Description

“Three countries in the Caucasus”

 

Day 1 arrival

Meeting at Tbilisi airport with a sign “TRAVEL BEE”. Transfer to the hotel.

Free time to wander through Baku.

 

2 day. Sightseeing tour in Baku

City tour begins with the main attractions of the city Baku. We begin to move along the embankment and the Roman Catholic Church. We drive up to the Heydar Aliyev Center (No entry), which is the modern cultural center of the city and the pearl of world architecture, built by architect Zaha Hadid. And further the Cathedral of Holy Wives-Myrrh-bearers, The Alley of Honor, a visit to Upland Park. Upland Park is located on a hill in the western part of the city. This is the best place to take a good look from the observation site the city itself and the Baku Bay in all its beauty. We pass German Kirkha. Next you will see Flag Square, the building of the new Museum of Carpet and Folk Applied Arts, the design of which is distinguished by its originality - the museum is built in the form of a folded carpet. Take a walk along the Baku Embankment, examine the facade of the Government House, The Azerbaijan StatePhilharmonic Hall named after Muslim Magomayev, Baku City Hall, you will visit the Governor's Garden. Afterwards, tourists will see the building of the national parliament and the architectural complex "FlameTowers".

Next, we will go to the old city - Icheri Sheher (Inner City) - an open-air museum included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. You have a walk through the history of the city in which to this day all the splendor of 1000 year old architecture has been perfectly preserved, in which the evolution of tastes and preferences of various eras is traced, starting from the Sassanid era, the period of early Islam to the period of the beginning of the oil boom during which rich people of different nationalities with their preferences and cultural traditions tried to give the city a unique charm and style, synthesis of the intersection of fashion trends of the East and the West.

- Gosh Gala Gapysy, from here your acquaintance with the old city will begin. The fortress wall (XII century) of the city is equipped with towers, loopholes and served as reliable protection of the city.

- Market Square - a sacred place for fire-worshipers and Zoroastrists. The old city is unique in many respects because it retained a temporary connection and the architectural heritage of the three religions - Zoroastrianism, Islam and Christianity.

-Maiden Tower. (No entry) Many legends are connected with the heritage of this place covered in a halo of mystery.

The second part of the tour of the old city continues through the maze of streets in the heart of the old city

 

3 Day Gobusta-Ateshgah

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure from the hotel with belongings.

Today we are waiting for a trip to the historical and architectural reserve -Gobustan.

The reserve is widely known for the fact that it perfectly preserved rock paintings - Petroglyphs, a kind of artistic "archive" of human evolution on planet Earth. The documents of such archives are the first broadcast of the human "I" to the surrounded world.

Before starting a tour in Gobustan, guests will visit the interactive museum of the same name, where, using special multimedia programs and touch screens, they can get information about the flora and fauna of Gobustan.

Few people know that Azerbaijan ranks first place in the world in the number of active mud volcanoes. Up till now, active volcanoes can be found in Gobustan. These volcanoes are formations in the form of a cone-shaped hill with a crater in the soil. If there is no rain, tourists will also have the opportunity to inspect them during excursion.

Azerbaijan is one of many places on earth where you can still observe elements of the cult of fire and the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism. The territory of the temple of fire worshipers is known throughout the world for a unique natural phenomenon. The temple of fire-worshipers "Ateshgah" at various times revered by Zoroastrians, Hindus and Sikhs, was built in the XVII-XVIII centuries on the site of inextinguishable fires - burning outlets of natural gas. Ateshgah Fire Temple is located 30 km from the center of Baku.

After the tour, the group returns to Baku. At night, waits for a train ride to Tbilisi. Departure from Baku is at 21:15, and arrival in the capital of Georgia at 10:00.

Day 4 City Sightseeing Tour Tbilisi + Mtskheta

We will begin our tour from Sameba Holy Trinity Cathedral, built in 2006, where the relics of St. Giorgi the Victorious are stored and where the Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II is currently conducting services. This Cathedral is the largest in Georgia and one of the grandest Orthodox churches in the whole world. The territory of the cathedral is quite vast, it offers beautiful views of Mount Mtatsminda and the old city, you can see olive trees, Spanish firs, lavender, you can go up to the pond with peacocks and swans, as well as try the best Georgian lemonade Laghidze and unique homemade ice cream . Then we go up the mountain Mtatsminda known in translation as the "Holy Mountain". It got its name for a reason. In the distant 6th century the holy monk David (Idem David Gareja) lived in the grotto. And now there is a church of the Holy Father David and a miraculous spring that heals women from infertility and people from blindness. Many believers come here from different parts of the world to try out the effect of the miraculous spring and are granted due to their faith. Around the temple, there is a pantheon of great writers and public figures, including Alexander Griboedov, the great Georgian poet and writer Ilia Chavchavadze, the first president of Georgia Zviad Gamsakhurdia, Stalin's mother Ekaterina Jughashvili and many others. Later on we will go through the entire historical part of the old city, where we will visit the ancient temple of the 5th century Anchiskhati, the Cathedral of the 6th century Sioni, where the Patriarch of All Georgia used to serve, go down the famous Shardeni street to Meidan, see the famous Sulfur baths and waterfall, learn the legend of the creation of Tbilisi (5th century), cross the Bridge of Peace to the park of Europe (Rike). Next we will go to Mtskheta.

