Golden Caucasus

Excursion on historical-art reserve “Gobustan”, where rock paintings have perfectly remained, barrows and housing objects dated from X-XIII millennial BC to the middle ages. There are certificates of inhabitants of region of an epoch of the stone age and the subsequent periods in “Gobustan” – Rock drawings, person parking, gravestone monuments, are concentrated there.

Overnight in Baku

Drive to the North of Azerbaijan, Guba city. Stop for tea pause near “Beshbarmaq” mountain which is very popular between locals as a holy place. Visiting of Guba Baths, Juma Mosque of Guba and Sakina Khanum Mosque. Tour to Khinalig Village. There are different views on the history of Khinalig village. On the basis of the investigation of Khinalig ethnos, language and legends, the history is said to date back to nearly 5000 years ago.

Overnight in Baku

Drive to the North of Azerbaijan, Guba city. Stop for tea pause near “Beshbarmaq” mountain which is very popular between locals as a holy place. Visiting of Guba Baths, Juma Mosque of Guba and Sakina Khanum Mosque. Tour to Khinalig Village. There are different views on the history of Khinalig village. On the basis of the investigation of Khinalig ethnos, language and legends, the history is said to date back to nearly 5000 years ago.

Overnight in Sheki

Start exploring Sheki. Sheki is one of majestic in the past cities of the East and one of the most ancient cities of Transcaucasia. There are many historical and architectural monuments here. Ancient roots have here forge, weapon, jeweler and copper business, potters, tanning, craft, silky – and rug-weaving, joiner’s business and ornament manufacture.

Overnight in Sheki

Visiting of Sheki Bazaar. Then visiting of Albanian Church in Kish Village. It is located approximately 5 km north of Sheki. According to historians, in the 1st century A.D. St. Elishe, a disciple of Thaddeus of Edessa, arrived to a place called Gis, where he built a church and recited a liturgy. The church became the “spiritual center and the place of enlightenment of people of the East. end of Azerbaijan tour and visit Georgia. meeting on the border, meeting with Georgian guide and start exploring Georgian from one of the most popular and rich region Kakhketia, which is home place of wine and Kakhetian style of wine making is UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit main city of Kakheti, TELAVI, tour to located Lord Chavchavadze palace and winery. Walking tour in its beautiful garden. After that visit Gremi castle and monastery complex. Wine degustation Tour in Kvareli, Khareba winery in the tunnel. Degustation of 4 different type of wine and Georgian homemade vodka Chacha. Master classes in Georgian bread making.

Overnight in Telavi

After the breakfast, drive to Love City, Sighnaghi. On the way visit Gurgaani town.

Visit Bodbe Monastry 6th century, the final resting place of Saint Nino, “Enlightener of Georgians”. As Legend tells, St. Nino from Cappadocia came to Georgia carrying a cross of vine branches bound together with strands of her own hair. Proceed to Signagi–a rare example of historic city which kept its style during the centuries with open traditional balconies, unique fortress with churches and towers built in it and narrow beautiful streets to walk along. Signagi, also known as “a city of love”, overlooks the Alazani valley and opens to visitors the magnificent views of the Great Caucasus Range. Arrival in Capital of Georgia, Tbilisi.

Overnight in Tbilisi

Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia. It was founded in the 5th century by Vakhtang Gorgasali, We will visit: National Museum Of Georgia, see main avenue Rustaveli, it’s architecture and Freedom Square. Metekhi church (XIIIc); Abanot-ubani (natural sulphur springs, bath –houses built in XVI-XVII cc); Narikala church (the church, first was built in IV c. and in XI it was destroyed. Finally, it was rebuilt in late XX c. After the City Tour, we will go to the Funicular park, by tram and have a free time for attractions, entertainment and making the photos of the city nice view.

Overnight in Tbilisi

Proceed to Mtskheta – the ancient capital of Georgia and the important religious centre. Jvari Monastery (6th c.) – standing on the rocky mountaintop, with its architectural forms and decorative elements, Jvari is harmoniously connected with the landscape and overlooks Mtskheta; Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th c.) – Drive along the Georgian military highway. This ancient route through the Caucasus has been much celebrated by everyone from poets to guidebook writers for the romantic image of it. The place is remarkable for its landscapes; flora and fauna, people and history, and many travelers to Georgia will regard this as a highlight of their visit. On the way, all sightseeing including Ananuri fortified monastery. Lunch in a Georgian restaurant. Visit to Holy trinity monastery on the top of a mount by 4×4 vehicles.

Overnight in Tbilisi

Proceed to Gori – Sightseeing tour of Gori. Gori – the city was founded by one of the greatest kings of Georgia, David the Builder (1089–1125). It has a population of 60,000. Gori is situated where the Liakhvi River enters the Mtkvari. Joseph Stalin Museum in Gori, Georgia is dedicated to the life of the town’s most famous son, Joseph Stalin, who became the leader of the Soviet Union. Ufliscikhe, Stone City. Lunch in Gori. Uplistsikhe, carved into rocky plateau we find huge echoing halls, long meandering corridor-streets, chambers for pagan worship and even the remains of Georgia’s oldest theatre, complete with auditorium, stage and orchestra pit.

Overnight in Tbilisi

After breakfast – check-out and drive to Armenia.Meeting at Georgia-Armenia border at Sadakhlo around 12:00 Noon.After passport and customs formalities – proceed to Armenia.Monastery Complex of Haghpat (UNESCO World Heritage).Monastery Complex of Sanahin (UNESCO World Heritage).Proceed to Dilijan city. Hotel accommodation.

Overnight in Dilijan.

Breakfast at hotel. Check-out. Short city tour of Dilijan.

Dilijan is a famous spa rich in curative mineral springs, some of which are comparable to those at Vichy in France and Davos in Switzerland. The surrounding mountains are covered by forests and Alpine meadows. The climate is rather mild with cool summers and warm sunny winters. Armenians believe that if there are woods, mountains and mineral springs in paradise, then paradise has to look like Dilijan.

Haghartsin Monastery Complex. Proceed to Lake Sevan. Peninsula of Sevan. Proceed to Yerevan. Mayr-Hayastan” (panoramic view of Yerevan), Matenadaran (Depository and Museum of Ancient Manuscripts).

Hotel accommodation. Evening free. Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast at hotel.

Drive to St. Echmiadzin (Holy See). En route – Hripsime Church: This is a masterpiece of architecture and a marvellous example of cross-cupola architecture of the 7th century. Weddings and baptisms are performed here on Saturdays and Sundays. Remnants of very old constructions were discovered under the temple in 1959 while the temple was being restored. Virgin’s tomb lies here in the crypt of the church.Cathedral of St. Echmiadzin (UNESCO World Heritage). Liturgy (on Sundays only). Return to Yerevan. En route – Zvartnots temple (UNESCO World Heritage).

Evening free. Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast at hotel. Half-day trip to Garni Pagan Temple and Geghard Monastery.

This pagan temple of Garni was built in 1st. c. AC and was devoted to one of the Armenian Pagan Gods – Mitra. After Armenia converted to Christianity in the 4th c., the rulers of the country used the temple as their summer residence. Geghard was initially known simply as Ayrivank (Cave Monastery). The present buildings comprising it date back to 10-13th cc., at which time it was renamed as Geghard meaning “lance” (spear) in Armenian.

Return to Yerevan. Agricultural produce market and Vernissage (souvenirs, arts and crafts market). Evening free. Overnight in Yerevan.