Georgia & Armenia: Mountains
& Monasteries
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"MIR's tour was the trip of a lifetime, especially the Svaneti area of Georgia...Being in th Caucuses was like being in a National Geographic article."
R.H. Freed
Choteau, MT
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 These warm, green countries full of fruitful valleys and sawtoothed mountains are rich with unexpected treasures. Walk through river-cut canyons, explore magnificent cave towns, enter medieval fortress towers of stacked stone and visit the mountain homes of the Svan people.
Days 1-3: Yerevan, Garni, Geghard, Echmiadzin, Lake Sevan
Assemble in Yerevan, once the crossroads of historic trade routes plied by spice and rug merchants. Visit the pagan temple of Garni, and the Christian monastery of Geghard carved into the mountainside nearby. Explore beautiful Lake Sevan, one of the world's largest alpine lakes, and Echmiadzin, the country's religious center.
Day 4: Amberd, Gyumri
Pay a visit to the remains of the 7th century Amberd Fortress en route to Gyumri, the country's second largest city.
Days 5-7: Bakuriani, Vardzia, Borjomi, Kutaisi
Traveling north across the Georgian border to Bakuriani, a popular winter resort, pause at the imposing cave town of Vardzia. Visit the spa town of Borjomi and spend an evening with locals in Kutaisi, home to the impressive Gelati Monastery.
Days 8-10: Mestia, Svaneti
Venture to the remote Svaneti region, known for its massive tower architecture and its proud mountain people, with their white and black wool hats dense enough to drink from. Here we hike and enjoy the hospitality of local villagers.
Days 12-15: Tbilisi
Tbilisi is an exciting city known for its lively and sophisticated inhabitants. Its museums display fine chased gold work from the 3rd century and medieval art dating from the 9th to the 14th centuries.
Trip Details
MIR Signature Features
- Explore Armenia's Lake Sevan and ancient Amberd Fortress
- Climb to the cave-dwellings of Vardzia
- Visit the highest village in Europe, Svaneti's Ushguli
Map - Click to Enlarge
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| Days 1-3: |
Yerevan with day trips to Garni, Geghard, Echmiadzin,
Lake Sevan |
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| Day 4: |
drive to Gyumri via Amberd |
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| Day 5: |
drive to Bakuriani via Vardzia |
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| Day 6: |
Bakuriani |
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| Day 7: |
drive to Kutaisi via Borjomi |
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| Day 8: |
drive to Mestia via Zugdidi |
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| Days 9-10: |
Svaneti exploration including Ushguli Village |
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| Day 11: |
drive to Kutaisi |
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| Day 12: |
drive to Tbilisi |
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| Days 13-15: |
Tbilisi |
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| Yerevan |
View of Mount Ararat, Genocide Memorial, Matenadaran Museum |
| Garni |
Temple of Garni, Symphony Canyon |
| Geghard |
"Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley" (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Church of the Virgin Mary |
| Echmiadzin |
"Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots" (UNESCO World Heritage Site) |
| Sevan Region |
Lake Sevan at an altitude of 5,900 feet, Dilijan Village, Hagartsin Monastery |
| Amberd |
Amberd Fortress and Castle |
| Gyumri |
Second largest city in Armenia |
| Bavra |
Khertvisi Fortress, Javakheta Mtkvari and the Artaani Mtkvari Rivers |
| Vardzia |
12th century cave complex with 559 surviving chambers, and original frescoes |
| Bakuriani |
Mt. Kokhta |
| Borjomi |
Mineral Springs |
| Kutaisi |
Imereti Region, Gelati Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site), legendary site of the battle for the Golden Fleece |
| Zugdidi |
Gateway to the Svaneti Region (UNESCO World Heritage Site) |
| Mestia |
Watchtowers, Ethnographic Museum, Icon of the Forty Martyrs, Church of St. George, Architectural Museum, Enguri River Canyon |
| Latali Village |
9th-century single nave basilica |
| Ushguli |
UNESCO World Heritage Village, Ethnographic Museum, Lamaria Church, Mt. Shkhara |
| Lenjeri Village |
Lashtkveri Church |
| Gori |
Birthplace of Joseph Stalin, Stalin House Museum |
| Tbilisi |
View Narikala Fortress, Mother Georgia Monument, Anchiskhati Basilica, Sioni Cathedral with the Cross of St. Nino, Metekhi Church of the Virgin, Rustaveli Avenue and Old Town, History Museum and Georgian Treasury |
Suggested Extensions
MIR can arrange for a pre-tour extension to Shoushi, Armenia or a post-tour extension to Baku, Azerbaijan, Moscow or St. Petersburg, Russia, or elsewhere in Europe at the conclusion of your tour.
A post-tour is available to neighboring Azerbaijan. Contact us for details.
Some images on this page courtesy Georgian Tourism Board and Caucasus Travel
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