espt-brru

Armenia and Georgia

DAY 1 MADRID –YEREVAN Meeting in Barajas Airport at the indicated time to leave on a flight to Armenia, Yerevan. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and lodging.

DAY 2 YEREVÁN – EXCURSION TO GARNI PAGAN AND GEGHARD Breakfast. In the morning we will take a panoramic tour of the city to see the main buildings such as Matenadaran (Manuscript Museum, one of the most important in the world), the city park, Abovyan Street, Republic Square, and the Tsitsernakaberd Museum, dedicated to the victims of the Armenian genocide. Lunch in restaurant. In the afternoon we will visit the Geghard Temple, World Heritage Site. It is a unique construction, partially excavated in the mountain and surrounded by cliffs. The monastery was originally called Ayrivank “Monastery of the Cave” and currently Geghard “Monastery of the Lance” which originates from the lance that wounded Christ in the Crucifixion. From there we will walk to the Garni Temple, a temple similar to the Parthenon and whose bath, which it still conserves, is of special interest. Walking another 15 minutes we will arrive to a private house in Garni where we will see how “Lavash” (typical Armenian bread) is made. Return to Yerevan for the welcome dinner in traditional restaurant with folklore. Transfer to the hotel. Lodging.

DAY 3 YEREVÁN – ECHMIADZIN – KHOR VIRAP – MOUNT ARARAT – NORAVANK – GORIS Breakfast. Departure for Echmiadzin, important city known as the Holy City of Armenia because It has an incredible religious Historic Architectural Grouping made up of a cathedral, the oldest in the country, and the churches of St. Gayane and St. Hripsime. The entire Historic Grouping has been declared World Heritage Site due to is historic and monumental value. Lunch. Continuation to the south through the plains of Ararat to visit the Monastery of Khor Virab. Mount Ararat rises in the back part of the monastery, making this the perfect place to take some time. The next stop will be the Monastery of Noravank, situated on the hill of a narrow gorge. The Monastery of Noravank is not only a place with nature whose beauty takes your breath away but also an architectural delight. Continuation to Goris. Dinner and lodging.

DAY 4 GORIS – MONASTERY TATEV – SELIM PASS – NORADUZ – SEVAN Breakfast. Departure for the Tatev Monastery, which, founded in the 9th century, is the principal historic and architectural monument in the region. Lunch. Continuation to Sevan, via Selim Pass, situated n the”Silk Road.” We will visit Selim Caravansary, medieval refuge destined for travelers and their animals on their commercial routes along the “Silk Road.”We will also visit Noraduz, which contains the largest group de khachkars (Stone crosses) in Armenia. Transfer to the hotel in Sevan. Dinner and lodging.

DAY 5 SEVAN – LAKE SEVAN – SANAHIN/ HAGHPAT – SADAKHLO – TBILISI Breakfast. Departure from the hotel first thing in the morning to visit Sevan Lake, considered “the Pearl of Armenia.” It is so austere and majestic that the peaceful turqoise waters are astonishing. Continuation to the Sanahin monastic complex, World Heritage Site. Lunch in Alaverdy and continuation to the Haghpat monastic complex. After the visit we will continue on to Sadakhlo, where we will where we will follow the appropriate customs procedures to enter into Georgia. Then we will head to Tbilisi. Transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner and Lodging.

DAY 6 TBILISI – EXCURSION TO MTSKHETA Breakfast and departure to visit this ancient city. We will stroll through its narrow streets, exploring its architecture. We will see different religious buildings (churches, mosques, synagogues) in addition to its famous buildings from the 19th century with their beautiful carved wooden balconies. Then we will visit the sulfur water baths, that so impressed characters like Pushkin or Dumas. Lunch in restaurant. Continuation to Mtskheta, ancient capital of Kartli – Iberia known cultural and political center from the 3rd century. Tour of the Jvari Monastery, from the 6th century, which represente medieval Georgian architecture. We will also visit the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and the Samtavro Convent, also known as the birthplace of Christianity. Return to Tbilisi, Dinner in restaurant. Return to the hotel. Lodging.

DAY 7 TBILISI – EXCURSION TO DAVID GAREJA AND SIGNAGI Breakfast and departure on the highway to the southeast, to arrive at the David Gareja Cave complex, which dates from the 6th century and is found in the surroundings of a semi-dessert landscape. First we will visit the Lavra Monastery and later, Udabno, where we will see its marvelous Painted caves and we will enjoy the spectacular views of neighboring Azerbaijan. We will continue along the highway to Sighnaghi. Lunch. Tour of the ”City of Love”. We will stroll through its streets with wooden houses and traditional architecture. Here we will visit a farm to taste the wine of the country, and learn more about the tradition of wine making in Georgia. Return to Tbilisi. Dinner in restaurant. Return to the hotel. Lodging.

DAY 8 TBILISI – SADAKHLO – SPITAK – SAGHMOSAVANK – HOVHANAVANK – EREVÁN Breakfast. Return to Armenia, via Sadakhlo where, again, we will go through the required customs formalities. We will continue on to Ereván, via Vanadzor and Spitak. We will visit the Monastery of Hovhanavank, located next to the picturesque canyon of the Kasakh River. According to tradition, it housed for some time the relics of Saint John the Baptist. Lunch in a local restaurant and in the afternoon, in the foothills of Mount Aragats, we will visit the Monastery of Saghmosavank (Monastery of the Psalms, one of the most marvelous temples in Armenia). Arrival to the hotel in Ereván, Farewell dinner in restaurant. Transfer to the Airport of Yereván to embark on a scheduled flight in in tourist class for Madrid. Night on board.

DAY 9 YEREVÁN – MADRID Arrival to Madrid and END OF TRIP