Highlights Of Georgia & Armenia

14 days - from $2540

A fascinating cultural journey in the heart of the Caucasus
Georgian and Armenian churches and monasteries are, almost without exception, built in stunning locations. Surrounded by forests, perched on the top of dramatic gorges or silhouetted before snow-capped mountains, they draw us to magnificent open spaces filled with a huge variety of trees and wild flowers. Embracing Christianity in the 4th century, both Georgia and Armenia also have pre-Christian and pagan sites which we will visit. We see wonderful mountains, lakes and waterfalls, which provide cooling breezes in the countryside whilst the cafes and restaurants of Tbilisi and Yerevan are proof of the emerging economies. Beautiful scenery is plentiful in both countries as Mount Ararat towers majestically over Yerevan and we can see the Caucasus Mountains from Tbilisi on a clear day.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Start Yerevan. 2 Drive to pagan temple at Garni; on to Geghard Monastery; return to Yerevan. 3 Visiting the Genocide Memorial and the Matenadaran; to Yerevan's synagogue, then Echmiadzin Cathedral and finally the ruins of Zvartnots; return to Yerevan. 4 To holy site of Khor Virap Monastery; wine tasting at Areni village; Noravank Monastery complex and Tatev Monastery; to Goris. 5 Silk Road and Lake Sevan via Selim Caravanserai and Noraduz; walk to Sevanavank Monastery. 6 Drive/walk to and explore Haghartsin Monastery; visit of Dilijan, town known for its arts and crafts; on way to Dzoraget visit of a Russian village. 7 Visit mediaeval monuments at Sanahin or Haghpat before crossing Georgian border; to Tbilisi. 8 Walking tour of Tbilisi including markets, ancient baths, Sioni Cathedral and Synagogue; free afternoon. 9 Transfer to Kazbegi village for views of Mt. Kazbek; alpine walk on slopes, visiting Gergeti Trinity Church; to ski resort of Gudauri. 10 To Gor, visit Stalin Museum. Continue to Uplistsikhe pre-Christian cave town; to Kutaisi. 11 Explore Kutaisi UNESCO sites of Begrati and Gelati; walk in picturesque Borjomi-Kharagauli N.P.; to Bakuriani. 12 Visit Mtskheta, former capital of Georgia; afternoon drive along the 'wine route' to Kakheti; en route local cheese tasting; overnight in Telavi. 13 Explore Alaverdi Cathedral; to citadel complex at Gremi; visit recently renovated royal town of Signagi; to Tbilisi. 14 End Tibilisi.

Mode of travel: Travel by private bus or minibus, reasonable fitness required. There are 3 days which involve long drives.
Group size: Normally 7 to 16, plus local leader, driver and local guides.
Accommodation: 11 nights hotels and 2 nights guesthouses. Two nights are with facilities shared across two or three rooms.
Food: All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 8 dinners included.
Optional Single Supplement: from $612.50
Trip Reference: AXC
Reverse Itinerary: trips that run in reverse are specified with an 'R' in the dates and prices table below.
Trip Reference: AXC