Iran, Armenia & Georgia 19 nights/19 days

Early arrival in Tehran you are met at the airport and transfer to your hotel.  After a short rest and Breakfast, your guide will be meeting you at the hotel for today sightseeing, to give an introduction to this ancient country, we visit Archaeological Museum, Golestan Palace, Abgineh and Carpet museum. 
OVERNIGHT TEHRAN  
MEALS: Breakfast

Meet at your hotel to transfer domestic flight airport Mehrabad for the flight to Shiraz. Upon arrival in Shiraz, you are met at the airport and transfer to the hotel. After a short rest at the hotel.   
Sightseeing in Shiraz starts by visiting the Eram Garden (Garden of Paradise) a large garden with a palace. 
 Hafez tombs the 14th Century Persian Mystic poet and Saadi tomb the famous Persian poet of medieval period then head to Shiraz colorful Bazaar. 
OVERNIGHT IN SHIRAZ 
MEALS: Breakfast
 

An unforgettable excursion, to Persepolis, "Ancient Capital of the Achaemenian Kings" established by Darius I in the late 6th century BC. it is known today in Iran as Takht-e Jamshid ("Throne of Jamshid") after a legendary king. The Greeks called it Persepolis. 
Naghesh-e-Rajab a site of four limestone rock face inscriptions and bas-reliefs that date to the early Sassanid era and Naghesh-e-Rostam,   the tombs of four Achaemenid kings, these are two archaeological sites candidate for UNESCO World Heritage 
OVERNIGHT IN SHIRAZ 
MEALS: Breakfast
 

Starting from the morning we’ll drive to Isfahan approximately 322km for 4-5 hours. 
Visit the tomb of the Cyrus the great, the founder of Persian Empire. 
OVERNIGHT IN ISFAHAN  
MEALS: Breakfast
 

A full day sightseeing, visiting Imam Mosques, the most stunning buildings in Iran, it was built over a period of 26 years and was eventually completed in 1638. Sheikh Lotfollah Mosques,  was built during Shah Abbas’ the mosque was once called the ladies’s Mosque, because there is apparently a tunnel between this mosque and the Ali Qapu Palace on the other side, allowing women from Haram to attend prayers without being seen in public. 
The Aliqapou Palace, built in the 18th century as a functioning seat of government, and included a huge pavilion from where the Safavid rulers could watch the activities in the square below.
Vanak Church, 17th century Armenian church , Chehel Sotoun,  which was built as a reception hall by Shah Abbas II in 1647,the name means "The Forty Columns" and though there are only twenty columns of cypress wood, their reflections in the adjacent pool provide the other twenty. The Friday Mosque one of the treasure building of Isfahan.
OVERNIGHT ISFAHAN 
MEALS: Breakfast
 

Sightseeing in this fascinating city continues with the Shaking Minarets, these minarets have the unusual feature of moving from side to side when shaken vigorously, and visit the Sassnid Fire Temple, Hasht Behesht Palace, was completed in 1669 with its fine murals with spectacular roofs and Khajou Bridge was built by Shah Abbas II in 1650, it is 123 meters long with 24 arches.  
OVERNIGHT IN ISFAHAN
MEALS: Breakfast

In the morning we’ll be ready to drive to Tehran, it takes 6-7 hours. 
OVERNIGHT TEHRAN 
MEALS: Breakfast
 

After Breakfast free time
Transfer to the Airport and flight to Yerevan

Meeting and transfer to the hotel
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
MEALS: Breakfast
 

YEREVAN CITY TOUR!
Our trip through Armenia begins today in Yerevan - the capital, one of the most ancient cities in the world - Erebouni Fortress which was founded in 782 BC. We will start from Erebouni museum located at the top of Arin-Berd hill. You will also have a chance to discover this ancient fortress.
Afterwards, we will stop by the eternal flame and memorial symbolizing the Armenian Genocide in 1915 – Tsitsernakaberd. It is dedicated to preserving the memory of the Armenian Genocide and to honoring 1.5 million innocent Armenian victims who went through the horrors in the beginning of the 20th century. 
Visit to “MEGERIAN RUGS” Factory & Show room: Which brings together time-honored traditions and a range of exquisite aesthetics to create objects of art for the modern living and you will become acquainted with the ancient technology of Armenian carpet-making. 
Finally, we will visit Cascade - Gerard Cafesjian Sculpture Garden. The Cafesjian Center for the Arts is dedicated to the best of contemporary art and presents some of the best Armenian cultural pieces to the world. 
Free time in the evening to explore the wine bars and restaurants on Saryan Street.
EVENING: WELCOME DINNER IN THE ARMENIAN TRADITIONAL RESTUARANT
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
MEALS: Breakfast/Dinner
 

