Georgia & Armenia Group Tour

Departure Date: 5th October 2019 

This 11 day escorted tour is the perfect way to explore the historic countries of Georgia & Armenia.

Nestled between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, the countries of the Caucasus are home to Europe’s largest mountain, Elbrus, where the titan Prometheus was supposedly imprisoned by Zeus. Standing at approximately 19,000 feet, this imposing dormant volcano looms over some of the oldest Christian lands in the world.

Georgia & Armenia sit on a crossroad of Christian and Muslim cultures and because of this, these highland countries have a long and bloody history of conflict. They boast dramatic alpine landscapes which hide equally dramatic stories, from ancient times all the way through to the collapse of the Soviet Union. You will have the chance to journey from one of the world’s oldest inhabited cities, Yerevan, to vibrant Tbilisi. Along the way, you will see such highlights as stunning frescoes in Gelati monastery, the rugged landscape of Vardzia cave-monasteries, and a Hellenistic temple at Garni, to mention a few.

A traditional way of life still pervades through the valleys of these countries and our group will have plenty of opportunity to admire the folk culture and cuisine hidden behind every mountain—and with one of the world’s oldest viticultures (dating back almost 8000 years), this cultural feast is likely to be washed down with a glass or two of fine wine.

Itinerary

Saturday 5th October 2019: London / Yerevan 
Arrival to Yerevan’s international airport and then transfer to the city centre. You will have a brief orientation of the tour route in the lobby of the hotel. There will also be a chance to have a light dinner at the hotel restaurant if desired. Meals Included — Dinner only

Sunday 6th October 2019: Yerevan / Garni / Geghard
The tour begins with an in-depth exploration of one of the world’s oldest inhabited cities, Yerevan. From here your group heads out of the city to explore. You will stop to admire the view at the Arch of Charents, overlooking both Yerevan and Mt. Ararat. From here, contemplate the Hellenistic temple at Garni, famed to have been built by Tiridates I after his visit to Rome in AD66. You will visit the rock-hewn monastery at Geghard, which boasts wonderfully carved chambers, begging to be explored. Accommodation — Tufenkian Historic or similar, Yerevan Meals Included — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Monday

7th October 2019: Khor Virap / Areni / Noravank
The group drive towards the region of Ararat for a chance to visit Khor Virap Monastery. From the territory of modern day Armenia this is the closest point one can get to famed and biblical Mt. Ararat; reputed resting place of Noah’s Ark. The backdrop to this visit is spectacular. From here you visit Vayots Dzor. This is an area that boasts a viticulture that delves back more than 6,000 years, where you will explore cavernous wine cellars and the amazing history with which they are surrounded. Meals Included — Breakfast & Lunch.

Tuesday 8th October 2019: Yerevan / Ashtarak / Agarak/ Aghtsk / Gyumri
After breakfast, you depart from Yerevan to explore the Aragatsotn region. Passing through scenic Ashtarak town before you visit mystical Agarak, with its entire landscape dotted with large rock and stone carved complexes, the majority of which relate to early Bronze Age settlements. Next stop is the intriguing cave tombs of the Arshakuni, one of the earliest Christian dynasties in Armenia. Then arriving in Gyumri, you are treated to a short city-tour before our overnight stay. Meals Included — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Wednesday 9th October 2019: Gyumri / Georgia Border Crossing
Within one hour on your way out of Gyumri, you can be treated to the best view of awe-inspiring Mt. Aragats. This extinct volcano has formed four distinct and imposing peaks; the largest of which is 13,500 feet above sea-level. With the close proximity of Lake Apri National Park nearby, you have the opportunity to admire some of the local fauna, including an abundance of bird-life. Saying farewell to Armenia, you continue your odyssey across the Javakheti Plateau before visiting the arguable highlight of today, the impressive 12th century Vardzia cave settlement. Here you explore a warren of cave dwellings, monasteries and subterranean passageways which redolent of the past.Meals Included — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Thursday 10th October 2019: Borjomi / Svaneti
You start your drive towards the scenic province of Svaneti. Enroute the group visits one of the last remaining qvevri makers, Zaliko Bojadze. He is one of the few remaining masters who continues the traditions of crafting these amphora-esque gigantic clay vessels. The road will lead you through some of the most inspiring valleys of the great Caucasus Mountains. There will be plenty of opportunity for photo stops along the way, before you check-in to our modest Mestia hotel with panoramic views of monolithic towers which dot the landscape of the town.  Meals Included — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Friday 11th October 2019: Mestia
The group departs from the hotel to visit the nearby Museum of History, which offers a small but intriguing exhibition of archaeology, ethnography and Christian art. From here, you visit an original 12th century Svan house, followed by a short walk past some of the incredible sights of this town. Lunch is spent with a local family for a meal of traditional Svan cuisine. The group are then set to enjoy an afternoon of free-time, before you are hosted by a group of traditional Svaneti male singers and their ‘Tamada’ (toast maker) in the evening. Meals Included — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Saturday 12th October 2019: Mestia / Gelati Monastery / Kutaisi
Leaving the shadow of Mt. Ushba behind (15,400 feet) you head towards the region of Samegrelo, stopping enroute for wine-tasting and a meal of Megrelian cuisine. The tour then continues towards the Imereti region and one of the big highlights of today; Gelati Monastery. The UNESCO site of the academy and monastery date back to the 12th century. Traditionally one of the main cultural and intellectual centres in the region, the monastery boasts some of the most stunning frescoes in all of Georgia. You then continue our trip towards Kutaisi. Meals Included — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Sunday 13th October 2019: Kutaisi / Katskhi Monastery /Uplistsikhe/ Tblisi
In the Imereti region of Georgia you begin the day with a visit to the famous Katskhi Monastery. Perched atop an imposing monolithic pillar, the monastery is one of the most spectacular sights in Western Georgia. From here you embrace the opportunity to delve further into Georgia’s ancient viticulture in some wonderful 17th century wine cellars. From here, a visit to Uplistsikhe. This ancient cave town (literally translating as the ‘Lord’s Fortress’) is first mentioned in the chronicles of the 1st century AD. Carved into the rocky plateau you find huge echoing halls, long meandering corridor-like streets, chambers for pagan worship, secret tunnels and the remains of Georgia’s oldest theatre, complete with auditorium, stage and orchestra pit. The tour then heads on into Tbilisi. Meals Included — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Monday 14th October 2019: Tbilisi
A comprehensive city tour of Tbilisi – the charming and colourful capital of Georgia. A morning spent strolling through the city with visits to the Art Palace and the National Museum of History, which boasts a wonderful collection of golden artefacts from pre-Christian Georgia. The afternoon is given over to free-time for exploring, rest or perhaps a last minute shop. In the evening you are entertained at our farewell dinner. Meals Included — Breakfast & Dinner

Tuesday 15th October 2019: Tbilisi / London
The tour concludes with a leisurely morning of free-time before setting off to the airport for your departure. Meals Included — Breakfast