1st Day.
Meeting in the airport and transfer to Tbilisi hotel.
2nd Day.
Next morning after breakfast drive along the Georgian Military Road to Stefantsminda (Kazbegi). On the way visit Ananuri fortress (XVII-XVI c), Gudauri Ski resort, drive along Cross Pass (2395m above sea level), on the way stop and taste sour mineral spring water. Arrival at Stefantsminda (Kazbegi). Hike to Gergeti Trinity monastery (XIV c) - The monastery is located on the top of Gergeti hill (2185m above sea level) from there you can have a spectacular view to Mt. Kazbegi (5047m above sea level). Drive to Dariali Gorge and visit Gveleti's waterfall. Return and stay overnight in Stefantsminda (Kazbegi).
3rd Day.
After breakfast, drive to Kutaisi. On the way visit city Gori - Stalin's birthplace and his house-museum, tour to Uflistsikhe the oldest cave town in Georgia (II-I millennium BC). Visit village Surami and taste famous Surami's Nazuki (sweet bread made of honey and milk). Drive through Rikoti Pass and visit village Shrosha, tour in pottery, where you can see how Georgian earthenware and wine jugs are made. Arrival to Kutaisi and stay overnight in Kutaisi.
4th Day.
Next morning after breakfast, start Kutaisi tour, visit Old Town, Bagrati Cathedral, and Gelati monastery and academy complex (X-XIII cc. UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites). Visit Prometheus caves. After Kutaisi sightseeing, drive to Svaneti, mountain region of Georgia. On the way to Mestia, visit Okatse and Martvili’s canyons, Enguri Dam and water reservoir. Several stop for pictures on the way to Mestia. Arrival and overnight in Mestia.
5th Day.
After breakfast, drive to Coruldi Lake. After Coruldi, drive to Chalaadi and walk to Chalaadi glacier.
Stay overnight in Mestia.
6th Day.
After breakfast, drive to Ushguli – one of the highest settlement in Europe (2200m above sea level). Historical monument of Ushguli belongs to UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites (Svan towers IX-XIII cc). Visit unique streets of Ushguli and its sightseeing. View to Mt. Shkhara (the highest Mt. in Georgia 5201m above sea level). Walk to Shkhara glacier. Return and overnight in Mestia.
7th Day.
Next morning after breakfast, drive to Borjomi. On the way to Borjomi, visit Nobles Dadiani Palace. Arrival to Borjomi and taste famous Borjomi's mineral water, short walk in Borjomi's park. Stay overnight in Borjomi.
8th Day.
After breakfast in the hotel, drive to Akhaltsikhe to visit Rabati Fortress (XVII-XVIII c.). Next visit Khertvisi Fortress (III-II c. BC). Arrival to Vardzia and visit the biggest caves city in Georgia (XI-XIII c). Drive to Bavra, Georgia-Armenian border. Change transport and guide. Start Armenia part of the tour and drive to Gyumri - Museum of National Architecture and Urban Life. Visit Sanahin monastery. Overnight in Alaverdi.
9th Day.
Next morning after breakfast, drive to the Monastery of Haghpat dating back to the 10th century. It is a perfect example of medieval Armenian architecture. Being astonishingly well preserved with its frescoes, “lace” stone-crosses, inscriptions and bas-relieves, with Sanahin monastery its became the first Armenian architectural monument to be included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. As we have mentioned above the Haghpat monastery has a unique architectural style and has a lot of resemblance with the Sanahin monastery. This is explained by the fact that these two churches belong to the same epoch and maybe these were built by the architects of the same architectural school. Tour Continues to Haghartsin Monastery complex dramatically located among picturesque mountains covered with dense forest. Tour continues to Lake Sevan, which is 2000m above sea. Trip includes visit Sevanavank too, located on the peninsula of Sevan. Departure for Etchmiadzin town - the residence of the Supreme Catholicos of all Armenians and the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Etchmiadzin means “The Descent of the Only Begotten Son and is one of the ancient capitals of Armenia. Etchmiadzin Cathedral - the oldest state-built church in the world. According to the legend, Jesus Christ descended from heaven and indicated the spot for a church to be built. The construction of the church began in 301, the year when Armenia became the first state in the world to adopt Christianity as a state religion. On the way, we visit Saint Hripsime - the oldest surviving church in Armenia. These churches listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Proceed to the Zvartnots temple ruins. The architectural masterpiece of Zvartnots was built between the years 641 and 662. It was damaged by the earthquake in 10th century and unearthed nearly thousand years later in 1900-1907. Overnight in Yerevan.
10th Day.
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Khor Virap, which is translated into Armenian as a Deep Pit. Here in the deep pit St. Gregory the Illuminator was kept imprisoned for 13 years. But after curing the king from a grave malady he was set free and persuaded the kind to adopt Christianity as a state religion (301A.D.). It is situated in the Araratvalley against the Biblical MountArarat, were Noah's arch cast anchor. You will have a great opportunity to take pictures and enjoy unrepeatable view of MountArarat. Continue to the monastery complex of Noravank (V-XII cc), erected on a breathtaking site, on brick-red cliffs of Amaghucanyon. It has reach decoration both in internal and in external parts. On your way to Noravank your will see beautiful colorful mountains and landscapes. En route to Noravank visit Areni Wine factory for wine tasting made of local grape types.
11th Day.
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to pagan Temple of Garni (1st c. A.D.), which is a vivid example of Hellenistic culture on the territory of Armenia. Here the ruins of a bath (3rd c. B.C) and a palace (2nd c. B.C.) can be seen. Garni is located on a deep canyon of Azat river. One can enjoy a panoramic view over the river gorge. Proceed to the cave monastery of Geghard. The spear, which the roman soldier killed Jesus Christ, was kept here and hence the name of the monastery was taken (Geghard means Holy Spear). This prominent work of architecture, partially carved in the rock, is listed in the UNESCO world heritage list. Then we will make a Yerevan city tour.
Drive to Yerevan railway station for departure to Tbilisi, by night train. Departure time 21:30.
12th Day.
Arrival from Yerevan to Tbilisi by night train at 07:50, meeting in railway station and start Tbilisi tour. Visit multinational old town; Metekhi church (XIII c), Narikala fortress (V c), mosque, Bath district with sulpha bathes (XVII-XVIII c), old synagogue (XIX c), visit old Karvasla (Caravanserai XVI c), Sioni Cathedral (XII c), modern glass decorated Bridge Of Peace, tour to Anchiskhati church (the oldest Orthodox Church in Tbilisi VI c), Catholic Church (XIX c). After tour to old capital of Georgia (Iberia) Mtskheta, (historical monuments of Mtskheta belong to UNESCO's World Heritage sites). Visit SvetitskhoveliCathedral (XI c) and Jvari monastery (VI c). Return to Tbilisi. End of tour.
13th Day.
Next morning after breakfast, drive to Dmanisi and visit the birthplace of the first European. The hominin site is the earliest of its kind outside Africa, dating back to 1.8 Ma. Visit abandoned town Dmanisi (IX c). Next drive to Bolnisi and visit Bolnisi’s Sioni church (V c). Return to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.
14th Day.
After breakfast in the hotel, drive to Wine Region of Georgia – Kakheti. Visit St. Nino’s nunnery in Ninotsminda, Bodbe nunnery were the guests would visit St. Nino’s grave and architectural complex of Bodbe nunnery (IV-XVII cc). Continue to Signagi – Fortified town, also known as City Of Love (XVII c). Return to Tbilisi.
Transfer to Tbilisi airport.
Max traveler 14 people, 568 $ per person.
Price included: