Itinerary – Discover Armenia and Georgia 2022

Day 1 – Saturday : Arrival in Armenia

Arrival at Zvartnots airport in Yerevan. Enjoy our meet and greet transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Yerevan

Day 2 – Sunday : Yerevan – Echmiadzin – Zvartnots (~100 km)

“…Armenia remains a dream, a subject of stories; it is still, against all odds, a place…”

In the morning meet your tour guide for a city tour around Yerevan. Drive to Echmiadzin, the Armenians’ spiritual centre and one of the centres of Christianity all over the world. You may participate in Sunday liturgy. Returning to Yerevan, there is a stop at the ruins of Zvartnots temple – the pearl of 7th century architecture, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.  After time to find some lunch (not included) we visit Tsitsernakaberd – a memorial for the victims of the Armenian Genocide, located on a hill overlooking Yerevan.  We visit the Cafesjian Show Rooom, this centre for the Arts is a building of breathtaking beauty along with an expansive sculptural garden and promenade outside of the buildings main holdings.. We also visit the Vernisage flea market, just the place to get a little taste of Armenia, to see the fusion between national traditions and art & crafts.

Overnight in Yerevan
Meals (B)
Touring Distance c.100km

Day 3 – Monday : Khor Virap – Noravank

“…The eyes of the Armenians speak long before the lips move and long after they cease to…”

Tiday we have a sightseeing tour to Khor-Virap monastery, the importance of which is connected with Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia. It is an architectural masterpiece situated on top of a hill, a pilgrimage place frequently visited by tourists and local people. From outside it resembles a castle, but inside you can admire the beauty of the church. The highlight is the wonderful view to the biblical Mount Ararat. A short lunchtime break (not included). Continue the tour to Noravank monastery, the religious and cultural centre of the 13th century. It is situated in a narrow gorge which is known for its tall, sheer, brick red cliffs, directly across from the monastery. The beauty of this monastery is appreciated by visitors not only because of its architecture and history, but also for its pleasing harmony with the surrounding nature. Drive back to the capital city.

Overnight in Yerevan
Meals (B)
Touring Distance c.250km

Day 4 – Tuesday : Lake Sevan – Garni – Geghard

Departure to Lake Sevan, one of the largest freshwater alpine mountain lakes in the world, to admire the beautiful landscape and the peaceful crystal waters. We also visit Sevanavank Monastery, a monastic complex located on a peninsula at the northwestern shore of the Lake. Initially the monastery was built on a small island. After the artificial draining of Lake Sevan, which started in the era of Joseph Stalin, the water level fell and the island transformed into a peninsula. Departure to Garni Temple, which towers over a triangular cape. It is the unique surviving example of heathen culture in Armenia. After adopting Christianity in 301, the pagan temple lost its significance and the fortress of Garni became the summer residence of the kings. A short lunchtime break (not included). Drive to UNESCO World Heritage site Geghard Monastery, the unsurpassable masterpiece of 13th century Armenian architecture. Some of the churches of the complex are masterfully hewn from rock. The complex is rich in subtle sculptural embellishments and many striking khachkars (cross-stones). Return to Yerevan.

Overnight in Yerevan
Meals (B)
Touring Distance c.250km

Day 5 – Wednesday : Tbilisi

‘…The Georgian language is one of  14 unique languages with its own alphabet. Georgian script – Mkhedruli – has 33 letters…’

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and departure to Georgia. Direct transfer from your hotel to the airport for your flight to Tbilisi* (without guide).

Arrive in Tbilisi and transfer to your hotel. After a short rest, meet your local guide at the lobby of the hotel and start a few unforgettable hours of familiarization with the capital. All the places of interest are very close to each other, within a few minutes’ walk. We start our excursion from Metekhi (13th century) plateau, before reaching Narikala Fortress (4th century) which dominates the skyline of the Old Town. Continue to explore the brick-domed underground sulphur baths (17th century) in the district of naturally hot mineral waters, cafe street Shardeni, the Synagogue, Sioni Cathedral and the most ancient Basilica in Tbilisi, Anchiskhati (6th century). Walk across the Bridge of Peace which is of a stunning design, as well as being the convenient crossing between the newly constructed Rike Park and the Old Town. It also provides superb views over the city. Enjoy free time to explore in the evening.

