Spectrum Travel provides an excellent opportunity to spend exciting 7 days in Georgia & Armenia. You will stroll around Yerevan and Tbilisi, visit the first Christian church in the world, go on unique excursions around the first capital of Georgia, as well as enjoy unforgettable Georgian singing and dancing, and taste unique delicacies of the Caucasian cuisine. The tour offers lots of vivid emotions and unforgettable impressions.
Breakfast. The morning transfer to the airport. Departure to Erevan. Arrival in Yerevan.
Your exciting trip will start with the city tour around the ancient capital of Armenia – Yerevan. The Yerevan birth certificate is held in the history museum. It is a cuneiform inscription of Urartian King Argishti, which lets scientists tell the exact time of its foundation and prove that Yerevan was built in 782 AD. During the city tour, you will visit the Matenadaran Museum, which houses over 17,000 ancient and medieval manuscripts, making it the significant bearer of one of the largest collections in the world. After having visited the Matenadaran, the tour will continue to the Holy See of Etchmiadzin – the religious center of all Armenians around the world. The residence of Catholicos, Supreme Patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church is in Echmiadzin. The first official Christian church – Echmiadzin Cathedral is located there (founded in the first half of the 4th century).
After breakfast at the hotel, you will have a drive to the Geghard Cave Monastery (13th century) located deep at the bottom of the canyon and included into UNESCO World Heritage Site. This unique monastery is carved from the rocks and the surrounding cliffs compose the part of it. After the excursion around the monastery, the way continues to Garni village with its Garni Temple – the only surviving example of Hellenistic architecture in the region. Garni's complex has a royal bath, which exhibits a fascinating hypocaust along with a well-preserved original mosaic tiling. An hour drive – and we will appear on the banks of an amazing azure Lake Sevan – the pearl of Armenian nature.
The stunning hilltop view of the azure lake framed by the surrounding mountains amazes its visitors. Here you will go up the hill where the Sevanavank Monastery is located and enjoy an amazing view of the lake. The day ends with a drive to the resort town of Dilijan famous for its healing fresh air filled with pine aromas.
You will go to the Lori region, where the famous Haghpat and Sanahin Monasteries are located. They are both outstanding masterpiece examples of the Armenian medieval architecture and UNESCO Heritage Sites. Fascinating old hall of Sanahin stores the complex reliefs demonstrating biblical scenery and characters. Both monasteries were once important centers for scholars and many famous manuscripts were written here in the Middle Ages. But the Lori region will delight you not only with the architectural landmarks but also with delightful forest landscape, rocky deep canyon of the River Debed and wonderful little villages scattered along the canyon. After discovering the wonderful culture, nature and architecture of Armenia, a fascinating journey around Georgia will start. First, you will be transferred to Armenia-Georgia border and after passing the customs "Sadakhlo" you'll head to Tbilisi – the hospitable capital of Georgia. After checking-in at the hotel, you will have free time in the city.
After breakfast, you will go on a city tour around Tbilisi. First, you will visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi – the main Georgian Orthodox Church. The next place to visit is the historic district of Metekhi, where the Assumption Church is located. During the day you will also have a chance to enjoy the beautiful architecture of the Bridge of Peace, designed by a well-known Italian architect. Then the cable car will take you to Narikala Fortress – the well-known symbol of Tbilisi located on the hill.
A few kilometers North from Tbilisi there is a small and colorful town Mtskheta, which will be your next destination. This town was the first capital of Georgia from 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD. The excursion will start with the visit to the Cathedral of the 11th century – Svetitskhoveli. The next stop – Jvari Temple, located on the top of the hill, offers a fascinating view of the confluence of two rivers the Kura and the Aragvi.
Immediately after breakfast, you will head to the picturesque little town of Sighnaghi sometimes called "the town of love". Here you will have a great opportunity to get acquainted with the unique winemaking traditions and wines of Georgia. First, you will climb the medieval fortress, defensive double walls of which surround the town of Sighnaghi impressing by their majestic panoramic views of the Alazani Valley. Next, you will have an excursion to Bodbe monastery, where the relics of the preacher St. Nino are buried. Those who wish will be able to go down by the pilgrimage route to the St. Source (650 steps) and get inimitable water. Then, the trip will continue to Kvareli where is located the famous winery "Khareba". You will have an opportunity to have a tour around the factory and taste local wines. The master class on baking Georgian bread Shoti and making of Churchkhela will complete this day and make it unforgettable.