Day 1: Arrive in Van
Arrive in van and visit the 17th century fortress of Hosap, sitting astride the ancient Silk Road into Persia and the Orient. In the afternoon we will visit the island of Akdamar in Lake Van and see 10th century Church of the Holy Cross.
Overnight in Van.
Day 2: Van/Dogubeyazit/Kars
Today we pass across the Biblical mountain of Ararat and on to Dogubeyazit to visit the Ishak Pasha Sarai. Transfer to Kars.
Overnight in Kars.
Day 3: Kars/Erzurum
Short city tour of Kars. Continue to the ancient Armenian city of Ani on the Arpacay River. Transfer to Erzurum via the Aras River valley and the First World War battlefield site of Sarakimis. Sightseeing in Erzurum.
Overnight in Erzurum.
Day 4: Erzurum/Georgian Valley/Hopa
We depart to Hopa via the spectacular Georgian Valleys, Ishan and a tiny town of Artvin nestled in the mountains.
Overnight in Hopa.
Day 5: Hopa/Sumela/Hopa
Visit to magnificent Sumela Monastery in the Altindere national park. Today we drive along the coast of the Black Sea. Afternoon free to relax.
Day 6: Hopa/Cross to Georgia/Batumi
In the morning we drive towards Georgian border Sarpi. Cross the border and visit Gonio Fort en route to Batumi. Upon arrival in Batumi we have a walking tour of the town and in the evening we relax at Batumi Seaside Boulevard.
Overnight in Batumi.
Day 7: Batumi/Tskaltubo/Kutaisi
Visit Batumi Botanical Gardens beautiful all year around. Transfer to Tskaltubo to see the underground mysterious world of the stalactites and stalagmites. Arrive in Kutaisi.
Overnight in Kutaisi.
Day 8: Kutaisi/Gori/Uplistsilkhe/Tbilisi
Start the tour by visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery as well as the Colchic Fountain and colorful agricultural market. Transfer to Gori to visit the museum of Stalin with his original house where he spent his first four years. Follow the Great Silk Road and visit the cave city of Uplistsikhe. This town of pagan Gods is dug in the sun-stone plateau and is of beautiful golden color. Initially there had been more than 500 caves, but during the existence of 3000 years it has lost much of it. Transfer to Tbilisi.
Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 9: Tbilisi/Mtskheta/Tbilisi
We have walking tour of Tbilisi visiting the highlights of the Old Town with beautiful Orthodox Christian Churches, Mosque, Synagogue, famous and refreshing Sulphur Baths, narrow cobbled streets with hanging wooden carved multi-colored balconies and the 19th century houses following the architectural styles of the 19th century Europe, Narikala Fortress, the glass Bridge of Peace. Visit the golden treasury of the National Museum with numerous unearthed golden artifacts.
In the afternoon take a short tour to Mtskheta with Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery – UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Return to Tbilisi.
Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 10: Tbilisi/Kazbegi/Tbilisi
Travel to the Great Caucasus Mountains along the Georgian Military Highway.
Stop to see Ananuri Fort with beautiful Churches located at the lee of the Great Caucasus Mountains and on top of Jinvali Water Reservoir. The setting is really magnificent and the carving of the church an unexpected discovery.
Continue over the serpentine road of the Cross Pass so named by Russian Emperor Catherine II. The Cross Pass is also the watershed and rivers on the other side of the Cross Pass flow to Russia. You descend from 2395m – the highest point of the Cross Pass to 1700m, Kazbegi.
You can take a leisure 3hr round trip walk to Gergeti Trinity Church and enjoy crystal clear air or hire a local 4WD to drive up the church. The walk is magnificent and offers passing the meadows and the tiny forests, but if you prefer to relax, you’d better take a 4WD tour. The views from the top are fabulous and the church is definitely worth visiting.
In a clear weather, lucky enough, we’ll see Mt. Kazbegi – the ice-peak, glacier that never melts.
After the tour we return to Tbilisi.
Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 11: Tbilisi/Telavi/Sighnaghi/Tbilisi
Travel to Kakheti province – the sunny wine province of Georgia.
Visit picturesque Alaverdi Cathedral and transfer to a winery to take a tour and taste Georgian wines. Continue to a 19th century park of Duke Chavchavadze with selected plants from all over the world. Visit the summer residence-museum and transfer to a local farmer’s winery where you learn more about the traditional way of wine-making and try red and white wines and Georgian fire-water (vodka) “Chacha”. Drive to Tbilisi.
Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 12: Departure
Transfer to the airport and depart.
