At a glance
- Best for
- Monasteries, gorges, hiking and wine country
- Airport
- Zvartnots International Airport (EVN), about four to five hours by road
- Time needed
- Two to three nights including the drive
- Best season
- May to October
- Main base
- Goris, with guesthouses also in Tatev and Halidzor
- On the way
- Khor Virap, Areni, Noravank and Jermuk
Why go
The south is where Armenia's landscapes are at their most spectacular. The road from Yerevan runs past Khor Virap and Ararat, through the vineyards of Vayots Dzor, over high passes and into Syunik, where green gorges cut through the plateau. Few first timers make it this far, which is exactly why those who do remember it most.
Top things to do
Ride the **Wings of Tatev**, a cable car that crosses the Vorotan gorge from Halidzor to Tatev village, then explore **Tatev Monastery**, once a great medieval university with a fortified enclosure, a swaying stone column and views straight down into the canyon. In the gorge below, a path leads to **Satan's Bridge**, a natural rock bridge with warm mineral pools beneath, and on to the ruined **Tatevi Mets Anapat**, the Great Hermitage, in a peaceful valley.
Near the town of **Goris**, the abandoned cave village of **Old Khndzoresk** is reached by a swinging footbridge across the gorge, with homes carved into the soft rock. Goris itself has a grid of stone houses and is the best base, with guesthouses and local fruit vodkas.
North of Sisian, **Zorats Karer**, also called Karahunj, is a field of ancient standing stones, some with holes bored through them, often compared to Stonehenge. Nearby, **Shaki waterfall** is pretty after the snowmelt.
On the way south
Break the journey in Vayots Dzor. The village of **Areni** is the centre of Armenian winemaking: the Areni 1 cave nearby yielded the oldest known winery in the world, about six thousand years old, and several wineries offer tastings. Just off the main road, **Noravank** monastery glows red against the cliffs of a narrow gorge and is one of the most photographed sights in Armenia. The spa town of **Jermuk**, with its waterfall and mineral water galleries, is a short detour.
Where to stay
Goris has the widest choice of guesthouses and small hotels. There are also family guesthouses in Tatev village and Halidzor, which put you close to the cable car for an early ride before the tour groups arrive. In Vayots Dzor, Yeghegnadzor and Areni have guesthouses and winery stays.
Getting there
By road it is around four to five hours from Yerevan to Goris without stops, and much longer with sightseeing, so most people split the drive with a night in Areni or Yeghegnadzor. Marshrutkas run to Goris, and many Yerevan tour operators run two or three day trips south. There is no railway.
Safety and practical tips
The main road south and parts of Syunik run close to the border with Azerbaijan, and some governments advise against travel to areas near that border. Read current travel advice from your own government, and the UK Foreign Office map, before you plan this trip, and stick to main roads. The cable car can pause in strong wind or bad weather and closes on some days for maintenance; check before you go. Roads over the passes can see snow from November to April.
Suggested plan
Day one: Khor Virap, Areni and Noravank, night in Areni. Day two: Zorats Karer and Tatev, night in Goris. Day three: Khndzoresk, then back north.
Questions about Tatev and Syunik
How do I get to Tatev monastery?
Most visitors ride the Wings of Tatev cable car from Halidzor. A winding road also reaches Tatev village directly.
Is it safe to travel to Syunik?
Many visitors travel to Goris and Tatev without problems, but some governments advise against travel near the border with Azerbaijan. Check your government's current advice and its maps before you go.
Can I visit Tatev as a day trip from Yerevan?
It is possible on a very long tour day, but two or three days lets you see Areni, Noravank, Tatev and Khndzoresk properly.
Does the Wings of Tatev cable car run all year?
It operates most of the year but can stop for weather or maintenance. Check the official Wings of Tatev information before you set off.
Facts checked . Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so always confirm the latest with the official source.
