Tatev is a small village 253 km from Yerevan. Tourists visiting Armenia are attracted here for two reasons: the longest aerial tramway in the Guinness Book of Records and the gem of medieval architecture, Tatev Monastery.
If you travel by rented car, which is the best option, the road will take 4 hours. In addition to the main sights, you will have the opportunity to see other beauties on the way to Tatev. You can visit Khor Virap Monastery, where you can see Mount Ararat, the red canyon with Noravank Monastery and the village of Areni with one of the best wineries in the country.
Tatev can be seen in one day. But it is better to have several days, because the south of Armenia is very picturesque. The way from Yerevan is not that far. This is why it is better to spend the night in the village of Halidzor, where you will be hospily welcomed and served Armenian food. The next day you can either discover other beauties of the south or return to the capital.
The main landmarks
The Wings of Tatev aerial tramway runs over the Vorotan River Gorge, connecting 2 villages: Tatev and Alidzor. It takes just 12 minutes to travel from one village to the other (for example, it takes about 40 minutes to travel by land).
There are incredible views of the mountain slopes with dense forests and the river from above. The road leads directly to Tatev Monastery.
The monastery is located on a mountaintop and is not only religious but also cultural and educational. Pilgrims came here from all over the country. A university, a higher school of grammar and calligraphy, and workshops were opened. So the monastery attracted not only the faithful, but also scholars and creative people.
Now the monastery is a complex of churches, a cathedral, a temple and an oil mill. You can walk around all its surroundings, plunged into the history of the Armenian shrine and talk to the Father. The monastery is surrounded by picturesque nature and a rocky cliff.
In addition to the main attractions, you can see the cave with thermal waters, which is located near a natural "devil's" bridge. The place is fabulous, but you have to wade through the icy mountain river. Therefore, such a path is suitable for physically strong and healthy people.
Best time to visit
This place can be visited at any time of the year. Nature is always beautiful. But it is important to know that the cable car in winter works from 10 am to 5 pm. In the rest of the months - until 20:00. The day off is Monday. If your goal is the monastery, you can reach it by serpentine road by car at any time except during the winter months.
