Combined Trips

We suggest you discover Georgia with its neighboring countries Armenia and Azerbaijan. Our tours will give you the opportunity to visit different cultures, traditions and landscapes between the Greater and Little Caucasus as well as the Black Sea and Caspian Sea.

Christian Caucasus

(Armenia – Georgia, 16 days)

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN EREVAN: Transfer and installation at the hotel.

Day 2: EREVAN / GARNI / GUEGHARD / EREVAN: Breakfast. Transfer to Gueghard, visit the medieval monastery, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The complex was founded in the XIII century. The peculiarity of the monastery is to present an underground part in which the priests practice for their liturgy. An inferior chapel bears the arms of the Prochian family, two confronting lions surmounted by another lion attacking an ox and underlined with the eagle removing in its claws a lamb. Picnic in nature. Hiking to the pagan temple of Garni built in 1 century by the Armenian king Tiridate. According to legend, this wonderful monument was dedicated to the king of the sun Mihr. Dinner in Garni, in a rural family. Possibility to take knowledge of Armenian rural traditions. Transfer to Yerevan. Night at the hotel.

Day 3: EREVAN / KHOR VIRAP / NORAVANK / GORIS: Breakfast. Visit the Khor Virap Monastery, located in the Ararat Valley against the Ararat Biblical Mountain where Noah’s Ark had stopped. The importance of this one is related to Gregory the Illuminator who introduced Christianity in Armenia in 301. According to the Armenian historiographer Agatanguegos, King Tigran Mets (Tigran the Great) locked Grégoire the Illuminator in a pit ( virap) where he miraculously survived for 13 years. When the king, after having martyred Gayane, Hripsime and their companions, fell ill, Gregory the Illuminator appeared as the only one able to cure him. He healed the king and converted him to Christianity. Lunch at the restaurant or in a cave. Hike to the medieval monastic complex of Noravank passing by a very important ornithological area and caves. Noravank was the spiritual center of the princes of the Syunik region. The monastery is exceptional by a unique bas-relief of God the Father. The complex also includes several khatchkars, including the khatchkars of the famous Armenian sculptor Momik. Transfer to Khndzoresk village. Hiking to the troglodyte of Khndzoresk and the tomb of the chief of the eminent army Mkhitar Sparapet. The village is famous for its suspension bridge linking the two parts of old Khndzoresk. This bridge is 160 meters long, 63 meters high and 1.5 meters wide. Dinner and overnight in Goris.

Day 4: GORIS / TATEV / CARAHUNGE / EGHEGIS / HERMON: Visit the monastic complex of Tatev founded in the 4th century. Tatev was a spiritual and cultural center built gradually, mainly in the late 9th and early 10th century. In the middle of the courtyard stands an oscillating column, the only construction that has survived despite the many earthquakes. The monastery is accessible by the cable car built in 2010, called “Tatever” the longest in the world. Transfer to the city of Sissian, then to Karahounge (Armenian Stonhenge dating from 5th millennium BC). It’s a set of hundreds of vertical stones. All the stones of the monument are basalt and some have holes. The site would be an old observatory designed to follow the movements of the stars and to determine the time. Lunch – picnic. Hiking in the village of Egheguis. Transfer and overnight to Hermon, near Eghegnadzor.

Day 5: HERMON / SELIM / SEVAN: Breakfast. Hike to the Zorats church, passing through the village and visit the Jewish cemeteries of 13-14 centuries discovered in 2009. Continuation to the Caravanserai of the Orbélian dynasty (XIV century). Built in 1332 by Prince Chesar Orbélian, this Caravanserai is a splendid witness of the past. On the Silk Road, it allowed to connect Persia to the West. Picnic lunch. Transfer to Lake Sevan. Free time (possibility of taking the boat for a half hour tour of the lake). Dinner and overnight in Sevan.

