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Treasures of Caucasus: Armenia and Georgia

11 days/ 10 nights

Armenia and Georgia are the pearls of Caucasus, places that need to be visited to feel the warmth of the Caucasian nations !

DAY BY DAY

day 1
Day 1: Arrival
15 minutes 15 kms.

Departure from home country. Arrival to Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight.

day 2
Day 2: City tour in Yerevan - Etchmiadzin – Brandy Factory
10:00-17:00 80 kms.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will meet your guide and have a city tour in Yerevan. During the city tour, you will see the most beautiful sights in Yerevan, like The Republic Square, where you may see the stone carpet right in the middle, hiding history of 3000 years underneath, and the Opera and Ballet Theatre, projected by the architect of Yerevan Aleksander Tamanyan.

Afterwards you will admire the enchanting panorama of Yerevan and the biblical Mount Ararat from the top of Cascade Monument, visit the Cafesjian Museum of Modern Arts and Mother Armenia Monument.

Also, you will visit the Genocide memorial to get closer to one of the saddest pages of the Armenian history.

Drive to Ejmiadzin Cathedral – one of the first Christian buildings and the religious centre for all the Armenians in the world, constructed when Armenia officially adopted Christianity as a state religion in 301.

Drive back to Yerevan to visit one of the most famous sights in Yerevan – The Brandy Factory to taste two types of excellent Armenian cognacs. Free time on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/-/-) 

day 3
Day 3: Yerevan - Khor Virap - Noravank - Areni - Yerevan
09:00- 17:00 250 kms.

After breakfast at the hotel drive to Khor Virap - the closest point to Mount Ararat. Khor Virap was built as a prison and served as such for the first Armenian Catholicos Gregori Illuminator for his attempt to spread Christianity in pagan Armenia. After 14 years of imprisonment, he was freed and Armenia the first in the world adopted Christianity as a state religion.

Drive to Noravank Monastery (13-14th cc) – a complex with a two-floor church, which is standing in between red cliffs. The existence of the second floor describes the way to God, but the way back is a lot harder. Noravank Monastic Complex belongs to the 13-14th centuries.

On the way back to Yerevan, you will visit Areni Wine factory, to taste one of the best Armenian wines. The oldest winery in the world was discovered in this area (6000 years). Drive back to Yerevan. Free time on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/-/-)

day 4
Day 4: History Museum of Armenia- Garni – Geghard – Yerevan
11:00-17:00 100 kms.

After enjoying the breakfast at the hotel, you will be transported to the History Museum of Armenia and a whole new world will open in front of you during this tour.

Afterwards, you will lead your way to the Garni Pagan Temple (1st century AD), the only Hellenistic temple existing nowadays in Caucasus. It has Parthenon-type structure with 24 pillars, which means the 24 hours of the day. Free time for lunch.

Next stop will be one of the most amazing Monasteries in Armenia – Geghard, listed as UNESCO World Heritage. There is a myth about the healing source inside the church, according to which, it can cure any sickness even when you drink a sip of it. Geghard Monastery is the best place to sing spiritual songs, because of its acoustics.

Then you will drive back to Yerevan. Free time on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/-/-)

day 5
Day 5: Yerevan - Sevan - Goshavank - Haghartsin - Dilijan
09:00-17:00 160 kms.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to the lake Sevan, which is the second highest freshwater lake in the world. Reaching the peninsula of Sevan, you may climb the stairs to Sevanavank Monastery (4-9th century) and enjoy the view to the blue-eyed lake from above the hill.

Moving to the North, passing through a tunnel you will appear in a quite different landscape, reaching Dilijan, another health resort in Armenia, famous for its humidity and forests.

Then you will visit Goshavank Monastery, situated in Gosh village on a green hill, which was founded in the 12th century and used to be an educational center.

Drive to the wonderful Haghartsin monastery (10th century). Short tour in Dilijan and free time on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Dilijan. (B/-/-)

day 6
Day 6: Dilijan - Sanahin - Haghpat - Tbilisi
09:00 - 15:00 240 kms.

Breakfast at the hotel, check-out. You will lead your way to the amazing Sanahin and Haghpat Monasteries (10th century), listed as UNESCO Cultural Heritage.

