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During this tour you will visit Yerevan, Holy Echmiadzin, Temple of the Sun and the legendary Monastery of Spear, Royal Prison of Khor Virap, Old Tbilisi and Gori, Stalin's birthplace. You will also have free time to do shopping and other activities you would like to do.
Tour Dates:
- 22 January / 1 February 2010
- 12 February / 22 February 2010
- 19 March / 29 March 2010
- 23 April / 3 May 2010
- 21 May / 31 May 2010
- 18 June / 28 June 2010
- 9 July / 19 July 2010
- 13 August / 23 August 2010
- 24 September / 4 October 2010
- 22 October / 1 November 2010
- 19 November / 29 November 2010
- 23 December / 2 January 2010.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Treasures of Yerevan. In the morning meet other group participants and tour leader, brief pre-tour orientation meeting. The day starts with a walking tour of Yerevan exploring various layers of its history – medieval shrines hidden behind imposing Soviet-style facades, narrow streets of the old center with sunlight playing on its pink walls, the Republic Square, Mother Armenia, Opera House and ambitious projects of independent Armenia – North Avenue and spacious Grigor Lusavorich Cathedral consecrated by His Holiness the Patriarch of All Armenians in the presence of His Holiness Pope John Paul 11.
A cultural showcase not to be missed is Matenadaran, one of the world's oldest repositories of Greek, Persian and Arabic manuscripts. Later in the day, visit Vernisage, the lively arts and crafts market. Featuring everything from exquisite artwork to naive hand-made items, it is a lot of fun to wander in. Transfer to your hotel for rest. Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan. Includes: (B).
Day 2: Mother Cathedral and Neolithic sites. Breakfast at hotel. Today we continue our exploration of the treasures of Caucasus with a visit to the Vatican city of Armenia, Holy Echmiadzin. Experience a fascinating journey through time, descend to the ruins of the pagan sanctuary beneath the altar and pay tribute to the Treasury of Mother Cathedral with striking collection of relics of Christianity.
Continue to the Royal City of Metsamor, a vast archaeological site, now a museum with a spectacular collection of over 22,000 artifacts, jewelery and weapons dating from Neolithic times. There is time to explore the museum and have a walk at the site with the remains of burial sites and a fire temple built 28 centuries ago. Detailed on-site explanations offered by leading archaeologists working at the site. Return to Yerevan. In the evening we offer you to enjoy the treasures of the cultural life of Yerevan. An exquisite performance at National Opera or a concert at Classical Music Chamber will offer you the best of what is available at the time of your stay (optional). Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan. Includes: (B).
Day 3: Culinary Adventures. Breakfast at hotel. Drive east to the magnificent Temple of the Sun and the legendary Monastery of Spear. Explore the mosaic ancient baths and ruins of the royal palace, immerse yourself in the atmosphere of this mythical place and examine remarkable cross stones carved into sheer rock. Visit to traditional village home in Garni for hands-on cookery demonstration. Guided by Sergei, your host, learn about the spices and utensils used in traditional barbecue, help marinate fresh meat with herbs and garlic, later make Barbette in the wood burning oven in the ground. Meat, fresh tomatoes, eggplants and peppers take turns to become crusty, mouth-watering components of the finest barbecue you will ever have.
For those with energy to burn we offer a walking tour to enigmatic Havuts Tar shrine in Garni Gorge – towering granite pillars, lush forest and rich bird life characterize this area. Enjoy the dinner in the cozy garden of the farmhouse or the traditionally-furnished dining hall in winter time. Evening back to Yerevan, rest. Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 4: Emerald Lake and Fishers' Village. Today we head for Lake Sevan, one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world - the tranquil majesty of its ever-changing waters, stunning mountains silhouetted against the blue sky, all this inspired its name The Pearl of Armenia. Trip to romantic Sevanavank Monastery, light hike up Aghtamar Trail for fantastic photographic moments and panoramic views. Afternoon spent in Shorja fishers’ village famous for its picturesque location and Painters' Resthouse, meet and chat with painters seeking inspiration in this visual paradise, proceed to Stone Garden with unique collection of exquisite khachkars, Armenian cross-stones. In between capturing the remarkable scenery, you are free to take a dip in the emerald waters of the Lake. Overnight: Hotel at Lake Sevan. Includes: (B).