Day 6: SEVAN / DILIJAN / PARZ LITCH / DILIJAN: Breakfast. Transfer to the city of Dilijan which stands out for its beautiful nature and dense forests. Walk to Dilijan (downtown, district << Old Dilijan >> amphitheater …). Our road continues towards the medieval monastery of Haghartsin located in full nature. Then transfer to Parz Lake surrounded by forests. Lunch. Hike to the village of Gosh. Visit of the monastic complex of Goshavank, spiritual and cultural center of the Middle Ages, located in the upper course of the Aghstev river. The main church of the monastery, St. Mary of God (St. Astvatsatsin), is preceded by a gavit, two other churches (St. Grigor and St.Grigor Lousavorich), several chapels and library complete the site. Dinner and overnight in Dilijan.

Day 7: DJERMOUK / GNDEVAZ / TATEV: Breakfast. Walk in the center of Djermouk and visit its Thermal Gallery and the magnificent Cascade. Hiking to the village of Gndévaz. The path passes through the wonderful gorges. Visit the medieval church Gndévank located on the left bank of the river Arpa. The church was built in 931 -938. Picnic in the nature. Visit the monastic complex of Tatev founded in the 4th century. Tatev was a spiritual and cultural center built gradually, mainly in the late 9th and early 10th century. In the middle of the courtyard stands an oscillating column, the only construction that has survived despite the many earthquakes. The monastery is accessible by the cable car built in 2010, called “Tatever” the longest in the world. Transfer to Goris. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Goris.

Day 8: DILIJAN / ALAVERDI: Breakfast. Departure to Tavouch area. Visit the monastic complex Hiking to the monastic complex of Haghpat founded in the 10 centuries. A school and a library operated here in the 11th-13th centuries. These architectural and artistic ensembles are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are among the largest cultural and spiritual centers in the country (picnic in nature). Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Alaverdi.

Day 9: ALAVERDI / AKHTALA / TBILISSI: Breakfast. Visit of Akhtala Fort and its 12-13 century church known for its rich frescoes. Transfer to the Georgia border. Change of guide and driver. Arrival in Tbilisi.

Day 10: TBILISSI: Breakfast at the hotel. Early visits in the morning. Located on the banks of the Kura River, Tbilisi (formerly Tiflis) is since ancient times a strategic node in the heart of the Caucasus. We will begin our visit with a walk in the old city, reflecting the multicultural dimension of the city. From the Church of Metekhi (13th century), we will reach the Abanotoubani district, famous for its baths, including those of Orbeliani formerly visited by Pushkin and Alexander Dumas. Then we will walk in Old Tbilisi, the soul of the city, to discover its traditional houses with wooden balconies, its old churches (the Cathedral of Sion, the Church of Anchiskhati, dated from the 6th century), its mosque, as many living testimonies of the social and confessional diversity of the city. The afternoon will be devoted to the discovery of the National Museum, high place of the history of Georgia from the fourth to the twentieth century (goldsmithing, icons, cloisonné enamels, modern painting). Finally, we will visit the monumental Trinity Cathedral (Sameba), built in 2000, the symbol of the new Georgia. Lunch during visit. Dinner in town. Night at the hotel.

Day 11: TBILISSI / MTSKHETA / KOUTAISSI: Breakfast at the hotel We leave this morning Tbilisi to reach the city of Kutaisi via Mtskheta. Mtskheta was the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Iberia for nearly 1000 years and one of the highlights of Georgian Christianity. We will visit, on the heights of the city, the beautiful Church of the Cross (Djvari), built in the sixth century and considered as one of the oldest shrines of the Caucasus. Then we will go down to the center of Mtskheta where is, protected by its ramparts, the Cathedral of Sveti Tskhoveli. Classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, the cathedral was built in the 11th century, it is one of the masterpieces of architecture of medieval Georgia, as much for its architecture as for its murals. Continue to Imereti passing the city Gori. Lunch in the city of Gori, the hometown of Bessarionovich Djougashvili aka Joseph Stalin. (The opportunity to visit the Stalin Museum) Before arriving at Kutaisi, we will visit the Monastery of Ghelati. Located on a green hill, the monastery was founded by King David the Builder in the twelfth century and was considered for a long time as the intellectual center of the kingdom. It houses the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin whose apse is decorated with a rare Byzantine mosaic of the twelfth century and frescoes of the sixteenth century. Dinner and overnight in Kutaisi in a guest house.

