Istanbul
Kars
Armenia
Georgia
Welcome to Istanbul, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, meet your guide and the rest of your group.
Overnight : Istanbul
Category : 4 star
Hotel : Burdock Hotel
We begin at the remnants of the former Imperial Palace, Blachernae Palace. Next, Yedikule Fortress, a stone guardian where Ottoman and Byzantine legacies unite. We drive beneath the Valens Aqueduct, a remarkable engineering feat. Balat's vibrant streets embrace us, their cobbled paths leading to the enigmatic Iron Church. Finally, the Church of St. George, the Ecumenical Patriarchate's spiritual heart.
Overnight : Istanbul
Category : 4 star
Hotel : Burdock Hotel
Morning flight from Istanbul to Kars. Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to Kars city center.
Explore the historic heart of Kars, a city reflecting Armenian, Seljuk, Ottoman, Russian and Caucasian influences. Visit Kars Castle, followed by the Church of the Twelve Apostles (Kümbet Mosque), one of the city’s most important medieval monuments.
Continue through the old quarters of Kars, discovering the distinctive Russian-era stone architecture and other historical landmarks. Free time to experience the local atmosphere and cuisine.
Overnight : Kars
Category : Boutique
Hotel : Kars Beylerbeyi Palace
Today, depart Kars and travel towards the Posof/Vale border crossing. After completing the necessary Turkish border formalities, change vehicles and continue into Georgia. Meet your Georgian guide and driver at the border at approximately 12:00 (Armenia time) and travel through a short section of Georgia before entering Armenia via the Bavra border crossing. No vehicle change is required at the Georgia–Armenia border, allowing for a smooth continuation of the journey.
Continue to Gyumri, Armenia’s second-largest city and an important cultural centre known for its distinctive architecture, traditions and warm hospitality.
Upon arrival, enjoy a short city tour of Gyumri, exploring its unique 18th- and 19th-century architecture and historic streets. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before checking in to your hotel.
Overnight : Gyumri
Category : 4 star
Hotel : Radisson Hotel Gyumri
Depart Gyumri for Etchmiadzin, the spiritual heart of the country often called the "Vatican of Armenia." Explore the UNESCO-listed Etchmiadzin Cathedral—one of the world's oldest Christian places of worship, founded between 301–303 AD on the spot where Saint Gregory the Illuminator famously envisioned Christ. Continue to the nearby ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, a 7th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its groundbreaking circular architecture and profound influence on medieval builders. Head to the capital city of Yerevan for a guided introduction to its main highlights:
Republic Square: The grand, architectural center of the city.
Opera House & Abovyan Street: Highlights of Yerevan's rich cultural life and historic charm.
The Cascade Complex: A massive outdoor stairway featuring modern art displays and sweeping vistas of the skyline framed by Mount Ararat.
Conclude the day with dinner at a traditional local restaurant in Yerevan.
Overnight : Yerevan
Category : 4 star
Hotel : Ani Plaza
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel before setting off for the scenic village of Garni. Here, you will visit the 1st-century Garni Temple—Armenia's sole surviving Greco-Roman pagan monument from the pre-Christian era. Perched high above the countryside, it commands sweeping views of the deep Azat River Gorge and the surrounding peaks. Journey down into the Azat Gorge to marvel at the "Symphony of Stones" (or "Basalt Organ"). This jaw-dropping geological wonder features massive cliff faces of hexagonal basalt columns shaped by ancient volcanic activity and cooling lava flows. Head further into the Azat Valley to explore Geghard Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site founded in the 4th century. Renowned for its medieval Armenian architecture, much of the complex—including its churches, chapels, and royal tombs—was hand-carved directly into the cliff faces. Beyond its striking mountain backdrop and historical artistry, Geghard remains an active holy site where you might catch a traditional Armenian baptism or wedding in progress. Head back to Yerevan to explore Vernissage, the capital's vibrant open-air market and the ultimate destination for authentic Armenian gifts and keepsakes. Popular with locals and travelers alike, this bustling market offers a rich variety of locally crafted treasures, including:
Traditional hand-woven carpets and detailed textiles/embroidery
Handcrafted silver jewelry and unique artwork
Intricate wood carvings, classic books, and specialty souvenirs
Wrap up the day with a relaxed dinner served at your hotel or a local restaurant.
Overnight : Yerevan
Category : 4 star
Hotel : Ani Plaza
After breakfast, head toward Lake Sevan, the largest body of water in the Caucasus. Stop at the 9th-century Sevanavank Monastery, dramatically perched on a high peninsula overlooking the deep blue lake and surrounding peaks.
Note: Reaching the monastery requires climbing approximately 250 stone steps.
Continue to Dilijan, a lush mountain resort town famed for its forested scenery. Take a stroll through the historic Old Town to admire 19th-century alpine architecture, detailed wooden balconies, and traditional craft workshops. Travel to Haghpat Monastery, a 10th-century medieval complex known for its monumental stone architecture, ornate gavits (narthexes), and legacy as a major hub for Armenian manuscript illumination and scholarship.
After touring Haghpat, head to the Armenian border point at Bagratashen to complete departure formalities. Meet your Georgian guide and driver at the Sadakhlo border by 4:00 PM. Switch vehicles and drive to Tbilisi. Wrap up the day with dinner at a local restaurant before checking in to your hotel in Tbilisi for the night.
Overnight : Tbilisi
Category : 4 star
Hotel : Brim Hotel
Spend the day exploring Georgia's vibrant capital, famous for its terraced historic quarters, winding alleyways, carved wooden balconies, and striking modern landmarks.
Metekhi Church (13th c.): Begin the tour atop a cliffside cliff overlooking the river, offering spectacular views across the old town.
Old Town Walk: Stroll through narrow streets to take in the unique blend of historic and contemporary architecture.
Cable Car & Narikala Fortress (4th c.): Glide above the skyline in a cable car for panoramic views, then descend past the ancient fortress walls down to the city's famous brick-domed sulfur bath district.
Georgian National Museum: Visit the impressive Golden Fund exhibit, where ancient gold treasures illustrate Georgia's legendary ties to the Golden Fleece.
Gather for dinner at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel in Tbilisi for the night.
Overnight : Tbilisi
Category : 4 star
Hotel : Brim Hotel
Day Trip to Sighnaghi & Kakheti Wine Region.
Escape to the 18th-century hilltop town of Sighnaghi, famed for its cobblestone streets, ornate wooden balconies, and well-preserved ancient city walls. Take in sweeping views of the fertile Alazani Valley backed by the dramatic peaks of the Greater Caucasus.
Family Lunch: Visit a local family for an authentic look at rural Georgian life and enjoy a homemade farm-to-table lunch.
Kvevri Wine Tasting: Stop at a traditional wine cellar where the passionate host crafts fine wines using ancient kvevri (earthenware vessels buried underground)—a traditional winemaking technique protected on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Return to Tbilisi in the evening for an overnight stay at your hotel.
Overnight : Tbilisi
Category : 4 star
Hotel : Brim Hotel
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
This is intended to give an idea of the type of accommodation that may be expected. The actual hotels used for any given tour may change due to many reasons such as group size, availability, time of year, hotel standard has dropped or simply we found a better hotel. We update the website immediately if and when any changes take place. If and when we do change hotels it will be to a hotel of equal or higher standard and will be at no extra cost.
Where more than one hotel is shown for a given an overnight stop this means that one of those hotels will be used.
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