Cultural Highlights of Armenia & Georgia

Day 1 - Fly London to Yerevan

You will be met on arrival at Yerevan airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel in the city.

Overnight: Republica Hotel Or Similar, Yerevan

Day 2 - Explore Yerevan. Visit Etchmiadzin and Zvartnots Cathedral ruins

Today is spent thoroughly exploring the capital of Armenia, starting with a visit to Mother Armenia, the huge statue that dominates the city and gives a great overview of the area. This is followed by a visit to the Mantenadaran museum which houses around 17,000 manuscripts. An expert guide will give you an insight into several ancient and beautiful examples. The Armenians are rightly proud of the stylish Cascades area that you visit next, and the nearby modern Tamanyan sculpture park.

The spiritual centre of Armenia since the 4th century is situated outside the city at Etchmiadzin. Your visit starts with a cooking demonstration at the delightful Machanents Charity Centre, before eating a delicious lunch in their courtyard garden. The vast cathedral complex, known as the Mayrator or Mother seat, houses a religious seminary and offices, and is a major pilgrimage site. The cathedral itself dates from the 5th century and is surrounded by gardens full of khachkars, both original and replica, from Greater Armenia. Nearby are the ruins of another once great spiritual centre, Zvartnots Cathedral. Dedicated to St Gregory the complex dates back to the 7th century but was destroyed by an earthquake some 300 years later. Rediscovered in the 20th century it is now a protected World Heritage Site (along with Etchmiadzin Cathedral) and its delicate arches are immensely picturesque, framing the snow-clad summit of Mount Ararat behind.

In the evening you will have dinner in a traditional restaurant with music and dancing - these are popular with local groups of friends and family who join in with the dancing and singing.

Overnight: Republica Hotel Or Similar, Yerevan

Day 3 - Visit Geghard Monastery, Garni temple and Vernissage Market.

is surrounded by mountains, and today you drive up into the hills to visit one of the most spiritual places in Armenia, the Geghard Monastery. A UNESCO World heritage site. Geghard is set in a dramatic gorge, partially carved out of the rock cliffs. You can explore the atmospheric cave chapels the earliest of which dates back to the 4th century. You next visit the pagan Graeco-Roman style Garni temple. This is set on a promenantory above dramatic cliffs and is thought to have been built in 175AD. There are superb views down into the Azat River Valley far below.

Armenia is famous for its Lavash flat bread and there will be a chance to make some before you have lunch and return to Yerevan. In the afternoon you are free to visit the Vernissage arts and crafts market. This huge market is set in the centre of Yerevan in a lovely square. You may like to investigate further around Yerevan on foot - this is easily done and the relaxed outdoor café culture makes exploring a joy.

Overnight: Republica Hotel Or Similar, Yerevan

Day 4 - Visit Khor Virap. Wine tasting at an Areni Vineyard. Visit Noravank Monastery.

One of Armenia's most iconic landmarks is the ancient prison - now monastery - of Khor Virap. This is the closest point in Armenia to Mount Ararat, now in Turkey, and you can see the border from the monastery just a few hundred yards away. Those feeling brave can descend a steep ladder to see where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for preaching Christianity - he was freed after 14 years and Armenia became the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as a state religion. There are numerous photo opportunities here.

You then drive south into the hills to the wine region of Areni, where you will visit a vineyard and sample some local wine. After lunch you will drive up the narrow gorge of the Gnishik river to visit the spectacularly set Noravank monastery. After exploring the site, you drive further uphill to the remote Yeghegis valley. The small village of Yeghegis is home now to a small population of farmers who live a very traditional lifestyle.

Overnight: Arevi Hotel Or Similar, Yeghegis

Day 5 - Jeep drive to Smbataberd fortress, then continue to Selim Caravanserai and Noratus.

High above the valley floor, just visible on the skyline is the fortress of Smbataberd. It can only be reached by jeep on a rough track, or on foot. It is a bumpy drive up but well worth it for the amazing views from this ancient fortress built into the cliff walls of the valley. Dating from the 5th century it has been remodelled and restored many times. After descending you drive north up into the high mountains to cross the Selim Pass - 2,410m - the highest point on the tour. Just before the pass is the well-preserved caravanserai built in about 1330 to provide a refuge for travellers in these often snowy mountains. After crossing the pass and a plateau you descend to Lake Sevan, one of the world's largest freshwater, high altitude lakes. En route you stop off at Noratus or the Field of Khachkars. Set on the edge of a village, this field of 900 ancient and modern crosses is an astonishing site, and a great place to wander and photograph this amazing array.

Overnight: Best Western Bohemian Resort, Sevan

Day 6 - Visit Sevanavank, drive via Dilijan to Hagphat and Sanahin. Cross the border into Georgia.

The much photographed monastery of Sevanavank is set on a small hill that dramatically soars over the western end of Lake Sevan. The monastery was founded in 874 and the complex now also houses a seminary - the first to reopen after the end of the Soviet area. It will be an early start today to visit the monastery before the arrival of the crowds that drive up from Yerevan as this is a popular site. From here you drive to Dilijan via the road tunnel built in 2003. The scenery, once through the tunnel, is a real contrast to the Sevan area with densely forested hillsides and pretty mountain streams.

