Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival / Tbilisi / City tour and dinner with folklore show
Arrival in Tbilisi, Georgia. Transfer to the hotel. Breakfast at the hotel.
Full day sightseeing in Tbilisi with visits to the golden collection of the State
museum; Narikala Fortress (the 4th : 20th cc main citadel of the city); Sioni -
cathedral of the 6th-7th c. Church of the Virgin; Metekhi (12th c) : (cross-domed
church); Anchiskhati (6th c) - one of the most ancient basilicas in Tbilisi; Mount
Mtatsminda (The Holy mountain), including, the church of Father David ,
pantheon of famous writers and public figures, and the funicular and Sulphur
baths. Also visiting house-museum of Elene Akhvlediani (if time permits).
Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel in Tbilisi.

Day 2

Tbilisi / David Gareja / Tbilisi
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive southeast to visit David Gareja
monastery complex- one of the most attractive sites in Georgia.
This place is unique for its wild nature, mural masterpieces and
rock-cut monasteries, the most ancient of which were founded
in the first half of the 6th century AD. Excursion to: Lavra
monastery complex.
Return to Tbilisi. Rest.
Overnight at hotel in Tbilisi.

Day 3

Tbilisi / Mtskheta / Gori / Uplistsiche / Bakuriani
Drive to explore Mtskheta and its UNESCO sites. Visit
Svetitskhoveli cathedral, (11th c) Jvari church overlooking
the capital and junction point of two rivers (6th c) and Samtavro nunnery complex.
Continue tour across Kartli province, heart of the country, known for its agriculture
and architectural monuments. First stop today is Samtavisi Cathedral 11th cc. Then
drive to Uplistsikhe, an unusual medieval cave town that developed over hundreds
of years starting in the first millennium BC. At its height it was an important trade
centre occupying 22 acres. Visit Stalin's museum and drive along picturesque
Borjomi valley to Bakuriani ski resort. Dinner and overnight in Bakuriani.

Day 4

Bakuriani / Borjomi / Kutaisi
The next province we will visit is Imereti, with its cool
springs, green fields, and delicate manicured gardens. Here is
the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Colchis - Kutaisi, now
the second city of Georgia. The people of Imereti are
renowned for their sense of humour, politeness, and a special
kind of 'khachapuri', the cheese-bread unique to Georgia. En
rout short stop to visit Timotesubani cathedral and then stop at Borjomi park to
taste local mineral water. Arrival in Kutaisi. Dinner and overnight at the
guesthouse.

Day 5

Kutaisi / Tbilisi
After breakfast morning excursion of Kutaisi surroundings. Visit
the Kutaisi Ethnographical Museum and its treasury, then the
ruins of Bagrati Cathedral (11th cc) and have excursion of Gelati
Monastery complex (11th -12th), visiting the cathedral of the
Virgin , Church of St. George, Church of St. Nicholas, Bell
Tower and Academy which was built in 1104. Drive back to
Tbilisi. En rout visit Ubisi Cathedral 9 th cc. In the evening
arrival in Tbilisi. Farewell dinner and overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 6

Tbilisi / Sadakhlo border / Haghpat / Gyumri
Breakfast at the hotel in Tbilisi. Check out of the hotel.
Drive to Sadakhlo border. Border formalities, change guide
and driver. Drive to visit Haghpat Monastery, which is listed
as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. Old Bridge
overview. Drive to the city of Gyumri. Dinner and overnight
in Gyumri.

Day 7

Gyumri / Amberd Fortress / Saghmosavank Monastery / Yerevan
After early morning Gyumri city tour, we will move to Yerevan .
On the route, we will visit Amberd fortress from 10c., Picnic
lunch near the sight, After lunch visit Saghmosavank Monastery
12c., Karmravor church (7th c.) in Ashtarak city. Drive to
Yerevan. In the evening optional visiting Vernisage market,
which is open on week-ends. Dinner and overnight in Yerevan.

Day 8

Yerevan City Tour
After breakfast, we will have city tour, which includes the capital
city overview from its highest point : Cascade Complex. Then
walking downstairs to the bus to continue the tour to the
Matenadaran museum - a unique depository and research institute
of ancient manuscripts. After that visiting the Genocide
Memorial Park and the Museum. In the evening it is possible to
arrange a visit to the National Opera and Ballet Theatre. Dinner
and overnight in Yerevan.

