THE OLDEST CAUCASIAN CIVILISATIONS – GEORGIA & ARMENIA
THE OLDEST CAUCASIAN CIVILISATIONS - GEORGIA & ARMENIA
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DAY 1 – ARRIVAL
Arrival in Tbilisi. Departure to our hotel.
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DAY 2 – TBILISI CITY TOUR
Breakfast, Tbilisi city tour. We’ll see the Old Town and the most important monuments of the city: Narikala fortress, to which we will get to by funicular, allowing us to admire a beautiful panorama of the whole capital; Abanotubani (sulfur bath district); the winding streets of Old Tbilisi; and its most important temples, Sioni cathedral (XVII c.) and the oldest Tbilisi church Anchiskhati (VII c.). Then dinner accompanied by a folklore show, overnight stay in Tbilisi.
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DAY 3 – TBILISI – STEPANTSMINDA – TBILISI
Breakfast, departure from Tbilisi towards the mountains of the Greater Caucasus along the famous Georgian Military Highway, up to the town of Stepantsminda.
This journey will delight with wonderful views of the highest peaks of the Caucasus. Along the way, we’ll visit the picturesque Ananuri fortress located on Lake Jinvali, and take a photo break at a historic lookout point near the ski resort of Gudauri. We’ll then drive to Stepantsminda and ascend by off-road vehicles to the Holy Trinity Church of Gergeti, which is a landmark of the region and entire country. From Gergeti, in good conditions of visibility, we’ll be able to see the peak of Mount Kazbek (5054 m), the second highest in the country. Dinner and overnight stay in Tbilisi.
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DAY 4 – TBILISI – BODBE MONASTERY – SIGNAGI – TBILISI
Breakfast, then departure to the Kakheti region, known as the “land of wine”. We’ll visit the beautiful Bodbe monastery, where St. Nino – the apostle of the Georgian Orthodox Church who brought Christianity to Georgia in the 4th century – is buried. From the monastery there is a stunning view of the Alazani valley, where the best grape varieties are grown. We’ll then drive to city-of-love Signagi, which has been perfectly preserved in its 17th-18th century form. We’ll visit a family-run vineyard, where you can see how Georgian homemade wine is made, and where we’ll enjoy a wine and chacha (Georgian grappa) tasting combined with dinner. Drive to Tbilisi, overnight stay there.
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DAY 5 – TBILISI – MTSKHETA – GORI – TBILISI
Breakfast, then departure to the central part of Georgia. We’ll visit the most important monuments of Georgia, at a place that recalls the beginnings of Christianity: the ancient capital Mtskheta. Mtskheta is the cradle of Christianity in Georgia-it was here that Christianity was adopted as the state religion in the 4th century. We will visit the most important religious buildings from the UNESCO list: Svetitskhoveli cathedral (11th century) and Jvari monastery (6th century).
Next we’ll visit Uplistsikhe – a cave city near the town of Gori and oldest monument and cave dwelling on the territory of Georgia. According to historical sources, the first settlements here are dated to the 2nd millennium BC! The city impresses with an advanced (for those times) infrastructure and a variety of caverns and living quarters. On the way back to Tbilisi, we will visit Chateau Mukhrani, the first chateau in Georgia. Wine tasting, combined with dinner. Overnight stay in Tbilisi.
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DAY 6 – TBILISI – HAGHPAT – SEVAN -YEREVAN
After breakfast we drive to the Armenian border, and proceed through the checkpoint. Along the drive we will visit the Haghpat Monastery (10th century), which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and combines several buildings, including churches, music halls, a library, etc. On the way to Yerevan, we will visit, the lake Sevan. Lake Sevan is the largest and deepest lake in Armenia, and it is located at 1900 m. above sea level. Here we will visit the Sevanavank Monastery (9 century), which was once located on an island and therefore cut off from the rest of the region. Today, the island has turned into a peninsula and visiting the monastery is possible for everyone. Arrival in Yerevan. Dinner and overnight stay in Yerevan.
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DAY 7 – YEREVAN CITY TOUR
Breakfast, Sightseeing of the capital of Armenia.
Yerevan is one of the oldest cities in the Caucasus and the whole world, founded in 782 BC, still serves as the capital and largest city of Armenia. Noteworthy is the city’s central square, Republic Square, where ministries and other government buildings are located. Walking further, you will see the beautiful Opera House and the Cascades. The Yerevan Cascades have 572 stairs, with which you can climb to the top and enjoy the beauty of the city. You can also use an escalator inside the building to get to the top. The interior of the Cascades is used to exhibit contemporary art, and the Cafesjian Art Museum is located here. After a tour of the city centre we will head to the Genocide Museum, a memorial to the victims of the Armenian massacre in the early 20th century. Dinner and overnight in Yerevan.
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DAY 8 – YEREVAN – GARNI – GEGHARD – YEREVAN
Breakfast, departure towards the capital. In the vicinity of Yerevan we visit two unique monuments: the Geghard Monastery, part of which is carved in the rock and the church itself is astonishing with its reliefs and stone ornaments, and the pagan temple of Garni. It is a very interesting monument of Armenian architecture – the only pagan temple, built in classical style in the 1st century A.D., still completely preserved today. The temple named Garni was dedicated to the sun deity Mitra. Next drive to the monastery of Khor Virap, where the Armenian enlightener Saint Gregory was imprisoned for 13 years. The monastery overlooks the peak of Ararat, the holy Armenian mountain. According to legends, Noah’s ark found its haven right here. Drive back to Yerevan, dinner and overnight in Yerevan.
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DAY 9 – TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT
Departure from Yerevan International Airport.
Trip route: approx. 2000 km
Difficulty level: easy
Documents needed: passport
Weather conditions (summer season): in mountain areas approx. +15°C, in lowland areas approx. +25°C
Currency: GEL (Georgian lari), 1 USD = 2,66 GEL. In Armenia - AMD (Armenian drams), I USD = 397 AMD. You can exchange EUR, USD or withdraw local currency from an ATM on site
Clothing: light, comfortable shoes for walking around the city, long-sleeved jacket/sweatshirt, scarf (ladies are recommended to wear a headgear when visiting temples)
Medicines: it is recommended to have sunscreen and medicine for possible stomach problems with you due to the different bacterial flora in Georgia (you can also buy it locally)
Internet: Wi-Fi is available in every hotel and most restaurants, you can purchase a local SIM card with Internet (approx. 15 GEL)
There are no Covid regulations
