11 Days The Essence of Georgia and Armenia

We start exploring the Georgian capital. Destroyed and rebuilt nearly 30 times, it is today one of the most lively and cosmopolitan cities in the Caucasus.  Walk through the narrow streets and inner courtyards, and stroll down Rustaveli Avenue, the main thoroughfare.  Visit Metekhi Church of the Virgin, which was rebuilt in the 12th and 13th centuries; Sioni Cathedral in the town centre, the main cathedral of Tbilisi and seat of the Catholics of the Georgian Orthodox Church and the history museum. An on-site lecture by a historian will also be given at the Georgian National Arts & History Museum.

In the afternoon, Gori, infamous as the birthplace of Josef Stalin, and have lunch before visiting the Stalin Museum.  A private lecture by historian will be given in the museum. Then proceed just outside the town to visit Uplistsikhe cave town, developed to service the trade route from India to the west in the 1st millennium BC.  The town is a complex of rock-cut streets, residences, churches, secret tunnels, water passages, markets and the oldest theatre in Georgia, all hewn out of the mountain side.  Return to Tbilisi.

Today we drive north along the Georgian Military Highway.  Completed in 1817 to link Georgia with Russia this has long been an important military and economic route through the mountainous region.  About 45 minutes out of Tbilisi, we stop to visit Ananuri, the beautifully sited 16th century fortress complex with its exquisitely carved churches; then continue into the Caucasus Mountains for another 1 hour to Gudauri, Georgia’s top ski resort.  

After a brief rest to take in the mountain scenery, we continue for a 1½ drive through alpine meadows and mountain passes littered with medieval watch towers to Kazbegi.  Here we take a hour and a half walk up to the Tsminda Sameba Church, perched in a beautiful, solitary spot high above the village of Kazbegi, one of Georgia’s iconic sights.

Return to Gudauri for dinner and check into your hotel.

This morning we backtrack slightly to visit the 10th century monastic complexes of Sanahin and Haghpat, outstanding examples of medieval Armenian architecture and UNESCO World Heritage sites.  

Visit the 8th century Sevanak monastery, built on the hill of what was once an island, turned peninsular as the lake level fell.  The view over the lake and surrounding mountains is marvelous, and well worth the windy climb up the steps. 

Continue driving another 30 minutes to Dilijan, Armenia’s mountain resort area, to check-in a local accommodation for the night.   

Drive to the South of Armenia to visit Khor Virap Monastery,  in the Ararat valley against the spectacular backdrop of Biblical Mt Ararat.  Although the complex we see today mostly dates from the 17th century, it is built over the 4th century site of the imprisonment of St Gregory the Illuminator in a pit for 12 years. Next visit is Noravank Monastery. Then drive to Tatev Monastery, above the beautiful Vorotan Canyon.  

Then continue to Yerevan for dinner and check in your hotel.

Make an excursion to cover several highlights. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Geghard monastery, rock-cut from caves, producing some beautiful acoustics.  Then continue to Garni, a pagan Hellenistic temple in a picturesque setting, and have lunch at a local house.

Return to Yerevan, and visit the Armenian History Museum, whose collection includes important relics from Stone Age to Medieval periods.  Also visit the spectacular Cascade complex, which houses one of the world’s greatest collections of modern glass sculpture.