Route: Garni-Geghard-Shopping (Vernisage-Gum market), Zvartnoc-Echmiadzin-Khor-Virap, Dilijan-Hagharstin-Sevan-Sevanavank, Tbilisi city-tour-Mtskheta-Jvari, Sighnaghi-Bodbe-Tsinandali.
Duration: 6 nights/7 days
Day |
Destination |
Day 1 |
Meeting at the airport Yerevan. Transfer to the hotel. Night in Yerevan |
Day 2 |
Garni-Geghard-Shopping (Vernisage-Gum market). Night in Yerevan |
Day 3 |
Zvartnoc-Echmiadzin-Khor-Virap. Night in Yerevan |
Day 4 |
Dilijan-Hagharstin-Sevan-Sevanavank. Night in Tbilisi |
Day 5 |
Tbilisi city-tour-Mtskheta-Jvari. Night in Tbilisi |
Day 6 |
Sighnaghi-Bodbe-Tsinandali. Night in Tbilisi |
Day 7 |
Transfer to the airport Tbilisi |
1 Day: Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel.
Meeting at the airport.
Transfer to the hotel.
Free time.
Night in Yerevan.
2 Day: Garni-Geghard-Shopping(Vernisage-Gum market)
Breakfast
Our excursion day will start with a visit to the pagan temple of Garni. This is the only fully restored architectural monument of the pagan and Hellenistic period in Armenia. It was built in 76 ad by king Trdat and served as the summer residence of the Armenian kings. It offers a picturesque view of the Azat river and the Garni gorge. Then we will arrive at the Geghard temple complex (monastery of the Spear).
The Geghard complex(ayrivank) is a two-story temple carved in solid stone with an adjacent Church. Geghard got its name from the spear of Longinus, which pierced the body of Christ. The spear is kept in Etchmiadzin and presented to visitors. Geghardavank is a UNESCO world heritage site and is one of the most visited places in Armenia.
Colorful fair “Vernissage” is a favorite place of tourists and guests of the capital. Artists, craftsmen, jewelers, seamstresses and potters bring their amazing works here, and every Saturday and Sunday from 10: 00 am, you can buy any Souvenirs and works of art you like. If you want to buy something to remember Armenia by, feel free to send it to the “Vernissage”, as you are unlikely to leave here empty-handed. They sell paintings, jewelry, wood products, magnets, musical instruments, national Souvenirs, carpets, national costumes, semi-precious stones, rarities, and much more.
“GUM” is a colorful market filled with aromas, smiles, strange delicious goods and real excitement of trade. It has its own charm, which is difficult to describe in words, it needs to be tasted. It has its own chip, walking through the market, sellers and try to treat and pita bread, and wine, and cheese, and fruit. Apricots, peaches, grapes, apples, cherries, plums, watermelons, melons, pomegranates — you will be surprised by the variety of local fruits and affordability. No Armenian feast is complete without basturma and sujukh. They will be a great addition to a fine red wine. There is a wide selection of meat products that can be purchased directly from the manufacturer. At the same place you can find fresh greens, a huge selection of Armenian cheeses, spices and pita bread, of which will have a real Armenian brtech. Sujukh is not only dry, sharp and salty, but also sweet, because it is also prepared from nuts and grape juice. Sweet lovers will be particularly pleased with “Armenian Snickers”. Along with sweet sujuho, your eyes and sense of smell will be pleased with the abundance of dried fruits, iridescent with all the colors of the rainbow. Don’t forget to buy Alani — dried peaches stuffed with crushed walnuts with sugar and spices, and treat yourself to nut mixes mixed with raisins.
Night in Yerevan.
3 Day: Zvartnoc-Echmiadzin-Khor-Virap
Breakfast
Zvartnots temple, which in ancient Armenian means “Temple of the Watchful angels” – a temple of early medieval Armenian architecture, is located near Yerevan and Vagharshapat (Echmiadzin). In 2000, the ruins of the temple and the archaeological area around it were included in the UNESCO world heritage list. According to the Armenian historian Sebeos, it was built under Catholicos Nerses III the Builder in 640-650, who planned to move his residence from Dvin to Vagharshapat.
Etchmiadzin Cathedral – the main temple of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the seat of the Supreme Patriarch of the Catholicos of all Armenians in 303-484, and again since 1441. Since 2000, it has been included in the UNESCO world heritage list. It is one of the oldest Christian churches in the world.The construction of the Cathedral is associated with the name of king Trdat III and Catholicos St. Gregory the Illuminator.
The Etchmiadzin Treasury Museum was built by architect Bagdasar Arzumanyan and opened to the public on October 11, 1982. The Museum-Treasury is a striking example of new and unique elements in classical Armenian architecture.The Museum contains not only the relics of the Armenian Church, but also the library of Catholicos Garegin I. the Samples displayed in the Treasury were brought to the mother see of Holy Etchmiadzin from different parts of the world and Armenian communities. These samples show the skill and high creative spirit of Armenian masters of different eras, as well as the unique perception of beauty
Khor Virap is an Armenian monastery located near the border with Turkey. The monastery is known for its location at the foot of the biblical mount Ararat, where, according to legend, Noah appeared on the ark after the flood.
