Tour-program Georgia-Armenia 14/15

The tour offers you an unforgettable and an impressive voyage over historic ancient places and magnificent views which will remain in your memory forever.

Day 1
Arrival to Tbilisi; meeting at the airport, accommodation at the hotel

Day 2: Tbilisi - the capital of Georgia
Visiting of Old city:
Tour over the old city of Tbilisi, which stretches along the of the Mtkvari river within the ancient walls and citadels: Fortress Narikala (4th century), church Metechi (13th century) and the statue to Vakhtang Gorgasali - the powerful king of the 5th century who founded the capital of Georgia in the city of Tbilisi , basilica Anchiskhati (6th century); sulfur bath-houses renowned for centuries for their curative quality; Sioni cathedral, the main cathedral of Georgia, where services are held by the archbishop of Georgia each Sunday.
The oldest synagogue and the mosque, located in the close neighborhood to each other; botanical garden, offering the picturesque views, Statue to Mother of Georgia(Kartlis Deda)-the symbol of powerful and friendly Georgian nation; Shardeni �the leisure street; walk on the Rustaveli Avenue - the main street of Tbilisi with its entertainment centers, museums and the governmental house; the "Turtle" lake - a romantic place in a mount with an unforgettable view of Tbilisi at night;

Day 3: Kakheti
The trip to Kaheti - the capital of Georgian wine,
Drive to Velistsikhe:
a) Making the Georgian bread - lavash in Georgian bakery (tone).
b) Tasting of Georgian wine in the peasant house with Georgia wine in Cellar
c) The preparation of barbeque shashlik on nature,
d) Georgian multivocal in the national clother,
e) Load is music - accordion and portion drooms,
Dinner on nature.
Then drive to Telavi, visit of king Irakli's palace- museum, further trip to Alaverdi - the ancient monastery 12 sent were highest in the Caucasus
Night in Telavi to gesthouse of local landowner, where Georgian domestic kitchen with the wine and hospitality of local people will be demonstrated.

Day 4
Arrival in Signagi - ancient city, with the streets and the balconies old-Georgian style, the inspection of fortress shielding wall.
In the case of interest or time the trip to the desert into monastery of David Gareji VI sent. (With frescoes dated IX-XIVsent.),
Return to Tbilisi.

Day 5: Mtskheta, Ananuri, Gudauri
Trip to Mtskheta - ancient capital of Georgia (2000 years more up to AD). The city and its architectural monuments are included in the World Cultural heritage of UNESCO. Visiting of Jvari Church 6th-7th c (built at the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers), a unique example of early Christian architecture which was built on the place where the first Christian cross in Georgia was erected; Svetitschoveli Cathedral (11th century) � the main church of Mtskheta and the proud of Georgians, the place, where for the coronation and burial of the Georgian kings.
Visiting Ananuri fortress - an architectural complex of the 16th century with its towers and church on the way to Gudauri.
Possible rafting on the river Aragvi in front of forest. (+35$) and shashlik (+15$) Gudauri overnight.

Day 6: Gudauri - Kazbegi - Gudauri
Mountain Kazbegi (2800m a.s.l. ) - an excellent ski-touring summit for experienced skiers with a descent from the plateau to the valley.
A campaign on mountain to an ancient monastery with a picturesque view. March to the mountain to the ancient monastery of Trinity with the picturesque view of the jeep of 4*4 Niva with the driver (it enters into the cost of stage)). Possibly the trip to the large waterfall in The Daryal gorge.
Night in Gudauri.

Day 7: Gudauri - Gori - Kutaisi
Trip to Gori. Visiting of a house-museum of Stalin, trip to a Uplistsikhe - fortress in a rock of the 6th century up to AD) - the work of early Georgian architectural style aimed at building constructions harmonized with the surrounding landscape and such an approach was very often inspired by the natural beauty of Georgia�s environment. Kutaisi overnight

Day 8: Kutaisi-Borjomi-Bakuriani
Kutaisi (the second city of Georgia)-the soul of the Imereti province, was the capital of ancient Kolchis. You will find cool springs and delicate gardens and meet people of Imereti well-known for their humour, politeness and hospitality. Visiting of Cathedral "Bagrati" of 11th century and Temple - monastery "Gelati" constructed in 12th century by king David- the builder. The city of Borjomi - a source of mineral water, visiting of local park and sources of unique mineral waters. Bakuriani overnight.

Day 9: Bakuriani - Bavra - Gyumri
A trip and sightseeing of a unique monument - a city in the rock, built in XII-XIII centuries. Vardzia has a great impressive history, life of many kings and queens passed during its building. A trip to Bavra, crossing of the boarder, a night in Gyumri at the Hotel .

Day 10.

Drive to Oshakan, where the body of Mesrob Mashtots, the creator of Armenian alphabet.), arrival and acquaintance with Yerevan: the panorama of city, walk and visit of the main sights of the earliest city, the night in the hotel.

Day 11

Drive to Echmiadzin the spiritual and administrative center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Visit and sightsee at the Ripsime church. Stopover at the ruins of the phenomenal Zvartnots cathedral on way back. Return to Yerevan. Visit the Matenadaran, where more then 14 thousand ancient manuscripts are preserved.

Day 12
Drive to Khor Virap Monastery where the Biblical Mount Ararat reveals its Breathtaking size and splendor. Sightsee at Khor Virap, where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for preaching Christianity. Drive to the masterpiece of medieval Armenian architecture: Noravank Monastery (13th-14th century), which is in a deep canyon of red rocks (+15$). Stopover in the Areni village for wine tasting at the local wine factory. Return to Yerevan.

Day 13
Drive to Garni, a former summer residence of Armenian kings. Visit the pagan temple of Mitre, the God of Sun (1st century A.D.) an architectural monument of the Hellenic period. Visit to Geghard Monastery (12th 3th century) renowned for its rocky architecture and its cave church. Return to Yerevan. Visit of cognac plant "Ararat", where you will be certified about the truth to the legend of Armenian cognac, (+12$l - payment at the plant

Day 14
In the morning a trip to the Sevan Lake, a pearl of Armenia, then Agarcin in Dilijan. Then return to Georgia, Tbilisi, we will cross the boarder at Sadakhlo. Tbilisi overnight.

Day 15: Transfer to the airport.

Included:
meeting and seeing off at the airport;
Complete supply with transport (comfortable bus Mercedes� or identical, with a conditioner);
English speaking guides,
Accommodation in 3-4* hotel (double-room compartments),
Tickets to museums.
H/B (14 breakfast + 14 lunch / dinner) + wine/cognac (4 times).
Jeep Niva in Kazbegi to get the Trinity monastery on the mountain.
The Georgian visa is free.

The visa of Armenia costs 30$.