Georgia and Armenia

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Price and dates for regular tours are valid for Spanish speaking tourists only. Tours in English are available upon request.

Georgia y Armenia

Tbilisi – Dilijan – Yerevan

9 Days / 8 Nights

Weekly departures
You can combine this circuit with any other regular circuit
This circuit is confirmed from 2 pax.

Day 1. Tbilisi

Arrival at Tbilisi airport. Meeting with guide and driver, transfer to the hotel. Night in Tbilisi.

Day 2. Tbilisi

Breakfast

Meeting with guide and start of the visit to the capital of Georgia, founded in the 5th century by King Vakhtang Gorgasali. That city was dominated by merchants, warriors, tyrants and dictators. Currently, Tbilisi is a modern city, with well-known museums and theaters, art galleries, churches and archaeological excavations; sulfur bath houses, small streets with interior patios, surrounded by balconies that jut out over the abysses. Here myth and history, culture and traditions, varied nature and hospitable people: everything is intermingled, has inspired poetry, polyphonic songs and elegant dances. (* most of the visit will be done walking).

Places to visit:

• A short walk along Rustaveli Avenue, the main artery of the city with an emblematic building

• Visit to the National Museum of Georgia - which houses the Cólquide treasure, temporary exhibitions, the Soviet period and the oldest hominid remains found during the archaeological excavations of Dmanisi and considered to be the oldest found outside the African continent, dated 1.8 million old.

• Metekhi Church (XII-XIII c.) - was built under the command of King Demeter the second ("The devotee"), although the old church that was there actually dates from the fifth century. The area was considered a religious and royal site and therefore, in the 12th century the royal palace was moved near the church. From the platform of Metekhi a very nice panoramic view opens up towards the old part of the city, the modern park and the fortress of Narikala (IV c.), which was the main citadel of Tbilisi (* if weather conditions permit, we will climb to the fortress by cable car and then descend the stairs to the Abanotubani neighborhood).

• Abanotubani - The neighborhood of the bathhouses of sulfuric waters, place that gave rise to the legend about the founding of Tbilisi.

• A walk through the typical streets like: Shardeni, Erekle II, meeting place of many Georgians that is full of bars and terraces; panoramic view from the Peace Bridge.

• The church of Anchiskhati (VI-XIX c.) - the oldest in Tbilisi.

Lunch at the local restaurant.

Welcome dinner at a traditional restaurant with a small show.

Night in Tbilisi.

Day 3. Tbilisi / Uplistsikhe / Mtskheta / Tbilisi

Breakfast

We will drive to the Kartli region, called by the Georgians as the heart of Georgia and is famous for its green fields, agriculture and historical monuments. After finishing the visit, return to Tbilisi, via one of the oldest cities in Georgia - Mtskheta, which has been inhabited since the second millennium BC, now Mtskheta is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a living museum with many architectural monuments.

Places to visit:

• The rock-cut city of Uplistsikhe (first millennium BC) - in translation signified "The Fortress of God / Lord", is an ancient city in open-air caves, located at the crossroads of important trade routes. It was the main center of paganism and represents a complex of rooms, caves, theaters, temples, pagan altars, tunnels, secret prisons, pharmacy, street passages, all carved in stone on an area of 4 hectares. At the height of its prosperity, the city had a population of 20,000 inhabitants. In the 9th-10th centuries, a basilica with three naves was added to the complex. (* It is required to walk on the calcareous soil approximately 1 hour and a half, there are stairs, slopes that go up and down, a tunnel with opaque lighting, it is recommended to wear a closed shoe).

• Jvari Church in Mtskheta (VI-VII c.) (UNESCO Heritage) - a masterpiece of the early medieval period and one of the best examples of classic miniature shell design that impresses visitors with its grandeur and integrity.

• Svetitskhoveli in Mtskheta (XI c.) (UNESCO Heritage) that can be translated as "The pillar that gives life / Living Pillar". It is the main church of Mtskheta and a sacred place, where according to the Georgian belief the tunic of Christ is kept.

Lunch at the local restaurant.

Independent dinner

Night in Tbilisi.

Day 4. Tbilisi / Ananuri / Kazbegi / Tbilisi

Breakfast

We will embark on the journey towards the mountains of the Great Caucasus, the mountain range that forms the border between Asia and Europe. We will drive along one of the oldest routes, known by the name of the military highway, which connects the North Caucasus with the Transcaucasian part. If the weather conditions allow, we will see the inactive volcano, Mkinvartsveri or Kazbek (which means frozen peak) and is at a height of 5,047 meters. Mount Kazbek is the third highest peak of the Caucasus in Georgia, besides being one of the best known and climbed. The natives of Khevi usually call this giant volcano that extends over their houses "the fiancee of the Khevi."

Places to visit:

• The Architectural Complex of Ananuri - belonged to the house of Eristavi de Aragvi - a violent local ruler. The architectural design is characteristic of the late medieval period and includes a fortress, two churches, an old watchtower, a prison and other civic buildings. Located on the famous Georgian military road, it stands guardian of the northern borders of Georgia. A picturesque view of the reservoir opens from the base of the Ananuri fortress.

• Stops to take photos.

