Armenia Travel

Types: Cultural-Historical Religious

Period: More than 7 days

Hotel: Ani Plaza

Guaranteed: No

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Day 1
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Tbilisi City Tour and Mtskheta sightseeing

Arrival. Transfer to the hotel in Tbilisi. Journey in Georgia starts with exploring oldest parts of capital city, which has diverse heritage of centuries saved for us at one spot: oldest churches, synagogue, mosque, sulfur baths which have left unforgettable impressions on Duma, Pushkin and Lermontov. Stroll along the city streets with 19th c houses and wooden multi-colored balconies will bring us to main Rustaveli Avenue. We’ll continue our way to ancient capital Mtskheta, which is a home for two UNESCO protected sights- Jvari Monastery located on a hilltop, and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral where the Robe of Christ is claimed to be buried. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 2
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Tbilisi - Ikalto - Telavi - Ikalto

On our way to explore Eastern Georgia, 11- 12th cc Academy of Georgia- Ikhalto and one of the biggest ancient Cathedrals- Alaverdi will expose their histories to us. After we’ll head to the city of Telavi and in case of luck we’ll catch a glimpse of Caucasus range. We will have extensive excursion in famous wine-factory, see the vineyard, explore more about technologies of wine-making and winepreservation in Georgia; we’ll also have wine degustation. Overnight in Ikalto.

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Day 3
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Ikalto - Tsinandali - Sighnaghi

Our journey in Eastern Georgia will continue by visiting 19th c famous Duke and Poet- Chavchavadze’s palace-museum with garden, wine-storage and factory. Afterwards we’ll visit unique, the only double-domed church in Georgia - Gurjaani Kvelatsminda. We’ll be the guests in traditional Georgian family, we’ll see traditional wine-cellar and taste traditional Georgian dishes. Later, we’ll head to Sighnaghi-18th c fortified city which serves as an open air museum after restoration; we’ll also visit Sighnaghi Art Museum, where paintings of one of the most famous Georgian painters- Niko Pirosmani are saved. Overnight in Sighnaghi.

Day 4
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Sighnaghi - Davit Gareji - Tbilisi

Last day in Eastern Part of Georgia will be marked by drive to Davit Gareji cave Monastery complex (6th c) located in a stark, semi-desert landscape. After seeing Lavra monastery, we’ll hike up the rocky and steep hill to see the upper part of the complex called Udabno (desert), it’s wonderful painted caves. Overnight in Tbilisi.

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Day 5
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Border crossing to Armenia. Exploring UNESCO sites of Northern Armenia: Sanahin and Haghpat Monasteries.

Arrive at Georgian-Armenian border at Sadakhlo. Continue to Armenia. We start our exploration of Armenia from the North, Lori Province, a land of forest-covered mountains, dizzy gorges and bubbling rivers. We will visit the two major attractions in these parts - Haghpat and Sanahin monasteries. Both of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The breathtaking location on either side of the canyon and fantastic scenery makes the visit to these sites a truly unforgettable experience! We continue our journey to the beautiful rolling valley framed by the mountains of the Lesser Caucasus. We will explore the resort town of Dilijan located in the midst of the forests of Dilijan National Park. Here we will walk through a museum-street of the town, which still preserves 19-century houses, stopping at a ceramicist’s and woodcarver’s studios. Overnight in Dilijan.

Day 6
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Pearl of Armenia, lake Sevan - Armenia on the Silk Route – Ararat views and exploration of the South

We will visit Goshavank Monastery with intricate cross-stones khachkars created by carver Poghos. We will then drive to the “Pearl of Armenia” – Lake Sevan, which is one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world and the largest lake in Armenia. This fresh-water lake of volcanic origin is situated at an altitude about 1900m above sea level, among snow-covered mountains. If we are lucky we will witness the change of colors. Our trip is full of interesting sites and picturesque scenery. Our road follows the ancient trade route Silk Road. One of its branches passed through Selim pass. We will stop near a 13th century caravanserai, which served as a shelter for merchants. Today this is the best preserved caravanserai in Armenia, overlooking Vayots Dzor mountains from the altitude of 2400 m. Continue to Noravank Monastery with intricate carvings, situated among the freakish plumb rosy cliffs. We pause en route to enjoy wine tasting at the village of Areni which is famous for its red dry wine. We will drive through the Ararat valley towards Khor Virap monastery. Located at the foot of Biblical Mt. Ararat, this complex embodies the adoption of Christianity in Armenia in 301 AD. You will have a chance to descend to the underground chamber, where once Saint Gregory the Illuminator, the first Catholicos of Armenia, was imprisoned. Overnight in Yerevan.

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Day 7
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Yerevan – the capital of Armenia - Matenadaran - Visit Geghard cave monastery and Garni temple – Symphony of Stones.

Today we will have a familiarization tour of the capital. We will see all the major sights of the capital, including the Republic Square, the Opera house, the Cascade where you will see the statue of the world-famous sculptor Fernando Botero “The Black Cat”. We will also pass via Baghramyan Avenue, where you will see the Parliament, the Palace of President, the National Academy of Sciences. The excursion also includes a stop in the Victory Park, at Mother Armenia monument, from where you will behold a panoramic view of the city. The sightseeing includes visit to Matenadaran – the biggest depository of ancient Armenian manuscripts. We will then visit a unique medieval Monastery of Geghard which was included in the list of UNESCO world heritage sites. Some chambers of the monastery were carved out of solid rock and possess exceptional acousics.We will then continue towards Garni village where we will visit a pagan temple from 1st century AD – the only one remaining from pre-Christian period in Armenia. The temple is located on a triangular cape overlooking the deep canyon of Garni. We may explore the beautiful nature of this place and will have a chance to hike through the canyon (1 hour) which is famous for its unique rock formations of basalt pillars, or often called “Symphony of Stones” (*Good physical condition is required).

Day 8
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Holy Echmiadzin, the religious capital of Armenia

We will take a trip to one of the oldest cities of Armenia – Holy Echmiadzin, which is the religious center of Armenia and the residence of the Armenian Catholicos. Visit the Cathedral of Echmiadzin which derives its name from the vision of Saint Gregory the Illuminator. It was here that Jesus Christ descended from Heaven to show where he wanted a church to be built. (*On a Sunday you can listen to the beautiful choir performance of Divine Lithurgy here). After this we will visit the archeological site of Zvartnots Cathedral, which is a masterpiece of Armenian architecture! The area is a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. Transfer to airport.

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