Classical Tour to Uzbekistan, Georgia, and Armenia

Arrival in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is the heart of Central Asia, the land of hot deserts, lifeless steppes, green oases, transparent lakes, architectural masterpieces and spicy delicacies. After your arrival in Tashkent, you will have a transfer to your hotel (check-in to the hotel after at 14:00). Free day.

This day you will have a sightseeing tour around Tashkent – the largest city in the Central Asia. Tashkent is full of distinctive sights like green alleys, fountains, mosques, bazaars, theatres and galleries. Your guide will accompany your let you reveal lots of secrets of this fascinating city. First you will visit the old part of the city which includes Khast Imam Complex (where is kept the world oldest Koran), Chorsu bazaar and Madrasah Kukeldash – the largest madrasa (educational institution) of the 16th century in Tashkent. After lunch, you will explore the modern part of the city. You will see the main square of Tashkent (Independence square) and A. Navoi theatre square, Amir Temur square. In the Museum of Applied Art of Uzbekistan, you will have a chance to admire over 7,000 samples of applied arts: handmade embroidery, skull-caps, jewellery, carpets and other Uzbek art exhibits.

In the morning you will leave Tashkent and head to one of the most important historical cities of Uzbekistan – Samarkand. The journey will take about 2 hours by fast train (Afrosiyob). After arrival, you will check-in at the hotel and have some time for a rest. Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in the world. According to some historical data, it was founded in the VII century BC. The cultural heritage of the city is quite large; for many centuries it was a key centre of the Great Silk Road. Your city tour program includes the main square of the city – Registan. Here is located the famous architectural ensemble of three madrasahs (Islamic schools) – the Ulugh Beg Madrasah, the Tilya- Kori Madrasah and the Sher-Dor Madrasah. The next place to visit is the architectural masterpiece of Central Asia – the mausoleum of Gur-e-Amir (also known as Tamerlane). The further program includes visits to Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and Bibi-Khanym.

On your second day in Samarkand, you will continue exploring the city. First you will visit the Samarkand Paper mill where craftsmen create Samarkand paper by ancient technologies. On this day you will also visit Afrasiyob Museum and Ulugbek’s observatory which is the biggest one in the East. Your sightseeing will end with a stroll in the central bazaar full of local aromas. Here you will plunge into a really fairy atmosphere with lots of colours, voices of merchants and abundance of bright fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, spices, local snacks, sweet cakes, chill tea, as well as local handicraft.

The tour will start with a trip from Samarkand to Bukhara (by train Afrosiab)– another ancient Uzbek town located on the Great Silk Road. This day you will have a full exploration of Bukhara which is not inferior to Samarkand in terms of the abundance and significance of religious sights and architectural masterpieces. Bukhara is one of the most ancient cities of Central Asia – it is more than 2000 years old. It has been standing under the scorching Asian sun witnessing ruinous wars and glorious times when it was a major commercial centre of the Great Silk Road. Your city tour program will include the following sights: Samanid’s dynasty mausoleum, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo Haouz Mosque, the Ark Fortress, Kalon Complex, Magoki Attori Mosque, Ulugbek and Abdulazizi Khan Madrasahs and Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble. The day will end with a pleasant dinner and folk show – program in old Nodir Devon Begi Madrassah.

This day you will explore unique sights located in the vicinity of Bukhara. The first sight to visit is a memorial complex of Bahauddin Naqshbandi located at the distance of 12 km from Bukhara. It is an important Muslim shrine which is constantly visited by Muslim believers from different countries. The tour will continue to the summer residence of the last Bukhara emirs - Palace Sitorai Mokhi Khosa. Nowdays, the palace complex houses the Museum of Decorative and Applied Arts with various exhibitions. The palace impresses with its luxury, beauty and decor. The name of the palace in translation means "Star like the Moon", hence the moon-shaped form of the building. The last sight to visit this day is the necropolis of Chor Bakr located in a small village Sumitan. Chor Bakr is a fairly large architectural complex, listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Transfer to railway station for departing to Tashkent. After arrival, transfer to the hotel. Evening train to Tashkent (around 4 hours).

Transfer the airport in Tashkent, flight to Tbilisi (not included). After your arrival in Tbilisi, you will be met by the driver with your name sign and transferred to the hotel in Tbilisi.

After breakfast, you will head to Mtskheta town located not far from Tbilisi. This amazing cozy town was once the first capital of Georgia, nowadays it is considered the religious centre of Georgia due to its history and number of very important religious monuments. The sightseeing will start with a visit to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral which is a masterpiece of the Middle Ages and UNESCO object. After the stroll around Mtskheta we will go up the hill to Jvari Temple from where opens a fascinating view of Mtskheta and the confluence of two rivers Kura and Aragvi. After your return to Tbilisi, you’ll continue with a city tour including an in-depth exploration of the old town. The trip will start from the historic district of Metekhi, where you will see the Assumption Church located on the picturesque hill. Next stop will be the Bridge of Peace – designed by a well-known Italian architect; it is one of the most famous city landmarks. Hereafter, you will go up to the Narikala Fortress, situated on a hill. You will reach the fortress by the cable car, and at the top, a spectacular view of the city opens. Going down by foot, the excursion will continue to the sulfuric baths – a famous royal bath complex (XVII-XIX centuries), standing on the warm natural sulfur springs. That is one of the main attractions of the Old Town. Stroll around cosy Shardeni Street, named after the French traveller Jean Chardin. The street has an architecture resembling Paris and is full of cosy cafes, boutiques, and interesting galleries. The way will continue to the Juma Mosque located on the Botanical Street Visit to Meydan Square, one of the central squares of Old Town. Excursion to Sioni church. There is kept one of the greatest relics of Georgia, the cross of St. Patriarchate.