Overnight in Tbilisi
Meals (B)
Touring Distance c.280km

Day 6 – Thursday : Mtskheta – Uplistsikhe – Gori – Tbilisi

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Mtskheta – one of the oldest cities and an ancient capital of Georgia, where you can expereince the UNESCO city-museum reserve. Along the way we will stop to visit the Jvari Monastery (6th century). This well-known monastery is located on the top of the mountain, at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers. Then, we head to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) which is known as a place where Christ’s robe was buried. Walk along the narrow streets of Mtskheta with souvenir shopping possibility. Then drive to Gori – the birthplace of the former Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. Photo-stop at the museum of Stalin and proceed to the cave town Uplistsikhe (1st millennium BC) – one of the first cities in Georgia carved into the rock. The caves were the site of pagan rituals before Georgia became a Christian country. In the evening return to Tbilisi.

Overnight in Tbilisi
Meals (B)
Touring Distance c.210km

Day 7 – Friday : Vardisubani – Alaverdi – Gremi – Tbilisi

After breakfast, start our drive to the Kakheti region – Georgia’s premier wine-producing area, as well as home to hundreds of historical and architectural monuments. Proceed to Vardisubani village and see the Qvevri making process. Meet the local craftsman who is a fourth generation Qvevri maker, and his son who continues the tradition. Visitors can observe the whole process of making a traditional Qvevri (egg-shaped earthenware vessel in which wine is fermented and stored in villages and towns throughout Georgia. UNESCO Intangible Heritage since 2013). Then we visit Alaverdi monastery, built in the 11th century and one of the tallest structures of that time. The surrounding courtyard is home to vineyards from which local monks make their own wine. Afterwards we have possibility to see the Gremi monastery complex. Gremi was the Capital of Kakheti Kingdom (1466–1616 years). It had booming cultural life, but due to internal strife and the invasion of Shah Abbas, the town was destroyed. In the evening drive to Tbilisi.

Overnight in Tbilisi
Meals (B)
Touring Distance c.255km

Day 8 – Sat: Departure from Tbilisi

After breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport for your onward or return flight.

Meals: (B*)
(*Breakfast not available for early departures)

Hotels – Discover Armenia and Georgia 2022

Hotels are comfortable and conveniently located.
The standard hotels for the tour are as follows:
3 star Hotel Ani Central Inn or similar in Armenia
3 star Hotel Ibis Stadium or similar in Tbilisi

There is an option to upgrade as follows:
4 star Hotel Ani Plaza or similar in Armenia
4 star Hotel Radius or similar in Tbilisi

Dates and Prices – Discover Armenia and Georgia 2022

Prices in EUROS 2022

Prices are per person and based on two persons in a double/twin room.

3 star Hotels:
€859 per person
€205 single room supplement

4 star Hotels:
€969 per person
€285 single room supplement

IMPORTANT:
Price does not include the air ticket from Yerevan to Tbilisi, this will be advised at the time of booking.
Approx USD75 – 150 per person.  Payable approx 14 days prior to arrival.

Price valid on all dates
Subject to availability

Price Includes:

• 4 nights in hotel in Yerevan
• 3 nights in hotel in Tbilisi
• Transportation & Transfers as per itinerary (see notes)
• English speaking cultural tour guide throughout the tour days
• Entrance fees to the sites as per itinerary
• 1 x degustation of 2 types of wine in Vardisubani
• Meals: Breakfast at the hotel
• 1 bottle of water per person per day

Not Included:

• Yerevan – Tbilisi Flight is mandatory at supplement
• International Flight tickets
• Insurance
• Visa
• Tips and other personal expenses
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary (ie lunches and dinners)
• Alcoholic drinks
• Entrance fees not mentioned in the itinerary
• Porterage at the hotels
• Tips and gratuities

Notes – Discover Armenia and Georgia 2022

• Duration of tour: 8 Days / 7 Nights
• Tour operates with minimum 2 persons
• Price does not include the air ticket from Yerevan to Tbilisi, this will be advised at the time of booking
• Supplement applies to out of hours / public holiday transfers
• Please check entry requirements. Many nationals may enter without a visa.
• Local currencies:
  Armenian Dram (AMD)
  Georgian Lari (GEL)
• Credit cards accepted in major cities. Cash required for taxis, some shops and restaurants and in rural areas.
• Currency exchange services in most banks, major supermarkets and special currency exchange offices,
  located throughout Armenia. Take USD and/or Euro notes.
• ATM machines available in main cities
• Yerevan Zvartnots International Airport (EVN) information
• Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport  (TBS) information