Visits to the most popular places in Armenia and Georgia
DAY 1
Arrival in Tbilisi, Pick up at the Airport, Transfer to the hotel, check in, Breakfast, Short City Tour
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mtkvari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T’pilisi and it was officially known as Tpilisi or Tiflis until 1936. The city was founded in the 5th century by Vakhtang Gorgasali. Historically, Tbilisi has been home to peoples of diverse cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, though it is now overwhelmingly Eastern Orthodox Christian. Notable tourist destinations include cathedrals like Sameba- Trinity church and Sioni, Freedom Square and Rustaveli Avenue, medieval Narikala Fortrees, Jewish Synagogue, Armenian church – St. Gevorg, Opera Theater, Sulphur bathes, Mtatsminda Park, the bridge of peace, Sharden Street and many other old churches, chapels, monuments and old historical buildings.
Overnight in Tbilisi
DAY 2
Tbilisi City Tour, Mtskheta Tour
Breakfast at the hotel.
Tour to ancient capital of Georgia – Mtskheta:
Drive to Mtskheta (35minutes to drive). In the ancient times, Mtskheta was the capital of Georgia and is most important religious centre. It is situated at the convergence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi Rivers. There are a number of very significant archaeological and religious monuments in and around town. Lunch in a Georgian restaurant “Aragvi” or similar. Visits to Jvari church (VI c), Svetitskhoveli cathedral (XI c) and Dedata/Mothers’ Monastery.
Return to Tbilisi for a half-day city tour:
Metekhi church (XIIIc); Abanot-ubani (natural sulphur springs, bath –houses built in XVI-XVII cc); Narikala church (the church, first was built in IV c. and in XI it was destroyed. Finally, it was rebuilt in late XX c. There is a great view of old district of Tbilisi from this church); Karvasla: where you can see ancient Georgians clothes and hand made goods. Souvenir shopping (optional).
Evening free for city walking.
Dinner and overnight in Tbilisi.
DAY 3
Check out, Transfer from Tbilisi to Yerevan, on the way visit Sanahin Monastery, Haghpat Monastery, Dilijan (Haghartsin), Sevan (Sevanavank), Yerevan
Sanahin: One of the most impressive monasteries in Armenia, the Monastery of Sanahin is located in Lori province, particularly in Alaverdi. It founded in the 10th century. The complex which has numerous khachkars (stones with elaborate engravings representing a cross) belongs to the Armenian Apostolic Church. Monastery of Sanahin was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996.
Haghpat Monastery is a medieval Armenian monastery complex in Haghpat village. The monastery was founded by Queen Khosrovanuysh, wife of the Bagratid king Ashot III, probably in 976. There are also a number of splendid khachkars (cross-stones) of the 11th-13th centuries standing on the territory of the monastery, the best known among them is the "Amenaprkich" (All-Savior) khachkar which has been standing since 1273.Today the area is an increasingly popular tourist site.
Dilijan is one of the best cities in Armenia. It is a spa town and health resort in the Tavush Province of Armenia. Dilijan lies on the banks of Aghstev River with a length of more than 20 kilometers (12 miles) and at a height of 1,500 meters above sea level. The valley is surrounded with the Lesser Caucasus Mountains from the north.
Lake Sevan is the largest lake in Armenia and the Caucasus region. It is one of the largest freshwater high-altitude lakes in the world. The most famous cultural monument is the Sevanavank monastery near the town of Sevan at the northwestern shore. Initially, the monastery was located on an island, but the fall of the water level turned it into a peninsula.
DAY 4
Yerevan City Tour
Breakfast at the Hotel
Morning tour by car in Yerevan: Erebuni Museum and Forest, Railway Station, Yerevan Municipality, Mesrop Mashtots Avenue, Saryan Park, Marshal Baghramyan.
Erebuni Museum: Museum was established in 1968. The opening of the museum was timed to coincide with the 2750th anniversary of Yerevan. The Museum stands at the foot of the Arin Berd hill, on top of which the Urartian visitarm Fortress Erebouni has stood since 782 BCE. The City-Fortress was excavated, some parts of the structure were reinforced and restored, and the fortress was turned into an outdoor Museum.
Lunch upon request
Matenadaran Museum: repository of ancient manuscripts, research institute and museum, it holds one of the world's richest depositories of medieval manuscripts and books in Armenian and many other languages.
Visit Tsitsernakaberd Memorial: Museum of Armenian Genocide, Memorial dedicated to the victims of the Genocide.
Evening walking tour in Yerevan: Cascade, Marshal Baghramyan, Opera House, Northern Avenue, Republic Square and Dancing Fountain Show.
Overnight in Yerevan
DAY 5
Trip to Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery, Echmiatsin Cathedral, Zvartnots
Garni is a first century Hellenic temple in Armenia. It is the only pagan temple in Armenia that survived the Christianization of the country in the early 4th century. Nearby is the Garni Gorge with well-preserved basalt columns, carved out by the Goght River. This portion of the gorge is typically referred to as the "Symphony of the Stones". Across the gorge is the Khosrov State Reserve, and a little further Havuts Tar Monastery (which may be seen from the temple).
The Monastery of Geghard is a unique architectural construction being partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight in Yerevan
DAY 6
Free Day
Check out from the Hotel
Drop off to the airport
Departure.