Railway journey through Armenia and Georgia
13 Days / 12 nights
If you are looking for novelty, exploration, discovery and authentic experience, this trip is for you. Discover something new at every step.
Visit Armenia and Georgia with Vis-a-vis Tour Armenia!
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to the only remaining pagan temple in Armenia devoted to the God of Sun – Myrth, in Garni, built in 77 AD by King Trdat (Arshakid Dynasty). The temple was a summer residence for Arshakid dynasty. Visit to the ruins of Royal Palace and Royal bath-house nearby. Canyon of Garni -magnificent and outstanding scene which creates the image of falling crags. It obtained the name "Symphony of Stones" due to its view. The fantastic landscape of Garni canyon shakes the human imagination.
Drive to the unique caved temple St. Geghard (12th -13th cc.), the name of which means “holy spear” in the honor of the long-preserved spear, the same spear that pierced the body of crucified Christ. It is now exhibited in the museum of Etchmiadzin Cathedral. Geghard Monastery is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list (2000).
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Family hosted lunch in village house and watching of "Lavash" (Armenian traditional flat bread baked in stone-made oven) making process
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A trip to one of the architectural wonders of Armenia: Zvartnots tample (641-661 BC) the temple of "Vigil Forces", which got its name from the word "Zwart", which translated from Armenian means "joyful and beautiful." The remaining ruins give an idea of the rare beauty of this temple. The temple is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2000).
O/N in Yerevan.
Breakfast at the hotel.Train ride to Sevan, one of the greatest high mountainous freshwater lakes of Eurasia, climb on Akhtamar peninsula from where the fascinating view on the Lake is open. Visit Sevanavank monastery, which stands in its greatness on the peninsula overlooking the lake for centuries. Free time in Sevan, where you can enjoy fresh air at the blue pearl of Armenia.
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In the evening return to Yerevan by train. O/N in Yerevan.
Breakfast in the hotel. Morning train ride to Artashat. The hills adjoining Khor Virap were the site of the early Armenian capital - ancient Artashat built by King Artashes I, founder of the Artashesid dynasty, around 180 B.C. It is one of the few ancient towns, built by the special design of the famous Carthaginian general Hannibal. After the defeat in a war against Rome, he found shelter in Armenia…
Drive to Khor Virap Church – the place of imprisonment of St. Gregory the Illuminator, who stayed here in the small dungeon for 13 years without any food, accused by the Armenian King of preaching Christianity. Khor Virap Church was built on the dungeon and now people have a chance to go down into the dark pit themselves. It is one of the holy places for the Christian world. It is also the best point to enjoy the most spectacular view of the gorgeous biblical mountain Ararat shining with its two white peaks.
On the way visit local winery in Areni village - wine testing. Areni used to be one of the centers of wine production in Armenia. Recent archeological findings makes place worldwide famous. In September 2010, archaeologists discovered a 6,100-year-old 5 winery and wine cellar in Areni (Vayots Dzor province) in Armenia. Within the underground wine cellar, a wine press for stomping grapes, fermentation and storage containers, drinking cups, grape vines, skins, and seeds were found. This is the earliest winery and wine cellar found to date. The findings indicated large scale wine production, quite possibly the earliest retail winery.
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After visiting Khor Virap drive through the spectacular canyon between the red rocks to Noravank Monastery (13th c.). The most ancient monument of Noravank is St. Karapet Church (IX - X cc.). The Church, completed in 1339, is said to be the masterpiece of Momik, a talented sculptor and a miniaturist.
O/N in Yerevan.
Breakfast at the hotel. City tour in Yerevan. Yerevan sightseeing including City center, Republic square, State University, City panorama, Mother Armenia Monument, Parliament, President’s Palace, Opera, Sports & Concert Complex.
Visit to Matenadaran (depository for ancient manuscripts, the collection of which is one of the biggest in the world). This outstanding collection includes manuscripts dating from 7th century and is widely appreciated by history and art amateurs and professionals.
Visit to Cascade complex, which is considered the modern art center of Yerevan, with art pieces displayed throughout the whole area: the boulevard and up the stairs, from top of which you can enjoy the panoramic view on the city and Mountain Ararat. Cascade is home to Cafesjan modern art museum. This place becomes even more charming in the evenings, when it is full of people, both locals and tourists from all over the world, enjoying the magic and the warmth of the capital.
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A trip on the subway to Sasuntsi David station. Visit the railway station and the small museum that was opened in 2009. In the museum you can get acquainted with the history of Armenian railways from 1896 to our days. Train trip to Tbilisi.
Arrival in Tbilisi – transfer to the selected hotel
Breakfast in the hotel.
Tbilisi (literally "Warm Spring") is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mtkvari River, founded in the 5th century by Vakhtang Gorgasali. Tbilisi is a significant industrial, social and cultural centre of Georgia. Located strategically at the crossroads between Europe and Asia and lying along the historic Silk Road routes, Tbilisi has often been a point of contention between various rival powers and empires. The history of the city can be seen by its architecture.
