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Georgia-Armenia-Iran

18 days / 17 nights

Open Detailed Descriptions
Day 1

Arrival in Tbilisi. Transfer to the hotel

Day 2

Tbilisi City tour

Breakfast at the hotel. Tbilisi sightseeing tour includes the Old and New Towns. Visit to Old Tbilisi starts from Metekhi Church, then walk up to the brick-domed Sulphur Baths, then Narikala Fortress – one of the oldest fortifications in the city. Afterwards visit to the Synagogue, Sioni Cathedral and Anchiskhati Church. Visit to the Georgian National Museum, walking tour along the Rustaveli Avenue – the main street in Tbilisi. The program includes lunch in a local restaurant. O/N in Tbilisi.

Day 3

Tbilisi- Sighnaghi – Bodbe –Tbilisi

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to eastern part of Georgia Kakheti region, known almost exclusively for its vineyards and wineries. Visit Signagi, ancient city, also known as the City of Love, with stone-paved streets and the balconies in old - Georgian style. It is one of the beautiful towns of Kakheti region At the elevation of about 790 m above sea level, the town overlooks the Alazani valley and faces the Greater Caucasus Mountains. The town is walled with the remnants of 18th century fortifications. Visit Bodbe Monastery. Originally built in the 9th century, it has been significantly remodeled in the 17th century. The monastery now functions as a nunnery and is one of the the major pilgrimage sites in Georgia. The program includes lunch in a local restaurant. Drive back to Tbilisi. O/N in Tbilisi.

Day 4

Tbilisi-Mtskheta - Gori- Uplistsikhe- Tbilisi

Drive to Mtskheta, one of the oldest cities of Georgia, the capital of the early Georgian kingdom of Iberia during the 3rd century BC - 5th century AD and site of early Christianity. Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) and Jvari Monastery (6th century). Drive to Gori. Visit to the Joseph Stalin State Museum. Drive to Uplistsikhe (literally, “the lord's fortress”), the ancient rock-hewn in eastern Georgia. It contains various structures dating from the Early Iron Ages to the Late Middle Ages, and is notable for the unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures from Anatolia and Iran as well as the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture. The program includes lunch in a local restaurant. Drive back to Tbilisi. O/N in Tbilisi

Day 5

Tbilisi-Armenian-Georgian border Sadakhlo-Haghpat-Dilijan-Sevan lake-Yerevan

Drive to the Georgian - Armenian border Sadakhlo. Passing the border formalities. Drive to the northern part of Armenia, the magical place of forested mountains and deep canyons. Visit to one of the masterpieces of Armenian medieval architecture – Haghpat Monastery (included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (2000)). The complex was once home to libraries, scriptoriums, schools and refectories. Arts and humanities, theology, painting were taught here. The most interesting feature about Haghpat is the refectory (XIII c.). Drive to Haghartsin Monastery is located in the secluded place of the forest, which includes the group of Monastery buildings. Appearing unexpectedly, out of the dense forests, in front of the visitors, the Monastery creates a magical impression of the lost world. Drive to Lake Sevan, one of the wonders in Armenia. This blue lake is one of the greatest high mountainous freshwater lakes of Eurasia. On a clear and sunny day, the water is often of a deep turquoise colour. Total surface of the lake is 940 km2. Akhtamar peninsula is most popular destination to enjoy the breath-taking view on Sevan Lake, make pics for sweet memories and visit the ancient Sevanavank Monastery (IX century), which stands in its greatness on the peninsula overlooking the lake for centuries. O/N in Yerevan.

Day 6

Yerevan - City Tour

Breakfast at the hotel. City tour- Yerevan sightseeing including City center, Republic square, State University, City panorama, Mother Armenia Monument, Parliament, President’s Palace, Opera, Sports & Concert Complex. Visit to the Genocide Memorial, dedicated to the Victims of 1915 and the Genocide Museum. Visit to Matenadaran (depository for ancient manuscripts, the collection of which is one of the biggest in the world). This outstanding collection includes manuscripts dating from 7th century and is widely appreciated by history and art amateurs and professionals. Visit to Cascade complex, which is considered the modern art center of Yerevan, with art pieces displayed throughout the whole area: the boulevard and up the stairs, from top of which you can enjoy the panoramic view on the city and Mountain Ararat. Cascade is home to Cafesjan modern art museum. This place becomes even more charming in the evenings, when it is full of people, both locals and tourists from all over the world, enjoying the magic and the warmth of the capital. You will enjoy spending time in one of the cozy open-air cafes surrounded by beautiful sculptures, redolent flowers shining brightly with magic colors. It is also a popular place for open air concerts at summer season. The program includes lunch in a local restaurant. Option: Very interesting one hour tour around Armenian brandy factory offers tourists familiarization with the history of the plant, process of brandy preparation, showrooms and halls of storages. Visitors will also have degustation of 2 types of brandy of different age in degustation hall. Brandy shop at the factory territory will be available for purchasing of this famous Armenian brandy directly from the factory. O/N in Yerevan