Day 12: KOUTAISSI / ZUGDIDI / MESTIA: Breakfast at your hosts. Then departure to the city of Mestia. We will first cross the great plains of Mingrelia, the ancient country of the ancient Colchis to the foothills of the Greater Caucasus. There, after a stop in the city of Zugdidi to have lunch, we will approach Svanetia to reach the city of Mestia (1500 m), classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. Visit ethnographic museum of Mestia, rich by the old icons. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Mestia.

Day 13: MESTIA / USHGULI / MESTIA: Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure to the village Ushguli (1900 m), located at the foot of Mount Chkhara (5068 m), it is one of the highest inhabited villages in Europe, protected by twenty dry stone towers, at away from everything: one of the strong points of this discovery of Georgia. We will visit the village, the small Church of the Dormition before starting a walk (about 3 hours round trip, altitude difference about 70 meters) in the Engouri Valley, towards the Chkhara glacier. Lunch will be in the form of a picnic. Back to Mestia, dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 14: MESTIA: Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we leave the hotel for a walk in the middle of nature accompanied by a picnic (about 5 hours round trip, elevation of about 150 meters). Back to Mestia, we will visit a traditional watchtower Svane. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 15: MESTIA / ZUGDIDI / BATUMI: Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we will descend the foothills of the Caucasus to reach the city of Batumi at the edge of the Black Sea. On the way visit the Church of Transfiguration Tsalendjikha, known for its beautiful frescoes of XIV century. Lunch en route to Zugdidi. Former Greek trading post, later submitted to the Turks and then to the Russians, Batumi was sung by poets (Mandelstam) and painters before becoming the capital of the province of Ajaria. Great trading port and pleasure city, it stretches on the banks of a Black Sea that is azure! Elegant, imperial, the city speaks of its past and exhibits its architecture of the nineteenth century, but Batumi is also changing, industrious and dynamic, seaside and cultural, it is a strong symbol of Georgia in the twenty-first century. Dinner at the restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Batumi

Day 16: BATUMI / TBILISSI: Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Tbilisi. On the way visit the caves of Prometheus, one of the largest underground parks in Europe. Lunch and continue the road to Tbilisi. Arrival in Tbilisi late afternoon. The installation at the hotel. Departure dinner at a Georgian restaurant in Tbilisi. Overnight at the hotel in the center of Tbilisi.

Day 17: TBILISSI / Departure: Transfer to Tbilisi airport and departure.

The journey from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea

(AZERBAIJAN – GEORGIA 14 days)

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN BAKU. Transfer to the hotel.

Day 2: BAKU: Alley Martyres and Panorama Baku Descent Funicular and the old city. Visit the old city of Baku (Itcheriche): its fortress of the Middle Ages, its many mosques, its narrow streets, its hammams, its caravanserais, its antique shops, souvenirs and carpets, its villas built at the beginning of the nineteenth – Twentieth centuries by local and foreign oil magnates (Rothschild family, Nobel brothers, etc.). Visit of modern Baku: its skyscrapers built by the “new Azerbaijanis”. The palace of Shirvanchahs. The palace of the Shirvanchahs, a masterpiece of Azerbaijani architecture, was built in the early fifteenth century and is a site that includes the divankhane, the vault of Chirvanchahs, the palace mosque (1441) with its minaret, baths and the mausoleum of the court scientist Seyid Yakhya Bakouvi. In 1964, this site was declared a museum and now remains under state protection. Lunch. The Tower of the Virgin and the rest of the old city. The “tower of the virgin” is an architectural symbol of Baku. According to the official version, the virgin tower is a typical Turkish designation for a tower that has never been taken, being therefore “virgin”. The construction of 30 meters high, erected in the twelfth century, is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Visit of the center of Baku and the place of fountains (If we have time).

