|
Armenia–
GRAND CAUCASUS TOUR
| Quick
Fast |
| Duration |
10
Days / 10 Nights |
| Description |
For
travellers with a desire to explore the diversity of our world,
this trip introduces you to the legends of Caucasus. Traversing
wildly beautiful mountain ranges, attending Divine Liturgy in romantic
mountaintop monasteries, tasting distinctive local cuisine and dancing
at a local wedding. Step into the sacred land of Caucasus and be
captivated by a world of beauty and dignity you will never forget! |
| Accommodation |
Hotels in standard category |
| Meals included |
10 breakfasts, 1 dinner |
| Mode of travel |
Comfortable, air-conditioned car,
minibus, bus/on foot |
| Tour staff & support |
Tour leader fluent in English, driver
|
| SouthTravels
Discounted Hotel Prices
Rates
after this period are available upon Request.
10
Days / 10 Nights
|
|
01
March 2006 - 01 January 2007 |
Minimum
No / Pax |
TOTAL
PACKAGE COST PER PERSON |
|
|
2- 4 Pax |
USD
1127.00 |
|
|
5-10 Pax |
USD
916.00 |
|
| 11
- 18 Pax |
USD
845.00 |
|
|
19 to 25 Pax |
USD
775.00 |
|
|
Optional single supplement |
USD 200.00
|
| PRICE
INCLUDE: |
GUEST
COMMENTS : |
- Accommodation
: Hotels in standard or superior categories
-
Meals: 10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
- Mode
of travel:Comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles/on foot
- Tour
support :Tour leader, driver and local guides
- Included:
- Greet
and meet at the airport
- Accommodation
for 10 nights
- Meals
as specified in the itinerary
- Welcome
to Armenia information kit
- All
transfers in comfortable bus
- Guides
fluent in English
|
Loved
it, great trip, great food and amazing adventure. Our tour guide,
Karina, was simply the best. She was very open, enthusiastic and
always ready to offer nice little surprises which made our experience
of Georgia and Armenia so nice and informal.
Thank you!
Lidia, Paul and Arsine
|
| DAYS |
Yerevan |
|
DAY
01
|
Arrival at Yerevan International Airport, greet and
meet at the airport, transfer to hotel, rest. Meeting
with tour leader for an introductory walking tour of
Yerevan - old center with sunlight playing on its
pink walls, Matenadaran, one of the world’s oldest
repositories of Greek, Persian and Arabic
manuscripts, a light snack at the outdoor terraces at
the Opera Square and colors and flavors of open-air
fruit bazaars. Later in the day, visit Vernisage, the
lively arts and crafts market. Transfer to hotel for
rest, welcome dinner at Old Erivan ethnic
restaurant.
|
 |
| |
HOLY
ECHMIADZIN |
|
DAY
02
|
Visit to the Vatican city of Armenia, Holy
Echmiadzin, a fascinating journey through time.
Descend to the ruins of the pagan sanctuary beneath
the altar and pay tribute to the Treasury of Mother
Cathedral with striking collection of relics of
Christianity. En route stop at the impressive ruins of
Zvartnots Temple, a magnificent cathedral dating
back to the VII c. Return to Yerevan, transfer to
hotel to rest and refresh. |
|
| |
CLASSICAL
ARMENIA |
|
DAY
03
|
Drive east to the magnificent Temple of the Sun and
the legendary Monastery of Spear. Explore the
mosaic ancient baths and ruins of the royal palace,
immerse yourself in the atmosphere of this mythical
place and examine remarkable cross stones carved
into sheer rock. Continue to Khosrov Nature Park, a
vast reserve founded originally for royal hunt by
King Khosrov of the IV c.. Free time to explore the
area on walking trails and open-air barbeque lunch.
