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Grand Caucasus Tour

Day 1: Treasures of Yerevan This colorful Yerevan day trip starts with a visit to History Museum housed by Yerevan City Hall. Providing an excellent introduction to the history of the city, the museum is an ideal place to start the exploration of Yerevan, new and old. A walking tour of Yerevan exploring layers of its history – medieval shrines hidden behind imposing Soviet-style façades, narrow streets of the old center with sunlight playing on pink walls, Blue Mosque on Mashtots Avenue, Republic Square and Cascade, Mother Armenia and Opera House, Northern Avenue and Gum market to wonder among the stalls piled with fresh, dried and marinated fruits and vegetables. A cultural showcase not to be missed is Matenadaran, one of the world's oldest repositories of ancient manuscripts, later visit to Genocide Memorial, a solemn reminder of the first genocide of the 20th century. (B) Day 2: Timeless Tatev Monastery

Driving to the South, we have a chance to experience the untamed beauty of Southern Armenia - surreal red rocks providing an eerie echo, honey-coloured villages sandwiched between them. The first stop of our trip is Khor Virap, the site of royal prison where St. Gregory the Illuminator was held for thirteen years before converting Armenia into the first Christian nation in 301. Guided by the remote majesty of biblical Mount Ararat, we explore the site, its underground chambers, and elegant chapels and are captivated by the ascetic atmosphere of the site. On to Noravank, the masterpiece of medieval architect Momik situated above an awesome gorge. Our next visit is to Tatev Monastery, an architectural masterpiece dating from the 10th century. Drive through a narrow ravine so deep that the sun hardly reaches the bottom; later ascend to a high-mountain plateau with striking views of jagged mountains and gorges. On the way back soar above the gorges in the world’s longest aerial tramway, a must-see attraction opened in 2010. (B)

Day 3: Wine Route in Southern Armenia Southern Armenia combines the magic of Armenia's finest medieval architecture with stunning landscapes. The agricultural heart of Armenia gives us a chance to sample some of the fantastic produce: we have a private wine touring in maran cellars of a small winery in Aghavnadzor. The next stop will be at Shatin observation point to see Bezoar Goats on the opposite side of the gorge (seasonal). Later the afternoon offers a real off-the-beaten-path experience as we take a jeep ride to reach the fertile valley of Yeghegis and discover Tsakhats Kar Monastery, an enchanting site in the mountains and Fortress of King Smbat, one of the best-preserved medieval citadels in Armenia. (B) Day 4: Travel in time, Armenia

After breakfast another 4WD trip to travel back in time. Enjoying beautiful mountain vistas and rising to 3000m above sea level we discover 8000 year-old petroglyphs of

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Mouradsar. The rock art, testimony to the material and spiritual life of ancient inhabitants of the area, provides an insight into the life, customs and beliefs of the time making us lose the sense of time and reality. After an organic alfresco lunch at a highlander cattle-breeding station, we continue to the plateau of Karmrashen to explore the ruins of a medieval settlement, once the residence of Pahlavuni royal family and enjoy the beauty of Her-Her waterfall. Evening at the hotel offering a choice of activities form outdoor water pool, spa and sauna to an evening folk show. (BL)

Day 5: Lake Sevan and Silk Road Adventures Climb steep paths and enjoy the views of Lake Sevan below, then reach the amazingly intact Selim Caravanserai, an important trading post on the Great Silk Road where little has changed since the fourteenth century. The next stop is Stone Garden at Noraduz with unique collection of exquisite khachkars, cross-stones, dating back to the late 10th century. Lake Sevan, one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world, is the tranquil majesty of its ever-changing waters, stunning mountains silhouetted against the blue sky, all this inspired its name The Pearl of Armenia. For the best photographic views of the Lake, we take a 20-minute walk to the top of Akhtamar Trail and explore romantic Sevanavank Monastery. If we are lucky with the weather, we will take a boat trip (groups of 6 persons and more). (B) Day 6: Travel to Georgia and explore Old Tbilisi

