Georgia and Armenia 11-Day Small Group Tour

After a healthy breakfast, we start our day with a visit to  Tsinandali, the Georgian Duke’s residence, surrounded by a beautiful English garden. The Museum and wine cellar once belonged to Prince Chavchavadze, a public figure in the 19th century. We continue to the red-roofed town of Sighnaghi. Take a stroll in the turning and twisting cobbled streets of Sighnaghi made of red bricks and surrounded by defensive walls with 23 towers.

Prince Alexander Chavchavadze’s Tsinandali wine estate was the first in Georgia to use European bottling methods in 1835. Before then, Georgian wines were stored only in clay qvevris. The cellar at his estate still holds the first labeled Georgian wine bottles ever made.

Our next visit is to the Bodbe Convent dedicated to Saint Nino, who brought Christianity to Georgia. Here, an impressive view opens on the towering Caucasus Mountains. In the evening, we will drive to Tbilisi for an overnight stay. 

Included Activities:   

• visit to  Tsinandali
• Sighnaghi city walk
• Bodbe Convent visit

 Hotel in Tbilisi
  Breakfast
9-10 hours

Welcome to the charming city of Tbilisi. We will start at the statue of Vakhtang Gorgasali, the founder of Tbilisi, where an excellent view opens on the old city. We will visit Metekhi Church, and then visit Narikala Fortress to enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the city from the birds’ flight. We will walk down from Narikala to the sulfur baths, and continue to the only Mosque in Tbilisi.

Beneath Narikala Fortress is a hidden tunnel system built during the Persian occupation in the 17th century. Archaeological surveys show that these tunnels connected the fortress to the sulfur baths below, creating emergency escape routes.

Furthermore, we will take a stroll in the old town full of cafes, wine bars, and souvenir shops, providing a cozy atmosphere.  Some important landmarks are not to be missed: Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica, the clock tower of the famous Rezo Gabriadze Theatre, and the Bridge of Peace, which leads to Rike Park. Be ready for a welcome dinner with a traditional show. 

Included Activities:   

• Visit statue Vakhtang Gorgasali 
• Mosque in Tbilisi
• Visit old town 

 Hotel in Tbilisi
  Breakfast
4-5 hours

After breakfast, drive to Mtskheta. Mtskheta is one of the oldest towns and also  the cultural and religious center of Georgia. Mtskheta was the capital of the Eastern Georgian Kingdom of Iberia from the third century BC. Visit Jvari, a true architectural masterpiece of the early Medieval Period built on a hilltop. You will enjoy the views of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, the main cathedral of Mtskheta, and a sacred place where the robe of Christ is being kept. Continue to Ananuri Complex, a beautiful church and fortress nested on the shore of Zhinvali Reservoir. Continue driving on Georgian Military Highway passing through the highest point of it at 2394 m above sea level. En route, make a stop at the mineral water spring flowing down from a hilltop. Then we will stop at Kazbegi, a small town with views of Mt. Kazbek, seventh highest peak of the Caucasus Mountains. Visit Gergeti Holy Trinity Church located at an altitude of 2170 and enjoy breathtaking views of Mt Kazbegi. Overnight at the hotel in Kazbegi.

Included Activities:   

• Visit Jvari
• Ananuri Complex visit
• Kazbegi visit

 Hotel in Kazbegi
  Breakfast
7-8 hours

In the morning we will have breakfast and drive to Joseph Stalin’s hometown of Gori. Visit the Stalin House Museum, which includes more than 60,000 artifacts, a well preserved small house, where Stalin was born and lived is located in the museum yard along with an impressive bulletproof train that Stalin used to travel to Yalta and Potsdam. After we continue Explore the cave town of Uplistsikhe, which dates to the Hellenistic Period and it is a unique combination of various styles of rock-cut architecture, including both pagan and Christian. In the evening we reach Tbilisi. Overnight at the hotel.

Included Activities:   

• Visit the Stalin House Museum
• Visit cave town of Uplistsikhe

 Hotel in Tbilisi
  Breakfast
8-9 hours

In southern Georgia, near the town of Akhaltsikhe, lies Vardzia, a 12th-century cave monastery complex that stretches over 500 meters along the cliffs of Erusheti Mountain. The complex includes 19 levels of tunnels, chapels, wine cellars, and a rock-carved church decorated with frescoes. It shows the architectural skill of Georgia’s medieval kingdom. Vardzia gives a clear view of monastic life shaped into the mountainside.

After breakfast at the hotel, we check out from our hotel in Tbilisi and take a drive to the Georgia – Armenia border. After passing the border we switch the Georgian car and guide to Armenian and continue to  Haghpat Monastery of the 12th century, a UNESCO World Heritage site standing on the high plateau. After that, we will continue our tour to another World Heritage site, Sanahin Monastery. This monastery was an educational center, as many monasteries of Armenia in the middle ages. There is a well preserved library, and study halls along with the monastery. Later we will continue our road to the Tavush region. Locals call Dilijan an Armenian Switzerland, for its lush forests and endless hills. In Dilijan, we will walk the Old Dilijan Complex,  where you can see 19th-century traditional Dilijan.

