Georgia and Armenia

Arrival to Tbilisi, transfer to the hotel. Rest.

O/n in Tbilisi. (-/L/-)

Breakfast at the hotel. 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. The town is walled with the remnants of 18^th century fortifications with nice view on Alazany valley

• Visit to a local restaurant

Visit Bodbe Monastery, 9th century, it has been significantly remodeled in the 17th century. The monastery now functions as a nunnery and is one of the major pilgrimage sites in Georgia. Drive back to Tbilisi.

O/n in Tbilisi. (B/L/-)

Breakfast at the hotel. Continue Tbilisi city tour: Ride by cable way from Rike Park to Narilaka fortress, after walking down to Abanotubani the ancient district of Tbilisi, known for its sulphuric baths; Sharden street, Shota Rustaveli Avenue, Agmashenebeli avenue. Walking along Mshrali Khidi bridge.

Drive to Mtskheta, one of the oldest cities of Georgia, the capital of the early Georgian kingdom located at the union of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers. Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century)

and Jvari monastery.

• Dinner with folk program

O/n in Tbilisi. (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the Armenian-Georgian border. Passing the border formalities. Drive to mountainous resort Dilijan.

Visit to Haghartsin Monastery complex, dates back to 11-13^th century and represent a magnificent piece of history, culture and architecture. The place is so unique and the scenery with the nature surrounding it is so breathtaking that most of visitors are in awe.

• Lunch in a local restaurant.

Drive Sevan Lake, one of the greatest high mountainous freshwater lakes of Eurasia. During the drive one can enjoy the unbelievable change of the surrounding environment and land shaft from  the green and rich forest mountains to the mountainous lake. Visit Sevanavank monastery, which stands in its greatness on the peninsula overlooking the lake for centuries. Continue to Yerevan.

City tour- Yerevan sightseeing including City center, Republic square, Northern avenue, Swan Lake, State University, Parliament, President’s Palace, Opera, Genocide Memorial, Cascade complex, modern art center of Yerevan. Visit to Armenian central market.

O/N in Yerevan. (B/L/-)

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to Zvartnots (included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (2000)) , a temple of Vigil Forces Тhe ruins of this cathedral still speak about the rare beauty of it. Drive to Etchmiadzin  the ancient capital of Armenia and largest religious center, the residency of Catholicos of all Armenians. Visit Etchmiadzin cathedral , one of the oldest churches in the Christian world, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (2000). Visit the museum of the Cathedral where legendary Holy spear is exhibited.

Drive to Ararat valley. Visit to Khor Virap Church – the 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 also the best point to enjoy the most spectacular view of the gorgeous biblical mountain Ararat.

• Lunch in a local restaurant with beautiful view on the canyon. Tasting the famous Armenian Porc Barbeque made in Tonir.

Drive through the spectacular canyon between the red rocks toward Noravank Monastery (13th c.). On the way stop at Areni village, one of the centres of wine production in Armenia and famous for winery  dating 6,100-year-old discovered by archaeologists in 2010 and also the oldest  Drive back to Yerevan.

O/n in Yerevan. (B/L/-)

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Garni pagan temple to the God of Sun. On the road photo stop at Charentc Arc. Visit to the ruins of Royal Palace and Royal bath-house nearby. Enjoying the breathtaking view on natural monument “Symphony of Stones” in Canyon of Garni.

• Family hosted lunch in village house with watching of “Lavash” (Armenian traditional flat bread baked in stone-make oven) making process, tasting authentic Armenian food, get acquainted with local village life.

Drive to the unique rock caved monastery St. Geghard (12th -13th cc.), ,,Biblic Holy spear’’ monastery listed in UNESCO World Heritage  (2000). The same spear that pierced the body of crucified Christ and was kept in this monastery very long period.

Drive back to Yerevan. Inspection of the hotels in Yerevan – 5*, 4*, 3*

• Dinner in a local restaurant.

O/n in Yerevan. (B/L/D)