A unique trip across different populations, ethnic groups, religions and architectures, from the Middle East to the Caucasus. Your itinerary will start in Iran, a charming and colorful country, exploring mosques, palaces and bazaars, where the Persian culture is still alive and the population will be incredibly hospitable.

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A unique trip across different populations, ethnic groups, religions and architectures, from the Middle East to the Caucasus. Your itinerary will start in Iran, a charming and colorful country, exploring mosques, palaces and bazaars, where the Persian culture is still alive and the population will be incredibly hospitable.

The landscape and architectures will change dramatically while travelling into Armenia and Georgia, the gems of the Caucasus, where mountains and nature dominate the scenery, dotted here and there by monasteries and Orthodox or Catholic churches.

This tour will give you an insight on cultures that are little known and often victim of prejudice, leaving you with unforgettable memories. 

Trip summary

  • Travel style Tailor-made travel
  • Departure Teheran
  • End Tbilisi
  • Countries
    • Iran
    • Armenia
    • Georgia
  • City
    • Teheran
    • Zanjan
    • Tabriz
    • Goris
    • Yerevan
    • Dilijan
    • Tbilisi
    • Kazbegi
  • Theme Art, history and cultural trips
  • Accommodation Standard
  • Flight Excluded
  • Guide Included
  • The tour has met our standards

Detailed itinerary

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  • 1
    Tehran
    Day 1 Transfer by car

    After arriving in Tehran from Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) our representative will meet and greet you then you will be transferred to hotel for rest. 

    Visited places:
    • Teheran
  • 2
    Tehran (B/L/D)
    Day 2 Transfer by car

    Breakfast. Walking tour around Tehran. Full day dedicated to discovering Iran's capital city, located on the foothills of Elburz mountains, at 1200 meters. You will visit the main museums in Tehran, including Golestan Palace, built by King Qajar, to admire the imposing throne hall, the National Museum, the Glass Museum and the Museum of jewels. Overnight in Tehran. 

    Visited places:
    • Teheran
  • 3
    Tehran - Zanjan (B/L/D)
    Day 3 Transfer by car

    Breakfast. Morning departure to Zanjan. About 36 km before reaching Zanjan, stop to visit Soltaniyeh dome, in the ancient capital of the Ikanide Mongolians who ruled over Iran in the 14th century. In 2005, Unesco included Soltaniyeh among the World Heritage sites. In the afternoon arrive in Zanjan and visit the city: Rakhtshuy Khane Museum, the old market and much else. Overnight in Zanjan.

    Visited places:
    • Teheran
    • Zanjan
  • 4
    Zanjan - Tabriz (B/L/D)
    Day 4 Transfer by car

    Breakfast. Departure to Tabriz. Stop en route to see the peculiar village of Kandovan, where people still live today in houses excavated from the rocks, perched on the slopes of a mountain. Sightseeing in Tabriz. Very little remains of the grand past of this city, since violent earthquakes destroyed most of the historical monuments. An important monument which is still standing is the Citadel of Tabriz, a complex of ruins with vertical elements. Other interesting buildings are Kabud Mosque or "Blue Mosque" built in 1465, the grand bazaar, one of the main trade centers of the Middle East since ancient times, Alisha Fortress and Azerbaijian museum. Overnight in Tabriz. 

    Visited places:
    • Zanjan
    • Tabriz
  • 5
    Tabriz - Nordooz - Meghri - Goris (B/L/D)
    Day 5 Transfer by car

    Breakfast. In the early morning excursion to Siyah Bisheh (Chalderan) and visit to St. Thaddeus Cathedral, then departure to Joffa and visit to the Armenian monastery of St. Stephanus, dating back to the 16th century and recognized by Unesco in 2008 as World Heritage. The monastery is said to host human remains, attributed to Saint John the Baptist. 

    Transfer to Nordooz, on the border between Iran and Armenia. Meeting with the Armenian guide and departure to Goris. Stop en route to visit Khndzoresk primitive village. Dinner and overnight in Goris. 

    Visited places:
    • Tabriz
    • Goris
  • 6
    Goris - Tatev - Noravank - Areni - Yerevan (B/L/D)
    Day 6 Transfer by car

    Breakfast. In the morning the world's longest zip line will take you to magnificent Tatev monastery (9th - 13th centuries), a former center for sciences and arts, where many of the greates Armenian scholars lived and worked centuries ago. Tatev complex is made up of three churches, a canteen and a library.

