Caucasus Temples: Armenia & Georgia Tour

The unparalleled scenery of the Caucasus has been inspiring architects to build ever more beautiful churches and monasteries for generations. Armenia and Georgia, the first two countries to adopt Christianity as their official religion, are now home to a large number of striking stone monasteries and churches, often located high on mountain slopes or deep in fertile gorges. Discover this region’s spiritual history and rich culture for yourself with this nine-day Caucasus Temples tour. From Geghard, a monastery complex carved out of a mountainside in central Armenia, through the capital cities and alpine lakes to the Gergeti Trinity Church, in the shadow of Mount Kazbegi in northern Georgia, this tour crosses time and culture to bring you the best of the Caucasus with a focus on Armenia and Georgia.

Tour itinerary:

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Day 1: Yerevan – arrival

Arrival in Yerevan. You will be met by our driver and transferred to the hotel. Check-in at noon. Your Armenia and Georgia tour starts with a city tour in Yerevan. One of the oldest cities in the world, Yerevan is famous as a pink city and calls visitors with its humble and at the same time splendid landscapes. Start a city tour by visiting the Cascade Monument, one of the city’s main symbols. The mega-scale staircase is 118 meters high and has 572 steps. A panoramic view from the monument opens up a breathtaking city view with the Opera House, Mount Ararat, Swan Lake, Republic Square, and Abovyan Avenue, which you will also walk by during the tour. If it is a weekend, visit Vernissage, the biggest souvenir market in Yerevan. Continue to the Armenian Genocide memorial complex on the hill of Tsitsernakaberd. An excellent round-up of the tour will be a visit to the Megeryan carpet factory where you can observe the process of creating famous Armenian rugs. You will see carpets from different regions of Armenia and find out about the hidden meanings of elements used in their design. In the evening, enjoy dinner and a traditional folklore show. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Yerevan – Garni – Symphony of Stones – Geghard – Vernisage – Etchmiadzin – Yerevan

Depart Yerevan and drive to Garni, one of the major villages in Armenia famous for its fortress. The fortress is the only pagan sacred place from the 1st century that survived the aggressive introduction of Christianity in the 4th century. Descend Garni Gorge to explore a monumental rock formation called Symphony of Stones. The next stop is at the monastery complex Geghard (“spear”). The beautiful landscape of Geghard is framed by towering cliffs. Decorative art cut into rocks reflects and explains Medieval Ages development throughout the region. The complex was introduced to history in the 4th century as a sacred spring inside a cave. Visit Vernisage, the biggest souvenir market in Yerevan. Continue to the Holy See of Armenia, Etchmiadzin. Visit Etchmiadzin Cathedral* which is the residence of the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church the Catholicos of All Armenians. Return to Yerevan.
*The site is currently under conservation works. Observation of the Cathedral is possible from the outside

Day 3: Yerevan – Khor Virap – Noravank – Yerevan

In the morning, head to Khor Virap monastery (“deep pit”). According to the legend, St. Gregory the Illuminator, the Baptist of Armenia, had been kept here in the basement for 13 years for the dissemination of Christianity until Tsar Tradt decided to adopt the new religion. The monastery location allows you to enjoy the best views of Mt. Ararat. Continue to the complex of Noravank, situated on a ledge of a deep winding gorge of a tributary of the Arpa River near the village of Amaghu, Yeghegnadzor District. Noravank ensemble stands amidst the bizarre-shaped precipitous red cliffs. Built-in place of an ancient cloister, it grew in the reign of Princes Orbelian of Syunik. In the 13th-14th centuries it became a residence of Syunik’s bishops and, consequently, a major religious and later cultural center of Armenia, closely connected with many of the local seats of learning, primarily with Gladzor’s famed university and library. Return to Yerevan for an overnight.

Day 4: Yerevan – Sevanavank – Lake Sevan – Haghpat – Armenian border – Tbilisi

In the morning, drive to Lake Sevan, “The Jewel of Armenia” and one of the largest high-mountainous freshwater lakes in the world. The coastline of Lake Sevan is rich with thick woods, white bare steep rocks, mountain steppes, and Alpine meadows. Stop at Sevanavank to visit the remnants of the monastery that include two temples – Surb Arakelots and Surb Karapet, standing among numerous khachkars (carved cross-stones). The buildings were constructed from black tuff which probably gave the monastery its name Sevanavank – “the Black Monastery”. The view from there is simply magnificent: the mountains surround the lake from all sides and snow tops are seen almost on the entire perimeter and disappear behind the horizon. Continue to Lori region and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Haghpat monastery. A stunning example of Armenian traditional architecture was erected in the 10-13th centuries. Standing on a hillside, Haghpat beautifully overlooks the Debed River. The location of the monastery was chosen to protect the peace and seclusion of its monks. Continue to the “Sadakhlo-Bagratashen” Georgian-Armenian border point. Cross the border, and meet your Georgian driver to have the last hour-long transfer for today. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a traditional Georgian restaurant. Overnight at the hotel in Tbilisi.

