GEORGIA & ARMENIA Program

Operating dates: September 2018

April/ July / August 2019

Tbilisi–Mtsketa–Kazbegi–Gadauri–Gori–Bojormi–Akhaltsikhe–Vardzia–Echmiadzin
Yerevan–Geghard–Garni–Khor Virap–Norovank–Sevan–Sighnaghi

DAY 1 BUCURESTI – KUTAISI - TBILISI

Meet with local guide in Kutaisi airport and transfer to the hotel for accommodation in
Tbilisi. We are going in Tbilisi! Here mythology and history, culture and traditions, nature
diversity and people's hospitality blend in, inspiring poetry, polyphonic songs, and elegant
dances. A mixture of cultures, spices, different nations encountered at any corner of the street,
different beliefs that share the same courtyard ... together are Tbilisi, the city that was dominated
by merchants, warriors, tyrants, and dictators. The air of the past can be breathed in a walk in the
old center. Today, Tbilisi is a modern city with famous museums and theaters, art galleries,
churches and archaeological sites, sulfur thermal baths, narrow streets with inner courtyards
surrounded by lace-decorated balconies. In the evening, free time and walking with the group
attendant. Accommodation in Tbilisi – L Plaza Hotel 4*.

DAY 2 TBILLIS - CAPITAL OF GEORGIA

Breakfast. Today, in the city tour with local guide, we will delight our eyes: Sulfur thermal baths
area, Metekhi church built in the 12th century near a bridge where thousands of believers who
have refused to walk on icons set by the Turks on the bridge; Sioni Cathedral, repeatedly
damaged throughout history, has survived every time it is considered a symbol of city resistance;
Anchiskhati Basilica and the Tower of the Belfry (6th century), one of the oldest in the city, built
in the days of Dachi Ujarmeli, the heir of King Vakhtang Gorgasali; The Holy Trinity Cathedral
is the third highest Orthodox church in the world, built to commemorate the 1500 years of
autocephaly of the Orthodox Church in Georgia and the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus
Christ. After the city tour, free time. We suggest a visit along with the group attendant at
Narikhala Fortress located on a hill with a gorgeous panorama over the city and where it can be
reached by telegondola (at a charge) or the Mtatsminda theme park located on the hill with the
same name, at the base of which a gigantic wheel. A swing in the wheel is unforgettable, with
beautiful views of the city. Optionally, the 40-minute cruise on the Mtkvari River accompanied
by a glass of Georgian wine and an animation program (informative price: USD 20 per person).
Accommodation in Tbilisi - L Plaza Hotel 4*.
DAY 3 TBILISI - MTSKHETA – KAZBEGI
Breakfast. Today we visit some of the oldest cities in Georgia. We begin the incursion into the
mystical world with Mtskheta, the spiritual heart of Georgia, the legendary place where the
argentates led by Iason headed to bring the gold wool, and later in 326, becoming one of the first
officially Christian kingdoms. Today, it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List and is an
animated museum with many architectural and historical monuments. Here is the Life Pillar, the
Patriarchal Cathedral of Svetithoveli, an architectural monument that through its age and the
traditions surrounding it tells a lot about the depth and power of the faith of Christianity in this
country. We continue with a visit to Manastiria Jvari, situated on a rocky mountain peak, at the
confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, with a special view of Mtskheta. We head to the
provinces of Mtiuleti and Khevi, one of the oldest roads in the country, to admire the high peaks,
the frenzied rivers and the mountain life of Georgia. If weather permitting us, we will be able to
admire Kazbek, known as Georgian "Mkinvartsveri", the third highest mountain in Georgia and
the eighth in the Caucasus, which is geologically an extinct volcano. The mountain is covered by
glaciers at an altitude of 5,047 m above the n.m. According to Greek mythology, on Mount
Kazbek, Prometheus stole the fire of the gods, being punished by them. The immaculate beauty
enveloped by the sun's rays almost fills the sky. Under the alpine at an altitude of 2,170 m is
Tsminda Sameba Monastery ("The Holy Trinity"), built in the 14th century. To reach the
monastery, use the Jeep 4x4 (cost included). Transfer to hotel in Kazbegi. Accommodation and
dinner Hotel Sno 4 * or similar.

