The Wine Route: Armenia and Georgia

Arrival to Yerevan, meeting at Zvartnots International airport. Transfer and hotel accommodation. Leisure time. After lunch we will visit the famous brandy – wine – vodka factory “Noy”. During the tour we’ll see distillation department, cooperage department, the museum, wine-cellar, where we can taste old wines and brandies. Visit to “Ararat” brandy factory, which in 1998 became part of Pernod Ricard Group, the world’s leader in premium wines and spirits. Here we will have an excursion through the museum of the factory. Brandy sampling. In the evening a panoramic tour of the capital of Armenia, which is one of the oldest cities in the world. We’ll see the Republic Square , the National Opera and Ballet Theater , cultural – architectural complex Cascade , the monument ” Mother Armenia “. Dinner and overnight in Yerevan.

After breakfast we will start to Echmiadzin, the spiritual and administrative center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Examination of the pearls of Armenian architecture of the Church of St. Hripsime (618AD), and the world’s first Christian Cathedral

After breakfast a trip to the cave Monastery Geghard (5-13c). Continuation of the tour will bring us to the pagan temple of Garni (77 AD) – the only Hellenistic temple extant in Caucasus. Lunch in a local family where we’ll see the baking process of Armenian traditional flatbread, lavash. By the same time we’ll have an opportunity to participate in the process of baking. We will taste both appetizing dishes and delicious homemade fruit wines. Return to Yerevan.

Breakfast. A trip to the Ararat valley, visiting one of the most revered shrines of the Armenian people – the Monastery of Khor Virap. The monastery is located 200 meters away from the Turkish border. From here you can have the best view of Biblical Mount Ararat. After we continue to Noravank Monastery which is built in an inaccessible location among stunning nature. Lunch in a local restaurant. Visit the cave, where was found the oldest leather shoe in the world, as well as grape seeds, wine press for stomping grapes, drinking cups, and withered grape wines. Then we drive to Areni village , which is especially famous for its rich vineyards. Visit to Areni wine factory to taste local wine and familiarize with the technology of wine making. Return to Yerevan. 

Breakfast. A trip to lake Sevan – one of the most beautiful and large mountain lakes in the world, which is bordered on all sides by high mountain ridges. We will visit Sevanavank Monastery , located on the peninsula that offers magnificent panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Then, the excursion continues to the beautiful town of Ijevan. Visit to Ijevan Wine Factory famous for its white wine production and exceptionally tasty wines. Lunch in a local restaurant. Our tour will be continued to the forested resort town of Dilijan, which is also called “Armenian Little Switzerland” for its nature. Dinner and overnight in Dilijan.

After breakfast we leave for the Armenian-Georgian border. On the way, we’ll stop to visit Haghpat and Sanahin Monasteries – the two outstanding UNESCO listed monasteries of medieval Armenian architecture (10-13 cc.) Transfer to the Armenia-Georgia border Sadakhlo . On-border formalities. Upon arrival we’ll have an excursion around the town – sightseeing in Old Tbilisi. All the interesting cultural and architectural monuments are situated in a five-minute’s walk from each other. We are going to start our excursion of the Old town from the Church of Metekhi (13 th century), then we are going to visit the Sinagogue , the Cathedral of Sioni.

Breakfast. Trip to Kakheti region – a region known for its viniculture. In the morning we are going to visit the fortified town Signaghi on the hill. We will have a walk along the streets of the town, will have the chance to admire of the wonderful examples of threaded works and will enjoy the sceneries of the Big Caucasus mountains and Alasan valley. We’ll have a trip to visit an old peasant wine cellar and have a degustation of red and white Kakheti wine. Then we’ll have a lunch of the most delicious home-made dishes and wine. Later we’ll continue our way to Telavi to the wine factory of “Shukhman ” where we will have an opportunity to taste the wines of local production. In the evening we’ll arrive to the administrative centre of the Kakheti region- Telavi . Dinner and overnight at a private house in Telavi.

After breakfast we’ll visit the Cathedral of Alaverdi (11 th century). We’ll continue our way to Tbilisi . Then we’ll visit the brandy factory “Sarajishvili” – the first brandy factory in Caucasus, founded by an entrepreneur David Sarajishvili in 1884. We’ll visit the factory and degust brandy. In the evening we’ll have a supper in a traditional restaurant. Overnight at a hotel in Tbilisi.

Breakfast. We’ll have a trip to the old capital and a religious centre of Georgia- Mtskheta , we’ll visit monuments included in UNESCO’s world heritage- Temple-monastery Javari (6 th century) and Svetsitskhoveli Cathedral (11 th century), where a piece of Jesus Christ’s garment has been kept. Our trip will continue to the native town of Gori , where we’ll visit a cave town of Uplistsikhe (1 st millennium BC), through which once lay the The Silk Road. The visitors will have the chance to see that old complex with its inhabited caves, wine cellars and bakeries, ancient theatre and visit the medieval basilica. In the evening we are going to arrive to Kutaisi . Kutaisi is a famous city, where the Argonauts led by Jason once made their way in search of the Golden Fleece. Dinner and overnight in a private house.

Breakfast. We visit Imereti region, which is one of the most beautiful regions in the Western Georgia. In a local village we’ll be able to see a family wine cellar and taste Imeretian wines, which differ from Kakhetin wines both in taste and the method of production and keeping. Then we will continue our way to Racha , here we can taste Stalin’s favorite wine- “Khvanchkara”. We’ll also have an opportunity to participate in local dishes cooking. Then we’ll go back to Tbilis i. In the evening we’ll have a supper in a traditional restaurant. Overnight at a hotel in Tbilisi.

Transfer to the airport.