15 Day Caucasus Pearls

After the breakfast at the hotel, start the tour to the town Sheki. Enjoy the sightseeing of surfism Temple Diri-Baba Mountain Mausoleum and Mosque Shemakha 11th c on the route. The evening Sheki tour includes; Sheki fortress, Sheki Khan Palace, caravanserai and mosque. Overnight in Sheki. 

After breakfast excursion in Kish village to visit Alban Church.

Drive to Balaqani - the Azerbaijan-Georgia border towards Lagodekhi. The guide will support with border formalities. We change vehicle and Georgian local guide will continue the trip to Signagi.

Signagi translates as “the shelter” and is surrounded by well-preserved 18th c city walls with 23 defensive towers. The small medieval town overlooks the Alazani River Valley and Kakheti province.  Signagi is also known as “City of Love” as the wedding registry works every day 24 hours/7 days a week.

Kakheti area is considered as the main wine-producing part of Georgia. Innumerous cultural and architectural monuments are around. Don’t miss to visit Sighnaghi museum with splendid balcony. Archaeological, ethnographical, numismatic and painting collections are displayed inside the three small halls. Niko Pirosmani’s prominent naive canvas & oil are also presented here. Walk and relax nearby towers and park in Signagi.

Overnight in Signagi.

Georgian wine day. After breakfast at the hotel drive to the village Tsinandali and visit the house-museum of Kakheti nobleman Alexander Chavchavadze, the founder of the first enotheca in Georgia. The residential house, English-French garden and wine cellar located in the museum host you with glass of white Tsinandali wine. 

Another winery is nearby: Shumi winery and the wine museum “Vazioni” will serve you the wine tasting and snacks. 

From here only 10 km is left to Telavi town, the center of Kakheti and former capital town of East Georgia. Telavi preserve the the residence of the King Erekle II – Batonistsikhe fortress. Walk along the central avenue and in the evening drive to Tbilisi  following Gombori Pass. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Tbilisi sightseeing starts from Holy Trinity Cathedral, the highest Orthodox Christian churches. Inside this huge cathedral, you will have a walk in the unique flower garden and fountains. Continue to Metekhi plateau located on the rocky cliff above the Kura River. The place was the first royal residence in the 5th c. In front of the church, the bronze statue of King Vakhtan Gorgasali is erected. With aerial cable car, ride up to the Narikala fortress built in 4th c. Take a walk into the small streets and stroll down by foot to the Botanical Garden, Jumah Mosque, Legvtakhevi area and waterfall. Walk in Abanotubani – the sulfur bathhouse quarter, Jan Shardeni street, Iron row and cotton row Streets. With the pedestrian Bridge of Peace cross the river. Here you have the real feeling that you are standing on the edge of two continents Europe and Asia. Finish the old city tour at the Meidan square. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Breakfast at the hotel. We drive to Mtskheta – 20 km to the North. Town is located on the confluence of two rivers. Two UNESCO sites: Jvari church 6th c and Svetitskhoveli cathedral 11th c. are part of the former capital town of East Georgian Kingdom. The handicrafts, souvenir shops, wine cellars are crowding the narrow streets of Mtskheta. 

Next is the Silk Road. Now the road is called Georgian Military highway and goes to Russia through the Great Caucasus range. Stop at manmade water reserve Jinvali, excursion at Ananuri castle of 16-17th cc. the residential building of Aragvi Eristavi (Dukes).

Evening arrival in ski resort Gudauri for dinner and overnight. (The altitude 2000 m above Sea level).

After breakfast start the high Caucasus Mountain adventure and reach the highest point on the driveway 2395m – the Cross Pass watershed. Taste mineral water from the travertine hill and observe the snowy peak of Kazbegi glacier 5033m. Change transport to 4x4 WD vehicles and visit the top of Mount Gergeti, Holy Trinity Church 14th c., and the village Stepantsminda to see the magnificent alpine pastures around. In the evening drive back to Tbilisi.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

After breakfast head to Samtskhe-Javakheti region. First stop is  Gori town, the birthplace of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. Museum consists of three major parts: memorial house, exposition building with tower and Stalin’s personal coach. Stalin’s study room, manuscripts, personal items, gifts are preserved here. 

