Armenia: Past, Present and Future
About this trip
This ten-day tour begins with seven days in Armenia and ends with three days in Georgia. Once tucked away within the Soviet Union, these countries are now easily accessible. The Caucus region still occupies an unusual geographical and cultural position intertwining elements of Persia, the Ottoman Empire and Central Asia so the highlights of this trip are diverse.
Armenia
Armenia is the world’s oldest Christian nation with an astounding collection of ancient churches and monasteries beautiful landscapes, and at times, a tragic history. But its inherent resilience is behind a very promising future.
It is a land of rugged mountains and vineyards, ancient cities and beautiful lakes. With a history that has been complex and at times tragic, Armenia is full with a richness and resilience that is hard to beat. The tree-lined streets and stylish architecture of Yerevan provides an intriguing contrast to the towering presence of Mount Ararat. This itinerary reflects its early history with Christianity, the tragic history and exciting future of Armenia.
Georgia
Set between the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Georgia has a long history of cross-cultural exchange. Nowhere is this more evident than in its vibrant cuisine, which blends Russian, Turkish and Persian influences with local delicacies like walnuts and handmade cheeses. Georgia boasts a cultural heritage that’s able to rival almost anywhere, with its host of captivating churches decorated with colorful frescos, qvevri wines and a charming capital city lined with quirky shops and café’s.
Georgia’s history tells of invasion and conquest from Greeks, Mongols, Ottomans and Russians – and all have left an indelible mark on Georgia we see today. Its architecture, art, religion and cuisine contain clear influences from these old powers and yet are still uniquely Georgian. We will spend time exploring Tbilisi and then spend another day in the wine region of Khaketi.
MINIMUM GROUP SIZE IS EIGHT. Deposits are non-refundable unless a replacement can be found. For details of our cancelation policy, please click here.
DATES
September 24 - October 3, 2024
PRICE
Shared Room $3,690
Single Room $4,400
Deposit is $800 and non-refundable unless a replacement(s) can be found.
Day 1 - September 24
Arrival in Yerevan
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the Grand Hotel Yerevan. After some time to settle in, we will take a walk around the neighborhood and stop for lunch at a nearby restaurant. This afternoon, we will visit the Armenian Genocide Memorial and other key sites in Yerevan. Return to the hotel. Before dinner, enjoy an introduction and tasting of Armenian wines and discover its indigenous grapes and unique terroir. Return to the hotel afterwards.
Day 2 -September 25
Day trip to Temple Garni, Lavash demonstration, Geghard Monastery
Breakfast in the hotel. Start your day by visiting the only survived Armenian pagan temple of Garni (1st century), the Roman bath, and the ruins of the castle. Take a guided tour of the temple with a short concert of a 2000-year-old musical instrument, the Duduk. Afterwards, enjoy a demonstration of lavash, traditional Armenian bread lavash before lunch with a panoramic view of the temple. Later continue to the medieval Geghard monastery complex (13th century, UNESCO), carved in the rock. Enjoy a church chorus concert in the monastery hall famous for its acoustics (upon request). Return to Yerevan. Evening walking tour in the center of the city before dinner. Overnight in the hotel. Grand Hotel Yerevan
Day 3 -September 26
Thor Virap & Areni Wine Region
After breakfast, visit the most amazing attractions in southern Armenia. Start with Khor Virap medieval monastery (7th century), an important religious site mainly related to the adoption of Christianity, but it is also one of the best (if not the best) locations to capture Mount Ararat in its greatness! Because of these two characteristics, Khor Virap is a popular tourism destination. and the greatest place for embracing the most picturesque view of Mount Ararat.
Next stop it the village of Areni, one of the oldest settlements in Armenia and famous for its wines. As a republic of the Soviet Union, Armenia was cultivated into the chief producer of cognac. Distillers spent the majority of their effort cultivating the white grapes used to make brandy, and many old red grape vines went overlooked. Armenian winemaking fell by the wayside until the 1990s. It was only then that locals began to relearn the ancient art of viticulture and uncover the secrets of Armenian vines. In the past decade, local wine-making has blossomed.
Visit one of the best wineries on this route - Noa (located in Rind village, famous for its high elevation and many vineyards). Taste their premium wines and meet the winemaker. Continue to Areni 1 Cave (also called the Bird’s Cave) where archaeologists discovered the oldest wine press in the world (c. 6000 years old). Lunch at a winery before heading to the village of Yeghegis. Visit a local family house for a gata cooking class made in the traditional way. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Arevi (3*) in Yeghegis.
