|
|
Itinerary map
|
Tour Armenia and Georgia, the oriental Christianity
Day 1: arrival – Transfer to hotel
Arrival in Yerevan at Zvartnots International Airport, our representative will wait at the arrival hall for the transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Yerevan
Day 2: Yerevan – Garni – Geghard – Grandfather Levon's cave – Yerevan
After breakfast, departure to Kotayk region to visit the Temple of Garni, a first century Hellenistic Pagan temple and the only one to survive after the christianization of Armenia in the IV century AD. A short drive leads to the Unesco protected Geghard cave monastery probably the most beautiful of Armenia, which lies in a narrow gorge and is partially carved out of the adjacent towering cliff. Lunch in Garni where the group will have the opportunity to see the lavash (the traditional armenian bread) baking process. Trip to Avan-Arinj village to visit grandfather Levon's cave, where many years ago Levon Arakelyan, a resident of the village, started to dig a potato cellar in its home basement. Having heard a voice from the mist of a white fog telling him to make a miracle, he continued and dug for the next 23 years until his death a series of caves, connected by narrow passages and stairs, which go 21 meters deep into the earth. His wife will tell the complete story. Return to Yerevan, dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Yerevan – Echmiadzin – Zvartnots – Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the holy city of Echmiadzin, home of the "Catholicos" of the Armenian Apostholic Church. Visit of the Cathedral and of the churches of St. Gayane and of St. Hripsime; after a short drive, visit of the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, which used to be one of the most powerful and beautiful examples of armenian architecture. Return to Yerevan and visit of the Vernissage open air market (working days Sunday and Saturday). Dinner in Yerevan with folklor music and degustation of armenian tasty dishes. Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 4: Yerevan – Khor Virap – Noravanq – Tatev – Goris
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for the Ararat region where, in a spectacular location just under the imposing mount Ararat, lies the Monastery of Khor Virap: here, from its terrace, everyone can enjoy the fantastic view of the two peaks of this magnificent extinct volcano. Inside the yard of the monastery there's a deep well: inside it saint Gregory the Illuminator was prisoned by king Trdat because of his predication of Christianism. Trip to the village of Areni, famous for its wines, time for a wine degustation tour at a local wine factory. Lunch in the house of a peasant and then continue to Noravanq Monastery, located in a narrow canyon made by reddish rocks. The unique location and the unique architecture make Noravank one of the most beautiful monasteries of Armenia. After a journey along a road passing through beautiful sceneries, arrival in Halidzor, from where departs the world longest rope-way (5.7 km, 11 minutes) which reaches another masterpiece of Armenian architecture: the Monastery of Tatev. Overnight in Goris.
Day 5: Goris – Qarahunj – Selim – Noratus – Sevan – Dilijan
After breakfast, city tour of Goris and departure to the ancient astronomic observatory of Qarahunj, which is called "armenian Stonehenge”: some scholars state this ancient site is older than its english omologue by 3000 years. The road connecting southern Armenia to its northern part passes by the Selim Pass: here lies the ancient Orbelian Caravanserai, an important station along the silk road. One of the highlights of today's visits is the Noratus cemetery famous for its many khatchkars, the carved cross-stones, dotting the compound of the cemetery. Fish Lunch at lake Sevan and then visit of the Sevan peninsula with its monastery Sevanavank. Arrival in Dilijan, a small resort-town, one of the most green cities of Armenia then visit to the recently restored Haghartsin Monastery. Dinner and overnight in Dilijan.
