. Ararat, I couldn’t help but wonder and started making self-reflection and found my inner peace again. It is really a wonderful feeling to be close with nature.

Travel Tips when planning to visit Khor Virap

Here are some tips you should consider when heading to this wonderful place with one of the most spectacular views of Mt. Ararat.

• Please note of the opening hours of Khor Virap: 9 a.m. to 6 pm every day except Easter and Christmas. During summer, the monastery stays open until 8 p.m.
• Do not go to Khor Virap on a public holiday, and try to get there before the masses do to avoid crowds.
• Download Google Translate for communication purposes, note that most Armenians don’t speak English. You can also use Google Translate for signboard.
• If you are traveling by public transportation, please take note that Minibuses in Yerevan are leaving at 11:00 am, 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. To be sure, be there 30 minutes before departure. The signboard should be going to Ararat. You can use the Google Translate app in case of difficulty with the signboard. Mostly written in Armenian or Russian.
• It is advisable to travel there in the morning or on the first trip.
• To avoid crowds, visit during the weekdays.

• Please dress conservatively and give respect to the church, make sure to cover your shoulders and knees.
• When you are in the Monastery, don’t forget to try descending the small chapel of the Monastery where Gregory the Illuminator was believed to have been imprisoned for 13 years. Take the narrow stare right from the altar down the dungeon. I assumed it was one reason why it was called Deep Dungeon or Khor Virap.
• Don’t forget to take a light trek up the hill behind Khor Virap Monastery and then take a photo of the amazing Mt. Ararat.
• If you want to get an iconic photo of Khor Virap with the majestic Mt. Ararat, inform your driver to make a stop in the fields just before reaching the parking lot or after your tour when you are returning.
• Summer is a hot season, so it is best to wear a cap or scarf for sun protection.
• Remember that summer is the peak season in Armenia, so it is best to schedule your trip on weekdays to avoid crowds. 
• Please note that there are parking facilities and shops near Khor Virap.
• Take only memories, leave only footprints. 
• Bring bottled water to stay hydrated.
• Be a responsible traveler and help keep Khor Virap Monastery clean.

Budget/Estimated Cost

The cost of traveling to Khor Virap is considerably budget-friendly, especially if you join a group package tour. Based on my experience, most tourists spend around 40 to 50 USD from Yerevan if you join a group tour including the food. This is already a package tour.

If only Khor Virap, and you do it DIY. You might spend below 20 USD if you follow the public transportation. Please refer to the complete guide on how to get to Khor Virap Monastery.

Suggested Itinerary to this Monastery from Yerevan if DIY

Day 1

9:00 am – Take Minibus/Minivan from Yerevan with signboard Ararat.

10:00 am- From the dropping point of Ararat. Ride a taxi or minibus going to Khor Virap, other wise walk for 1.5 kilometers.

10:15 am- Wander around Khor Virap Monastery

11:15 am- Buy souvenir.

11:30 am- Take your Lunch.

12:00 pm- Return Back to Yerevan,

In case of joining a group tour, follow your time schedule in order to visit all tourist spot.

Essential things to bring

• Money in Cash (Armenian Dram)
• Comfortable shoes depend on the season you will visit
• Sunscreen for summer season
• Bottle of water
• Sun glass & scarf
• Light Snacks
• Cap for head & face sun protection
• Jacket applicable for summer or winter
• Camera stand & selfie stick, especially if you are traveling solo like me.
• Power bank

Tip: “Be at the moment”. Use this time to enjoy and reconnect with your friends or if traveling solo, relax your mind and make the most of the time to reassess your own life. You can also bond with new people if you are joining a group tour and build friendships.

So, have you been to Khor Virap Monastery? Please share your thoughts, I would love to know your experience.

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