10 Days / Cultural Holidays Armenia & Georgia – Of Ancient Culture, Monasteries & Cave Cities

Day 1

Arrive in Yerevan

Arrival at Zvartnots International Airport. Be met by Divine Representative and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 2

Yerevan City Tour / Echmiadzin / Zvartnots / Brandy Factory

After breakfast start city tour around Yerevan the history of which dates back to 8th century B.C.

We will be strolling through the narrow streets of Yerevan, which are mixture of old and modern culture. Visiting of Republic Square, Northern Avenue, Opera House, Swam Lake and Cascade Monument where you can find unique art samples. Visit Tsitsernakaberd Memorial and the museum of victims of Armenian Genocide. Departure to Echmiadzin Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage) which is located about 20km from the capital city. In this holy place, one will be impressed by the spiritual atmosphere around and can hit a candle just for his/her dreams.

Lunch in a local community tasting local dishes. Drive back to Yerevan with a stop at the ruins of Zvartnots Temple (7th c.). Our journey will continue to Brandy Factory where you will learn about the history of famous Armenian brandy and have some degustation. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/L/-)

Day 3

Yerevan / Khor Virap / Areni Winery / Noravank / Yerevan

Sightseeing tour to the cradle of civilization to Khor Virap Monastery, which is located very close to the Biblical Mount Ararat and border with Turkey. The importance of Khor Virap Monastery is connected with Grigor Illuminator who has been imprisoned with the church for 13years for disseminating Christianity all over Armenia. Drive to Vayots Dzor region to visit Areni winery. Lunch in a local cave café tasting local homemade barbeque. Here Sightseeing at Noravank Monastery (13th c.) which is surrounded by mountains covered by red stones. The beauty of the surrounding mountains one can only see with his/her own eyes, as description can never give the real beauty. Departure back to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/L/-)

Day 4

Yerevan / Matenadaran / Garni / Geghard / Vernissage /Yerevan

After breakfast visit to the depository of manuscripts – Matenadaran where one can find the world’s largest manuscripts collection. Departure to Geghard Monastery, which is hewn out from a cave and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage. The monastery was built in 4th c. and also has the name of Ayrivank. Next stop us going to be Garni Pagan Temple– the only Hellenistic temple surviving in Armenia from 1st c. Lunch in a local house with Armenian flat bread “lavash” baking ceremony in an underground heater called “tonir’. Here you will learn also how to make Armenian local sandwiches with “lavash” and cheese. Drive back to Yerevan to visit Vernisage flea market for some shopping which is opened only on weekends. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/L/-)

Day 5

Yerevan / Lake Sevan / Dilijan / Haghpat / Sadakhlo border / Tbilisi

After breakfast, departure to Lake Sevan locatedwhich is about 70 km from the capital located in Gegharkunik region. Here, in Lake Sevan, which has a very beautiful peninsula, we are going to climb many stairs up to see the churches located in the peak, from where opens also a beautiful view to the “blue-eyed” lake. Continue our tour to the resort town of Dilijan, which is “Little Switzerland” of Armenia famous for its stunning nature landscapes. We are going to have some walk at the streets of Dilijan to explore the architectural solution from 19th c. Lunch in a local restaurant. Road takes us to Lori region where we still have the chance to visit UNESCO World Heritage Site – Haghpat Monastic complex (976 AD). By its architectural value, Haghpat is one of the outstanding monasteries of Armenia, which is enlisted in “must-to-see” places. Departure to Armenian-Georgian Sadakhlo border. Change guide and driver and transfer to Tbilisi Hotel. Overnight in Tbilisi. (B/L/-)

Day 6

Tbilisi / Mtskheta / Tbilisi

Breakfast at the hotel. 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. Have a lunch at a local restaurant.

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.

Overnight in Tbilisi. (B/L/-)

Day 7

Tbilisi / Sighnaghi / Gurjaani / Gremi / Kvareli

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we drive to Kakheti region to the east part of Georgia and the cradle of Georgian wine. First we drive to visit Sighnaghi “city of love”. Excursion in the city, that stands on the ruined fortress (2.5 km length of the walls), with towers and entrances of the XVIII century, which is still preserved. Climbing on any of this tower you can observe stunning beauty of Alazani Valley. Afterwards drive to Gurjaani and visit the Gurjaani all saint church. Afterwards have a lunch at a local family in Gurjaani with wine. Afterwards drive to visit the Gremi monastery complex from the middle ages. Gremi was one of the most important cities on the Silk Road and the center of Kakheti region. Finally drive to Kvareli. Overnight in Kvareli. (B/L/-)

Day 8

Kvareli / Alaverdi / Tsinandali / Tbilisi

Breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards drive and visit the Alaverdi cathedral from the XI century. Then we drive to Tsinandali and visit house museum of Prince Aleksandre Chavchavadze, with beautiful garden and wine cellar. Alexander Chavchavadze inherited this village, lying in the Alazany River valley, from his father, Prince Garsevan. He refurbished the estate, constructed a new Italianate palace and built a decorative garden in 1835. It was the place where Chavchavadze frequently entertained foreign guests with music, wit, and – most especially – the fine vintages made at his estate winery (marani). Familiar with European ways, Chavchavadze built Georgia’s oldest and largest winery where he combined European and centuries-long Georgian winemaking traditions. The highly regarded dry white Tsinandali is still produced there. Have a lunch at a local restaurant. Then visit Telavi, main city of the region, excursion there. Finally drive to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi(B/L/-)

Day 9

Tbilisi – Ananuri – Kazbegi – Tbilisi

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we drive to Kazbegi, mountain region of the country. On the way, we pass Ananuri Castle and Jinvali water reservoir of amazing beauty. Stop and see different local hand made things (thick felt, embroidery, iconographic painting). A stunning drive from Gudauri along the Tergi River will bring us to Stepantsminda – the main town in the region. Have a lunch at a local restaurant.

Visit Kazbegi surroundings. From center, we drive through beautiful valleys and woodlands to visit Gergeti Trinity Church located at 2170m. You may observe one of the highest glaciers in the Caucasus – Mt Kazbegi (5047m). Return to Tbilisi.

Overnight in Tbilisi. (B/L/-)

Day 10

Tbilisi-Airport (Tbilisi)

According to the flight time transfer to the Airport. Departure.

Tbilisi/Dubai                       FZ712   1630/1950
Dubai/Singapore                EK432   0235/1345+1