Day 01: Arrival– Yerevan
Leave your preconceptions at home, because Yerevan will almost certainly confound them. This is a city of contradictions. Traditional ‘Pandoks’ (taverns) serving ‘Khoravats’ (barbecue meats) and ‘oghee’ (fruit vodka) sit next to chic European-style wine bars. In the summer, locals take to the streets every night, claiming tables at the many outdoor cafes and congregating at the beloved musical fountain in Republic Square. Few traces of the city’s ancient past remain, usurped by Soviet-era buildings and modern structures with little regard for history. But wander into any ‘dalan’ (archway) and entera portal into a different world, you may find a gorgeous 19th century balcony or beautiful church beyond.
- Arrival at Yerevan International Airport. Meet with Tour Guide. Transfer to Hotel.
Overnight: 5 Star Hotel – Grand Hotel Yerevan or Similar.
Meals: Dinner (Local Restaurant).
Day 02: Yerevan– Garni and Geghard – Yerevan (36 Kilometers, 1 Hour)
- Breakfast at the hotel and being the day with a City Tour of Yerevan.
- First stop is the Republic Square – Yerevan’s focal point and beating heart. Designed by architect Alexander Tamanyan as part of his 1924 urban plan for the city and originally named after Vladimir Lenin until 1991, the square is enclosed by a few current and former government buildings.
- Afterwards visit the Cafesjian Center for the Arts – Housed in a cast flight of stone steps known as the Cascade, this arts centre is one of the city’s major cultural attractions.
- Followed by a visit to the Matenadaran – Standing at the top of Yerevan’s grandest avenue, this cathedral-like manuscript library is a source of enormous pride to all Armenians. The first matenadaran (book depository) for Armenian texts was built by Mesrop Mashtots, the inventor of the Armenian alphabet, at Etchmiadzin in the 5th century and held thousands of manuscripts.
- Next make your way to the Garni Temple – Built by Armenia’s King Trdat I in the 1st century AD, this Hellenic-style temple set on the edge of a gorge overlooking the Azat River was dedicated to the sun god, Mitra.
- The final stop for the day will be the Geghard Monastery – Named after the lance that pierced Christ’s side at the crucifixion ,this World Heritage-listed monastery is carved out of a cliff alongside the Azat River. Founded in the 4th century, the monastery’s oldest chapel dates back to the 12th century.
- Return to the hotel for a short rest (if time permitting), followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: 5 Star Hotel – Grand Hotel Yerevan or Similar.
Meals: Breakfast (Hotel), Dinner (Local Restaurant).
Day 03: Yerevan –Echmiadzin and Zvartnots (20 Kilometers, 40 Minutes) – Khor Virap (48Kilometers, 55 Minutes)– Yerevan
- After breakfast at the hotel, start the drive to Echmiadzin – Etchmiadzin is the Vatican of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the place where Surp Grigor Lusavorich built the first Mayr Tachar (Mother Church of Armenia). The original Church was consecrated between AD 301and 303 but fell and was later rebuilt in 480-483.
- Next visit the Zvartnots Cathedral – Catholicos Nerses III sponsored construction of the Celestial Angels Cathedral, in the 7th century. It was originally dedicated to – and housed the relics of – Surp Grigor Lusavorich, the first Catholicos of the Armenian Church.
- Afterwards continue onto the last stop of the day at Khor Virap Monastery – Khor Virap has been repeatedly rebuilt since the5th century. Legend says the pagan King Trdat III imprisoned St Gregory the Illuminator (Surp Grigor Lusavorich) here for 12 years. Return to the hotel after visit to Khor Virap Monastery, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
Unique Experience:
- Visit the Ararat Brandy Factory for a tasting for Armenian Brandy.
Overnight: 5 Star Hotel – Grand Hotel Yerevan or Similar.
Meals: Breakfast (Hotel), Dinner (Local Restaurant).
Day 04: Yerevan –Lake Savan (65 Kilometers, 1 Hour 15 minutes) – Tbilisi (240 Kilometers, 4Hours 30 Minutes)
- After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Lake Sevan – Set 1900 meters above sea level and covering 1240 Square Kilometers, the vast expanse of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in the Caucasus and one of the largest freshwater high-altitude lakes in the world.