    Lunch in a local restaurant. Departure to Vayotz Dzor area, crossing a canyon which is 8 km long, to visit the marvelous monastic complex of Novarank (12th-13th centuries), located in a spectacular setting on the edge of a cliff. Visit a wine factory in Areni to taste local wines. Departure to Yerevan. Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Yerevan. 

    Visited places:
    • Goris
    • Yerevan
  • 7
    Yerevan - Echmiatsin- Zvartnoc - Yerevan (B/L/D)
    Day 7 Transfer by car

    Breakfast. Today you will start by visiting the Armenian capital, defined as the "pink city" for the color of stones and for the reflections of the light coming from the snowy peaks of the Ararat Mountain at sunrise. Visit Matendaran museum and the brandy factory. (Here you'll learn more about the legend of Armenian brandy. During the tour you will have the chance to visit the basement where maturation takes place and see the conditions in which brandy is kept).

    Stop at the Genocide Memorial on Tsitsernakaberd hill. Departure to Echmiadzin. Visit Echmiadzin Cathedral. Today Echmiadzin is the Holy Seat for Catholics, the spiritual core of the Armenian Church. Visit the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, built in the 7th century. Dinner in a cosy restaurant. Overnight in Yerevan. 

    Visited places:
    • Yerevan
  • 8
    Yerevan - Garni - Geghard - Yerevan (B/L/D)
    Day 8 Transfer by car

    Breakfast. Visit to the History Museum. Lunch in a local house, where you can join the preparation of the Armenian bread called "lavash". Continue to Kotayq region, where you can visit Garni pagan temple built in the first century. The tour continues to Geghard monastery (13th century). Its name comes from the famous spear that was used to slay Christ to make sure he was dead. According to the legend it was brought to Armenia by Apostle Thaddeus and kept in the monastery together with other relics. Even though the main chapel was built in 1215, the monastery was established in the 4th century.

    Visit Megerian carpet weaving factory. The Megerian family has been selling, mending and producing excellent carpets for over four generations. Here you'll have the chance to see unique examples of handmade carpets and see the weaving process. Dinner in the restaurant of the factory. Overnight in Yerevan. 

    Visited places:
    • Yerevan
  • 9
    Yerevan - Sevan- Dilijan (B/L/D)
    Day 9 Transfer by car

    Breakfast. Departure to Sevan lake, one of the largest mountain lakes in the world (1900 meters above sea level). The natural beauty of the lake adds value to the majestic archtectural beauty of Sevan Monastery. Visit the attractions of Dilijan. Lunch in a local restaurant. Visit an ancient road in Sharambeyan with shops and museums, Visit Haghartsin Monastery (10-12th centuries), a clear example of harmony between nature and architecture. There are several interesting khackar (giant carved stone crosses) in the monastery. Dinner and overnight in Dilijan. 

    Visited places:
    • Yerevan
    • Dilijan
  • 10
    Dilijan - Sanahin - Haghpat - Sadakhlo - Tbilisi (B/L/D)
    Day 10 Transfer by car

    Breakfast. Hike in Alaverdi region. Visit two monuments built in Armenian style from the 10-14th century, Sanahin convent and Haghpat Monastery (Unesco World Heritage). Sanahin was built by Armenian princes from Costantinople in 900, while Haghpat was established during Ashot III's reign from Bagratuni dynasty. The oldest building in the monastery was ordered by queen  Khosrvanuch between 911 and 991 and was called Church of the Holy Cross. Lunch in a local restaurant. Continue to the border with Georgia. Meeting with the local guide, custom formalities and change to another bus. Arrival in Tbilisi.

    Check in to the hotel. Dinner in a Georgian restaurant. Overnight in Tbilisi. 

    Visited places:
    • Dilijan
    • Tbilisi
  • 11
    Tbilisi (B/L/D)
    Day 11 Transfer by car

    Breakfast. Tbilisi city tour. The name Tbilisi comes from the name of sulphur springs. The tour of Tbilisi begins in the old part of the city. Visit the old sulphur baths, the Georgian and Armenian Orthodox churches, the Jewish synagogue and the Turkish mosque. You can also visit the largest cathedral in the Caucasus, Tbilisi Sameba. The trip also includes a stop to Metekhi, the church on the rocks.

