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Georgia + Armenia from Kutaisi
Kutaisi – Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Bodbe – Sighnaghi – Manavi – Yerevan – Garni temple – Gegard monastery – Echmiadzin – Zvartnots – Sevan – Dilijan – Ananuri – Gudauri – Kazbegi – Tbilisi – Kutaisi, (8 days, 7 nights)
Day 1: Kutaisi – Tbilisi
Arrival to Kutaisi. Meeting with the representatives of the agency. Departure to Tbilisi. Hotel accommodation.
Optional, depends on arrival time, folklore welcome dinner with Georgian songs and dances (for extra charge). Overnight.
     Day 2: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Tbilisi
Breakfast. Panoramic tour in Tbilisi. The capital of Georgia is unique. It is located on the several mountain hills, on which "creep" the old blocks. Tbilisi – is a beautiful river Kura with its picturesque rocky shores, that flows across the whole city. "Old Town" – is the historic center of Tbilisi, that is located at the root of Mtatsminda (Holy Mount) mountain. Almost all of the buildings of the Old Town are historical and cultural sites, this part of the city is round – the – clock full of life, here walk alone or in groups tourists, meet lovers near the Clock Tower. This amuzing Tower appeared here recently, built by the Puppet Theatre director Rezo Gabriadze. Here artists exhibit their paintings, artisans offer numerous souvenirs. There are mainly 2-3-storey houses built of stone and brick, and they have a special Tbilisi architecture, which is characterized by narrow streets, galleries and carved wooden balconies. Tbilisi is one of the rare places in the world, where can peacefully exist in the Old Town orthodox church, catholic cathedra, synagogue and mosque.
During the excursion visit of: Mechetian Church ( V c.), Anchiskhati Basilica of St Mary – the oldest surviving church, Synaxis of Saint Truinity, temple complex of Tsminda Sameba – the main Cathedral of Georgian Orthodox Church. The rise by the cable car (tickets for extra charge) to the Narikala fortress ( IV c.).
Next, excursion to the ancient capital of Georgia Mtskheta. Visit of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (1010-1029), at the bottom of which is buried one of the major Christian relics Lords chiton, as well as the burial place of many of the Georgian kings. Here is also the part of life-giving pillar. Visit of temple-monastery Jvari ( VI c.). At the top of the mountain where the temple is located, opens a fantastic view on the place of confluence of two rivers – Kura and Aragvi. There also opens a beautiful view on the ancient capital of Georgia – Mtskheta.
Return to Tbilisi. Overnight in the hotel.
     Day 3: Tbilisi – Bodbe – Sighnaghi – Manavi – Tbilisi
Breakfast. Departure to "town of everlasting love"Sighnaghi. On the way visit in the Bodbe village of the monastery complex of St. George and the grave of St. Nino, that brought Christianity to Georgia.
Walk along the ancient town Sighnaghi, that is placed at the top of the ridge, overlooking Alazani valley. It was currently restored to its original from. Then, passing through, acquaintance with the history of the Manavi Fortress (XI century) and the Manavi Temple (XVIII century). The church was built in 1794 by the abbot of the monastery of John the Baptist from the monastery David Gareji - Ephraim. In the 17th century here was located the royal vineyards and the estate of Heraclius II. Stop in the pearl of Kakheti - a private estate "Chateau Fort de Manavi". In the program of the visit: tasting of wines and chacha, produced according to traditional old Georgian technology directly in the marani "Chateau Fort de Manavi" from grapes grown in the estate's own vineyards. The highlight of the tasting will be "Manavi Green" - a wine made from a special grape variety that grows only in the area of the village of Manavi in Georgia. Return to Tbilisi. Transfer to the railway station and departure to Yerevan by a night train.
     Day 4: Yerevan – Garni temple – Gegard monastery – Yerevan
Arrival to Yerevan. Breakfast. After we will go to the picturesque mountaneus area to the east of Yerevan to fortress complex of Garni (1st century AD). We will visit the only well kept pagan temple in Armenia. Garni – is a unique monument of the Hellenistic period in Armenia. The temple is dedicated to the sun god Mithra, was built in the second half of the I century AD under King Tiridates I, and has remained after the country adopted Christianity, because of the IV century BC to the III century BC castle was the residence of Armenian kings. The fortress is located on a high rocky cliff and is surrounded by deep gorges.
Unique, carved out the rock monastery Gegard (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Gegard – is an ancient monastery, the first buildings of which were built back in the IV. BC The name "Gegard" means "spear." According to legend, the monastery kept spear that crucified Christ was pierced by one of the Roman guards.
A tour of the central part of evening Yerevan will allow you to feel the atmosphere of the ancient city and the modern capital. You will see the Republic Square, Abovyan Street with the old merchant houses, North Avenue, the Opera House, the Cascade complex and the Cafesjian Art Center.
Option tasting of the famous Armenian cognac (for extra charge).
Overnight.
     Day 5: Yerevan – Echmiadzin – Zvartnots – Yerevan
Breakfast. Free day. Overnight.
Optional excursion (for extra charge):
A trip to the ancient capital of Armenia Vagharshapat (Echmiadzin) – which is the center of the Armenian church. Visiting the Museum "Treasury Etchmiadzin", which kept a spear that wounded Jesus Christ, as well as many other unique relics and artifacts. A fragment of Noah’s Ark from Mount Ararat and pieces from the cross of the crucifix are also stored here.
Visiting the ruins of unique Zvartnots temple. The temple was built in the VII century and had a height of 49 meters. Holy Etchmiadzin and the Temple of Heaven of Vigilant Powers Zvartnots is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
     Day 6: Yerevan – Sevan – Dilijan – crossing the border in Bagratachen – Tbilisi
Breakfast. A trip to the blue pearl of Armenia and the Caucasus, the largest of the lakes – Lake Sevan (1900m). Climbing the stairs to the observation deck to the monastery of Sevanank, with a magnificent view of the lake. Visiting the Monastery. Moving to Dilijan. The city recently opened Museum of Art, which widely presented Russian and Armenian (I. Aivazovsky, Minas Avestyan, etc.) of the XIX-XX centuries., Western European paintings XVII-XIX centuries (Jean-Baptiste Greuze, range master Correggio, the Flemish masters of the XVII century. Etc.) and artifacts of archaeological cultures that have been studied in the Tavush ethnographic collection.
Drive to Tbilisi. Crossing the the Georgian-Armenian border Bagratashen (about 30 minutes – 1 hour). Hotel accommodation. Overnight.
     Day 7: Tbilisi – Ananuri – Gudauri – Kazbegi – Tbilisi - Kutaisi
Breakfast. Free day.
Optional excursion (for extra charge):
In the morning, departure from Tbilisi in the direction of Stepantsminda (Kazbegi). On the way to it, we will overlook the picturesque Ananuri fortress (XVI c.), located above Aragvi river, and also the amazing beauty of Zhinvali reservoir. In passing the ski resort Gudauri (2200 m), the stunning trip along Tergi river through Cross Pass (2400 m), will bring us to Stepantsminda (Kazbegi). Excursion in Kazbegi: church of the Holy Gergeti Trinity Church (2170 m above the sea level). Upon request jeep ride to the Gergheti church (for extra charge). When the weather is fair, the stunning view on the mountain Kazbeg (5147 m), one of the highest tops of Georgia, opens.Return to Tbilisi.
Deaprture to Kutaisi. Excursion in the ancient city Kutaisi, that is more than 3 thousand years old. Hotel accommodation. Overnight.
     Day 8: Kutaisi
Breakfast. Depending on the departure time, free time. Souvenirs buying. Transfer to the airport for your flight to back home.
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