DAY 4 GUDAURI - GORI – Borjomi

Breakfast. We're going to Gori. For all Georgians, Gori is synonymous with a single man: this is
where Stalin's Joseph Vissarionovich was born and studied. We visit the Stalin Museum,
founded in 1957 in the humble house where the "little father of the people" was born. We are
presented with a collection of exhibits related to the birth of Stalin at Gori in 1878, as well as his
life and death in Moscow in 1953. An imposing structure of granite and marble was built in 1975
to protect this glorifying exhibition Stalin. On one of the sides of the museum is exposed the
armored wagon with which Stalin was traveling, becoming famous with traveling to Yalta for the
famous World War II Conference. The trip continues to Bojormi - a world-renowned resort for
its mineral water springs and natural parks here. Free time for walking in nature in the heart of
Bojormi Nature Park. Accommodation in Borjomi - Borjomi Palace Health & Spa Center 4*
ZIUA 5 BOJORMI - VARDZIA – YEREVAN
Breakfast. The trip continues on the territory of Georgia and we will visit the cave town of
Vardzia, located at almost 1300m altitude, which is a special place in Georgian culture and
history. In the late 1100s, King Tamar ordered the construction of an underground sanctuary to
resist Mongolian horde attacks. No less than 13 levels were built, having the center of Vardzia
Monastery. The natural caves have been enlarged to accommodate not less than 6,000 homes for
monks and those fleeing the invaders. An irrigation system has been built to bring water to the
farmland and then potable water pipes. To the west, between the bell tower and the main church,
you can explore not less than 40 caves on 13 levels with a total of 165 rooms and six smaller
churches. On the east side, there are 79 caves on 8 floors with a total of 242 rooms including
King Tamar's throne room, 25 cellars and six churches. After this interesting visit, we head to the
border with Armenia, entering the border crossing point of Bavra. We'll break for lunch in
Gyumri and then head for Yerevan. Panoramic city tour and accommodation Hotel Ani Plaza 4 *
centrally located or similar Yerevan.

DAY 6 ECHMIADZIN - EREVAN / GARNI – GEGHARD

Breakfast. We begin our day with the visit to Echmiadzin "the place where Jesus descended from
Heaven", the residence of the Armenian Patriarchs. Echmiadzin Cathedral is also one of the
oldest churches in Armenia. It was built between 301-303 by St. Gregory the Luminator, the
founder of the Gregorian Church in Armenia. We head to the eastern edge of Echmiadzin to see
the Hipparchy Church one of the finest works of Armenian architecture in the classical period, a
variant of the concentric composition with the dom. Return to the capital of Armenia. Erevan
city tour with panoramic views of the main tourist attractions, discovering the different layers of
the city's history, medieval altars hidden behind the imposing Soviet-style facades, the narrow
streets of the old sun-drenched center of the old town, the painted pink walls: Blue Mosque,
Waterfall and Mother Armenia, Opera House and the ambitious independent North Avenue
project in Armenia, a pedestrian area housing residential buildings, elitist shops, business
centers, restaurants and nightclubs. We will visit Matenadaran - a museum and store of old
manuscripts, without being one of the largest in the world. Here are housed over 17,000
Armenian and foreign manuscripts, copies of the first printed books, etc. The oldest manuscript,
preserved in its entirety, dates from the sec. VII. Afternoon, optional trip to Avan to Garni
Canyon and Geghard Monastery. We admire the scenic Canvan Avan, amid stunning rocks and
exotic gorges up to a green plateau where the Azat River enters. Here, in the harmony of relief
and virgin nature, you will see the pagan architectural complex Garni dating back to the 19th
century. You will be grabbed by the spirit of the past. In the nearby neighborhood, passing
through the picturesque gorge of the Gegharda Valley, guarded by steep mountains, we find the
Geghard Monastery. Mostly dug in the rock is one of the wonderful ancient Armenian
monasteries. The specificity of this monastery lies in the austerity of the everyday life that those
who have lived in it have led. Return to Yerevan. Accommodation Hotel Ani Plaza 4 * centrally
located or similar Yerevan.
DAY 7 KHOR VIRAP - NORAVANK – SEVAN
Breakfast. We head to Khor Virap, one of the most romantic settlements in Armenia overlooking
the Ararat plain and the twin peaks of Mount Ararat. It is one of the most famous places in
Armenia, where St. Gregory the Luminator was incarcerated for 13 years before healing the
disease of King Tridates III. As a result, the king was converted, and in 301 Armenia became the
first Christian nation in the world. Here, in the biblical atmosphere of Mount Ararat, considered
as the place where Noah's Ark would have stopped, after the end of the flood and the gradual
withdrawal of waters, imaginatively, you can see the shape of Noah's boat. Continue tour with
the Noravank monastic complex set in a canyon rich in rare flora. The complex includes the
church of St. Karapet, the Chapel of St. Gregory with a vaulted hall and the church of St.
Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of the Lord). The trip continues to Lake Sevan, where we make the
last visit to the Sevanavank Monastery that was originally built on an island of the lake, but in
the 1930s, at the order of Joseph Stalin, the lake was partially drained for irrigation, causing
devastating effects on water level. Thus Sevanavank is now on a peninsula. Accommodation
Best Western Bohemian Resort Sevan 3 * superior or similar.

