Exza Travel

Day 1: Arrival in Yerevan - Yerevan City tour

Arrival in Yerevan. Transfer to the selected hotel. City tour in Yerevan will start with the panoramic view of the city and acquaintance with the Center of the city, Republic Square, the sightseeing of Opera and Ballet building, the Parliament and Residency of the President of Armenia, State University, Mother Armenia Monument, Sports & Concert Complex. A visit to Tsitsernakaberd - a Monument to the Armenian Genocide Victims, as well as the Genocide Victims’ Museum, commemorating the 1.5 million Armenians who perished during the first Genocide of the 20th century in the Western Armenia and in the territory of Ottoman Empire. Visit Cascade complex, which is considered the modern art center of Yerevan. 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. Overnight in Yerevan.

Day 2: Yerevan - Carpet Factory - Garni - Geghard - Shopping in Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Armenian carpet factory with possibility to watch the production of the handmade rugs. The factory has a showroom where purchases are offered (shipping of rugs to your country is possible).
Visit the only remaining Pagan temple in Armenia, devoted to the God of Sun – Myrth, in Garni. Photo stop at Charentc Arc. A visit to the ruins of Royal Palace and Royal bath-house nearby. Family hosted lunch in a private village house, with watching the preparation of “Lavash” (Armenian traditional flat bread baked in stone-make oven) by countryside Armenian ladies using the same ancient technology as hundreds of years before. Continue the tour to the uniquely caved Geghard monastery, which dates back to 12th-13th centuries, the name of which means “holy spear” in the honour of the long-preserved spear, the same spear that pierced the body of crucified Christ, which were brought here by Apostle Thaddeus.
Drive back to Yerevan. A visit to Vernissage, an open-air exhibition-market. Drop to Dalma Garden or Yerevan Mall for shopping. Free time for shopping.
Optional: Tour to Brandy factory with brandy testing. Very interesting one hour tour around Armenian brandy factory offers tourists familiarization with the history of the plant, process of brandy preparation, showrooms and halls of storages. Visitors will also have degustation of 2 types of brandy of different age in degustation hall. Brandy shop at the factory territory will be available for purchasing of famous Armenian brandy directly from the factory.
Overnight in Yerevan.

Day 3: Yerevan - Tsaghkadzor - Lake Sevan – Dilijan - Border - Tbilisi

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Drive to Tsaghkadzor (means “gorge of flowers”) town, the magical place of forested mountains. Short walking tour around the small town. Visit Kecharis monastery.
Opportunity to go up to the mountain peaks by ropeway, where you will catch an unforgettable gorgeous panoramic view of this part of the world.
Drive to Lake Sevan, one of the wonders in Armenia. This blue lake is one of the greatest high mountainous freshwater lakes of Eurasia. On a clear and sunny day, the water is often of a deep turquoise colour. Total surface of the lake is 940 km2. Climb on peninsula, from where opens a fascinating and breathtaking view on Sevan Lake. Visit Sevanavank Monastery (9th century), which stands in its greatness on the peninsula, overlooking the lake for centuries. Drive to Armenian-Georgian border Bagratashen/Sadakhlo. Pass the border formalities.
Drive to mountainous resort Dilijan, or so called “Armenian Switzerland”, which is well-known for its forests, as well as for its mysterious flora and fauna. Small walking city tour in Dilijan with a visit to handicrafts’ street, where one can watch the preparation of different national souvenirs from wood, stone and ceramics. A visit to Haghartsin Monastery complex, located in a secluded place of a forest. Appearing unexpectedly in front of the visitors, out of the dense forests, the Monastery creates a magical impression of a lost world. After a visit to the monastery in 2005, His Royal Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi made a generous donation for certain renovation works and preservation of this monastery, representing the rich history of the human kind. Complex includes Church St. Stepanos, St. Mary and St. Gregory’s Church, as well as a famous refectory. Drive to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 4: Tbilisi city tour

Breakfast at the hotel. Tbilisi (literally "Warm Spring") is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River, founded in the 5th century by Vakhtang Gorgasali. Tbilisi sightseeing tour includes: Old town – Sameba Cathedral and Metechi church and the statue of king Vakhtang Gorgasali, Abanotubani, the ancient district of Tbilisi, known for its sulfuric baths, Narikala fortress, Karvasla, Sioni Cathedral, Freedom square, Bridge of Peace, Anchishati, Kashveti church, Sharden street, Shota Rustaveli avenue. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 5: Tbilisi - Ananuri - Gudauri – Kazbegi - Tbilisi

Drive to Ananuri. Visit Ananuri (17th century) is a castle complex on the Aragvi River. Drive to Gudauri. Tour along historical Georgian Military Road. Gudauri - is a ski resort (2000 meters above the sea level) located on the southern slopes of The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range in Georgia. Drive to Kazbegi by crossing the “Jvari Pass” (2385 m. above the sea level) . Explore the area – the beautifully situated on the hill. Hire 4X4 vehicles to get to Gergeti Holy Trinity Church, remarkable monument of Georgian architecture, near the village of Gergeti, situated at an elevation of 2170 meters, on the foothill of Mount Kazbegi (elevation 5033) Drive back to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 6: Tbilisi - Kakheti - Sighnaghi - Bodbe - Tbilisi

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to eastern part of Georgia Kakheti region, known almost exclusively for its vineyards and wineries. Visit Signagi, ancient city, also known as the “City of Love”, with stone-paved streets and the balconies in old - Georgian style. Visit Bodbe Monastery originally built in the 9th century, which now functions as a nunnery and is one of the the major pilgrimage sites in Georgia. Drive back to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 07: Farewell!!!

After Breakfast, check out from the Hotel and proceed towards Airport to board a flight back home with wonderful memories!!!