Day 4 - September 27
Noravanik & Areni Wine Region
After breakfast, enjoy the eco-experience right at the foot of mind-blowing scenery around the hotel. Yeghegis village is rich with history and culture so we will visit the historic medieval Jewish cemetery, the only surviving evidence of Jewish communities in medieval Armenia between the 13th and 14th centuries. Continue to Noravank medieval monastery complex (13th century). Red rocks surrounding the monastery create a special mystical atmosphere. On your way back visit the beautiful vineyards of Momik winery for a tasting and lunch in the vineyard. Momik was part of OneArmenia’s Farm-to-Bottle Program, a program that empowered grape farmers to use financing to create their own wines as opposed to selling their grapes to larger wineries. The location of Momik Wines and its vineyards is what helps create a special taste – the soil is rich with limestone and calcium and that allows them to exclude artificial fertilizers which helps enhance the sweetness and quality of the wine. Return to Yerevan, stopping at the traditional market GUM in Yerevan to try local delicacies (dry fruits, spices, basturma, etc.). Dinner and overnight in the hotel. Grand Hotel Yerevan
Day 5 - September 28
The Mother See of Echmiadzin - Armas Winery
After breakfast, we will travel to the religious center of all Armenians - the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin where we will attend the long-awaited re-opening service.
Afterwards, we’ll visit Zvartnots Temple (7th c. UNESCO) both buildings bear witness to the implantation of Christianity in Armenia and to the evolution of a unique Armenian ecclesiastical architecture: the central-domed, cross-hall type of church) which exerted a profound influence on architectural and artistic development in the region.
Continue to Aragatsotn Province and Armenian Alphabet Monument. The Armenian alphabet was created in the 5th century by scholar, theologian, and linguist Mesrop Mashtots, who is said to have seen the letters in a dream.
Next stop is Armas Winery, located in the middle of picturesque vineyards. Enjoy a tour and tasting of their wines. We will have a late lunch will be at another winery and a tour of their unique wine museum. Return to Yerevan for an evening at leisure. Overnight in Yerevan. Grand Hotel Yerevan
Day 6 - September 29
Vernissage - Lake Sevan - Dilijan
After breakfast, checkout from the hotel and travel back to Echmiadzin for the blessing of the holy oil. From the time of the first Catholicos of All Armenians – St. Gregory the Illuminator, the right to bless the Holy Muron (Chrism) has been reserved for the consecrated head of the Church, the Catholicos of All Armenians.
The blessing of the Holy Muron, which traditionally occurs once every seven years, has not happened since 2015. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, will preside and personally lead the service. He will be assisted by twelve archbishops of the Armenian Church from throughout the world.
Drive to Lake Sevan and walk up to the Sevanavank monastery located on the peninsula of the lake. Continue to Dilijan, a resort town city located in the middle of the National Park. Check into the hotel in Dilijan. Enjoy your evening and dinner in Dilijan. Overnight: Hotel Dilijan Tun
Day 7 - September 30
Haghpat Monastery -> Depart for Georgia
Breakfast at the hotel and checkout. Enjoy your last day in Armenia and Dilijan and drive north and the Georgia-Armenia border. On your way, dive into culture by tasting pancakes and homemade tea with a local family in Fioletovo village. Continue to the famous monastery complex of the north Haghpat Monastery (10th c., UNESCO). Lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to the border. After border formalities, we will transfer to a new bus with a Georgian driver and guide and continue to Tbilisi. Dinner and overnight at the hotel . Shota @ Rustaveli
Day 8 - October 1
Tbilisi Tour
After breakfast, take a short walk from the hotel to the National Gallery. For more than a century the gallery has displayed remarkable works by both Georgian and foreign artists. Within it’s wide halls, guests will discover dramatic scenes of daily life, stunning portraits, and impressive urban landscapes,
Later, a walking tour through the historic city center, including a visit to a spice company. Georgian flavors are unique in the world, and we will receive a masterclass in the kinds of herbs, flowers and spices they use, how they blend them and how they are prepared with different dishes. Lunch at Orbeliani Garden. Afternoon is TBC. Dinner at Poliphonia. Shota @ Rustaveli
Day 9 - October 2
Kahketi
After breakfast, drive to Kakheti region and Sighnaghi, a city-fortress which was built in Middle Ages. Enjoy spectacular views of Alazani Valley. Visit a winery and a qvevri maker. Transfer to Kedeli and visit horse ranch and brewery for lunch. After lunch we will visit a traditional Georgian wine cellar in the village of Kondoli. The host has a special love for wines, which is reflected in the quality of the wines he produces. Here we will try the most famous, natural wine "Zhghia", which is made from the rarest and highest quality Kakheti grapes (only 6000 bottles per year). Enjoy a master class of traditional making of khachapuri and churchkhella Return to Tbilisi. Dinner at Archive restaurant. Overnight at the hotel. Shota @ Rustaveli
Day 10 - October 3
Departure
Say goodbye to the beautiful Caucus region today, but return home with amazing memories and new friends.