The village Uplistskhe is 14 km away from Gori town. The oldest inhabited caves are dated back to the Early Iron Age. The worship temples, wealthy residential district, outdoor amphitheater and stage, small and big marketplaces, jails, secret tunnels and ancient chambers and halls have been unearthed during archaeological excavations. 

Next stop is Borjomi spa resort where natural artesian spring waters with curative effects flow directly from earth without pumping. After tasting Borjomi sparkling water, walk through Borjomi Park.

In the evening arrival in Akhaltsikhe for Overnight.  

After breakfast at the hotel take a guided excursion to Rabat fortress. Rabati comprises several buildings including Sargis Jakeli castle of 14th c., Fortress Church (late Middle Ages), a Palace from 18th century and the Church of Saint Marine (1865) with built-in relief works.

Next head to Vardzia cave monastery and town established in 12 c. during the reign of King George III and his daughter Queen Tamar. Javakheti used to separate the rest Georgia from the enemy and was often attacked by invaders. The massive complex was built for defensive, as well as monastic purposes. 

Overnight in Akhaltsikhe 3* or Vardzia 4* hotel (Upon availability). 

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Georgia-Armenia border at Bavra. En-route stop by gorgeous mediaeval fortresses Khertvisi for some photos.

Meeting at Georgian-Armenian border, change the transport and the guide. Move to Gyumri, the second biggest city of Armenia. Have a short city tour in Giumri passing through the old and new streets. Overnight in Gyumri.

After breakfast, explore Gyumri. We will have a walk in the historical center (Alexandropol). Visit traditional 19th-century houses, and the museum located in one of them. After departure from Gyumri, continue the tour to the central regions of Armenian. Visit Zvartnots cathedral. At the end of the tour, drive to Yerevan and visit Manuscript museum – Matenadaran. Overnight is in Yerevan.

After breakfast, begin the excursion around Yerevan city and visit the History museum situated at the Republic Square. Museum gives general understanding about the history and culture of Armenian people. Visit to the Geghard Monastery. The present complex was built in the mid 13th century.  Walk along the canyon by the beautiful columnar basalt 9th c stone bridge over the River Azat to the Pagan Temple Garni 1st c AD.  (Destroyed by earthquake in 1679, restored in 1975). Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel. Take a trip to Khor Virap Monastery (4-18th cc.). This monastery became prominent because of Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia. Enjoy the spectacular view of the Ararat Mountain.

After Khor Virap continue the trip to the Wine Village Areni. Visit the wine factory and taste the remarkable flavor of Armenian wines. Visit Noravank - a monastery of 12th c situated among amazing sheer rocks on the bench of a twisty gorge. This is the only monastery where we find a unique sculpture of Father God. Return to Yerevan for overnight.

In the morning, breakfast at the hotel. Today’s program includes a trip to Lake Sevan 2000 meters above the sea level. After drive to Dilijan. Passing by the city, visit the charming Sharamberyan Street, with small artistic workshops and the museum. Explore two wooden traditional houses, with tiled roofs and meticulously carved balconies, are typical examples of Dilijan. Visit to the medieval Sanahin Monastery 10th -13th cc. (UNESCO), comprising several churches and chapels. Laster stop in Armenia is Haghpat Monastery 10th -13th cc. The construction of this monastery is associated with the glory of the Bagratuni Royal Family. The oldest structure of the monastery, the holy Cross Church was built in 977 -911. 

Drive to Armenia-Georgia border Sadakhlo. Meet with Georgian team at 18:00. 

Transfer to Tbilisi. Relaxing evening. 

Overnight in Tbilisi.

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out time untill 12:00 pm. End of service.