Day 5: Frescoes of Akhtala. Breakfast at hotel and departure from Lake Sevan. This day takes in some of the less traveled routes of Northern Armenia. The first stop of our journey is the mysterious Akhtala Monastery situated on the edge of a narrow ravine. Superb frescoes and amazing legends make Akhtala one of the most beautiful and secluded sites of Armenia. Later we continue our exploration and admire the jewel in the crown of Northern Armenia, Haghpat. The severe and majestic design and the marvelous bas-reliefs justly rank this site among the celebrated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Our trip finishes with a cable-car trip to the upper part of the small town of Alaverdi for splendid views of dramatic Debed Gorge. We spend overnight in a charming local guesthouse. Overnight: Guesthouse in Alaverdi. Includes: (B).
Day 6: Old Tbilisi. Breakfast at hotel. Today we begin our journey of Georgia's fascinating and historical countryside and head for Tbilisi, the vibrant capital of Georgia. Arrival in Tbilisi and check in at hotel. After rest we visit Georgian Art Museum offering an exclusive collection - the icon of Zarzma Monastery, the Chalice of Bedia, Anchistkhati and Khakhuli Triptychs and much more. Proceed to the tour of old Tbilisi. Best explored on foot our tour includes some of the most colorful sites of this ancient city - Metekhi Temple, Narikala Fortress with a marvelous panoramic view of the city, Sulfur Baths dating back to the time of Arab Khalifs, the Synagogue and Sioni Cathedral. Fine masonry with carved woodwork, arts and crafts workshops and oriental bazaars offer us an insight into the fascinating cultural diversity of Tbilisi. Optional sulfur bath with massage in the evening. Overnight: Hotel in Tbilisi. Includes: (B).
Day 7: Caucasus Mountains. Breakfast at hotel. Embark on a journey revealing many secrets of the turbulent history of Georgia. Visit to the ancient capital of Georgia - Mtskheta founded 3000 years ago, Jvari church built to house the robe of Jesus Christ and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, major pilgrimage sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Travel the famous Georgian Miltary Highway and visit Ananuri Fortress. Arrive Kazbegi, a lovely town nestled at the base of Caucasus Mountains. Enjoy the wildly beautiful views of Mount Kazbek, one of the six 5,000 m peaks of the Caucasus range where Prometheus was said to be chained.
Gergeti Sameba (Trinity), a remote but enchanting church dramatically sited at the foot of Kazbek, is another cultural showplace. In order to reach the church you will take a winding road uphill through flower-filled meadows enjoying fantastic vistas of the area. You will discover rare stone carvings representing a curious blend of Christian and pagan beliefs. Overnight: Guesthouse in Kazbegi. Includes: (B).
Day 8: Fortress of God. Departure from Kazbegi to Gori, the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. Visit the remarkable Stalin Museum re-creating surreal and revealing scenes from the life of the tyrant. A large statue of the "Leader of the People" still dominates the square of Gori. Proceed to visit Uplistsikhe or The Fortress of God, an ancient cave town dating back to the I millennium BC. Explore its caves, temples, labyrinth passages and colonnaded streets, all carved out of stone. Wander among the impressive ruins of the amphitheater, one of the oldest in the world. Back to Tbilisi, evening free. Overnight: Hotel in Tbilisi. Includes: (B).
Day 9: Wine and Art. Breakfast and departure from Tbilisi. Today we head deep into the heart of Alazani, a fertile valley boasting three hundred years of wine making. We reach the walled town of Signagi with splendid views of romantic Alazani valley. Here we visit Shavlashvili family of winemakers and taste some of the finest red and white wines of the region. We learn first-hand about the local traditions of wine making and sample wine from kvevri, a clay jar kept in the ground. Hospitality here has its own rules – we can leave the house only after a delicious lunch featuring traditional dishes and wines accompanied with folk polyphonic singing, bright colors and rhythms of which add to this truly Georgian experience.
In the afternoon visit to David Beraia carpet workshop – your host will show you his art and even teach tricks of simple rug-weaving. Explore the workshop and sit down with the owner with a glass of wine to learn a bit more about real Georgia. Overnight at a small family-run guesthouse in Signagi. Overnight: Guesthouse in Signagi. Includes: (B).
Day 10: Farewell to Tbilisi. Back to Tbilisi, free day to relax and enjoy the city at your own pace. Overnight: Hotel in Tbilisi. Includes: (B).
Price:
Minimum Per Person Price: 1050 Euro (EUR)
Maximum Per Person Price: 1050 Euro (EUR)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Accommodation for 10 nights
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Professional tour guides fluent in English
- All activities as per itinerary
- All transfers in comfortable vehicles
- Welcome to Caucasus information kit.
Also see tour packages in:
Armenia
Georgia
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
Europe
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