Day 6: Dilijan – Akhtala – Haghpat – Sanahin – Bagratashen – Tbilisi
After breakfast, departure for Lori region to visit Akhtala, one of the few churches in Armenia painted with frescoes inside. The murals are among the best representations of Byzantine art outside the Empire of Bisantium and were painted between 1205 and 1216. Proceed to the UNESCO protected monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpat: both places, built in the X century, are among the most outstanding works of Armenian medieval architecture. Lunch in Haghpat and then departure to the border between Armenia and Georgia in Bagratashen, after passport controls arrival in Tbilisi, dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Tbilisi
After breakfast, the entire day will be dedicated to the visit of the capital city of Georgia, Tbilisi, which offers a wide variety of monuments and sights. The tour will start from the bath district, one of the few places in the world where a synagogue and a mosque are located next to each other. The visits will lead to the Narikala Fortress, established in the 4th century, even if the actual remnants date back to the 16th and 17th century. The tour continues with the Sioni Cathedral, with the 6th century Anchiskhati Basilica, with the Metekhi Church set upon the top of a hill overlooking the Kura river, and the Sameba Cathedral the main church of the Georgian Orthodox Church. After lunch, visit to Georgian National Museum and then a walk along Rustaveli Avenue will give the opportunity to experience the beauty of the capital of Georgia. Dinner and overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 8: Tbilisi – Mtshketa – Gori – Uplistsikhe – Tbilisi
After breakfast departure to to visit the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia, Mtskheta (3000 years old) and to see its historical places: Jvari church (6th century) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) where the Robe of Christ is buried. Both Jvari and Svetitskhoveli are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Proceed to Gori, the birthplace of Joseph Stalin where he lived until the age of 15, visit of the house museum and departure to Uplistsikhe, one of the oldest urban settlements in Georgia dating back to the I millennium b.C., which is completely carved out of rocks. It’s an interesting complex with residential remains, bakeries, shops and a three naves basilica. After lunch departure to Mukhrani, a town set in an area famous for its wines, time for a wine degustation tour at a local wine factory. Dinner and overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 9: Tbilisi – Davit Gareja – Sighnaghi – Tbilisi
After breakfast, departure to David Gareja. a rock-hewn Georgian Orthodox monastery complex located in the Kakheti region of Eastern Georgia, on the half-desert slopes of Mount Gareja. This complex made by nineteen monasteries was founded by St. David Garejeli, who was one of the thirteen monks who arrived from Mesopotamia to Georgia to strengthen Christianity in the country in the 6th century. After the visit departure to Sighnaghi, a small beautiful town in Kiziqi (part of Kakheti region), known as “City of love”. Sighnaghi is a rare example of historic city which has mantained its architectural style all over the centuries: traditional open balconies, the fortress with churches built inside and the towers. The city overlooks the Alazani valley and opens to visitors the magnificent views of the Great Caucasus Range. A short drive will lead to the Monastery of Bodbe – the final resting place of Saint Nino, "Enlightener of Georgians", who preached Christianity in Georgia with a vine cross in her hand. In the evening return to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 10: Tbilisi – Departure
Transfer to airport for the outgoing flight.
End of services.
Arrival in Yerevan at Zvartnots International Airport, our representative will wait at the arrival hall for the transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Yerevan
Day 2: Yerevan – Garni – Geghard – Grandfather Levon's cave – Yerevan
After breakfast, departure to Kotayk region to visit the Temple of Garni, a first century Hellenistic Pagan temple and the only one to survive after the christianization of Armenia in the IV century AD. A short drive leads to the Unesco protected Geghard cave monastery probably the most beautiful of Armenia, which lies in a narrow gorge and is partially carved out of the adjacent towering cliff. Lunch in Garni where the group will have the opportunity to see the lavash (the traditional armenian bread) baking process. Trip to Avan-Arinj village to visit grandfather Levon's cave, where many years ago Levon Arakelyan, a resident of the village, started to dig a potato cellar in its home basement. Having heard a voice from the mist of a white fog telling him to make a miracle, he continued and dug for the next 23 years until his death a series of caves, connected by narrow passages and stairs, which go 21 meters deep into the earth. His wife will tell the complete story. Return to Yerevan, dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Yerevan – Echmiadzin – Zvartnots – Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the holy city of Echmiadzin, home of the "Catholicos" of the Armenian Apostholic Church. Visit of the Cathedral and of the churches of St. Gayane and of St. Hripsime; after a short drive, visit of the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, which used to be one of the most powerful and beautiful examples of armenian architecture. Return to Yerevan and visit of the Vernissage open air market (working days Sunday and Saturday). Dinner in Yerevan with folklor music and degustation of armenian tasty dishes. Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 4: Yerevan – Khor Virap – Noravanq – Tatev – Goris
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for the Ararat region where, in a spectacular location just under the imposing mount Ararat, lies the Monastery of Khor Virap: here, from its terrace, everyone can enjoy the fantastic view of the two peaks of this magnificent extinct volcano. Inside the yard of the monastery there's a deep well: inside it saint Gregory the Illuminator was prisoned by king Trdat because of his predication of Christianism. Trip to the village of Areni, famous for its wines, time for a wine degustation tour at a local wine factory. Lunch in the house of a peasant and then continue to Noravanq Monastery, located in a narrow canyon made by reddish rocks. The unique location and the unique architecture make Noravank one of the most beautiful monasteries of Armenia. After a journey along a road passing through beautiful sceneries, arrival in Halidzor, from where departs the world longest rope-way (5.7 km, 11 minutes) which reaches another masterpiece of Armenian architecture: the Monastery of Tatev. Overnight in Goris.
