Armenia -
Georgia
Dates for Guaranteed Departures:
April-October, 2012
Start date 1st of each month
Duration: 10 days/10 nightsApril-October, 2012
Start date 1st of each month
Type: classic: excursion
Accommodation: 3*
Meal plan: BB
Price: 1000 euro /pppt/
Kilometrage: 1710km
Arrival to Yerevan,
Meeting at "Zvartnots" International airport,
Transfer to the hotel,
Check-In Support,
Overnight at the hotel (Yerevan).
Day 1. Yerevan city
tour - Echmiadzin - Zvartnots (90 km)
After breakfast at the hotel, meet your tour guide and start city tour
round Yerevan. The
contemporary capital of Armenia is 13th and is one of the
oldest cities in the world founded in 782 BC. Visiting Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex is dedicated to the memory of the 1.5 million
Armenians, who perished in the first genocide of the 20thcentury, at
the hands of the Ottoman Empire. Tour to centuries-old
monuments Echmiadzin and Zvartnots listed on UNESCO World Heritage list. Visiting the Churches of three Holy Virgins:
centre-domed cruciform Church of Saint Hripsimeh (618), domical basilica of Saint Gayaneh (630) and 'domed gallery' type Church of Shoghakat (1694). The Cathedral of
Echmiadzin (301-303) is the official residence of the Catholicos of all Armeians.
At the Museum of the Mother Cathedral you will see many
reliquaries: the Holy Lance (Geghart) which pierced the side of Christ,
housed in a silver reliquary; the relics of Noah's Ark in a reliquary that was
made in 1698; "Khotekerats Sourp Nishan" reliquary with the relic
of Jesus Christ's wooden cross (914-929); the cross of King Ashot Yerkat with
its chest, one of the existing oldest processional crosses.Visiting Zvartnots(7-10th centuries)- a Temple of Vigil Forces.
Return to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel(Yerevan).
Day 2. Yerevan-Ashtarak-Saghmosavank-Amberd Fortres-Yerevan (140 km)
Start tour
to the Church of Karmravor which is one of the smallest pan-Armenian churches.
Continue to Saghmosavank medieval Monastery, situated in the breathtaking site,
at the deep canyon of the Kasakh river in the town of Ashtarak. Tour to Fortress of Amberd (7th century), 6 km way from the village of Byurakan, stands halfway up the highest peak in Armenia (4049 m.) Mt. Aragats, at the height of
2300m. Drive back to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel(Yerevan).
Day 3. Yerevan-Khor Virap-Areni-Noravank-Yerevan (250 km)
Breakfast at the hotel. First trip to Khor Virap(4-18th centuries) Monastery Complex, the importance of which is connected with Gregory the Illuminator, due to whom Armenia adopted Christianity as a state religion. On the way to Khor Virap Monastery you can enjoy the spectacular view of the sacred Ararat Mountain - an immortal symbol of Armenia. Then you will continue the excursion to Noravank(13-14thcenturies) Moanstery Complex situated among amazing sheer rocks on the bank of a twisty gorge. Near the Moanstery you will visit Chalcolithic pit in the cave of Areni, where you will get acquainted with the latest archeological discoveries in the territoty of Armenia. A 6000 years old winery have been found in this cave. Archeologists have unearthed the oldest wine-making facility, using biochemical techniques to identify a dry red vintage of the winery. In the same cave an international group of archeologists have discovered the world's oldest leather shoe. The 5500 years-old shoe was perfectly preserved in a cool and dry condition. On your way back you will visit Areni Church(14th century) situated in the same-name village. The village of Areni is also famous for its excellent wine, which you are welcome to taste. Return to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel(Yerevan).
