Uncover the Ancient Wonders of the Caucasus: A 14-Day Journey Through Armenia and Georgia

Embark on a remarkable 14-day journey with Archaeological Paths to delve into the ancient heart of the Caucasus, exploring Armenia and Georgia, lands steeped in history, culture, and natural wonders, away from the usual tourist trails.

In Armenia, explore Zorats Karer, also known as the Armenian Stonehenge, an ancient astronomical observatory dating back to 7600 BC, predating its more famous British counterpart and the Egyptian pyramids. Discover the awe-inspiring Tatev Monastery, perched on the edge of a dramatic gorge, accessible by the world’s longest reversible cable car. Venture into the ancient cave city of Khndzoresk, where homes carved into the cliffs tell stories of a bygone era.

Journey to Georgia, where you'll marvel at the Prometheus Cave, a subterranean natural wonder, and be captivated by the country's rock-cut cities. Georgia is also renowned as the cradle of viticulture, with an 8,000-year history of wine production that continues to thrive, offering you the chance to taste some of the finest wines in the world.

Both countries boast breathtaking landscapes, from lush greenery to dramatic mountain vistas, and are home to exquisite monasteries perched in seemingly impossible locations, providing scenic views that linger in the memory. Experience the genuine hospitality of the local people, savor the organic and flavorful cuisine, and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of culture and tradition that defines this region.

In Armenia, embrace the spiritual heritage of a nation that was the first to adopt Christianity as its state religion, explore the remnants of its glorious past, and gaze upon Mount Ararat, an enduring symbol of Armenian identity.

Join Archaeological Paths on this unforgettable journey to Armenia and Georgia, where ancient history and vibrant cultures come alive, set against the backdrop of the stunning natural beauty of the Caucasus. This is your chance to experience the essence of these captivating lands, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Day 1: Arrival in Armenia

Upon arriving at Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan, guests will be greeted by an Archaeological Paths representative and transferred to a premium 5-star hotel in the city. Post check-in, guests will have leisure time to unwind. The stay will be overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

Day 2: Yerevan - Echmiatsin - Zvartnots - Geghard - Garni - Yerevan

After breakfast, we’ll embark on a journey to Echmiatsin, the oldest and most significant Armenian temple, dating back to 301-303 AD. This historic site is home to the world's oldest Christian cathedral.

Our exploration continues at Zvartnots, a stunning 7th-century architectural complex, where we’ll visit the Zvartnots Temple of St. George and the palace of Katholikos Nerses III. Constructed between 641-661 AD, the Zvartnots Temple was designed to rival the beauty of Echmiatsin's cathedral, offering a fascinating insight into Armenia's rich religious and architectural heritage.

For lunch, we'll enjoy a meal at a restaurant overlooking the breathtaking Geghard Monastery, savoring authentic Armenian dishes made from locally-sourced ingredients.

In the afternoon, we’ll drive to Geghard, a monastic complex carved into solid rock in 1215. Known as the resting place of St. Andrew and St. John, it’s also home to the legendary Spear of Destiny, said to have pierced Jesus Christ on the cross. Here, you'll experience a specially arranged spiritual concert in one of the grand halls, renowned for its exceptional acoustics.

Our next stop is Garni, a 1st-century AD temple dedicated to the Sun God Mitra, resembling the Parthenon in Athens. After exploring Garni, we’ll return to Yerevan for dinner at one of Armenia’s finest restaurants. The day concludes with an overnight stay at your hotel in Yerevan.

Day 3: Yerevan City Tour – Yerevan History Museum - Brandy Factory

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at your hotel before setting off on an immersive city tour of Yerevan.

You'll explore iconic landmarks such as the Kievyan Bridge, Presidential Palace, National Parliament, and the Opera House. A visit to the History Museum will reveal a rich collection of Armenian artifacts spanning archaeology, ethnography, and art. The tour also includes a stop at a renowned brandy factory, where you'll have the chance to sample three varieties of exquisite Armenian cognac, highlighting the country's storied tradition in spirits.

