UNESCO Treasures of Armenia & Georgia – 11-Day Caucasus Discovery Tour

• Yerevan-Garni-Geghard-Echmiadzin-Zvarnots-Khor Virap-Noravank-Sevan-Dilijan-Tbilisi-Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Gori-Uplistsikhe-Kutaisi-Sighnaghi-Tbilisi

During this tour, you will visit:

Discover the unique cultural heritage of the South Caucasus on an 11-day journey that combines the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Georgia and Armenia, ancient Christian holy places, medieval monasteries, historic cities, and breathtaking natural landscapes.

This tour has been designed for lovers of history, architecture, religious heritage, and cultural tourism who wish to become closely acquainted with the monuments that have left a significant mark on the development of world civilization.

During the journey, you will visit the most important UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the South Caucasus. In Armenia, you will discover the rock-hewn Geghard Monastery, an outstanding example of medieval ecclesiastical architecture, visit Etchmiadzin Cathedral—one of the oldest Christian cathedrals in the world—and explore the magnificent ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, regarded as a masterpiece of 7th-century architecture.

In Georgia, you will visit the ancient capital of Mtskheta, home to Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral—the most significant monuments of Georgia's Christian history and UNESCO World Heritage. The journey will continue to Kutaisi, where you will explore Gelati Monastery, the foremost educational and spiritual center of Georgia's Golden Age, which served as a center of science and culture for centuries.

Throughout the journey, you will become acquainted with two of the world's oldest Christian nations, their centuries-old traditions, culture, architecture, and gastronomy. Every day offers a unique opportunity to experience the history of the South Caucasus in places that are recognized as cultural heritage of outstanding universal value.

Day 1 - Arrival in Yerevan & City Exploration

• Arrive in Yerevan and transfer to the hotel.
• Spend this evening in exploring the city on your own. 

Day 2 - Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery & the Symphony of Stones

• After having your breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide and driver and start the day full of learning. The first stop will be the temple of Garni. This 1st-century temple stands at 1400 meters on the volcanic rock and has majestic views of the mountains. There, one can find a Roman bath dated to the 1st century. Close to Garni, there is a beautiful natural sight called Grani Gorge, also referred to as "the symphony of the stones."
• These are basalt columns in the shape of perfect hexagons that hang in spite of gravity. In your free time, visit Garni Gorge as well. After Grani, visit a UNESCO monument, Geghard Monastery. This 4-century complex will mesmerize you with its labyrinth of halls, acoustics, and age. Return to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan.

Day 3 - Etchmiadzin Cathedral & Zvartnots Cathedral

• Today we start by visiting the most sacred place in Armenia, its religious center called Echmiadzin. Echmiadzin is a monastic complex located in the 4th largest city in Armenia, called the same way. The complex consists of the churches of Hripsime, Gayane, and Echmiadzin Cathedral and is the headquarters of the governing body of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Protected by UNESCO, it is dated to the early 4th century and is an absolute highlight for travelers.
• After visiting Echmiadzin, it is time to visit the medieval Armenian cathedral, Zvarnots. Enjoy the sights and return to Yerevan.

Day 4 - Mount Ararat Views, Khor Virap Monastery & Noravank Monastery

• The 4th day of exploration of Armenia is devoted to two monasteries and the mount Ararat, where biblical Noah's ark landed. The views of this majestic mountain will accompany us during the whole tour. The first stop is the famous Khor Virap monastery, located in Ararat province. It is closely connected with Saint Gregory the Illuminator, who is believed to have spent 13 years in a dungeon here, and only after his release did the king of Armenia turn it into the first Christian country in the world.
• Enjoy views on Ararat Mountain, and after visiting a 13th-century monastery distinguished by its architecture, Noravank, return to Yerevan to have a walking tour of the city. See the famous cascade complex, the Opera building, and many more. Overnight in Yerevan.

Day 5 - Lake Sevan, Dilijan & Transfer to Georgia

• Today is a special day because the road will take us to another country, Georgia. On the way, have a stop at Lake Sevan. Lake Sevan is one of the largest alpine lakes in Eurasia; its altitude is 1900 meters above sea level. It is a source of 90% of fish for Armenia. See the beautiful views over the lake or make a stop at one of the local cafés.
• Later, we will go to Dilijan, a famous balneological resort, and have a short stop there. When the road reaches the border of Lagodekhi, it's time to say goodbye to your Armenian friends and proceed to Georgia, where your Georgian guide and driver will meet you. After a lunch break, they will take you to Telavi. Overnight in Telavi.

