Highlights of Georgia & Armenia - 9 Days

Once you have arrived at Tbilisi International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day will be at your leisure to relax or start exploring.

After breakfast, at 10:00 AM, we begin our Tbilisi city tour. Founded in the 6th century, the capital of Georgia has long been a cultural meeting point between Europe and Asia.

We explore the Old Town with its distinctive architecture, local markets, souvenir shops, narrow cobbled streets, fortresses and city views. During our walk, we visit Anchiskhati Church and pass the well-known sulphur baths in Abanotubani, the very source of the city’s founding and a testament to its heritage.

We continue through Meidan Square, where we see the striking Metekhi cliff as well as the Armenian church, mosque and synagogue standing close together. We ascend by lift to Narikala Fortress, established in the 4th century and one of the oldest historical buildings in the country.

Finally, we walk along Rustaveli Avenue, where we see the Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Parliament building, Rustaveli Theatre and various galleries.

Tbilisi - Telavi - Alaverdi - Tsinandali- Tbilisi. This morning, at 10:00 AM, we drive to explore historic Telavi and its bazaar, where we immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of a traditional Georgian market and sample locally produced artisan goods.

We continue through Telavi, considered the centre of the Kakheti region, and pass Batonis Tsikhe, a notable example of medieval Georgian architecture. Nearby, we stop at the Giant Plane Tree, estimated to be around 900 years old and an important part of local traditions and folklore.

We then visit Alaverdi Cathedral, founded in the 11th century, which served as a centre of education and religious activity during the medieval period.

Our final stop is Tsinandali, where we explore the manor house museum dedicated to Prince Alexander Chavchavadze, a prominent 19th century Georgian aristocrat, poet and military figure. We will then return to our hotel in Tbilisi.

Tbilisi - Sadakhlo (Georgia) - Haghpat (Armenia) - Dilijan - Yerevan. Today, at 10:00 AM, we drive to Sadakhlo, the Armenian Georgian border. After crossing the border, we are greeted by our local Armenian guide and driver.

Our first visit in Armenia is Haghpat Monastery, dating from the 10th to 13th centuries. This large and well-known complex highlights the distinctive character of Armenian medieval architecture and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

After lunch, we continue to Dilijan, located in the Tavush region on the banks of the Aghstev River and surrounded by forested mountains. It is regarded as one of the most important and beautiful towns in the region and is known as a major resort town.

We then continue to Yerevan, Armenia’s capital and one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities.

Yerevan - Ejmiatsin - Zvartnots - Yerevan. We depart at 10:00 AM to begin our Yerevan city tour. We start at Republic Square, where we see the stone carpet in the centre, said to conceal 3,000 years of history beneath it. We continue to the Opera and Ballet Theatre, designed by Alexander Tamanyan, the architect of modern Yerevan.

Next, we visit the Cascade Monument, where we enjoy panoramic views of the city and biblical Mount Ararat. At the top, we visit the Cafesjian Museum of Modern Art.

We then travel to the Holy See of Ejmiatsin, one of the first Christian churches in the world, built between 301 and 303 AD. The Mother Cathedral of Ejmiatsin, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is considered one of the oldest Christian cathedrals in the world.

Afterwards, we drive to the 7th century Temple of Zvartnots, known for its circular design and distinctive medieval Armenian architecture. We will then return to our hotel in the afternoon.

Yerevan - Khor Virap - Areni - Yerevan. After breakfast, at 9:00 AM, we visit Khor Virap, the cradle of Armenian Christianity and an important pilgrimage site. The monastery complex stands on a rocky outcrop above the river plain and offers magnificent views of Mount Ararat. It is closely linked to the legend of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, who was imprisoned here for 13 years during the reign of King Tiridates III.

We then drive to the Vayots Dzor region to visit Areni 1 Cave. Archaeological excavations here uncovered the earliest known winery in the world, dating back 6,100 years, as well as a 5,500-year-old leather shoe.

At a local family-owned winery, we enjoy a wine tasting and learn about the history of wine production in the region.

Afterwards, we continue to Noravank Monastery, dating from the 13th century. The monastery is set within a deep and narrow gorge, where dramatic rock formations rise above the valley. Later, we will make our way back to our hotel.

Yerevan - Geghard - Garni (Armenia) - Sadakhlo (Georgia) - Tbilisi. This morning at 9 AM, we depart Yerevan and drive to Geghard Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Also known as Ayrivank, meaning church carved out from the rock, it is one of the most remarkable monasteries in Armenia. According to local belief, the source inside the church is said to have healing properties.

We then visit the Symphony of Stones, a natural formation of basalt columns that resemble the pipes of an organ.

Next, we continue to Garni Temple, dating back to the 1st century AD. The temple stands on a hill overlooking the Azat River gorge and was originally built as a place of worship dedicated to the sun god Mihr.

In the afternoon, we drive to the Sadakhlo border. After crossing into Georgia, we meet our Georgian guide and driver and continue to Tbilisi.

Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Gori - Uplistsikhe - Tbilisi. Today, at 10:00 AM, we drive to Mtskheta, one of the oldest cities in Georgia and a place of great historical significance.

We visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, a masterpiece of medieval architecture and an important religious symbol, where, according to legend, Christ’s robe is buried. We then continue to Jvari Monastery, set on a hill with commanding views over the surrounding landscape.

We explore the streets of Mtskheta and experience the atmosphere of this historic town before continuing to Uplistsikhe Cave Town Fortress, an ancient rock-hewn settlement that spans nearly 3,000 years of Georgian history.

On our way back, we stop in Gori to visit the Joseph Stalin Museum. The museum preserves its Soviet era character and includes the small wooden house where Stalin was born and spent his childhood. In the evening we will make our way back to Tbilisi.

After our final breakfast, depending on your departure flight time, you may have some time for some last-minute shopping, exploring or relaxing before your transfer to the airport for your onward flight.