Enjoy lunch during your tour, and later, return to the hotel to relax before dining at a traditional Armenian restaurant. Your day concludes with an overnight stay in Yerevan.

Day 4: Yerevan – Noravank - Tatev  - Goris

After breakfast and check-out, we'll depart for Noravank Monastery, a stunning 13th-century Armenian landmark renowned for its unique architecture and intricate sculptures. Enjoy lunch at a picturesque restaurant near Noravank, where you'll savor local Armenian cuisine.

Our journey continues to Tatev Monastery, accessible by the world’s longest cable car. Perched 5,300 feet above sea level, this 9th-century monastery seamlessly blends with its breathtaking mountain surroundings. Originally founded on the site of a pagan temple in the 4th century, Tatev became a significant center of learning in the 14th and 15th centuries, home to the University of Tatev, which played a crucial role in preserving Armenian culture during turbulent times. The monastery’s richly carved structures offer stunning views of the surrounding pristine forests.

We'll then drive to the hotel in Goris, where you'll check in, enjoy dinner, and stay overnight.

Day 5: Goris –Khndzoresk - Karahunj - Goris

After breakfast, we'll embark on a journey to Khndzoresk, located just eight kilometers from Goris. Renowned for its stunning canyon, Khndzoresk is home to fascinating rock formations and ancient cave settlements. These artificial caves, some still in use as stables and warehouses, were inhabited until the 1950s.

We'll enjoy lunch in the picturesque town of Goris at a restaurant designed in traditional Armenian style.

Our exploration continues at Karahunj, also known as Zorats Karer, an ancient archaeological site featuring megalithic structures known as the “singing rocks.” Dating back to 7,600 BC to 4,500 BC, this site predates Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. Serving as both an ancient temple and an astronomical observatory, Karahunj is an impressive sight, with over 200 basalt stones, each weighing up to 10 tons, aligned in an arch shape. The holes in these stones are believed to have been carved to observe lunar phases and the sunrise during the solstices. In 2010, research by the University of Oxford and the Royal Geographical Society of Great Britain suggested that Karahunj might be the oldest observatory in the world, earning it the nickname “Armenian Stonehenge.”

After our visit, we'll return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 6: Goris - Caravanserai - Noratus - Dilijan

After breakfast, set off to explore the historic Selim Caravanserai, situated along the famed Silk Route. This ancient rest stop provided shelter for the weary travelers and their caravans, as they transported valuable commodities like spices from China to Europe. The Selim Mountain Pass offers not just historical insights but also breathtaking views, connecting you with the countless traders and adventurers who passed this way centuries ago.

Post-lunch, enjoy a picturesque drive along Lake Sevan, a natural marvel that captivates with its vastness and vibrant turquoise hues when kissed by sunlight. As Armenia's largest lake and one of the highest elevated lakes globally, Sevan is a crucial water source, enriching the region's biodiversity and landscape.

Your journey continues to the medieval cemetery in Noratus, renowned for its extensive collection of 'khachkars' or Armenian cross-stones. These intricately carved steles, adorned with crosses, botanical motifs, and religious symbols, represent a unique Armenian cultural expression, with some dating back to the 7th century.

Conclude your day in the enchanting town of Dilijan, often referred to as the "Armenian Switzerland" for its lush forests and tranquil rivers. Here, amidst the serene beauty of nature, you'll enjoy dinner and an overnight stay, immersing yourself in the restorative atmosphere of this picturesque region.

Day 7: Dilijan – Haghartsin monastery – Vardzia - Akhaltsikhe

After breakfast, we'll check out from the hotel and embark on a visit to the Haghartsin Monastery, nestled deep within a tranquil forest. Following this serene experience, we'll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Our journey then continues as we cross the border into Georgia at Bavra. Upon completing border formalities, we'll head to Vardzia, an extraordinary rock-hewn city carved into the slopes of the Erusheti mountain. Flourishing in the 12th and 13th centuries under Queen Tamar the Great, Vardzia once housed up to 50,000 people within its over 3,000 chambers and corridors. You'll have the opportunity to marvel at the intricate carvings and the stunning frescoes adorning the walls of the ancient Orthodox churches. Even today, a small group of monks resides within this historic city, preserving its legacy. The precision and craftsmanship of Vardzia’s caves and tunnels are truly awe-inspiring, making it one of Georgia’s most remarkable sites.

