The best day trips and nearby places from Goris, including travel times, transport options and how long each trip deserves.
Day trips
Where to go beyond Goris
Some of the best experiences may sit outside the destination itself. Compare distance, time and whether each trip deserves a few hours or a full day.
01
Tatev Monastery and the Wings of Tatev
The reason most travellers come south. The cable car crosses the Vorotan gorge from Halidzor to the monastery in about twelve minutes, and the monastery itself needs a further ninety minutes at least. The road alternative descends through the gorge past the Devil's Bridge and mineral springs, and is worth taking one way for the landscape if you have a driver.
Getting there: A taxi or driver from Goris is the standard approach; public transport is not practical. Check current cable car operating days and hours before setting out, as it closes for scheduled maintenance and suspends in high wind. Going early avoids both the queues and the less settled afternoon weather.
Distance
About 30 km west to Halidzor
Travel time
About 30–40 minutes each way by road, plus 12 minutes each way by cable car
Allow
Half to full day
Best season
May to October. Winter operation depends on weather and the roads through the gorge become demanding.
02
Khndzoresk cave village and swinging bridge
The abandoned cave settlement in a gorge east of Goris, with a 160-metre suspension bridge linking the two sides. A steep walk down and back up, and the most physically involving half day in the region.
Getting there: Taxi from Goris, commonly arranged with waiting time. Combines naturally with Tatev in a single long day if you start early, though doing both properly is more comfortable across two days.
Distance
About 10 km east
Travel time
15–20 minutes each way
Allow
Half day
Best season
April to October. The descent is unshaded and hot in midsummer, and slippery after rain.
03
Zorats Karer and Sisian
The prehistoric stone field on the plateau near Sisian, together with the town's church and the Shaki waterfall nearby. It sits on the main road north, so it works better as a stop on the journey to or from Yerevan than as a return trip from Goris.
Getting there: Car or driver. Marshrutkas on the Yerevan road pass Sisian but leave a walk to the stones and awkward return timing.
Distance
About 40 km northwest
Travel time
About 45 minutes each way
Allow
Half day, or a stop en route
Best season
May to October. The plateau is exposed and bitter in winter.
04
The Vorotan gorge and Devil's Bridge
The road down into the gorge below Tatev passes a natural travertine bridge over the river, with mineral springs and pools among coloured rock formations. It is a genuine natural curiosity that most cable car passengers fly straight over without seeing.
Getting there: Only accessible by the gorge road, so it requires a driver willing to take the road at least one way rather than the cable car both ways. Say so when arranging the trip.
Distance
On the gorge road between Halidzor and Tatev
Travel time
Part of the road route to the monastery
Allow
45–90 minutes
Best season
May to October. The gorge road is narrow, winding and unsuitable in ice or snow.