Arrival at the Zvartnots airport. Breakfast. Meet and greet transfer, accommodation at the hotel. 11:00 In the morning meet your tour director and start city tour around Yerevan. Visit Tsitsernakaberd. Walking through Memorial park and visit museum of the victims of Genocide. 14:00 Lunch time. Drive to Echmiadzin – the place where the only Begotten descended. Holy Echmiadzin is the whole Armenians’ spiritual center and one of the centers of Christianity all over the world. Return to Yerevan with a stop at the ruins of Zvartnots temple – the pearl of the 7th century architecture which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage. Overnight in Yerevan.

09:00 drive to Geghard monastery inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list. Geghard monastery is the unsurpassable masterpiece of the 13th century Armenian architecture. Some of the churches of the complex are masterfully hewn in a huge rock. Due to its construction Geghardavank serves the best place for singing spiritual songs. The complex is rich in subtle sculptural embellishments and many striking khachkars (cross- stones). 13:00 Lunch at a local house in Garni where you will have opportunity to watch Armenian national bread “lavash” baking and barbeque making process in the underground stove called “tonir”. Departure to Garni Temple. Garni temple which towers over a triangular cape, is the unique survived example of heathen culture in Armenia. After adopting Christianity in 301 the pagan temple lost its significance and the fortress of Garni became the summer residence of the kings. Nowadays the ruins of the royal palace and the bathroom with a stunning mosaic work can be found near the temple. Return back to Yerevan. Visit to Vernisage which is the perfect place to get a little taste of Armenia and a unique scenario to witness the fusion between national traditions with contemporary taste. Free time to enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of beer in one of the nice terraces of the cosmopolitan city of Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan. (B/L/–)

09:00 Sightseeing tour to Khor-Virap monastery the importance of which is connected with Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia. It is a wonderful masterpiece situated on top of a hill. It is a pilgrimage place where every year a lot of tourists and native people visit. It looks like a castle where everybody has the hint to sit and dream while admiring the beauty of the church. The highlight is the best view to the biblical Mount Ararat. 13:00 lunch time. Continue tour to Noravank monastery – religious and cultural centre of 13th century. It is situated in a narrow gorge which is known for its’ tall, sheer, brick-red cliffs, directly across from the monastery. The beauty of this monastery is appreciated by thousands of visitors not only because of its’ architecture and history, but also for its harmony with surrounding fabulous nature. Drive back to the capital city. Overnight in Yerevan. (B/–/–)

09:00 Early departure from Yerevan to Lake Sevan, about 70 miles north of Yerevan. Lake Sevan is one of the largest freshwater alpine mountain lakes in the world. The beautiful landscape and the crystal water serve nice preconditions for excellent rest. The lake is also famous for its peninsula and medieval church complex built in 874. It is worthwhile to climb up the many stairs for the view excellent view over the lake and the green khachkars (Cross stones). Start you acquaintances with Armenia with the architectural complexes of Haghpat (976 AD) which are among the outstanding works of medieval Armenian architecture and are inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list. 13:00 Lunch time. Drive to Armenia Georgia Sadakhlo border. 15:30 Meeting at the border. Change guide and transportation, transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Tbilisi. (B/–/–)

09:00 After breakfast Tbilisi Sightseeing tour. During the tour we take you to the places that will show you old city. You can take a glance to the history of the city from early centuries to nowadays by walking in narrow streets of the city and exploring the religious and secular architecture. Here you find different religious buildings – churches, synagogues, mosques, as well as famous 19th century houses with wooden multi- colored balconies. 13:00 Lunch time. You visit the sulfur bath which made an unforgettable impression on Pushkin, Lermontov, Dumas. During the tour you enjoy the superb panoramic views of the Old city. This marks the end of the Old Town. Afterwards we visit the stunning treasury of the Georgian National Museum of History (closed on Mondays and public holidays), before taking a stroll along Rustaveli Avenue – the main street in Tbilisi.Overnight at a hotel in Tbilisi. (B/–/–)

09:00 We drive to visit the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia – Mtskheta (3000 years old) and see its historical places: Jvari church (6th century) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) where the Robe of Christ is buried. Both Jvari and Svetitskhoveli are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Drive to visit the town of Gori – the heart of Kartli region and its historical place: Uplistsikhe Cave Town (1st millennium BC). Uplistsikhe is the place where the Great Silk Road used to pass. This is an old and interesting complex with dwelling quarters, wine-cellars, bakeries, a three-nave basilica church hewn out in rock and even an antic theatre. Photo stop near Stalin’s house. 13:00 Lunch time. Drive to Imereti province (West Georgia), which is very different from Kartli province (East Georgia) with its cool springs, green fields and beautiful gardens. Arrive in pretty town of Kutaisi, the second largest in the country (antique town more than 3000 years old). Dinner and overnight in Kutaisi at a guesthouse with private facilities. (B/–/D)

09:00 In the morning we visit historical places of Kutaisi: Gelati Cathedral (12th century) – one of the earliest academies in Europe, and the splendid Bagrati Cathedral (11th century). Both Gelati and Bagrati Cathedral are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 13:00 Lunch time. Afterwards drive to Akhaltsikhe and visit Rabat (closed on Mondays and public holidays). Dinner and overnight at a guesthouse in Akhaltsikhe with shared facilities. (B/–/D)

09:00 In the morning travel to Vardzia. The magnificent cave town – Vardzia (12th century) is one of the highlights of the trip. It stretches over half a kilometer along the river Mtkvari and has 19 tiers. There used to be about 3000 caves. It’s got a church hewn out in rock with amazing 12th century frescos. The complex also includes dwellings quarters, small hall-type churches, refectories, wine cellars, pharmacy, etc. Today we will also visit Khertvisi fortress (10th century). 13:00 Lunch time. Afterwards drive to Tbilisi en route passing beautiful Paravani Lake. Overnight at a hotel in Tbilisi. (B/–/–)

Free Day for optional day trips – please enquire. Overnight at a hotel in Tbilisi. (B/–/–)

Optional transfer to the airport. Departure.