Georgia – Armenia Combined Tour

TBILISI CITY SIGHTSEEING TOUR & MTSKHETA

Explore Tbilisi, the city of ancient culture which has been dominated by traders and warriors, but hasn’t lost its individuality and charm. Take a walk around the old town and breathe in the living past. Visit it’s most important cultural and historical sites.
Then depart to the former capital of Georgia Mtskheta. It is located at the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. Mtskheta, one of the oldest towns in Georgia, has been populated since the second millennium BC. It was the capital of the Eastern Georgian Kingdom of Iberia from the third century BC. It is thought that the name “Mtskheta” comes from the name of the “father of all Georgians, the son of Kartlos, Mtskhetos”. Mtskheta is designated as a living museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel in Tbilisi.

TBILISI / DAVID GAREJA / TELAVI

Explore David Gareja Complex & Semi-Desert, unique for its wild nature, mural masterpieces and rock-cut monasteries. David-Gareja is located in a desert area at the border with Azerbaijan. The very first monastery was founded by St. David, one of the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers who came to Georgia for strengthening Christian faith. The complex consists of thirteen monasteries. Of particular interest are the complexes of Lavra and Udabno. Being the centre of religious and cultural life in the past, today these sites surprise us with their architectural design and unique murals of the 9th – 11th cc. According to the belief, visiting David-Gareja three times can be equaled to a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
Picnic Lunch boxes at a nice spot.
Overnight at the hotel in Telavi.

TELAVI / TBILISI

Explore picturesque and the most fertile part of Georgia – Kakheti, which borders the Great Caucasus range from the north Alazani Valley, summits of which are over 3,000 m. This region is known as a birthplace of viticulture and winemaking. The rich land, burning sun and hard work have developed about 500 varieties of vine in Georgia. The history, culture and lifestyle of Georgians are embodied in Georgian wine. It is a symbol of Georgian hospitality, friendship, tolerance and a key to the mystery of Georgian longevity. Enjoy breathtaking views of Kizikhi area and unusual charm of Signagi Royal Town.
Lunch and dinner at local restaurants.
In the evening return to Tbilisi.
Overnight at the hotel in Tbilisi.

TBILISI / BORDER / HAGHPAT / DILIJAN

Check out from the hotel, transfer to Sadakhlo border. Pass the border and drive to Lori region for the sightseeing of 10th-13th centuries Haghpat historical and architectural monument set amidst forest-clad hills close to the town of Alaverdi (178 kilometers from Yerevan). The monument is preserved by UNESCO and is included in the World Heritage List. Drive to Dilijan.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel in Dilijan.

DILIJAN / HAGHARTSIN / GOSHAVANK / SEVAN

Breakfast at the hotel.
Check out from the hotel and start touring at Dilijan with the sightseeing of Haghartsin Monastery, the refectory of which, built by the architect Minas in 1248, is a structure of a rare composition. Just as Haghpat’s refectory, the structure is divided by pillars into two square-plan parts roofed with a system of intersecting arches. Visit Goshavank monastery.
Drive to Lake Sevan and visit the 9th century Sevan Monastery.
Lunch and dinner at local restaurants.
Overnight at the hotel at Sevan Lake.

SEVAN / NORATUS / HAYRIVANK / SELIM PASS / ZORATS KARER / GORIS

Breakfast at the hotel.
Check out from the hotel. Drive towards Goris via Selim Pass. En route visit Noratus -medieval cemetery with a large number of early khachkars located in the village of Noratus. The cemetery has the largest cluster of khachkars in the republic of Armenia. It is currently the largest surviving cemetery with khachkars. Visit Hayrivank dating to the 9th century. Stop at Selim Caravanseray.
Visit Zorats Karer. The site is located on a rocky promontory near Sisian. About 223 large stone tombs can be found in the area. It was explored by a team of archaeologists from the Institut für Vorderasiatische Archäologie, University of Munich who published their findings in 2000.
Arrive in Goris and check in the hotel.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel in Goris.

GORIS / TATEV / NORAVANK / KHOR VIRAP / YEREVAN

Breakfast at the hotel.
Sightseeing of Old Goris town.
Stop al Halidzor Village to take the longest in the world tramway to the Tatev Monastery. According to historian Stepanos Orbelian, the first church of what later became the mighty walled complex of Tatev was actually built in the 4th century. In the 8th century, it was made the throne of the Syunik bishopric and in the 9th century it expanded becoming a major feudal power. Take the longest in the world tramway, newly build in October 2010.
The tour will on to the 12th century monastery complex of Noravank set in a canyon rich with rare flora. We will also visit Areni wine factory.
Our next visit is to 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.
Arrive in Yerevan.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at a local restaurant in Yerevan.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

YEREVAN / GARNI / GEGHARD / YEREVAN

Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive through the picturesque Avan Canyon, skirting formidable cliffs and passing exotic-looking gorges until a green plateau by the Azat River comes into view. Here, in the harmony of relief and the virgin nature you will see the pagan Garni architectural complex of the 1st century and feel the spirit of ancient ages. Another ten minutes ride through the gorge will take you to the cave monastery of Geghard (12th –13th centuries).
Return to Yerevan.
Afternoon visit to Armenia History Museum.
Lunch at a private house in Garni.
Dinner at a local restaurant in Yerevan.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

YEREVAN / ECHMIADZIN / ST. HRIPSIME CHURCH / ZVARTNOTS TEMPLE / YEREVAN

Breakfast at the hotel.
Full day excursion to Armavir Region: 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.
Return to Yerevan.
Afternoon visit to Matenadaran having a collection of over 16000 ancient manuscripts.
Visit Yerevan Brandy company for the tasting of famous Armenian Cognac.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

ASHTARAK / KARMRAVOR / OHANAVANK / AMBERD / SAGHMOSAVANK / MUGHNI / YEREVAN

Breakfast at the hotel.
Full day excursion to Ashtarak – one of the ancient cities of Armenia. The settlement is full of historical architectural monuments constructed in different periods of time (from II millennium BC to XVIII AD). Here you can visit Karmravor church (VII-XIX) that preserved its original appearance with red tile roofing. The 4th century Ohanavank monastery complex will also be visited. We will see the spectacular and romantic 7th century fortress of Amberd located 2300 meters above sea level beneath the groups of snow-covered Aragats Mountains.
Our next visit is to the 13th century Saghmosavank (founded by St. Gregory the Illuminator) famous for its depository of manuscripts.
Visit Mughni church, with its distinctive striped drum below the conical cupola. It was rebuilt in 1661- 69 by the architects Sahak Khizanetsi and his successor Murat.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

YEREVAN / DEPARTURE

Transfer to the airport for flight back.