Departures:
July: 5, 12, 19, 26
August: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
September: 9, 16, 23, 30
October: 7, 14, 21, 27
November: 3, 10, 17, 24
- 10 days - 9 nights
- Groups of 8 -12 people
Price per person from:
1690€
Your Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
- Arrival at Kutaisi International Airport. Transfer to Kutaisi Hotel.
Day 2
Kutaisi-Uplishice-Mtzheta-Tbilisi- Wine tasting-Tbilisi
- Breakfast.
- Transfer from Kutaisi to Tbilisi.
- Along the way, we make a visit to the cave town of Upliscije (translated from Georgian as Fortress of God) which has a great history of 3000 years. To date, around 150 caves of various shapes and sizes have been preserved throughout the complex.
- The next stop is the city of Mtzheta, the ancient capital of Georgia, so here are preserved the oldest monasteries and temples that appeared during the period of birth of Christianity. Right here is the temple of Svetitshoveli (from the Georgian «Pillar of Life») which was originally erected in wood in the 4th century, but after many raids and destruction in the 11th century, the temple was replaced by a new cathedral, which has been preserved to this day. The interior walls of the temple are covered with frescoes, some of which have been preserved since the 16th-17th centuries. In addition, here you can see interlaced tombstones on the ground: for a long time Svetichoveli was the place of coronation of kings and his tomb.
- Samtavro Monastery - The monastery, along with Svetichoveli Cathedral and Jvari, is on the UNESCO list. The main temple of Samtauro was erected in the 11th century, but the first references to the church in this place are known from the 4th century. (mentioned in the description of the life of Saint Nino). Today there are craft workshops open here. Samtavro is one of the most significant historical and cultural attractions of Mtzhet.
- Wine tasting in Tbilisi Georgian Craft Wine Delivery, where you can taste a real Georgian wine along with snacks.
- Accommodation in a hotel in Tbilisi
Day 3
Tbilisi - Alaverdi - Necresi - Kindzmarauli - Signahi - Tbilis
- Breakfast.
- Travel to the famous region for its vineyards and Kahetia wine. The road passes through the port of Gombori (65 km forest road), which is known for its picturesque landscape The Cathedral and Monastery of Alaverdi is the cathedral of Saint George, being the second highest in all Georgia and the main of all Cajetia. Today, Alaverdi is a functioning male monastery and a whole set of structures. Inside the temple are preserved ancient frescoes, impressive for their beauty images of the apostles of the church, inscriptions in ancient Georgian and paintings dated in the fifteenth century. The monastery of Necresí- that complex consists of various constructions dating from the 4th-9th centuries.
- The monastery offers incredibly picturesque views of the Alazan Valley. Here are many benches where you can sit and relax quietly, admiring the views. Travel towards Quareli (town) where you will find one of the oldest and largest wine producers in Georgia Kindzmarauli Corporation. In times of peace, this winery produced wine for the royal family, and in times of war, when the population used the fortress of Quareli as a refuge, the winery had a strategic importance in feeding the population.
- Here you can also taste various types of wine and, if you wish, buy as a souvenir. Our last stop is the city of Signahi also known as the City of Love. The city sits atop a cliff overlooking the Alazan Valley, which is one of Georgia’s most famous wine regions. Its charming cobbled streets and alleys, the restored carved wooden balconies and the detailed facades of the buildings of the old center, give the city a romantic mystery.
- We end this trip with a visit to Sighnaghi. The city is located in the eastern part of Kakheti, and is known as the City of Love. It sits atop a cliff overlooking the Alazani Valley, one of Georgia’s most famous wine regions.
- Transfer to hotel in Tbilisi.
Day 4
Tbilisi - Sevan - Sevanawak - Dilijan - Agarqin - Yerevan
- Breakfast.
- Travel to the Georgian-Armenian border.
- Along the way, we visit the picturesque lake Sevan, which is called the Pearl of Armenia. The lake is 1,900 meters above sea level and is the largest of the lakes in the Caucasus. The lake is famous for the purest fresh water and mountain air. On the shore of Lake Sevan there are several points of interest, some of them located on the peninsula of Sevan, which was once a real island, but due to the artificial decrease of the water level in the lake became a peninsula.