Beyond Dilijan lie the two UNESCO monasteries of Hagphat and Sanahin. Located in the Lori region, they are situated high above the Debed river gorge and were built at similar times in the 10th century. Once very important pilgrimage sites, the picturesque ruins are now visited for their dramatic setting which make for a great photo opportunity. From here you continue north to the Georgian border where you will say farewell to your Armenian guide and driver and meet their Georgian counterparts.

Overnight: Strofi Hotel Or Similar, Tbilisi

Day 7 - Walking tour of Tbilisi. Free time in the afternoon.

Tbilisi is a beguiling mixture of east and west, and despite being sacked several times by different invaders has architectural remnants of the Persian, Tartar, Jewish and Armenian inhabitants who once lived here. Freedom Square, laid out by the Russians in the 19th century, is the heart of modern Tiblisi but it's only a short walk from here to go back in history to visit the old winding streets. On the other side of Freedom Square is an atmospheric area of crumbling Art Nouveau houses, slowly being restored. Your walking tour will include the Metekhi church, the Treasury of the State Museum, and the aerial tramway to Narikala. Dinner will be taken at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Strofi Hotel Or Similar, Tbilisi

Day 8 - Tour of Kakkheti region with a vineyard visit and a Qvervri (clay jar) making masterclass.

Like Armenia, Georgia is famous for its wine and today you drive to the east of the country to the main wine region. The walled town of Sighnaghi is situated on a ridge above the Alazani valley and has fine 18th and 19th century houses, many with attractive balconies. This former royal town is surrounded by a defensive wall with 23 towers and was built by King Erekle II in 18th century. The town had many gates through which Georgia was connected to Europe and Asia by various trade routes.

You continue to Kvareli to enjoy a traditional Georgian lunch with a family. You will sit with the family and enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal.

Next you drive to the Tsinandali Estate and First Winery, founded by the famous public figure and poet Alexander Chavchavadze in 19th century. There is time to explore the lovely gardens, museum and, of course, the wine cellar, where the oldest bottle of wine dates back to 1814. You also visit a traditional wine cellar in Kondoli where you will taste Zhghia wine made from the finest Kakhetian grapes. Finally you will visit a local a family to observe the making of a Qvevri clay wine vessel and learn about wine production. Dinner will be at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Holiday Inn Telavi

Day 9 - Visit Telavi Market and Alaverdi Monastery. Drive into the the High Caucasus and stop to visit the Gergeti Trinity Church at Kazbegi (Stepantsminda).

Before leaving Telavi this morning you will visit its lively local market where there are colourful displays of freshly picked fruit and vegetables, spices and local sweets. You next drive to visit the 11th century Alaverdi cathedral before heading into the High Caucasus along the old military highway.

The Georgian military highway has been an important route since the 1st century and was only converted into a carriage route in the late 18th century. This ancient road is still important as a main link connecting all the south Caucasus countries with Russia. Today you will drive north to the High Caucasus Mountains, first stopping to visit the amazing Ananuri Architectural Complex dating from the 16th-17th century. The impressive churches and towers here were saved from being flooded by a proposed dam in Soviet times.

There will be plenty of stops en route to photograph the stunning scenery as you make your way deep into the mountains. Your next stop is at the 14th century Gergeti Trinity Church but you will need to switch to 4x4 vehicles in order to reach it. This remarkable building is situated at an altitude of 2,170 m and, weather permitting, you will enjoy some truly spectacular views of the glacier covered Mount Kazbeg. At a towering 5,054m it is the highest peak in Eastern Georgia and the third highest in the country. From here you continue to Gudauri for your overnight stop.

Overnight: Marco Polo Hotel, Gudauri

Day 10 - Drive to Gori, visit the Stalin Museum and Uplistsikhe Cave Town. Continue to Akhaltsikhe via Borjomi National Park.

After breakfast you drive to Gori, the birthplace of the dictator Joseph Stalin and one of the oldest cities in Georgia. The city is situated at the confluence of two rivers and was once an important military stronghold. You will have time to view the exhibits at the Josef Stalin Museum. From there you continue to Uplistsikhe cave town. This ancient settlement has houses, wine cellars, bakeries and even a three-nave basilica hewn out of the rock.

After lunch you continue west through Borjomi National Park. This picturesque highland area is heavily forested with 75% of the park covered by a conifer and broadleaf trees. Further west of the park lies the town of Akhaltsikhe which was once a centre for the Circassian slave trade and has a picturesque fort, recently restored. You will spend the night here.

Overnight: Lomsia Hotel, Akhaltsikhe

Day 11 - Visit Vardzia cave city. Drive to Tbilisi with a stop at Paravani Lake.

After breakfast you drive out of Akhaltsikhe stopping first at Vardzia to famous its famous cave city. The 500 caves that remain at Vardzia (there were originally more than 3,000) are carved from the rock face high above Mtkvari river valley. The site also includes an impressive rock church where you can see the original 12th century frescoes that are remarkably still intact.

After you have explored the caves you will visit a local family for lunch. You then drive to Tbilisi with one final stop at picturesque Paravani Lake.

Overnight: Strofi Hotel Or Similar, Tbilisi

Day 12 - Transfer to airport and fly to London.

After breakfast there will be a group transfer back to Tbilisi airport to catch your flight home.