Tour Description
South Caucasus is unique region located geographically between Europe and Asia and culturally – between Islam and Christianity. Ethnical and linguistic diversity here is indeed unbelievable – three countries, three key nations, three different alphabets and three different languages of different groups.
In this tour you will have opportunity to view 3 absolutely different countries with their cultural heritage monuments, absolutely different ancient capital cities, beautiful Christian temples, unique monastery complexes, cave towns, wonderful palaces, minarets and mosques characteristic for the Moslem country.
You will get familiar with the traditions and folklore of these countries, taste meals of 3 different cuisines. At the same time, enjoy miraculous nature and unique beauty, changing from the subtropical zone at Black Sea shore to desert and from the sea level to 2200 m altitude.
Tour Highlights
- You will view Yerevan, Capital City of Armenia.
- Visit masterpiece of Hellenic architecture, Garni pagan temple
- You will view medieval Monastery of Geghard, UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site
- Explore masterpiece of Armenian church architecture – Khor Virap Monastery Complex
- View cultural treasure of Armenia, Echmiadzin Cathedral
- Visit the greatest miracle of Georgian architectural and engineering thinking – cave town of Vardzia
- View medieval fortified city of Rabath, the residence of Samtskhe feudal lords
- Explore Gelati Monastery Complex and enjoy beauty of Bagrati Cathedral
- Visit the rock-hewn city of Uplistsikhe
- Explore Mtskheta, ancient capital of Georgia and view Jvari and Svetitskhoveli cathedrals
- You will be delighted by the beauty of Gergeti Trinity Church, the pearl of Georgian architecture
- Visit Ananuri fortified city complex
- Explore attractions of Old Tbilisi
- You will explore architecture and wall painting of beautiful Gremi and Alaverdi temples
- Visit Nekresi Monastery Complex
- View Tsinandali Garden and richest Tsinandali Wine Cellar
- Visit a small but very beautiful historical town of Sighnaghi
- Visit Palace of Sheki Khan, distinguished monument of 18th century in Azerbaijan
- View Mausoleum of Diri Baba
- Explore Gobustan, the open-air museum of petroglyphs
- View Baku inner city – “Icheri Sheher” with its Shirvanshah’s Palace, legendary Maiden Tower
Gallery
Travel to Armenia
At arrival to Yerevan local representative of the company will meet you and deliver to the hotel on the company’s car.
Yerevan
In the morning you will have the tour in Yerevan and further visit Garni. It is the pagan temple, built in 1st century AD, real and unique masterpiece of Hellenic architecture, the oldest cultural monument in Armenia. Around the temple, there are maintained the ruins of ancient fortress and royal palace, as well as the baths dated back by 3rd century.
On your way back, you will visit medieval Geghard Monastery, UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site, amazing medieval buildings well suited to beautiful natural landscape on one side and temples and quarters between the rocks standing like the towers around the Monastery. All these make unique and indeed breathtaking view.
2 nights in Yerevan.
Yerevan – Khor Virap – Yerevan
After the breakfast you will visit Khor Virap Monastery Complex located on the top of the hill on flat plain of Ararat. Mt. Ararat, with its snowy peak looks down to it. The Monastery Complex is one of the most attractive and unique architectural monument of Ararat Province, a holy place for entire Armenia. It will impress greatly all viewers.
Yerevan – Echmiadzin – Gyumri
In the morning, after the breakfast, you will visit real cultural treasure of Armenia, Echmiadzin Cathedral, regarded as Mother Church of Armenian apostolic church. It is the oldest in Armenia (4th century, 301 AD) and at the same time, one of the oldest temples in the world. It is very beautiful, though not over-decorated; it is on the list of UNESCO Cultural Heritage Monuments.
After the dinner we shall leave for the city of Gyumri.
Night stay in Gyumri.
Gyumri – Bavra (Border) – Vardzia – Rabath – Akhaltsikhe
In the morning, after the breakfast, you will set off towards Georgia and after crossing the morder, you will visit Vardzia. There you will see 13-level magnificent monastery complex with hundreds of premises. You will walk in the tunnels and on the squares connecting the stone city, see rock-hewn wine cellars, kvevris and churches. You will see the unique water supply system of this magnificent city, providing potable water to thousands of people.
Further you will visit Rabath fortress, historically the center of slave-trading. In the territory of Rabath there are located: Sargis Jakeli’s castle, St. Marina Church, palace of Akhaltsikhe Pasha, Ottoman Mosque, caravansary and bathes.
Night stay in Akhaltsikhe.
Akhaltsikhe – Gelati – Bagrati – Kutaisi
In the morning we shall set off to Kutaisi, a city with 3-millennia long history. After arrival you will visit Gelati Godmother Monastic Complex, UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will view the most important education center of medieval Georgia – Gelati Academy. Further you will visit Bagrati Cathedral, the brilliant sample of 10th – 11th century church architecture (the Cathedral is on the List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites), where Georgian monarchs were crowned for many centuries.