Day 7

Yerevan - Etchmiadzin - Zvartnots – Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Etchmiadzin City, the ancient capital of Armenia. Since 4th century, it is the largest religious center, the residency of Catholicos of All Armenians. Etchmiadzin Cathedral is one of the ancient churches in the Christian world, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (2000). The museum of the Cathedral, located behind the Altar, has collection of religious artefacts about Holy Mass, subjects made of gold, silver, precious stones, decorations, colossal silver boiler for making the myrrh and legendary Holy spear. St. Hripsime Church (618 A.D.) is one of the major Armenian Apostolic churches. Zvartnots, a temple of Vigil Forces, built in 641—661 A.D. as Armenia’s main cathedral by the Catholicos Nerses III, is considered one of the architectural wonders and unique example of Armenian architecture of early Christian period. Zvartnots is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (2000). The program includes lunch in a local restaurant. O/N in Yerevan.

Day 8

Yerevan – Garni – Geghard – Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to the only remaining pagan temple in Armenia devoted to the God of Sun – Myrth, in Garni, built in 77 AD by King Trdat (Arshakid Dynasty). Photo stop at Charentc Arc. The temple is Greco-Roman style with characteristic pillars. It stands proudly on a rocky ridge with a deep canyon presenting a beautiful view. The temple was a summer residence for Arshakid dynasty. Visit to the ruins of Royal Palace and Royal bath-house nearby. Canyon of Garni -magnificent and outstanding scene which creates the image of falling crags. It obtained the name "Symphony of Stones" due to its view. The fantastic landscape of Garni canyon shakes the human imagination. Drive to the unique caved temple St. Geghard (12th -13th cc.), the name of which means “holy spear” in the honor of the long-preserved spear, the same spear that pierced the body of crucified Christ. It is now exhibited in the museum of Etchmiadzin Cathedral. Geghard Monastery is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list (2000). Family hosted lunch in village house with watching of “Lavash” (Armenian traditional flat bread baked in stone-make oven) making process, testing authentic Armenian food, get acquainted with local village life. Degustation of homemade vodka made from different fruits (apricot, grape, pitch, apple or mulberry) and homemade wine. Drive back to Yerevan. O/N in Yerevan.

Day 9

Ararat valley-Khor Virap – Noravank – Areni Winery – Zorats Karer - Goris

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Ararat valley. Visit to Khor Virap Church – the place of imprisonment of St. Gregory the Illuminator, who stayed here in the small dungeon for 13 years without any food, accused by the Armenian King of preaching Christianity. Khor Virap Church was built on the dungeon and now people have a chance to go down into the dark pit themselves. It is one of the holy places for the Christian world. It is also the best point to enjoy the most spectacular view of the gorgeous biblical mountain Ararat shining with its two white peaks. The hills adjoining Khor Virap were the site of the early Armenian capital - ancient Artashat built by King Artashes I, founder of the Artashesid dynasty, around 180 B.C. It is one of the few ancient towns, built by the special design of the famous Carthaginian general Hannibal. After the defeat in a war against Rome, he found shelter in Armenia……After visiting Khor Virap drive through the spectacular canyon between the red rocks toward Noravank Monastery (13th c.). On the way visit local winery in Areni village - wine testing. Areni used to be one of the centers of wine production in Armenia. Recent archeological findings makes place worldwide famous. In September 2010, archaeologists discovered a 6,100-year-old 5 winery and wine cellar in Areni (Vayots Dzor province) in Armenia. Within the underground wine cellar, a wine press for stomping grapes, fermentation and storage containers, drinking cups, grape vines, skins, and seeds were found. This is the earliest winery and wine cellar found to date. The findings indicated large scale wine production, quite possibly the earliest retail winery. The program includes lunch in a local restaurant. Drive to southern part of Armenia Visit Zorats Karer (Armenian Stonehenge). Arrive to Goris town. O/n in Goris.

