Arrival at Zvartnots Airport in Yerevan; then direct transfer to the hotel for the accommodation and overnight stay
Day 2: Yerevan City tour
Breakfast in hotel, and start a conducted City tour of Yerevan, visiting the Republic Square, Mashtoc Avenue, Bagramian Avenue, the Presidential palace, the Parliament, the University, Monuments of Vardan Mamikonian, St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother Temple. In the afternoon visit the Museum of History, Vernissage, Armenian art & crafts market (opened only on Saturday and Sunday). Then transfer to visit the Cafesjian Museum of Art. At the end of the day your vehicle will drive you back to the hotel for the overnight stay in Yerevan
Day 3: Echmiadzin / St Hripsime / Zvartnots Cathedral / Yerevan
Breakfast in hotel; then visit to Echmiadzin, where you will see the oldest state-built church in the world and the most important Holy Church of the Supreme Orthodox Authority of Armenia. Inside the main Church you can see a piece of Noah’s Ark. After the visit transfer to visit the 7th century churches of St. Hripsime and St. Gayane, both churches are from the oldest surviving churches in Armenia, and listed in USESCO World Heritage sites. visiting the ruins of the ancient circular church- Zvartnots, dating back to the 7th century.
Day 4: Matendaran / Garni / Geghard
Breakfast in hotel, and start the day by visiting Mesrop Mashtoc Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (commonly referred as Matenadaran Museum). It holds one of the world's richest depositories of medieval manuscriptsandbookswhich span a broad range of subjects, including history, philosophy, medicine, literature, art history and cosmography (in Armenian and many other languages). and In the afternoon visit to Garni, with its fortress dating back to the 3rd century BC and a heathen dating back to the 1st century AD. Then continue to visit Geghard Monastery, which is a unique architectural construction partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs. It is listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites. At the end of the day, return to Yerevan and overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 5: Tsaghkadzor / Sevan / Yerevan
Breakfast in hotel, then direct transfer to Tsaghkadzor- “the valley of flowers”, which is located 1750 m above sea level and surrounded by alpine meadows. Visit to the monastery of Ketcharis (Xl-Xlll).Then Departure to Sevan, which is called “the pearl of Armenia”- a lake of great beauty that lies at 2000 m above sea level, one of the largest mountain lakes in the world. Visit to the Arakelots Monastery (874 A.D.) and Astvatsatsin Church on Sevan Peninsula. At the end of the day, return back to Yerevan for the overnight stay.
Day 6: Armenia Georgia Border – Short City tour in Tbilisi-Ethnographic Museum
Breakfast in hotel in Yerevan; then direct departure towards the Georgian border, crossing the Georgian-Armenian border from Bagratashen to Sadakhlo. Meeting with Georgian guide and transfer to Tbilisi for a short city tour. Visit to the Ethnographic Museum. Dinner in a traditional Georgian restaurant. Accommodation at the hotel
Day 7: Sioni & Anchiskhati Cathedrals – Narikala Fortress - Botanical Garden
Breakfast in hotel, and start the day with a walking tour in the old town. You will see the great Trinity Church, the Sioni Cathedral, the Fortress of Narikala, the Metekhi Church and the Anchiskhati Cathedral. Then you will have a walk in the sulphureous baths and, if you wish, also in the botanical garden. You will be able to stop for coffee in Shardeni Street. Then transfer to visit the open air ethnographic museum and Turtle Lake. Dinner in a restaurant offering national cuisine. Optional visit to the State Opera or one of drama theaters.
Day 8: State Museum – Museum of Fine Arts – Bolnisi & Dmanisi Sioni Catherdrals
Breakfast in hotel, and excursion to the State Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts to see its Golden Fonds. Transfer to Kvemo Kartli region to visit the Bolnisi Sioni Cathedral which is a Georgian Orthodox basilica in the Bolnisi village, built in 478-493. It is the oldest extant church building in Georgia. Then visit to the Dmanisi Sioni Return to Tbilisi. Dinner in Tamada restaurant to try the Georgian cuisine, wine and enjoy Georgian music.
Day 9: Svetitskhoveli Cathedral - Jvari Monastery
Breakfast in hotel, then drive to Mtskheta - one of the oldest cities in Georgia that was the capital of the early Georgian kingdom of Iberia during the 3rd century BC - 5th century AD and was the site of early Christian activity. Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) and Jvari Monastery (6th century) in Mtskheta that are among the most significant monuments of Georgian architecture, historically significant in the development of the medieval architecture throughout the Caucasus. Dinner in hotel
Day 10: Stalin State Museum (Gori) – Uplistsikhe – Borjomi
Breakfast in hotel, then drive to Gori- a city founded by one of the greatest kings of Georgia – David the Builder (1089-1125), Gori is also known as the birthplace of the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. Visit to the Joseph Stalin State Museum. Drive to Uplistsikhe (literally meaning- “the lord's fortress”)- an ancient rock-hewn in eastern Georgia. Built on a high rock on the left bank of the Mtkvari River, containing various structures dating back from the Early Iron Ages to the Late Middle Ages, extraordinary for the unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures from Anatolia and Iran as well as the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture. Drive to Borjomi - a resort town in south-central Georgia. The town is famous for its curative mineral water industry (which is presently the number one export of Georgia) Visit the Borjomi Park. Mineral water tasting. Dinner and overnight stay in Gori.
Day 11: Ananuri – Jinvali reservoir
Breakfast in hotel in Gori, then return to Tbilisi via Georgian Military Road and visit the Ananuri castle complex, which consists of two castles joined by a crenellated curtain wall. Within the complex, amongst other buildings, there are two churches. The older Church of the Virgin dates back to the first half of the 17th century, and was built of bricks. The larger Church of the Assumption (Ghvtismshobeli) was built in 1689 by the son of Duke Bardzem. Then transfer to Zhinvali reservoir. After the visit transfer to Tbilisi for the dinner and overnight stay.
Day 12: Departure
Breakfast in hotel, then direct transfer to Tbilisi Airport for the final departure.
