Moto Tour to Armenia and Georgia

Arrival at the airport, transfer to hotel. Yerevan is the capital of Armenia, its largest city and the administrative, cultural, and industrial centre. Yerevan is often referred to as the city of contradictions where modernity is interweaving with antiquity. It is filled with a cosy atmosphere, there is no hustle and bustle and you will feel friendliness and hospitality. More interesting facts about Yerevan you will learn the next day during your guided city tour.

Ride to Echmiadzin town – the religious center of all Armenians around the world. Here you will have an excursion to Echmiadzin Cathedral (the first official Christian church in the world) and to Hripsime Church. The tour continues to the Dashtadem Fortress which has been a substantial fortress of 10th – 19th centuries. The complex includes the reservoirs, the Khan palace. the citadel, remaining of the first and second circles of once mighty walls. Ride to Anipemza – a watching point of Ani city of 4th century, one of Armenian capitals, well known also as city of thousand and one churches. Anipemza is located on the closed Turkish-Armenian border, from where you can see the ruins of the ancient city. The tour continues to Gyumri- the second-largest city and the cultural center of Armenia.

The day will start with a trip to Armenian – Georgian border, after passing the customs of Bavra village your trip will continue to the cave town of Vardzia. The excavations have shown that this area was settled since Bronze Age and indicated the reach of Trialeti culture. It is attributed to the late 3rd and early 2nd millennium BC. The cave complex stretches to the left of Courier, about 900 meters, there are about 600 pavilions (churches, chapels, baths, libraries, dwelling rooms, etc.). The pavilions of the complex are caves up to 50 m and rise up to eight floors. Your trip will continue to Akhaltsikhe where you will have an overnight.

This day you will drive to Khulo, small mountain village sandwiched in the lash forest. Time permitting visit to medieval Khikhani Fortress, providing breathtaking views on the surrounding mountains. Continue riding to Batumi, Black Sea resort city, through spectacular road with small villages scattered around. Enjoy the cheerful atmosphere of city. Take a long walk across the shore where long boulevard is built, decorated with nice flowers, trees and contemporary monuments.

Morning ride to Kutaisi, the second-largest city in Georgia. Continue ride uphill to Tskhaltubo resort town and stunning Prometheus Cave. You will walk 1,5 kilometers in the cave and enjoy the breathtaking view of stalactites and stalagmites. 12th Century Gelati Monastery is another highlight of day decorated with well-preserved bright color frescoes.

This day tour takes you to Gori, the town where Joseph Stalin was born. Visit Stalin house- museum where you can observe his crib, room and even his personal train. Continue riding to Uplistsikhe Cave Town dating back to iron age, as scientists tell it is untouched. Next stop is Jvari Monastery on the hilltop. Here you will admire on the junction of Kura and Aragvi rivers. Continue to Tbilisi for rest and overnight.

The day will start with departure from Tbilisi to Ananuri- this is a castle complex on the Argavi River. The complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The complex consists of two castles, two churches and a bridge. After you will continue to Gudauri ski resort. Vast mountains without a single tree surrounding Gudauri make this place truly evocated, where you will enjoy night very far from everyday hustle. Ride on by Georgian Military Highway to the beautiful town of Stepantsminda. On the way, you will stop every few kilometers to enjoy the most breathtaking and marvelous views of this trip. On the clear days, you can enjoy the view of majestic Kazbek Mountain which is the highest peak in the Lesser Caucasus mountains. Next and the highest point is Gergeti Trinity church 2170m. Evening ride back to Gudauri.

After breakfast and fresh coffee, you will ride to Tbilisi – the bustling city of Georgia. The mixture of colored houses, wooden carved balconies, churches rising in every corner gives a special charm to this city. You will take a cable car to the peak of holly hill from where opens an amazing view to the whole city. In the evening those who wish will have an opportunity to stroll in the green parks of Tbilisi along banks of Kura River.

This day you will travel to Kakheti Region, which is well-known as a wine-making center of Georgia. There will be an excursion to Bodbe Monastery in Sighnaghi- “the town of love”. You will have a pleasant walk along the pebbled narrow streets of this small cozy town built in the style of South Italian classicism. Then you will tripe to Khareba winery where you can taste wine. The Khareba winery is a tunnel into a rock that looks like a wine bottle. Winery Khareba is constructed of 15 tunnels. Two tunnels reaching 800 meters are parallel to each other and connect the other tunnels that are 500 meters. The walls of the tunnels are lined with thousands of bottles of Khareba wines. The tunnels keep the temperature relatively constant and cool facilitating the storage of wine. Then you will trip to Chavchavadze Museum. The history of the Chavchavadze family and their ancestral estate is closely tied with the history of Georgia. At the end of tour return to Tbilisi.

The day will start with a ride to the Georgian-Armenian border. After passing the border you will drive to Lori Region which is rich with natural and architectural wonders. The first city that you visit is Tashir, this is a small town known its cheese taste. Next station is Odzun - major and historic village in the Lori Province of Armenia. Here are some Armenian church complexes, which are located in the wonderful surroundings of nature. The excursion continues to the Monastery of Haghpat which is included in the list of UNESCO Heritage. At the end of the day, you will stop in Haghpat.

Morning rise to Akhtala Fortress of 10th century located on the highland surrounded by deep gorges on three sides. Akhtala Monastery is one of the most beautiful ones in Armenia with bright frescoes. Ride on to Crystal Lake located in the lush forest. The road dramatically turning and twisting through towering cliffs, green hills, nice villages and wheat fields. Next stop is in Dilijan resort town, often called Armenian Switzerland due to its forests and hilly area.

Start the day ride to Sevan Lake located on 1900 m above sea. Visit Hayravank Monastery located on the shore providing beautiful view overlooking on the lake. Continue ride to Vardenyats or Selim Pass (2410 m), where Selim Caravanserai of 10th century is located. Selim Pass once was a section of the Great Silk Road. Ride to Artabuynk village and start off road accent to King Smbat Fortress of 5th century. You will be rewarded by breathtaking view on the surrounding mountains and small villages scattered around. It's so quiet around and the air is so pure that it seems like you're cut off from the world. Continue to hotel in Hermon village for rest and overnight.

This day’s ride is off the beaten path to the villages of Karmrashen and Herher. The road passes by Herher reservoir and Vayots Sar extinct volcano with perfect conic shape with a big crater. After off road ride head to the south to Tatev Monastery of 10th century, dramatically standing on the edge of a 370 m deep canyon. Here you have chance to ride the longest cable car in the world. Time permitting visit to Devil Bridge, natural bridge of 30 m. length of 30 meters with natural mineral water pools under it. Ride on to Baghaberd fortress and Kapan medieval bridge.

Morning ride to Goris, red rood town. Continue to Khndzoresk Cave Town where people leaved until mid-20th century. Old and new Khndzoresk towns are located on the opposite banks of deep canyon connected with hanging bridge of 160 m. Ride to Yeghegnadzor town for rest and overnight. Turning and twisting road provides fantastic view on the surrounding nature high cliffs, water reservoirs and endless mountains.

Morning visit to Noravank Monastery located in the red rock valley, surrounded by sharp cliffs. The road passes through deep canyon where sun hardly reaches the bottom two hours a day. Visit to Areni 1 Cave where recently archaeologists found the oldest leather shoe in the world and old wine jars and 6000-year-old grapes stones. Continue to Azat reservoir located in Khosrov state reserve by picturesque narrow road being used very rare. Further drive to the Geghard Cave Monastery listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites in built in single rock. Tour continues to Garni village, where the Hellenistic-inspired “Garni” temple is located. It is built with 24 columns, by which in the ancient time people have been able to predict the time. From here opens a wonderful view. Evening ride back to Yerevan.

Transfer to the airport, departure