• Church of the Holy Trinity of Gergeti - was built in the s. XIII-XIV, was the only church in the region dome in its day. Perched high on the hill Tsminda Sameba (Holy Trinity) at 2170 meters above sea level, it is a kind of symbol of Georgia. The severe beauty of glaciers and austerity of the local population are reflected in the construction of this great church at that height. (* up to the church can be reached walking - 6.5 km away, or under a supplement, you can hire 4x4 vehicles, it is completely off-road).

• Visit to a local workshop in Teka - where they will see sheep wool production and have local herb tea tasting with the sweet called Muraba, caramelized fruit.

Lunch in a local house where they will participate in the elaboration of some of the typical dishes called Khinkali (bread dough, stuffed with minced and cooked meat).

Independent dinner

Night in Tbilisi.

Day 5. Tbilisi / Sadakhlo / Sanahin / Hagpat / Dilijan

Breakfast

We will begin our trip to Armenia. On the border of Sadakhlo, change of guide and vehicle. Continuation of the trip through Armenia. We are going to visit the beautiful Lorí region. One of the masterpieces of medieval ecclesiastical architecture - the Sanahín monastery of the tenth century (UNESCO). Excursion in the territory of the monastery. We will also visit another jewel of Armenian architecture-the medieval Haghpat monastery (UNESCO). They are unique for their architectural as well as spiritual value. We continue towards the north of Armenia through the forest region of Dilijan, one of the most famous tourist centers of Armenia. Accommodation in Dilijan.

Day 6. Dilijan / Sevanavank / Lake Sevan / Noratuz / Yerevan

Breakfast

We will visit the Haghartsin monastery. We will explore Lake Sevan, a popular summer destination and one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world, at approximately 1,900 meters high. Many paths of the Silk Road passed through Lake Sevan which is surrounded by pine forests and rugged mountains. Visit to the Peninsula and excursion in the 9th century Sevanavanq monastery. Then we made the visit of Noratus, a medieval cemetery with a large number of "khachkars" located in the village of Noratus, near Lake Sevan. The cemetery has the highest concentration of khachkars in the Republic of Armenia. At present it is the largest cemetery that survives with khachkars. Arrival in Yerevan. Night in Yerevan.

Day 7. Yerevan / Matenadaran / Geghard / Garni / Yeravan

Breakfast

We met the guide and we began the tour of Yerevan. We continue to the beautiful center of the capital that is a mixture of old and new. We visit the main attractions of the capital: Republic Square, Waterfall, Abovyan Street etc. Visit of the Matenadaran - a scientific institute and museum of ancient manuscripts, where they keep the treasures of Armenian science and valuable manuscripts from V century that contain approximately 14,000 ancient manuscripts - the largest collection in the world. Trip to the Gueghard Monastery (VII-XII century, UNESCO) whose uniqueness is partially excavated in the rock. Excursion in the monastery. Our next stop is the Pagano Garní Temple, the only pagan temple preserved in the territory of the former Soviet Union (I century AD, UNESCO) where we will see the Roman style bath. Here in the temple we are going to contemplate an impressive duduk concert. We visited the house of a rural Armenian family and participated in the process of preparing «lavash» (traditional Armenian bread). Return to Yerevan. In the afternoon, walk through the city. Night in Yerevan.

Day 8. Yerevan / Echmiadzin / Zvartnots / Yerevan

Breakfast

Trip to Echmiadzín - the spiritual center of all Armenians, the residence of the Katolikos and the first Christian church in the world (303 AD, UNESCO) where we will know the first years of Armenian Christian history. We will attend the mass in the main church. We continue to the ruins of the Zvartnots Cathedral (UNESCO) dating from the seventh century-one of the most extraordinary works of ecclesiastical architecture. Lunch. Return to Yerevan, visit to the National Museum of Armenian History. Among the many exhibitions you can see the old leather shoe of 5500 years found in one of the caves of the Vayots Dzor region where we will have an exclusive visit. Our next stop will be the picturesque Vernissage market, the perfect place to soak up the flavor of the capital and the unique setting to witness the fusion of the Armenian tradition with its most modern elements. Free time to walk and shop. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant, with a folklore show. Night in Yerevan.

Day 9. Yerevan

Breakfast

Transfer to the airport of Yerevan Zvartonoc.

Price in EUR per person includes tour operator commission.

The price includes:

• Accommodation:
4 nights at hotel Holiday Inn 4* or Rooms Tbilisi 4* or Mercure 4* in Tbilisi,
3 nights at DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Yerevan,
1 night in Dilijan in BW Paradise or Dilijan Resort.
• Transfers airport /hotel/airport regardless of flight.
• Transportation according to the program by car/minibus/bus with A/C.
• English speaking guide.
• Entrance fees to all important places and museums.
• Nutrition plan is HB (8 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 2 dinners).
• Mineral water each day / 1 p. p.
• Map of Armenia and Yerevan – free.
• Tips at restaurants.
• Concert Duduk.
• Master Class of Lavash.

Optional:

• International flights.
• Armenian visa fee 3000 AMD ~ 6 Euro (except EU citizens and members of the Schengen agreement, citizens of Brazil, Argentina).
• Travel insurance.
• Meals except where indicated.
• Alcoholic beverages except as indicated.
• Porters at the hotels.
• Personal expenses.
• Optional visits.
• All other expenses not specified in the section "prices include"