Day 5: Goris – Qarahunj – Selim – Noratus – Sevan – Dilijan
After breakfast, city tour of Goris and departure to the ancient astronomic observatory of Qarahunj, which is called "armenian Stonehenge”: some scholars state this ancient site is older than its english omologue by 3000 years. The road connecting southern Armenia to its northern part passes by the Selim Pass: here lies the ancient Orbelian Caravanserai, an important station along the silk road. One of the highlights of today's visits is the Noratus cemetery famous for its many khatchkars, the carved cross-stones, dotting the compound of the cemetery. Fish Lunch at lake Sevan and then visit of the Sevan peninsula with its monastery Sevanavank. Arrival in Dilijan, a small resort-town, one of the most green cities of Armenia then visit to the recently restored Haghartsin Monastery. Dinner and overnight in Dilijan.
Day 6: Dilijan – Akhtala – Haghpat – Sanahin – Bagratashen – Tbilisi
After breakfast, departure for Lori region to visit Akhtala, one of the few churches in Armenia painted with frescoes inside. The murals are among the best representations of Byzantine art outside the Empire of Bisantium and were painted between 1205 and 1216. Proceed to the UNESCO protected monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpat: both places, built in the X century, are among the most outstanding works of Armenian medieval architecture. Lunch in Haghpat and then departure to the border between Armenia and Georgia in Bagratashen, after passport controls arrival in Tbilisi, dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Tbilisi
After breakfast, the entire day will be dedicated to the visit of the capital city of Georgia, Tbilisi, which offers a wide variety of monuments and sights. The tour will start from the bath district, one of the few places in the world where a synagogue and a mosque are located next to each other. The visits will lead to the Narikala Fortress, established in the 4th century, even if the actual remnants date back to the 16th and 17th century. The tour continues with the Sioni Cathedral, with the 6th century Anchiskhati Basilica, with the Metekhi Church set upon the top of a hill overlooking the Kura river, and the Sameba Cathedral the main church of the Georgian Orthodox Church. After lunch, visit to Georgian National Museum and then a walk along Rustaveli Avenue will give the opportunity to experience the beauty of the capital of Georgia. Dinner and overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 8: Tbilisi – Mtshketa – Gori – Uplistsikhe – Tbilisi
After breakfast departure to to visit the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia, Mtskheta (3000 years old) and to see its historical places: Jvari church (6th century) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) where the Robe of Christ is buried. Both Jvari and Svetitskhoveli are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Proceed to Gori, the birthplace of Joseph Stalin where he lived until the age of 15, visit of the house museum and departure to Uplistsikhe, one of the oldest urban settlements in Georgia dating back to the I millennium b.C., which is completely carved out of rocks. It’s an interesting complex with residential remains, bakeries, shops and a three naves basilica. After lunch departure to Mukhrani, a town set in an area famous for its wines, time for a wine degustation tour at a local wine factory. Dinner and overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 9: Tbilisi – Davit Gareja – Sighnaghi – Tbilisi
After breakfast, departure to David Gareja. a rock-hewn Georgian Orthodox monastery complex located in the Kakheti region of Eastern Georgia, on the half-desert slopes of Mount Gareja. This complex made by nineteen monasteries was founded by St. David Garejeli, who was one of the thirteen monks who arrived from Mesopotamia to Georgia to strengthen Christianity in the country in the 6th century. After the visit departure to Sighnaghi, a small beautiful town in Kiziqi (part of Kakheti region), known as “City of love”. Sighnaghi is a rare example of historic city which has mantained its architectural style all over the centuries: traditional open balconies, the fortress with churches built inside and the towers. The city overlooks the Alazani valley and opens to visitors the magnificent views of the Great Caucasus Range. A short drive will lead to the Monastery of Bodbe – the final resting place of Saint Nino, "Enlightener of Georgians", who preached Christianity in Georgia with a vine cross in her hand. In the evening return to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 10: Tbilisi – Departure
Transfer to airport for the outgoing flight.
End of services.
