Armenia & Georgia: Treasures of the Caucasus

Itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Yerevan via Kiev

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Yerevan, via Kiev, with Ukraine International Airlines. Arrive and transfer to the Metropol Hotel (or similar) for 4 nights. (N)

Day 2: Yerevan

Take a full-day tour of Yerevan with visits including the Matenadaran the repository of ancient Armenian manuscripts and Erebuni fortress, where we will meet a local expert (subject to confirmation). Continue to Tsitsernakaberd, a memorial and museum dedicated to the Armenian genocide of 1915, with its picturesque views over the city. Next, visit the National Art Gallery, which contains some excellent examples of medieval frescoes and Armenian and European art. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Etchmiadzin

Drive west to visit the Unesco world heritage site of Etchmiadzin (now called Vagharshapat), the spiritual centre of the Armenian-Gregorian Church, with a private behind-the-scenes tour of the monastic complex. Visit a fine example of Armenian architecture at the St Hripsime church before visiting Etchmiadzin cathedral, the oldest state-built cathedral in the world, dating back to the early fourth century. Inside the cathedral is the reputed Holy Lance that pierced Christs side during his crucifixion. End the day at the seventh-century ruins of Zvartnots cathedral. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Garni Geghard

Drive east of Yerevan to visit the temple of Garni, a classical Hellenistic temple that is the best-known structure and symbol of pre-Christian Armenia. Nearby is the medieval monastery of Geghard, partially carved out of the adjacent mountain and surrounded by cliffs. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Lake Sevan & monasteries Tbilisi

Cross the border to Georgia, stopping en route to see Lake Sevan and the Unesco-protected monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin, unique for their 10th-century architectural styles. Proceed to Tbilisi and stay 2 nights at the Museum Hotel (or similar). (B, L, D)

Day 6: Tbilisi

Full-day tour of Tbilisi, including a cable car ride to fourth-century Narikala fortress, which occupies a scenic spot overlooking the city, and the fifth-century Metekhi church, an unusually styled cross-cupola church, which became an infamous prison during the Soviet era. Visit the State Museum, home to hundreds of Caucasian icons and metalwork dating from the Bronze Age to the 20th century. Spend the remainder of the afternoon at the Georgia Museum of Art, where a private guided visit by a senior curator has been arranged. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Mtskheta Gori Kutaisi

Drive north-west to the Unesco world heritage site of Mtskheta. Lying at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, the city was the place where Christianity was proclaimed as the official religion of Georgia in 337AD. Continue to the church of Jvari nearby, followed by a drive to Gori, birthplace of Joseph Stalin. Visit the intriguing Stalin Museum, which features numerous personal artefacts, including Stalins notorious armour-plated railway carriage. Drive to Kutaisi and spend 1 night at the Bagrati Hotel (or similar). (B, L, D)

Day 8: Bagrati Gelati Ubisa Tbilisi

This morning visit Bagrati cathedral, which occupies a prominent position over Kutaisi. Continue to the Gelati monastery complex, built by the former king of Georgia, David the Builder. This Unesco world heritage site
features a number of 12th- and 13th-century churches and houses numerous murals, mosaics and manuscripts. Drive eastwards to Tbilisi, stopping at Ubisa for a short visit. Overnight at the Museum Hotel (or similar), Tbilisi. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Gremi Ikalto Bodbe Signagi

Travel east through the hills and wine lands of Kakheti to the town of Gremi, which was destroyed by the army of Shah Abbas in the 16th century, leaving the architectural monument of the royal citadel and the Church of the Archangels. Continue to the Ikalto academy, together with Gelati, one of the great medieval academies of Georgia. Drive to Signagi via the monastery of St Nino at Bodbe, a Georgian Orthodox monastic complex and one of the major pilgrimage sites in Georgia, with views of the Greater Caucasus mountains. Overnight at Kabadoni Hotel (or similar). (B, L, D)

Day 10: Signagi Tsinandali Telavi Alaverdi Tbilisi

After a walking tour of Signagi, visit Tsinandali, the palace and vineyard of a Georgian noble family. Nearby is Telavi, capital of the Kakheti region and home to the best vineyards in the country. After lunch in a wine house, visit Alaverdi, a functioning Georgian monastery dating from the sixth century with its stunning masterpiece the 11th-century cathedral. Return to Tbilisi for a farewell dinner and stay overnight at the Museum Hotel (or similar). (B, L, D)

Day 11: Fly to London via Kiev

Transfer to Tbilisi airport. Fly to London, via Kiev. (B)