Global Caucasia . Tours

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DAY 1 | Arrival. Tbilisi city tour

Arrival to Tbilisi International Airport. Meeting at the airport with company representative. Early check in at the hotel. Transfer to Tbilisi Hotel. Accommodation.
Sightseeing tour around Tbilisi includes the visits to the following sites: Holy Trinity Cathedral, Metechi church with panoramic views over the old part of the city, Sioni cathedral, Anchiskhati Church, Narikala fortress, Old streets of the city, Sulphur Baths in Abanotubani, Meidan Square, Chardin Road, Freedom Square, House of Melik Azarianc (Passage), Bridge of Peace, Rustaveli Avenue, Shota Rustaveli Theatre, Vorontsov Palace, Pantheon on Mtatsminda Mount, Turtle Lake and more other sites of the city…
Visit to Mtskheta. Due to its historical significance and numerous ancient monuments, the «Historical Monuments of Mtskheta» became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
Jvari Monastery is a Georgian Orthodox monastery of the 6th century, it is situated on a cliff above Mtskheta. The name is translated as the Monastery of the Cross. It is the culmination of a number of artistic and architectural aspirations in early Christian Georgian.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is one of the most sacred places in Georgia and, along with Jvari Monastery, the clear highlight of a trip to Mtskheta. It was founded in 1010, built on the site of Georgia’s first church, and contains the graves of the ancient Georgian kings, including Sidonia, who was said to have been buried holding Christ’s robe. GALA DINNER in one of the best Tbilisi restaurants with folk show program.
Overnight in Tbilisi.

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DAY 2 | Trip to Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)

Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to Kazbegi. On the way to Kazbegi you will visit Ananuri Architectural Complex and Jinvali Water Reservoir is easy via Georgian Military Highway. Continuing the route to Kazbegi through popular Georgian winter resort Gudauri. Arrival to Kazbegi, Stepantsminda. The sightseeing tour includes the visits to: Gergeti Trinity Church is located near settlement Stapantsminda, on the Gergeti Mountain (2200m a.s.l.), one of the highest and most beautiful peaks of Caucasus and is the only cross-cupola church in Khevi province. You can enjoy the breathtaking views to the mount Kazbebi. Mount Kazbegi is the third highest mountain in Georgia and the seventh highest peak in the Caucasus Mountains. The summit lies directly to the west of the town of Stepantsminda and is the most prominent geographic feature of the area. Mt. Kazbek is the highest peak of Eastern Georgia. Departure back to Tbilisi.
Lunch in Kazbegi. Overnight in Tbilisi.

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DAY 3 | Tbilisi – Borjomi – Akhaltsikhe

Breakfast at the hotel.
On the way we will make a stop in Borjomi National Park: sightseeing tour around the place, drinking mineral water. It is the first National Park in Caucasus that corresponds to the international standards. This is wild, mountainous, forested land, and holds most of the large wildlife found anywhere in Europe. The resort gained its special reputation owing to mineral sources, of almost legendary status. The water is rich with elements necessary for the organism and is the best treatment, or means of avoiding, numerous illnesses.
Tasting water from mineral springs. Tasting water from mineral springs.
Visit to Rabat Fortress: built in the 13th century, fortress Rabat developed under the influence of deferent cultures over subsequent centuries and this is reflected in its architecture. Within the 7 hectares’ castle complex there is a Church, a Mosque, a Minaret and a Synagogue.
Dinner and overnight in Akhaltsikhe hotel.

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DAY 4 | Rabat fortress – Vardzia caves – Echmiadzin Cathedral

Breakfast at the hotel.
Sightseeing tour around Vardzia. It is the largest cave complex in Georgia with 3000 caves. In reality it is a cave-palace-monastery built not by dwarfs, but by Georgians in the Caucasus for their fabled queen Tamar. Today the place is maintained by a small group of zealous monks. About three hundred apartments and halls remain visitable and in some tunnels the old irrigation pipes still bring drinkable water.
Departure to Georgia – Armenia border. Crossing the border without the bus change. Border formalities. Departure to Armenia.
Visit to Saghmosavank monastery.
Visit to Echmiadzin Cathedral - one of the main attractions of the Echmiadzin is the Cathedral — the most ancient Christian temple of Armenia, one of the first in entire Christian world. The first stone of the temple, as the legend goes, was laid in 30 by the first Catholicos of Armenian Church.
Arrival to Yerevan. Dinner and overnight in Yerevan.

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DAY 5 | Yerevan – Garni – Geghard

Breakfast at the hotel.
Sightseeing tour around Yerevan, which includes the visits to the following sites: Republic square, Northern Avenue, Opera house, Cascade complex, Park of victory, Tsitsernakaberd memorial, Erebuni fortress, Statue David of Sasun, Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator, Koniak and Wine factory and many other sites...
Geghard Monastery is another incredible ancient Armenian monastery, partly carved out of a mountain. Though the monastery has been around since before the 4th century, the main cathedral was built in 1215. The specific character of this monument reflects, no doubt, the peculiarities of the austere and majestic scenery around it.
Sightseeing tour around Garni Temple: The Temple of Garni is a first century Hellenic temple near Garni, Armenia. It is the only pagan temple in Armenia that survived the Christianization of the country in 301 AD. The structures of Garni combine elements of Hellenistic and national culture, which is an evidence of antique influences and the distinctive building traditions of the Armenian people. Lunch in Garni. Culinary masterclass in Garni.
Departure back to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan.

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DAY 6 | Khorvirap & Noravank monasteries

Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit to Khorvirap - the unique architectural monument, which nowadays has become one of the main attractions of Ararat Province. This fortified monastery is a place of pilgrimage and a holy site for the Armenian Apostolic Church. The history of the site dates back to a pagan temple that stood here for centuries before Christ’s birth.
Departure to Noravank. Noravank means “New Monastery” in Armenian. However, today this name does not fit, as the monastery is already more than seven centuries old. The beautiful Noravank Monastery was built in the 13th century on the ledge of narrow winding gorge above the Amaghu River, near the city of Yeghegnadzor. The spare lines of the church contrast beautifully with the sharp red rock cliffs, and the dramatic scenery is one of the best reasons to visit Noravank. Late lunch at the restaurant close to Noravank.
Visit to Areni cave. Wine tasting.
Departure back to Yerevan for overnight.

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DAY 7 | Yerevan – Sevan – Haghpat – Tbilisi

Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure from Yerevan to Tbilisi. On the way we will visit the following sights:
Lake Sevan and Sevanavank Monastery. This huge mountain lake which takes up 5% of Armenia's surface area and is about 2,000 meters above sea level. On a clear and sunny day, the water is often a deep turquoise color.
Sevanavank monastery. Monastery of Sevan, which stands on what was once an island of the same name, can be dated to the 9th-10th centuries. For several hundred years, as an important spiritual centre, housing many monks, it was visited by thousands of pilgrims from all parts of Armenia.
Visit to Haghpat Monastic complex. It is an exceptional example of ecclesiastical architecture that developed in Armenia in the 10th to 13th centuries which is unique by virtue of its blending of elements of both Byzantine church architecture and the traditional vernacular building style of this region.
Arrival to Sadakhlo – Georgia-Armenia border. Crossing the border without the bus change. Border formalities.
Departure to Tbilisi.
No dinner. Accommodation at the hotel in Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.

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DAY 8 | Departure

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out.
Transfer to Tbilisi International Airport.

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