Tour in Armenia and Georgia
Day 1: Arrival.
Arrival to Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan. Transfer to the Hotel. Check-in. overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.
Day 2: City Tour – Etchmiadzin – Zvartnots (80 km)
After breakfast at the hotel, we will start a city tour to see the most beautiful sights in Yerevan. We will start our walk from the Republic Square, situated in the center of the city. The History Museum and National Gallery are located here, in front of the singing fountains. Here you may also see the stone carpet right in the middle, hiding history of 3000 years underneath. Directly from the Republic Square opens the Northern Avenue, which represents the modern part of the city, linking the Republic Square with Freedom Square. The huge building of the Opera and Ballet Theatre is located here. Our next stop is the Armenian Genocide memorial complex, founded in commemoration of the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Then we will visit Etchmiadzin – the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the holy seat of the Supreme Patriarch-the Catholicos. Etchmiadzin Cathedral was constructed in 303, and is one of the unique architectural constructions of the IV century. Here we will also visit Saint Hripsime and Saint Gayane churches. On the way back we will visit the ruins of Zvartnots. The temple was constructed in the VII century and destroyed by powerful earthquake in the X century. Both Zvartnots temple and Etchmiadzin Cathedral are included on the UNESCO Cultural Heritage list. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.
Day 3: Yerevan- Khor Virap- Noravank – Areni – Yervan (260 km; 09:00 – 17:00)
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to the region Ararat, to visit Khor Virap, situated close-by the river Araks. The importance of this monastery is connected with the first Armenian Catholicos Gregori Illuminator who made Christianity the state religion. Then the road will take us to Noravank Monastery, situated in between red rock cliffs, where you will be enchanted by the breathtaking scenery of the landscape. This unique monastic complex dates back to the 13-14th centuries. In the territory of the complex you can come across with khachkars (cross-stones), some of which belong to the famous architect and sculptor Momik, well-known for his high artistic merits. Visit Areni Winery, where you will taste Armenian delicious wine. The oldest winery in the world was discovered in this area (approx. 6000 years). Return to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/-/-)
Day 4: Garni – Geghard – fruit market (100 km; 09:00 – 16:00)
After enjoying the breakfast, we will visit Garni Pagan Temple (1st century AD). The temple was built by the Armenian kind Trdat the first in the 1st century AD and was dedicated to the sun god Mihr. Garni is the only Hellenistic templeexisting nowadays in Caucasus and in the zone of the former Soviet Union. Afterwards, we will lead our way to the Geghard Monastery, also known as Ayrivank, which means “church carved out from the rock”. The monastery was constructed in the IV century after the adoption of Christianity as a state religion. Geghard Monastery is listed as UNESCO World Heritage. Drive back to Yerevan to visit fruit market and taste Armenian dried fruits. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.
Day 5: Yerevan – Sevan – Dilijan – Goshavank -Tbilisi (260 km; 09:00 – 20:00)
After breakfast at the hotel we will take the route to the Lake Sevan, lying 70 kilometers from the capital Yerevan, in Gegharkunik province. Sevan is the largest freshwater lake in Caucasus. Reaching the peninsula of Sevan, you may climb the stairs to Sevanavank Monastery, founded by Gregory Illuminator in 305 and enjoy the view to the blue-eyed lake from above the hill. Then we will continue our tour to Dilijan, also known as “Armenian Switzerland” due to its fabulous nature, surrounded by dense forests and rocky mountains. Let yourself be enchanted by the stunning and quite nature of the city. The next stop is Goshavank Monastery, situated within the territory of Dilijan National Park. Goshavank is one of the most famous religious, educational and cultural centers of the 12th and 13th centuries. Drive to the Armenian-Georgian border Sadachlo. Meeting with the Georgian tour guide. Transfer to the hotel in Tbilisi and overnight.
