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Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia Classic

10 days / 9 nights

Open Detailed Descriptions
Day 1

Arrival in Baku. Transfer to the hotel-City tour

Sightseeing tour of Baku, historical and architectural monuments of the city, pan orama of the city of Baku Bay and the Upland Park. Visit to old city *Icherisheher-the inner city*. Icherisheher means the inner city. It was called the inner after the oil boom of the middle of the XIX century when the city stopped to hold in defense walls and left its limit. Visit to Shirvanshakhs Palace, the symbol of Baku city The Maiden Tower, the Karavansaray. In the evening walking tour along the central streets of the city and fountain square. Overnight in Baku.

Day 2

Baku - Shemakha – Sheki

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Shamakhi. Visit to mausoleum of Yeddi Gumbez. Its magnificent domes rise above the silent and lonesome landscapes and create mysterious atmosphere. Visit to Diri Baba. It was built on the rock and look like a big eagle nest. Drive to Sheki. On the way visit to the village Kish, famous for its huge Christian architectural monument. Overnight in Sheki.

Day 3

Sheki – Signagi – Bodbe Monastery - Tbilisi

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to Sheki Han Palace and Sheki History Museum. Transfer to Azerbaijanian – Georgian Border. Pass the border. Drive to eastern part of Georgia Kakheti region, known almost exclusively for its vineyards and wineries. Visit Signagi, ancient city, also known as the City of Love, with stone-paved streets and the balconies in old - Georgian style. It is one of the beautiful towns of Kakheti region At the elevation of about 790 m above sea level, the town overlooks the Alazani valley and faces the Greater Caucasus Mountains. The town is walled with the remnants of 18th century fortifications. Visit Niko Pirosmani museum - gallery. Georgian wine testing. Drive to Bodbe monastery. Originally built in the 9th century, it has been significantly remodeled in the 17th century. The monastery now functions as a nunnery and is one of the the major pilgrimage sites in Georgia. Arrive to Tbilisi, check in the hotel. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 4

Tbilisi City tour

Breakfast at the hotel. Tbilisi sightseeing tour includes the Old and New Towns. Visit to Old Tbilisi starts from Metekhi Church, then walk up to the brick-domed Sulphur Baths, then Narikala Fortress – one of the oldest fortifications in the city. Afterwards visit to the Synagogue, Sioni Cathedral and Anchiskhati Church. Visit to the Georgian National Museum, walking tour along the Rustaveli Avenue – the main street in Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 5

Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Ananuri

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia – Mtskheta and visit its historical places: Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, where the Robe of Christ is buried. Both Jvari and Svetitskhoveli are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Drive to the Ananuri Monastery (17th c.), which is situated on the bank of Khivali lake, with the spectacular view of the Great Caucasus Hills. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 6

Gori – Uplistikhe – Tbilisi

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Gori, a historical town, visit J. Stalin’s museum. Drive to Uplistsikhe cave town dated to 7th c. BC. Here we find a big hall for pagan rituals and some living rooms as well as a church of the 9th century. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 7

Tbilisi – Haghartsin Monastery – Lake Sevan –- Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to the Georgian-Armenian border. Crossing the border. Drive to mountainous resort Dilijan, or so called “Armenian Switzerland”, which is well-known for its forests as well as for its mysterious flora and fauna. During the drive one can enjoy the unbelievable change of the surrounding environment and landshaft from the mountainous lake to the green and rich forest mountains. Small walking city tour in Dilijan: visit to handicrafts’ street, where one can watch the preparation of different national souvenirs from wood, stone and ceramics. Visit to Haghartsin Monastery complex which is located in the secluded place of the forest. The place is so unique and the scenery with the nature surrounding it is so breathtaking that most of visitors are in awe. Appearing unexpectedly, out of the dense forests, in front of the visitors, the Monastery creates a magical impression of a lost world. Drive to Sevan, one of the wonders in Armenia The Peninsula is most popular destination to enjoy the breath-taking view on Sevan Lake, make pics for sweet memories and visit with the ancient Sevanavank Monastery (IX century), which stands in its greatness on the peninsula overlooking the lake for centuries. Drive to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan.

Day 8

Yerevan City tour – Garni – Geghard

Breakfast at the hotel. City tour- Yerevan sightseeing including City center, Republic square, State University, City panorama, Mother Armenia Monument, Parliament, President’s Palace, Opera, Sports & Concert Complex. Visit to the Genocide Memorial, dedicated to the Victims of 1915 and the Genocide Museum. Visit to Matenadaran (depository for ancient manuscripts, the collection of which is one of the biggest in the world). This outstanding collection includes manuscripts dating from 7th century and is widely appreciated by history and art amateurs and professionals. Visit to Cascade complex, which is considered the modern art center of Yerevan, with art pieces displayed throughout the whole area: the boulevard and up the stairs, from top of which you can enjoy the panoramic view on the city and Mountain Ararat. Cascade is home to Cafesjan modern art museum. This place becomes even more charming in the evenings, when it is full of people, both locals and tourists from all over the world, enjoying the magic and the warmth of the capital. You will enjoy spending time in one of the cosy open-air cafes surrounded by beautiful sculptures, redolent flowers shining brightly with magic colors. It is also a popular place for open air concerts at summer season. Visit to Armenian central market.

Optional: Visit to Armenian brandy factory ,,ArArAt’’ which keeps the tradition of the legendary Cognac since 1887. Degustation of 2 types of Armenian brandy (possible to order upgraded package including degustation of 3 types of brandy)

Drive to the only remaining pagan temple in Armenia devoted to the God of Sun – Myrth, in Garni, built in 77 AD by King Trdat (Arshakid Dynasty). Photo stop at Charentc Arc. The temple is Greco-Roman style with characteristic pillars. It stands proudly on a rocky ridge with a deep canyon presenting a beautiful view. The temple was a summer residence for Arshakid dynasty. Visit to the ruins of Royal Palace and Royal bath-house nearby. Canyon of Garni -magnificent and outstanding scene which creates the image of falling crags. It obtained the name "Symphony of Stones" due to its view. The fantastic landscape of Garni canyon shakes the human imagination. Drive to the unique caved temple St. Geghard (12th -13th cc.), the name of which means “holy spear” in the honor of the long-preserved spear, the same spear that pierced the body of crucified Christ. It is now exhibited in the museum of Etchmiadzin Cathedral. Geghard Monastery is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list (2000). Family hosted lunch in village house with watching of “Lavash” (Armenian traditional flat bread baked in stone-make oven) making process, testing authentic Armenian food, get acquainted with local village life. Degustation of homemade vodka made from different fruits (apricot, grape, pitch, apple or mulberry) and homemade wine. Drive back to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan

Day 9

Zvartnots-Etchmiadzin – Ararat valley- Khor Virap

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Etchmiadzin city, the ancient capital of Armenia. Since 4th century, it is the largest religious center, the residency of Catholicos of All Armenians. On a way visit Zvartnots, a temple of Vigil Forces, built in 641—661 A.D. as Armenia’s main cathedral by the Catholicos Nerses III, is considered one of the architectural wonders and unique example of Armenian architecture of early Christian period. It was damaged by an earthquake in the 10th century. Тhe ruins of this cathedral still speak about the rare beauty of it. The Zvartnots Archaeological Site is a unique example of Armenian architecture of the early Christian period. The building consisted of three polyhedrons, supported by the massive pillars decorated with eagles, ornamented with grape withes, twigs of pomegranate. Zvartnots is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (2000). Visit to Etchmiadzin Cathedral, one of the ancient churches in the Christian world, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (2000). It is the center of Armenian Apostolic Church. It was founded in 301 A.D. by St. Gregory the Illuminator. Later, it was rebuilt and currently it stands as a complex including the Cathedral, Spiritual Academy, residency of the Catholicos of all Armenians, Synod of Armenian Church and a library. Visit the museum of the Cathedral, located behind the Altar, has collection of religious artefacts about Holy Mass, subjects made of gold, silver, precious stones, decorations, colossal silver boiler for making the myrrh and legendary Holy spear. Drive to Ararat valley. This exiting tour will bring you to Khor Virap (means deep dungeon) Church, the holy place of imprisonment of St. Gregory the Illuminator, who stayed here in the small dungeon for 13 years without any food, accused by the Armenian King of preaching Christianity. It is one of the holy places for the Christian world. Here is also the closest and most spectacular view of the gorgeous biblical mountain Ararat shining with its two white peaks. The hills adjoining Khor Virap were the site of the early Armenian capital of ancient Artashat built by King Artashes I, founder of the Artashesid dynasty, around 180 B.C. It is one of the few ancient towns, built by special design of famous Carthaginian general Hannibal. After the defeat in a war against Rome he found a shelter in Armenia…

Day 10

Transfer to the airport for the departure