Today we will visit to Garni, the location of the rare pre-Christian pagan temple maintained in Armenia, dating from the 1st century AD is a splendid example of ancient architecture. 
In Garni and Geghard, you can also see many natural sights, the Azat canyon and Khosrov reserve are wonders of nature. They appear to be gigantic basalt “organ” in the rocks, where the stone symphony dies out.Trip to Garni Canyon : “Symphony of stones” – some of the most dramatic scenery in Armenia. We may have an enjoyable walk down to the Garni gorge where one cannot help admiring basalt formations and natural beauty.Today you will have the opportunity to follow the whole process of how one of the finest jewels of Armenian cuisine is crated in a tandoor from formlessd traditional table/lavash making: “Eat thy bread with joy”
Master Class of Traditional Armenian bread “ lavash” being baked in tonir (ground oven). The preparation, meaning and appearance of traditional bread as an expression of culture in Armenia has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Then you will reach Geghard (Cave monastery) (UNESCO) architectural complex (12-13th centuries), carved out of one monolithic rock. Due to the extraordinary acoustics, when the local singer begins to sing in this chamber it is hard to believe a large choir isn’t singing… be aware it is only one man… 
Back to Yerevan 
Visit to “NOY” ARARAT Brandy Factory:  “…one does not drink brandy, one derives pleasure from it.” Just let's do it in one of the oldies factories in "NOY" Yerevan Brandy factory.
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
MEALS: Breakfast

Today you will enjoy a tour of the most enigmatic of cities, visiting the remarkable Matenadaran Library and Research Institute of Armenia which houses about 17000 rare manuscripts. This is one of the richest depositories of manuscripts and books in the world. The history of the Matenadaran dates back to the creation of the Armenian Alphabet in 405. 
Then we embark on our Journey to the lands of ancient treasures of Christian history…the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, it’s the “religious capital” of the Armenian Church and the seat of the Supreme Patriarch-Catholics of all Armenians. It has 4 main churches, including the Cathedral. Built in 303 AD, the cathedral is a masterpiece of the Armenian classical architecture and considered to be one of the world’s earliest Christian churches. 
The next visit is the ruins of the Zvartnots Cathedral.  It is special for its rare construction, during the 7th century.
Back to Yerevan and free evening
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
MEALS: Breakfast

 

 Check out

In the morning we are driving through the fertile plains of the Ararat valley, you will reach Khor Virap Monastery – the beginning of the History of Christianity in Armenia, magnificently set against the towering slopes of the Biblical Mountain, Ararat. You have some quite spectacular photo opportunities before a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty. The monastery is the site where St. Gregory the Illuminator was incarcerated and it is a pilgrimage destination for every believer.Another beautiful driving through the southern area of Armenia. The road full of many draw emotional value from nature. Seeing it, it makes us feel good. We’ll enjoy it. Later on let us to take the path through the narrow gorge, revealing Noravank Monastery, nestled inside the deep red landscape of the tuf stone mountains. 
Later on we will taste and enjoy a guided tour of the famous “Areni Winery.”  In Armenian, there is a famous saying that “Wine is bottled poetry”.  
Returning to the main highway we shall start driving south to Goris.
OVERNIGHT IN GORIS
 MEALS: Breakfast

Serpentine road brings us to explore Tatev Monastery (UNSECO), which provides a spectacular view of mountain ranges. 
The Aerial Tramway of Tatev - spanning 5.7 kilometers across the spectacular Vorotan River Gorge, offers a spectacular journey with breathtaking views of the river gorge below. Most importantly, it will link you to one of the jewels of Armenia's medieval legacy - Tatev Monastery as well the Tatev Aerial Tramway - the longest passenger aerial tramway in the world - is poised to be one of southern Armenia's most popular attractions. The picturesque monastery is nestled at the top of an impregnable plateau, crowned by the ramparts walls from the upper part of the territory. Afterwards, you will have time to discover the interior of the monastery which was founded in the 4th cent., becoming an important religious and educational center of medieval Armenia in 9-10th cc.   Next is a very attractive stop in Khndzoresk, a cave village and exotic rock formations. This village looks like a vertical multi-storied rocky amphitheater.  Troglodytic dwelling at Khndzoresk – Prehistoric era. Winding road leads your pleasant ascent. 
OVERNIGHT IN GORIS 
MEALS: Breakfast
 