Your day will start with a pleasant trip to Ananuri Fortress located on the Georgian Military Road, on the banks of the Zhinvali reservoir. This large, well-preserved castle is one of the most famous fortresses in Georgia. Once it used to be a seat of the Georgian feudal dynasty. Your trip will continue to Gudauri resort town which is especially popular during winter due to its amazing ski trails. Actually, Gudauri is beautiful in any season. After some rest, you will continue your trip to Stepantsminda village located near the famous Mount Kazbek. Stepantsminda is known for its climate, which has contributed to the fact that the city is also a balneological resort. In the village a 4-wheel vehicle will take you up the high hill to the Gergeti Trinity Church (14th century). The temple is located at an altitude of 2170 m above sea level. From the top opens an unforgettable view to Mount Kazbek. Return to Tbilisi.

In the morning, you will drive to the east of the country, to Kakheti – the main winemaking region of Georgia. Your tour will start with an exploration of Telavi – the centre of the Kakheti region. The tour will continue to Tsinandali estate, which is the patrimony of the famous Georgian dynasty – Chavchavadze. The estate is known for its amazing labyrinth planted with exotic trees in it and cellars, where the unique collection of Georgian and European wine is preserved. The next sight to visit is the Batonis Tsikhe fortress museum of favourable Georgian King Erekle II. At the end of the day, you will have a tour around the well-known winery Khareba and have a chance to taste local wines, as well as have a master-class on baking Georgian national bread shoti. Then, you will return to Tbilisi.

After breakfast, you will transfer to the Georgian-Armenian border at Sadakhlo. Once you pass through customs, your pleasant journey through Armenia begins. Your first stop will be in the scenic Tavush region, where you'll visit the historic Goshavank Monastery. The journey continues to the charming resort town of Dilijan known for lush nature, healing air and amazing natural and cultural sites located in the surroundings. From there, you will travel to Gegharkunik Province where you will stop to see one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world – Sevan Lake. It is also one of the largest ones in the region. The amazing azure lake is often referred to as an Armenian sea. By evening, you will arrive in Yerevan.

Today you will have a city tour around Yerevan, the ancient capital of Armenia, which was founded in 782 B.C. Yerevan is a cozy pink city where modernity intertwines with antiquity and Soviet elements. Your sightseeing tour will cover all the important must-visit sights of the city such as the Cascade, Opera and Ballet Theatre, Mashtots Avenue, and the Republic Square – the heart of Yerevan. You will head to Echmiadzin town – the religious centre of all Armenians around the world. The town is known due to its important religious history. It is here that after the adoption of Christianity in 301 the first Christian temple was built, which became one of the first Christian cathedrals in the world. Nowadays Echmiadzin is the historical centre of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The town is home to the residence of the Catholicos, the Echmiadzin Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage Site), and theological educational institutions. The tour will continue to the ruins of Zvartnots temple (7th century, UNESCO World Heritage Site), that was a miracle of its time. Then you will return to Yerevan and visit the Genocide Memorial – a solemn reminder of the first genocide of the 20th century.

After breakfast you will head to Ararat Province to visit one of the most important holy sites in Armenia – Khor Virap Monastery. It was on the site of the construction of this monastery that the history of Christianity in the country began. Khor Virap is located in vicinity to Mount Ararat, and it is from here that the most fascinating view on the mount opens. To reach the monastery you will need to climb stairs leading to the top of a small hill. There you can admire the beautiful views, visit the monastery, and also see the dungeon where the founder of Christianity, Gregory the Illuminator, was imprisoned for 13 years. Those who wish will have a chance to go down into the dungeon. The tour will continue through a narrow canyon to the valley of red rocks, right where Noravank Monastery is located – built in the 13th century it is a masterpiece of Armenian architect Momik. On the territory of the monastery amazing khachkars are scattered all around – cross stones designed by Momik.

Today, you will have a 1-hour drive to the canyon of Azat River where Geghard Monastery is located. It is a medieval architectural masterpiece the part of which is carved into the nearby rocks. In 2000 Geghard was included into the list of UNESCO world heritage list. Not far from the monastery there is Garni village well known for its Garni temple – the only surviving example of Hellenistic architecture in the region. Then you will return to Yerevan and visit the History Museum of Armenia the national collection of which consists of 400,000 objects and has many departments. You will have a chance to plunge into the ancient times of Armenia and get acquainted with archaeological finds, ethnographic exhibits and much more.

Transfer to the airport in Yerevan, departure.