- The Sevanavank Monastery (9th century) is the oldest monastery on the northwest shore of Lake Sevan, located on the Sevan peninsula. The road of Sevan extends for a long time between gorges and mountains, gaining height until the pass. The straightest track passes through the longest tunnel in all of Armenia - the Dilijan tunnel. Dilijan is the counterpart of the Georgian city of Borjomi During the summer, fleeing the heat of Yerevan, many holidaymakers travel here, relax, enjoy the tranquility, drink mineral water and breathe the aromatic air of the mountain forests of the reserve of Dilijan. The city itself stretches in a mountain gorge for many kilometers along a long road.
- Then there is the old Agarzin Complex (monastery) located on top of the wooded mountains where the eagles are led, and the name of the monastery of the Armenian language translates as «game of eagles». This includes the Church of San Grigor (11th century), the Church of San Astvatsacin (1281), the Church of San Stepanos (1244), the chapel of the 13th century, the tomb of the royal family of the bagratids (12th century), the refectory (1248) and the various facilities for monastic services erected in XII-XIII
- Accommodation at the hotel in Yerevan.
Day 5
Yerevan - Garni - Gegart - Yerevan
- Breakfast.
- The pagan temple of Garni is the only monument of its kind from the Hellenistic period that is preserved in Armenian territory. After the adoption of Christianity, the temple has become the summer residence of the Armenian kings. As a result of the strong earthquake of 1679, the temple was almost completely destroyed and later restored. Today you can see the remains of an ancient fortress, the royal palace and, a royal bath with multicolored mosaics and a mysterious inscription - «They worked without receiving anything» - around the temple.
- Lavash pastry workshop in Garney The famous monastery of Gegard is built in the 12th-13th century. At first it was called Ayrivank («monastery of the caves») and then it was renamed as Gegard («lance»), with which, according to legend, a Roman legionary penetrated Christ. The complex is formed by the Princely Church of Catholique, a vestige carved in the rock of two churches, the chapel and the temple of The Virgin, which is considered the oldest monument of the complex.
- Next we have a guided tour of Yerevan. An ancient city with 3 millennia of history, unique architecture and a unique atmosphere that combines East and West, hot temperament and European civilization. Walking through the city Yerevan is the best way to really immerse yourself in the culture, history and local cuisine. Republic Square, with its musical fountains, is one of the truly magnificent attractions of Yerevan. Do not miss another of the main attractions of the city, the Waterfall Complex, from whose height spectacular views of Yerevan are offered, which you can enjoy to the fullest one night in which the city is very illuminated.
- And finally we have a tasting of cognac ARARAT, the most famous and successful brand of Armenian cognac in the world. In the cognac factory you can follow the stages of making cognac, also enjoy the delicious flavor and aroma of the different varieties of cognac ARARAT from the primary source.
- Transfer to the hotel.
Day 6
Ereván - Coro - Virap - Norawank - Areni - Ereván
- Breakfast.
- Journey to the Virap Choir Temple. It is considered one of the holy places of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Due to its geographical location, the Virap Choir is the closest place to Mount Ararat, from where the opportunity to witness the legendary mountain appears
- Next we will visit the monastic complex of Noravank, which is surrounded by cliffs of difficult passeDegustation in Areni - for millennia has been the cradle of Armenian viticulture. Historic and local varieties of Armenian grapes are displayed in the winery «In Areni». Here, the historical traditions of winemaking are peculiarly combined with modern equipment.
- Back to Yerevan.
Day 7
Yerevan - Gümri - Vardzia - Rabat fortress - Ahalcih
- Breakfast.
