2025 Lusarat Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

Friends! Embark on a unique multi-country tour featuring Armenia! Enjoy wine tasting in private wineries, admire Russian architecture, and gaze upon the majestic Mount Ararat—don't miss out! / Armenia, an ancient Christian nation 🕍, is the pearl of the Caucasus! Magnificent mountains and lakes 🏞️, and unique cultural customs 🎭 await your exploration. On a multi-country tour, Armenia is a must-see destination! / 🎈Itinerary: Day 1: Exploring Tbilisi Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi—Freedom Square—Bridge of Peace—Metekhi Church—Narikala Fortress—Kartlis Deda Journey through the capital city, where history and modernity intertwine, and experience the religious and cultural charm of Georgia. Day 2: A Blend of Nature and History Ananuri Fortress—Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument—Gergeti Trinity Church—Mount Kazbek Visit ancient fortresses, trace the footsteps of history, and marvel at the breathtaking scenery of Mount Kazbek. Day 3: The Ancient Charm of Sighnaghi Sighnaghi Old Town—Bodbe Monastery Wander through the historic old town, immerse yourself in the ancient atmosphere of Sighnaghi, and explore the mystical monastery. Day 4: Art and Culture in Yerevan Republic Square—Yerevan Cathedral—Cafesjian Center for the Arts—Yerevan Opera Theater—Etchmiadzin Cathedral—Zvartnots Cathedral Immerse yourself in the artistic ambiance of Armenia's capital, and visit numerous cultural and religious landmarks. Day 5: Reflections on History Geghard Monastery—Garni Temple—Garni Gorge—Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex Reflect on Armenia's profound history, from ancient monasteries to the memorial of the genocide, and experience the vicissitudes of time. Day 6: Lakeside Serenity Khor Virap—Lake Sevan—Sevanavank Monastery—Haghpat Monastery Explore the beautiful Lake Sevan, and experience the tranquility and mystique of two ancient monasteries on its shores. Day 7: Exploring Caves and Monasteries Uplistsikhe Cave Town—Jvari Monastery—Svetitskhoveli Cathedral Delve into the caves of Uplistsikhe, and experience ancient history and faith, before visiting two more religious sites. Day 8: Free Time in Tbilisi Depending on your flight schedule, you can enjoy free time in Tbilisi, experiencing the city's unique charm, before we transfer you to the airport for your departure. 🌟 / Places to Visit: Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Address: MRX8+3H8, Tbilisi, Georgia - Opening Hours: 7:00 am–9:00 pm - Duration: 1–2 hrs - The pure gold dome shimmers under the sunlight, and the beautiful scenery inside and outside the cathedral is captivating. Ananuri Fortress ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Address: 5P73+G5H, Ananuri, Georgia - Opening Hours: 9:00 am–8:00 pm - Duration: 2–3 hrs - The ancient fortress standing by the lake is the pride of Georgia. Here, you can feel the weight of history and the tranquility of nature. Narikala Fortress ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Address: Tbilisi, Georgia - Opening Hours: 8:00 am–8:00 pm - Duration: 1–2 hrs - This fortress has witnessed the historical changes of Tbilisi and still stands strong, guarding the city. It's a great place to learn about local history. / Some Tips: * March is a pleasant time to visit Armenia, with warm and comfortable days and slightly cool evenings. Remember to bring a light jacket. 🧥 * Visa-free travel for multi-country tours is very convenient! Just have your passport and itinerary ready. 😉 * Looking for souvenirs? Armenian handicrafts are excellent, reasonably priced, and make great gifts or keepsakes. 🎁 * Pay attention to safety, especially in crowded areas, and keep an eye on your belongings. 👀 * Trying local cuisine is a major part of traveling. Armenian cuisine awaits your exploration! 🍽️ / A multi-country tour, starting with Armenia, has even more excitement waiting for you! Remember to follow me so you don't miss out on any travel tips. 🌍✨

