TRIPS

Ancient Footsteps of Caucasus – 11 Days

$ 1,995.00

The history of Orthodox Christian Georgia and Gregorian Christian Armenia is blend in centuries of friendship and battle for survival. Tradition, modernity and hospitality, flowers and mountains: Caucasus as its best.

Description

Day 1. Arrival to Tbilisi
Upon arrival in Tbilisi, you are met and transferred to the hotel.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

Hotel Sharden
Classic
Featured Classic Hotel or similar

  • Standard Room

Courtyard by Marriott
Superior
Featured Superior Hotel or similar

  • Standard room

Day 2. Tbilisi City Tour (B/D)
This morning, you are picked up from the hotel and enjoy a half day guided sightseeing tour of the capital of Georgia – Tbilisi.

Visit Old City, Metekhi Church, Narikala Fortress, ‘Abanotubani’ – Sulphur bath district, Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica and Rustaveli Avenue.

Lunch on your own at local restaurant.

In the afternoon, take free time for more exploration. You may wish to pay a visit to the National Museum of Georgia or Open Air Ethnographic Museum.

Dinner is served in your hotel tonight.

Day 3. Excursion to Wine Region – Kakheti (B/L)
Today, we will take an excursion to the region of Kakheti which is the heart of traditional Georgian wine making. Located between the Gombori and Caucasus mountain ranges, the picturesque valley of the river Alazani is fertile and full of life.

Here, you will learn how real Georgian wine is made in modern wineries, and how the tradition of fermenting wine in earthenware vessels – Kvevri – is preserved and advanced, ceaseless in its existence for the past eight thousand years. Kakheti is famous not only for its vineyards and gastronomic delights but also for its rich history.

Lunch and wine tasting at local winery.

We will visit Bodbe Nunnery, Sighnaghi ‘City of Love’ and enjoy lunch and wine tasting at the local winery, Visit Tsinandali Family Estate before return back to Tbilisi.

Day 4. Tbilisi to Khevi Province (B/D)
Breakfast at the hotel and then start your journey to North Georgia.

We’ll stop is Mtskheta town and visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites – located in this small town, which has been referred to by Georgians as “holy city”.

One of them is Svetitskhoveli Cathedral dating back to 11 c. The interior of the church was once full of frescos; now only a few of them survive. Another UNESCO site is Jvari Monastery – while standing on top of the hill you can overlook Mtskheta at the confluence of two rivers – Mtvari and Aragvi. The views are simply breathtaking.

Free time for lunch on your own.

Drive along Georgian Military Highway to Ananuri fortress the former seat of Argvi Dukes (16-17th cc.).

Explore the fortress and drive to Gudauri and on arrival, check into your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Hotel Truso
Classic
Featured Classic Hotel or similar

  • Standard Room

Hotel Marco Polo
Superior
Featured Superior Hotel or similar

  • Standard room


Day 5. Explore the Greater Caucasus Mountains (B/D)
After breakfast at the hotel, start a full day excursion and explore the high Caucasus Mountains.

Head to Stepantsminda (formerly Kazbegi) via Cross Pass (2395 m. above sea level), where we can make several stops and taste mineral waters. En-route observe the snowy peaks of surrounding mountains and waterfalls.

Arrive in Stepantsminda town – administrative center of Khevi province. Change transport to 4×4 vehicles and have a short off-road adventure to the top of Gergeti mountain. Here stands a small church – Gergeti Trinity. If we’re lucky with the weather we can spot the peak of Kazbegi glacier (5033 m. above sea level).

Drive back to Stepantsminda and return to your hotel in Gudauri for dinner and overnight.

Day 6. Trip to the oldest urban settlement in Georgia (B/L)
After breakfast, drive to Uplistsikhe and explore Uplistsikhe rock-hewn town. Visit the house-museum of J. Stalin, where the leader of Soviet Union was born.

Explore the ancient rock-hewn town Uplistsikhe. Archaeological excavations have uncovered layers from Early Iron Age to Late Middle Ages in Uplistsikhe. Artifacts found in here are now part of Georgian National Museum exhibition.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Continue to Samtkhe-Javakheti region and stop in Borjomi spa resort to taking a walk in the local park and taste Borjomi sparkling mineral waters that come out from the earth without pumping.

Arrive in Akhaltsikhe town and check in to your hotel.

