Tour in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan
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)
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)
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 temple existing 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)
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.
Day 6: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Tbilisi (50 km 09:00 – 18:00)
After breakfast we drive to Mtskheta (UNESCO Heritage) – the old capital of Georgian Kingdom. Visit the Jvari Church, built in the 6th century, with a beautiful view of the city of Mtskheta and confluence of two rivers – Mtkvari and Aragvi.Then visit the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, where the shirt of Christ is buried.
Afterwards discover the capital of Georgia – Tbilisi. You visit the old town with the famous sulfur baths; Metekhi Church, located on the rocky shore of the Mtkvari River; Maidan Square; Narikala Fortress where you will go by cable car and enjoy a beautiful panorama picture of Tbilisi.
You will return to the city by walking and stroll on the Shardeni and Leselidze streets.
Afterwards, visit the historic National Museum, where you can see the gold-rich treasury (closed on Mondays).Then, take a leisurely stroll on Rustaveli’s main street, where you can discover various cultural venues such as Opera and Ballet Theater, Parliament, Theater, National Gallery, etc.
Overnight in Tbilisi.
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.
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 – Sheki (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.
Border formalities, transport and guide change. Drive to Ilisu village which is a municipality in the Qakh district of Azerbaijan and has a wonderful panoramic view. It has a population of 1,370. The village was settled in XIII century. A distance of 3 km for the first Ilisu village existed in the past have been people living in the area now known as Kendtala. The area of the ancient tombs on examples of epigraphic written in Kufic line proves it once again. Then continue to Sheki. Sheki is one of the most famous and ancient places of Azerbaijan. Situated 700 m (2297 ft.) above sea level like an amphitheatre surrounded by the mountains and forests of oak trees, this ancient city was long famed as a silk centre and an important stop on the Great Silk Route. There is an assumption that the name of the town goes back to the ethnonym of the Saks, who reached the territory of Azerbaijan in the 7th century BC. We’ll start our Sheki tour from visiting the 18th century Khan’s summer palace with magnificent frescos and exquisite stained glass work. Sheki History museum is famous with artifacts from several periods.
After we will visit the Albanian church located in Kish village. Legend says that the church was built in 78 AD, but the researchers place it a few centuries later.
Overnight in Sheki.
Day 9: Sheki/ Chukhur Gabala/Lahij/Shamakhy (300km/4 hours)
Breakfast at the hotel. Checkout.
Drive to Gabala
Two-thousand-year old Gabala – the most ancient city of Azerbaijan, was for 600 years the capital of ancient Caucasian Albania mentioned in the works of antique historians of the 1st century. Later in the Arabian sources it was mentioned as Khazar.
Visit the ruins of an ancient walled city (Chukhur Gabala), dating back to the 4th century BC.
Then drive to famous Lahij village in Ismayilly district. Many of the 2,000 people living in Lahij are involved in ancient crafts such as engraved copper work and carpet weaving. In the mid-19th century, there were more than 200 workshops in Lahij. Traders discovered Lahij crafts many centuries ago, and sold them for high prices at bazaars in Baghdad [now Iraq], Shiraz [now Iran] and other Middle Eastern cities. Stop by a copper workshop for a impromptu lesson in ancient craftsmanship you’ll get to see coppersmiths use small mallets to decorate plates, trays, jugs, goblets and pitchers, just as their ancestors have done for centuries.
Visit the town of Shemakha, Diri Baba Tomb and Yeddi Gumbez. Shemakha was the capital of Shirvan Kingdom for several centuries. Yeddi Gumbaz (The Seven Cupolas) Mausoleum is the burial place for members of the royal families of the Shirvan shahs.
Arrival to Baku. Night at the hotel
Day 10: Gobustan/ Baku
Breakfast at the hotel.
Excursion to art- historical reserve Gobustan, where the petroglyphic drawings, barrows and housing objects have been remained which are dated from X – VIII centuries B.C. up to average centuries. The certificates of the Stone Age citizens and other periods, petroglyphic drawings, the human parking and the gravestone monuments are concentrated in Gobustan. Not far from there is *gavan chalan dash* is original tambourine-stone, like a huge flat wise plate. Rhythmical accurate motives could be taken from it by the percussion. It is considered that ritual dancing’s and ceremonies were accompanied by these sounds. The visiting of Gobustan will transfer you to another world, the world of the past mankind and will let you to feel the atmosphere of the thousand-year history of this place.
Drive to Baku.
Excursion to the Inner City:
City tour begins with a visit to the Upland Park.
Upland Park is located on a hill in the western part of the city. This is the best place to see the city and the Baku Bay. Later the tour proceeds along the waterfront promenade and a visit to the Old City which is also a fortress. Tourists will see the main attractions of the Old City, including the Palace of the Shirvan Shahs Palace, Maiden Tower, Karvansaray etc. The old town with its narrow streets and numerous labyrinths is a favorite walking place for residents and guests of our city. It is worth to note that approximately 1300 families stay in the Old City that gives a special identity to this place.
Night at the hotel
Day 11: Transfer to the airport.
Breakfast, Transfer to the airport, Departure
Travelling dates:
From 19/01/2019 To 30/01/2019
From 02/02/2019 To 13/02/2019
From 09/03/2019 To 20/03/2019
From 06/04/2019 To 17/04/2019
From 20/04/2019 To 01/05/2019
From 04/05/2019 To 15/05/2019
From 18/05/2019 To 29/05/2019
From 01/06/2019 To 11/06/2019
From 15/06/2019 To 26/06/2019
From 06/07/2019 To 17/07/2019
From 20/07/2019 To 31/07/2019
From 17/08/2019 To 28/08/2019
From 24/08/2019 To 04/09/2019
From 07/09/2019 To 18/09/2019
From 21/09/2019 To 02/10/2019
From 05/10/2019 To 16/10/2019
From 19/10/2019 To 30/10/2019
From 02/11/2019 To 13/11/2019
