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Armenia
Day 1: Arrive in Yerevan
Met on arrival and transfer.
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Day 2-4: Yerevan-Gani-Geghard-Yerevan
A walking tour of Yerevan exploring various layers of its history—medieval shrines hidden behind imposing Soviet-style facades, narrow streets of the old center with sunlight playing on its pink walls, Republic Square, Cascade, Opera House and the ambitious project of independent Armenia—North Avenue.
An excursion to Echmiadzin, (also spelled Etchmiadzin or Ejmiatsin) the former capital. One highlight here is Zvartnots Cathedral -the ruins of St Gregory's church- one of the earliest churches in Armenia and in its day reputedly one of the most beautiful in the world.
We visit is the Armenian Genocide Museum.
Excursions to Garni, Geghard, Saghmosavank, Hovanavank and Amberd.
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Day 5-6: Khor Virap-Noravank-Carahunge-Goris
Visit the ancient monasteries and enjoy wine tasting. We start with a drive to Khor Virap Monastery, 4- 17th c.
Afterwards, we visit Areni Winery, to observe the production of wines, and be treated to a tasting.
Next, we explore the medieval Monastery of Noravank, a 13th century structure with beautiful stone crosses surrounded by rare flora. Onward, a stop to see ancient Carahunge which is similar to Stone Henge in England.
In Goris we visit the magnificent Tatev Monastery and the cave village Khndzoresk.
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Day 7: Lake Sevan
Drive to Lake Sevan, the largest alpine in the world via Selim Pass. We'll pass by Noradous, a history laden Middle Ages cemetery of khachkars.
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Day 8: Dilijan
Dilijan has a rich historical and cultural heritage. During excavations in the prehistoric cemeteries of Golovino and Papanino, bronze items of almost three thousand years old were found, including armors, daggers, pitchers, earrings.
Embark on a walking tour of Dilijan’s old town. Afterwards, drive to Dilijan's most popular religious site - the Haghartsin Monastery.
In addition, visit Goshavank in the upper reaches of Agestev River in dense oak woods. One of the biggest and best known kchachkars in Armenia is here. Lunch with locals in a family home.
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Georgia
Day 9-10: Tbilisi
Drive to Tbilisi, stopping at Sanahin Monastery (UNESCO) and Haghpart Monastery en-route.
One of Europe's most fascinating capitals Tbilisi is an ancient and cosmopolitan city where about 1.2 million inhabitants live. It was founded in 5th century AD by the Georgian King of Kartli, Vakhtang Gorgasali. There is a synagogue, a mosque, a Georgian basilica, an Armenian church and a Zoroastrian Fire-Worshipper's temple all within a 15-minute walk.
Full day tour Tbilisi. We enjoy a walking the narrow streets of Old Tbilisi exploring the religious and secular architecture. Here we see churches, synagogues, mosques, as well as famous 19th century houses with wooden multi-colored balconies. We visit the sulfur baths that made an unforgettable impression on Pushkin, Lermontov and Dumas.
We visit the stunning treasury of the Georgian History Museum, before taking a stroll along Rustaveli Avenue – the main street in Tbilisi. We will also visit an open-air ethnographic museum with many models of Georgian houses from all the Georgian regions.
Folk show at national restaurant.
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Day 11-12: Mtskheta-Gori- Borjomi - Akhalshike
We start with a drive to the beautiful small town Mtskheta, the ancient capital, and visit its historical UNESCO sites.
Continue to the town Gori and visit the Joseph Stalin Museum. Drive through the mineral water town Borjomi and taste carbonated water from the source.
On the 2nd day we visit the magnificent cave town – Vardzia (12th century), one of the highlights of the trip. It is a striking complex hewn in rock, regarded as the cultural and educational center of the time.
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Day 13: Uplistskhe- Gudauri
We visit Uplistsikhe, "the lord's fortress," an ancient rock-hewn town in eastern Georgia near Gori. Built on a high rocky left bank of the Mtkvari River, it contains various structures dating from the 2nd ML BC to the Late Middle Ages, and is notable for the unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures from Anatolia and Iran as well as the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture.
Afterwards we drive to Gudauri up the famous Georgian Military Highway (leading to the Georgian-Russian border) and Zhinvali Lake. The drive is very scenic through high Caucasus Mountains. We vist the Ananuri architectural complex en-route.
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Day 14: Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) - Tbilisi
A stunning drive returning to Tbilisi along Tergi River, stopping in Kazbergi town and driving through beautiful valleys and woodlands to Gergeti Trinity Church.
From Stepantsminda we get into 4WD to drive 30 minutes through beautiful valleys and woodland leading on a mountain trail to Gergeti Trinity Church located at 2170m above sea level on the bank of the river Chkheri under Mount Kazbegi.
Weather permitting we may catch a glimpse of one of the highest glaciers in the Caucasus – Mt. Kazbegi.
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Day 15: Tbilisi - Sighnaghi - Tbilisi
A two hour drive to visit the fortified royal town of Sighnaghi (18th century), situated in Kakheti Province, the very eastern part of Georgia, with cobbled streets and multi-colored balconies. The town preserved its original image and now offers visitors stunning views of the surrounding Caucasus Mountains. Sighnaghi faces the Alazani field (750 m elevation).
Enjoy a short guided walk around the town, explore the defensive wall surrounding the city and have a view from one of the towers to the amazing Alazani Valley.
Next, a 10-15 minute drive brings us to Bodbe Monastery, a Georgian Orthodox monastic complex and the seat of the Bishops of Bodbe. Originally built in the 9th century, it has been significantly remodeled, especially in the 17th century. The monastery now functions as a nunnery and is one of the major pilgrimage sites in Georgia, due to its association with St. Nino, the 4th-century female evangelist of Georgians, whose relics are enshrined there. St. Nino has become one of the most venerated saints of the Georgian Orthodox Church and her attribute, a Grapevine cross, is a symbol of Georgian Christianity. The Bodbe Monastery is nested among tall cypress trees on a steep hillside overlooking the Alazani Valley.
From here we go to a local family guesthouse to enjoy a delicious home-made lunch, and then we visit a local farmer’s wine-cellar to taste Georgian wine.
Return to Tbilisi for overnight.
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Azerbaijan
Day 16: Baku
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Baku on Butta Airways J29224, dep 11L50, arrive 13.00.
On arrival in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, embark on a tour of the Old City.
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Day 17: Baku
A full day tour visiting: the Gobustan Mud Volcanoes, National Park and Petroglyphs Museum.
In the afternoon discover the Absheron Peninsula, an extension of the Caucasus Mountains, juts 35 miles into the Caspian Sea, the largest inland sea in the world, covering 386,400 sq. km. (149,200 sq. miles).
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Day 18: Baku
Enjoy a panoramic view of Baku from Shelhidler Khiyabani (Martyrs Lane).
Then embark on a two hour city tour by car covering the central part of the city showing the most interesting historical and architectural sites: Liberty Square, Javanshir Bridge, The building of the Executive Power (XX century), Fizuli Square, The old bus station, Park of Izmir, Statue of a free woman, Academy of Sciences, Honor Alley, Funicular.
Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon is independent.
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Day 19 Depart
Transfer to airport for flight home.
