Cultural Tour to Georgia, Armenia and Iran

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17 days/16 nights

Small Group (2-13)

Any Date

Breakfast

Age: 0+

Price:

321,733RUR

Book now

The Highlights of the Tour

Discover all the beauties of the South Caucasus Plunge into the ancient Christian history of Armenia and Georgia Explore Echmiadzin Cathedral - the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church and one of the oldest cathedrals in the world Experience flight by the longest worldwide ropeway called “Wings of Tatev” Reveal all the secrets of Persian Empire Bargain at the colorful local bazaars and taste oriental sweets

Tbilisi - Yerevan - Tehran

Itinerary What's included Reviews Accommodation Trip maps Packing checklist Essential information Why book Availability

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ITINERARY

Introduction

Day 1 - Arrival

Arrival at Tbilisi airport, transfer to the hotel

Overnight: hotel in Tbilisi

Day 2 - Tbilisi City Tour

After breakfast, you will have a city tour around Tbilisi. First, you will visit 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. Then you will go down by foot and appear in the Old Town. First, you will see the sulfuric baths – famous bath complex (XVII-XIX cc.), standing on the natural sulfur springs. The next sight to visit will be the Meidani Square – the place which was once the part of the famous caravanserai. After a while, you will have a chance to enjoy Chardin Street – the prestigious street that was named after famous French traveller – Jean Chardin. The tour will continue to Sioni Church. There is kept one of the greatest relics of Georgia, the cross of St.Patriarchate.

Overnight: hotel in Tbilisi

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Svetitskhoveli - Jvari - Gori - Uplistsikhe

Mtskheta - Tbilisi

A few kilometers North from Tbilisi there is a small and colorful town Mtskheta which will be your next destination. 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. After the tour in Mtskheta you will have a trip to Gori – the heart of eastern Georgia and Stalin’s homeland. Here you will visit the cave town of Uplistsikhe – this ancient cave town, carved in the rock, is one of the first towns in Georgia, and it dates back to the end of II the beginning of I millennium BC.

Overnight: hotel in Tbilisi

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 - Ananuri - Gudauri - Stepantsminda - Kazbek - Dariali

The day will start with a trip to Ananuri Fortress – a beautiful castle complex located on the Aragvi River. Once it used to be a seat of the Georgian feudal dynasty. Our next stop is the popular ski resort Gudauri which is actually beautiful in any season. After some rest, the trip will continue to Stepantsminda village which is famous due to its nature and Gergeti Trinity Church (14th century). The sanctuary is located at an altitude of 2180 m above sea level. From the top opens an unforgettable view to the famous Mount Kazbek. At the end of the day, you will visit Dariali Gorge and the church of transfiguration and then drive back to Tbilisi.

Overnight: hotel in Tbilisi

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 - Gombori - Kakheti - Telavi - Alaverdi - Tsinandali - Sighnaghi

Aragvi River - Kakheti - Gergeti

In the morning you will drive to the east of the country trough Gombori pass to Kakheti – the main winemaking region of Georgia. A pleasant time is waiting for you in Telavi – the center of the winemaking region. After a while, you will visit the Alaverdi Monastery famous for its unique wine cellar of the 11th century. In Tsinandali village, you will have a tour around the estate of the famous Georgian public figure and poet Alexander Chavchavadze. The estate is famous for its delightful garden and a collection of 16,500 wines from different countries. The tour will end with a visit to the cozy town of Sighnaghi. Here, those who wish can go up the watchtower and admire the beautiful view of the Alazani Valley.

Overnight: hotel in Tbilisi

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 - Georgian-Armenian border - Yerevan - Dilijan - Sevan

Transfer to the Georgian-Armenian border and trip to Yerevan – the capital of Armenia. On the way, you will visit the resort town of Dilijan, which is known for its lush scenery and delicious healthful, full of pine aroma air. You will also stop to admire the azure Lake Sevan – the pearl of Armenian nature. In Yerevan, you will have some time for a rest.

Overnight: hotel in Yerevan

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 - Azat - Geghard - Garni - Yerevan

Garni - Geghard

This day you will have a 1-hour drive to the canyon of Azat River. Our destination is Geghard Monastery. This unique monastery is carved into nearby rocks and the surrounding cliffs compose a great part of it. In 2000 it became a UNESCO heritage site. The trip will continue to Garni village well known for its Garni temple – the only surviving example of Hellenistic architecture in the region. Back in Yerevan, you will have a city tour around the capital. You will see famous Cascade Complex, the building of Opera and Ballet Theatre after A. Spendiarian, Republic Square. You will visit the Museum of History of Armenia, Matenadaran – a repository of ancient manuscripts, research institute and museum, the Armenian Genocide memorial complex – Armenia’s official memorial dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Those who wish can visit the museum at the memorial. In the end of this tour day you will have an opportunity to taste famous Armenian brandy in Ararat brandy factory.

Overnight: hotel in Yerevan

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 - Echmiadzin - Zvartnots

This day starts with an excursion to Echmiadzin, the religious center of Armenia. Here you will see Echmiadzin Cathedral (UNESCO object) and visit Echmiadzin museum-treasury. It houses the famous spear that pierced the body of Christ, fragments of the Noah’s Ark, the crown of thorns, the cross on which Christ was crucified, and many other Christian relics. On the way back you will visit the ruins of the temple of Zvartnots (UNESCO object).

Overnight: hotel in Yerevan

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 - Goris - Noravank - Areni - Tatev

Tatev - Zvartnots - Noravank

This day you will have a trip to the south of Armenia. A long and picturesque road will lead you to Goris, a small town in the south of Armenia. On the way, you will stop to visit Noravank Monastery and then taste wine in Areni village famous for its local wine. The last stop will be not far from Tatev Monastery which can be reached by the longest cable car ride in the world.

