Silk Road Adventures: A Cultural Discovery

Breakfast. First we will have City Tour in Yerevan. Yerevan is the capital of Armenia, one of the ancient cities in the world. For ages this city has been known as a “pink city” because of the color of the stone it has been built with. You will have a city tour in Yerevan and you will see Republic Square, Mashtots Avenue, the House of Opera and Ballet after Aram Khachatryan, the park “Cascade”, Armenian Vernisagge and more. During the day you will visit the manuscript museum of Armenia, which is called Matenadaran: here all ancient Armenian Manuscripts are kept. You will also visit “Cafesjian” Center for the Modern arts situated in the center of Yerevan in Cascade complex. Then we will walk to one of the most crowded places in Yerevan-Vernissage. Despite the season and weather, it goes live on every Saturday and Sunday, no matter it’s hot outside, cold or heavily raining. It’s an open air market where the best and most impressive souvenirs are offered. Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast. Excursion to centuries-old monuments Ejmiatsin and Zvartnots listed on UNESCO World Heritage list. Zvartnots (7-10th cc.) - a Temple of Vigil Forces. The ruins of the Cathedral lay buried until the 20th century when they were excavated and the cathedral was partially reconstructed in a polygonal form with plenty of columns supporting carved arches. There are interesting sculptural remnants surrounding the main structure – look out for the carved eagle capital in particular. The Cathedral of Ejmiatsin (303) is an official residence of Armenian Catholicos. In Ejmiatsin you can have lunch and have a degustation of Armenian wine, as well as you have a chance to order a glass of wine by/for your name and keep it bottled there in the center where you can return anytime (even after a few years) and find the bottled wine especially kept for you by the company. Return Yerevan. A visit to Armenian Genocide Memorial-Tsitsernakaberd which is dedicated to the victims of the Armenian genocide, built in 1967 on the hill of Tsitsernakaberd in Yerevan. Every year on 24 April, the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, thousands of Armenians gather at the memorial to commemorate the victims of the genocide. Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast. Take a trip to Garni. You will walk along the canyon, by the beautiful columnar basalt 9th century stone bridge over the Azat River to Garni the Pagan Temple, built in the 1^st Century AD. In 1679 it was destroyed by an earthquake. In the 1975 the Temple was restored. Continue the tour to Geghard Monastery (the name came from the legendary lance that was used to pierce the body of Christ, which was kept here for centuries). Though the exact foundation of the monastery is unknown, the present complex was built in the mid – 13th century. Drive back to Yerevan. On the way you will visit a local house where you will have the chance to see and participate in the preparation of the Armenian bread-lavash, and you will also taste Armenian Barbeque. Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast. Drive to Ararat Region to Khor Virap Monastery. Khor Virap's notability as a monastery and a pilgrimage site is attributed to the fact that Gregory the Illuminator was initially imprisoned here for 13 years by King Tiridates III of Armenia. Excursion to 13^th century Noravank Monastery, Yeghegnadzor. The combination of uniquely beautiful natural setting, masterful architecture of the structures, and historical, cultural and religious significance makes Noravank a must-visit. After this we’ll have a road trip to Areni, Vayots Dzor region, where we will have a visit to Areni Winery. Here we can witness lunch and lavash making master class. Road trip to Karahunj-known as Zorats Karer. It is a prehistoric archaeological site near the town of Sisian in the Syunik Province of Armenia. It is also often referred to among international tourists as the "Armenian Stonehenge". Overnight in Goris.  

Breakfast. After breakfast we will drive to the old village Khndzoresk, where we may visit to St. Hripsime monastery which was built on 1663 and the movable bridge. Khndzoresk Swinging Bridge provides access to New Khndzoresk village and breathtaking views of the caves below. As Khndzoresk Bridge swings 63 meters about the ground, it is not recommended for people who are afraid of heights. Then we will have fun at Wings of Tatev. It is the longest reversible aerial tramway built in only one section, and holds the record for Longest non-stop double track cable car. After all will have a drive to Selim (Orbelian’s) Caravanserai. The Selim pass, connecting Vayots Dzor and Gegharkunik regions, has been an important trade route from times immemorial. The long caravans with loaded camels were passing this way. Overnight in Sevan.

Breakfast. Drive to Lake Sevan. You will 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 9th century. Here you can visit also the ruins of the church built in 305 just after the acceptance of Christianity. After Sevan, continue the tour to Dilijan. You will have a city tour there and you can enjoy the beauty of the nature because Dilijan has a very beautiful location in between the forests. Dilijan is compared to Switzerland and is called “Armenian Switzerland”. It is a resort and spa town. Then visit to Haghartsin Monastery. This medieval monastery is located near the town of Dilijan in the Tavush Province of Armenia. It was built between the 10th and 13th centuries. It is composed of three churches: St. Gregory's (the oldest one), St. Stephen's, and St. Astvatsatsin (St. Mary's, the largest one), as well as a gavit and a refectory. Overnight in Dilijan.

Breakfast at the hotel. Take your way to Armenian-Georgian border Bagratashen (Sadakhlo). Meet the Georgian team on Sadakhlo border.  Transfer to the hotel. Visit to Georgian Sadakhlo village. The Sadakhlo - Bagratashen border crossing is the most important of the four vehicular crossings between Georgia and Armenia. On the way stop in Royal winery of Chateau Mukhrani, excursion in the Royal castle, garden and degustation of 3 types Georgian wines: white, red & pink. Also-Snack: cheese assortment, Shoti (national bread), Churchkhela, spring water. Arrive in Gori - a small city where we will visit Stalin's house-museum and explore Uplistsikhe-the most ancient caves 1^st mill BC. Overnight in Tbilisi. 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 bathhouses, 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. Continue to the National Museum of Georgia on Rustaveli Avenue.  Cross the Bridge of Peace-a modern glass bridge in high-tech style. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Breakfast at the hotel. 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 13th 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. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Breakfast. After breakfast we’ll have a visit to Georgian Narikala Fortress. This is an ancient fortress overlooking Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, and the Mtkvari (Kura) River. The fortress consists of two walled sections on a steep hill between the sulfur baths and the botanical gardens of Tbilisi. According to the legend, it was built by the king Vakhtang I Gorgasali of the ancient Kingdom of Iberia. Narikala Fortress is nowadays the leading sighting among the most visited places in Tbilisi by tourists. Next is Gori. It is a city in eastern Georgia, which serves as the regional capital of Shida Kartli. It is located at the confluence of two rivers, the Mtkvari and the Liakhvi. Gori is the fifth most populous city in Georgia. Gori is also known as the birthplace of communist revolutionary and Soviet politician Joseph Stalin, ballistic missile designer Aleksandr Nadiradze, and philosopher Merab Mamardashvili. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the hotel. Departure from Tbilisi International Airport.