Night stay in Kutaisi
Kutaisi – Gori – Mtskheta – Gudauri
In the morning, after the breakfast, you will travel to the city of Gori, the heart of Kartli Province. Here you will visit Uplistsikhe, rock-hewn antique city-monument (1st -2nd millennia BC), walk in its streets, squares, living halls hollowed in the rock and 41-meter-long secret tunnel, view the wine cellars, bread bakeries, drugstore and drainage system of the city. Further you will visit Mtskheta, the ancient capital city of Georgia (UNESCO Monument, IVc BC – VI), place associated with formation of the statehood of Georgian nation, with the history of Christianity. Mtskheta is place of burial of the greatest Christian relics – Christ’s mantle. You will view Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) – the most important, among medieval Christian monuments, UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located in the center of Mtskheta, surrounded with the two-tier wall with the passes for the guards, and towers. Further you will view Jvari Monastery of 6th century, also UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located on the top of the mountain, facing Mtskheta, it looks over the ancient capital city of Georgia at the confluence of two rivers, with magnificent Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in the middle.
From Mtskheta you will travel to Gudauri.
Night stay in Gudauri.
Gudauri – Kazbegi – Ananuri – Tbilisi
In the morning we shall leave for Stefantsminda and visit head to the pearl of church architecture – Gergeti Trinity Church on the top of mountain (2200 m). The viewers, in addition to the beautiful church, would enjoy amazing Tergi Gorge and, if the weather and visibility is good, breathtaking beauty of Kazbegi Mkinvartsveri (5033 m).
Further, we shall travel to Tbilisi via beautiful Georgian Military Road. We shall stop at Ananuri Cathedral and fortified city complex built against the background of green slopes and blue Zhinvali Water Reservoir.
Night stay in Tbilisi.
Tbilisi
After the breakfast you will explore Old Tbilisi with its old narrow streets, houses with overhanging balconies painted in different colors and decorated with incredible ornaments. You will visit Christian churches, synagogue, mosque located side by side and sense the spirit of old town. You will view Narikala Fortress being the outpost and main citadel of the city for many centuries and panoramic view of Old Tbilisi will leave indeed deep impression. After descending from the fortress you will find yourself in Abanitubani, at the bathes with natural geodesic sulfur waters that delighted the travellers from all over the world for many centuries. You will visit the National Museum, to see the exhibits dated back starting from antiquity and epoch of Colchis creating deep impression about brilliance of Georgia. You will have a walk along Rustaveli Avenue.
Night stay in Tbilisi.
Tbilisi – Alaverdi – Gremi – Nekresi – Kvareli
In the morning you will head to Alaverdi Cathedral, a beautiful sample of medieval Georgian architecture, with the roof made of blue tiles, located on green Alazani valley. Complex surrounded with the wall includes various structures. Of them, the centuries-old wine cellar deserves special attention. There you will taste the delicious wine made by the monks in kvevri.
Further you will visit the medieval residence of Kakheti kings (1466-1614), fortified city of Gremi, the political, economic and educational center in the past.
In the end of the day you will visit Nekresi Monastery Complex which includes several monuments of Georgian architecture, of which small basilica of 2nd half of 4th century is one of the oldest churches in Georgia. Nekresi is one of the favorite places of prayer for the Georgians.
Night stay in Kvareli.
Kvareli – Tsinandali – Sighnaghi – Lagodekhi (Border) – Sheki
In the morning, after the breakfast, you will visit Tsinandali Home Museum, have a walk in the garden covering several hectares, with the numerous exotic plants from the Europe, Asia and America. You will view the huge wine cellar with 16500 bottles of wine of 70 types in personal collection.
Later you will visit very beautiful small historical town of Sighnaghi, surrounded with the wall, looking down to Alazani gorge from above (400 m altitude), to Caucasus Mountain Range, with the steep mountains behind it, leaving unforgettable impressions to the viewers.
Further you will head to Georgian – Azerbaijani border and city of Sheki.
Night stay in Sheki.
Sheki – Shamakha – Baku
In the morning you will visit Sheki Khan’s Palace the most outstanding and valuable 18th century monument of Azerbaijan. 2-level palace is distinguished with unique beauty with stunning interior and exterior. The façade is highly decorated with the hunting and battle scenes. And in the center it has amazing huge stained glass window with few thousands of stained glass elements.
Further you will head for Baku, on your way you will visit amazing example of 15th century Shirvan architectural school – Mausoleum of Diri Baba, it is located on the cliff so that there is impression that it is suspended in air. For the locals this is a holy place where their saints are buried.
Night stay in Baku.
Baku – Gobustan – Baku
After the breakfast you will visit Gobustan, the open air museum of petroglyphs. It is rich with archeological monuments, preserving about 6000 rock art (10th – 18th centuries BC), with charming pictures of Caucasian prehistoric life: sailing on the cane boats, hunting of antelopes and wild bulls, dancing women.
Later you will have the tour in Baku, including “Icheri Shaher”, with its narrow streets, historical caravansaries, mosque and Shirvanshah’s Palace, making complete historical ensemble together with 12th century Maiden Tower, included into the List of UNESCO Cultural Heritage Sites.