Yerevan's eastern area boasts many attractions, each relatively close but inconvenient by public transport. I opted for a chartered car (💰30,000 AMD) and explored both the east and south routes in half a day. Here’s my timeline for reference: - 1️⃣ 8:20 AM Departure 2️⃣ 8:40-9:00 AM Charents Arch Offers a view of Mount Ararat. Architects Rafael Israelyan and road builders discovered this spot’s view of Ararat during construction and decided to erect this monument. The 5-meter-high arch is made of basalt. 3️⃣ 9:30-10:00 AM Geghard Monastery 🕐 9:00 AM-6:00 PM A serene stone church nestled among snow-capped mountains. The church has no modern lighting—only sunlight filtering through small windows and openings. Inside, you’ll find holy water and crosses, but it’s very dark, so be cautious. Exterior under maintenance 🧰. Behind it lies a stunning gorge with streams and snowy peaks. Restrooms available. 4️⃣ 10:30-10:50 AM Symphony of Stones 🎫 300 AMD Located in a gorge with mountains, rivers, and snowy peaks in the backdrop. These are volcanic rock formations that collapsed into stacked, naturally suspended cubic structures—symmetrical hexagonal and pentagonal basalt columns nearly 50 meters tall. From afar, they resemble an accordion 🪗. 5️⃣ 11:00-11:40 AM Garni Temple 🕐 9:00 AM-10:00 PM 🎫 1,500 AMD A Greek-style temple facing snowy mountains, dedicated to Mithra (the Greek sun god). Built with Arabian stone, it features 24 outer columns symbolizing the 24 hours of a day. The interior is dim, lit only by reflected natural light. The temple is encircled by a defensive wall—314 meters long, 2 meters thick, and up to 6-8 meters high in some sections. The fortress structure reveals five distinct architectural layers from different eras. The walls and towers are made of large, regular-shaped blue basalt blocks weighing 4-5 tons each. 6️⃣ 12:00 PM Azat Reservoir The scenery resembles Tibet’s Yamdrok Lake, with snowy mountains in the distance and a vast water body below. Passing through a small town, every utility pole had large bird nests—a local feature, according to the driver. 7️⃣ 12:40-1:30 PM Khor Virap Monastery In the 4th century, this land served as a prison. Instead of cells, deep pits were dug underground to confine prisoners—hence the name "Khor Virap," meaning "deep pit" in Armenian. Saint Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned here for 13 years by King Tiridates III for heresy. Many stalls at the entrance sell cheap fridge magnets (💰600 AMD). 8️⃣ 2:20 PM Return to the city

📅 Itinerary 🗓 Day 1 – Yerevan Highlights • Visit the Cascade Complex – climb the steps or use the escalator for panoramic views of the city. • Explore Republic Square, Opera House, and walk around Northern Avenue. • Visit Vernissage Market (if it’s the weekend) for souvenirs and local crafts. • Evening stroll along Abovyan Street and enjoy local cafes. 🗓 Day 2 – Sacred and Ancient Armenia • Head to Zvartnots Temple – beautiful ruins with Mount Ararat views. • Visit Etchmiadzin Cathedral – the spiritual heart of Armenian Christianity. • Explore Khor Virap Monastery – iconic for its close-up view of Mount Ararat. 🗓 Day 3 – Pagan and Monastic Gems • Visit Garni Temple – a unique pagan temple overlooking a gorge. • Continue to Geghard Monastery – a UNESCO World Heritage Site partially carved into rock. • Optionally stop by the Symphony of Stones nearby Garni. ⸻ 🏨 Accommodation • Paris Hotel Yerevan – Central, elegant, and within walking distance of major sites. ⸻ 🍴 Food Recommendations • Machanenc Restaurant – Traditional Armenian cuisine. • Try: • Tan (a yogurt-based drink) • Pumpkin and chickpea dishes • Local red wine – Armenia is famous for its Areni variety ⸻ 📌 Tips • Carry cash – not everywhere accepts cards, especially outside Yerevan. • Use Yandex Go or GG for taxis – safer and cheaper than street taxis. • Dress modestly when visiting religious sites. • Try Armenian dried fruits and lavash (flatbread) from local markets. • If visiting in spring, bring a light jacket – weather can change quickly.

