Georgia and Armenia Tour

TBILISI / SIGHNAGHI / KVARELI / TBILISI

After breakfast enter Georgia in the region of Kakheti, the biggest and the most important winemaking region in Georgia, which is famous with its hospitality, delicious food and ancient Georgian technique of winemaking which dates to the 8th century BC and is still used to produce unique organic Qvevri wine. First, we will visit 18th c. Royal town of Sighnaghi, surrounded by the longest defensive wall in the region with 23 towers. Then drive to visit Khareba Winery in Kvareli to enjoy wine tasting in Georgia’s largest wine cellar (7.7 km of tunnels).

MTSKHETA TOUR / KAZBEGI / GUDAURI

After Breakfast explore ancient town of Mtskheta. Visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Jvari Monastery (6th c.) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th c.) Continue journey to the north, along the Georgian Military Highway, into the mountainous provinces of the Greater Caucasus – highest mountain range in Europe. Continue journey via Georgia’s top ski resort — Gudauri (2,100 m.) and Cross Pass (2379 m). Stop for lunch on the way. Arrive in Kazbegi. Change vehicles to 4WD cars- service is supplementary and drive to the 14th century Holy Trinity Church, located at the beautiful solitary spot on the top of the hill, at an elevation of 2170 meters. Enjoy the breathtaking view of snow cowered Mount Kazbeg — extinct volcano which is the third highest mountain of Georgia (5,047m) and one of the most popular destinations for alpinists. Mt. Kazbeg is associated with myth of Prometheus, according to the legend he was chained on the mountain in punishment for having stolen fire from the gods and having given it to mortals. Drive to hotel for check in in Gudauri.

GUDAURI / ANANURI / UPLITSIKHE / GORI / TBILISI

After breakfast transfer to Uplistsikhe cave-town. Make short stop to see incredible fortress Ananuri (16th c.), overlooking Jinvali reservoir. Then drive to Uplistsikhe (“Fortress of Lord”) rock-hewn town (1st Millennium BC), a complex of rock-cut streets, secret tunnels, water passages, markets and the oldest theatre in Georgia. Then visit Stalins Museum and birth house. Drive back to Tbilsi.

TBILISI / SADAKHLO

Transfer to Sadakhlo for border crossing. The day starts with a sightseeing tour to the 10th-13th centuries Haghpat historical and architectural monument, set amidst forest-clad hills close to the town of Alaverdi (178 kilometers from Yerevan). The monuments are preserved by UNESCO and included in the World Heritage List.
Enjoy breathtaking scenery of beautiful Lake Sevan, a popular summer resort and one of the world’s highest fresh-water lakes at just over 6200 feet and for visiting 9th century Sevan Monastery.

YEREVAN / GARNI & GEGHARD / CITY TOUR

In the morning drive east to the magnificent Temple of the Sun at Garni and the legendary Monastery of Spear at Geghard. Explore the mosaic ancient baths and ruins of the royal palace, immerse yourself in the atmosphere of this mythical place and examine remarkable cross stones carved into sheer rock.
Return to Yerevan for visiting Armenia History Museum. Providing an excellent introduction to the history of the city, the museum is an ideal place to start your exploration of Yerevan, new and old. Continue with a walking tour of Yerevan exploring various layers of its history – medieval shrines hidden behind imposing Soviet-style façades, narrow streets of the old center with sunlight playing on its pink walls, Closed Market and Blue Mosque on Mashtots Avenue, Republic Square, Opera House, Cascade and Mother Armenia, Opera House and ambitious projects of independent Armenia – North Avenue and spacious Grigor Lusavorich Cathedral consecrated by His Holiness the Patriarch of All Armenians in the presence of His Holiness Pope John Paul II.

YEREVAN / KHOR VIRAP / ECHMIADZIN / ST. HRIPSIME CHURCH / ZVARTNOTS / AIRPORT

Morning drive to visit Khor / Virap (4th / 17th cc). Khor Virap is one of the romantically sited monasteries in Armenia with views across a bast plain to Turkey and the twin peaks of Mount Ararat. Here, in the atmosphere of historical environment and vivid imagination you will notice the Noah’s Ark in the snows of Ararat.
Continue tour to Echmiadzin – the holy seat of the Supreme Patriarch / Catholicos of all Armenians. The Cathedral was built in 303 on the site of a pagan temple after the adoption of Christianity as a state religion in 301. Visit St. Hripsime Church (7th century). A few kilometers from Echmiadzin there are the ruins of the 7th century AD Temple of Zvartnots.

Transfer to the airport for flight back.
Yerevan — Doha: QR286 EVNDOH 0325/0530

The tour can be organized within any date from March to October.