On the Trail of Early Christianity Georgia - Armenia

Three-Country Trips - Georgia/ Armenia/ Azerbaijan duration

15 Days

3-20

from 1980€

On the Trail of Early Christianity Georgia - Armenia

Day 1 - Arrival in Tbilisi

Reception by the local representative. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 2 - Tbilisi

City tour in Tbilisi: Drive to one of the beautiful viewpoints of the city. Narikala Fortress (4th century), Metechi Church (13th century) with the equestrian statue of King Gorgassali, who founded Tbilisi at the end of the 5th century. Panoramic view of the city, which stretches terraced on both sides of the Mtkwari River. Walk through the largely protected Old Town of Kala: bath district, view from the synagogue towering over the western old town, old caravanserai, Sioni Cathedral from the 6th/7th century, Anchiskhati Basilica, the oldest church in the city from the 6th century, and much more. Following this, a sightseeing drive through the New City with Town Hall, Opera and Ballet Theater in the pseudo-Moorish style, Liberty Square. Visit to the Historical Museum with the Treasure Chamber, where precious goldsmith works from the time of the Golden Fleece are exhibited.

Dinner and overnight stay in Tbilisi. (B/D)

Day 3 - Ikalto, Alawerdi, Zinandali, Telavi

Drive over the Gombori Pass (about 1642 m) into the eastern Georgian province of Kakheti, the breadbasket of Georgia, with a mild climate that favors wine and fruit cultivation. Visit the Ikalto Academy (11th-12th century). Then, drive north to the Georgian Cathedral of Alaverdi (11th century).

Visit to the Qvevri Workshop, where traditional Georgian wine amphorae are made.

Continue to Telavi. Free time to stroll through the Old Town and the market hall.

Visit to the summer residence of Prince Alexander Chavchavadze in Zinandali.

Wine tasting and dinner at a winery near Telavi.

Overnight stay in Telavi. (B/D/Wine tasting)

Day 4 - Mtzkheta - Gudauri

Drive to the region of Kartli, the heartland of Georgia, a high plateau crisscrossed by gentle valleys, to the 3000-year-old former Georgian capital Mtskheta (UNESCO World Heritage), beautifully situated at the confluence of the Mtkwari and Aragvi rivers. Visit the Church of Jvari (Cross Church, 6th-7th century) perched on a steep cliff with a magnificent view of the valley, and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral ("Life-giving Pillar", 11th century).

Drive north along the Georgian Military Road, which has served as a caravan route between the north and the Orient since the 1st century BC. Visit the Ananuri Fortress (17th century), located at the northwestern tip of the Shinvali Reservoir, one of the most impressive Georgian buildings from the era of Ottoman and Persian invasions: citadel, cross-domed churches, bell tower of the powerful fortress. Drive through a wild and romantic mountain landscape to Gudauri.

Dinner and overnight stay in Gudauri. (B/D)

Day 5 - Stephanzminda, Kazbeg

Drive over the Kreuz Pass (2,379 m) into the high mountains to Stepantsminda. A 3-hour hike to the Gergeti Trinity Church, located at an altitude of 2,170 m (14th century). Spectacular view of Mount Kazbeg, one of the highest and most beautiful peaks of the Georgian Caucasus at 5,047 m. Those who wish can take a taxi ride for an additional fee.

In the afternoon, drive to the Darial Gorge – to the Georgian-Russian border.

Return to Gudauri. Time for rest and relaxation in the clear mountain air.

Dinner and overnight stay in Gudauri. (B/D)

Day 6 - Gori, Uplishiche, Kutaisi

Drive via Gori, the birthplace of Stalin, to the cave city of Uplistsikhe, which is estimated to be 3,000 years old. Climb to the necropolis with its unusual gabled architecture from the pre-Hellenistic period, the palace complex (1st century BC) with an apothecary, theater, marketplace, storage rooms, wine cellars, sewage systems, and much more, as well as a three-nave church from the 9th/10th century. Then drive over the Rikoti Pass to Georgia's second-largest city. Continue to Kutaisi. Visit the Gelati Academy – the greatest achievement of David the Builder. The foundation stone was laid in 1106. The teaching was organized following the model of the Academy of Constantinople.

Dinner and overnight stay in Kutaisi.

Day 7 - Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Tbilisi

Drive to the Prometheus Karst Cave. A short walk in the resort town of Tskaltubo.

In the afternoon, return to Tbilisi and free time at your disposal.

Farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant and overnight stay in Tbilisi. (B/D)

Day 8 - Farewell to Georgia, journey to the Armenian border

In the morning, drive to the Georgian-Armenian border and meet with the Armenian representative. Visit the Monastery of Akhtala. Continue to the village of Haghpat. Visit the ancient Haghpat Monastery (10th-13th century), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its beautiful khachkars (cross-stones).

Dinner and overnight stay in Haghpat. (B/D)

Day 9 - Dilidschan, Sevan

Drive to Dilijan. Dilijan is a resort town in an area with lush deciduous forests. Near Dilijan, hidden in a clearing within dense woods, lies the Haghartsin Monastery (9th-13th century), which we will visit. A short walking path leads us there.

Continue to Lake Sevan, located at an altitude of 1,950 meters, one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world. Our overnight stay is located on the lakeshore.

Dinner and overnight stay at Lake Sevan. (B/D)

Day 10 - Sisian, Tatev

Drive along the lakeshore to the Selim Pass, located at 2,400 meters, part of the ancient Silk Road. Stop at the small Selim Caravanserai. Continue through a breathtaking landscape to the Tatev University Monastery (9th century). Visit the monastery complex, which was a religious and spiritual center of ancient Armenia. It is impressively situated on a steep rock ledge above the vast Vorotan Gorge.

Ride the 5.7 km long cable car (the longest in the world) to the vicinity of the village of Halidzor. Continue to Sisian for dinner and overnight stay. (B/D)

Day 11 - Noravank, Chor Virap, Yerevan

Drive to Zorats Qarer, a megalithic site approximately 5,000 years old, consisting of around 200 basalt stones up to 3 meters high. Continue to the Noravank Monastery (13th century). Lunch at the monastery guesthouse. Visit the restored monastery complex with multiple churches.

Afterward, drive to the Ararat Plain to Armenia's most important pilgrimage site, the renovated Khor Virap Monastery (4th-7th century), where, according to tradition, Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned in a "deep pit" for spreading Christianity. Enjoy a unique view of Mount Ararat (5,165 m), the sacred mountain of the Armenians, located in Turkish territory.

Overnight stay in Yerevan. (B/L)

Day 12 - Yerevan and Echmiadzin

Drive to Etchmiadzin, the center of the independent Armenian Apostolic Church and the seat of the Catholicos. On the way, visit two churches from the 7th century – the Zvartnots Church and the Hripsime Church.

The once magnificent palace church of Zvartnots is a testament to the golden age of Armenian architecture in the 7th century. The small museum adjacent to the ruins provides insight into Armenian church architecture. The Church of St. Hripsime (7th century) is considered one of the most famous churches in Armenia, as its architectural style later became the most significant Armenian variation of the cross-domed church.

Our main destination today is the Etchmiadzin Monastery, home to the Etchmiadzin Cathedral (4th century), the most important religious building for Armenians. It is said to have been built on the spot that Christ himself revealed to Gregory the Illuminator. The cathedral is currently closed for restoration, but we can visit the monastery’s treasury, which houses two important Christian relics.

Lunch in a garden restaurant. Visit Tsitsernakaberd, a memorial complex with an impressive monument and museum dedicated to the victims of the 1915 genocide.

Overnight stay in Yerevan. (B/L)

Day 13 - Yerevan

Expert-guided tour of the Matenadaran scientific library, which houses a valuable collection of ancient Armenian manuscripts, the oldest dating back to the 5th century.

City tour with an introductory sightseeing drive.

Visit to the Urartian Erebuni Museum. Explore the Cascade (a large stairway) from the top, offering a magnificent view of the city and Mount Ararat (weather permitting).

Visit to a Duduk master, where we admire the craftsmanship of this traditional Armenian instrument.

Visit to a brandy factory in Yerevan, including a brandy tasting.

Farewell dinner and final overnight stay in Yerevan. (B/D)

Day 14 - Geghard cave monastery and Garni temple

Drive to the impressive Geghard Cave Monastery (12th/13th century), located at the end of a gorge. The monastery consists of several interconnected church chambers. Enjoy a concert of sacred music performed by the women’s quintet Luys.

Continue to Garni and visit the Ionic temple from the Hellenistic period, built in the 1st century by King Tiridates on the edge of a deep basalt gorge.

Late lunch with trout at a local farmer’s house in Garni.

Return to Yerevan and overnight stay.