Bolton Travel

Introduction

• Day 01 : Tbilisi Arrival- B

  Arrival in Tbilisi, meet at the airport and transfer to a hotel for rest.

  MEALS:-Breakfast
  OVERNIGHT :-Tbilisi

• Day 02 : Old Tbilisi Tour B/L

  Take a walking tour of Old Tbilisi. Today we won’t use a vehicle and travel on foot and by tube.

  Tbilisi is a blend of Asian eeriness and European charm. Located in the gorge of Mtkvari River it’s shaped out in

  accordance with the terrain and forms a very beautiful city with Mt. Mtatsminda embracing the entire town, Narikala

  Fortress topping up the oldest quarter of Tbilisi – Kala and Metekhi Church overlooking Mtkvari River from a rocky

  plateau.

  In this classic tour of Tbilisi you’ll see 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, Freedom Square and Rustaveli Avenue. Here we’ll start our tube ride to a local family.

  We will have lunch at a local family where we also get acquainted with Georgian traditional dish – Khinkali making, as

  well as traditional cheese bread called -Khachapuri.

  Overnight at a hotel in Tbilisi.
  MEALS:- Breakfast & Lunch
  OVERNIGHT:- Tbilisi

• Day 03 : Sighnaghi,Nukriaani&Velistsikhe Day Tour B/L

  Today we explore the wine land of Georgia – Kakheti where we try national dishes, home-made wine, enjoy the great views

  and take part in baking Georgian bread Shoti.

  Our first stop is fortified tiny town of love Sighnaghi. We take a walk in the cobbled street of this magnificent little town

  and enjoy the views of Alazani Valley topped by the Great Caucasus Mountains from the edge of its wall. Later we continue

  to visit local female community where we will taste traditional dishes, learn how to make “Teka” (felt), master will

  demonstrate how Georgians make felt and artifacts out of it, here we also learn how to make Georgian traditional sweets

  Churchkhela.
  Continue our drive to local farmer`s winery where we get acquainted with the traditional wine making methods & see

  Qvevri – Georgian wine keeping vessels buried underground. Qvevri wine is on UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage List. We

  taste home-made wine, bake mouthwatering Georgian bread in Tone (clay oven). After the tour we return to Tbilisi.
  MEALS:- Breakfast & Lunch

  OVERNIGHT:-Tbilisi

• Day 04 : Mtskheta/Gori/Uplistsikhe Day Tour B/L

  In the Morning drive to the Ancient capital and religious center of Georgia – Mtskheta with its historical sites: The Church

  of Jvari (6th century) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century). Jvari and Svetitskhoveli are World Heritage Sites of

  UNESCO. Continue our drive to village Tserovani to visit IDP settlement, where enamel art work became the life solution

  for many, here we learn the technique of enamel art, It is remarkable, that the art of Georgian cloisonne enamel has no less

  than 1200 years of existence. Enjoy lunch with locals here.

  Continue to Gori to visit society “Biliki”, which represents Child care program -to include children from vulnerable

  families of the Shida Kartli region and the care of the children.

  Later we delve deep to Georgia’s ancient history by visiting the cave city Uplistsikhe which used to host the old caravans

  transporting goods from Asia to Europe as it was on the Great Silk Road route. After the tour return to Tbilisi.

  Overnight at a hotel in Tbilisi.
  MEALS :- Breakfast & Lunch

  OVERNIGHT:-Tbilisi

• Day 05 : Tbilisi- Sadakhlo border- Dilijan - Transcaucasian Trail in Dilijan National Park- Goshavank-Yerevan B/L

  Breakfast. Drive to Armenian border Sadakhlo and change guide and driver. Continue the tour in Armenia. Today we will

  do a hiking tour which will start from Parz lake, which is very beautiful clear mountainous lake. This route is a part of

  Transcaucasian trail of hiking and trekking routes. Our paths pass through green forests and will take us to Goshavank

  monastery. Lunch at a local house in Dilijan with a family. Small stroll in Dilijan, the small Switzerland of Armenia,

  surrounded by mountains covered by dense forests. This is the best place to be near nature. Walking along the

  Sharamberyan Street we will come across with many museums, souvenirs’ markets, small shops and so on. We will also

  observe two traditional houses built of wood, with tiled roofs and balconies with meticulously carved being typical

  examples of Dilijan. Overnight in Dilijan.

