Georgia-Armenia

Georgia-Armenia/9 days

Georgia and Armenia may sound like unconventional destinations, but trust us, they ought to top your list of places to visit. Our 10-day trip is a wonderful showcase of the cultural and natural highlights the Caucasus Region has to offer, with a huge helping of beautiful architecture and delicious cuisine to boot. Stroll the narrow streets of Tbilisi, tour ancient monasteries, stare down massive mountain ranges, visit with friendly locals, and soak up all the exotic culture of this under-explored region.

Day 1: Arrival to Yerevan
Day 2: Yerevan – Zwartnoc – Echmiadzin- Yerevan
Day 3: Yerevan- Noratus-Sevan
Day 4: Sevan-Hagpat-Sanahin-Tbilisi
Day 5: Tbilisi-Mtskheta-Ananuri-Kazbegi-Gudauri
Day 6: Gudauri-Uplistsikhe-Museum of Stalinism-Bakuriani
Day 7: Bakuriani- Bojomi-khertvisi-Vardzia-Tbilisi
Day 8: Tbilisi-Kakheti-Tbilisi
Day 9: Transfer to the airport

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Yerevan. City Tour

Arrival in Yerevan. Transfer to the hotel. Check inn. Rest. Breakfast. Visit in Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex in Yerevan. It  is dedicated to the memory of the 1.5 million Armenians who perished in the first genocide of the 20th century, at the hands of the Turkish government. Completed in 1967, the Genocide Monument has since become a pilgrimage site and an integral part of Yerevan’s architecture. Visit in Parajanov Museum, which is  a tribute to one of the greatest figures of 20th-century world cinema. Then we will visit the Yerevan Brandy Company ARARAT, tasting the cognac and discovering  the history of Armenian brandy. Dinner. Overnight.

Day 2: Yerevan – Zwartnoc – Echmiadzin- Yerevan

Following breakfast at your hotel, your driver transfers you to the ancient capital and spiritual center of Armenia – Echmiadzin. Here you will visit the first cathedral built in Armenia and one of the oldest cathedrals in the world, the famous Etchmiadzin Cathedral, known as “Armenian Vatican” or “Armenian Mecca” for its extreme popularity among the religious Armenians worldwide who converted it into a major pilgrimage site in the country. Visit in Saint Hripsime Church . & St.Gayane Church (630) . You also have the chance to see the ruins of the 7th-century Zvartnots Cathedral. After the sightseeing program your will drive back to Yerevan.  Dinner. Overnight.

Day 3: Yerevan- Noratus-Sevan

After breakfast we will visit Noratus - the most famous for its cemetery, the oldest part of which includes over 800 khachkars (stone crosses), carved between the 9th-17th centuries. A popular folktale associated with the cemetery concerns the invading army of Tamerlane.  According to one story the villagers placed helmets on top of the khachkars and leaned swords against them. From a distance the khachkars looked like armed soldiers holding a defensive position as a result of which Tamerlane’s army retreated.  The next place we are going to visit is Lake Sevan  -  the largest lake in Armenia and the Caucasus region and it is located in the Gegharkunik Province of Armenia. It is one of the largest freshwater high altitude lakes in the world. Sevanavank is a monastery located on the northwestern shore of Lake Sevan in the eastern Armenian province of Gegharkunik, not far from the town of Sevan. Dinner and overnight in Sevan.

Day 4: Sevan-Hagpat-Sanahin-Tbilisi

After breakfast you will check out from your hotel in Yerevan. Transfer to Georgia, geo-arm border. Arriving to Tbilisi  – the charming capital of Georgia! Here You will start with a visit to the historical city district Old Tbilisi, where you see the famous Metekhi Church built in the 13th century and located on a picturesque cliff over the river Mtkvari. Then you proceed to the ancient Tbilisi landmark that existed even before the city itself, the Narikala Fortress,  and  the famous district Abanotubani , district of sulfur baths. You also explore the 6th century Sioni Cathedral that is home to one of the most venerated Orthodox relics of Tbilisi – the cross of St. Nino, and Anchiskhati Basilica (6 c). Dinner with golk program  and overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 5: Tbilisi-Mtskheta-Ananuri-Kazbegi-Gudauri

After breakfast  we will visit Mccheta – one of the most ancient cities of Georgia dating back to 1000 BC  During your sightseeing tour you visit one of the most outstanding monuments of medieval Georgia at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers – the Jvari Monastery. Then you go to one of the most sacred Orthodox Georgian temples – the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, known as the burial site of Christ’s robe and the site for coronation and burial of the kings of Georgia. Along the way you enjoy a peaceful stop over at the famous Ananuri Castle that is another great example of how the Georgians pick the most magnificent sites for their churches and fortresses, and cross the famous Georgian Military Highway that stretches across most picturesque locations through valleys, rivers, Zhinvali Reservoir and the Caucasus. Upon arrival to Kazbegi you are offered a jeep tour to the Gergeti Trinity Church that sits at an elevation of 2170 meters near Mount Kazbegi – one of the highest and most beautiful peaks of the Caucasus Mountains. After exploring this architectural treasure you will go to Gudauri. Dinner and overnight in Gudauri.

Day 6: Gudauri-Uplistsikhe-Museum of Stalinism-Bakuriani

After breakfast  you will go  to Gori where you visit the Museum of Joseph Stalin. After that we will visit Uplistsikhe – tha cave town from the 1st millennium BC. Its name translated as Fortress of the Lord . Uplistsikhe contains numerous buildings and temples carved in a rock and ancient artifacts dating back to the late Bronze Age. Drive to Bakuriani,  a favorite resort in summer and winter. Dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Bakuriani- Bojomi-Khertvisi-Vardzia-Tbilisi

After breakfast we will visit  Borjomi – the most popular resort which Is famous for it’s  mineral waters. We are going to take a walk along the alleys of the Borjomi Park, also our tourists will have a chance to taste real Borjomi right from the spring. Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park is the oldest and the largest of the protected areas in Georgia. This unique nature preserve, located in central Georgia on the right bank of the river Mtkvari, encompasses 76,000 ha . Next is Khertvisi – a medieval fortress on the border of Samtskhe and Javakheti, it stands on the strategically important venue, at the confluence of rivers Paravani and Mtkvari, on the high rocky mountain.  The cave city of Vardzia (1156-1203) in Javakheti, is a cultural symbol with a special place in the hearts of Georgians. King Giorgi III built a fortification here in the 12th century, and his daughter, Queen Tamar, established a monastery that grew into a virtual holy city housing perhaps 2000 monks, renowned as a spiritual bastion of Georgia. Return to Tbilisi. Dinner and overnight.

Day 8: Tbilisi-Kakheti-Tbilisi

Breakfast. Today we are going to Kakheti . It will be a fascinating journey to the eastern part of Georgia to enjoy the mountain scenery, picturesque villages, ancient temples and life of the locals. Tasting unique Georgian wines and an acquaintance with the secrets of winemakers is a special zest of this tour to Kakheti. Exploring Kakheti province you will visit town of Sighnaghi, Sighnaghi History and Ethnography Museum, Bodbe Nunnery and have a taste of variety of traditional dishes and famous wines. You will be invited to join a true feast with wine degustation and Kakhetian supra (feast). Return to Tbilisi. Overnight.

Day 9: Transfer to the airport

Transfer to the airport