Tbilisi is one of Europe's prominent cultural and historic centers. This ancient city is the converging point of two cultures: Asian and European. Since ancient times Tbilisi has been the transit between these worlds leaving their marks on the way of life in the city. The history and culture of the vibrant capital of Georgia can be learnt from its architecture, in the old town with its narrow streets and numerous churches, modern avenues and shady parks with monuments to prominent heroes. Providing an excellent introduction to the history of the city, Art Museum is where we start our exploration of Tbilisi. Many of Georgia’s most sacred and revered artifacts are here including the icon of Zarzma, the Chalice of Bedia, Anchistkhati and Khakhuli Triptychs. Kala is the medieval city center and it’s small yards encircled by galleries, steep street stairs and houses with patterned balconies create picturesque images of Old Tbilisi. Lively Kala also hosts some of Tbilisi’s trendiest restaurants featuring local and international cuisine. The Holy Trinity Cathedral is the largest religious building in the South Caucasus. The other treasure of this beautiful city is Dry Bridge (Mshrali Khidi), open-air exhibition of paintings and artifacts. A unique option this evening is a visit to Nabadi folk theatre where the history of Georgia comes to life in folk dances and songs. (B) Day 7: Tbilisi visit continued

This day includes some of the most colorful sites of Tbilisi: Metekhi Temple, Narikala Fortress with a marvelous panoramic view of the city, Sulfur Baths dating back to the time of Arab Khalifs, the Synagogue and Sioni Cathedral. The open air Ethnographic museum of Tbilisi includes 70 houses with traditional household furniture and utensils from various regions of Georgia. This collection is spread over a wooded hillside with good views of the city, a truly enjoyable visit. We can also have a bird’s eye view of Tbilisi from Mtastminda Park, the highest entertainment park in the city at 800 meters above sea level. Optional sulphur bath with massage in the evening. (B) Day 8: Trip to Caucasus Mountains

North from Tbilisi and up into the Caucasus mountains and on to the Russian border runs the famed Georgian Military Highway, celebrated by poets and feared by military

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leaders over centuries. Today it serves as the best route to the north with dramatic scenery, crystal-clear air and indescribable grandeur of the mighty Caucasus Mountains. Ananuri fortress is one of the most attractive sites along the Georgian Military Highway which leads us to Kazbegi, a lovely town nestled at the base of Caucasus Mountains. Here we enjoy the impressive views of Mount Kazbek (5,047m), one of the six 5,000 m peaks of the Caucasus range where Prometheus was said to be chained. The magnificent Darial Gorge, Gates of the Caucasus, is one of the only two crossings of the Caucasus mountain range. Our target today is Gergeti Sameba Trinity, a remote but enchanting church dramatically sited at the foot of Kazbek, a site not to be missed on a day in this region. In order to reach the church, we take a winding road uphill through flower-filled meadows enjoying fantastic vistas of the area (walking about 2-3 hours round trip or a short ride in local jeeps). (B) Day 9: Fortress of God and Mtskheta

Gori is one of the ancient towns of Georgia and the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. Visit the remarkable Stalin Museum re-creating surreal and revealing scenes from the life of the tyrant. A large statue of the "Leader of the People" used to dominate the square of Gori until last year. Stalin's bulletproof train carriage, which he used to travel to the Potsdam Conference in 1945 lies on the grounds of the museum. Our next visit is to Uplistsikhe or Fortress of God, an ancient cave town dating back to the I millennium BC. Its caves, temples, labyrinth passages and colonnaded streets are carved out of stone. Mtskheta, our next stop today is the ancient capital of Georgia founded 3000 years ago, home to a number of very important Georgian religious sites and famous as the spiritual heart of Georgia. Jvari Church built to house the robe of Jesus Christ and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral are major pilgrimage sites, UNESCO World Heritage sites. (B) Day 10: Wine and Art in Kakheti, Georgia's Wine Country

In the morning we drive to Davit Gareja, a cave monastery complex founded in the 6th century by St. David Garejeli. The monastery is one of the most important landmarks of Georgia. We take a light hike up the mountain, the slopes of which lead to another world. In the footsteps of ten centuries of pilgrims we visit Lavra and Udabno churches for fine frescos and rare examples of cave architecture. Alazani, the heart of Kakheti province and our next stop today, is a fertile valley boasting three hundred years of wine making. Signagi town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, features cobbled streets and terra cotta tile-roofed homes with colorful carved balconies and breathtaking views of Alazani Valley. We visit a family of winemakers and taste some of the finest red and white wines of the region including Rkatsiteli, dry white wine and Saperavi, deep, rich red wine. We learn first-hand about the local traditions of wine making and sample wines from kvevri, a clay jar kept in the ground. (B)

Price per person: 1150 USD

Included: Accommodation for 10 nights (3 star hotels)

Meals as specified in the itinerary

AdvenTour tour leader/driver fluent in English, local guides

All excursions and activities as per itinerary with entry fees

All transfers in comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles