Highlights of Armenia and Georgia

Arrival in Yerevan, transfer to the 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.

City tour around Yerevan. Visit Matenadaran institute museum which houses over 17,000 ancient and medieval manuscripts. Stop at the Food Market of Yerevan where you will have an opportunity to wander through the aisles of locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables. Trip to Echmiadzin town, the religious centre of all Armenians around the world. Visit Echmiadzin Cathedral. On the way back you will stop at the ruins of Zvartnots temple (7th century, UNESCO World Heritage Site) that was a miracle of its time.

Trip to the scenic canyon of the Azat River to Geghard Cave Monastery listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Tour to Hellenistic Garni temple built in 77 AD, dedicated to the Armenian God of the Sun Mitra. Visit the Museum of Armenian History where you will have a fascinating journey through the rich history of Armenia.

Trip to the south of Armenia to Khor Virap Monastery located at the foot of Biblical Mount Ararat. The tour will continue through a narrow canyon to the valley of red rocks where Noravank Monastery is located. En route, you will visit wine factory to taste local wine made of the unique grape sort “Areni”. Stop at Karahunj - a 6,000-year-old observatory known as the “Armenian Stonehenge”. The last tour destination is Goris town encompassed by rocky caves and mountains.

Trip to the pearl of Armenian Medieval architecture, the Monastery and the University of Tatev. The monastery can be reached by the longest cable car in the world which stretches over the 320 meter-deep Vorotan River Canyon. Stop at natural bridge named “Devil’s Bridge” at the bottom of the deep canyon. Next stop is the resort town of Jermuk, famous for its hot mineral springs and scenic landscape. Walkthrough the Arpa River Canyon to admire the Jermuk Waterfall.

The trip along the part of the Great Silk Road towards the Selim Pass. Stop at 14th century Selim Caravanserai – one of the most well-preserved hostels along the ancient Great Silk Road. En route, you will be able to admire the azure waters of Lake Sevan located 1900 m above the sea.

Morning trip to Lori region. Here you will see the ruins of the ancient fortress of Lori which was once the centre of Lori Kingdom. Visit Stepanavan dendropark – Armenia’s first botanical garden. 15 hectares of its territory are planted with exotic trees and the rest 20 hectares are covered by natural wild forest. It is not by chance that this amazing place is considered one of the most beautiful corners of Armenia – once here, you will feel like in a fairy tale. Trip to the north of the country to visit Haghpat Monastery, which is listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Free evening in Haghpat village.

Transfer to Armenian-Georgian border. You will meet our Georgian representatives on the border and then head to Tbilisi. Tour to the open-air Museum of Ethnography located on the territory of Turtle Lake. The museum exhibits traditional houses and farm buildings which have the architecture typical to different Georgian regions. Stroll around Meidani Square. Visit the Assumption Church located on the picturesque hill in the historic district of Metekhi. Trip up the hill by the cable car to Narikala Fortress which is an ancient symbol of Tbilisi. Tour in the Old Town where the famous sulfuric baths are located (XVII-XIX cc.) standing on the natural sulfur springs. The last tour destination – Mtatsminda Mount located in the city centre.

Drive to Ananuri well-preserved castle located on the shore of the Zhinvali reservoir. Once it was the defensive fortress of the feudal era. Stop in Gudauri resort town to admire amazing views of the mountains. Stop to visit Sour waters of Vedza. Visit Gergeti Church located at an altitude of 2170 m not far from legendary Mount Kabegi. From the top of the hill opens an amazing view which cannot be expressed in words. The last tour destination will be the Dariali Gorge and the church of Transfiguration. Return to Tbilisi.

Trip through Javakheti region to Vardzia cave town. Stop at Paravani Lake which is the largest in the country. Near the lake you will visit the monastery of St. Nino which is famous for its small dairy managed by local nuns. Here you will find various unique kinds of cheeses that cannot be found anywhere else in Georgia. Climb up the hill to Khertvisi Fortress (X century) for making memorable photos. The last destination will be Vardzia – cave monastery complex that dates back to the XII century. It consists of thousands of caves carved out in the rock. Stop in Akhaltsikhe town.

Visit Rabati Fortress which is a recently renovated huge castle complex of Akhaltsikhe. It dates back to the XIII century. A short trip to Sapara Monastery hidden in the mountain forests. It is located about 11 km from Akhaltsikhe. Stop in Borjomi resort town to try its world-famous mineral waters just from the spring in the Mineral Water Park. Trip to Kutaisi – the second largest city in Georgia.

Sightseeing tour in Kutaisi. Visit Bagrati Cathedral (UNESCO object) which is located on a hill overlooking the entire town. Visit Sataplia – the national reserve located in the amazing mountains. Visit the Gelati Monastery (UNESCO object). The last excursion will be at Motsameta Monastery located on the hill under the River Tskhaltsitela-Red River. Drive to Tbilisi.

Trip to Kakheti winemaking region. Visit Telavi – the centre of Kakheti and winemaking in general. Excursion around Tsinandali estate that once belonged to Chavchavadzes dynasty. The estate is known for its amazing labyrinth-gathered with exotic trees in it and with cellars, where the unique collection of Georgian and European wine is preserved. Stroll around beautiful Sighnaghi town famous for its architecture in the style of southern Italian classicism. Drive back to Tbilisi.

Trip to Mtskheta – the ancient capital of Georgia. Climb up the hill to Jvari Monastery located on the top of the mountain. This area offers breathtaking views of the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers and the entire town. Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (UNESCO object) which is the main cathedral of Georgia. Trip to Gori town located in the eastern part of Georgia. Drive back to Tbilisi.

Transfer to the airport, departure.