Arrive in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, on suggested flights and transfer to your hotel for check-in (transfer included in tour price). Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including travel insurance (a condition of travel), accommodation before or after the tour and a room category upgrade.

Join Iain and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing, followed by dinner.

(D)

Following a morning talk by Iain, walk to the National History Museum for a guided tour. Founded in 1919, the museum displays a unique archaeological and ethnographical collection of 400,000 objects, and presents the history and culture of Armenia from the Palaeolith period to the present day.

After lunch, visit the Matenadaran, a rich repository of medieval manuscripts. Continue to the Yerevan Cascade, with multiple levels including exhibition halls comprising the impressive Cafesjian Collection of international sculpture.

The evening is at leisure with an opportunity to enjoy an optional concert at the Armenian National Opera & Ballet Theatre (pending performance schedules, and not included in tour price; extra cost applies).

(BL)

This morning, explore the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex overlooking the city. Visit the impressive museum built into the side of a hill in 1995 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the genocide.

Continue to the National Art Gallery for a guided tour of the collection. Located on Republic Square, the gallery houses a significant collection of Armenian, Russian and Western European art and is considered the country’s major art gallery.

Then, discover the Martiros Saryan House Museum, presenting the life and works of one of Armenia’s most beloved painters. The remainder of the afternoon is free to explore the Vernissage open-air flea market, displaying a large range of traditional Armenian handicrafts, souvenirs and artworks.

In the evening, enjoy a reception at the Sergey Parajanov Museum, housed in a traditional Caucasian-style noble house, with a unique collection of lively and diverse art forms created by Soviet-Armenian film director and artist Sergey Parajanov.

(BD)

This morning, explore the Geghard Cave Monastery, built into towering basalt cliffs and founded in the 4th century by Gregory the Illuminator. Continue to the nearby 1st century Hellenistic Garni Temple, Armenia’s only surviving pagan temple.

After lunch, visit Etchmiadzin, the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and then drive to the remains of the 7th century centrally-planned Zvarnots Temple.

Return to Yerevan in the late afternoon.

(BL)

Depart Yerevan and transfer to Khor Virap monastery, where Saint Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned. Saint Gregory was responsible for Armenia becoming the first Christian nation in 301 AD. Visit the monastery and enjoy the view to Armenia’s beloved Mt Ararat, located in Turkey.

Continue to the Dvin archaeological site, once a large commercial city and the capital of early medieval Armenia.

Enjoy a picnic lunch and then drive to the mountain spa town of Jermuk.

(BLD)

This morning, travel to ancient Karahunj (Armenian ‘Stonehenge’) with over 200 Menhirs (standing stones).

Continue to Halidzor and take a cable car across a spectacular deep gorge for a visit to the 9th century Tatev Monastery ensemble, located on a large basalt plateau. Enjoy some time at leisure in this peaceful complex, with views over the Canyon of the Vorotan River.

Return by cable car to Halidzor and then continue to Goris.

(BLD)

Depart Goris and drive through the Selim Pass, including a stop at the 14th century Caravanserai on the Armenian Silk Road.

Continue past Lake Sevan, the largest lake in the Caucasus, to Dzoraget located on the banks of the River Debed.

(BLD)

This morning, discover the striking 10th century basalt Haghpat Monastery, a beautiful blend of Byzantine and traditional Caucasian architecture. Also see some impressive medieval Khachkars (Armenian cross stones).

Continue to the Armenian/Georgian border and checkpoint. Following visa and passport formalities, drive to Akhaltsikhe in Georgia.

(BLD)

Today, travel to the extensive remains of the Vardzia cave monastery located on the Kura River. The highlight monastery is the 12th century Church of the Dormition with an outstanding series of frescoes depicting aspects of the Golden Age of Georgia, including paintings of Georgia’s beloved Queen Tamar.

After lunch, return to Akhaltsikhe to explore the medieval Rabati Castle complex, once capital of the Georgian feudal principality of Samtskhe.

(BL)

This morning, depart Akhaltsikhe for the town of Gori, an important military stronghold in the Middle Ages and birthplace of Joseph Stalin. Following a brief visit to the Stalin museum, continue to the 17th century Ananuri architectural complex, overlooking the Zhinvali water reservoir. The carvings on the two Ananuri churches are some of the finest examples of Georgian art.