    This church was built in the 12th century and its history is linked to Mongolian invasions and political repressions by the USSR. Stop at colorful Derjani palace, similar to a swallow's nest. Lunch in a restaurant. Visit Narikala St. Nicolas Orthodox church, decorated with frescoes from the Bible. Near the church you'll also find Narikala fortress. Here you can reach St. Gregory Armenian Church on foot, dating back to the 12th century, and the Jewish synagogue. On the opposite side is Sioni church. You can also walk to the oldest church in Tbilisi, Anchiskhati church. Dinner in a traditional restaurant. Overnight in Tbilisi. 

    Visited places:
    • Tbilisi
  • 12
    Tbilisi - Mtshketa - Ananuri - Kazbegi (B/L/D)
    Day 12 Transfer by car

    Breakfast. Travel west to visit the ancient capital and religious center of Georgia, Mtskheta, with its historical monuments: Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (both Unesco Heritage). Lunch and wine tasting at Chamber of Georgian wine. Then you will reach Ananuri Complex  (17th century) and Jivali basin. The scenbery is very picturesque and the route climbing to Caucasus mountains is very evocative. Finally reach Gudauri, a famous ski resort. Dinner and overnight in a hotel in Kazbegi.

    Visited places:
    • Tbilisi
    • Kazbegi
  • 13
    Kazbegi - Gergeti Trinity - Tbilisi (B/L/D)
    Day 13 Transfer by car

    Breakfast. From Kazbegi, the capital city of the region, an uphill road of about 1 hour and a half takes you through a landscape of valleys and mountains and to Gergeti Trinity Church at 2170 m. If the weather is favourable you can see one of the highest glaciers of the Caucasus, on Kazbegi mountain (5047 m), whose name means "icy peak".

    Before traveling back to Tbilisi, visit Gveleti falls and Dariali gorges. Dinner in a restaurant in Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi. 

    Visited places:
    • Kazbegi
    • Tbilisi
  • 14
    Tbilisi - Telavi - Tsinandali - Sighnaghi - Tbilisi (B/L/D)
    Day 14 Transfer by car

    Breakfast. Departure to Kakheti region, where you'll visit the palace museum that once belonged to the poet and prince Alexander Chavchavadze in the 19th century: here you can taste five kinds of wine. You'll also see Bodbe nuns' convent, 2 km from Sighnaghi, a pilgrimage site thanks to its relation with Saint Ninus, and the historical and etnographic museum in Sighnaghi, hosting 16 paintings by famous Georgian painter Niko Pirosmani. In the evening return to Tbilisi. Farewell dinner in a restaurant with folk music. Overnight in Tbilisi. 

    Visited places:
    • Tbilisi
  • 15
    Departure
    Day 15 Transfer by car

    Breakfast and airport transfer.

    Visited places:
    • Tbilisi
  • Prices and conditions

    Price includes

    Services included in Iran:

    • Visa administration in Iran
    • All transfers and ground transportation
    • English speaking tour guide
    • All sightseeing as itinerary including entrance fees
    • Hotel accommodation with Breakfast
    • FB
    • 1 bottle of water per pax per day

    Services included in Armenia:

    • Hotel accommodation
    • Transfers
    • Transportation: 2 pax – Mercedes E , S class, 4 pax – Mercedes Vito or Viano, 6-12pax – Mercedes Sprinter
    • Excursions according to program
    • Entrance fee
    • 1 bottle of water per person per day
    • FB
    • Professional guide services (English speaking)

    Services included in Georgia:

    • Transportation as per program (2 pax - mini Van or Sedan; 4-10 pax – Mini bus with 17 seats; 12 pax – middle bus)
    • 4X4 cars in Kazbegi
    • 4 overnights in Tbilisi with BB, DBL room
    • 1 overnights in Kazbegi at the 4* Hotel “Rooms” with HB
    • All lunches and dinners with soft drinks
    • All museum entrance fees
    • Wine degustation fees
    • One bottle of water per person per day
    Price does not include
    • Travel insurance
    • Alcoholic drinks
    • Tips for drivers and guides
    • Optional activities 
    • Flights