After a tour in this wonderful area, you will be transported to the Armenia-Georgia border to continue your trip. Customs procedures, change the guide and the driver. Drive to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi. (B/-/-)

day 7
Day 7: City tour in Tbilisi
10:00 – 19:00

Breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards have Tbilisi city tour. Founded by Vakhtang Gorgasali, the Georgian King of Kartli (Iberia) and made into a capital in the 6th century, Tbilisi is a significant industrial, social, and cultural centre. Tour includes following sightseeing: Metekhi Church, erected on the cliff, overlooking the Mtkvari River; the famous Sulfur Baths, also located in Old Tbilisi, on the other side of the river.

In the same district, we lift up by cableway on Narikala Fortress. Called the mother fortress of Tbilisi, Narikala is an ancient symbol of city’s defence. It was established in the 4th century, around the period when the city itself was founded.

Visit Meidani square and walk on Shardeni Street with its fashionable, cosy cafes and art galleries, passing along the Sioni Cathedral and Anchiskhati Basilica.

Afterwards, visit the national museum of Tbilisi and explore the wonderful golden treasure of Georgia. Then the tour takes you to Rustaveli Avenue, where attractions such as the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet theatre, Rustaveli Theatre, different art galleries and cafes will draw your attention and provide a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Overnight in Tbilisi. (B/-/-)

day 8
Tag 8: Tbilisi - Mzcheta - Uplisziche - Gudauri

After breakfast drive to Mtskheta, UNESCO world heritage site and former capital of Georgia. Excursion includes visit to “Jvari Church” or Holy Cross Church – Built in the VI century, it is placed on the hill overlooking the conflux of the two rivers and “Svetitskhoveli Cathedral”. The Cathedral was built in XI century and became a cradle of Christianity in Georgia. The holy robe of Jesus Christ, which was buried here, makes the Cathedral the most important place of the country.

Afterwards drive to Gori. The city was founded by one of the greatest kings of Georgia, David the Builder (1089–1125). Visit the Joseph Stalin Museum. Afterwards visit Uplistsikhe, "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.

Finally drive to Gudauri. Dinner and overnight in Gudauri. (B/-/-)

day 9
Day 9: Gudauri - Kazbegi - Ananuri - Tbilisi
10:00 – 20:00 200 kms.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we drive to Kazbegi. A stunning drive from Gudauri along the Tergi River will bring us to Stepantsminda – the main town in the region.

From the centre we drive by 4X4 cars through beautiful valleys and woodlands to visit Gergeti Trinity Church located at 2170m. You may observe one of the highest glaciers in the Caucasus – Mt Kazbegi (5047m).

Drive to Tbilisi, on the way visit the Ananuri fortress from the 17 century. Finally drive to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi. (B/-/-)

day 10
Day 10: Tbilisi - Sighnaghi - Gremi - Tsinandali - Tbilisi
10:00 – 21:00 360 kms.

After breakfast drive to visit Sighnaghi “city of love”. Excursion in the city, that stands on the ruined fortress (2.5 km length of the walls), with towers and entrances of the XVIII century, which is still preserved. Climbing on any of these tower you can observe stunning beauty of Alazani Valley.

On the way visit the Bodbe monastery of St. Nino in Bodbe; afterwards drive to Gremi monastery complex and visit it. Gremi was the main city of Kakheti region in the middle ages and one of the most important cities on the Silk Road.

Then we drive to Tsinandali and visit house museum of Prince Aleksandre Chavchavadze, with beautiful garden and wine cellar. Alexander Chavchavadze inherited this village, lying in the Alazany River valley, from his father, Prince Garsevan. He refurbished the estate, constructed a new Italianate palace and built a decorative garden in 1835. It was the place where Chavchavadze frequently entertained foreign guests with music, wit, and – most especially – the fine vintages made at his estate winery (marani). Familiar with European ways, Chavchavadze built Georgia’s oldest and largest winery where he combined European and centuries-long Georgian winemaking traditions. The highly regarded dry white Tsinandali is still produced there. Finally drive to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.

day 11
Day 11: Transfer to the airport. Departure.

According to the flight time, transfer to the airport. Departure.