Day 6: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Tbilisi (50 km 09:00 – 18:00)
Breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, walking tour in old district of the city. Founded by Vakhtang Gorgasali, the Georgian King of Kartli (Iberia) and made into a capital in the 6th century, Tbilisi is a significant industrial, social, and cultural center. Tour includes following sightseeings: Metekhi Church, erected on the cliff, overlooking the Mtkvari River; the famous Sulfur Baths, also located in Old Tbilisi, on the other side of the river. In the same district, we lift up by cableway on Narikala Fortress. Called the mother fortress of Tbilisi, Narikala is an ancient symbol of city’s defence. It was established in the 4th century, around the period when the city itself was founded. Visit Meidani square and walk on Shardeni street with its fashionable, cozy cafes and art galleries, passing along the Sioni Cathedral and Anchiskhati Basilica. The tour takes you to Rustaveli Avenue, where attractions such as the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet theatre, Rustaveli Theatre, different art galleries and cafes will draw your attention and provide a cosmopolitan atmosphere.
*Getting thermal water procedure in Sulfur Baths will be relaxing part of the tour (price per person 15-20Euro)
Then we drive to Mtskheta, UNESCO world heritage site and former capital of Georgia – Mtskheta. Excursion
includes visit to “Jvari Church” or Holy Cross Church – Built in the VI century, it is placed on the hill
overlooking the conflux of the two rivers. According to the history, the church is also very notable monument
of the country. Next site is “Svetitskhoveli Cathedral”. The name translates as “a life-giving pillar”. The
Cathedral was built in XI century and became a cradle of Christianity in Georgia. The holy robe of Jesus Christ,
which was buried here, makes the Cathedral the most important place of the country.
Transfer and overnight at the hotel
Day 7: Tbilisi – Ananuri – Kazbegi – Tbilisi (320 km, 08:30 – 19:00) (For dates 20.04 – 31.10)
After breakfast we drive to Kazbegi. Soon after crossing the Kreuzpass (2379 m.) Today’s destination is here. From the center of Kazbegi we drive by jeeps to one of the highest churches in Georgia – Gergeti Trinity Church (2170 m. From the sea level). If the weather is good you can also take a look at the second largest peak in Georgia – Kazbeg with 5049m. toss. Visiting the church there. On the way to Tbilisi, visit the 17th century Ananuri Fortress, located at the Jinvali Reservoir. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Optional day 7: Tbilisi – Davit Gareji – Tbilisi (160 km, 08:30 – 15:00)
(For dates 01.01 – 19.04; 01.11 – 31.12)
Today’s excursion will take you to the cave monastery David Gareja, where you can see valuable frescoes from the 19th century. For seeing this places we will need approximately 1 hour. On request, you can continue hiking to the monastery Udabno: the beautiful frescoes in the abandoned
Churches (takes 1,5-2 hours). Afterwards drive to Tbilisi.
Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 8: Tbilisi – Bodbe – Sighnaghi – Lagodekhi – Tbilisi (300 km, 08:30 – 19:00)
Breakfast at the hotel, then we drive to Kakheti. Visit of the Monastery of Saint Nino in Bodbe. Afterwards visit Sighnaghi, which is called “the city of love”. Tour of the smallest and most beautiful city of Kakheti, surrounded by the XVIII century city wall. A beautiful panoramic view of the Alazani Valley and Caucasus opens from here. Continue to Lagodekhi Reserve and Georgian-Azerbaijani border. Afterwards drive to Tbilisi and overnight there.
Day 9: Departure (20 km)
Breakfast ad the hotel, tranfer to the Tbilisi International Airport and departure.
Travelling dates:
From 19/01/2019 – To 27/01/2019
From 02/02/2019 – To 10/02/2019
From 09/03/2019 – To 17/03/2019
From 06/04/2019 – To 14/04/2019
From 20/04/2019 – To 28/04/2019
From 04/05/2019 – To 12/05/2019
From 18/05/2019 – To 26/05/2019
From 01/06/2019 – To 09/06/2019
From 15/06/2019 – To 23/06/2019
From 06/07/2019 – To 14/07/2019
From 20/07/2019 – To 28/07/2019
From 17/08/2019 – To 25/08/2019
From 24/08/2019 – To 01/09/2019
From 07/09/2019 – To 15/09/2019
From 21/09/2019 – To 29/09/2019
From 05/10/2019 – To 13/10/2019
From 19/10/2019 – To 27/10/2019
From 02/11/2019 – To 10/11/2019