- Continue the tour by visiting the Haghpat Monastery – Occupying a commanding positing overlooking the gorge, this monastery has atmosphere and architectural splendor in spades. Founded around976 AD by Queen Khosrvanuch, who funded the construction of the domed Surp Nishan at the centre of the complex.
- Arrive at the Armenia – Georgia border, cross the border and meet with the Guide in Georgia, transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: 5 Star Hotel – The Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi or Similar.
Meals: Breakfast (Hotel), Dinner (Local Restaurant)
Day 05: Tbilisi
With its dramatic valley setting, picturesque Old Town eclectic architecture and superb eating and drinking opportunities, Tbilisi is the vibrant, beating heart of Georgia and home to more than one in three of its citizens. While at first glance Tbilisi can seem both crowded and chaotic, many neighborhoods retain a village-like feel with their narrow streets and small shops. The old town is still redolent of an ancient Eurasian crossroads, with its winding lanes, balconied houses and leafy squares, all overlooked by the 17thcentury-old Narikala Fortress.
- After breakfast, began a full-day city tour of Tbilisi with a visit to Old Town.
- Explore Metekhi Church – The landmark Church and the 1960s equestrian statue of King Vakhtang Gorgasali beside it, occupy the strategic rocky outcrop above Metekhi Bridge. This is where Vakhtang Gorgasali built his palace and the site’s first church, when he made Tbilisi his capital in the 5th century.
- Visit the Abanotubani (The Bathhouses) – The brick domes rising here are the roofs of subterranean bathhouses. Alexander Dumas and Pushkin both bathed in these sulphureous waters, the latter describing it as the best bath he’d ever had.
- Afterwards visit the Narikala – Dominating theOld Town skyline, this fortress dates right back to the 4th century, when it was a Persian citadel. Most of the walls were built in the 8thcentury by the Arab emirs, whose palace was inside the fortress.
- Continue exploring the Old Town by visiting the Sioni Cathedral – Originally built in the 6th and 7th centuries but has been destroyed and rebuilt many times. It is of special significance for Georgians as it is home to the cross of Saint Nino, which according to legend, is made from the vine branches bound with the saint’s own hair.
- Followed by Bridge of Peace – A rather incongruously modern glass-and-steel footbridge over the over the Mtkvari.
- Anchiskhati Church – The oldest surviving church is perhaps the loveliest in Tbilisi. Built by King Gorgasali’s son Dachiin the 6th century, it’s a three-nave basilica whose weathered frescoes and walls of big stone block emphatically bespeak its age.
- National Museum – The major highlight of the impressive national museum is the basement Archaeological Treasury which displays a wealth of pre-Christian gold, silver and precious-stonework from burials in Georgia dated as far as the 3rd millennium BC.
- Freedom Square – This busy traffic nexus was Lenin Square in Soviet times. Georgia’s last Lenin statue toppled in 1990.
- After the city tour, have dinner at a local restaurant in Tbilisi and then overnight at the hotel.
Overnight: 5 Star Hotel – The Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi or Similar.
Meals: Breakfast (Hotel), Dinner (Local Restaurant)
Day 06: Tbilisi –Gori – Stepantsminda (275 Kilometers, 5 Hours 15 Minutes)
A valley town with the famous hilltop silhouette of Tsminda Sameba Church and the towering snowy cone of Mt Kazbek looking down from the west. Now officially named Stepantsminda, but still commonly known as Kazbegi, it’s abase for some wonderful walking and mountain biking.
- After breakfast drive to Mtskheta – it is one of the oldest cities in Georgia as well as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Archeological evidence traces human settlement in the area of Mtskheta from 2nd millennium BC. It was also the capital of the early Georgian Kingdom of Iberia from the 3rd century BC to 5th Century BC.
- Next visit the Jvari Monastery – Visible for kilometers around on its hilltop overlooking Mtskheta from the east, Jvari is for many Georgians the holiest place. It stands where King Mirian erected his famous wooden cross soon after being converted by St Nino in the 4thcentury.
- Afterwards visit the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral– This extraordinary and enormous building dates from the 11thcentury, early in the golden age of Georgian church architecture. Chrit’s robeis believed to lie beneath the central nave, under a square pillar decorated with colorful if faded frescoes of the conversion of Kartli.