Tbilisi sightseeing tour includes: Old town: Metechi church and the statue of king Vakhtang Gorgasali (founder of Tbilisi -5th century); Abanotubani, the ancient district of Tbilisi, known for its sulfuric baths; Narikala fortress; Sharden street, Synagogue, Sioni Cathedral, The Holy Trinity Cathedral, known as Sameba, which is the main Georgian Orthodox Cathedral listed among the largest Orthodox churches in the world; Shota Rustaveli Avenue; Open Air Museum of Ethnography – it is essentially a historic village populated by buildings moved there from all main territorial subdivisions of Georgia.
After lunch drive to Rustavi, located about 30km from Tbilisi, on the river Mtkvari. The city is known for its steel industry.
O/N in Tbilisi
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Mtskheta. Mtskheta is one of the oldest cities of Georgia, was capital of the early Georgian kingdom of Iberia during the 3rd century BC - 5th century AD and it was the site of early Christian activity.
Visit to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century). Svetitskhoveli, known as the burial site of Christ’s mantle, has long been the principal Georgian church and remains one of the most venerated places of worship to this day.
Visit to Jvari Monastery (6th century) which stands on the rocky mountain top at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, overlooking the village of Mtskheta. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery in Mtskheta are among the most significant monuments of Georgian architecture, and are historically significant in the development of medieval architecture throughout the Caucasus and are listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Drive to a historical town Gori, visit J. Stalin’s museum.
Drive to Borjomi, the resort town in south-central Georgia. The town is famous for its mineral water industry (which is presently the number one export of Georgia). Visit Borjomi Park. Mineral water tasting.
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O/N in Borjomi or in Bakuriani - the popular ski resort, located on the northern slope of the Trialeti Range, at an elevation of 1,700 meters above sea level.
Breakfast in the hotel. Drive to the second largest city of Georgia - Kutaisi. Check-in at the hotel.
After lunch in a local restaurant drive to Gelati Academy and Monastery , which is a monastic complex near Kutaisi, the region of Imereti, western Georgia, was founded by King David IV the founder in XII century. During the 12 -13th centuries Gelati was one of the biggest religious, educational, scientific and philosophy centers of Georgia. The founding of Gelati is tied to the cultural renaissance of Georgia.
Visit Bagrati Cathedral which is proudly watches over Kutaisi and the Rioni River. It was built in the early years of the 11th century, during the reign of King Bagrat III due to which it was called "Bagrati" Cathedral.
O/N in Kutaisi.
Breakfast in the hotel. Morning train ride to Tkibuli, located about 25 kilometers from Kutaisi, on the river Tkibuli. Tkibuli is known for its coal mining and it is the last point of a railway line, built in 1887th.
Drive to Tschiatura by bus. It is a small town on the river Kwirila, in the province Imereti. This city is especially known for the large number of ropeways. Ride on the cable car.
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Return to Kutaisi. O/N in Kutaisi.
Breakfast in the hotel. Morning train ride to Batumi. Check-in at the hotel. Free time for relax.
City tour in Batumi. Drive to Batumi, a seaside city on the Black Sea coast in southwest Georgia. Tour around Batumi. Batumi’s seaside park is very famous for its number of species and unique plants. It stretches along the seashore to the north-west of Batumi like a green line. In the evenings spectacular show of dancing fountains attracts a lot of tourists and locals.
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Visit Batumi Botanical Garden that has no analogue in the world in terms of co-existence of different climatic and landscape zones endemic plants. The Garden contains thousands of plant species of astonishing beauty. Visit Gonio Fortress located 12 km south of Batumi on the left bank of the River Chorokhi. It is a real paradise for lovers of historical and cultural antiquities. Historically, Gonio-Apsaros Fortress had a unique strategic importance: it protected the entrance to the Chorokhi and Acharistskali gorges, which connected the south western inlands to the Black Sea littoral. This important location made Gonio Fortress one of the citadels of both the Roman and later Byzantine Empires.
Overnight in Batumi.
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Zugdidi, the city in the Western Georgian historical province of Samegrelo. Visit Dadiani Palace, belonging to the former dukes of Samegrelo. Currently more than 50 000 rare exhibits are displayed at the museum. Among its collection are relics of European monarchs and imperial families, a death mask of Napoleon Bonaparte, the relics of Christian saints.
Visit to Enguri-Dam, which is a hydroelectric dam on the Enguri River in Georgia. Currently it is the world's second highest concrete arch dam with a height of 240 m.
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O/N in Batumi.
Breakfast at the hotel. Free time in Batumi.
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Lunch in a local restaurant
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In the Evening train ride to Tbilisi (tour in the train depot).
Check-in at the hotel. O/N in Tbilisi.