ARMENIEN & GEORGIEN - 9 DAGAR

9 DAYS/8 NIGHTS

I SAMARBETE MED:

DAY 1    DEPARTURE FROM HOME COUNTRY
Arrival at the Zvartnots airport in Yerevan. Meet and greet transfer, accommodation at the hotel.  

DAY 2    YEREVAN CITY TOUR | ECHMIADZIN | ZVARTNOTS

In the morning meet your tour guide and start city tour around Yerevan. Drive to Echmiadzin – the place where the only Begotten descended. Holy Echmiadzin is the whole Armenians’ spiritual center and one of the centers of Christianity all over the world. They will participate in Sunday liturgy. Return to Yerevan with a stop at the ruins of Zvartnots temple - the pearl of the 7th century architecture, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage.

Lunchtime.Visit Tsitsernakaberd-walking through Memorial park and visit museum of the victims of Genocide. Visit Cafesjian Show Room. Visit Vernisage flea market, the place to get a little taste of Armenia, to see the fusion between national traditions, art & crafts with contemporary taste. Overnight in Yerevan. (B/--/--)

DAY 3    YEREVAN | KHOR VIRAP | NORAVANK | YEREVAN
Sightseeing tour to Khor-Virap monastery the importance of which is connected with Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia. It is a wonderful masterpiece situated on top of a hill. It is a pilgrimage place where every year a lot of tourists and native people visit. It looks like a castle where everybody has the hint to sit and dream while admiring the beauty of the church. The highlight is the best view to the biblical Mt. Ararat. Lunchtime. Continue tour to Noravank monastery-religious and cultural center of 13th c. It is situated in a narrow gorge which is known for its’ tall, sheer, brick red cliffs, directly across from the monastery. The beauty of this monastery is appreciated by thousands of visitors not only because of its’ architecture and history, but for its harmony with surrounding fabulous nature. Drive back to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan. B/--/--)

DAY 4    YEREVAN | LAKE SEVAN | GARNI | GEGHARD | YEREVAN
Departure to Lake Sevan, one of the largest freshwater alpine mountain lakes in the world. The beautiful landscape and the crystal water serve nice preconditions for excellent rest. Visit Sevanavank Monastery. Departure to Garni Temple. Garni temple, which towers over a triangular cape, is the unique survived example of heathen culture in Armenia. After adopting Christianity in 301, the pagan temple lost its significance and the fortress of Garni became the summer residence of the kings. Lunchtime Drive to Geghard monastery inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list. Geghard monastery is the unsurpassable masterpiece of the 13th century Armenian architecture. Some of the churches of the complex are masterfully hewn in a huge rock. The complex is rich in subtle sculptural embellishments and many striking khachkars (cross-stones). Return to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/--/--)

DAY 5    DEPARTURE TO GEORGIA
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from your hotel to the train station at 20:30 (time can be change according to the train schedule).Overnight at the train Yerevan-Tbilisi. (B/--/--)

DAY 6    TBILISI CITY TOUR
Arrival to Tbilisi railway station at 06:30 in the morning and transfer for breakfast at a local cafe. (Note: hotel check in after 2 PM). Today we will explore the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi. Wonder in the old districts of the city which are structured like terraces, as well as take a walk in the narrow streets to enjoy colorful houses, patterned balconies and wonderful samples of modern architecture. We will start the tour form Metekhi church (13th century) facing the magnificent views over old Tbilisi. A stroll along winding little streets takes us to the main sights of the city. Afterwards we enjoy the panoramic views of the whole town and through the ancient Narikala fortress (4thcentury), find ourselves in the historical domed sulphur bath area-connected with the name of our city. Free time in the city. Overnight at a hotel in Tbilisi. (B/-/-)

DAY 7    TBILISI | SIGHNAGHI | VELISTSIKHE | KVARELI | TBILISI
Today we travel in Kakheti region famous for being wine making area, as well as associated with welcoming hospitality. Here we can see both snowy Caucasus Mountains and fertile valleys. Firstly we visit 18th century beautiful, small town of Sighnaghi which will impress us with its old fence and small houses with tiles of sand decorated balconies. From here we can see the picturesque views of Alazani valley and Great Caucasus Mountains. After that visit the Monastery of Bodbe (11thc.) where Georgia`s enlightener-Saint Nino was buried and see its beautiful garden as well. Later visit traditional Georgian wine cellar, which is a kind of ethnographic museum, where we can find Georgian wine cellar character is tic features, as well as ancient things. Here we taste wine made by traditional way in Kvevri (clay vessel).This method of wine making is inscribed in UNESCO intangible heritage list. Lunch with homemade dishes and wine. Drive back to Tbilisi. Overnight at a hotel in Tbilisi. (B/L/-)

DAY 8    FREE DAY
Free day in Tbilisi. Overnight at a hotel in Tbilisi. (B/-/-)

DAY 9    TBILISI - AIRPORT
Drive to Tbilisi airport and departure. No transfer included. (B/--/--)

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

> 4 x overnights in hotel in Yerevan
> 3 x overnights in hotel in Tbilisi
> Yerevan airport – Yerevan hotel
> Yerevan hotel – Yerevan Train station
> Tbilisi train station – Tbilisi hotel
> English speaking cultural tour guide on the tour days
> Entrance fees to the sites as per program
> Train ticket Yerevan-Tbilisi CV class/ 1 st class (2-bed sleeper) 
> Catering BB: (breakfast at the hotel), 1 x lunch on day 7
> 1 bottle of water per person per day
> Map of Armenia