Day 3: BAKU / GOBUSTAN / BIBIHEYBET MOSQUE / FIRE TEMPLE / YANAR DAG: Gobustan Reserve. Travel to Gobustan Rock Paintings Museum, located 65 km from the Caspian Sea, south of Baku. This museum contains thousands of cave paintings from the Stone Age, with images of people, boats, animals and hunting scenes, as well as inscriptions left by the army of Alexander the Great and Roman legions. Nearby are also active mud volcanoes. The highest mud volcano in the world (400 m high) Toragay is also in this reserve. Lunch on the banks of the Caspian Sea. Bibiheybet mosque and pilgrimage. Center of Heydar Aliyev. An exceptional building. Architect Zaha Hadid. Temple of fire. The temple of Ateshgah (or temple of fire) is located on the outskirts of Baku, in Sourakhani. It is a place of Zoroastrian worship (fire worship) ancestral and is still today in place of pilgrimage. At this place of worship, the temple we find was built in the 18th century by an Indian community worshiping Shiva until his last occupant who left the place in 1880. Since then he lost his panache and the natural gas that nourished the temple was replaced by pipelines in the middle of the 19th century. Yet, with a little imagination, the site still breathes the cults of another time and ascetic practices which centuries-old walls have witnessed. Burning Mountain (Yanar dag) Yanar Dag is an Azerbaijani volcano nicknamed the Fire Mountain. Located on the Absheron Peninsula, 25 kilometers north-east of Baku’s capital, it rises 116 meters above a pocket of natural gas and has been burned for ever since. Walk along the Caspian Sea

Day 4: DIRI BABA / MOSQUEE DJUMQ DE CHQMQKHI / LAHIC: The mausoleum of Diri-Baba, two-storey, is built on the slope of a mountain in the city of Goboustan (Maraza). This monument occupies a special place in the history of architecture in Azerbaijan, due to the originality of the architectural image, the unique composition of the building and its close relationship with nature. There are a number of interesting and creative features of the architecture of this building: the combination of soft forms of spatial solution and a picturesque nature, the serious spirit of the architectural mass on a background of chaotic nature, the relevant spatial organization of internal voids, the perfect balance of internal volumes, the beauty of carved ornaments, etc. The decorative line separating the floors of the building indicates the age of the monument, which dates from 1402. The reasons for the horns of the dome room, by their beauty and their work, are considered to be of the same quality as the works. decoration of the palace of Chirvanchahs. According to the inscription engraved on one of the horns, this mausoleum was built by the son of the master Hadji. The architectural style also links this building to the Chirvanchah Palace, built in Baku in the 15th century. Djuma Mosque of Chamakhi. The Djuma Mosque in Chamakhi, being one of the historical-architectural monuments of the Azerbaijani people was built in 743. The mosque was seriously damaged by horrible earthquakes that occurred in 1859 and in 1902 in Chamakhi, and was rebuilt in the early 20th century. . Cemetery of 7 Cupolas The monuments of the eighteenth century and early nineteenth century were built mainly for the personal use of khans. One of these monuments is the famous Yeddi Gumbez (“Seven Domes”) tomb, located on the Chamakhi cemetery. Four mausoleums of type Yeddi Gumbez have been preserved in the country. Scientists believe that these mausoleums were built for people belonging to the family of the last Khan of Chamakhi, Mustafa Khan. The tombstone of one of these mausoleums indicates that it was built in 1810 for Mustafa Khan’s mother. The same inscription also contains the name of the architect, who calls himself a “master of Taghi architecture”. In Azerbaijan, the tomb Yeddi Gumbez is part of the group of eight-pointed tombs. Nevertheless, the upper part of the tomb is covered with a common dome, and not with a pyramid-shaped dome, as is usually the case. Lunch. Lahic. The village of Lahidj is located at 1211m above sea level. The majority of the population speaks Parsan. Lahidj is an original example of architecture and urbanization in Azerbaijan. The streets and squares are covered with stone, the piping system and drinking water supply is very developed, in this village that has preserved its medieval image, is one of the oldest pipes in the world. All houses of Lahidj are built of carved stone. Dinner.