- Also visit the Uplistsikhe Cave – This once enormous cave city sits 10 kilometers east of Gori above the north side of Mtkvari River. Between 6th century BC and 1st century AD, Uplistsikhe developed into one of the chief political and religious centres of pre-Christian Kartli, with temples dedicated principally to the sun goddess.
- Next continue drive to Stepantsminda along the Caucasus Mountains, have the opportunity to stop and take pictures. Upon arrival in Stepantsminda have dinner and transfer to hotel.
Overnight: 4 Star Hotel – Hotel Kazbegi or Similar
Meals: Breakfast (Hotel), Dinner (Local Restaurant)
Day 07: Stepantsminda– Ananuri – Tbilisi (155 Kilometers, 3 Hours 15 Minutes)
- After breakfast began day in the picturesque settlement of Stepantsminda, which is overlooked by the Caucasus Mountains, the biggest of which Mount Kazbek is 5047 meters.
- Drive or Hike to Tsminda Sameba Church – This 14th century church 2200 meters above Stepantsminda has become a symbol of Georgia for its incomparably photogenic hilltop setting with Mt Kazbek rising behind it.
- Afterwards drive to Tbilisi enroute stop at Ananuri Fortress – This is a classic example of Georgian architecture, enhanced by its superb location overlooking the Zhinvali Reservoir.
- Continue with the drive to Tbilisi, upon arrival have dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Overnight: 5 Star Hotel – The Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi or Similar.
Meals: Breakfast (Hotel), Dinner (Local Restaurant)
Day 08: Tbilisi –Sighnaghi – Telavi (180 Kilometers, 3 Hours 10 Minutes)
Sighnaghi – Perhaps Georgia’s single most attractive town, with an amazing position perched on a lofty hilltop facing the snow-capped Caucasus looming in the distance across the vast Alazani valley. Full of 18thand 19th century architecture and with a vaguely Tuscan feel.
Telavi – The largest town in Kakheti between the Gombori Mountains and the Great Caucasus. It’s the perfect base for exploring the region’s viticultural, historical, and architectural riches, as well as fascinating castle and museum complex.
- After breakfast began the tour of Georgia wine district, dotted with fine old churches and vineyard after vineyard.
- The first stop is Bodbe Convent – The revered final resting place of Saint Nino, is set among tall cypresses 2 kilometers south of Sighnaghi. The little church was originally built over the saint’s grave by King Mirian in the 4th century.
- Arrive in Sighnaghi and explore the beautiful town.
- Afterwards drive to Telavi and continue exploring another picturesque town.
- At the end of the day drive to Tsinandali for dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Unique Experience:
- Visit Tsinandali Estate – the residence of the19th century noble family, visit the wineries to taste some of the best assortment of Georgian wine.
Overnight: 5 Star Hotel – Radisson Collection or Similar.
Meals: Breakfast (Hotel), Dinner (Local Restaurant)
Day 09: Telavi –Gremi – Tbilisi (100 Kilometers, 2 Hours)
- After breakfast visit Gremi Fortress – From1466 to 1672, Gremi was the capital of Kakheti but the town down to the west of the citadel was totally devastated by Shah Abbas in 1616. Within the citadel, the Church of the Archangels was built in 1565 by King Levan and contains frescoes from 1577.
- Afterwards visit Nekresi Monastery – The early Georgian architecture and the views across the Alazani valley from its hillside-woodland site are marvelous. The Monastery has seen considerable repair and reconstruction done in recent years. The first church in this complex dates back to the 4th century.
- Next is the Alaverdi Cathedral – At the beginning of the 11th century King Kvirike of Kakheti had this majestic cathedral built. At 50 meters tall, Alaverdi Cathedral remained the tallest church in Georgia for nearly a millennium.
- Travel back to Tbilisi through the forested mountains of Gombori, upon arrival have dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Overnight: 5 Star Hotel – The Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi or Similar.
Meals: Breakfast (Hotel), Dinner (Local Restaurant)
Day 10: Departure– Tbilisi
- After an early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for return flight to home country or future destination.
Meals: Breakfast (Hotel)
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