Late afternoon return to Yerevan. Transfer to hotel,
rest.
|
|
| |
KINGS
and APOSTLES |
|
|
DAY 04
|
Departure from Yerevan. Driving
south, visit the
ancient site of Khor Virap, the royal prison where
St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13
years. Driving through the village of Areni stop in
one of its cozy gardens for wine-tasting. After a
drive through the mysterious rocks of the Gorge of Bamboos arrive
at magnificent Noravank Monastery, a
place where the monumental beauty of nature serves as
a prefect frame for man-made
treasure. Proceed to one of the most stunning sites of
Armenia, Lake Sevan. Highlights of the day include
Selim Caravanserai, situated on the ancient Silk Route,
romantic Ayrivank Monastery and Stone Garden.
Arrival at your hotel on the beach. Drive to the home of
a local fisherman for traditional dinner featuring
barbeque of freshly-caught trout. |
|
| |
WORLD
HERITAGE SITES |
|
|
DAY 05
|
Departure from Sevan. The first stop
of today’s journey
is mysterious Kobayr Monastery situated on the edge
of a narrow ravine. Afternoon continue your
exploration and admire the jewel in the crown of
Northern Armenia, Sanahin Monastery. The severe and
majestic design and the marvelous bas-reliefs justly
rank this site among the celebrated UNESCO World
Heritage Sites. The trip finishes in the charming town
of Alaverdi where we spend overnight in a lovely hotel
furnished in traditional Armenian country style. |
|
| |
OLD TBILISI |
|
DAY
06
|
Today we begin our journey of Georgia’s
fascinating
and historical countryside and head for Tbilisi, the
vibrant capital of Georgia. Arrival in Tbilisi (app. 2
hours) and check in at the hotel. After lunch in an
ethnic restaurant where you will treat yourself to an
abundance of Georgian hospitality, you will be picked
up by your tour leader to start your tour of old Tbilisi.
Your tour includes some of the most colorful sites of
this ancient city - Metekhi Temple, Narikala Fortress
with a marvelous panoramic view of the city, Sulfur
Baths dating back to the time of Arab Khalifs, the
Synagogue and Sioni Cathedral. |
|
|
THE
FORTRESS OF GOD |
|
DAY
07
|
Embark on a journey revealing many
secrets of the
turbulent history of Georgia. Visit to the ancient capital
of Georgia - Mtskheta founded 3000 years ago, Jvari
church built to house the robe of Jesus Christ and
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, major pilgrimage sites.
Proceed to Gori, the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. A
large statue of the “Leader of the People” still dominates
the square of Gori. Proceed to visit
Uplistsikhe or The Fortress of God, an ancient cave
town dating back to the I millennium BC. Wander
among the impressive ruins of the amphitheatre, one
of the oldest in the world. From Uplistsikhe drive to
Bakuriani, a lovely resort situated at the height of
1,800m and surrounded by Caucasus Mountains.
Check in at your hotel in Bakuriani, rest. |
|
| |
CAUCASUS
MOUNTAINS |
|
DAY
08
|
Departure from Gudauri. Arrive in
Kazbegi, a
lovely town nestled at the base of Caucasus
Mountains. Enjoy the wildly beautiful views of
Mount Kazbek, one of the six 5,000 m peaks of the
Caucasus range where Prometheus was said to be
chained. Gergeti Trinity, a remote but enchanting
church dramatically sited at the footstep of Kazbek,
is another cultural showplace. In order to reach the
church you will take a winding road uphill through
flower-filled meadows enjoying fantastic vistas of
the area. You will discover rare stone carvings representing Christian
and even older, pagan beliefs.
Transfer to Tbilisi. Late evening arrival in Tbilisi. |
|
| |
KINGDOM
OF WINE |
|
DAY
09
|
Today we head deep into the heart
of Kakheti, a fertile
region boasting three hundred years of wine-making.
Visit the house of the Duke of Georgia, the Farmers'
Market and Tsinandali wine factory where we taste
some of the finest red and white wines. Heading for a
small village to see a XVII c. winery, the oldest in
Georgia, we learn first-hand the local tradition of
sampling wine from kvevri, a clay jar kept in the
ground. Afternoon is yours to explore the area on your
own. Late evening back to Tbilisi. |
 |
| |
FREE DAY IN TBILISI |
|
| DAY
10 |
Free day in Tbilisi to relax and
enjoy the city at your
own pace. Early morning transfer to the airport. End of
tour. |
 |
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