Armenia 🇦🇲 The severely underrated country in the Caucasus! Not only was it the first country to be visa-free for China, it was also the first country to make Christianity the state religion Although this mysterious country is small, it is filled with thousands of ancient churches⛪️!! It is also said to be the docking place for Noah’s Ark in the Bible Here, you can encounter the magnificent Caucasus snow-capped mountains 🏔️, the lush alpine meadows, the fairytale-like architecture 🏘️, the romantic towns... 🐻‍❄️Must-see attractions 📍Erevan--Capital and Cultural Center 📒 Republic Square: Downtown landmark with musical fountain at night 📒Great Staircase: Climbing to the top overlooks the city + Mount Ararat 📒 Armenian Genocide Memorial: An important place to learn about history 📍Lake Sevan -- the sapphire of the Caucasus 📒 Sevan Monastery: A 9th century monument on the peninsula in the heart of the lake 📒Lakeside town: Sample Armenian trout 📍Tatev Monastery--Faith on the Cliff 📒World Drunken Long Cable Car: Across the canyon, stunning views 📒9th Century Monastery: Built on the edge of a cliff, it is known as the "Sky City of Armenia" 📍Gergald Monastery--Cave Temple 📒UNESCO World Heritage Site: Some of the buildings are carved into caves and are listed 📒 Traditional hymn performance: can be listened to live 📍Hovip Abbey -- overlooking the Holy Mountain 📒 Legend of Sham Shui Po: St. Gregory was imprisoned here for 13 years 🚗Itinerary arrangements D1 Around the country-Urumqi-Baku D2 Baku-Gobstan-Baku D3 Baku-Sheki D4 Sheki-Signage-Tbilisi D5 Tbilisi-Mtskheta-Gori-Batum D6 Batumi-Qutaisi D7 Kutaisi-Annunzh-GUDAURI Ski Resort D8 GUDAURI Ski Resort-Kazbek-Georgian Chronicle-Tbilisi D9 Tbilisi-Lake Sevan-Erevan D10 Yerevan-Urumqi D11 Urumqi - Across the country

Celebrating New year holidays in Armenia, first place we went to was Khor Virap monastery located near the border with Turkey. It’s one of the most important places in Armenia honoured by its people. It is located on a hill with beautiful views and has a very interesting history. The place is recommended to visit in any season of the year but it’s especially beautiful in summer. #celebrateit

Travelers! Explore the Three Caucasus Countries and visit the museum! Enjoy a 9-day tour, experience the charm of history and culture, and collect the best! / The Three Caucasus Countries 🌍 are located between Iran and the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. Here, you can find ancient civilization history 📜 and stunning mountain scenery 🏔️. It is known as the "forgotten garden" of God 🌺. / 🛫 Itinerary: Day 1: Arrive in Baku, meet your driver at the airport, and check in to your hotel. Day 2-3: Visit the mud volcanoes, Gobustan rocks, and old town of Baku, then head to Shamakhi, and finally arrive in Sheki to check in. Day 4: Cross the Agdam border, pass through Signagi, and arrive in Tbilisi to check in. Day 5-6: Travel to Yerevan, visit the Khor Virap and Echmiadzin Cathedral, then return to Tbilisi. Day 7: Visit the Ananuri Fortress, admire the Kazbegi snow-capped mountains from afar, and return to Tbilisi. Day 8: Visit the Uplistsikhe Cave Dynasty and Stalin Museum in Gori, then head to Mtskheta to visit the Jvari Monastery and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, and return to Tbilisi. Day 9: Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, old town, and other attractions in Tbilisi, and finally meet your driver at the airport for departure. / Recommended attractions: Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Address: MRX8+3H8, Tbilisi, Georgia - Opening hours: 07:00-21:00 - Duration: 1-2 hours - The golden dome shines under the sun, and you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the top of the church. Ananuri Fortress ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Address: 5P73+G5H, Ananuri, Georgia - Opening hours: 09:00-20:00 - Duration: 2-3 hours - Known as the "national geographic business card" of Georgia, the ancient fortress stands quietly by the lake, telling the story of the past. Gergeti Trinity Church ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Address: MJ6C+V4J, Kazbegi, Oni, Georgia - Opening hours: Friday 09:00-22:00; Monday-Thursday, Saturday-Sunday 09:00-17:00 - Duration: 2-3 hours - This church is built on the mountain, with a magnificent view. Standing in front of the church, you can overlook the entire town, and the view is great. / Travel essentials: 📞 Phone card: Prepare a local phone card in advance for easy communication and avoid being out of touch. 🔌 Plug adapter: A German plug adapter is essential for charging. 🆔 Documents: Passport, visa, and itinerary are all essential. 👕 Clothing: The weather in February is slightly cold, so you should prepare a thick coat and long-sleeved clothes. 🔋 Charger and power bank: Charge your phone and camera at any time to avoid any regrets. 💊 Essential medicines: Prepare cold medicine and stomach medicine in case of emergency. 💰 Cash and bank card: Prepare a certain amount of cash, as well as UnionPay and VISA cards for shopping. / Travel to the Three Caucasus Countries and experience the charm of history and nature. Don't forget to leave your footprints and stories! 🌟

