Leave the USA for Yerevan.
In transit.
Early in the morning we will arrive in Yerevan airport and follow visa and custom formalities, we will be met and transferred to our hotel. After some sleep and breakfast we will start our day with a visit of Echmiadzin Monastery, the religious center of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Echmiadzin has also served as a residence of the Armenian Patriarchs since the 15th century. Then we will head to the ruins of an outstanding temple of Zvartnots with a majestic appearance of Mt. Ararat in the background and Mt. Aragats. In Yerevan we will visit the open market of antiques and souvenirs, the Vernisazh, that is held every Saturday and Sunday in the center of the city. Here you can find all kinds of national crafts, including jewelry, carpets, woodwork, ceramics, canvases, paintings and many other works of art.
We will continue our sightseeing tour of Yerevan, following the major avenues such as Marshall Baghramian Poghota where embassies, the presidential palace and national assembly are lined up and squares of the city such as Republic Square. We will also see Mother Armenia, a massive statue with a splendid location overlooking the city; and visit Matenadaran, the ancient Armenian manuscripts library-museum with 17,000 manuscripts and 100,000 medieval and modern documents to learn about birth and development of Armenian alphabet and language. We will stroll in the colorful covered food market and visit the National Folk Art museum of Armenia, and the State museum of wood curving.
This morning we will head to Mt. Aragats to visit Saghmosavank medieval monastery dramatically located in the village Artashavan overlooking Kasakh River gorge and facing Mt. Ararat in the distance. Our next stop will be at the 11th century Amberd fortress situated on the slopes of Mt. Aragats at almost 7,000 feet above sea level.
After returning to Yerevan we will spend the afternoon visiting the History Museum of Armenia with its rich collection dating from ancient times to modern era, and the National Gallery of Armenia holding a big exhibition of European, Russian and Armenian masters.
Today our first stop will be at Garni, the Hellenistic temple which was built in the 1st century AD and served as a summer residence of Armenian kings. Then we will go to Gerhard cave monastery which is a fantastic sample of Armenian medieval architecture. In the afternoon we will visit the studio of Vahan Shiroyan Wood-Art famous for making souvenirs from the wood of plum, apricot, and walnut trees. A special treat today will be a tour of the Yerevan Brandy Factory Museum and the Sharan Crafts Center, which produces hand-knitted clothing and embroidery. We will admire the delicate, hand-knit baby sweaters and booties, cloth dolls in traditional village attire, needlepoint caps, hand-carved wooden spoons and embroidered linen duvet covers.
This morning we will leave Yerevan and drive by Khor-Virap, one of the holiest sites in Armenia. Khor-Virap is home to the underground pit where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned before converting King Trdat (the same as Tiridates)III to Christianity. Today our first stop will be at the beautiful Noravank Monastery, a unique monastery situated in Noravank Canyon. The high rocks on both sides of the path almost cover the sky above until the picturesque view of one of the most remarkable monastery complexes in Armenia opens.
We enter in Tatev region, the most beautiful of all where we will see the true Armenian soul and heart. We will drive through spectacular landscape which is a combination of splendid gorges, rivers, waterfalls, caves and the snowy mountain peaks and the most important is the 9th century Tatev Monastery which provides a breathtaking view over the valleys, rivers and villages below.
In the evening we will get to a charming town Goris for overnight.
Before leaving Goris we will stop at Khndzoresk to view dotted caves dug into volcanic sandstone going back to prehistoric times. Our drive then takes us through the magnificent landscape up to Selim Pass which has been known since the medieval ages when the Silk Road was operating. Here we explore the 14th century Selim caravanserai located at an altitude of 7,200 feet above sea level, and enjoy its splendid view over the valley below with some small villages and animal herds.
Our next destination today is Lake Sevan – "the pearl of Armenia". This fresh-water lake of volcanic origin is situated at an altitude of about 6.500 feet and is one of the biggest high altitude lakes in the world. Here we will visit Sevan Monastery overlooking the lake. You can observe the water change its colors surrounded with snow-capped mountains. We continue to beautiful Dilijan for overnight.
We will spend the morning exploring Dilijan, the Armenian Switzerland, the most charming little town in the country tucked in the valley surrounded with mountains. We will visit the local Ethnographic Museum, which represents a beautiful 19th century house offering the rich collection of the area's ceramics, wood and metal carvings, as well as textiles. We will walk up along the old street lined with typical local houses to visit the pottery shop, wood carving and other local craftsmen shops.
Then we will drive through the twisting gorges of Lori province to visit Haghpat Monastery, a UNESCO site standing in a breathtaking position with fantastic scenery, a truly unforgettable experience.
