Assemble at Cochin international airport @ 02.30 am and Air Arabia flight departs to Sharjah at 05.35. Later, I connected the flight to Tbilisi at 09.20 hrs. And arrived at Tbilisi International Airport at 12.50 hrs.
Welcome to Georgia, the Jewel of the Caucasus. Georgia, a country at the intersection of Europe and Asia, is a former Soviet republic that’s home to Caucasus Mountain villages. Tbilisi, Georgia's vibrant capital is where history and modernity harmoniously converge. Upon arrival, you will meet our representative at Tbilisi Airport, Georgia. Later transfer to hotel. Free time for leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Tbilisi.
Overnight stay : Tbilisi Clock Hotel or similar in Tbilisi
Meal Plan : Breakfast on board, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2
Tbilisi City Tour
After breakfast, the first place to visit will be a Holy Trinity cathedral, one of the largest orthodox cathedrals in the world. After that, proceed to Metekhi church. Continue our tour to the old capital town of Georgia, visiting the Statue of King Vakhtang Gorgasali, believing Vakhtang I Gorgasali of Iberia was the king of Kartli (Iberia) during the second half of the fifth century and the first quarter of the sixth & the legendary founder of Tbilisi .Then proceed Leghvtakhevi Waterfall is located in the middle of old Tbilisi, one of the ancient place Abanotubani (Sulfur Bath Area). The waterfall is 22 meters tall.
Walk down to the Rike Park and Cross the Peace Bridge. Take the cable car from Rike Park to Narikala Fortress to enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and the statue of Mother Georgia standing above the old Tbilisi. Walk down to the district of Sulphur Baths passing by the only mosque in Tbilisi. Stroll through the Meidan Square, area full of narrow streets paved with cobble-stone and packed with cozy cafés, wine-tasting bars, souvenir shops where you can breathe in the living past.
Later we will transfer to visit the Chronicle of Georgia. The Chronicles of Georgia consist of gigantic pillars. The top parts are decorated with scenes of the history of Georgia, mainly with the kings and queens who reigned over the country. The lowers parts portray the life of Jesus. The monument was created by Zurab Tsereteli, a Georgian sculptor. The construction started in 1985 but it’s still partially incomplete. It must have taken ages (and huge ladders) to create a monument of this size! Behind the rock pillars is a small chapel and when you walk around it, you’ll have an amazing panoramic view over the Tbilisi Sea and some of the suburbs in the city. “Discovering the Chronicle of Georgia, a hidden gem in Tbilisi” made it not such a hidden gem anymore. It’s an impressive monument, not only because of its sheer size and the surrounding views but also because of the decorative scenes on the huge pillars. Overnight stay at Tbilisi hotel.
Overnight stay: Tbilisi Clock Hotel or similar in Tbilisi
Meal Plan : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Bodbe & Sighnaghi Tour
After breakfast, we departs to the Kakheti region of Georgia, the cradle of Georgian wine making. We visit the Bodbe Monastery. The Bodbe Monastery is nested among tall Cypress trees on a steep hillside overlooking the Alazani Valley, where it commands views of the Greater Caucasus mountains. The St. George’s Monastery of St. Nino, sometimes also called the Bodbe Monastery, is one of the most important religious sites and attractions in Georgia. Today, there is a nunnery where the monastery used to be, and the St. George Cathedral, part of the monastery, holds the remains of St. Nino, Equal to the Apostles, who brought Christianity to Georgia. When Tsar Alexander III visited Bodbe, significant changes were made. A Russian bell tower was built, and the frescoes inside the main church were redone with Russian influences. When Alexander arrived, he looked at the impressive view over the Alazani Valley from Bodbe.
Continue the travel to KTW. The region is famous for its wine production and Viticulture. The method of wine production in Kakheti is principally different from European methods. Kakheti can be visited all year long. Meaning that you will still be able to visit cellars and drink wine.Kakhetian wine-making preserves the ancient Georgian wine-making traditions, combining them with modern technologies to offer exceptional wines, the stunning and storied heritage of Georgia-The cradle of Wine. The Company has been learning Kakhian technologies since the first steps of its existence. It keeps ancient traditions of wine-making and uses clay vessels to preserve the best quality of wine. Here you can take part in any kind of activity and also taste more than 30 varieties of the best wine produced locally. Later we will return to Tbilisi. Upon arrival, you will transfer to a Gala Dinner at a local restaurant with a traditional dance. Later, I returned to the hotel. Overnight stay at a hotel in Tbilisi.