Day 5: DIDJ / CHOUKHOURQABALA / PALAIS DE KHAN / ALBANIAN TEMPLE: Village NIDJ and its churches. A Christian village with the population “Udi” (a Caucasian people). The Christian Church Shukhur Qabala. Archaeological excavations of the first capital of Caucasian Albania and its ripe. Lunch at Cheki. Khan Palace Cheki’s Chahs Palace (1762) arouses the particular interest of all tourists, because it is the rare case of national architecture with the traditions of palace architecture. We know that we did not use a nail during the construction of the palace. We also know that the colored windows for Shebequé (this is the natal mosaic) were brought from Venice. Albanian Temple. The Albanian temple (1-11th century) in the village Kiche where Norway illustrates Thor Heyerdahl did his research several times. The bust of the traveler established there testifies to it. Cheki’s prison. The Khan’s Winter Palace

Day 6: CHEKI / KARAVANSERAILLE / ALBAN KISH / BALAKEN / GEORGIA: Morning visit to the Sheki Bazaar, where all the ingredients of the Central Asian bazaar are present: spices, pastries (halva), fresh produce, tea houses and restaurants. Carvansaraille. The old quarters of Sheki offer two caravanserais of the five that presented the city at the time of its splendor. The upper caravanserai covers an area of 6000 m² on a slightly sloping terrain that dominates the river. The facade, on the street, has three floors of pink brick, rare, and opens with a large carved porch overlooking a dome fully crafted. With 300 cells, it is converted into a hotel. The lower caravanserai, the largest in the Caucasus, has a central courtyard surrounded by pillars and a large pond. Built in the 17th century. Friday Mosque. A nineteenth century mosque that was transformed into a gym during the USRR era and transformed back into a mosque in the 1990s. The Alban Kish Temple. In Kish, a small mountain village with a very ancient cultural heritage. The stone dwellings, lined along steep cobbled streets, are often open to large gardens with delicious freshness. An Albanian Temple dating from the 11th-11th century AD was built under the patronage of Saint Elisha, a disciple of Christ. With an extra mini transept and an altar inserted in a semi-elliptical stage, it is very original. Transformed into a museum, it is nonetheless a place of pilgrimage for Azerbaijanis. Balaken. Passage of Azerbaijan to Georgia. Change of guide and driver and departure to Sighaghi city. Walk in the city then dinner and overnight in Sighnaghi.

Day 7: SIGHNAGHI / TELAVI / TBILISSI: In the morning Discovery of the small church of Bodbé, where sits Saint Nino, evangelizer of Georgia in the fourth century. Visit of Tsinandali, princely residence where lived the Georgian poet Chavchavadze. Departure for Telavi City Tasting lunch in Telavi. Departure to Tbilisi. Dinner at the Georgian restaurant in Tbilisi.

Day 8: TBILISSI: Breakfast at the hotel. Early visits in the morning. Located on the banks of the Kura River, Tbilisi (formerly Tiflis) is since ancient times a strategic node in the heart of the Caucasus. We will begin our visit with a walk in the old city, reflecting the multicultural dimension of the city. From the Church of Metekhi (13th century), we will reach the Abanotoubani district, famous for its baths, including those of Orbeliani formerly visited by Pushkin and Alexander Dumas. Then we will walk in Old Tbilisi, the soul of the city, to discover its traditional houses with wooden balconies, its old churches (the Cathedral of Sion, the Church of Anchiskhati, dated from the 6th century), its mosque, as many living testimonies of the social and confessional diversity of the city. The afternoon will be devoted to the discovery of the National Museum, high place of the history of Georgia from the fourth to the twentieth century (goldsmithing, icons, cloisonné enamels, modern painting). Finally, we will visit the monumental Trinity Cathedral (Sameba), built in 2000, the symbol of the new Georgia. Lunch during visit. Dinner in town. Night at the hotel.