Day 4. Yerevan-Garni-Geghard-Yerevan (80 km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Visiting History Museum of Armenia, where you will get acquainted with the large collection of materials connected with history of Armenia and ancient eastern countries in the Armenian Highland. Drive to Garni Temple(1stA.D.) which is the only "witness" of Hellenistic Epoch in the territory of CIS. After numerous earthquakes the temple got into ruins and only in in the 20th century it was reconstructed. Garni Temple is dedicated to Mithra, the God of Sun. Continue the tour to Gegard Monastery Complex (12-13thcenturies). The Monastery was initially known as Ayrivank (Cave Monastery). The name refers to the biblical lance with which a Roman soldier pierced Christ's body. Hundreds of Khachkars and caves are built in the rocks surrounding the Monastery. Geghard Monastery and the Upper Azat Valley are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Return to Yerevan with stop at the Charents's Arch. It is from here that one of the greatest Armenian poets of the 20th century admired the view of the double-peaked Ararat. Here you can enjoy the his poems dedicated to ARARAT: (Pass the whole world, there's no summit as white as that of ARARAT, Like glory road, unreachable, I love as well my Mount Massis). Return to hotel. Overnight at the hotel(Yerevan).
Day 5. Yerevan-Lake Sevan-Dilijan-Haghpat-Meeting at Sadakhlo border-Tbilisi (340 km)
Early departure from Yerevan to the "Armenian Pearl" - Lake Sevan which is the 2nd high-altitude lake in the world with its sweet and astonishingly blue water. Drive to the town of Dilijan which is one of the famous resorts in Armenia. People say, "If Paradise had mountains, woods, and mineral springs, it would be just like Dilijan". Continue the tour to the Monastery Complex of Haghpat (976 AD) which is among the outstanding works of the medieval Armenian architecture and is inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list. Drive to Armenian -Georgian border Sadachlo. Border formalities. Guide and transport change. Transfer to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Breakfast at the hotel. First trip to Khor Virap(4-18th centuries) Monastery Complex, the importance of which is connected with Gregory the Illuminator, due to whom Armenia adopted Christianity as a state religion. On the way to Khor Virap Monastery you can enjoy the spectacular view of the sacred Ararat Mountain - an immortal symbol of Armenia. Then you will continue the excursion to Noravank(13-14thcenturies) Moanstery Complex situated among amazing sheer rocks on the bank of a twisty gorge. Near the Moanstery you will visit Chalcolithic pit in the cave of Areni, where you will get acquainted with the latest archeological discoveries in the territoty of Armenia. A 6000 years old winery have been found in this cave. Archeologists have unearthed the oldest wine-making facility, using biochemical techniques to identify a dry red vintage of the winery. In the same cave an international group of archeologists have discovered the world's oldest leather shoe. The 5500 years-old shoe was perfectly preserved in a cool and dry condition. On your way back you will visit Areni Church(14th century) situated in the same-name village. The village of Areni is also famous for its excellent wine, which you are welcome to taste. Return to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel(Yerevan).
Day 4. Yerevan-Garni-Geghard-Yerevan (80 km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Visiting History Museum of Armenia, where you will get acquainted with the large collection of materials connected with history of Armenia and ancient eastern countries in the Armenian Highland. Drive to Garni Temple(1stA.D.) which is the only "witness" of Hellenistic Epoch in the territory of CIS. After numerous earthquakes the temple got into ruins and only in in the 20th century it was reconstructed. Garni Temple is dedicated to Mithra, the God of Sun. Continue the tour to Gegard Monastery Complex (12-13thcenturies). The Monastery was initially known as Ayrivank (Cave Monastery). The name refers to the biblical lance with which a Roman soldier pierced Christ's body. Hundreds of Khachkars and caves are built in the rocks surrounding the Monastery. Geghard Monastery and the Upper Azat Valley are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Return to Yerevan with stop at the Charents's Arch. It is from here that one of the greatest Armenian poets of the 20th century admired the view of the double-peaked Ararat. Here you can enjoy the his poems dedicated to ARARAT: (Pass the whole world, there's no summit as white as that of ARARAT, Like glory road, unreachable, I love as well my Mount Massis). Return to hotel. Overnight at the hotel(Yerevan).
Day 5. Yerevan-Lake Sevan-Dilijan-Haghpat-Meeting at Sadakhlo border-Tbilisi (340 km)
Early departure from Yerevan to the "Armenian Pearl" - Lake Sevan which is the 2nd high-altitude lake in the world with its sweet and astonishingly blue water. Drive to the town of Dilijan which is one of the famous resorts in Armenia. People say, "If Paradise had mountains, woods, and mineral springs, it would be just like Dilijan". Continue the tour to the Monastery Complex of Haghpat (976 AD) which is among the outstanding works of the medieval Armenian architecture and is inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list. Drive to Armenian -Georgian border Sadachlo. Border formalities. Guide and transport change. Transfer to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 6. Tbilisi tour (100km)
Drive to
Mtskheta (UNESCO Heritage Site), an ancient capital of the Georgian Kingdom
from the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD. Jvari Monastery (6th c.);
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral built in the 11th century. Drive to Tbilisi.
