Georgia and Armenia combined tour

Panoramic tour of the city of Tbilisi, Georgia's capital and largest city, located on the banks of the Mtkvari River. It was founded in the 5th century by Georgian King Vakhtang I Gorgasali. Tbilisi, whose architecture represents a synthesis of Eastern and Western culture, is the industrial, social and cultural center of Georgia.

The city offers a wide variety of monuments, most of which are ancient. In the ancient part of the city you can visit the church of Metekhi (XII century). Visit Narikala Fortress where we climb on the funicular. We will visit Abanotubani, (literally "Sulfur Springs") the old Tbilisi district, known for its sulfur baths. Possibility to make baths in sulfur baths. Walk along Rustaveli Road, the main road in Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.
 

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Mtskheta - one of Georgia's oldest cities. Mtskheta has many very old buildings, which became part of the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. Among these buildings some are worth remembering: the Cathedral of Svetitskhoveli (from the eleventh century), buried the tunic of Jesus Christ, and the Monastery of Jvari (6th century).

Departure for Gori, the heart of the Kartli region and Josip Vissarionovic's hometown, passed to history with Stalin's nickname. Nearby, we visit the picturesque rocky Uplistsikhe town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, dating back to the 1st millennium BC. Situated along the ancient Silk Road, it is one of the oldest settlements in the Caucasus.

Departure for Borjomi, a spa town famous for its mineral waters. Departure to Akhaltsikhe, capital of the ancient Georgian region of Samtskhe, crossed by the River Potskhovi, visit to the fortress of Rabath. Overnight in Akhaltsikhe.
 

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the border, arrival and customs clearance for exiting Georgia. Meeting with the Armenian guide. Arrival in Gyumri, the second city of Armenia for its greatness and importance, destroyed and partially reconstructed after the devastating earthquake of 1988.

Visit of the city of Gyumri, in particular the historical center of the city with Varpetats Road where it is possible to observe the typical homes that survived the 1988 earthquake and the Church of Yot Verq, literally "Church of the Seven Wounds". Departure for Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan.
 

Departure for Etchmiadzin, the spiritual and administrative center of the Armenian Apostolic Church, where the seat of the Catholicos (father church) of all Armenians is located. Visit to the Cathedral of Etchmiadzin, which dates back to the 4th century, which in 2000 was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Armenia became the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301. For centuries religion was the most important way to save Armenian identity. Before returning to Yerevan stop for a visit to the ruins of the grandiose Palatine Cathedral of Zvartnots dating back to the VII sec. called the Church of the Vigilant Forces.

Zvartnots Temple, which collapsed due to an earthquake between 930 and 1000, gave rise to a striking scenario of splendid remains from the long excavation campaign of the early 20th century, revealing its complete architecture and archaeological significance. Return to Yerevan. Overnight in the hotel.
 

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Garni, the center of the Hellenistic culture of the country and the ancient summer residence of the Armenian royals. The temple was built in the 1st century BC by King Tiridate I of Armenia and was probably devoted to god Mitra. The temple lies on the edge of a deep gorge.

The place is known for its basalt columns called "Symphony of Stones". The temple was a summer residence for the Arshakid dynasty. Visit the ruins of the royal palace and the bathroom near the temple. Following, visit the impressive Ghegard rock monastery (XIII sec): the name means "spear temple"and  according to tradition there was a fragment of the spear with which the centurion traversed Jesus, which is now displayed in the museum of the Etchmiadzin Cathedral.

Geghard Monastery is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is a masterpiece of medieval Armenian architecture. Lunch in a local home with a chance to watch the lavash baking ceremony - traditional Armenian bread prepared in the underground oven called "tonir". Return to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan.
 

Breakfast at the hotel. The panoramic tour of the city includes a visit to the Republic Square: State University, Opera, Parliament and the Presidential Palace. Opera and Ballet Theater. Visit to the Genocide Monument, dedicated to the victims of 1915, and the Museum of Genocide.

Visit of the institute and Museum of Matenadaran where there are ancient guardians and precious manuscripts. Visit the Cascade complex, which is considered Yerevan Modern Art Center, with artwork exhibited throughout the area, from whose top you can enjoy a beautiful view over the city. This place becomes even more charming at night when it is full of locals and tourists from all over the world.

Visit the handmade Armenian rugs factory. Here you can see the production of carpets both in the traditional Armenian style and the modern ones, to go shopping in the gallery, as well as to observe the process of changing the carpets knowing the dyeing and natural processing technologies. You can also visit the museum of ancient carpets.

Lunch at the factory's restaurant where visitors will be able to participate in the preparation of typical Armenian food dishes - "Ghapama" (literally means "cooked in a covered pot"). It is prepared by making a cavity in a pumpkin and filling it with layers of rice, chopped pumpkin, nuts and dried fruits. Visit the Armenian Central Market. Overnight in Yerevan.
 

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Khor Virap Monastery located in the vast Ararat Valley, where traditionally Noah's Ark fell on the ground. Visit of the Khor Virap Monastery where the First Cattolicos of all Armenians (Supreme Patriarch) was imprisoned. The monastery rises on the place where St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for thirteen years, after which Gregory, baptizing King Tiridate III, made Armenia the first Christian nation in the world.

The site was visited by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Armenia in 2001 and Pope Francis in 2016. Optional: Small representation of the Armenian traditional musical instrument, the duduk (also known as Tsiranapoghletterously, "apricot flute"). After that the local musician will describe the origin, the symbolism of the national instrument. The duduk's enveloping music can be heard in the soundtrack of many Hollywoodian films such as "The Gladiator" and others.

After visiting Khor Virap you continue for the Noravank Monastery, which was a very important cultural and religious center in the 13th century.  Departure for the village of Areni famous for its particular type of grape that is called Arenas. Visit to the Arena Winery and wine tasting. Return to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan.
 

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Lake Sevan at 1900 meters above sea level, which certainly represents one of the most beautiful and scenic spots in Armenia. Visit Sevanavank monastery (IX century) on the peninsula, with two monastery churches that dominate it and offering a remarkable panoramic view. Cruise on Lake Sevan. Optional: mini cruise on Lake Sevan.

Departure for the Tavush region. Arrival at Dilijan, a famous holiday area covered by green forests and hills that extends over the terraced highlands surrounded by mountain ranges of Bazum and Pambak, with a renowned mineral water and a nature reserve. The  monuments of this area include the magnificent 11th-century monastic complex of Haghartsin with its three churches: St. Gregory the Illuminator, Saint Stephen and the Virgin Mary, which is one of the most important sites in the area.

Overnight in Dilijan.
 

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Alaverdi to visit the Sanahin monastic complex (X-XIII century). The complex consists of several buildings, among which the library and the academy are very particular. Departure for the Haghpat Village. Visit of the monastic complex of Haghpat (X-XIII century).

Beside the worship halls there are many ramparts used as defense. The most famous Armenian artists and politicians lived and worked there and numerous manuscripts were written, copied and decorated with thumbnails. Both monasteries are considered as UNESCO World Heritage. In the afternoon crossing the border with Georgia and arriving in Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.
 

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Tsinandali, known for wine production. Visit to Alexander Chavchavadze's home-museum, a 19th-century aristocratic poet who founded the oldest industrial wine production in Georgia, blending European and Georgian traditions.

Departure for Telavi - a city in the Alazani valley of Georgia. Departure for Signagi - an ancient city, also known as the "City of Love", built on a hill overlooking the valley of Alazani surrounded by walls. For over 200 years the city has managed to preserve its original appearance and offers visitors the beautiful views of the mountains of Great Caucasus. Return to Tbilisi. Departure.