Overnight stay: Tbilisi Clock Hotel or similar in Tbilisi
Meal Plan : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Transfer From Georgia To Armenia
After breakfast, you will drive to the Armenian border. The Armenia-Georgia border (Sadakhlo border) is the international boundary between Armenia and Georgia. It is 219 km long and runs from the tripoint with Turkey in the west to the tripoint with Azerbaijan in the east. After the security check we proceed to Armenia. It lies in the highlands surrounding the legendary Mount Ararat and makes up for its lack of fame with centuries of history and unique culture.
Armenia is a nation, and former Soviet republic, in the mountainous Caucasus region between Asia and Europe. The Republic of Armenia occupies a territory of 29 800 square km, lying at an average altitude of 1800 meters above sea level. The capital is Yerevan. The city has a centuries-old history, it was built in 782 BC, which shows that Yerevan is older than Rome.
DILIJAN – SEVEN LAKE
After Visit Dilijan, Dilijan is among the favourite destinations for local and foreign tourists. The town has a number of high-class hotels and sanatoriums, allowing the visitors the chance to enjoy the beauty of the National Park as well as the historical sites. The town is also famous for its mineral curing water fountains. On the way will be short stop for lunch in Dilijan city. The ‘Little Switzerland of Armenia is some of the most picturesque in the country, abundant in wildflowers in spring, gorgeously golden in autumn, and with a pleasantly cool summer climate that had for decades brought visitors in their droves to escape the stifling heat of Yerevan. Dilijan is the popular tourist destination in Armenia. Home to many famous composers, artists and cinematographers, this reclusive town of 23,000 boasts a historic refurbished city centre displaying handicrafts or musical instruments. This popular vacation destination is like a piece of Switzerland sequestered within the Armenian highlands. Nature’s matchless beauty is only enhanced by the town’s narrow labyrinth streets and quaint homes adorned with patchwork tile roofs and carved wooden balconies.
Visit Lake Sevan, the Pearl of Armenia
Later we transfer to Lake Seven, the largest lake in Armenia and one of the most beautiful places to visit. Nick named the ‘Blue Pearl’ this magnificent lake is the jewel of Armenia. Its blue colour is sure to mesmerise you. Lake Sevan is the largest lake in Armenia and it is considered one of the three main lakes of historical Great Armenia. A charming lake that sits 1900 m above sea level, it is one of the largest freshwater high-altitude lakes in the world. You can spend some quality time at the lake and enjoy its scenic beauty. The lake serves both as a cultural and leisure site.
The lake serves both as a cultural and leisure site. The lake is also surrounded by old monasteries that are gorgeous. The picturesque Lake Seven with its crystal-clear water and stunning historic peninsula which is home of medieval monastery Sevanavank. After dinner we will transfer to hotel in Yerevan.
Overnight stay : Hotel in Yerevan
Meal Plan : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Khor Virap - Noravank –Jermuk Tour
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast we will start our tour with most visited site in Armenia once held a saint in pit for 13 years, the place is called Khor Virap.
Breath-taking views of Mount Ararat Mountains from Khor Virap
Here we visit Khor Virap. Khor Virap is one of the most popular destinations in Armenia. This is the best place to enjoy the breath-taking views of Mount Ararat Mountains and the Khor Virap Monastery. The area plays a significant role in Armenia’s history, as Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned here for 14 years before curing King Trdat III of a disease. This caused the conversion of the king and Armenia into the first officially Christian nation in the world in the year 301. This monastery rests atop a little hill in an otherwise very flat Ararat Valley. You can make it out from the highway a few kilometres away and it grows bigger as you turn off the highway and drive towards it. When you arrive, you will be as close to Mt. Ararat as you can probably get in Armenia.
Here we will visit the Khor Virap Monastery and underground chamber which he was imprisoned in, located in the nondescript St. Georg Chapel apart from the main church. It is actually impressive in size for an underground prison cell, and due to candles and a lack of air circulation was very stuffy, much like the other smaller chamber. Even with the candles it is rather useful to have a flashlight. The St. Astvatsatsin church at Khor Virap was built in the 17th century and is typical in design, but with a lack of virtually any decorative carving, or elements. It is located in a fort like complex with a nice courtyard. For most Armenians this is a very important site.
Later we will transfer our tour to Areni winery we will pass through Ararat province full of vineyards. The Areni winery is an ancient winery that was discovered in 2007 in the Areni- cave complex in the village of Areni in the Vayots Dzor province of Armenia by a team of Armenian and Irish archaeologists. After lunch we proceed to Noravank monastery. 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. The monastery is sometimes called Amagu Noravank, to distinguish it from Noravank Monastery in the city of Goris. Amagu is the name of a small settlement which used to stand over the gorge.