DAY 8 DILIJAN - HAGHARTSIN MONASTERY – TBILISI

Breakfast. After releasing the rooms, we leave the wonderful panorama of Lake Sevan and head
for the last visits to Armenia. We will visit the Haghartsin Monastery, located in the mountains,
in the middle of the forest, in one of those places in Armenia, detached from a film scene. After
the visit and the lunch break from Dilijan, we head to the Sadakhlo border point to return to
Georgia. Transfer to the hotel in Tbilisi and spare time available in the Georgiana Caption.
Accommodation in Tbilisi - L Plaza Hotel.

DAY 9 TBILISI - SIGHNAGHI - KUTAISI – BUCHAREST

Breakfast. Before going home, we will take a trip to Sighnaghi - one of the most beautiful cities
in Georgia, with a magnificent view of the Caucasus Mountains. The city is also known as "City
of Love" - the City of Love. Pedestrian tour along with the guide in the historic center and the
lively streets of the city. Free time at noon. Return to Kutiais and transfer to the Kutaisi
airport for boarding flight back home.

Included services for 19 pesengers 18 + 1 Romanian Team Leader FOC

• 8 nights accommodation with breakfast and 1 dinner in 4 * and 3 * superior hotels as follows:
 2 nights accommodation Citrus 4 * hotel located centrally or similar to Tbilisi
 1 night accommodation with Sno 4 * hotel dinner or similar Kazbegi
 1 night accommodation Crowne Plaza Borjomi Spa & Wellness Center 5 * or similar Borjomi
 2 Nights accommodation hotel Ani Plaza 4 * centrally located or similar Yerevan
 1 night accommodation hotel Best Western Bohemian Resort Sevan 3 * superior or similar
 1 night accommodation Citrus 4 * hotel located centrally or similar Tbilisi
• Local airport coach transfers - hotels - airports
• Local coach transport according to the itinerary
• City tours, visits and excursions in the program
• Local guides throughout the program
• Entrance tickets to main program targets
• Transport with 4x4 Jeeps at Tsminda Sameba Monastery in Kazbegi
Services not included:

• medical insurance, storno insurance

• driver's seat and local guides (mandatory, payable on site)
• visa fee for Armenia: 3,000 AMD (approximately 5-7 Euro, paid at the border)

Optional services: calculated for minimum 18 payers

• Half board supplement (3 guests: Kazbegi, Borjomi, Yerevan - first night, Sevan)
• Optional excursion to Garni and Geghard