We'll be transferred to Armenia-Georgia border to change our guide and vehicle and a 90-minute drive will bring us to Tbilisi for overnight.
If you haven't yet visited Prague, Budapest or Vienna, Tbilisi is the city you want to see in a more pleasant, relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. We will begin our exploration of the attractive capital of Georgia, spread along the banks of the Mtkvari River, with Metkhi Church from where we have a superb view of the Narikala Fortress, Kartlis Deda (Mother Georgia), the Old Town and the Mtkari River below. There are many interesting churches here, including the 6-7th century Sioni Cathedral (the center of religious life in the capital), the Anchiskhati (the oldest church in Tbilisi, built in the 6th century), as well as the Synagogue and mosque. We will also visit the stunning treasury of the Georgian National Art Museum with its incredible display of gold artifacts and jewelry; and the Museum of Georgian Folk Art and Applied Art which houses a great collection of Georgian costumes and textile, and a fine art workshop. The highlight of the day will be a visit to the sulphur baths, where famous writers such as Dumas, Pushkin and Tolstoy spent many pleasant hours. A day without a stroll along the famous Rustaveli Avenue with all kinds of different government and civic buildings, shops, main squares would not be complete. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Today we will drive to Kakheti, the most important wine-growing region of Georgia. Our first visit will be to the David Gareja cave monastery, founded in the 6th century, probably the most remarkable ancient site in all Georgia located in a semi-desert area. From here we will head to a stunning fortified town Sighnaghi on the top of the mountain overlooking fertile Alazani valley bordered with the High Caucasus Mountains in the horizon. In the town we'll visit the museum, which besides local artifacts, also houses the collection of the famous Georgian painter Niko Pirosmani. Overnight in Sighnaghi.
We will follow the Kakhetian wine route offering a wonderful landscape dotted with vineyards and wine producing villages, this route will take us to several of them in order to get acquainted with the Georgian way of wine-making, which is quite different from European one. Our first stop will be at the local farmer's 300-year-old wine-cellar, where we will taste 5-6 year-old red and white wines. From here we will go to another village Gavazi, to visit the local family to experience their hospitality, taste home-made traditional dishes and wine. Next we will stop at Tsinandali, the estate of the 19th century poet, public figure and Kakhetian prince, Alexander Chavchavadze, and be treated to a wine tasting in the cellar of the Chavchvadze family. Overnight in Sighnaghi.
Today we will have another beautiful drive with breathtaking landscapes on the way as we head up to the High Caucasus Mountains. Our first stop will be at UNESCO site Mtskheta, the ancient capital and religious center of Georgia, followed by a stop at the picturesque Ananuri Complex before ascending the mountains. Overnight in Gudauri ski resort.
We will drive over the Cross Pass to get to Kazbegi (Khevi) region, offering us the most spectacular vista over the mountains, valleys, rivers in Georgia, if anyone misses this part of the country, one would miss seeing the heart and soul of Georgia.
We'll stop in the town Kazbegi ( Stepantsminda) to walk up to Gergeti church on the slope of the mountain which is overlooked down by one of the highest Caucasus peaks in Georgia at over 15,000 feet, Mt. Kazbegi (earlier known as 'the Ice-top'). The location of the church is stunning and the view from there over the surrounding mountains and Kazbegi town, as well as the valley below is awesome and unforgettable! Overnight in Gudauri ski resort.
Today we will leave the Kazbegi (Khevi) region and drive in the direction of the Black Sea. We'll have a short stop in Gori, the birth place of Stalin, to visit the complex where his home, museum, and the train carriage by which he traveled are located.
On the way to Kutaisi in the village of Shrosha we will stop at the local pottery market.
Kutaisi is Georgia's second largest city, in ancient times known as Aia, the capital of the kingdom Colchis that we know from the legend about Jason and the Argonauts coming here in search of the Golden Fleece. This is also the city where the ancient River Phazisi, now Rioni, still flows, that the Argonauts used to navigate to get the Golden Fleece.
On arriving in Kutaisi we'll visit a colorful local market, and have a pleasant walk through the old town to reach one of the main attractions, the magnificent UNESCO site Bagrati Cathedral, whose ruins perch on a hill above the Rioni River and afford a splendid view over the city. Overnight in Kutaisi.
There is another UNESCO site in Kutaisi, the Gelati Academy, which we will visit this morning before heading to the Black Sea. The oldest buildings in the complex, built by King David the Builder, combined a church and school.