Day 9: TBILISSI / MTSKHETA / KAZBEGUI: Breakfast at the hotel We leave this morning Tbilisi to reach the city of Kutaisi through Mtskheta. Mtskheta was the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Iberia for nearly 1000 years and one of the highlights of Georgian Christianity. We will visit, on the heights of the city, the beautiful Church of the Cross (Djvari), built in the sixth century and considered as one of the oldest shrines of the Caucasus. Then we will go down to the center of Mtskheta where is, protected by its ramparts, the Cathedral of Sveti Tskhoveli. Classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, the cathedral was built in the eleventh century, it is one of the masterpieces of architecture of Georgia.medieval, as much for its architecture as for its murals. Departure in the mountainous region taking the military road. Arrival in Kazbegui and visit the church of Trinity which is 2200 m. at the foot of Mount Kazbek. (Walking tour – 2h al / rt,). Night and dinner in Kazbegui.

Day 10: KAZBEGUI / GORI / KOUTAISSI: Morning departure to Imereti passing the city Gori. Lunch in the city of Gori, the hometown of Bessarionovich Djougashvili aka Joseph Stalin. (The opportunity to visit the Stalin Museum) Before arriving at Kutaisi, we will visit the Monastery of Ghelati. Located on a green hill, the monastery was founded by King David the Builder in the twelfth century and was considered for a long time as the intellectual center of the kingdom. It houses the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin whose apse is decorated with a rare Byzantine mosaic of the twelfth century and frescoes of the sixteenth century. Dinner and overnight in Kutaisi in a guest house.

Day 11: KOUTAISSI / ZUGDIDI / MESTIA: Breakfast at your hosts. Then departure to the city of Mestia. We will first cross the great plains of Mingrelia, the ancient country of the ancient Colchis to the foothills of the Greater Caucasus. There, after a stop in the city of Zugdidi to have lunch, we will approach Svanetia to reach the city of Mestia (1500 m), classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. Visit of Ethnographic Museum of Mestia, rich by the old icons. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Mestia.

Day 12: MESTIA / USHGULI / MESTIA: Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure to the village Ushguli (1900 m), located at the foot of Mount Chkhara (5068 m), it is one of the highest inhabited villages in Europe, protected by twenty dry stone towers, at away from everything: one of the strong points of this discovery of Georgia. We will visit the village, the small Church of the Dormition before starting a walk (about 3 hours round trip, altitude difference about 70 meters) in the Engouri Valley, towards the Chkhara glacier. Lunch will be in the form of a picnic. Back to Mestia, dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 13: MESTIA / BATOUMI: Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we leave the hotel for a walk in the middle of nature accompanied by a picnic (about 5 hours round trip, elevation of about 150 meters). Back to Mestia, we will visit a traditional watchtower Svane. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 14: MESTIA / ZUGDIDI / BATUMI: Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we will descend the foothills of the Caucasus to reach the city of Batumi at the edge of the Black Sea. On the way visit the Church of Transfiguration Tsalendjikha, known for its beautiful frescoes of XIV century. Lunch en route to Zugdidi. Former Greek trading post, later submitted to the Turks and then to the Russians, Batumi was sung by poets (Mandelstam) and painters before becoming the capital of the province of Ajaria. Great trading port and pleasure city, it stretches on the banks of a Black Sea that is azure! Elegant, imperial, the city speaks of its past and exhibits its architecture of the nineteenth century, but Batumi is also changing, industrious and dynamic, seaside and cultural, it is a strong symbol of Georgia in the twenty-first century. Dinner at the restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Batumi

Day 15: BATUMI / TBILISSI: Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Tbilisi. On the way visit the caves of Prometheus, one of the largest underground parks in Europe. Lunch and continue the road to Tbilisi. Arrival in Tbilisi late afternoon. The installation at the hotel. Departure dinner at a Georgian restaurant in Tbilisi. Overnight at the hotel in the center of Tbilisi.

Day 16: TBILISSI / Departure: Transfer to Tbilisi airport and departure.

Ask for detailed program.