Day 01 Arrival - Yerevan City Tour                         (-)

Upon arrival at the Yerevan airport, meet greet our representative. Pick up and transferred to the hotel, check in, refresh and relax. 

After a short relaxation, proceed for city tour around Yerevan, the ancient capital of Armenia, which was founded in 782 BC. Armenians are proud that Yerevan is 29 years older than Rome. Walk around the center of the city and visit the Cascade, Opera and Ballet Theater, Mashtots Avenue, the Republic Square and also visit the Matenadaran Museum, a repository of one of the richest manuscript collections in the world. Optionally, if you wish, you may decide to visit the Genocide Memorial, a solemn reminder of the first genocide of the 20th century. Have dinner and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Yerevan.

Day 02 Echmiadzin/Zvartnots/Garni /Geghard                 (B)

After breakfast, take a short 21km drive to Echmiadzin town, the  religious center of all Armenians around the world, after the adoption of Christianity in 301 AD, was built the first Christian temple in the world, the Echmiadzin Cathedral. It is the seat of the Supreme Patriarch of the Catholicos of all Armenians. The cathedral keeps an important religious relic, the Holy Lance spear. In 2000 Echmiadzin Cathedral was listed as an UNESCO site. See the ruins of Zvartnots temple (7th century, UNESCO World Heritage Site), that was a miracle of its time. 

Next, have lunch before driving, take an hour drive to the Canyon of Azat River, to the Geghard Monastery. This unique monastery is carved into nearby rocks and the surrounding cliffs compose a great part of it. In 2000 it became a UNESCO Heritage site. Later, continue to the Garni village, well known for its Garni temple, the only surviving example of Hellenistic architecture in the region. Have dinner and transfer to hotel. Overnigh in Yerevan. 

Day 03 Khor Virap/Noravank           (B)

After breakfast, proceed for an hour drive to the Ararat Province, which proudly stands as one of the holiest sites in Armenia, the Khor Virap Monastery. Upon arrival, hike up a small hill to discover the monastery and enjoy the breathtaking view on Biblical Mount Ararat. 

Next, the 1hr 30min journey continues through a narrow canyon to the valley of red rocks, right where Noravank Monastery is located,  built in the 13th century. It is a masterpiece of Armenian architect Momik. On the territory of the monastery, amazing khachkars are scattered all around, cross stones designed by Momik. Have dinner and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Yerevan.

Day 04 Sevan/Haghartsin/Goshavank/Armenia/Georgia border/Tbilisi       (B)

After breakfast, check out and start your 1hr 30min journey to North to the Gegharkunik Province, best known for amazing Lake Sevan. It is one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world located at an altitude of 1900 meters above the sea level. We continue our trip further north to Lori Province. Here we have a stop at the cozy resort town of Dilijan known for its arts and crafts as well as picturesque lush nature and healing air. After an excursion to the medieval monasteries of Haghartsin and Goshavank, continue to the Armenian-Georgian border. After passing the customs, drive another 3-hour to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. After dinner, transfer to hotel. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 05 Mtskheta/Tbilisi City Tour       (B)

After breakfast, head on to Mtskheta which was the first capital of Georgia from the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD. The town is considered the religious center of Georgia, start the excursion visiting the Cathedral of the 11th century, Svetitskhoveli. 

The next stop is Jvari Temple located at the top of the hill which offers a fascinating view of the confluence of two rivers Kura and Aragvi. Drive back to Tbilisi, continue with a city tour exploration the old town, cable car trips to Narikala Fortress, a visit to the Bridge of Peace and Armenian Church, Jewish Synagogue and Turkish Mosque. Have dinner and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 06 Kakheti/Sighnaghi/Winery “Pheasant’s Tears”/David-Gareja       (B)

After breakfast, check out and drive to the east of the country, to Kakheti, the main wine making region of Georgia. Have a pleasant time in Sighnaghi, a royal town founded by the king Erekle II in the 18th century. Stroll around the tiny streets and enjoy the local architecture and atmosphere. Tour the local winery “Pheasant’s Tears” and the fine cuisine of Georgian traditional local wine. Ends the day with a trip to David-Gareja semi-deserted area and monastery complex founded in 6th century by father David. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Sighnaghi.

