Description:
“Tatev Gateway” is a non-commercial project with all its profit invested in the Tatev Monastery Reconstruction Initiative and the Regional Development Program within Tatev Revival Project.
The Complex is developed in the vicinity of Tatev Monastery, a 9th-century Armenian Apostolic monastery, standing on the edge of a deep gorge of the Vorotan River. The Complex represents the "old" and the "new". On October 16, 2010, Wings of Tatev, the longest aerial tramway in the World was opened, to replenish the heritage with modern infrastructure. On October 23, 2010 aerial highway was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s longest reversible cable-way. It set the record not only for the length of the cable track (5752 m), but also the time of its construction – 10 months.
The tram ride to Tatev Monastery takes around 12 minutes, whereas the trip up the steep switchback road of the Vorotan Gorge takes around 40 minutes.
Features:
| Location: | Syunik region |
| Distance from Yerevan: | 3.5 - 4 hours (250 km) |
| Start point: | Halidzor village |
| Transportation: |
Taxi, public transport, and your tour operator's choice to the start point; Take the aerial tramway or hike up to the Monastery. |
| Wings of Tatev - Technical Specifications: | |
| Type: | non-stop aerial passenger tram of reversible double-track |
| Manufacturer: | Doppelmayr/ Garaventa (Austria – Switzerland) |
| Length: | 5752 m |
| Travel time: | 11-15 minutes (depending upon weather conditions) |
| Cabin capacity: | 25 passengers and 1 operator |
| Number of cabins: | 2 |
| Vertical drive: | 320 m |
| Maximum speed: | 10 m/s |
| Servicing personnel: | 60 people |
| Operating hours: |
January 01 - April 30: 10:00 - 18:00 May 01 - 31: 10:00 - 19:00 June 01 - August 31: 09:00 - 20:00 September 1 - September 30: 10:00 - 19:00 October 01 - November 30: 10:00 - 18:00 For detailed information check out www.tatever.am |
What to do in Tatev Gateway Complex?
- fly above the gorge on Wings of Tatev;
- hike through one or more of the seven hiking trails around the Complex;
- taste delicious local food at the Tatevatun restaurant;
- listen to an audio guide to get to know the Tatev Monastery’s history;
- marvel at gorgeous vistas through binoculars;
- relax in a bath in the hot springs of Vorotan Gorge;
- visit old villages nestled upon the slopes of the Gorge;
- participate in traditional Armenian festivities;
-
purchase artisan souvenirs crafted by Armenian craftsmen.
What to see?
Tatev monastery complex
A 9th century historical monument. It is one of the oldest and most famous monastery complexes in Armenia. During medieval times Tatev Monastery was a vital scholastic, enlightenment and spiritual center and played a singular role in the country’s history.
Dzit-han oil mill
The oil press facility was built in the 17th century outside the Tatev Monastery in order not to disturb the peace inside. One of its two rooms still has a massive millstone that was rotated by an ox. The oil press was one of the first facilities in the Monastery restored within Tatev Revival Project.
Harsnadzor Watchtower
The watchtower stands still above the Vorotan Gorge. It used to be the third in a chain of warning system developed in Zangezur Mountains to identify and communicate information about enemy attacks.
Devil’s Bridge
Located beneath Tatev Monastery, in the 500-meter deep gorge of the Vorotan River, is one of Armenia’s natural wonders. Over the millennia, wind and water have created this wonder of nature, polishing and piercing the petrified lava. The width of this natural bridge, along which runs the auto road to Tatev Monastery, is 60 m, the length 30 m. It is possible to swim in the warm, salubrious springs, ringed by stalactites of marvelous colors in the vecinity of the Bridge.
Great Hermitage of Tatev
It was founded by monks in 1608-1613. The earthquake of 1658 forced the hermits to leave the community and build a new one several kilometers from Kharants – monastery complex Tatevi mets Anapat (the Hermitage of Tatev). The Hermitage of Tatev is visible from the tramway on the third, longest section of Wings of Tatev cableway. A steep switchback road descends to the Hermitage from Tatev Monastery.
Mountain Villages and Churches
On the bottom and slopes of the picturesque Vorotan Gorge, stand still the abandoned villages of Old Khot, Eritsatumb, Old Halidzor and Old Shinuair.
Vorotan Gorge
Flowing deep in the gorge, above which passes the Wings of Tatev cableway, is the Vorotan River. Nestled in the picturesque canyon are salubrious water springs, ancient cave dwellings and the shelters of hermits.
Where to hike?
Tatev Village – Mets Anapat Monastery – The Devil’s Bridge
Duration: 2.5-3 hours
Trail distance: 5.9 km (3.6 miles)
Tatev Village – Mount Petroskhach (Petroskhach Lookout Point) – Tatev Monastery
Duration: 3-4 hours
Trail distance: 8.8 km (5.8 miles)
Circular route: Halidzor Cableway Station – Old Halidzor Village – Halidzor Cableway Station
Duration: 2.5-3 hours
Trail distance: 8.4 km (5.4 miles)
Halidzor Cableway Station – Old Halidzor Village – Harants Anapat Monastery ruins – Halidzor Cableway Station
Duration: 5-6 hours
Trail distance: 15.8 km (9.8 miles)
Tatev – Vorotan River Gorge – Harjis
Duration: 6-7 hours + 1.5 hours to the lake and back
Trail distance: 15.5 km (9.6 miles) + 4 km (2.4 miles)
Old Khot Village – Old Shinuhayr Village – Old Halidzor Village – Halidzor Cableway Station
Duration: 6-7 hours
Trail distance: 16 km (9.9 miles)
Circular route: Tatev Village – Mets Anapat Monastery – The Devil’s Bridge – Tatev Village
Duration: 4-5 hours
Trail distance: 12 km (7.8 miles)
Accommodation:
1. Camping around The Complex
2. Camping in the Hermitage
3. Stay in hotels and B&B's in Goris.
Photo album:
Information regenerated from www.tatever.am