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Day trip from Tbilisi
History & culture

Armenia Day Trip from Tbilisi — Haghpat & Sanahin Monasteries, Private

Akhtala Monastery • Haghpat Monastery • Sanahin Monastery

Available

Year-round

Group Size

Private, 1–8 travellers

Difficulty

Easy

$89per person

Travellers

9+

Group total: $356

Private: car and guide are priced per group, so each person pays less in a bigger group. Children count as travellers.

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$89 pp · 4 travellers · $356

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Private tour for 1–8 travellers

About This Experience

A second country in a day: the medieval monasteries of Armenia's Debed canyon. It is about 1.5 hours from Tbilisi to the Sadakhlo–Bagratashen border, which you cross on foot, and about an hour more to the monasteries. You visit Akhtala, known for its frescoes, then Haghpat, and after lunch with a family Sanahin. The monasteries are free to enter and lunch is included. On the Armenian side you continue with our Armenian partner's vehicle and guide, or with our own car where its insurance covers Armenia. The whole day takes about 11 hours. Bring your passport; some nationalities need an Armenian e-visa (about US$8).

Destinations You'll Visit

Places on This Tour

Discover 3 incredible destinations across Georgia

1

Akhtala Monastery

A fortified monastery on a cliff above the Debed canyon in northern Armenia, known for the unusually complete 13th-century frescoes inside its main church.

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2

Haghpat Monastery

A 10th-13th-century monastery complex on a plateau above the Debed canyon, founded under the Bagratid kings and listed by UNESCO in 1996 together with nearby Sanahin. Its domed churches, gavit halls and carved khachkars are among the finest in Armenia.

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3

Sanahin Monastery

A 10th-century monastery above the town of Alaverdi, once a major centre of learning, part of the UNESCO listing with Haghpat. Its dark stone halls are paved with gravestones; the village also has a small museum of the Mikoyan brothers, one of whom co-designed the MiG fighter.

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Your Journey Awaits

Discover every destination on this expertly curated route with exclusive access, local insights, and unforgettable experiences.

  1. Day 1

    Debed canyon monasteries: Akhtala, Haghpat, Sanahin

    About 11 hours door to door, including the border crossing on foot in both directions.

    • 08:30 Pickup in Tbilisi; drive to the Sadakhlo–Bagratashen border (about 1.5 h)
    • Border formalities on foot; continue into the Debed canyon (about 1 h)
    • Akhtala monastery
    • Haghpat monastery
    • 13:30 Lunch with a local family (included)
    • Sanahin monastery
    • Drive back and cross the border; 19:30 at your hotel
Tour Route
3 destinations on your journey
Akhtala MonasteryHaghpat MonasterySanahin Monastery
1
Akhtala Monastery, Georgia

Akhtala Monastery

A fortified monastery on a cliff above the Debed canyon in northern Armenia, known for the unusually complete 13th-century frescoes inside its main church.

Highlights

Akhtala fortress-monastery above the Debed canyon, known for its painted interior. Free entry.

2
Haghpat Monastery, Georgia

Haghpat Monastery

A 10th-13th-century monastery complex on a plateau above the Debed canyon, founded under the Bagratid kings and listed by UNESCO in 1996 together with nearby Sanahin. Its domed churches, gavit halls and carved khachkars are among the finest in Armenia.

Highlights

Haghpat monastery complex, 10th–13th century, on a plateau above the canyon. Free entry. Lunch with a local family afterwards (included).

3
Sanahin Monastery, Georgia

Sanahin Monastery

A 10th-century monastery above the town of Alaverdi, once a major centre of learning, part of the UNESCO listing with Haghpat. Its dark stone halls are paved with gravestones; the village also has a small museum of the Mikoyan brothers, one of whom co-designed the MiG fighter.

Highlights

Sanahin monastery across the canyon from Haghpat, with its gavit halls and carved cross-stones. Free entry.

Tour Summary

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