Inclusions/Exclusions
Payment Terms
Cancellation Policy
Accomodation
The price includes:
  • 4 overnights at the hotel in Yerevan
  • 1 overnight at the hotel in Dilijan
  • 4 overnights in Tbilisi
  • 1 overnight in Gudauri
  • Transportation according to the itinerary
  • Transfers (airport-hotel)
  • All breakfasts
  • 1 dinner in Gudauri
  • English –speaking guide throughout the program
  • One bottle of water per person per day
  • Entrance fees
  • 4X4 cars in Kazbegi
  • Wine tastings at the factories, mentioned in the program
The price excludes:
  • Flight tickets and visa fee
  • Tips and portage
  • Lunches and dinners, except mentioned in the inclusions
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Insurance
  • Services, not mentioned in the inclusions
  • 40% of the package price shall be paid to the Tour Operator 21 days prior to the arrival
  • 60% of the package price shall be paid to the Tour Operator 7 days prior to the arrival
  • If at the moment of arrival the package price is not fully credited to the Tour Operator account, the Tour Operator reserves the right to suspend the contract.
  • The amount shall be transferred to the Tour Operator Bank Account.
  • In case of cancellation the below fees apply
  • 21 days or more prior to arrival date – Free of charge
  • 20-7 days – 40% of the package price will be charged
  • 6-1 days – 70% of the package price will be charged
  • On departure date 90% of the package price will be charged
  • Armenia
  • Shirak Hotel 3*, or similar
  • Diamond House 4*, or similar
  • Grand Hotel Yerevan 5*, or similar
  • Haghartsin Hotel 3*, or similar
  • Best Western Paradise 4*, or similar
  • Dilijan Resort 5*, or similar
  • Georgia
  • Hotel Tiflis 3*, or similar
  • Astoria Tbilisi 4*, or similar
  • Radisson Blu Iveria 5*, or similar
  • Alpina 3*, or similar
  • Gudauri Inn 4*, or similar

FAQ

Here we have collected and answered the most frequently asked questions about this tour.
Visa Regulation

In order to check the visa regulations for your country of origin, we recommend you to follow the below given link to get more information on visa requirements before your trip:

https://www.mfa.am/en/visa/

 

What is the Currency in Armenia?

The national currency of Armenia is ‘dram,’ which is a word from the 12 century with Greek origin meaning ‘money’. Dram was actually first issued in 1993. There are both coin denominations and banknotes. The coin denominations come in 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 coins. The banknotes exist in the following denominations: 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 50,000 and 100,000.

What is the Exchange Rate in Armenia?

The current exchange rate for dollar and dram is approximately the following: 1 USD = 483 AMD (Armenian Dram), 1 EUR = 553 EUR.

1000 AMD = 2.08 USD; 5,000 AMD = 10.41 USD; 10,000 AMD = 20.81 USD; 20,000 AMD = 41.62 USD; 50,000 AMD = 104.06 USD; 100,000 AMD = 208.12 USD

1000 AMD = 1.8 EUR; 5,000 AMD = 9.04 EUR; 10,000 AMD = 18.08 EUR; 20,000 AMD = 36.16 EUR; 50,000 AMD = 90.41 EUR; 100,000 AMD = 180.83 EUR

What Money Should You Take With You in Armenia?

You can easily bring cash in Rubles, euros or dollars. The money exchange stops are very easy to find. It is also important to have some small denominations on you, such as 1,000 drams and/or some coins, they come in handy when using transport buying water or something else especially in the regions and small towns.

What is the weather like in Armenia?

Armenia’s climate is very unique and distinct due to many factors. The summers in Armenia can be very hot with a temperature ranging from 28-35° C (83-95° F) and the winters are moderately cold, with a temperature ranging from 5-7° C (23 to 19° F). Rains are not very common in Armenia and as a result the humidity in the air is quite low. All of this is due to the fact that the country is located in the mountains and has a very small portion that is located below 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) above sea level. The temperature in regions is usually slightly lower than in Yerevan, so while traveling to areas in the regions it is better to pack a few warmer clothes than what you are already wearing.

What is The Best Time to Travel to Armenia?

The best season for visiting Armenia and getting the chance to experience its full beauty is from April to October. What concerns the weather, it is quite hot in Armenia during summer with a temperature ranging from 28 – 35 °C and above.