Georgia-Armenia/9 days - 550$
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 . It is a seventh century church in the city of Etchmiadzin. It is one of the oldest surviving churches in the country. St.Gayane Church (630) is one of the main holy sites of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It was build on the site of a temple where a pagan Armenian king Tiridates III tortured and killed the abbess of the nuns that fled to Armenia from Rome in order to escape prosecution by another pagan emperor Diocletian. The grave of St.Gayane lies under the main temple. 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. According to an inscription in one of the churches, it was founded in 874 AD by princess Mariam, the daughter of Ashot I who became a king a decade later. At the time, Armenia was still struggling to free itself from the Arab rule. Dinner and overnight in Sevan.
Day 4: Sevan-Hagpat-Sanahin-Tbilisi
After breakfast you will check out from your hotel in Yerevan. On the way to Armenian-georgian border we will see outstanding works of medieval architecture – monastic complexes of Sanahin and Haghpat. Both these ensembles are the most popular treasures of northern Armenia that provide a deep insight into the country’s history and culture. Transfer to Georgia, 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, also called the mother fortress of Tbilisi, and take a walk around its enormous walls feeling history of this unique place and see 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. Inside you will explore its most venerated icon portraying a Life Giving Pillar, and a small stone church that is a symbolic copy of the Chapel of Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. 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 youwill 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. This water has an amazing ability to cure lots of diseases including: digesting tract and renal diseases, also it helps with the metabolism problems and cholecystitis .
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 of land and stretches across parts of the Tori, Imereti and Samtskhe regions. With its exceptional location and climate, the park is famous for its diverse forests, flora and fauna. And Borjomi mineral water with its curing qualities is known in the world as the Queen of mineral waters. 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. Khertvisi fortress comes across in historical sources from XI century. In 1578-1829 Khertvisi fortress was the seat of Ottoman garrison and administrative centre. It is noted with big space and a number of utility rooms. It has an unaccessible citadel, court, church. The fortress was supplied with water through a tunnel.
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.
A Royal town Signagi surrounded with defense wall, one of the biggest fortifying walls in Georgia. In 1770 King Heraclius II put Sighnaghi in the list of towns. A view from the town wall allows visitors to look over the Gombori range, where you can view Alazani Valley and the great Caucasus mountains in the distance.
Bodbe Convent, where the relics of virgin St.Nino of Cappadocia, Equal to the Apostles and enlightener of Georgia reposed, is situated in eastern Georgia (Kakheti), two kilometers south of the city of Sighnaghi, in a picturesque place, at the feet of the Great Caucasian Range. The convent has a miraculous view of the Alazani Valley and the snow-capped mountains of Caucasus.
Wine house in Gurjaani produces its own vintage wine (Kvevri). 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
PRICE INCLUDES
- Transfers and Transportation according to the program.
- Accommodation in 3*/4* hotels with breakfasts
- H/B: 8 breakfasts and 8 dinners including the dinner with folk program
- Wine degustation in Kakheti
- Cognak degustation in Yerevan
- Entrance fees to the museums and places listed in program
- English speaking guide
Hotels Accomodation
DBL/TWN |
Group Size | |||
30pax | 40pax | 50pax | ||
3***/4**** | $600 | $580 | $550 |