Departure
Transportation from the hotel to airport.
Service:
● From airport in Erevan / To airport in Baku
● Accommodation
● Transfer According to the program
● English speaking guide
● Meals 12*B, 9*L, 12*D
Visa requirements
Valid passport is necessary of the visitors of any nationality. Individuals with passports issued in USA, Canada, Israel, EU member states, Russian Federation, GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE) etc., do not need visas. In addition, no visa is required for the nationals of CIS countries, with the exclusion of Turkmenistan. Please, see additional information at: https://www.geoconsul.gov.ge/en/visaInformation.
Entry into Georgia
To visit Georgia, you can take a flight. Shota Rustaveli International Airport in Tbilisi, the largest among 3 Georgian airports, offers numerous direct flights from the Europe and Asia. There are 2 more, smaller airports: Batumi and Kutaisi international airports. You can also cross border in several points by train from Yerevan (Armenia) and Baku (Azerbaijan) to Tbilisi. To arrive to Georgia from Turkey, you can cross land border in 3 points: Sarpi, Vale and Kartsakhi. In addition, you can cross border with Armenia in 3 points: Ninotsminda, Geguti and Sadakhlo. Azerbaijan can communicate with Georgia through 2 border posts: Red Bridge and Lagodekhi. Between Russia and Georgia operates one border point, at Larsi, in the vicinity of Stephantsminda.
Climate
Climate in the country is amazingly diverse. Greater Caucasus Range protects Georgia from cold air masses while Caucasus Minor ensures protection of the country from very hot and dry air from the south, as a result, average summer temperature varies between 19OC and 22OC, and winter temperature – from 1.5OC to 3OC.
The best period for travel
With respect of weather, May-June and September-October are the softest and most mellow months in Georgia, with sunny, warm weather. July-August is the best period for walk and tracking.
For the smokers
Smoking is prohibited in any buildings, including the hotel and restaurants. The smokers can use the balconies, terraces or enjoy smoking outdoors.
Water
In Georgia, tap water is safe but if you are used to bottled water, please, be consistent and have bottled water only.
Currency, banks & ATM
In Georgia the official currency is Georgian lari, usually denoted by GEL. Lari consists of 100 tetri. You can change foreign currency at airports, border points, hotels and currency exchange offices. Usually no service fees are paid for currency exchange though recently, in some places the newly opened offices request commissions, so be attentive,
Banks and ATMs are in all large cities but when traveling in countryside make sure that you have sufficient cash.
Electricity
Electricity is 220 V, 50 Hz, with round sockets corresponding to European standards.
Communication
Country telephone code is 00 995. Mobile operators (Silknet, MAGTI and Beeline) cover almost entire territory of the country (with the exclusion of several remote places). You can procure SIM card for the mobile phone with certain quantities of minutes and internet access. In large cities, actually all cafes, bars and restaurants offer Wi-Fi service.
Work hours
Banks open at 10:00 AM and close at 6:00 MP, from Monday to Friday, inclusive. On Saturdays the banks have short working days, from 120:00 AM to 2:00 PM. On Sundays the banks are closed. Most stores open on 10:00 AM and they do not close earlier than at 8:00 PM. Shopping malls work every day, from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. There are also food-stores working for 24 hours per day, but this is only in large cities. The museums open at 10:00 AM and work up to 6:00 PM; museums are closed by Mondays. Cafes and bars open at about 11:00 AM and most of them work up to midnight, or until the last guest leaves.
What to wear?
Georgians wear modern western-style clothes. So, you can easily chose the clothes, if you don’t plan to visit the church. For the visit to church you should remember that women mist cover their heads and shoulders and wear long dress while the men must take off their hats and do not wear shorts.
What to taste?
Khachapuri (variations of cheese bread from different regions of Georgia)
Kubdari (minced meat, onion, garlic, pepper, spices, baked in dough)
Khinkali (minced beef and pork with spices in dough, meal from the mountains)
Chkmeruli (chicken roast on ketsi in garlic sauce)
Satsivi
Shashlik (grilled pork or calf)
Chakapuli (lamb pieces, onion, new green sour plums and estragon prepared in white wine)
Pkhali (spinach, chard, cabbage with spices and walnut paste)
Eggplants with walnuts (eggplants roast on the pan dressed with walnut paste with spices_
Imeretian Sulguni and guda cheese
Nadughi in the sulguni sheets (nadughi with mint and sour cream wrapped in sulguni sheets)
Gebzhalia (sulguni pieces boiled in milk and placed in Georgian yoghurt with mint and garlic)
Champignons with cheese (champignon heads roast on ketsi with the grated cheese above).
Tkemali sauce (sauce of sour plums with the young herbs (parsley, mint, dill, coriander), garlic and salt)
Churchkhela (sausage-shaped sweets made of walnuts and grape juice)
Gozinaki (roast walnuts in honey)
And, of course, you must have Georgian meals with wide variety of famous Georgian wines.
Emergency
For all the emergency cases please call 112.
Tour Map
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