Day 9

Yerevan / Echmiadzin / Zvartnots / Yerevan
After breakfast we will drive to the city of Echmiadzin, the center of
Armenian Apostolic Church and visit the St. Echmiadzin Cathedral
founded in 301. Then continue tour to the Hripsime Church and
Zvartnots Ruins, both of the 7th century. Both, Echmiadzin and
Zvartnots are listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
Dinner and overnight in Yerevan.

Day 10

Yerevan / Khor Virap / Noravank / Yerevan
After breakfast we will have tour to the south east part of
Armenia, not long before Yerevan is the 11th century fortified
monastery of Khor Virap set against the majestic backdrop of
Mt Ararat. Inside is the supposed prison of St Gregory the
Illuminator, the 3rd century evangelizer of the Armenians. Near
the wine making centre of Areni we make another diversion to
the 12th century monastery of Noravank. Picnic lunch. Visit Areni winery, where
you can degustate different type of wines. Back to Yerevan. Dinner and overnight in
Yerevan.

Day 11

Yerevan / Arch of Charents / Garni / Geghard / Tsaghkadzor / Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel.
Tour to Garni: Pagan Temple of 1st c. A.D. En rout stop to
admire the beauty of the Mount Ararat through the Arch of
Charents. Then drive to Guegard Cave Monastery 12-13th cc.
which is listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Continue trip to Tsaghkadzor : a mountain resort in spring,
summer and autumn and a ski resort in winter. Reaching the top
of the Mount Teghenis on the modern ropeway and admire the view from the
highest point of the area. Lunch in Tsaghkadzor. Returning to Yerevan and
overnight.

Day 12

Yerevan / Lake Sevan / Dilijan / Goshavank / Haghartsin
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the emerald of Armenia - Lake Sevan, the monastery
of Sevanavank (9th c.), spectacularly situated overlooking the lake, after which visit
Armenian Switzerland : Dilijan city, through which the road leads us to the 13th
century monastery complexes of Goshavank and Haghartsin. Overnight in Dilijan
in one of private detached houses.

Day 13

Dilijan / Vanadzor / Alaverdi / Tbilisi
Breakfast at the guesthouse in Dilijan. Departure. En route visiting Haghpat
Monastery, which is listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Picnic
Lunch. Reaching Alaverdi border. Change guide and transport. Transfer to Tbilisi.
Departure home.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Alcohol beverages

Exclusions -

Alcohol beverages

Extras -

Transportation
For airport transfers and inland transportations a car, minibus or bus will be
provided (size of bus depends on the number of persons in the group).
Staff
Excursion Guides: Portfolio Enterprise Ltd employs experienced staff that has
worked for the leading western tour operators in Armenia. We can provide
multilingual and qualified guides.
Catering
B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, PL - Picnic Lunch, D - Dinner
Breakfast is always served at the hotel / guesthouse.
Lunch - 3-course meals, 1 bottle of mineral water, coffee or tea. Lunch menu has
to be agreed additionally and adjusted to the customers' specific needs.
Picnic Lunch - In single cases Picnic Lunches can be provided: PL contains cold
vegetables, cold meat, cake, juice, fruits and is prepared in advance.
A special barbeque picnic can be organized on request. Lunch is always set up at
nice nature spots, so all people really enjoy it.
Dinner - is served either at hotel restaurant or at one of the restaurants in Yerevan
and Tbilisi. Dinners will include variety of Armenian and Georgian national
dishes, as well as European. As usually there will be wide choice of starters
including vegetarian meals, followed by 2-3 main courses.It is possible to arrange lunch or dinner at the local village in traditional Armenian family
with possibility to see and participate at the lavash baking, milk butter making and barbeque
making process. Also lunch and dinner can be organized at the national restaurants with tasting
Armenian dishes and enjoying live Armenian music. The given itineraries are subject to some
minor changes depending on arrival and departure details, also some changes in the excursion
program is available upon request.
*The package prices are calculated taking into account EUR exchange rate dated 17.01.08. Final
package price should be confirmed based on the EUR exchange rate on the day of reservation.