Kirants Monastery by Willys
Everything started with a deep love for the nature of Tavush. At first, they traveled along adventurous routes with friends, but later realized that this experience could be shared with others so they too could discover the nature of Kirants and its historical and cultural monuments. This is how the idea of Adventure Tours in Kirants by Willys was born in the mind of Kirants resident Rudik Avalyan.
A Willys tour is a real adventure. You do not simply reach your destination—you enjoy the journey itself, traveling through difficult-to-access roads, forests, rivers, and places that are simply unreachable by ordinary tours. The adrenaline, the feeling of freedom, the direct connection with nature, and the opportunity to see both famous and lesser-known cultural landmarks are what attract people the most.
Popular Routes
Among the most popular routes are Arakelots Monastery, Kirants Monastery, Samson and Deghdznuti Monasteries, Sranots Bridge, as well as routes passing through forests and mountain roads. There is, however, one special place that few people know about—Harsnakar, hidden deep in the forest, where incredible views unfold before your eyes.
Why Kirants Monastery?
If you are visiting Kirants for the first time, the road leading to Kirants Monastery is the best choice—a perfect combination of nature, history, and adventure.
Comfortable clothing, sturdy footwear, a jacket for changing weather conditions, and most importantly, respect for safety rules, nature, and team spirit are all you need.
The rest is taken care of by Tavush and the Willys.
Destination: Kirants Monastery
For more information, I am leaving the contact details below:
Tel.: +374 55 35 85 (Rudik)
Together with Rudik, we chose one of the routes. The monastery is located 13 kilometers from Kirants village, deep within the forest, and the road itself is already a wonder. The drive alone takes about 40 minutes by Willys, with plenty of stops for photos and enjoying the scenery. The total cost of the tour is 25,000 AMD.
Kirants Monastery
Kirants Monastery is one of the unique examples of Armenian ecclesiastical architecture built primarily of brick. Based on its architectural features, specialists date it to the 13th century.
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect, however, is the story behind its name.
According to legend, a master stonemason had a very talented apprentice. The apprentice built this monastery entirely on his own and, once it was completed, invited his master to evaluate his first work. The monastery was so magnificent that the renowned master became jealous. He searched for flaws in every possible way but could not find any. After thinking for a long time, he finally said, “The lime has surpassed itself.” In Armenian, this phrase sounded like “Kirə ants e kacrel,” and from that day on, the monastery became known as Kirants.
Along the way, Rudik recalled how one winter, while traveling to Kirants, the ice covering a puddle broke beneath the vehicle, and the car became stuck. There was snow, mud, no communication, and they spent several hours trying to get out. But after overcoming all the difficulties and finally reaching Kirants, it became one of the most memorable days of his life. It is exactly these kinds of stories that create the spirit of this tour.
Interesting Fact
In the past, the area around Kirants Monastery was home to the large settlement of Mets Kune, inhabited by Armenians who had adopted Chalcedonian Christianity. The monastery was built during that period, which explains some of the architectural features characteristic of Chalcedonian churches.
An Adventurous Experience
There are often visitors who are initially afraid of the roads, but by the end of the tour, they are the very ones asking for something even more extreme.
The tour ends with a certain sense of addiction—you leave inspired, satisfied, and wishing it could have lasted longer, or perhaps never ended at all.