Day 07 Georgian/Azerbaijan border/Sheki City Tour       (B)

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Georgia-Azerbaijan border. Meet and greet our representative at the border, and depart to Sheki city. Transfer to hotel, check in, refresh and relax. After a short relaxation proceed for sightseeing around Sheki. Visit the Upper Town, the magnificent Palace of Sheki Khans and the Craft Museum, built in 1797 as a summer residence for Muhammad Hasan Khan. It is a masterpiece of lavish decoration. Both the exterior and interior decorations of the palace embody the architectural glamor of the ancient Sheki Khanate.

Next, visit the Museum of carpets with various big rooms with pottery, silk embroidery, and national costumes, jewelry, Shebeke craft workshop, Sheki Bazaar, and the local sweet bakery. Try the famous Sheki sweet baklava, the pride of Sheki population. After a long day delving into the many treasures of Sheki, have dinner and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Sheki.

Day 08 Gabala City Tour/Shamakhi/Baku       (B)

After breakfast, check out and proceed to explore Gabala, the ancient capital of Azerbaijan. Travel through Gabala in the north of Azerbaijan and experience a small but significant part of the religious tolerance within the country. First,visit the Church of the Udi, near Gabala, in the village of Nij. This small church is special and belong to the native people of the Caucasus, the Udi people. There are only a few thousand Udi people in the world today and the majority, approx. 4.000, live in this area in Azerbaijan. They practice Orthodox Christianity till today, and you can see their church, renovated and used. 

Next, head on to the village of Chukhur Gabala, home to interesting ruins from the former capital of the Caucasian Albania. The guide will explain interesting facts about the history, cultural heritage of Gabala, and the three-storey building Archeology Center, and it's  showroom, an archeological collection, a restoration lab, a conference hall, some study rooms for archeologists with about 1,500 exhibition features for excavation.

Later, proceed to Tufandag Mountain, to see the natural beauties of Gabala, ride the Cable car, and explore the Gabala Lake and ride a non-powered boat. Gabala Lake is a gem, half-natural, half man-made. Later, continue to Samakhih city and have a sightseeing of historical Juma Mosque of Shamakhi. Enroute to visit the Diri Baba Mausoleum in Maraza village, before heading back to Baku. Have dinner and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Baku.

Day 09 Baku City       (B)

After breakfast, proceed to tour around Baku Old City, and visit the legendary Zoroastrian Maiden Tower of the V century. Walk to the old bazaar, the UNESCO World Heritage Site and visit the oldest Multani Caravanserai, the Haji Banu Hamam of the 15th century, the Juma Mosque (Friday Mosque), as well as the Shirvanshahs’ Palace, the most striking example of the medieval palace structures in Azerbaijan, dating to the middle of 15th century, antique carpet shops and the museum. 

Next, continue to the remaining excursion and visit the Upland Park of Baku to enjoy the panoramic view of the city and bay of Baku. From there, if you wish, head on to Martyr’s Line or Alley of Martyrs formerly known as the Kirov Park, where is a cemetery and memorial dedicated to those killed by the Soviet Army during Black January, and also be impressed by the modern district with the three Flame Towers near the Upland Park, overlooking the city, which looks like, they have been thrown from heavens into the city by some fabulous giants. 

Later, proceed to visit the Baku Boulevard and walk along Baku Boulevard, the second longest one in Europe. Get a boat and make a 30 minutes boat ride cruise along Baku Bay and enjoy the splendid panoramic views of Baku from the sea while learning about Baku and its history. 

After the boat trip, visit the Carpet Museum which demonstrates carpets in close connection with other kinds of traditional handicrafts of Azerbaijan. Then, head on to Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, an internationally recognized architectural marvel, which displays a curved modern style. Have dinner and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Baku.

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