My Tatev day trip from Yerevan started at 7 AM and ended at 10 PM. By the time we returned I had seen a cave village, a monastery and a ropeway over a deep gorge.
This was one day of my 18-day route through Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia and Turkey. I booked a group tour, and my notes do not include the operator or the price, so check current options before you go.
Contents
The Tatev day trip from Yerevan: how the day ran
- 5:15 AM: wake up
- 6:00 AM: walk to pickup point (no hotel pickup)
- 7:00 AM: tour leaves Yerevan
- Along the way: Mount Ararat views, food court and Khndzoresk
- Later: Tatev Monastery, the Wings of Tatev, and Shaki waterfall
- After 4:30 PM: a late lunch
- 10:00 PM: back in Yerevan
It is a long day. Expect about 15 hours with the stops.
The drive and Mount Ararat
On the road out of Yerevan the weather was clear, and Mount Ararat stood tall along the Turkish border. It is a sight many people miss because of cloud, so a clear morning is a good start.
Khndzoresk cave village
Our guide told that about 8,000 people lived in these caves until the 1950s. Today the old village is a hillside of rock dwellings you can walk through swinging bridge.
The steps and the swinging bridge
The path down has about 400 steep steps. There is a swinging bridge in the valley, and then 400 steps back up.
The 3,000-dram car
Locals run car service to take you down to swinging bridge, and bring you back up the hill for 3,000 dram, and the fare is for a car. There were two of us so we shared the cost. I took it to save my knees, and other person had twisted his ankle.
Walnuts with a vendor’s daughter
A vendor’s daughter showed me how to crack fresh walnuts with stones. It was one of the small moments I remember best from the day.
Tatev Monastery
The road to Tatev is serpentine, with 10 to 15 bends. The monastery is still full of worshippers, which gave it a living feel that many tourist sites do not have.
Wings of Tatev ropeway
The ropeway runs about 5 to 6 km above a deep gorge. It holds Guinness World Record for the longest non-stop double-track cable car (reversible aerial tramway) built in a single section
Snacks I had
- Walnut candy dipped in pomegranate juice
- A grape version of the same candy
- Dried mulberries
- Fruit leather
- Zhingyalov hats, the herb-stuffed bread
Shaki Waterfall and the skipped wine tasting
The Shaki Waterfall is controlled by a dam, and it looks best when the water is released. We did not have time for the wine tasting that was on the menu.
The lunch mistake
Lunch came after 4:30 PM. Pack your own food, because the day is long and the restaurant stop is late. The restaurant food I packed one day earlier had turned to mush by the time I opened it, so carry dry snacks and fruit instead.
If you are a vegetarian, read what I ate across the region in my post on vegetarian food.
Tips for this day trip
- Take the 3,000-dram car at Khndzoresk if your knees are not great. You need cash
- Wear shoes with grip for the steps
- Carry a lunch and water
- Carry a power bank, since the day lasts about 15 hours
- Ask the operator how long the ropeway queue is and whether the ride is included
FAQ
How long is the Tatev day trip from Yerevan?
My tour left at 7 AM and returned at 10 PM, so plan for about 15 hours.
How many steps are there at Khndzoresk?
About 400 steps down to the bridge and 400 back up. A car costs 3,000 dram for up to four people.
How long is the Wings of Tatev ropeway?
About 5.7 km, over a deep gorge.
Is Tatev Monastery worth visiting?
Yes. It is still a working place of worship, and the road and ropeway views are part of the experience.
Pingback: Baku to Tbilisi Flight or Border? Why I Flew
Pingback: Vegetarian Food in Georgia, Armenia & Turkey: My Meals
Pingback: Tbilisi to Yerevan Night Train: Border Check & Tickets
Pingback: Azerbaijan Georgia Armenia Itinerary: 18 Days, Real Costs