Included Activities:   

• Visit Haghpat Monastery 
• Visit Sanahin Monastery
• Visit Old Dilijan Complex

 Hotel in Dilijan 
  Breakfast
7-8 hours

We will start the day by driving to Noratus Cemetery. This cemetery holds the largest amount of cross stones, distinctive Armenian monuments feature intricately carved stones adorned with traditional Armenian ornaments. Noratus is home to the largest amount of medieval gravel stones depicting Armenian traditional rituals. Our next stop is Hayravanq Monastery where you can see beautiful architecture of 10-12 centuries. From here we admire an indescribable view of Sevan Lake.

Lake Sevan in Armenia sits at an elevation of 1,900 meters above sea level and is one of the world’s largest freshwater high-altitude lakes. Its ecosystem supports many species found only in the area, offering beautiful views that make it a popular place to visit.

After all, you will have lunch in an Armenian family, where, besides having homemade lunch, you have a chance to chat with friendly locals and get to know Armenian hospitality.

Included Activities:   

• Visit Noratus Cemetery
• Visit Hayravanq Monastery
• Lunch in an Armenian family

 Hotel in Yerevan 
  Breakfast, lunch
7-8 hours

This day is dedicated to the capital city of Yerevan and the city of Echmiadzin. Our first stop is Zvartnots Temple, another UNESCO Site. The temple is a unique structure that summarizes the centuries-old features of Armenian architecture.

Armenian scholars and architects believe the dome design of Zvartnots influenced 10th-century Byzantine restoration efforts at Hagia Sophia. The ring-dome technique used at Zvartnots improved earthquake resistance and was studied by Greek architects at the time.

We will then continue our tour to Echmiadzin, the spiritual center of Armenians worldwide. Visit Echmiadzin Cathedral, considered the world’s first Christian church, built in 301 AD. Continuing to Saint Hripsime Church of the 7th century. In the evening, we will return to Yerevan. In Yerevan, we will begin our city tour at the Mother Armenia statue, from which the best view of the city opens up.  Later we will continue to walk in the city, and visit Cascade Monument a huge staircase connecting the city’s upper and lower parts with museums and galleries inside and lots of artworks alongside the park. We continue to the Opera House, Abovian Street, with its small, tiny houses from the 19th century, Northern Avenue, the ambitious project of Alexander Tamanian, the architect of Yerevan, and the Republic Square, ending with spectacular buildings and dancing fountains. Overnight at the hotel.

Included Activities:   

• Zvartnots Temple visit
• Visit Echmiadzin Cathedral
• Visit Cascade Monument
• Visit the Opera House 
• Visit Republic Square

 Hotel in Yerevan 
  Breakfast
8 hours

We will drive to Khor Virap Monastery, the best viewpoint on Biblical Mount Ararat. On the hilltop, the ruins and excavations of Artashat, the capital of ancient Armenia in the 2nd century BC, are preserved. Here in the city walls there’s a prison, where Saint Gregory was imprisoned for 13 years for spreading Christianity in Armenian in the late 3rd century. The 7 m deep well, the prison is available for visits. Enjoy the best-ever view of Mount Ararat from hand’s reach. We will continue to another jewel of Armenian Spiritual Architecture, Noravank Monastery amidst the ref cliff valley. Then we will go to Areni 1 Cave where the oldest shoe, wine press, clay pots and vine seeds were excavated, proving Armenia’s winemaking traditions. Then we will go to Old Areni winery where you can taste Armenian delicious wines. 

Included Activities:   

• Visit Khor Virap Monastery
• Visit Noravank Monastery
• Visit Areni 1 Cave

 Hotel in Yerevan
  Breakfast
8-9 hours

Morning off to Garni Pagan Temple, which is dedicated to Mihr, the Armenian god of the sun. This Rectangular Columnized Hellenistic structure was built in the 1st century AD. The temple stands on an impressive triangle plateau surrounded by a deep gorge and impressive mountains on 3 sides. Here, some parts of the fortress’s mighty walls are well preserved, as well as a Roman-style bath with a mosaic floor. After Garni, we will continue to see well-known and beautiful natural monuments of Armenia – the Symphony of Stones. It is said that this natural monument is the result of the collapse of volcanic rocks. This is one of the must-see places in Armenia.

Then we continue to Geghard Cave Monastery, which got its name from the Holy Spear (Geghard) kept here. Geghard amazes with its cave churches, carved into a single cliff. After all, we will go to Yerevan, where we can visit Vernissage, an open-air market, where local artisans sell handmade souvenirs. Chat with the artist and select your favorite souvenir as a keepsake from your Armenia tour.

While visiting the Garni Temple, visitors may hear a traditional duduk performance. This soulful woodwind instrument from Armenia is recognized by UNESCO. Its haunting melodies fill the colonnaded space and deepen the spiritual and historical atmosphere of the ancient pagan site.

Included Activities:   

• Visit Garni temple 
• Visit Symphony of Stones
• Visit Geghard Cave Monastery
• Visit Vernissage

 Hotel in Yerevan
  Breakfast
8-9 hours

The morning after breakfast, enjoy your time before your flight. Check-out is at noon, if your flight is in the evening you can leave your luggage at the hotel till airport transfer time. Your private airport transfer will be organized for you according to your flight time.

  Breakfast