Check out
We’ll depart this morning and travel north, which is passing via one of the principal routes of the “Great Silk Road” – Vardenisyan (Selim) Pass, linking the southern region of Vayots Dzor to the eastern region of Gegharkunik. 
After we have another stop in one of the ancient Orbelian's Caravanserai from 14th century. Continually on the way, you will admire a splendid view of the area. Not far from Hayrivank Monastery on the shore of Lake Sevan is the settlement of Noraduz famous for its khachkars (crosses-stones) cemetery. There are about 900 khachkars of various styles and epochs there. Noraduz Cemetery became one of the most visited and popular sights of the Gegarkunik region because there is one of the largest collections of Armenian khachkars. The prominent feature of the majority of khachkars is the cross with a solar disk under it.
Our final visit of the day is unique in its own right... the Mikayelyan Cheese Cellar, is where we will have a chance to oversee the production of Gourmet cheeses and taste a variety of wonderful flavors complimented by a glass of wine.Visit to Lake Sevan – the emerald of Armenia, a beauty under the sky. Lake Sevan is considered  to be one of the largest sweet water lakes in the world, situated at an altitide of 1,897 meters above sea level. The most picturesque view of Lake Sevan is seen from the peninsula atop which Sevan Monastery is nicely nestled dating to the 9th century. 
Our next stop is Dilijan: “A piece of Switzerland in Armenia” - Earth and sky, woods and fields, rivers, the mountains are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn otherwise…
OVERNIGHT in DILIJAN
MEALS: Breakfast
 

 “A piece of Switzerland in Armenia” - Earth and sky, woods and fields, rivers, the mountains become excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn otherwise… The old approach in the new century ... “Old Town Dilijan” complete with craftsmen workshops, small shops with traditional Armenian products and crafts, museum, showing typical 19th century living with all its local customs and handmade wood furnishings..... 10-13th centuries Haghartsin Monastery.
Drive to Alaverdy 

Continue to the Armenia-Georgia border Baghratashen - Sadakhlo – border formalities….
Arrival Tbilisi  
OVERNIGHT IN TBILISI
MEALS: Breakfast
 

TBILISI CITY TOUR!
 A few unforgettable hours of familiarization with the capital. A charming town built in the 5th century along the twisting valley of Mtkvari River. All the places of interest are very close to each other, within a few minutes’ walk. Start our excursion Metekhi (13th century) plateau, before taking the cable car to Narikala Fortress which dominates the skyline of the Old Town.  Afterwards proceed to cafe street Shardeni and walk across the Bridge of Peace which is a stunning design as well as convenient crossing between the newly constructed Rike Park and the Old Town. It also provides superb views over the city. 
EVENING:  DINNER IN A TYPICAL GEORGIAN RESTAURANT WITH LIVE GEORGIAN MUSIC 

OVERNIGHT IN TBILISI
MEALS: Breakfast/Dinner
 

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed along the Silk Road and arrive in Gori - the birthplace of the Soviet leader Stalin.
 Photo-stop at the museum of Stalin and proceed to the cave town Uplistsikhe (1st millennium BC) - one of the first
 cities in Georgia carved into the rock. The caves were the site of pagan rituals, before Georgia became a Christian country. After inspecting the cave city, head to Mtskheta – an ancient capital of Georgia, important religious center and city-museum which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Jvari Church. Along the way we will stop on the top of the mountain, at the confluence of two rivers – Mtkvari and Aragvi. Arrive in Mtskheta. Walk along the narrow streets with souvenir shopping possibility and visit its important sites. In the evening drive back to Tbilisi. 
OVERNIGHT IN TBILISI. 
MEALS: Breakfast

After breakfast we drive to a small town of Sighnaghi (16th c) - one of the most beautiful towns of Georgia. Its attractiveness is largely defined both by the age-old architectural sites and its natural characteristics: the Town is located on a hilltop and looks over the boundless area of the Alazani Valley and the snow-covered Caucasian mountains. We wonder along the cute streets of the town. Khareba Winery – ancient cave winery where you will have a chance to taste, purchase and enjoy fine Georgian wine.  
The Monastery of St. Nino at Bodbe. Originally was built in the 9th century. The monastery now functions as a nunnery and is one of the major pilgrimage sites in Georgia. 
OVERNIGHT IN TBILISI
MEALS: Breakfast
 

TRANSFER to TBILISI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT  

Have a nice and safe flight!!!