Noravank Monastery
After lunch in Armenian traditional restaurant Lchak, we will continue our trip to one of the most beautiful resort places in Armenia – Jermuk resort city and Areni-1 cave complex. The Areni Cave is a multicomponent cave site with artifacts dating from the Chalcolithic to the Bronze Age. In Armenia, the Areni Cave complex is also known as "Birds' Cave" ("Trchuneri" in Armenian). Located near the town of Areni, which lies close to the Arpa River and the Gnishik River in Armenia's central Vayots Dzor Province, the caves are the site at which archaeologists have discovered what is likely the world's oldest winery, and ancient human brain, the remnants of a 5,000-year-old skirt made of straw, and the world's oldest leather shoe. The first discovery of artifacts took place in 1997 CE by Boris Gasparian. Successive excavations have continued since that time, and they will continue into the future. The Areni Cave complex is one of the few caves in the Caucasus that is classified as “karstic” with a thick sediment sequence. Next place is Jermuk, Jermuk is known
For its hot springs and mineral water brands bottled in the town. It is attractive for its fresh air, waterfall, artificial lakes, walking trails, the surrounding forests and mineral water pools. The town is being redeveloped to become a modern center of tourism and health services. It is also being set up to become a major chess centre, with numerous chess international tournaments scheduled in the town. The town is located at a height of 2,080 meters above sea level, within the mountains of Vayots Dzor, among thick forests, on a plateau divided into two parts by the gorge of Arpa River, 170 km (110 mi) south-east of Yerevan. The town is dominated by the Vardenis mountain range from the north and the Vayk range from the south. The height of the surrounding mountains ranges between 2500 and 3500 meters, all covered with forests and alpine meadows. The forests of n are rich with oak and hornbeam trees, as well as with dog rose, wild pear, Plum, and Juniper plants. Animals like foxes, rabbits, badgers and bears can be found there. After dinner, we will transfer to a hotel in Yerevan.
Overnight stay: Hotel in Yerevan
Meal Plan : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
Garni Temple - Geghard Monastery - Symphony of Stones
After continental breakfast proceed to Garni Paganic Temple. The Garni Temple is a classical colonnaded structure in the village of Garni, in central Armenia, around 30 km east of Yerevan. Built in the Ionic order, it is the best-known structure and symbol of pre-Christian Armenia.
Garni Fortress is one of vivid evidence of a centuries-old culture of the pre-Christian period in Armenia. It is located in the picturesque mountainous district with a fantastic view. The fortress was erected in the 3rd – 2nd centuries BC. The remains of a Bronze Age fortress were found in the wall base. Then a later masonry follows (first half of the 3rd century BC). The wall's upper part has the same masonry and is dated to the 1st century AD.
After a visit Geghard is a medieval monastery in the Ararat province of Armenia, being partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with enhanced protection status. According to legend, the monastery of Geghard was named in honor of the spear, with which the Roman legionary pierced the body of Christ on the cross. Translated from Armenian, Geghard means “spearhead”, and Gegardavank means “monastery of the spear” respectively. The monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley contains several churches and tombs, most of them cut into the living rock, which illustrates Armenian medieval architecture at its highest point. The complex of medieval buildings is set into a landscape of great natural beauty, at the entrance to the Azat Valley. High cliffs from the northern side surround the complex while the defensive wall encircles the rest.
The next stop is one of the most beautiful and enigmatic places in Armenia. Symphony of Stones. Not far from the village Garni is situated one of the most well-known and beautiful natural monuments of Armenia. Symphony of Stones. It is said that this natural monument is the result of the collapse of the volcanic rocks. The monument consists of huge paradoxically symmetric hexagon and pentagon basalt columns (nearly 50 meters high). These stones hanging against gravity resemble an organ, which explains why it is also referred to as “Basalt Organ Pipes”. We continue our fascinating trip to the north and in about 15-20 minutes we reach the beautiful and mysterious Geghardavank․ finally, at the end a delicious meal and a very interesting experience await us in Garni - lavash baking master class. After dinner, we will transfer to a hotel in Yerevan.
Overnight stay: Hotel in Yerevan
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day7
Yerevan – Sharjah
After breakfast check out from the hotel. Free time for leisure and shopping in the city Shopping is an integral part of a memorable vacation – apart from beautiful memories that you will cherish of the beautiful country, Georgia & Armenia, bringing back cute souvenirs that will remind you of the good times spent here, is equally important. It’s time to say goodbye to all the new friends you have made. We hope you take back happy memories of your visit to Georgia & Armenia, the cradle of wine. We would like you to spare a few minutes of your time to write and tell us how you enjoyed your tour and any suggestions you may have for the future. Later we proceed to Yerevan Airport. The flight departs at 17.10 hrs and arrives at Sharjah International Airport at 19.55 hrs. Later connect flight at 21.40 hrs
Day 8
Sharjah - Cochin
Arrive at Kochi International Airport at 03.00 hrs with sweet memories of Benny’s Royal Tour’s Enchanting Georgia Tour.
