Armenia – Georgia

Arrival in Yerevan

Armenia’s capital Yerevan offers a nice contrast of old and new. You’ll visit the Cascade Complex, a huge stairway in the very center of Yerevan, featuring exhibition halls, modern art statues, fountains, plant decorations, and Cafesjian Museum of Art, Republic Square, Freedom Square, Mother Armenia Monument, Armenian Genocide Museum, dedicated to the victims of 1915 genocide of millions of Armenians by Ottoman Empire, and Blue Mosque to name a few.

On this day, you’ll visit Armenia’s most important historical sites - Garni and Geghard. The Temple of Garni is the only remaining Greek-Roman building with colonnades both in Armenia and post-Soviet countries. Geghard Monastery, located very close to Garni and boasts with beautiful scenery carved out of the rocks and is surrounded by cliffs. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers splendid views of mountainous landscapes.

The following day, you’ll continue your tour with another important historical and religious sites of Armenia. Echmiadzin is the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church and according to the experts, it’s the very first cathedral of ancient Armenia. Therefore, it’s believed to be the oldest cathedral in the world. Zvartsnots is a 7th-century tetraconch type cathedral. Unfortunately, only ruins remain today, but it still is a fascinating place to visit.

This day starts with a drive to Goshavank Monastery, a 12-13th century religious building. Even though it’s not functioning, it still is a fascinating place to visit. Afterward, you’ll visit a 13th century Haghartsin Monastery located near Dilijan. Then you’ll drive to Dilijan, a town often called the ‘Switzerland of Armenia’ due to its mountainous landscape and beautiful nature. This spa town is an important place for many locals. You’ll have a small city tour here before continuing your way to Sevan. The town of Sevan is another most popular resort towns for many Armenians due to its breathtaking Lake Sevan. The lake is the biggest one both in Armenia and the Caucasus, and one of the biggest freshwater, alpine lakes in Eurasia The town itself is surrounded by the Sevan National Park and features several churches within its vicinity.

From Sevan you’ll drive to Hagpat to visit the the Hagpat Monastery, a medieval religious building founded by Queen Khosrovanuysh in the 10th century. From here, you’ll continue your way to Sanahin, a 10th century monastery whose name literally translates as “this one is older than that one.” Afterward, you’ll cross the border to Georgia and overnight in Tbilisi.

You’ll start your day with learning more about the Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi. You’ll be able to visit some of its iconic landmarks, such as a 4th century Narikala Fortress, famous sulfur bath neighborhood Abanotubani, the Freedom Square, the oldest Basilica - Anchiskhati, Metekhi Church, walk on pedestrian bridge called the Peace Bridge, and visit Rike Park. You’ll listen to the history of the city, how it came to be and why it’s called Tbilisi.

Gori is the hometown of the Soviet Leader Joseph Stalin, therefore, the tour includes visiting his house-museum in order to learn more about his childhood spent in Georgia. Afterward, we will drive to one of the cave towns of the country - Uplistsikhe. The name of this rock-hewn town translates into English as Lord’s Fortress. The area played a significant role in Georgia history and features architectural marvels of different periods including, pre-Christian, Anatolian, and Iranian. The final stop of the third day will be a ski resort Bakuriani, famous for coniferous forests. Located in Borjomi, at the elevation of 1,700 meters above the sea level, Bakuriani is characterised by transitional climate moving from humid maritime to relatively humid continental.

On this day, you’ll visit one of the most magnificent cave towns of Georgia - Vardzia. This man-made town dates back to the 13 century and was built by the order of Queen Tamar to serve as a fully functioning town during the various invasions Georgia was facing back then. From here, you’ll continue your way to Akhaltsikhe and visit the famous Rabati Fortress. This newly renovated castle complex played an important part in Georgian history. Originally built in the 9th century with a different name, the area was completely rebuilt by Ottomans and most of the buildings you’ll see today, date back to the 17th-18th centuries.

The day will start with visiting Borjomi Park to try the mineral water in its original form before it gets bottled. From here, you’ll continue your way to Zhinvali Dam, one of the most picturesque reservoirs in Georgia with its emerald green waters. You’ll stop by Ananuri Castle, which was a seat for Dukes of Aragvi, a feudal family ruling the area in the 13th century, as well as see the confluence spot of white and black Aragvi rivers. Finally, you’ll arrive at one of the ski resorts of the country - Gudauri to overnight.

From Gudauri the road continues to Stepantsminda town through the Georgia Military Road. On the way to Stepantsminda, you’ll stop at Friendship Monument dedicated to Russian-Georgian friendship and overlook the picturesque valley from here. You’ll also visit Jvari point before arriving in Stepantsminda. From here, you’ll take a Delica car to visit Gergeti Trinity Church, one of the most beautiful landscapes in the area. The church sits at the root of Mount Kazbegi offering stunning views of the surrounding Caucasus Range. Then, you’ll visit villages of Sno and Juta before going back to Gudauri.

From Gudauri, you’ll continue the way back to Tbilisi, but before arriving in the capital, you’ll stop in the former capital of Georgia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site - Mtskheta. Here, you’ll visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, one of the most important religious buildings in the country. In addition, it’s the architectural masterpiece of Early Middle Ages. Then, you’ll continue your way to Jvari Monastery, sit at the top of the hill overlooking Mtskheta and junction of Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers. Jvari Monastery is one of the oldest religious buildings in Georgia. It is believed that when St. Nino, the evangelist who brought Christianity to the country, made the citizens believe in her religion, King Mirian put a wooden cross here. The name “Jvari” means “cross” in English. Once you get to the capital, you’ll have an evening tour of the important sights of Tbilisi.

This day starts with a drive to Kakheti region to visit its famous cave town - David Gareji, along with beautiful Sighnaghi and Bodbe Monastery. David Gareji is a rock-hewn monastery complex, built by one of the Assyrian monks, David, who came here to spread Christianity in the 6th century. The complex features churches, chapels, hundreds of cells, and beautiful fresco paintings that are still intact. Sighnaghi town, known as the city of love, is a beautiful town with its red rooftops, colorful houses, and narrow cobblestone streets overlooking the picturesque Alazani Valley. Bodbe Monastery is quite close to Sighnaghi, which is the final resting place of St. Nino.

Departure