Armenia & Georgia Jeep Tour

Arrival at the airport, transfer to the hotel. After your arrival at the airport, we will organize a transfer to the hotel for you. Your journey will start with the city tour (depends on your arrival time) around Yerevan – the ancient capital of Armenia. At the Victory Park, there will be an excellent chance to admire the city from the bird’s eye from the area at “Mother Armenia” statue. A little later the way continues to Matenadaran- the repository of more than 17000 unique manuscripts, it is known that Matenadaran holds the third largest collection in the world (optional € 5 per person). The tour will continue to Genocide Memorial – the solemn monument of the first massacre of the 20th century. In the evening, you will have a nice walk to the most popular city attractions: Opera and Ballet Theatre, Cascade stairs with a nice park, the Republic Square, the North Avenue filled with cheerful atmosphere. The cozy atmosphere and friendly smiles of the locals will definitely make you love this city.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will have a short briefing on the tour, board Toyota land cruisers and will drive to the North to the highest mountain of Armenia Aragats (4090 m). Just on the slope of Aragats, there is a fortress of Amberd – a mid-century fort-town built during the 10th century. You will enjoy the landscape surrounding the fortress and alpine meadows covered with gentle flowers. After lunch, the trip will continue to Saghmosavank Monastery built in 1215 by the Noble Vache Vachutian. Later you will drive to the North-East towards Gyumri, which is the second largest city in Armenia visiting on the way Artik town rich with the monuments of Armenian culture. On the way we will visit Artik town rich with cultural monuments and Harich town with its Harichavank Monastery built in the 7th century on a cape formed by shallow ravines and the rivers flowing in them. Leaving the monastery we will continue our way to Gyumri. After accommodation in the hotel in Gyumri we will have short city tour to the most interesting places and sights of one of the oldest cities in Armenia. The city is also famous for its historical-cultural traditions, strong art and crafts, education and also by filmmaking industry (a lot of films were produced in Gyumri). During the dinner you will taste some special local dishes of this region.

After breakfast at the hotel you will drive to Armenia- Georgia border. After passing the border you will drive to Lake Paravani which is the biggest one in the country. Your next stop will be in cave town of Vardzia ancient cave complex built during the reign of King Georgy III. This is a fascinating town of multi-storied cave dwellings with streets, tunnels, and stairs leading to monasteries, temples, fortresses, baths, libraries. Then you will continue your trip to Akhaltsikhe where you will have rest and overnight.

After your breakfast you will drive to Abastumani which is a small town and climatic spa with hot springs and an astronomical observatory. The trip will continue to Zekari high mountain pass which is located at an elevation of 2226 meters above the sea level. Here you can admire stunning views of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains, clearings, hills and small shepherds huts. Then you will drive to the health resort Sairme. This place has a unique location, healing springs, ecologically clean environment and beautiful nature. It is located in the mountainous area of the subtropical zone. Your final stop of this day will be in Kutaisi.

After breakfast in the hotel you will start the mountain road journey to Mestia – very picturesque way along the Enguri River. It will take about four hours to get to Mestia. On the way you will visit Enguri Dam – the world’s second highest concrete arch dam. Mainly, you will drive on ground roads among cliffs and narrow canyons of roaring Enguri River and waterfalls. You will drive to the small village Becho and from there make a short stop under Guli Glacier. On the way, you will visit little churches in villages Latali and Lenjeri known for their amazing 10th-12th cc frescoes. The route follows right bank of the river, from where you will observe the magnificent peak of Ushba Mount. You will drive on narrow tracks through coniferous and mixed forests.

A three-hour drive will take you to the highest permanent village in Europe – Ushguli. Ushguli and generally the whole Upper Svaneti region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The village is most famous for its abundance of watchtowers from where opens the view of the highest mountain in Georgia – Mt. Shkhara. In Ushguli you will visit Lamaria Church (12th century) and then walk up the hill to Queen Tamar’s Tower. In the evening you will be back to Mestia for a rest and overnight.

This day you will drive to Martvili Monastery – early medieval monastery complex, which is built on a high hill and overlooks almost the whole Imereti and Samegrelo regions. The site where the monastery stands today was used in ancient times as a pagan cultural center and was a sacred place. You will also see Martvili canyon which used to be a bathing place for Dadiani royal family. Here you can enjoy the scenery, waterfalls and take a boat trip on the river with deep green color and also taste excellent Ojasheli wine. In the evening you will drive to Kutaisi for rest and overnight.

