From Armenia To Georgia

Breakfast. Start the day with a nice city tour in the capital of Armenia-Yerevan. Visit Republic Square, Mashtots Avenue, the House of Opera and Ballet after Aram Khachatryan, the park “Cascade”. Then visit the remarkable Matenadaran Library including 17,000 rare manuscripts, one of the world’s oldest repositories of Greek, Persian and Arabic manuscripts. Visit History Museum, The State Museum of Armenian History and The National Gallery located at the Republic Square, in the center of the city. In the museum you'll get acquainted with the history travelling through the ancient and modern culture of the country.  Have an excursion to centuries-old monuments Ejmiatsin and Zvartnots listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list. The Cathedral of Ejmiatsin (303) is an official residence of Armenian Catholicos. Continue the tour to Zvartnots (7-10th cc.) - a Temple of Vigil Forces. Return Yerevan and visit The Genocide Memorial (Tsitsernakaberd), where you’ll witness a breathtaking panoramic view of the city.

Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast. Take a trip to Garni. You will walk along the canyon, by the beautiful columnar basalt 9^th century stone bridge over the Azat River to Garni the Pagan Temple, built in the 1^st century AD. Explore Geghard Monastery (its name came from the legendary lance that was used to pierce the body of Christ. The lance has been kept here for centuries). You’ll also visit a local rural house and participate in the preparation of the Armenian flat bread “Lavash”-listed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast. Have a trip to Khor Virap (4-18th cc.), which is connected with Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia. Here you can enjoy the spectacular view of the sacred Mount Ararat - an immortal symbol of Armenia. Continue the tour by visiting Areni, Vayots Dzor Region. The village Areni is famous for its endemic type of grapes from which the symbol of the village- Areni wine is made. Areni is also famous for the world’s oldest leather shoe and wine cellars found here. Visit Noravank Monastery which is of XII century old and is situated among the amazing sheer rocks on the bench of a twisty gorge.

Overnight in Goris.

Breakfast at the hotel. Head to Armenian Stonehenge-Karahunj. The prehistoric observatory of Karahunj keeps many mysteries and secrets. There is even a paranormal hypothesis about the purpose of the observatory. Some scholars are inclined to believe that Karahunj was an ancient spaceport. Interestingly, on some stones, there are rock carvings depicting beings resembling aliens, or floating disks in the air. Perhaps this explains the presence of electromagnetic fields near stones. A beautiful excursion to a very old monastery: by the one of the world’s longest non-stop reversible aerial tramway, an unforgettable route to Armenia’s medieval Tatev Monastery  (9-13cc), a former center for the sciences and art, where many famous Armenians lived and worked centuries ago. Tatev Complex consists of three churches, a refectory, a library, a vault and several evidences. Magnificent canyons surrounds the monastery.  After Tatev we'll drive to the Old Village Khndzoresk, where we may visit to St. Hripsime Monastery and the movable bridge. Ride to Selim Pass (Selim Caravanserai). Located at the southern side of Vardenyats Mountain Pass at a height of 2,410 meters (7,910 ft) above sea level, Orbelian's Caravanserai is the best preserved caravanserai in the entire country. You'll take your way towards Lake Sevan, which is the largest lake in Caucasus as well as one of the largest and highest freshwater lakes of the world. The altitude of its surface is on 1897m above sea level.  You will get to Sevan Peninsula to visit Sevanavank Monastery, built in the 9^th century. Here you can visit also the ruins of the church built in 305 just after the acceptance of Christianity. Ride to Dilijan.

Overnight in Dilijan.

Breakfast. First stop is Sanahin Monastery. Sanahin is an Armenian monastery founded in the 10th century in Sanahin in the Lori Province of Armenia. The name Sanahin literally translates from Armenian as 'this one is older than that one', presumably representing a claim to being an older monastery than the neighbouring Haghpat Monastery, located about 3 kilometers to the east, with which it forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our next stop will be Haghpat Monastery, a masterpiece of medieval Armenian architecture, decorated with intricate carvings and Armenian khachkars. Haghpat Monastery was once one of the largest centers of science, with a rich collection of manuscripts. It had premises for copying library manuscripts, plus cafeterias and universities. Take your way to Armenian-Georgian border Bagratashen (Sadakhlo). Meet the Georgian team on Sadakhlo border.  Transfer to Tbilisi and check-in in the hotel.

Overnight in Tbilisi.  

Breakfast. Ride up to Narikala Fortress 4^th century AD by aerial cable car. Stroll down to Legvtakhevi (translated literally as “Fig Ravine”) – a beautiful place with waterfall, blooming plants and a small river. Take a walk-in park near Sulfur bathes, well-known for their healing powers are located nearby, Enjoy your time on Shardeni Street and its neighborhood and Meidan Square with its outdoor cafes, galleries and souvenir shops. Cross the Bridge of Peace – a modern glass bridge in high-tech style.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

Breakfast. Road trip to Georgian Ananuri Fortress. Ananuri was a castle and seat of the eristavis (Dukes) of Aragvi, a feudal dynasty which ruled the area from the 13^th century. The castle was the scene of numerous battles. The complex also encompasses three distinct churches- the Church of the Virgin, the Church of the Deity, and the Church "Mkurnali". The next stop is Kazbegi. The fantastic mountain view is the main reason to come to Kazbegi. Georgia has many mountain areas to visit but if you are after jaw dropping scenery, Mount Kazbeg at 5,054 meters will not disappoint. It is the third highest peak in Georgia and being a dormant stratovolcano, it rises up impressively by 3,000 meters from the village below. Ride back to Tbilisi.

Overnight in Tbilisi. 

Breakfast. We then leave for the southern region of Georgia – Samtskhe-Javakhetie.

Arrival in Bordjomi, a small town nestled in a gorge of the Koura at an altitude of over 800m, and renowned for its many thermal springs and lush nature. We continue the tour to the fortified city of Akhaltsikhe – visit the Rabati fortress and the Akhaltsikhe national museum. Departure for Vardzia.

Overnight in Vardzia.

Breakfast. We explore the monastic troglodyte city of Vardzia, dug into the slopes of Mt Erusheti in the 12th century and overlooking the Mtkvari River. 2 hours of walking allow us to discover this incredible network of tunnels and cliff-side fortresses. We return to Tbilisi passing Javakheti Region - a magical place that is absolutely different from anything we have seen during our stay. This part is called as a country of 1000 lakes thanks to the abundance of small or large lakes. Its gloomy landscapes and absence of trees (because of the climate) impress visitors. We will first visit Pharavani Lake - the largest natural lake in the country by surface area. Then we will visit Phoka Monastery - or resident monks who have their own production of honey and dairy products as well as tea. Possibility to buy local products.

Return and overnight in Tbilisi.

Transfer to the Tbilisi International Airport. Departure.

Have a safe flight!