Overnight: hotel in Goris

Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 - Armenia-Iran border - Tabriz

Early in the morning you will leave the hotel in Goris and head towards Armenia-Iran border which lies between Agarak and Nordooz villages. After passing the customs you will drive to Iranian town Tabriz where you will stay for overnight.

Overnight: hotel in Tabriz

Meals: Breakfast

Day 11 - Tabriz City Tour - Tehran

The sights of Tehran

The day starts from the trip to Tabriz which is the biggest cities in Iran. The programme includes visits to the Blue Mosque, the house-museum of and the big bazaar famous for its oriental sweets. In the evening you will have an internal flight to Tehran – the capital of Iran.

Overnight: hotel in Tehran

Meals: Breakfast

Day 12 - Tehran City Tour - Shiraz

The day will begin with a sightseeing tour around Tehran. The program includes a visit to the Golestan Palace, an excursion to the National Museum, a visit to the National Jewelry Museum famous for its amazing collections of Safavids and other dynasties such as crowns, diadems, swords and other jewelry, a tour to the Milad and Azadi towers and a walk around the modern Ab-Atash. At the end of the long tour, you will have a pleasant walk in Ab-O-Atash garden and then have a flight to Shiraz.

Overnight: hotel in Shiraz

Meals: Breakfast

Day 13 - Shiraz City Tour

Sightseeing of Shiraz

The day will begin with a sightseeing tour around Shiraz. During the city tour, you will see Nasir-al-Mulk Mosque, Narenjestan Palace, the tombs of famous Persian poets Hafiz and Saadi, from the Koran gates you will enjoy the great panorama of Shiraz city. This day, you also have a walk in the garden of Eram – one of the most famous and beautiful Persian gardens in all of Iran.

Overnight: hotel in Shiraz

Meals: Breakfast

Day 14 - Persepolis - Pasargad - Isfahan

The day will begin with a trip to Isfahan, the third largest city in Iran. On the way to Isfahan, you will stop to visit ruins of Persepolis and Pasargad ancient cities. Persepolis is included to UNESCO World Heritage List. Pasargad is the first capital of Achemenidian Empire.

Overnight: hotel in Isfahan

Meals: Breakfast

Day 15 - Isfahan City Tour

Sights of Isfahan

This day will be devoted to the city-tour around Isfahan and to the famous Isfahan bridges among which the must-visit is the longest bridge Si-O-Si-Pole. You will have an excursion to the largest Nakhsh-e-Jakhan Square and then stop at Ali Gapu Palace built by Abbas shakh in XVII and Loftolla Mosque an example of the outstanding architecture of Iran. At the end of the day, you will visit the local bazaar to buy souvenirs.

Overnight: hotel in Isfahan

Meals: Breakfast

Day 16 - Isfahan City Tour - Tehran

The second day in Isfahan will start from next sights: Jame mosque, Minaret Jonban, Chekhel Sotun Palace, Armenian Church Vank, Khasht Bekhesht Palace. After the tour, you will have a flight to Tehran.

Overnight: hotel in Tehran

Meals: Breakfast

Day 17 - Departure

Transfer to the airport, departure

INCLUSIONS/EXCLUSIONS

The tour price includes

Airport transfers
Accommodation in 3-4* hotels
Meals – breakfast
All transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
English speaking guide service for all days
All admission fees
24 hours office support
Inner flights in Iran
Visa reference code for Iran
1 bottle (0,5 l) of water per day
Local SIM card

The tour price doesn't include

Flights
Medical insurance
Visa fee
Dinners and lunches

REVIEWS

ACCOMMODATION

Cascade Hotel

Astoria Hotel

Iranshahr Hotel

Goris Hotel

Setareh Hotel

Parsian Suite Hotel

TRIP MAP

PACKING CHECKLIST

Documents:

Passport, flight ticket (printed or electronic), insurance, visa (if required)

First aid kit:

bandaids / plasters, special medicine or drugs in permanent use, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, lip balm

Essentials:

Credit/debit cards, cash (cards can be used in city, cash in regions), moneybelt, laptop/tablet/phone, chargers, camera with extra memory cards and batteries, outlet adapter

Dressing:

There are no restrictions regarding clothes; scarf or shawl is advisable for churches (obligatory in Georgia for women)

Spring / Autumn:

long pants/jeans, long sleeve blouses, light raincoat, jacket, comfortable waterproof shoes, umbrella

Summer:

T-shirts, shorts, long sleeve blouses for evening, sandals, umbrella, sun protection, sun glasses, sunhat

Winter:

Warm coat, warm wool sweater, long warm trousers, long boots (waterproof), scarf, gloves

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

WHY BOOK WITH ARARA

CENTRAL LOCATED HOTELS

We choose only the best hotels located in the city center close to the main sights

GUIDES WITH 5+ YEAR EXPERIENCE

We work only with professional guides and guides who have experience in tourism for more than 5 years

THE BEST PRICE IN THE MARKET FOR HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE

With Arara you book at first hand from a qualified local Armenian agency. Avoid surcharges applied by intermediaries and save money!

LICENSED AIR CONDITIONED TRANSPORT

We provide our tourists with comfortable air-conditioned transport

3000+ SATISFIED CLIENTS PER YEAR

Every year we get a great number of positive feedback from our clients

Reviews More about Arara

GUARANTEED TOUR DATES

Start		End	Price	Space left
Any Day Any date from Tbilisi/Yerevan	17 days	Individual Jan 17, 2019 to Yerevan/Tehran	321,733 RUR	2+ Spaces left	Book now

Any Day

Any date

from Tbilisi/Yerevan

17
days

Individual

Jan 17, 2019

to Yerevan/Tehran

Space left

2+

321,733 RUR

Book now

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