Georgia trip | Discover Georgia and Armenia in luxury

After breakfast, a private city tour of Tbilisi is on the programme. You’ll start in Georgia’s ancient capital, Mtskheta. Here, you’ll visit two of the most important holy sites: the Jvari Monastery (6th century), where you can enjoy a fantastic view, and Svetiskhoveli Cathedral, built from greenish stones (11th century), an exceptional example of ecclesiastical architecture and where, according to legend, Christ’s robe is buried. Both sites are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
You will then visit Georgia’s beautiful and vibrant capital, Tbilisi. Your city tour begins at Metekhi Church, from where you’ll have stunning panoramic views across the entire old town. The colourful wooden balconies, fascinating architecture and blend of modern culture create an extraordinary impression. You’ll explore on foot and visit various historical and modern sights, such as Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Church, Kararan Saray, the synagogue, the Peace Bridge, the Puppet Theatre and much more. You’ll also take a ride on the cable car from Rike Park to Narikala Fortress, and finally we’ll visit the sulphur baths in Firtel, with their beautiful colourful mosaics and brick domes.

You’ll leave the ancient Silk Road behind and continue your journey along Georgia’s historic Military Highway, heading towards Stepantsminda. This breathtaking route, lined with winding mountain passes, will leave you in awe. During your drive, you’ll cross the impressive Cross Pass, situated at an altitude of 2,395 metres, where you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views. The majestic mountains will enchant you as you travel through this beautiful landscape.
On the way, visit the 17th-century Ananuri Complex, overlooking the Zhinvali Reservoir, and admire the carved facades of the main church, where you’ll find works of art such as carved crosses, archangels, mythical creatures and trees of life. It is a unique example of Georgian ecclesiastical architecture.
Take a beautiful walk from Stepantsminda to the Gergeti Trinity Church in the Caucasus. The climb takes you through the picturesque village of Gergeti and an idyllic birch forest. Weather permitting, from the church you can admire the majestic Mount Kazbek (5,054 metres), also known as the ‘White Pearl of the Caucasus’. The circular walk takes around 3 hours and covers a distance of 5 kilometres, with an ascent and descent of 445 metres each. There’s hardly a better way to begin this enchanting journey than by taking in the beauty of the Caucasus.

If you wish to understand the true essence of the ‘wild’ Caucasus, you must visit the Truso Valley. It is a harmony of towering mountains and unspoilt nature. The white and pale yellow travertine, formed from mineral water, are impressive natural treasures.
Today you can take a day trip to the village of Juta. You’ll drive through the villages of Sno and Achkhoti, and this fascinating valley offers the chance to experience both the old and new ways of village life. When you reach Juta, you’ll set off on your walk to Mount Chaukhebi. Your destination is the small lake called Erkonovano. The walk begins with a short steep section, but after that you’ll walk through meadows and along mountain slopes. The flowering meadows, the panoramic view of Mount Chaukhebi and the small waterfalls offer incredibly beautiful scenery. The circular walk takes about 3 hours and involves an ascent and descent of 300 metres, covering a total distance of 3.5 km.
Back in Stepantsminda, you’ll visit a local family for a traditional felt-making masterclass. You’ll learn the ancient techniques of felt-making, as local craftspeople share their knowledge and skills with you. It’s a wonderful way to learn more about Georgian culture and craft traditions, whilst creating a beautiful piece of felt yourself.

Today you will visit the house-museum of Alexander Chavchavadze, the famous 19th-century Georgian poet, with its beautiful garden. Later, you will visit the impressive Gremi Fortress, which dates back to the 16th century and was once the capital of Kakheti, an important stop on the Silk Road. Here you will admire the Church of the Archangel, with its magnificent 17th-century frescoes, as well as the fortress and the museum.
You will then meet a local family of qvevri-makers – a unique and unforgettable experience if you are interested in ancient Georgian wine-making traditions. The qvevri, an essential part of Georgian wine production, is a large clay vessel used for fermenting and ageing wine, and the craft of making these traditional vessels is passed down from generation to generation. You will also visit the famous Khareba Winery, where the wine tunnel offers a unique and immersive experience. Here, you will have the opportunity to taste four different types of wine.

