Georgia and Armenia Uncovered
Georgia and Armenia Uncovered
Georgia and Armenia Uncovered
11 Days Starting in Tbilisi and ending in Yerevan
Visiting: Tbilisi, Mtskheta, Akhasheni, Sighnaghi, Uplistsikhe, Gori, Haghpat, Fioletovo, Dilijan, Lake Sevan, Noratus, Goris, Tatev, Verishen, Yerevan, Geghard
Tour operator:
Tour code:
GAARM18
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
15 - 54
Age range:
5-99
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Wander far off the beaten track on this Georgia and Armenia trip, from wine tasting to the holy spring and spiritual songs of Geghard Monastery. Get to grips with local life in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains and learn how to make lavash with a family in Garni.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Welcome To Tbilisi
Location: Tbilisi
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Wyndham Grand
Meals Included: No Meals
A smorgasbord of architectural marvels overlook the cobbled streets of Georgia’s capital. On arrival in Tbilisi, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel where you'll meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception with drinks and Georgian-style fare this evening.
Day 2 : Explore Colourful Tbilisi
Location: Tbilisi
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Take in the sights and sounds of the capital as you embark on a sightseeing tour of Tbilisi’s Old Town. Your exploration begins at the 13th-century Metekhi Church, from there you’ll wind your way along narrow streets and stroll past the patterned balconies and colourful façades that are so characteristic of this city. Ascend to the ancient Narikala Fortress by cable car next, soaking up the panoramic views of the city before delving into the legend of the Golden Fleece at the Georgian National Museum.
Day 3 : Onwards To Mtskheta And On To Akhasheni
Location: Mtskheta, Akhasheni
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Wine Resort & Spa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leave Tbilisi behind as you head to the ancient capital of Mtskheta. Known as the religious centre of Georgia, you’ll revel in the twin UNESCO World Heritage sites – the 6th-century Jvari Monastery and 11th-century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Delve into the city’s Christian history which saw it granted the status of a 'Holy City', then retire to your hotel where you’ll enjoy dinner.
Day 4 : Off To Sighnaghi And Return To Tbilisi
Location: Sighnaghi, Tbilisi
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Wyndham Grand
Meals Included: Breakfast
Soak up the crisp air of the Caucasus Mountains as your journey continues to the fortified town of Sighnaghi in the heart of Georgia’s wine region. Visit Bodbe Monastery, one of the country’s most prominent pilgrimage sites, then head to Kakabeti village in Sagaredjo where you’ll Connect With Locals and enjoy lunch and a wine tasting. At this exclusive Be My Guest experience, your host will treat you to some of the local wines, followed by a master class in Georgian bread baking and churchkhela sweets. Return to your hotel later for an evening at leisure.
Day 5 : A Day In Uplistsikhe And Gori
Location: Uplistsikhe, Gori
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Trace the ancient Silk Route and visit Uplistsikhe Cave Town where you’ll find an ancient theatre, church and dwellings hewn directly out of the rocky hillside. Next, delve into the life of the former leader of the Soviet Union at the Joseph Stalin Museum in Gori, his birthplace. Later, Connect With Locals at Iago’s wine cellar where you’ll sample some of the local wines produced using a traditional method which has been inscribed as a UNESCO heritage. Iago and his wife Marina regale guests with colourful stories of their life as wine producers in the area before you return to Tbilisi.
Day 6 : Continue To Monastic Haghpat And Dilijan
Location: Haghpat, Fioletovo, Dilijan
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Best Western Plus Paradise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Bid farewell to Georgia and cross the border into Armenia. Your first taste of this ancient land is the UNESCO-listed monastic complex of Haghpat featuring incredible works of medieval Armenian architecture. Against the backdrop of the forest-clad slopes of the Caucasus, you’ll enjoy lunch in Dzoraget village, which lies on the banks of the Debed River. Dive Into Culture by tasting Russian pancakes and homemade tea with a local in Fioletovo village, then head to Dilijan for your overnight stay.
Day 7 : Admire Stunning Lake Sevan And Goris
Location: Lake Sevan, Noratus, Goris
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Goris
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A day of tranquil beauty awaits at Lake Sevan – your reward for an early start to the day. You’ll see first-hand why it is deserving of its nickname 'The Blue Pearl of Armenia' as you bask in the peninsula’s breathtaking scenery. Stop in the lakeside village of Noratus, with its impressive collection of Armenian cross-stones, then head to Yeghegnadzor spectacularly surrounded by the Zangezur Mountains. You’ll savour a homemade lunch of local specialties before enjoying a quick photo stop in Karahunge, known as 'Armenia’s Stonehenge'. Tonight you’ll enjoy dinner at your hotel in Goris.
Day 8 : Journey To The Tatev Complex, Ararat Valley And On To Yerevan
Location: Tatev, Verishen, Yerevan
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Ramada By Wyndham
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
A thrilling start to the day sees us take a trip across the Wings of Tatev cableway to the 'monastery on the edge of nothing'. Watch the epic scenery unfold as the world's longest aerial tramway delivers you to the 9th-century Apostolic monastery. Continue to Verishen village for your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience where you’ll meet the local community which makes a living from crafting traditional wool carpets and learn how your visit helps them to preserve their crafting traditions for generations to come. Feel like a local as you enjoy lunch in a family's home nearby before continuing to your final stop for the day, Khor Virap Monastery. Here St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 14 years before he led Armenia to become the first country in the world to be declared a Christian nation. Admire the views of Mount Ararat, Armenia's national symbol, then head to Yerevan, the country's capital.
Day 9 : Discover Historic Yerevan
Location: Yerevan
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Contemplate Yerevan’s contrasting ancient culture and vibrant modern vibe as you delve into the city’s history that spans over 2,800 years. Your sightseeing tour will start in Republic Square and continue to the Cascade Complex, home to the Gafesjian Centre which houses some of Armenia’s most important works of art. Take the Great Cascade to Victory Park for incredible views of the heart of the city before visiting the moving Armenian Genocide Memorial, dedicated to the memory of over a million Armenians who perished in the first genocide of the 20th century. The rest of the day is free to explore the city your way. Consider spending your afternoon on an Optional Experience to visit the Ruins of Zvartnots, or perhaps enjoy dinner in the former home of a famous Armenian painter.
Day 10 : A Day Exploring Geghard Monastery
Location: Geghard, Yerevan
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today’s excursion takes us to the UNESCO-listed Geghard Monastery. Hewn partly from the surrounding rock, Geghard is most famous for its incredible acoustics and spectacular natural beauty. You’ll Dive Into Culture during a moving performance of Armenian spiritual songs, or sharakans, performed by a live quintet before a scenic drive brings you to Garni. Here you’ll meet a local family who will teach you how to make Armenia’s national flatbread lavash paired with cheese and greens. Connect With Locals as you sample the brduj snack you’ve just made yourself and take a walk around your host’s garden and orchard, learning about the different fruits grown in the area. On your return to Yerevan, enjoy delicious flavours of the legendary Armenian brandy during a local distillery visit. Tonight, you’ll end your epic adventure through Georgia and Armenia with a Farewell Dinner in a traditional Armenian tavern, paired with folk songs and dance.
Day 11 : Farewell Yerevan
Location: Yerevan
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a whirlwind journey to two lands with dramatic pasts and vibrant multi-cultural legacies, it’s time to say a fond farewell to new friends and prepare for your journey home. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
What's Included
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1 Be My Guest
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1 Farewell Dinner
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1 Welcome Reception
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10 Breakfasts
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3 Dinners
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4 Lunches
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are flights included in this tour?
No
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Trafalgar allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform trafalgar, 90 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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