Our next stop will be in Batumi to explore this beautiful resort on the Black Sea coast with its inviting beaches, cafes, restaurants, wide boulevards and attractive museums. We will visit the Adjara Fine Art Museum and the Ethnographic Museum. Overnight in Batumi.
EASTERN TURKEY EXTENSION: 8 DAYS
In the morning we will drive to Sarpi border to cross into Turkey. A short drive along the Turkish Black Sea coast will take us to a small charming city of Hopa from where we climb to the Kackar Mountains. The scenic drive through the tea growing country of Turkey will finally get us to Artvin, a unique town nestling in the mountains overlooking the river below. Overnight in Artvin.
Today we leave the Black Sea region and enter into high Anatolian plateau in Eastern Turkey. We will travel through the famous Georgian Valley along the Coruh River. The entire region was the part of the medieval kingdom of Georgia, which can be testified with the existence of many Georgian churches and monasteries in this part of Turkey. We will visit two of the most interesting churches: Ishan church or church of the Mother of God in very scenic mountains and Haho church in Bagbasi village which is used as a mosque today. In the evening we'll reach Erzurum.
Erzurum, the largest city on the high plateau of Eastern Turkey is the capital of Erzurum province. Before we leave Erzurum we will visit Rustem Pasha Caravansary; the old city quarter with its interesting shops and the famous Selcuk Cifte-Minare and Ethnographic museum (Yakutiye Medresesi) which has a rich collection of national costumes and jewelry. There are excellent remains from the many civilizations that survived in Erzurum, including Byzantine, Mongol, Selcuk and Ottoman.
Then we head to Kars, a typical Eastern Turkish town with a magnificent fortress. The high plateau here creates excellent conditions for the production of yogurt, milk, cheese, honey and meat. There are also carpets and kilims known for their special color combinations and unique designs.
This morning we will visit Ani, the legendary ancient capital of Armenia which surpassed Constantinople around the10th century. It is the most extensive and exciting ancient site in Eastern Turkey and many of the ruins of its close to 1,000 churches and mosques can still be seen. Beyond the city walls is a deep gorge separating Turkey from Armenia.
In the afternoon we will visit the Kars museum and the Armenian church of Holy Apostles.
Today we will drive through Ararat valley to Dogubeyazit for a breathtaking view of Mt. Ararat, the highest mountain in Turkey at 18,000 feet. Covered with snow and ice, it is thought to be the final resting place of Noah's Ark. In Dogubeyazit we will visit the impressive Palace of Ishak Pasa, a great example of Ottoman, Seljuk, Persian, Georgian, and Armenian architectural styles. Before arriving in Van we will stop at the refreshing waterfall at Muradiye. Our final destination is Van, an important city in Eastern Turkey, known for its number of agricultural products and horses. Van dates to the time of the Great Flood and is purported to be the site of the Garden of Eden. It is also famous for its cats with two different colored eyes.
We will take a boat across Lake Van, the largest lake in Turkey, to reach Akdamar Island and visit the beautiful 10th century Church of the Holy Cross. Its walls are richly decorated with wonderful relief carvings of the Bible stories, birds and animals. Before heading back to Van, we will also visit Cavustepe (ancient Tushba) to see the remains of the first ancient capital of the Urartian Kingdom. There are some good examples of cuneiform inscriptions on the temple ruins here and a well preserved cistern dating from 700 BC. You will be impressed by Hosap Castle which was located on the old silk road; a very photogenic landmark dating from 1643. Later we will explore the Van Castle, which has many tombs and fortifications through which you may wander, and the interesting Archaeological Museum which displays artifacts from Patmos and Toprakkale, as well as Urartian artifacts.
This morning we will take a short flight to Istanbul and have a free afternoon at leisure to explore the old city or visit the Grand Bazaar.
You will be transferred to the airport for home flight.
AZERBAJAN EXTENSION: 4 DAYS
A short flight from Batumi takes us to Tbilisi where we will change the plane to Baku, a vibrant and the most sophisticated city of Azerbaijan, after airport formalities we will be transferred to our hotel in downtown Baku.
We will spend two full days on walking tours in Baku. The old city is fascinating with all kinds of different architecture, restored old palaces such as Palace of Shirvan Shahs or the Madien's Tower from where you will have a spectacular view over the old city and the Caspian Sea, houses, restaurants, cafes; it is a feast for the eyes to enjoy the harmony and charm between the buildings wherever you look.
Baku is rapidly changing into a modern metropolitan city with high-rise buildings; sometimes you feel you are in New York, London or Paris. The State Art Museum and the Carpet Museum are among the best museums to visit.
Departure for Home.
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