- Travel to one of the most colorful cities - Gyumri. National traditions here are rooted in a distant past, the uniqueness of the spirit manifests itself in almost everything. The houses draw attention to the subtlety of the architectural work, the variety of the tuff color range, the masterful patterns of the wooden balconies. Immersed in centuries, Gümri was the center of cultural events. Built in 1834, the Black Fortress is one of the famous monuments of Gümri. It is a set of military and architectural structures. In the central part is the fortress of Alexandropol with three gates, in the center is the layout of the church of Saint Alexander, as well as the strengths south and north that serve as general protection complex of Alexandroupolis.
- Then we cross the Armenian-Georgian border and head towards Vardzia - the Cave City of Vardzia, founded in the 12th century, is one of the most important and impressive historical monuments in Georgia. Formerly, the complex consisted of 13 floors connected to each other by a complex tunnel system. The complex housed dwellings, dining rooms, barns, cellars (maranas), as well as libraries. The city had drinking water and sewage.
- The rocky Vardzii monastery is part of the Vardziya Istoriko-architectural museum. It is an incredible place for lovers of history and culture.
- Visit the Rabat Fortress (lower part) - which is the main attraction of the Georgian city of Akhalcihe.
- Accommodation in Ahalcikhe.
Duration - 6 hours, +/- 600m
Day 8
Ahalcihe-Borjomi-Green Monastery-Kutaisi
- Breakfast.
- Travel to Borjomi. Mineral water «Borjomi»(town) is widely known in all countries of the post-Soviet space for its healing properties. One of the main leisure places in Borjomi is the urban park. It has cafes, attractions and a cable car to climb the mountain and enjoy the magnificent views of the surrounding area.
- The green monastery is one of the oldest male monasteries in the territory of Georgia. This small laurel, hidden in a forest, received the name of Mtzwane (green), since it is located in a thickness of forest and shrubs and is built with stones that have been covered over time with a dense green moss.
- Overnight transfer and guided tour in Kutaisi. The visit to the temple of Bagrat is an important monument of Georgian culture, both by architectural decision and by symbolic significance. A visit to the monastery of Gelat, one of the largest medieval Orthodox monasteries, which was also a center of science and education, and the Academy it housed was one of the most important centuries of culture in ancient Georgia.
- Monastery of Mozameta - The second name of the temple is Monastery of Saint David and Constantine. The temple is an astonishingly picturesque corner, full of silence and peace, and also relates to the history of Georgian princes, martyrs classified among the saints, brothers Constantine and David
- Accommodation in Kutaisi.
Day 9
Kutaisi - Okatse Canyon - Prometheus Cave
- Breakfast.
- Travel to the Okatse canyon, a natural monument of Georgia with panoramic views. The Okatse Canyon has already attracted and surprised a large number of tourists with its magnificent fauna, its amazing waterfalls and its spectacular views. Through the canyon there is a 2 km long footpath and an observation platform with panoramic views of the entire valley.
- The cave Prometheus is the largest cave in Georgia. Only a tenth of it is open for tourists to visit, and yet the walk through the cave takes almost an hour. Inside there are underground lakes and rivers and also here there is very high humidity. Today, the Prometheus cave, surrounded by a natural area specially decorated with a radius of 3 kilometers, is one of the most tempting places for guests of Georgia. The visit to the cave offers a unique opportunity to see the underworld of this region in all its beauties. The route passes impressive stalactites and stalagmites, underground waterfalls, rivers and even a lake.
- Back to Kutaisi.
Day 10
- Transfer to the airport. Departure to Spain
Price includes:
- Flight from Bilbao (1 stop), direct flights from Barcelona, Madrid
- All the transfers in the program
- Accommodation in double room, breakfast included (Tbilisi: Reikartz King Tamaru other similar category; Kutaisi: Sani hotel or other similar category; Akhaltsikhe: Tourist hotel or other similar category Yerevan: Hotel Koñak, Komfort or other similar category);
- Service of guided tours;
- Tickets to the monuments of the program and guided tours;
- Wine tasting in Tbilisi, Kahetia in Areni and Ararat cognac factory;
- Gala Dinner.
- Mineral water.
Not included:
- Air and fuel charges
- No visa required
- Air surcharge in case of change in fare or fees
- Any item not specified in the price includes (extras in hotels, drinks at meals and personal expenses)
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