Prestige Holidays Georgia & Armenia Explorer

Explore the quirky centre of old town Tbilisi, Georgia’s charming and colourful capital
Enjoy serenity and wonderful frescoes at the monastery of Gelati
Visit the impressive cave dwellings and monastery at 12th century Vardzia
Take in the sights of Yerevan, one of the world’s oldest inhabited cities
View the breath-taking mountain backdrops including Svaneti in Georgia and Mt. Ararat in Armenia

Flights from London Gatwick, outbound to Yerevan and inbound from Tibilisi
10 nights’ accommodation in good standard hotels
Daily breakfast, lunch and evening meal
All excursions and entrance fees
All overseas transport and English-speaking guides
Escorted throughout by a Prestige Holidays Tour Manager

Day 1 Arrival.

Transfer to Yerevan and enjoy a snack dinner at the hotel. Overnight: Yerevan

Day 2 Yerevan

Explore Yerevan, one of the world’s oldest inhabited cities. Visit the main sites the city has to offer, including Matenadaran, which holds on of the world’s richest depositories of medieval manuscripts. Drive into the Kotaky Region with photo stops at some stunning sites. The Arch of Charents overlooks Yerevan and Mt Ararat. Garni is a Hellenistic temple, and Geghard is a rock-hewn monastery. Overnight: Yerevan

Day 3 Khor Virap Monastery

Drive to the region of Ararat to visit Khor Virap Monastery. From modern Armenia, this is the closest point to view Biblical Mt Ararat, the supposed resting place of Noah’s Ark. From here, continue to the region of Vayots Dzor, well known for its centuries old winemaking traditions where the village of Areni has become the flagship of Armenia’s burgeoning wine industry today Overnight: Yerevan

Day 4 Ashtarak – Gyumri

Pass through scenic Ashtarak town for a coffee stop before continuing to mystical Agarak, its landscape dotted with large rock and stone carved complexes, the majority of which relate to early Bronze Age settlements. Stop at the funerary complex in Aghdzk before lunch. This afternoon, explore Gyumri, which possesses the largest collection of authentic 18-19th century Armenian architecture. Overnight: Gyumri

Day 5 Javakheti Plateau – Borjomi

Continue across the Javakheti Plateau to admire 6,000 year old megaliths, followed by migrating birds at Lake Apri. The arguable highlight of today is a visit to the impressive 12th century Vardzia cave settlement. Here, explore a warren of cave dwellings, monasteries and subterranean passageways redolent of the past. Overnight: Borjomi

Day 6 Zaliko Bojadze – Mestia

Visit one of the last remaining qvevri makers, Zaliko Bojadze, continuing the traditions of crafting these amphora-esque gigantic clay vessels. Overnight: Mestia

Day 7 Mestia

Visit the nearby Museum of History, which offers a small but intriguing exhibition of archaeology, ethnography and Christian art. Continue to the Becho Valley for a short walk followed by a family meal of traditional Svan cuisine, and visit an original 12th century Svan house. Overnight: Mestia

Day 8 Gelati – Kutaisi

Visit the scenic UNESCO site of the Gelati academy and monastery. Dating back to the 12th century, the monastery boasts some of the most stunning frescoes in all of Georgia. Overnight: Kutaisi

Day 9 Katskhi Monastery

Photo stop at the monolith Katskhi Monastery before stopping in the famous mining town of Chiatura, one of the soviet era’s most industrial cities. Continue to the highland region of Imereti to explore the heart of Georgia’s ancient viticulture in some 17th century wine cellars. Continue to Tbilisi. Overnight: Tbilisi

Day 10 Tbilisi

Comprehensive city tour of Tbilisi, the charming and colourful capital of Georgia. After lunch in the renowned restaurant Littera (located in the iconic ‘Writer’s House’), spend the afternoon strolling through the city with visits to the Art Palace and the National Museum of History, which boasts a wonderful collection of golden artefacts from preChristian Georgia. Overnight: Tbilisi

Day 11 Departure.

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.