Syder Travel

Grand architectural presence of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Tbilisi

The traditions of these two countries are distinct, yet have also become interwoven during their long histories. This fascinating journey allows the traveller to savour the rich heritage and warmth of the peoples of Caucasia. Armenia adopted Christianity in the early fourth century and developed a magnificent architectural heritage that continued into Islam. Georgia, the land of Jason and the Argonauts, has a rich Christian history, stunning scenery, not to mention its excellent cuisine and wine!. We travel from the shadow of Mount Ararat to the shores of the Black Sea and experience a fascinating mix of religious tradition, people and culture.

ITINERARY
Day 1 Fly to Yerevan, ARMENIA
Flight options via Frankfurt, Warsaw or Athens and arrival into Yerevan and transfer to the Aviatrans hotel located in the historic centre of the city for five nights.

Day 2 In Yerevan. City Tour
After a morning at leisure we spend the afternoon visiting some of the historical and architectural highlights of Yerevan including the Erebuni Fortress and the Mother Armenia monument with a panoramic view of the city. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant (B,L,D)

Day 3 Visit Echmiadzin Cathedral and Amberd Castle
This morning we visit Echmiadzin, UNESCO listed religious centre of Armenia and seat of the Armenian Patriarch. After a traditional lunch at a family house, we visit Amberd medieval castle that once served as a summer residence for Armenian noblemen, located on the slopes of Mt Aragats, the highest mountain in Armenia (B,L,D)

Day 4 Visit Khor Virap and Noravank Monasteries. Winery tour
We start the day with a drive south to the monastery of Khor Virap stunningly set against the backdrop of Mt Ararat. We continue to Noravank Monastery, situated on the hill of a twisted gorge and a place of breathtaking natural beauty but also an architectural delight with its exceptional intricate exterior carvings. We pause in Areni, a famous wine producing town where we visit a small, family-owned winery and try the wine produced here. We return to Yerevan in the late afternoon (B,L,D)

Day 5 In Yerevan. Visit Geghard Monastery and Garni Temple
This morning we start with a visit to the National Library of Yerevan, the Matenadaran, with its world-famous illuminated Armenian manuscripts dating from the 6th century. Then we journey east of Yerevan to the 13th century rock-cut monastery complex at Geghard – an important spiritual centre of Armenia in the Middle Ages. We also visit the restored 1st century AD Roman Temple at Garni before returning to Yerevan in the late afternoon with a visit to a Brandy factory for which Armenia is so famous for (B,L,D)

Day 6 Visit Lake Sevan
We have a visit to the State Museum of Armenian History and before heading north to Lake Sevan, one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world located at 1900m. Here we visit the 9th century Sevan monastery, perched on a cliff above the lake. We continue to the nearby resort of Dilijan surrounded by lush forest and with an interesting historic centre for one night (B,L,D)

Day 7 Visit Haghpat and Sanahin Monasteries. Drive to Tbilisi, GEORGIA
Reaching the Lori province we visit the two outstanding UNESCO listed monasteries of Northern Armenia, Haghpat and Sanahin, superbly located on either side of the Debed Canyon. After lunch we head for the border to cross into Georgia and drive to Tbilisi and transfer to a hotel located in the historic city centre for three nights (B,L,D)

Day 8 Tbilisi
We have a sightseeing tour of Tbilisi today and include the architectural heritage of its Old Town, take a cable car to Narikala Fort and a visit to the National History Museum. In the afternoon there will be some free time, perhaps to take a stroll along Rustaveli Avenue, the main street of the city or return to savor the atmospheric Old Town close to our hotel. Dinner with cooking class of Khachapuri (cheese pie) and Khinkali (dumplings) in local family house (B,D)

Day 9 : Tbilisi/Gombori Pass/Vardisubani/Napareuli/Sighnaghi/Tbilisi
This morning we drive into the Kakheti region well known for its wine producing. We enjoy superb views of the Great Caucasus Mountains and valleys of Kakheti, acknowledge traditions and culture of the country and region, taste wines and delicious food. We drive over Gombori Pass and enjoy the nice view from the top. Our first stop is at local master’s where we see how traditional Georgian wine keeping jars – Qvevri are made. We taste his home-made wine and Chacha (Georgian firewater) and continue to another winery where we take a tour around a small wine museum, taste their wines, enjoy bread baking and lunch. In the afternoon we visit the fortified town of love – Sighnaghi overlooking the Alazani River Valley. Return to Tibilisi for free evening (B,L)

Day 10 Tbilisi/Gori/Tskaltubo/Gelati/Kutaisi
We drive to Gori to see Stalin’s house, museum and carriage. We continue into Western Georgia which is very different from the East, with its cool springs, green fields and beautiful gardens. Our destination is the pretty ancient town of Kutaisi, where Jason and the Argonauts had stolen the Golden Fleece. We visit impressive underground grotto of stalactites and stalagmites close to Kutaisi and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gelati Monastery. In the evening we have a short walking tour of city centre. Dinner at a local restaurant or hotel. Overnight at a hotel in Kutaisi (B,D)

Day 11 Kutaisi/Uplistsikhe/Ananuri/Gudauri
Our morning starts with a short visit to Kutaisi colourful agricultural market. Then, we continue to the Uplistsikhe Caves that date to the 1st millennium BC and where the Great Silk Road used to pass through. This is an old and interesting complex with dwelling quarters, wine-cellars, bakeries, a three-nave basilica church hewn out in rock and even an antic theatre. Later drive up the famous Georgian Military Highway en route visiting Ananuri fortified church. Along the Cross Pass we arrive in Gudauri. Dinner and two night stay at a hotel in Gudauri (B,D)

Day 12: Gudauri/Kazbegi/Dariali Gorge/Sno Valley/Gudauri
Stunning drive from Gudauri along the Tergi River over Cross Pass (2395m) brings us to Kazbegi. Here we board jeeps to take us to the beautiful 14th century Trinity Church, stunningly located at 2147m, beneath the towering massif of Mt Kazbegi. We also visit the dramatic Dariali Gorge leading to the Georgian-Russian border before returning to Gudauri. Our next stop is the studio where we learn more about Georgian ‘Teka’ (wool artefact) making. We can take a short detour to Sno Valley to enjoy the beauty of the other gorge in the Great Caucasus (B,D)

Day 13: Gudauri/Mtskheta/Tbilisi
We visit Mtskheta this morning; the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia which dates to 3000 years old and explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the 6th century Jvari church and the 11th century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral where the Robe of Christ is buried. We arrive in Tbilisi in the afternoon to enjoy some free time in the capital before our farewell dinner. Overnight at a hotel in Tbilisi (B,D)

Day 14 Fly London
Early transfer to the airport for our flight departure to London Heathrow with Bristish Airways (B)

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