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An Unesco world heritage-listed building, the Geghard monastery was founded in the fourth century in a steep canyon and contains a number of churches and tombs, many of which are cut into the rock. Surrounding trees are dotted with strips of cloth in the belief that saying a prayer and tying cloth to a tree near to the monastery will make sure it is answered.
The site of this Hellenic temple, built in the first century and dedicated to Mithra, the Roman god of the sun, includes a Roman bathhouse with intricate mosaics and a seventh-century church.
On a clear day, the views of this volcanic summit are beautiful from the countryside below. The peaks of the surrounding mountain range are usually snow-covered all year round. You can even climb to the crater at the top. Mid-summer (July to September) is best for this as there is permanent snow cover at the top.
The town of Echmiadzin, just west of Yerevan, is seen by Armenians as the spiritual centre of their country and the main focus of any visit is the Echmiadzin cathedral. Listed as a Unesco world heritage site, the cathedral is the oldest in Armenia and features a vaulted basilica dating back to the fourth century.
Located 10km west of Yerevan, the outstanding feature of Zvartnots is the cathedral, which was constructed in 652AD and buried by an earthquake about three hundred years later. It was only rediscovered in the early part of the 20th century. Built by Catholicos Nerses III, the cathedral is dedicated to St George and is formed in the shape of a Greek cross. In 2000, the cathedral was listed as a Unesco world heritage site.
11 days 10 nights
From £3,395
Explore the spectacular highland countries of Armenia and Georgia, the world’s oldest Christian nations, with experts Dr William Taylor and Rowena Loverance
14 days 13 nights
From £2,945
Take an exciting journey across all three states of the southern Caucasus