You’ll enjoy a beautiful drive past the pearl of Armenia, Lake Sevan, which covers more than 10 per cent of the country’s territory. Lake Sevan is not only Armenia’s largest lake, but also one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world, attracting tourists from all over the globe due to its iconic and picturesque beauty. The lake’s rich historical and cultural significance makes it a must-visit. The lake is renowned for its exceptional natural beauty, and Sevanavank, situated on the north-western shore, is a historic and spiritual site that is not to be missed. The complex, comprising two medieval Armenian monastery churches dating from the 9th century, offers breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding countryside – the perfect spot to take in the scenery and capture some memorable photographs.
After visiting these exceptional monasteries, you’ll be served lunch. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant nearby. Your next destination is the charming village of Tsaghkunk. Here you’ll experience the beautiful countryside and a masterclass in traditional Armenian cooking awaits you.
You will be staying at the Grand Hotel Yerevan for the next few nights. The Grand Hotel Yerevan is a luxury hotel in the heart of the Armenian capital, renowned for its elegant ambience and excellent service. With its central location, it is the perfect base from which to explore Yerevan’s sights and enjoy the local culture.

Together with your guide, you will explore Yerevan, visiting all the capital’s main attractions. Yerevan, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, dates back to the 8th century BC and is a vibrant city with open-air cafés, eateries and local markets. You’ll enjoy panoramic views of the Opera House, Swan Lake, Northern Avenue, Republic Square and the two ice-capped biblical mountains of Ararat, which are among the capital’s most famous landmarks.
You’ll visit the State Historical Museum of Armenia, an ideal place to begin your historical and cultural tour of Armenia. Here you’ll see an impressive collection of exhibits illustrating the ancient history of the Armenian nation, including the world’s oldest leather shoe (5,500 years old). The museum is a must-visit, as it is one of the richest museums in the region (closed on Mondays). You will then head to the Cafesjian Centre for the Arts and the Sculpture Garden, where contemporary art from the Gerard L. Cafesjian Collection is on display. The centre also offers a diverse programme of lectures, films, concerts and educational initiatives, and attracts over a million visitors annually.
After visiting the centre, you will visit the Genocide Museum, which displays documentation on the Armenian Genocide, the first genocide of the 20th century. You will explore the Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex, dedicated to the 1.5 million victims of this tragedy (the museum is closed on Mondays).

Today you will visit Etchmiadzin, the centre of Armenian Christianity, which is regarded as the ‘Vatican City’ of Armenia and the seat of the Armenian Apostolic Church. You will visit the cathedral, built between 301 and 303 AD, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As the world’s first state church, the cathedral boasts a unique architectural style and frescoes, painted over the centuries by successive generations of artists belonging to the same dynasty.
You will then visit the Machanents Tourism and Art Centre for a wonderful local experience. This complex houses an art academy, a national cookery school, a theatre studio and a unique “Innovation Ethnic Regional Centre”, with around 250 students, including vulnerable groups, orphans, children with disabilities and children from poor families. The profits from these services go towards the charity programmes of the NGO “Cross of Armenian Unity”. Machanents has also recently opened a restaurant staffed exclusively by pensioners.
You will then visit the 7th-century Zvartnots Cathedral (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), which was excavated and reconstructed in the early 20th century. Its bold design and construction represent architectural innovation at its finest. Originally a medieval masterpiece, its unique design and the architectural techniques employed had a global influence on the architecture of the time.
The day concludes with a visit to the Ararat Brandy Factory, where you can experience the craftsmanship behind the famous Armenian brandy and learn more about its rich history. Armenian brandy is the only alcoholic drink in the world that has the privilege of being labelled as ‘cognac’, thanks to its consistently high quality (with a tasting of three different types of brandy).

You will visit the village of Garni, famous for its 1st-century Hellenistic pagan temple, the only pagan temple to have survived the Christianisation of Armenia. The location is renowned for its beautiful landscapes and the impressive views of the gorge and the surrounding mountains. You’ll descend through the Azat River Gorge, home to the ‘Symphony of Stones’ or the ‘Basalt Organ’ – a natural monument of basalt columns formed by slowly flowing lava, and a favourite picnic spot for locals.
You will then witness a demonstration of the traditional method of baking lavash (Armenian bread; a UNESCO cultural heritage site) and learn the technique. You can then enjoy ‘brduj’, a stuffed roll with young cheese and local herbs, whilst tasting the freshly baked bread. You will then visit Geghard Monastery, which dates back to the 4th century AD and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with enhanced protection. This monastery contains several churches and tombs, most of which are carved into the rock, and showcases the highlights of Armenian medieval architecture. The complex is situated in an area of exceptional natural beauty, surrounded by impressive cliffs at the entrance to the Azat Valley. The site is particularly famous for christening ceremonies and weddings, and it is not uncommon to find yourself an impromptu participant in these traditional events during your visit.
Round off the day with a duduk performance. Near the Garni Temple, enjoy the sounds of the Armenian duduk. The duduk is a traditional wind instrument that forms part of UNESCO’s World Heritage list.