From Ararat to the Caucasus

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Yerevan / Armenia /

  Arrival in Yerevan. Welcome at Zvartnots International Airport and transfer to the hotel. Rest.

• day 2

  City tour in Yerevan

  Meeting with the guide at the hotel reception at 9 am. Our journey begins with the discovery of the treasures of the capital, Yerevan. In the morning, visit to the Matenadaran, which preserves thousands of ancient manuscripts with timeless charm. Continue to the Megerian factory to discover the mystery of the creation of handmade Armenian carpets. Lunch on site. In the late afternoon, visit to the Armenian Genocide Memorial, Tsitsernakaberd, and its museum. Return to the city center for an exploratory walk. Dinner in a traditional restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 3

  Yerevan – Amberd – Aragats – Yerevan

  Early departure towards the highest mountain in the country, Aragats (4095 meters in altitude). First discovery of the Amberd fortress, located at 2300 m, a rare testimony of Armenian military architecture from the Middle Ages, as well as the Vahramashen church, built in 1026 in tuff (volcanic material). Picnic on site. Later, ascent towards Qari Lich (Stone Lake), located at 3300 m altitude. Optional hike on site up to the east summit (3650 m altitude), while admiring the beautiful surrounding landscapes. Return to the capital. Dinner in the city center. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 4

  Yerevan – Geghard – Symphony of Organs – Garni – Yerevan

  Continuation of the journey to the Kotayk region. Discovery of the 13th-century rock-hewn monastery of Geghard. Lunch. Later, walk in the Garni gorge to admire its superb basalt organs. Then, ascent to visit the pagan temple of Garni (1st century). Return to the capital. Dinner and cultural evening in the city. Overnight stay.

• day 5

  Yerevan – Khor Virap – Areni – Noravank – Qarahunj – Goris

  Heading south of the country. First stop in the Ararat region: visit to the Khor Virap Monastery, located at the Armenian-Turkish border. Wine tasting in Areni, the "Armenian Bordeaux," and lunch on site in a rustic environment. Continue the itinerary to the Noravank Monastery (13th c.), one of Armenia's architectural marvels, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Coffee break in a bistro set up in a picturesque cave. In the late afternoon, visit Qarahunj, one of the oldest observatories in the world (5000 – 5500 BC). In the evening, arrival in Goris, check-in at the hotel and rest.

• day 6

  Goris – Khndzoresk – Tatev – Goris

  Morning dedicated to discovering the village of Khndzoresk and its limestone caves. In the afternoon, an exceptional moment: arrival at Tatev by the new cable car, the longest in the world, where we can admire one of the country's religious jewels: the 9th-century Tatev Monastery, once a great intellectual and university center. In the evening, stroll through the old town of Goris. Overnight stay.

• day 7

  Goris – Selim – Noratous – Hayravank – Sevanavank – Dilidjan

  Continuation of the journey towards the Lake Sevan region. First, discovery of the Selim Caravanserai from the 14th century. The most important concentration of famous khachkars ("stone crosses") awaits us in Noratous. Next, we will head towards the Hayravank Monastery from the 9th century. Our last discovery will be the Sevan Peninsula: Sevanavank, with its two churches perched on its hill. In the evening, arrival in Dilijan, check-in at the hotel. Rest.

• day 8

  Dilidjan – Haghartsin – Gochavank – Tbilisi /Georgia/

  Exploratory tour of the old town of Dilidjan and visit to a woodcraft workshop. Departure to the beautiful Haghartsin Monastery (13th century), lost in forests with shimmering colors. Return to the main road to reach the village of Goch. Meal. Visit to the Gochavank Monastery (12th-13th century): an exceptional discovery of medieval Armenian architecture and its famous khachkar called "lace". In the evening, we will cross the Armenian-Georgian border. Arrival in Tbilisi, check-in at the hotel, rest.

• day 9

  City tour in Tbilisi

  The day will be devoted to discovering the Georgian capital, especially the "Old Town". We will stroll through its cobbled streets, lined with houses with verandas and wooden balconies. Continue on to the Metekhi church, formerly the residence of Georgian kings. Walk in the Abanotubani (Orbeliani) district, where the famous sulfur baths are located. Lunch. Later, visit the Narikala fortress, one of the oldest fortifications in Tbilisi. Next, stop at the Sioni Cathedral from the 5th-6th centuries and the Anchiskhati church from the 6th century. Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Tbilisi.

• day 10

  Tbilisi – David Gareja – Jvari – Mtskheta – Tbilisi

  In the morning, we will head towards David Garedja, a monastic complex with 19 monasteries and wonderful caves covered with ancient frescoes. Hiking on site. Meal in an atypical bistro located in a semi-empty village. Before arriving at the ancient capital of Mtskheta, a museum-city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, we will discover the 6th-century Djvari church, rising at the top of a rocky mountain. In the evening, return to Tbilisi. Dinner. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 11

  Tbilisi – Ananuri – Kazbegi

  Early departure towards the north of the country through the magnificent landscapes of the Greater Caucasus. Along the way, discovery of the architectural complex of Ananuri dating from the 17th century, a marvel in its own right. In the afternoon, arrival in Stepantsminda (formerly Kazbegi), from where there is a magnificent view of Mount Kazbek or Mkinvartsveri, an extinct volcano rising to 5047 m in altitude. Check-in at the hotel, free time. Overnight stay.

• day 12

  Kazbegi

  Hiking day in Kazbegi. In the morning, passing through the village of Guerguétie, ascent to the 14th-century Trinity Church. If the weather is good, a superb view of Mount Kazbek awaits us. Then, discovery of the village of Sno in the afternoon, with its 16th-century medieval watchtowers. Leisure time. Overnight stay in Kazbegi.

• day 13

  Kazbegi – Akhaltsikhe

  After breakfast, we will head towards Akhaltsikhé with stops along the way. Upon arrival, lunch. Then, discovery of the old town of Akhaltsikhé, called Rabathi, and its 12th-century fortress, fully restored in 2012. Dinner and overnight stay in Akhaltsikhé.

• day 14

  Akhaltsikhe – Vardzia

  In the morning, we will head towards Vardzia, a troglodyte city from the 12th century, founded by Queen Tamar. Entirely carved into basalt rocks, this fabulous site once had nearly 3,000 caves and could shelter thousands of people! Discovery of the cave church with its mural paintings, the pharmacy, and the secret tunnels. Meal and overnight stay in Vardzia.

• day 15

  Vardzia – Tbilisi

  On the way to the capital, we will discover the Chertvisi fortress from the 10th century, one of the finest examples of defensive architecture. The rest of the journey will offer you splendid views of a wild landscape made up of bare mountains, and further on, the great Paravani Lake reaching an altitude of 2000 m. In the afternoon, arrival in Tbilisi. Check-in at the hotel, meal and rest. Dinner. Free evening.

• day 16

  Return flight

  Transfer to the airport. End of our services.