On the last day in Georgia, you will drive to a small and colorful town Mtskheta. This town was the first capital of Georgia from 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD. The excursion will start with the visit to the Cathedral of the 11th century – Svetitskhoveli. The next stop – Jvari Temple located at the top of the hill which offers a fascinating view of the confluence of two rivers Kura and Aragvi. Then you will drive to Tbilisi where you will start a city tour. First, you will visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi – the main Georgian Orthodox Church. Next place to visit is the historic district of Metekhi, where the Assumption Church is located. During the day you will also have a chance to enjoy the beautiful architecture of the Bridge of Peace, designed by a well-known Italian architect. Then the cable car will take you to Narikala fortress – the well-known symbol of Tbilisi located on a hill.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Armenia-Georgia border and after passing the customs “Sadakhlo” you’ll continue your trip in Armenia. Your first stop in Armenia will be in Goshavank Monastery which is located in Gosh village, where the great scholar of the 13th century Mkhitar Gosh lived. You will also drive to beautiful small lake Gosh, which is surrounded by dense forests. You will continue your tour to Lake Sevan, which is the largest lake in the Caucasus as well as one of the largest, and highest freshwater lakes in the world located on 1900 m above sea level. After reaching the shore of Lake Sevan you will walk to the top of Sevan peninsula to visit Sevanavank monastery built in 305 A.C. by the daughter of King Ashot Bagratuni – Mariam and during the 9th century became the royal citadel of the Armenian Kings. In the evening you will drive to the hotel at Lake Sevan for rest and overnight.

Leaving the hotеl you will have a trip to the South-West towards Selim Pass (the up over 2410m and then along the historic Silk Road).On the way, you will visit Caravanserai built in 1331 to accommodate heavy travelers in ancient times. Continuing your way you will drive to Eghegis State Sanctuary, then you will visit the Fortress of King Smbat located on the top of the mountain and built in X – XI centuries with high and wide (2-3 m) pyramid type fort-walls and protected by the Artabuni River and deep canyons. From the fortress, an amazing view opens to Tsakhats Kar Monastery and magic jeep route connecting it with the Citadel and telling us about the local legends and story about these two historical monuments. Leaving the fortress and monastery you will drive to Sisian town for rest and overnight, en route passing Spandaryan Reservoir.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to Tatev Monastery Complex built in 895-906, which is one of the most important Educational and Religious Centers situated in medieval Syunik region. In order to get to the monastery, we will take the famous ropeway called “Wings of Tatev” which is the longest in the world and is included in the Guinness Book of Records (optional € 10 per person). Later you will drive to Old Khndzoresk village, where you can visit the canyon of ancient cave residences of the people. On the way, you will enjoy surrounding mountainous sights and beautiful city Goris. After a while, you will hike to mysterious cave town of Khndzoresk, while the jeeps will drive to the other side of the Gorge and meet you there. This cave city is considered to be 1000- year- old. Then you will drive to one of the most ancient megalithic constructions of the world called Karahunj or Zorats Karer (Stonehenge). The two-meter pointed blocks last precisely from the south to the north, fencing large territory, in the center, they form a correct circle. There is a hypothesis, that Zorats Karer is an observatory built in VI mil. BC. Scientists have found similar constructions in many areas of Europe. Leaving the Stonehenge cave residences you will drive back to the hotel in Sisian town.

After breakfast at the hotel you will take off-road route to drive up to Ukhtasar Mountain. This trip is optional depending on the season. After reaching the top of Camel Mountain you will hike up to the lake called Ukhtasar and see one of the unique wonders of the world, rock carvings of Ukhtasar Mountain from prehistoric era. After the interesting mountainous excursion you will drive to Aghavnadzor village where you can explore Armenian village life typical to Vayots Dzor District culture and traditions. In Areni village you will visit Areni Wine Factory and taste different wines made from Areni grape sort. After wine tour you will drive to Ararat Valley and enjoy the panoramic view of Ararat you will reach Yerevan.

Transfer to airport, departure.