Route: Tbilisi city-tour, Mtskheta-Jvari-Samtavro-Shio-Mghime, Sevan(Sevanavank)-Dilijan(Haghartsin), Garni-Geghard(Vernisage-Gum market), Khor-Virap-Noravank-Jermuk.
Duration: 6 nights/7 days
DAY |
DESTINATION |
Day 1 |
Meeting at the airport Tbilisi. Transfer to the hotel. Night in Tbilisi |
Day 2 |
Tbilisi city-tour. Night in Tbilisi |
Day 3 |
Mtskheta-Jvari-Samtavro-Shio-Mghime. Night in Tbilisi |
Day 4 |
Sevan(Sevanavank)-Dilijan(Haghartsin). Night in Yerevan |
Day 5 |
Garni-Geghard(Vernisage-Gum market). Night in Yerevan |
Day 6 |
Khor-Virap-Noravank-Jermuk. Night in Yerevan |
Day 7 |
Transfer to the airport Yerevan |
1 Day: Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel.
Meeting at the airport.
Transfer to the hotel.
Free time.
Night in Tbilisi.
2 Day: Tbilisi city-tour
Breakfast
Sightseeing tour of Tbilisi, during which we will get acquainted with both the history and architecture of the old part of Tbilisi. The appearance of old Tbilisi is unlike any other city in the world. The combination of original architecture and natural beauty gives it a unique charm and color. During our walk, we will visit the bridge of Peace, walk along the street of Chardin, visit the area of natural sulfur baths-Abanotubani. We will also go up by cable car to the defensive fortress of Narikala, which the locals call the soul and the heart of Tbilisi. Today, the appearance of the city harmoniously combines ancient and modern features: near the temples of the VI-VII centuries, modern high-rise buildings have grown, wide streets, parks, gardens have appeared, and majestic bridges have spanned the rapid and full-flowing Kura.
Night in Tbilisi
3 Day: Mtskheta-Jvari-Samtavro-Shio-Mghvime
Breakfast
Mtskheta is the most sacred city for pilgrimage in Georgia, and is declared a UNESCO world heritage site. The ancient history of Mtskheta is fascinating and well-known. The city was founded in the V century BC by the indigenous meshkin tribes, who are believed to have originally emigrated from Anatolia (Turkey). Legend has it that the city was named after the legendary ruler Mtsekhotos, the son of the first king of Kartli.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is a famous monument of Christian culture in Georgia. It was built on the site of the destroyed Church of the Twelve Apostles (IV century).A religious tradition connected with the adoption of Christianity by Georgia is connected with the emergence of this Church. The legend tells about a resident of Mtskheta, Elioz, who, while in Jerusalem, obtained the Chiton of Jesus Christ.
On a hill overlooking Mtskheta, there is a revered monastery temple of Jvari, whose name translates as”cross”. According to legend, Jvari is the place where Saint Nino erected the Holy cross to symbolize Georgia’s acceptance of Christianity in the fourth century ad
Samtavro monastery-was built in 1820, but it was based on a small ancient wooden Church of the IV century, built by king Mirian. in which the ruler Mirian and his wife Nana, who were the first to be baptized by Saint Nino in 337, are buried.
Shio-Mgvime monastery was founded by the monk Shio, who was one of the thirteen Holy fathers who came to Georgia to preach Christianity. Before the construction of the temple, Saint Shio lived in a cave, hence the name of the monastery “shiomgvime”, which translates as”Shio cave”. The first Church of John the Baptist was built in the VI century and Shio himself chose the place to build the temple. The monastery quickly became a center of religious activity.the heart of Tbilisi. Today, the appearance of the city harmoniously combines ancient and modern features: near the temples of the VI-VII centuries, modern high-rise buildings have grown, wide streets, parks, gardens have appeared, and majestic bridges have spanned the rapid and full-flowing Kura.
Night in Tbilisi
4 Day: Dilijan-Haghartsin- Sevan-Sevanavank
Breakfast
Transfer to the Sadakhlo.
We start our excursion day towards Armenia:
Dilijan is a large city in Armenia, which has the status of a mountain climate and balneological resort. It is located in Tavush region 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, 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 monastery Sevanavank. In those early days, the Peninsula was a lonely island. It was separated from the shore by about 3 km of clear water, where there were a lot of 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 Yerevan
5 Day: Garni-Geghard-Vernisage-Gum market
Breakfast
The Garni Museum-reserve is located on the territory of 5 hectares near the village of the same name, 28 kilometers East of Yerevan. It includes a number of historical and architectural monuments of the Hellenistic and early Christian eras. The most prominent of them are the temple of Garni, dedicated to the sun God Mithra, and the fortress of the same name. Also of considerable interest are the ruins of the Royal Palace and a bathhouse built on the principle of Roman baths. In 2011, the complex received the prestigious UNESCO-Greece award. Melina Mercury.
A few km from Garni, if you move along the gorge of the Azat river to the North-East, on the slope of an almost closed amphitheater of steep rocks, surrounded by harsh and majestic nature, is the Geghard monastery or Geghardavank, famous for its rock architecture. The signpost of the way to it is the figure of a lioness on a high pedestal at a sharp turn of the road, unexpectedly opening a view of the monastery.
“Vernissage” — 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 must be tasted. At 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
6 Day: Khor-Virap-Noravank-Djermuk
Breakfast
The first point of the tour is the monastery of Khor Virap. It was built on the site of the prison where St. Gregory the Illuminator, who later became the first Catholicos of all Armenians and the first Patriarch in the world, spent 13 years. The monastery offers a beautiful view of Ararat.
Next, we are waiting for the Noravank monastery (14th century), striking with its architecture, which is a worthy work of the Renaissance. On the wall of the main Church there is a bas-relief with the world’s first image of God the Father.
After that, we will go to the resort town of Jermuk, where we will enjoy the healing mineral water.
Night in Yerevan
7 Day: Transfer to the airport
Transfer to the airport Yerevan
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
- Aiport Tbilisi-hotel Tbilisi-hotel Yerevan-airport Yerevan
- Excursion: Tbilisi city-tour
- Excursion: Mtskheta-Jvari-Samtavro-Shio-Mghvime
- Excursion: Tbilisi-Sevan-Dilijan-Yerevan
- Excursion: Yerevan city-tour
- Excursion: Garni-Geghard-Shopping
- Excursion: Khor-Virap-Noravank-Djermuk
- Entrance tickets: Narikhala cable car, Garni Temple
- Wine tasting at Tsinandali estate
- Bottle of drinking water for every day
Rate doesn’t include:
- Extra meals and drinks
- Extra tours
- Souvenirs