We will then have dinner and spend the night in a hotel located in the historic center of Akhaltsikhe.

 Day 8: Akhaltsikhe – Rabat Fortress - Borjomi - Kutaisi

After breakfast, you'll visit the ancient Rabat Fortress, the centerpiece of Akhaltsikhe, perched on a small hill overlooking the Potskhovi River. Built in the 13th century, this military stronghold has endured numerous sieges and reconstructions, bearing the marks of diverse cultures and religions over the centuries. Following a major renovation in 2012, Rabat Fortress has transformed into a vibrant cultural center, complete with a church, mosque, synagogue, park, History Museum, shops, hotels, and even a civil registry office—all within its walls.

Next, you'll journey to Kutaisi, the legendary capital of Colchis. On the way, you have the option to stop in Borjomi for a stroll through Borjomi Park and a taste of the famed local mineral water. Your day will conclude with dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 9: The Cave of Prometheus - Gelati - Bagrati - Kutaisi City Tour

In the morning, prepare for a captivating journey to the Prometheus Cave, an enchanting natural marvel adorned with a myriad of stalactites and stalagmites. The cave's intricate rock formations, resembling columns and cascades, ignite the imagination, enhanced by a symphonic background and colorful lighting that adds a mystical touch. The legend of Prometheus, said to be punished in the nearby Khvamli Mountain for gifting fire to humanity, enriches the site's mythical allure. A boat ride along the cave's subterranean river offers a unique vantage point to appreciate these geological wonders.

Next, you will visit the venerable Gelati Monastery near Kutaisi, a testament to Georgia's rich spiritual and intellectual legacy. Marvel at the stunning frescoes and ancient manuscripts spanning from the 12th to 17th centuries within its walls. The monastery complex, including the luminous Church of the Virgin, serves as the final resting place for King David the Builder and was a renowned scholarly hub, earning it accolades as "a new Greece" or "the second Athos."

Your exploration continues in Kutaisi, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, rooted in the ancient kingdom of Colchis and intertwined with the myth of Jason and the Golden Fleece. The prominent Bagrati Cathedral, a symbol of Georgian resilience and architectural prowess, offers panoramic views of the city and is a treasured UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Conclude your day with dinner and an overnight stay in Kutaisi, reflecting on the profound history and cultural heritage that surrounds you in this historic city.

Day 10: Kutaisi - Gori - Uplistsikhe

After breakfast and check-out, we'll embark on a journey eastward towards Tbilisi, the vibrant capital of Georgia. On the way, we'll make a brief stop to visit the Ubisi Monastery Complex, dating back to the 9th century, renowned for its impressive 14th-century mural paintings.

Next, we'll proceed to Gori, where we'll explore Stalin’s Museum, including his birthplace and the railway car he used for travel. We'll also visit the towering Gori Fortress, offering panoramic views and dating back to the 13th century, though the site was fortified as early as the last centuries BC.

Our journey continues to Uplistsikhe, an ancient rock-hewn town and the oldest settlement in Georgia, founded in the 5th century BC and inhabited through the Middle Ages. Here, we'll marvel at the medieval art and architecture carved into solid rock, and at the summit of the complex, we'll find a 12th-century Christian basilica. The breathtaking landscape, featuring a meandering river and mysterious rocky formations, adds to the site's allure.

After a day of exploration, we'll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before retiring for the night at a comfortable hotel.

Day 11: Gori - Ananuri - Kazbegi – Gergeti - Kazbegi

En route to Kazbegi, you will make a stop at the historic Ananuri fortress, nestled on a promontory alongside the Aragvi River, roughly 40 miles from Tbilisi. Constructed by the Dukes of Aragvi, the fortress boasts structures that hark back to the 13th century, offering a glimpse into Georgia's medieval past.