Day 6 - Kakheti Region: Telavi, Alaverdi Monastery & Gremi

• Start your day by exploring Eastern Georgia, Kakheti. Telavi is the administrative center of the Kakheti region. It is also one of the oldest towns in Georgia. After a short walk in the old town of Telavi, visit the residence of King Erekle II. It was just restored and remade into a museum. Here you can see: numismatic material, late medieval armor, XVII–XIX cc copper items, weapons, etc. Visit the religious center of Kakheti: Alaverdi Monastery (XI c.). There you can find the burial site of Father Joseph Alaverdeli (VI c.) and mural paintings (XI c.). Alaverdi is also known for its vineyard and a long tradition of making different sorts of wines. Ikalto was the biggest educational center in Eastern Georgia in the Middle Ages. Now, there are three churches and the ruins of the academy building. The last destination point is the Gremi monastery and historical complex. Gremi was the capital of the Kakhetian kingdom in the XVI–XVII c. It consisted of three parts, but only the Archangels complex survived the devastating invasions of Shah-Abas I.
• After a pleasantly tiring day, the tour finishes in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. 

Day 7 - Tbilisi Walking Tour

• Today is the time to explore the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi. Start exploring Tbilisi by visiting the National Museum of Georgia. See thousands of exhibits, including numismatic materials and Kolkhetian treasure.
• Next is the time for a walking tour of historical Tbilisi. We’ll start the tour at Metekhi Cathedral (XIII c.) and the Isani neighborhood, which was a royal residence in the Middle Ages. It’s a perfect place to enjoy magnificent views of the old city. Then we’ll take a cable car to the mother fortress of Tbilisi, Narikala (VI c.), one of the first constructions in the city. From Narikala Fortress, you can see the whole city. After we’ll take a walk down to see the Sulphur Bath district and unique mosque, where Shia and Sunni Muslims pray together, we'll slowly move on towards the Shardeni and other small, cozy streets of the old city. On the way, we’ll see Sioni Cathedral (XI c.), Anchiskhati Basilica (VI c.), Gabriadze puppet theater, etc.

Day 8 - Mtskheta, Ananuri & Kazbegi

• The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range had always been an inseparable part of Georgia and the whole Caucasus; it defined the climate, the geopolitics, and even the culture of Caucasian nations, so this day is fully devoted to seeing this huge monument of mother nature. On the way, visit Mtskheta, the Old Capital of Georgia and a modern religious center. Two churches in Mtskheta are on the schedule: Svetitskhoveli and Jvari. Both have a long history and great views.
• The Georgian Military Highway will take you towards the Caucasus Mountains. The first stop is Ananuri fortress (XIV c.). It is built on the conjoining place of two mountain rivers, overlooking the emerald-colored Jinvali water basin dipped into the mountains. The road will take you towards the mountains, and on the way to Kazbegi, you will stop in the ski resort of Gudauri, where one can enjoy beautiful views of the mountains or enjoy skiing, snowboarding, or paragliding (depending on the season). After Gudauri, continue to Stepantsminda and Gergeti Trinity Cathedral, standing at 2000 meters above sea level. Overnight in Gudauri. 

Day 9 - Uplistsikhe Cave Town & Gori

• Transfer to the Kartli region will take several hours. The first stop will be the famous cave town of Uplistsikhe (XVI c. B.C.). Here, you can see and feel the history, architecture, and peagan religion of old Georgian tribes. The next stop is the administrative center of the Kartli region, Gori, the town where Joseph Stalin was born. According to your wish, you’ll visit his museum, his train, and the house where he spent the early years of his life. Learn more about the Soviet Union and its dictator.
• The road takes you to West Georgia and its largest city, Kutaisi. Have some free time in Kutaisi. Overnight in Kutaisi.

Day 10 - Gelati Monastery, Bagrati Cathedral & Kutaisi

• Today you are going to visit the most important historical sights of the Georgian Golden Age. Start with the Gelati Monastery Complex (XII c.). Gelati is a very popular monastery for Georgians for several reasons: 1. Gelati is on the list of UNESCO world heritage sites. 2. It was an educational center in Georgia during the Georgian Renaissance. 3. Gelati was a burial site for Georgian kings from XII–XIII c. 4. The mosaic of an alter of Gelati is unique to the whole world. 5. Only one depiction of King David the Builder is preserved on the walls of Gelati Cathedral.
• The next stop is Bagrati Cathedral (X c.). For locals, Bagrati is the main place of worship. This is because Bagrati was built in honor of the unification of Georgia in X c. A.D. by King Bagrat (the name of the cathedral derives from the name of the king). Since then, it has served as a place of coronation for Georgian monarchs and as a religious center in Imereti.
• Return to Tbilisi.

Day 11 - Departure

• Transfer to the airport and departure. 

Inclusions