  MEALS:- Breakfast & Lunch

  OVERNIGHT:- Dilijan

• Day 06 : Dilijan – Sevan - Garni-Geghard- Yerevan B/L

  Breakfast. Start the tour driving to Lake Sevan which is one of the largest lakes in the world. It stands out with its sweet and

  astonishingly blue water. Here we can enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the beautiful lake. Then we will visit Sevanavank

  Monastery which is situated on Sevan Peninsula. There are 2 monasteries actually; one of them is destroyed but the other

  stands still. They have been built in the middle Ages, around 10th century. Take trip to Garni. This Pagan Temple was built

  in the 1st century AD. It is the only temple that has been preserves from the Pagan times in Armenia. It was devoted to the

  god Mihr, who was the god of cleanness. In 1679 it was destroyed by earthquake. In the 1975 the Temple was restored.

  Then we will continue our trip to Geghard Monastery. Its name came from the legendary lance that was used to pierce the

  body of Christ. It has been kept here for centuries. Though the exact foundation of the monastery is unknown, the present

  complex was built in the mid – 13th century. Afterwards we will a local house where you will have the chance to see and

  participate in the preparation of Armenian national bread: lavash. It is a very thin, usually sold in very large forms. It is

  usually cooked in a ground oven: “tonir”. In 2015 it has been inscribed in UNESCO intangible heritage list. Here we will

  enjoy the “Armenian fast food” with lavash and cheese. Lunch with the family in the garden. Get back to Yerevan and

  overnight.
  MEALS:- Breakfast & Lunch

  OVERNIGHT:- Yerevan

• Day 07 : Yerevan /city tour B

  Breakfast. We will start the tour with the tour in the capital of Armenia: Yerevan. For ages this city has been known as a

  “pink city” because of the color of the stone it has been built with. So we will visit Republic square, Mashtoc Avenue, the

  House of Opera and Ballet after Aram Khachatryan, the park “Cascad”. Then we will visit the Manuscript Museum of

  Armenia, which is called Matenadaran; here all ancient Armenian Manuscripts are kept. Visit Terracota Ceramic Studio for

  master class of clay art and craft. You are welcome to paricipate and leave your own masterpeice. Visit local market of

  fruits and dry fruits and homemade sweets. Overnight in the hotel.
  MEALS:- Breakfast
  OVERNIGHT:-Yerevan

• Day 08 : Yerevan- Arshaluis Village- Ejmiatsin – Zvartnoc- Parakar Village -Yerevan B/L

  Breakfast. Drive to Arshaluis Village in Armavir region. Here we will visit famous Sculptor and Painter Rouben

  Nalbandyan, whose works of art are participating in world exhibitions. Here we will also see his small school where

  many children are studying. We will see the small exhibition of paintings of children. We will have coffee break with

  home made sweets treated by the hostess. We will start the excursion to centuries-old monuments Ejmiatsin and Zvartnots.

  These sites are listed on UNESCO World Heritage list. The Cathedral of Ejmiatsin, founded in 303, is the official residence

  of the Catholicos of Armenia. We’ll continue the trip to Zvartnots Temple, which was built on 7th century by Nerses

  Builder Catholicos. Drive to Parakar village and at a local house we will have lunch and will enjoy the cooking master

  class of Armenian desserts “gata” and “Sudzukh”. The show will by run by a famous Armenian TV star. The active

  participants will get gifts by the host and will be treated by homemade lyquior. Drive back to Yerevan.
  MEALS:- Breakfast & Lunch
  OVERNIGHT:-Yerevan

• Day 09 : Yerevan –Khor Virap – Areni –Noravank – Yeghegnadzor- Yerevan B/L

  Breakfast. Take trip to Khor Virap Monastery (4-18th cc.). This monastery is very prominent because of its history; Gregory

  the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia, has been imprisoned there about 13 years as at that time there was

  a prison in the place of the monastery. Here we can enjoy the spectacular view of the sacred Ararat Mountain – an immortal

  symbol of Armenia. On our way towards Noravank we will visit village Areni which is considered to be an important center

  of wine production industry. You are welcome to taste its excellent wine. We will continue our tour to Noravank – a

  monastery of XII century situated among amazing sheer rocks on the bench of a twisty gorge. This is the only monastery

  where we may find a unique sculpture of Father God. Drive to Yeghegnadzor. We will visit here a local house where we

  will take part in the master class of vodka preparation. We will see how is homemade vodka prepared. We will also

  participate in preparation of Armenian cake “Gata”, make it with our hands and bake and taste it. We will have lucnh

  here and we will taste the very special meal of the hostess, Dolma with Onion. Drive back to Yerevan and overnight there.

  MEALS:- Breakfast & Lunch
  OVERNIGHT:- Yerevan

• Day 10: Departure Yerevan B

  Breakfast. Transfer to the airport.

  MEALS:- Breakfast