This monastery had a longstanding history and magical at every stone it stands on. There is an atmosphere of peace and harmony at every corner of it. You can see ancient buildings and talk to local people. Here you can find the best view of Ararat mountain you could ever find in Armenia. The view is just breathtaking and it give you goosebumps just instantly. Down the road you can find a small market where you can buy some souvenirs and taste a freshly squeezed pomegranate juice. Wonderful experience, highly recommended place to visit. 💰Average Price per Person: 1000 💞Reasons to Recommend: history, views of Ararat #Khorvirab

#September2024 Armenia is a country with many medieval monuments, so traveling to Armenia can allow you to experience its rich history and culture. Today I would like to introduce an important historical site in Armenia that I have visited: Khor Virap Monastery, also known as the Deep Pit Monastery. In 287 AD, the famous Armenian leader Gregory was imprisoned in a deep pit for thirteen years by the Armenian King Tiridates III. This is the origin of the Khorvirap Monastery, also known as the Deep Pit Monastery. The monastery is located on the top of a small hill⛰️, with the Ararat Snow Mountain behind it. It is magnificent and has a strong sense of picture. It is very photogenic. No tickets are required to visit. Address: near the village of, H11, Pokr Vedi 0612 Armenia It is recommended to charter a car in Yerevan.

Measuring the 'Garden of God forgotten' Caucasus with footsteps 🚞 Station 37▪️Country 44🇦🇲𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐚☆Armenia▶️'Khor Virap Monastery' (the pit monastery, formerly a dungeon), located at the foot of Mount Ararat (also known as 'Mount Ararat', now within Turkey), offers a perfect panoramic view from the monastery's viewing platform. The sight of Mount Ararat and Mount Aragats is vivid before the eyes. Mount Ararat is a symbol of the Armenian nation, and its image is on the coat of arms of Armenia. Mount Ararat is the legendary final resting place of Noah's Ark. Many say 'God said let there be light, and there was light, and there was Armenia'. This was once a vast empire, the first country in the world to recognize Christianity as the state religion, and the final resting place of 'Noah's Ark' in the Bible, as well as the 'Garden of Eden'. When the great flood receded, 'Noah's Ark' hit Mount Ararat and stopped, and Noah's family, who survived the catastrophe, descended from the ark with various animals, some of whom stayed in the Caucasus mountains, while others went far and wide. The most special thing in the monastery is that mysterious building, going down the narrow, very narrow, very difficult stairs, oh it's so hard to go down, let's see what's down there, oh my goodness, it's a sarcophagus, seems like it should be a tombstone, wow so narrow, so narrow, look at the state now, such a small entrance, and then we have another place to explore over here, we see there is an iron staircase, right here wow I feel it's quite dangerous if one accidentally misses a step. Below the stairs is a huge underground chamber, where an uncle is confessing, so he temporarily became our tour guide. It turns out that this underground chamber was a place for ascetics to meditate, and Jesus had practiced here for fifteen years. When the ascetic reached the underground chamber, others would seal the only entrance with stones. The ceiling of the underground chamber has a fist-sized hole, which is the only way to communicate with the outside world, and every day at a specific time, a nun would deliver bread through the hole to ensure the survival of the ascetic. The feeling of staying in the underground chamber for 10 minutes is one of stuffiness and oppression, just imagine what it would be like to stay in an underground chamber without any light source for 15 years?