Hotel Rabath
Classic
Featured Classic Hotel or similar

  • Standard Room

Hotel Lomsia
Superior
Featured Superior Hotel or similar

  • Standard room


Day 7. Akhaltsikhe – Vardzia – Yerevan (B/D)
After breakfast, drive to Vardzia cave monastery and town established in 12 c. during the reign of King George III and his daughter Queen Tamar.

Explore the caves, say goodbye to Georgia for now and get ready for Armenia.

Cross the border of Bavra and entering Armenia.The road goes by Kertvisi Fortress, built in 2nd century BC where we will make a Photo stop and then drive to Yerevan.

Arrive in Yerevan and check into the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Hotel Regineh
Classic
Featured Classic Hotel or similar

  • Standard Room

Hotel Ani Plaza
Superior
Featured Superior Hotel or similar

  • Standard room


Day 8. Yerevan – Echmiadzin – Yerevan (B/L)
This morning, we will visit UNESCO World Heritage Sight of Echmiadzin Cathedral, believed to be the first cathedral built in ancient Armenia and often considered the oldest cathedral in the world.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, a city tour of Yerevan including visit of Matenadaran Museum and Tsitsernakaberd – the memorial complex that dedicated to the victims of the Great Armenian Genocide.

Day 9. Yerevan – Garni – Geghard – Khor Virap – Yerevan (B/L)
Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning we will visit the Geghard Monastery, a medieval monastery partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with enhanced protection status.

Next, we take a walk along the canyon, by the beautiful columnar basalt 9th century stone bridge over the Azat River to Garni the Pagan Temple.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

This afternoon, visit Khor Virap Monastery (4-18th cc.) – “Deep Dungeon”, one of the holiest sites in Armenia where you can enjoy the spectacular view of the Ararat Mountain.

Day 10. Yerevan – Sevan – Sadakhlo – Tbilisi (B/L)
After breakfast at the hotel head to Lake Sevan, one of the largest high-altitude lakes (2000 meters above the sea level).

Continue to Dilijan and explore the old district of the town and visit Sanahin Monastery – a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to 10-13 cc.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Explore Haghpat Monastery and then drive to Georgia-Armenia border at Sadakhlo where we meet the Georgian guide and continue drive to Tbilisi.

On arrival, check into your hotel for overnight.

Hotel Sharden
Classic
Featured Classic Hotel or similar

  • Standard Room

Courtyard by Marriott
Superior
Featured Superior Hotel or similar

  • Standard room


Day 11. Departure from Tbilisi (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.

Check out time and you are transferred to the airport for onward flight.



Moderate
$1995
Land only per person based on sharing

  • Twin Sharing: $1995
  • Single supplement: $475


Superior
$2515
Land only per person based on sharing

  • Twin Sharing: $2515
  • Single supplement: $795


GROUP DEPARTURE CALENDAR 2020

Apr | May:
25 | 9, 23
Jun:
6, 20
Jul:
4, 18
Aug:
1, 15, 29
Sep:
12, 16
Oct:
10, 24

GROUP DEPARTURE CALENDAR 2021

Apr | May:
24 | 8, 22
Jun:
5, 19
Jul:
3, 17, 31
Aug:
14, 28
Sep:
11, 25
Oct:
9, 23

Additional information

OVERVIEW

Discover ancient Christian Civilizations and explore two neighbouring countries, Georgia and Armenia where Christianity becomes state religion since the 4th century and played a major part in the history and culture of both countries.

DEPARTURE

Group departure guaranteed for minimum 4 travelers.

HOTELS

As indicated in the itinerary.

INCLUSIONS

■ Transportation as per program
■ English speaking tour guide service,
■ Catering: 10 x breakfasts, 5 x lunches, 4 x dinners, 1 x wine tasting
■ Accommodation: 4 x overnights in Tbilisi, 2 x overnights in Gudauri, 1 x overnight in Akhaltsikhe, 3 x overnights in Yerevan
■ Entrance fees as per program
■ One bottle of mineral water per person/per day

EXCLUSIONS

International Airfare/train ticket, Call 1-888-887-1688 to get a quote from your home city
Travel insurance. visa fees, gratuities, drinks, personal spending and optional activities.
Personal expenses, extras in the hotels, tips to guides and drivers and beverages

QUESTIONS

Should you have any further questions, please call 1888-887-1688 for assistance.

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