It is one of the shrines of the Armenian Apostolic Church and a place of pilgrimage. Translated from Armenian, “Khor Virap” means “deep pit”. The monastery is located above the underground prison where the Armenian king Trdat III imprisoned St. Gregory the Illuminator.
Night in Yerevan.
4 Day: Dilijan(Hagharstin)-Sevan(Sevanavank)-Tbilisi
Breakfast
Transfer to Sadakhlo.
We start our tour day:
Dilijan is a large city in Armenia, which has the status of a mountain climate and balneological resort. It is located in Tavush Marz in the valley of the river Aghstev, at a height of at 1,258-1,510 m amidst coniferous forests. The center of Dilijan is located on the right Bank of the Agstev river, where its residential quarters and shops are concentrated. There is also a restored quarter of “Old Dilijan” – a historical building with architectural elements typical of Dilijan-dormers, wooden balconies with carved railings, window and door borders. This quarter recreates the traditional way of life of citizens-artisans work, cafes, bakeries operate, and sell Souvenirs.
The Haghartsin complex is located high in the wooded mountains where eagles are found, and the name of the monastery is translated from Armenian as “game of eagles”. The image of an eagle-a proud strong bird-is often found in the walls of Agartsin. Thus, the sculptural group of the Eastern facade of the Church of Surb Astvatsin (Holy mother of God) depicts two men in monastic attire and an eagle sitting on the dome of the Church.
The ancient relic lake Sevan – “Pearl of Armenia” or “Gegham sea” – is one of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in the world. This natural wonder is located in the very center of the Armenian highlands, in a huge mountain bowl framed by picturesque mountain ranges at an altitude of 1,900 m. The area of its water mirror is 940 square meters. km, maximum depth – 95 m.
On the North-Western part of the lake, on a narrow rocky Peninsula, there is a prominent monument of Armenian early medieval architecture – the Sevanavank monastery. In those early days, the Peninsula was a lonely island. It was separated from the shore by about 3 km of clear water, in which there were many fish, which was the trade of the monastic monastery. The monks settled here at the end of the VIII century, built a chapel and several cells.
Night in Tbilisi
5 Day: Tbilisi city-tour-Mtskheta-Jvari
Breakfast
Tbilisi: Tbilisi is one of the safest cities in Europe, and frequently ranks among the most popular emerging destinations thanks to Georgia’s growing tourism industry. Tbilisi has been home to people of diverse cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, though it is overwhelmingly Eastern Orthodox Christian. Notable landmarks include cathedrals like Sameba and Sioni, the medieval Narikala Fortress, classical avenues Rustaveli and Agmashenebeli, as well as the exotically
Mtskheta was the ancient capital of Kartli, the East Georgian Kingdom from the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD, and was also the location where Christianity was proclaimed as the official religion of Georgia in 337. The complex of the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in the centre of the town includes the cathedral church, the palace and the gates of the Katolikos Melchizedek that date from the 11th century, built on the site of earlier churches dating back to the 5th century.
The VI century Georgian Orthodox monastery Jvari is built on a hill opposite Mtskheta, at the confluence of Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. The church is included on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.
Night in Tbilisi
6 Day: Signaghi-Bodbe-Tsinandali
Breakfast
Sighnaghi is a small cozy town in Eastern Georgia, located on a mountain slope in the historical region of Kakheti. The city was founded in the XVII century under king Heraclius II and, according to local residents, it is the only city in Georgia that has completely preserved the fortress walls. The fortress wall is lined with watchtowers, which you can climb to view the magnificent views of the Alazani valley.
The monastery and Episcopal complex of Saint George, located in Bodbe, Kakheti, is a national Georgian Shrine. Here in the Cathedral of St. George lie the remains of equal-to-the-apostles Nino of Cappadocia – the great Baptist of Georgia-the harbinger of the Christian era.
Alexander Chavchavadze, the founder of Georgian romanticism, inherited the Tsinandali estate from his father, which he turned into the cultural and intellectual center of Georgia. This status of the estate has not lost in the XXI century. Tsinandali still plays a significant role in the cultural life of Georgia. exhibitions, concerts, literary events and master classes are held here.
Night in Tbilisi
7 Day: Transfer to the airport
Transfer to the airport Tbilisi
Rates includes:
- 3 nights’ accommodation with breakfast in Tbilisi hotel 3*: City Inn, Shine Palace / or hotel 4* Tbilisi Inn , Just inn
*Other hotels by the request - 3 nights’ accommodation with breakfast in Yerevan hotel 3*: Bomo Nairi 3* / or hotel 4*: Imperial Palace
*Other hotels by the request - High-quality guide service
- Transport services during the tour
- Transder: airport Yerevan-hotel Yerevan-hotel Tbilisi-airport Tbilisi
- Excursion: Garni-Geghard-Shopping
- Excursion: Zvartnoc-Echmiadzin-Khor-Virap
- Excursion: Dilijan-Sevan-Sadakhlo
- Excursion: Tbilisi city-tour-Mtskheta-Jvari
- Excursion: Signaghi-Bodbe-Tsinandali
- Entrance tickets: : Narikhala cable car, Garni Temple, Zvartnoc, Echmiadzin museum Wine tasting at Tsinandali estate
- Bottle of drinking water for every day
Rate doesn’t include:
- Extra meals and drinks
- Extra tours
- Souvenirs