Your journey then leads you to Kazbegi, set along the historic Georgian Military Road, an area celebrated for its unparalleled natural beauty and breathtaking vistas of the Caucasus Mountains. Here, you will embark on a 4x4 jeep adventure, navigating through verdant forests and past towering rock edifices, ascending to an elevation of 8,000 feet.

Your destination is the iconic Tsminda Sameba (Gergeti Trinity Church), perched high above the surrounding landscape and offering one of the most awe-inspiring panoramas in the Caucasus. The image of this solitary church set against the backdrop of majestic mountains has become an emblematic symbol of Georgia, capturing the essence of the nation's natural splendor.

The day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay in Kazbegi, where you can relax and reflect on the day's experiences, all while gazing out at the towering peaks that define this remarkable region.

Day 12: Kazbegi – Mukhrani – Mtskheta -  Tbilisi

We'll depart Kazbegi and head to Tbilisi, the vibrant capital of Georgia. Along the way, we'll visit Chateau Mukhraani for a wine tour, lunch, and tasting. Georgia, with its 8,000-year history of viticulture, is often considered the birthplace of global winemaking. At Chateau Mukhraani, you'll explore the local vineyards and savor the distinctive wines of the Kartli region.

Our journey then takes us to Mtskheta, an ancient capital of Georgia nestled between two rivers. This sacred city, once the religious center of the nation, is where Georgia first embraced Christianity.

We'll conclude the day with an overnight stay in Tbilisi.

 Day 13: Tbilisi Sightseeing tour

Spend a full day exploring the vibrant city of Tbilisi, known for its unique architectural charm, featuring hand-carved balconies and wooden galleries. Begin your journey with an introduction to Old Tbilisi from the scenic Metekhi Plateau. Enjoy a walking tour through the historic Abanotubani district, and stroll along Sharden and Erekle II Streets. Visit the iconic Sioni Cathedral and Anchiskhati Basilica, and marvel at the surreal leaning clock tower, adorned with colorful mosaics, reminiscent of Salvador Dali's work. Next to the tower, you'll discover the enchanting Rezo Gabriadze Puppet Theatre.

After a delightful lunch, continue to Freedom Square, where the statue of St. George, Georgia's patron saint, proudly stands atop a column. Conclude your day with a visit to the Janashia State Museum of History, where you can explore its impressive treasury collection.

In the afternoon, you'll return to either Tbilisi or Yerevan, depending on your travel plans. Both cities offer their own unique experiences, so your choice of departure city will cap off your memorable journey through this rich cultural and historical tapestry.

Day 14: Departure

As your remarkable journey through Armenia and Georgia comes to an end, it's time to bid farewell to these lands rich in history, culture, and natural beauty.

For your convenience and preference, your departure can be arranged from either:

– Tbilisi Airport in Georgia

– Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan, Armenia

Whichever airport you choose, we trust you'll carry with you the essence of these enchanting countries, their hospitable people, stunning landscapes, and profound historical legacy. Safe travels back home, and may the memories of your journey inspire you until your next adventure.

Price per person: $9985 in a double room (deposit is only $1200 during booking!). If you are traveling alone, you can share a room with another tour member. If you would like to have a single room, the single supplement costs an extra $2985.

Payment Schedule:
- $1200 deposit during booking.
- Full payment is due three months before the tour.

Price Includes:

13-night stay at 4/5* hotels; 3 meals a day – breakfast, lunch and dinner; All sightseeing tours; Entrance tickets; English speaking guides; English speaking tour leader; Transfers in air-conditioned buses; Reception at Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan; Airport Arrival & Departure transfers; Drinks during breakfast, lunches and dinners; Travel Insurance; Government taxes.

Not Included:

International flights.

To register for the tour, click on the above BOOK NOW button. Next, please make the deposit payment to confirm your place on the tour.

Since the number of places is limited, we encourage you to book the tour as soon as possible. Please contact us if you have any questions.

E-mail: contact@archaeologicalpaths.com

USA phone: 917-724-2772
Other countries: +1 917-724-2772

Office hours: 8am–8pm EST Monday–Friday &  9am–5pm EST Saturdays.