Winter Discovery | Georgia & Armenia

Highlights of Georgia & Armenia

Enjoy the highlights of Georgia & Armenia in this Winter Discovery tour. Daily itinerary and tour details are provided below.

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Price: Please see price schedule below
Operates: Dec – Mar

 

DAY 1:

Arrival and transfer from Tbilisi Airport to accommodation. Free day to rest and enjoy the city.

DAY 2:

Experience the charm of the Old Town area as we reveal the history and stories behind the landmarks. Enjoy the local anecdotes and humour as we guide you through the beautiful cobbled streets of Tbilisi. Find out about both the old landmarks as well as the new as we visit the major sights of the Old Town area, all delivered in the fun and friendly Envoy way!

Tour starts with a visit to Metekhi cathedral, after which you head to the Rike park, which is full of modern architecture including the famous Peace Bridge. Ride the cable cart to the 13th century Narikala fortress overlooking the whole city. Next stop is the Abanotubani, where the city originates from. Afterwards, check out the beautiful waterfall in the heart of Tbilisi. Pay a visit to the biggest church in Georgia, the Sameba church. Finally, we’ll drop you off at the Funicular going up to the Mtatsminda Park offering stunning panoramic views of the city.

Free time for the rest of the day.

Departs: 9:00 am
Concludes: 1:00 pm
Includes: Guide
Overnight: Tbilisi

DAY 3:

Head north towards the Caucasus Mountain Range. Take in the breathtaking scenery of the winter wonders of Jhinvali Water Reservoir. Stop at the stunning XVII Century fortress of Ananuri, known for its haunting history. Drive to the Ski resort of Gudauri, where you’ll have 5 hours to enjoy snow fun! (Activities available include sledding, skiing, snowboarding, paragliding and more). After an exhilarating day on the snow fields, warm up with a HOT traditional meal hosted by a local family for an authentic Georgian experience. Have a siesta back to Tbilisi.

Departs: 9:00 am
Returns: 8:00 pm
Includes: Dinner with a local family and guide
Excludes: Lunch, ski gear hire, ski lift pass and activity fees (Note: Paragliding costs 300 GEL pp and requires bookings in advance)
Note: Warm clothing & ski gear (option to hire ski gear is available. Ski hire starts from around 25GEL pp)
Overnight: Tbilisi

DAY 4:

Visit the UNESCO listed Jvari Church known as one of the holiest of churches in Georgia. Enjoy stunning views overlooking Mtskheta, where the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers join. Appreciate the grand Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, the principal Church in Georgia with its rich interior and deep history.

Pay homage to Stalin in his hometown of Gori for a different type of enlightenment. Enjoy a guided tour of the Stalin museum, see the original house he lived in his early years as well as climbing on board the train carriage he travelled later in life.

Enjoy an authentic Georgian meal for lunch before continuing to the ancient cave city of  Uplistsikhe. Be amazed by this once prominent and bustling city originally inhabited by a pagan society.

On the way back, stop at the Iago’s winery to try some homemade Georgian Wine.

Departs: 9:00 am
Returns:
8:00 pm
Includes:
Lunch, entry fees, guide and wine tasting
Requires: Comfortable walking shoes recommended. To be able to enter the churches men need to be wearing long pants and women need long skirts (Some of the churches might provide aprons to wrap around) and a headscarf.
Overnight: Tbilisi

DAY 5:

Travel from Tbilisi, Georgia to Yerevan, Armenia and sight see on the way. Entering Armenia, delight in the ancient frescoes of the church at the Akhtala fortress-monastery. Enjoy a home-cooked BBQ lunch on the banks of Debed River. Visit two UNESCO Heritage listed sights along the Debed Canyon. Marvel at the Haghbat monastery, positioned in a hilltop village and then on to Sanahin with its serene and tranquil surrounds. Sample freshly baked pastry in Aparan.

Departs: 9:00 am
Returns: 8:00 pm
Includes: Lunch, afternoon pastry and guide
Excludes:
 Alcoholic beverages and visa costs (if applicable)
Overnight: Yerevan

DAY 6:

Experience Yerevan on foot, learn more about the iconic landmarks in this beautiful city, as well as the local anecdotes and humour. Walk on the main avenue of the city, visit the church of St. Sarkis and weave your way to Republic Square then move on to the Opera House. Visit the Cascades and enjoy a panoramic view of the Armenian capital from atop a giant stairway built into a Yerevan hillside. This walk through the city will reveal some of the hidden gems of Yerevan and offer an orientation to the city so you can go back in your own time to discover more of what Yerevan has to offer. Drive to the village of Pokr Vedi to see the breathtaking views of Mt. Ararat from Khor Virap monastery where the spark of Christianity started in Armenia. Descend and experience the dungeon pit. Visit a local artisan and enjoy lunch with his family. Explore the mysterious Geghard monastery carved within a mountain and the scenic Garni temple.

Departs: 9:00 am
Returns: 7:00 pm
Includes: 
Lunch and guide
Excludes: Alcoholic beverages
Overnight: Yerevan 

DAY 7:

Starting off from Yerevan, head to Lake Sevan and appreciate the serenity of the largest lake in the Caucasus from Sevanavank monastery. Enjoy fish BBQ lunch on the shore of Lake Sevan. Move onwards to Dilijan known as the little Switzerland of Armenia for being home to over 50% of forests in Armenia. From there visit the monastery of Haghartsin, nestled away in the depth and tranquility of a forest. Arrive in Tbilisi at around 8pm.

Departs: 10:00 am
Returns: 8:00 pm
Includes: 
Lunch and guide
Excludes: Alcoholic Beverages
Overnight: Tbilisi

DAY 8:

Check out and transfer to Tbilisi Airport.

Price Schedule*

1055 USD per person including 7 nights in a 3* hotel twin room (breakfast included)
780 USD per person including 7 nights in a hostel dormitory room (breakfast included) 

* Airport transfers included
* Price includes English guide service, transport and driver costs, meals as specified
* Prices based on minimum of 6 people
* 4 & 5 star accommodation can also be arranged at request

We are happy to provide a quote for different group sizes and customised itineraries.