?rrival at Zvartnots International airport, meet the guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel in Yerevan.

Hotel: Best Western Congress – 6 nights

After breakfast, you go on tour to one of the world’s oldest cities, Yerevan. You see the French Square, the Opera House, Republic Square, and Bovyan Street. And you stop by the Matenadaran, a repository with old manuscripts and books, the Genocide Memorial Museum, and the Cafesjian Cascade Center with many artworks.  Also, you taste some Armenian Brandy at the Yerevan Brandy Factory. 

Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast and then drive out of Yerevan for a day trip to Vargharsphat to see the Ejmiatsin, the old Cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and you visit the Machanenc, a colorful and aroma ethnic center to experience some pottery or other local handicraft.  At the center learn to make lavash, the Armenian national bread.  And you stop by Zvartnots with the ruins of the 7th-century cathedral before returning back to Yerevan for the night. 

Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, you drive to Garni for the pagan temple and the ruins of pre-Christian Armenia and then drive to the summer palace, the royal chambers, and Roman bathhouses. Also, you will take a lunch break at the Noyan Aayegi where you will meet with local people, visit their shops, try Noyan nuts, dried fruits, and wine. Then last to the Geharde Monastery that is carved out of a mountain. You return to your hotel.

Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, after breakfast, you drive out to the Khor Virap monastery that carries a name meaning “deep dungeon” in the Armenian language. It was an underground prison till the 17th century. Next, you drive to Vayots Dzor province for the vineyards for a tour of a 6,100 years old winery and then stop to see the Noravank monastery that sits on the edge of a cliff. You return to your hotel. 

 Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, go on a leisure walk to the Vernissage Market, you will see produce and also best products of Armenian folk art, jewelry, exclusive handmade craftsmanship. You visit the GUM market that is recognized by UNESCO as part of Armenia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. You see the gigantic sheets of lavash, ultra-thin bread. Sections of dried and candied fruit, nuts, spices, and sujuk, a candy-dipped nut treat. And you join a workshop on the baking of lavash in tonir, then we make the brduch, different ingredients such as fresh vegetables, herbs, & cheese wrapped in soft lavash. In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner with Armenian dishes and entertainment of the Kochari dance show. 

Last night in Yerevan.

After breakfast, you check out and drive to Georgia. Along the way, you make various stops at different towns.   You stop at Arinji with the labyrinth that was built without a plan, Sevanavank for the scenic Lake Sevan with lunch, Noratus, the antique cemetery with has the world’s oldest and largest khachkars, and last you see the Haghpat Monastery built on a hillside before crossing the border to Georgia.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

After breakfast, go on a sightseeing tour of the old part of Tbilisi. The old city was founded in the 4th century and by the 12th century, it was one of the most important economic and cultural centers of the Middle East because it was a key stop on the famous Silk Road. And old Tbilisi is renowned for its mix of cultures, antique architecture, and bathhouses. Breakfast, Dinner

In the morning, after breakfast, you drive to Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia, which is said to be founded in the 2nd millennium B.C. There you visit the old Jvari Monastery and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Then you drive to Gori, a small town with a huge fortress, and to nearby, Uplistsikhe which has an old cave city with tunnels and living rooms.

Overnight in Bakuriani.

After breakfast, you go on a scenic drive along Kura River through a valley with green hills and stopping at Vardzia, a cave town with series of wall paintings that reflect on the history of Christianity and Muslims in the area. You go inside the Khertvisi fortress that has a church and mosque in it and contemplate how Christians lived alongside Muslims. The place is associated with Queen Tamar and Shota Rustaveli, the author of the legendary poem “The Knight in the Panther’s Skin”. 

Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, you check out and drive through the Caucasus Mountains with a stop at the spectacular Ananuri fortress that is named after a heroine, a woman. Your guide will tell you the story about the fortress. After lunch, you drive along the sides of the dramatic Aragvi River Valley up to Gudauri Resorts. The place sits 2000 m /6562 ft above sea level. The place is surrounded by mountains and ski resorts.

Overnight in Gudauri.

Hotel: The Marco Polo – 1 night

After an early breakfast, you check out, and drive across the Jvari Pass, the highest mountain pass at an elevation of 2.379 m / 7,815 ft above sea level, and drive down to Kazbegi, a small picturesque village that is popular with trekkers, nature lovers, and photographers. You have time to explore the village and visit the Sameba Church that sits beautifully on a hill with the backdrop of Mt. Kazbek. There are hiking opportunities, check with your guide.

Overnight in Tbillisi (Last night of the tour)

Hotel: City Avenue

Breakfast

It’s time to say goodbye. You are transferred from your hotel to the International Tbilisi airport for your departure.

Breakfast