Day 10

Goris – Tatev – Khndzoresk- Goris

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Tatev Monastery, enjoying spectacular view of the scenery around, passing Devil’s bridge. View of recently constructed rope way – the longest in the world (5,7 km), recorded in Guinnes record book. Ride on the longest ropeway in the world over the canyons to the Monastery of Tatev and back. The program includes lunch in a local restaurant. Drive to Khndzoresk village, located in the southern part of Armenia, 8 km from Goris town. The village is divided in two parts – New Khndzoresk and Old Khndzoresk. Old Khndzoresk, which is famous for ancient caves, where people used to live, is located on the slopes of mountainous valley. There is a 160 meter long soft bridge constructed recently through the gorge of Khndzoresk, from where the magnificent view is opened to the gorge and surroundings. Drive back to Goris. O/N in Goris.

Day 11

Goris- Nordouz- Tabriz

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Armenian-iranian border. Passing border formalities. Drive to Tabriz. The program includes lunch in a local restaurant.Transfer to hotel, check in and rest. Visitto the Elgoli park. O/N in Tabris

Day 12

Tabriz- Shiraz

Breakfast at the hotel. City tour in Tabriz, one of the historical capitals of Iran, and the present capital of East Azerbaijan Province. Tabriz is located at an elevation of 1,350 meters above sea level in the Quru River valley between the long ridge of the volcanic cones of the Sahand and Eynali mountains. Visit the Blue mosque, a famous historic mosque in Tabrīz. Mashrouteh house and old bazaar of Tabriz. The program includes lunch in a local restaurant. Transfer to Airport. Flight for Shiraz, city of poets, literature and flowers. Meeting in Shiraz airport, transfer to hotel, check in and rest. O/N in Shiraz

Day 13

Shiraz- Isfahan

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning visit the Nasir ol molk mosque and Hafezieh. Drive to Isfahan, pearl of ancient Persia and one of the most beautiful cities in the Islamic world. On the way visit Persepolis, founded by Darius I in 518 B.C., the capital of the Achaemenid Empire. It was built on an immense half-artificial, half-natural terrace, where the king of kings created an impressive palace complex inspired by Mesopotamian models. The importance and quality of the monumental ruins make it a unique archeological site. Visit Naghsh-e Rustam, archaeological site located about 12 km northwest of Persepolis, contains the tombs of four Achaemenid kings, including those of Darius I and Xerxes. The program includes lunch in a local restaurant. Contination to Isfahan, check in and rest. O/N in Isfahan.

Day 14

Isfahan

Breakfast at the hotel. City tour in Isfahan, famous for its Persian–Islamic architecture, with many beautiful boulevards, covered bridges, palaces, mosques, and minarets. Visit to the Chehel sotoon palace ( "Forty Columns" in Persian), There are twenty wooden pillars in the front porch. These pillars are reflected in the pool located in front of palace. Twenty pillars and bright reflected pillars in the pool is a reason to call it "The Palace of Forty Pillars" witch are originally decorated with colored wooden ornamentation and mirror work. Chehel sotoon palace is one of the 9 Iranian Gardens included in the World Heritage Sites under the name of the Persian Garden. Visit to Naghshe jahan square, Ali qapu palace, Imam mosque, Seikh lotfollah mosque and Bazaar. The program includes lunch in a local restaurant. O/N in Isfahan.

Day 15

Isfahan

Breakfast at the hotel. Isfahan city tour, visit to Jame mosque, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (2012). The monument illustrates a sequence of architectural construction and decorative styles of different periods in Iranian Islamic architecture. Visit Armenian Vank cathedral, also known as the Church of the Saintly Sisters, is the most visited cathedral in Isfahan. Vank means "cathedral" in the Armenian language. Visit to Monar Jonban (shaking minarets). The program includes lunch in a local restaurant. O/N in Isfahan.

Day 16

Isfahan- Tehran

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Isfahan airport to fly to Tehran. Arrival I Tehran. Tehran city tour, Visit to the Golestan palace, located in the heart and historic core of Tehran, represents a unique and rich testimony of the architectural language and decorative art during the Qajar era represented mostly in the legacy of Naser ed-Din Shah. Visit to the National museum. The program includes lunch in a local restaurant. O/N in Tehran

Day 17

Tehran

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to the Carpet museum, Saad abad palace , built by the Pahlavi dynasty of Iran in the Shemiran area in north of Tehran and currently official residence of the President of Iran. The complex was first inhabited by Qajar monarchs and royal family in the 19th century. Visit Tajrish square and Bazaar. The program includes lunch in a local restaurant. O/N in Tehran.

Day 18

Transfer to IKA airport Departure