Sightseeing tour of evening Tbilisi. Metekhi Church (13th c.); Old Tbilisi;
Sulfur Baths; Narikala Fortress (4th c.); Sioni (13th c.) and Anchiskhati
Churches (6th c.); Trinity Cathedral (the 2nd ML). Overnight at the hotel(Tbilisi).
Day 7. Tbilisi - Telavi - Sighnaghi - Tbilisi (250km)
After
breakfast drive to east Georgia. Today we will make Wine tasting Tour in
Kakheti region. We'll visit Tsinandali Wine cellar and Al. Chavchavadze house
museum (entrance fee: from USD 3 to USD 12, with 6 sorts of wine tasting).
Sightseeing tour of Telavi. It's the main city and administrative center of
Kakheti. First archaeological findings from Telavi date back to Bronze Age.
Excursion to the residence of the King Erekle the II (entrance fee: USD 1, 70).
Alaverdi Monastery, date back to the 6th century. The present day surviving
cathedral is part of an 11th century Georgian Orthodox monastery. Visit Gremi,
the 16th century architectural monument - the royal citadel and the Church of
the Archangels - in Kakheti. Afterwards visit Bodbe monastery. On June 1,
Orthodox Church of Georgia marks the day of St. Nino's entrance from
Cappadocia. Her tomb is still shown at the Bodbe Monastery in Kakheti region.
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. Afterwards drive to Sighnaghi, Love town. Sighnaghi town-museum
is one of the smallest ones in Georgia. Sighnaghi is famous of wine and
traditional carpets. Drive back to Tbilisi. Overnight at the hotel(Tbilisi).
Day 8. Tbilisi - Gori - Tbilisi (160km)
After
breakfast drive to Gori. The city was founded by one of the greatest kings of
Georgia, David the Builder (1089-1125). On the way visit, an 11th century
Georgian Orthodox cathedral. The first monastery on this place was founded by
the Assyrian missionary Isidore in 572 and later rebuilt in the 10th century.
Visit The Joseph Stalin Museum in Gori (entrance fee: USD 6). Afterwards visit
Uplistsikhe (entrance fee: USD 1, 70), "the lord's fortress", which
is an ancient rock-hewn town in eastern Georgia. Built on a high rocky left
bank of 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. Back to Tbilisi. Overnight at the hotel(Tbilisi).
Day 9. Tbilisi - Kazbegi - Tbilisi (300km)
In the
morning drive to Kazbegi. On the way visit Ananuri Castle and Jinvali water
reservoir. Afterwards drive to Gergeti trinity church. To rich the church we
can trek,that takes 2 hours one way or take jeeps and drive the Trinity Church.
Afterwards drive to Dariali gorge to Georgian Russian border. (NOTE: to drive
to Dariali Gorge or Trinity Church we need 4X4 cars, and in case of the group
travel, when group is travelling by bus, we can rent 4X4 cars on the spot and
price is USD 15 per person to drive both sights). Drive to Tbilisi. Overnight at the hotel(Tbilisi).
Day 10.
Transfer to the airport. Day 10.
Departure home.
Rates in Euro in 3* hotel
(city center)
per person in DBL/Twin room occupancy for: 1000 Euro
Single Supplement: 200 Euro
per person in DBL/Twin room occupancy for: 1000 Euro
Single Supplement: 200 Euro
The rates include:
5 x overnights in hotel in Yerevan
5 x overnights in hotel in Tbilisi
Transfers airport / hotel / airport
Transportation as per program
English speaking Cultural tour guide for main program Minimum participant 2 pax
German, Italian, French, Spanish speaking guide min. 6 pax
Meal plan BB: (breakfast at the hotel)
1 bottle of mineral water per day/per person
The rates do not include:
Air fare
Travel insurance
Lunches and dinners
Entrance fees
Optional visits
Armenia visa fee 3.000 AMD ~ 7 Euro
Alcoholic beverages except described
