1-Day Armenia: Garni, Geghard and Echmiadzin

In the morning, drive to the Geghard monastery, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Armenia. The monastery complex is surrounded by towering cliffs and contains several churches and tombs, the majority of which are carved deep into the rock. It was the first monastery built in Armenia following the adoption of Christianity as the state religion in the early fourth century AD. Continue the tour to Garni Temple, Armenia's only remaining pagan temple from the first century AD. It was dedicated to Mitra, the Armenian Sun God. It is now symbolized as pre-Christian Armenia.  Drive to the next UNESCO World Heritage Site in Armenia, the Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin (Echmiadzin) and the Zvartnots Archaeological Site. Echmiadzin is recognised as the spiritual heart of the Armenian people. Constructed in the VI century, it became one of the first official Christian Churches in the world.  On the way back to Yerevan, visit the ruins of the VII-century Zvartnots temple, which was destroyed by an earthquake in the X century. Drop off at the hotel.