Day 5: Tbilisi – city tour

Meet your guide to start a sightseeing tour in Tbilisi. Start at Holy Trinity Cathedral, one of the largest orthodox cathedrals in the world. Continue to Metekhi church and monument to Vakhtang Gorgasali, the legendary founder of Tbilisi. Take the cable car to Narikala Fortress to enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. Walk down to the district of Sulphur bath houses passing by the only mosque in Tbilisi. Stroll through the Sharden area full of narrow streets with cozy cafés, wine-tasting bars, and souvenir shops, and breathe in the living past. Visit Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica, and the clock tower of the famous Rezo Gabriadze Theatre. Cross the Bridge of Peace to Rike Park and head to the Open Air Museum of Ethnography, a miniature model of Georgia. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 6: Tbilisi – Sighnaghi – Bodbe – Tsinandali – Telavi – Tbilisi

After breakfast depart towards the Kakheti region of Georgia, the cradle of Georgian wine.
Our first stop will be in Bodbe convent, which according to the legend is a burial place of St. Nino, who converted Georgia to Christianity in the 4th century. According to Tsar Alexander III of Russia’s decree, since 1889 Bodbe complex functions as a nunnery. Continue to Sighnaghi, the city of love, and the Royal Town, one of the crossroads of the Great Silk Road surrounded by defensive walls with 23 towers. Drive to Tsinandali, the residence of the dukes of Georgia with a beautiful English garden, a museum, and a wine cellar that belonged to prince Chavchavadze, a 19th-century public figure, and poet.
Reach Telavi, the administrative and historic center of the region. Have a short walk through the charming streets of old Telavi and have a photo stop at the monument to Erekli II. Depart to Tbilisi by a beautiful road through Gombori pass. Drop off at your hotel for an overnight.

Day 7: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Ananuri – Kazbegi

After breakfast, drive to Mtskheta, one of the oldest towns and the cultural and religious center of Georgia. Mtskheta was the capital of the Eastern Georgian Kingdom of Iberia from the third century BC. Visit Jvari Church, a true architectural masterpiece of the early Medieval Period overlooking the confluence of Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers from the top of the hill, and Svetitskhoveli, the main cathedral of Mtskheta and a sacred place where the robe of Christ is being kept.
Continue to the Ananuri architectural complex, a former residence of Argveti Dukes. A complex featuring churches and towers dating back to the XVI-XVII cc. is beautifully overlooking Jinvali reservoir. Continue driving on Georgian Military Highway passing through the highest point of it at 2394 m. above sea level. En route make a stop at the mineral water spring flowing down from a hilltop. Arrive at Kazbegi, a small town with views of Mt. Kazbek (or Mkinvari) 5033 m, the seventh highest peak in the Caucasus Mountains. Visit Gergeti Holy Trinity Church located at an altitude of 2170 and enjoy breathtaking views of Mt Kazbegi. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8: Kazbegi – Gori – Uplistsikhe – Tbilisi

In the morning, drive to Gori and visit Stalin Museum. The museum includes more than 60,000 artifacts, the tiny house where Stalin was born, and the impressive bulletproof train Stalin used to travel to Yalta and Potsdam. Explore cave town Uplistsikhe dating back to the Hellenistic Period and is notable for its unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures and the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture. Return to Tbilisi for an overnight.

Day 9: Tbilisi – departure

Check-out from the hotel till noon. Free time till transfer to Tbilisi International airport. End of the tour.

Price includes:

All transfers (1-2 pax by sedan, 3-4 pax by Mercedes Vito or similar, 5-10 pax by Mercedes Sprinter passenger van);
Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
Sightseeing tour program in each country with local English-speaking guides;
Entrance tickets to sights as per itinerary;
Dinners in Yerevan and Tbilisi;
Mineral water.