The central emblem of the Armenian coat of arms features a mountain. The snow-capped mountain in the top left corner of my cover photo❶ is the "holy mountain" depicted on the coat of arms, known as Mount Ararat (with various translations, such as "Mount Ağrı"). Since ancient times, Mount Ararat has been not only a spiritual symbol for Armenians but also a sacred mountain in the eyes of Christians, attracting numerous pilgrims. Legend has it that Armenia is the resting place of Noah's Ark as mentioned in the Bible; when the great flood receded, Noah's Ark struck Mount Ararat and came to a halt, and Noah's family, along with various animals, settled down here. It is said that Armenia was founded by one of Noah's great-grandsons. This "final resting place of Noah's Ark" even preserves a fragment of the Ark, according to legend, and people believe that the savior Noah was the first resident here. Armenia also became the first country in the world to adopt Christianity. Although Armenia is currently surrounded by a host of Islamic nations, it remains an unequivocal Christian country. However, due to repeated territorial disputes, the weak nation has always been at a disadvantage, and today the holy mountain is no longer within the territorial scope of Armenia. Nevertheless, from most parts of Armenia (including the capital), one can still gaze upon the eternal totem in the hearts of Armenians. Near the road to the Khor Virap Monastery, our guide brought us to the best vantage point to look up at Mount Ararat. The ancient architecture and the snowy peaks reflect each other, presenting a picture where culture and nature blend harmoniously. The explorer Sven Hedin, who had been to Xinjiang, described his trip to Armenia as follows: "Never in my life have I had anything else to compare with it. We are surrounded by the great mountains of the Caucasus, with the handsome cliffs revealing strange sights, backed by the snow-covered peaks." Today, I took one photo after another of the majestic "holy mountain," as if following the captivating text, searching for the mysterious "Ark" legend. The "Khor Virap Monastery" at the foot of the snow mountain is not large; legend has it that Saint Gregory the Illuminator was once thrown into a deep pit here by the then pagan king. The pit, 6.5 meters deep and 4.5 meters in diameter, was full of venomous creatures. Saint Gregory was imprisoned here for 14 years, surviving by divine power and the secret aid of a woman. Later, the king repented and led the entire nation to convert to Christianity. I did not go down into the pit, but I took photos of the snow mountain and the monastery from various angles time and again. Our local guide, Xia Tong (Chinese name), exclaimed in amazement when she saw the photo of my cover image❶: "This could enter an Armenian photography competition": The pristine new snow, the red-roofed church, and the ripe crops, along with the clear blue sky, made for a clear and beautiful shot. Guide Xia Tong has taken many people here for photos, and she said she has never seen such a vertical panoramic beauty. Even though my endorphins were soaring at the time, it seemed that my heart was more concerned with the Noah's Ark that once symbolized redemption here. In these tumultuous years, hasn't humanity been constantly calling for "Noah's Ark"? Noah's Ark perfectly interprets people's dreams; a better life really does need more dreams.

#Overseas travel The location of the monastery is spectacular with Mount Ararat as the backdrop. Well preserved friezes and khachkas. The interior is very beautiful. The surrounding scenery is beautiful. There is a short walk behind the monastery to climb the hill and the view from there is even more amazing. Mount Ararat is spectacular. Khor Virap is truly awe-inspiring and will take your breath away! Standing in front of this ancient monastery with the majestic backdrop of Mount Ararat as the backdrop, I was overwhelmed by the depth of history and spirituality. The tranquil surroundings and insight into Armenia’s past make it a special experience. For those looking for a connection to Armenia’s rich heritage and breathtaking views, Khor Virap is a destination not to be missed! A fantastic place. Mount Ararat dominates the landscape, making it a sight to behold. The church itself is interesting and allows you to descend into the dungeon where George was kept for 13 years. It’s so much fun!

#dreamvoyage Khor Virap Monastery is an ancient monastery located in the south of Yerevan. It is a famous tourist attraction in Armenia. The surrounding area is surrounded by mountains. The view is very beautiful. Inside the church is beautiful ancient architecture. Every corner is beautiful to take pictures.

Armenia is also a country that exempts us from visas. The overall atmosphere here is good and it is relatively friendly to the Chinese. But prices are not cheap, so prepare yourself mentally before going. 🚉Transportation guide: There is no direct flight. It is recommended to fly to Tbilisi, Georgia, and then transfer to Armenia by bus or train. 🗓Itinerary: Day1: Yerevan Republic Square-Yerevan Stairs-Khor Virap Day2: Lake Sevan 📝Note tips: English is not easy to use here. It is recommended to download translation software first. You can buy phone cards in the city. It is more expensive to buy them at the airport. It is best to go to the city for currency exchange. If you go to the airport, you can use Visa card to withdraw cash. In the city, you can withdraw cash with ACBA Bank UnionPay card without any handling fee.