 

«Там, где сливаяся, шумят, обнявшись будто две сестры, струи Арагви и Куры, был монастырь…»  - These famous lines were born, when the great writer M. Lermontov visited the ancient capital of Mtskheta and the monastery of the 6th century Jvari.  Jvari “Cross” is a functioning monastery, which is one of the very first UNESCO monuments from Georgia, a place of power and more. On the place where the monastery stands now, preserved almost in its original form, in the 4th century, St. Nino created her cross from the vine, and Christianity was adopted as the main religion. We will visit the monastery itself, enjoy the gorgeous views around and see the junction of the two rivers described in the poem “Mtsiri”. In fair weather, from the territory of Jvari one can see even the top of Kazbegi! Then we will visit the ancient capital Mtskheta, where you can take a stroll along the streets, purchase exclusive handmade souvenirs, Georgian sweets, and most importantly, we will see the Cathedral Svetitskhoveli “Life-giving Pillar” (XI century), which is called The Second Jerusalem for a reason. According to legend, the tunic of Jesus Christ is buried under this cathedral, which was brought there in the 1st century by rabbi Elioz from Mtskheta. The part of the cross, on which Jesus Christ was crucified is stored in the cathedral, there is the burial of Georgian kings and princes and many interesting mysterious frescoes.

 

Day 5 Kakheti +Wine degustation tour+ Georgian bread baking - puri master class

If you have not visited Kakheti, you were not in Georgia! We are inviting you to visit the eastern part of Georgia - the homeland of wine and hospitality. This tour is truly gastronomic. In the first part of the tour we will visit the women's monastery complex in Bodbe, where Saint Nino is buried, thanks to which Christianity was adopted in Georgia. Afterwards, a fascinating walk through the city of love Sighnaghi (which means "refuge") is awaiting you, where once the great artist Pirosmani fell in love with his Margarita, and now there is a 24-hour registry office where one can get married in just 15 minutes! You will also have a unique opportunity to stroll along the fortress wall (The second in the world after the Chinese), along which there are 28 watch towers, and where you can enjoy the best views of Alazani valley! In Kakheti, you will find the most delicious khachapuri master class in a real Kakhetian family.

Later on we will go to the winery, where you can learn all about the technologies of Georgian winemaking, and, of course, try several varieties of real natural wine directly from the tanks!

On the way, we will drop-in a small home bakery - try to make Georgian bread “shotis puri“ in a hot oven – “Tone” and will have  delicious snack - hot bread with a crispy crust, salty Georgian cheese and wine. Return to Tbilisi.

In the evening, transfer to Yerevan by bus.

 

Day 6 Khor Virap, Areni Cave, Noravank, Hin Areni winery

Armenia is known for many places that must be visited, but the most famous, perhaps, is the biblical mountain Ararat. That is why during this tour you will see a stunning view of mount Ararat from the nearest place.

Khor Virap Monastery is located about an hour drive from the capital, from where an amazing view of the symbol of Armenia - the majestic Ararat. “Khor Virap” in translation means “Deep Dungeon”. The monastery was built on the site of the former royal dungeon, where Gregory the Illuminator, the first Catholicos of Armenia, was kept for 13 years. Therefore, this is one of the most sacred places for Armenians from all over the world. In addition, it is the closest point to mount Ararat from the territory of Armenia, which very often becomes the first reason to visit Armenia.

The next stop is Areni Cave (Bird Cave), where in 2008 archaeologists discovered several ancient artifacts, including a leather shoe and a winery. As a result of excavations, it was possible to establish that this place dates back to the early Bronze Age (about 5000-6000 years ago). They also found evidence of complex burial rituals and agricultural implements.

There is one more place that must be visited - this is Noravank - one of the pearls of medieval Armenian architecture. Noravank is located among the stunning brick-red cliffs at the very end of the Gnishik canyon. Here you will see the only image of God - the Father in Armenia, which is as amazing as the face of Jesus Christ, which appears on the ceiling of the vestibule of the church of Surb Karapet (St. Karapet). This church built by the Orbelians stands out among other churches in that many of this noble family were buried in this place, despite the fact that it was categorically forbidden to bury people in churches from the 5th century.

7 Day Garni-Geghard.

Today you will get acquainted with the pagan history of Armenia and find out how Christianity developed and spread in the country. First stop - temple Garni (77 AD)

Visit the pagan temple of the Sun (1st century A.D.) in the settlement of Garni - a favorite place of Armenian kings. The temple is a spectacle of extraordinary beauty, at times seeming unreal. Built in the Greek style, it occupies a triangular cape ruling over a deep gorge, enveloped by the river Azat from two sides. The surrounding area itself is incredibly beautiful. A Greco-Roman bathhouse with a mosaic of 30,000 pieces of natural stones, as well as the ruins of the royal palace, will take you to the 3rd century AD.

A visit to the cave church of St. Geghard (12th-13th centuries), which means "Holy Spear" in honor of the very same spear that was used to pierce the crucified Christ. The spear is now in the Museum of St. Etchmiadzin). The temple is located high in the mountains in the picturesque gorge of the river Goght. This is a masterpiece of Armenian medieval architecture. It is a complex consisting of a main church, two cave churches and a burial. In the first cave temple, a cold spring beats from a rock. It is believed that its holy water heals of diseases and gives beauty. Monastery Geghard is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (List 2000). Return to Yerevan

 

8 Day Home

Transfer to the Airport

 

 

Note:

Company Travel Bee do not bear responsibility for weather conditions and mode of operation of excursion objects and may make some changes to the program, namely:

- replacement of excursions with similar ones

- change of days of excursions

- combining excursions

If it is impossible to provide any point due to weather or technical conditions.

 

 

The tour price includes:

Transport service

Qualified Guide Service

Accommodation in 3 * hotels with breakfast

All excursions and entrance fees are indicated in the tour

 

 

 

The price does not include:

 

  Air tickets

  Insurance

  Personal expenses

 

 

 

 

Cost:

  Cost per person in a double room 480$ 

  Price per person in a single room 840$ 

  Cost per person in a triple room 500$ 

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