Trip to Georgia and Armenia

We land in Tbilissi, capital of Georgia, where we are welcomed and transferred to our hotel. Rest of the day free to relax.

Breakfast.

We leave Tbilisi this morning and head east to the city of Telavi. This city is the capital of the historic region of Kakhétie, which is nothing less than the cradle of wine and is home to the oldest uninterrupted tradition of using Qvevri, those large earthenware amphorae in which delicious unfiltered organic wines are produced. Several hundreds of grape varieties are still cultivated in this terroir with very vibrant traditions. We visit two exceptional historical sites: the magnificent Alaverdi Cathedral, built in the 11th century, and the great monastery of Ikalto, founded in the 6th century, as well as its academy, where scholars came from all over the country in the Middle Ages to study disciplines as varied as theology, astronomy, geography and pharmacology.

We make a short stop at a Georgian house with an ancient cellar, where the inhabitants present you with their traditional winemaking methods, very different from French practice. Wine tasting.

Next, we head to our last visit of the day: the village of Tsinandali, about ten kilometers east of Telavi, home to a vineyard and a historic winery, as well as a museum.

Return to Tbilisi.

Breakfast.

This morning we head to Mtskheta, capital of the ancient Kingdom of Iberia which ruled for 9 centuries (from -300 to 600) over the southern and eastern regions of present-day Géorgie. We visit the Jvari Monastery, one of the most beautiful in the country, built in the 6th-7th centuries on a hill overlooking the meeting point of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers, as well as the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral built in the 11th century.

We continue our journey northward and make a stop at Ananouri to admire its 16th-17th century fortress, which overlooks the artificial lake of Jinvali, offering a panoramic view of the rugged landscape of the region.

We continue our journey on the mythical Georgian military road, one of the most beautiful roads in the world, running along gorges and valleys and crossing the Cross Pass at nearly 2400m altitude. Arrival in Kazbegi.

Optional visit, on request: Visit to a local workshop to see felt-making, followed by a tasting of local jam and tea.

Dinner with a local family with culinary master class for "Khinkali" - traditional dish of the region.

Breakfast.

In the morning, we visit the Church of the Trinity of Guergeti, located at a height of 300 m above the village.

We head west towards Géorgie, to the city of Gori.

Gori, founded in the 12th century by King David the Builder, is mainly known as the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. We visit the museum dedicated to his life, then settle into our guesthouse.

Dinner with a local family.

Breakfast.

We set off to discover the ruins of Ouplistsikhé, an incredible cave city built in the 1st millennium before Christ, making it one of the oldest human settlements in the Caucasus.

Continuing on the road to Bordjomi, a small town nestled in a gorge of the Koura at more than 800m altitude, and renowned for its numerous thermal springs and lush nature.

Departure for the Saro village to visit a very specific house of the region, called "Mitsuri" or "Meskheti house," built underground. Meeting with a local family who will explain to us the local lifestyle in ancient times.

Arrival in Vardzia. Dinner at a local family's home.

Breakfast.

This morning we explore the Vardzia monastic cave city, carved into the slopes of Mount Erusheti in the 12th century and overlooking the Koura river. A 2-hour walk allows us to discover this incredible network of tunnels and cliff-side fortresses.

We then continue on the road to Tbilisi via Tsalka and the Phoka monastery, which offers stunning views of Lake Paravani.

Arrival in Tbilisi.

In the evening, possibility to enjoy the famous sulfur baths, which is an ideal place for a health treatment or simply to relax (to be arranged on-site).

Breakfast.

Departure for Armenia. Formalities at the Bagratachen border, change of transport.

Departure for Alaverdi, discovery of the finest examples of Armenian art. Continue visits to Sanahin. A winding road leads to the Haghpat monastery. Both sites are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Short stop at Odzun.

Arrival at Dilijan - a small town marked by its unique architecture, stone houses with sculpted wooden balconies.

Dinner.

Breakfast.

The next visit is to Lake Sevan. The lake is situated at 1900 m altitude and measures 78 km long and 56 km wide. On the peninsula, you will see the Sevan Apostles Monastery.

Your next stop will be the Selim Pass. A medieval caravanserai on the Silk Road, which once crossed the pass at 2,410 meters altitude. Along the way you will visit Noradouz where you will see the largest collection of khachkars (crosses on stone) Armenian.

Arrival in Goris.

Breakfast.

Continuing to the Tatev Monastery, one of the most beautiful medieval monasteries, known at the time for its university. Recently at Tatev, the longest cable car in the world was built. We will pass by the Devil's Bridge.

Then discovery of the medieval monastery of Noravank (13th century site with beautiful stone crosses). This monastery is considered the seat of the bishops of Syunik. The main church, Saint-Karapet, was built in 1227. At Noravank, there is an important ornithology zone.

If time permits, stop at the Areni Cave.

After breakfast, departure for a visit to the Khor-Virap monastery. From there, you will be able to enjoy the majestic view of the Mount Ararat. Khor Virap is the closest point to Mount Ararat in Armenia and the most convenient place to observe and take photos of the biblical mountain.

Arrival in Erevan.

Breakfast.

Walk through the city center to discover the capital of Armenia. Discover the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (founder of the Armenian alphabet), commonly called the Matenadaran. It is one of the richest repositories of manuscripts and medieval books, covering a wide range of subjects: history, philosophy, medicine, literature, art history and cosmography: in Armenian and several other languages. Continue with a visit to the Cascade and Cafesjian Center for Contemporary Art. Free walk through the city center to discover the capital of Armenia.

Visit to Etchmiadzine, the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Along the way, your guide will tell you the history of Armenia's conversion to Christianity. Etchmiadzine is today the residence of the Catholicos, head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The name Etchmiadzine (meaning "the descent of the Only Begotten Son") comes from a legend according to which Saint Gregory the Illuminator saw Christ in a dream, and with a golden hammer indicated the place where the Cathedral should be built.

The tour continues to the ruins of the Temple of Zvartnots - 7th century (site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List).

Return to Yerevan.

Breakfast.

Departure for a visit to the pagan temple of Garni, built in the 1st century AD. In 1679, it was destroyed by an earthquake, but in 1975, the Temple was restored. It is the only pagan temple in Armenia. Further along the circuit you will be able to take a walk along the canyon, across the beautiful stone bridge from the 9th century that spans the Azat River.

Here you will participate in a small concert of "duduk" (a wind instrument with a captivating oriental resonance that touches the soul).

Continuing with a visit to the Geghard Monastery (whose name comes from the legendary lance that was used to pierce the body of Christ, preserved here for centuries). Although the exact date of the monastery's foundation is unknown, the current complex was built in the middle of the 13th century.

Arrival in Yerevan.

We take advantage of our last free time in Yerevan before heading to the airport for our return flight.