After lunch, drive along the Georgian Military Highway, through the spectacular High Caucasus Mountains, arriving in Kazbegi in the late afternoon.

(BLD)

After breakfast, enjoy a 4-wheel drive up to the picturesque 14th century Gergeti Trinity Church (weather permitting), perched on top of a steep mountain looking up to Mount Kazbegi.

Drive back along the Georgian Military Highway to the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia, Mtskheta, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Visit the 11th century fortified Svetitskhoveli Cathedral – the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox Church – and the nearby 6th century Jvari Monastery, perched on a rocky mountaintop overlooking the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers.

Continue to Tbilisi and check in to the hotel before dinner.

(BD)

Following a morning talk, begin your exploration of Tbilisi. Drive to the 13th century Metekhi Church and nearby equestrian monument of Tbilisi’s founder, King Vakhtang I Gorgasali.

Then, enjoy a walking tour through the Old City to see the Mosque, Orbeliani Baths and Synagogue. Explore the Old Town and the Sioni Cathedral, housing the Cross of St Nina – who introduced Christianity to Georgia in 327 – and the 6th century Anchiskhati Basilica, the oldest surviving church in Tbilisi.

The remainder of the afternoon and the evening is at leisure to continue your exploration of Tbilisi at your own pace.

(B)

Begin with a morning visit to the Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia to see its exquisite gold treasures. The Museum houses hundreds of thousands of artefacts from the Caucasus’ archaeological and ethnographic antiquity. Valuable exhibits include the Homo Ergaster fossils discovered at Dmanisi, and the 5th century BCE Akhalgori hoard, which contains unique examples of jewellery blending Achaemenid and local styles.

After lunch at leisure, explore the National Gallery of Art. With a focus on Georgian art, the gallery includes the work of the renowned late 19th/early 20th century “primitivist” painter, Niko Pirosmani.

(B)

Depart Tbilisi for Kakheti, Georgia’s easternmost region. Visit the charming hilltop town of Sighnaghi, which overlooks the Alazani Valley towards the snow-capped Greater Caucasus mountains.

After lunch at a local winery, continue to Tsinandali, a historical village located in the heart of the wine producing Kakheti region and once the residence of Georgian nobility.

Tonight, enjoy dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

(BD)

This morning, drive to Alaverdi and visit the 11th century fortified Cathedral of St George, the tallest cathedral in Georgia. Continue to Telavi, the capital of the Kakheti Kingdom until 1801, for a walk in the old town and some time at leisure for lunch before returning to the hotel.

The reminder of the afternoon and the evening are at leisure.

(B)

After checking out of the hotel, drive through the heart of the world’s oldest wine region to a local winery for a wine tasting of the famous Georgian wine, followed by lunch.

Afterwards, continue to Tbilisi International Airport for a late afternoon flight to Baku, Azerbaijan.

(BL)

Following a morning talk, enjoy a walking tour of the old walled city constructed in local almond-coloured limestone. Visit the 15th century Shirvanshah Palace with its Divankhana, mausoleum, mosque and bathhouse, before continuing to the 12th-century Maiden’s Tower, ancient hammam, bazaar and caravanserai.

After lunch, visit the National Art Museum with its collection of European, Russian and Azerbaijani art. Continue to the recently rebuilt Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, designed to resemble a rolled-up Azeri carpet.

(BLD)

After breakfast, depart on a tour of contemporary Baku, exploring the city’s unique blend of Eastern and Western architectures, including the Zaha Hadid-designed Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre, the Museum of Modern Art and the Baku Crystal Hall.

After lunch, the remainder of the afternoon and the evening is at leisure.

(BL)

Today, drive to the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. View the excellent museum and the vast collection of prehistoric petroglyphs in situ, dating from 10,000 BCE.

In the afternoon, drive to the Ateshgah Fire Temple, originally built in the 17th and 18th centuries and restored during the 20th century. The temple has a complex history of religious use, including Hindu, Sikh and Zoroastrian.

Tonight, celebrate the conclusion of the tour with a special farewell dinner with Iain and fellow travellers.

(BD)

If you are returning home today, tour arrangements conclude with a transfer from the hotel to Baku International Airport for suggested flights to Australia or New Zealand. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour and travel insurance (a condition of travel). 

(B)