GEORGIA AND EASTERN TURKEY

Georgia and ancient Georgian and Armenian monuments on the territory of today’s Turkey. The Black see, biblical Mt. Ararat, unparalleled beauty of the Caucasus Mountains and hospitable people await you on this journey.

–  Mtskheta and Kutaisi – the antique towns in Georgia
–  Ani – the ancient capital of Armenia
–  Biblical Ararat and mythical Caucasus
–  Oshki abd Ishkhani – the ancient Georgian monasteries in Turkey
–  Kars, Erzerum and Trabzon – the important cultural centres in Turkey

• Day 1: Departure for Tbilisi
  

• Day 2: Tbilisi

Tbilisi sightseeing tour, visit the Old Town and the State Museum Treasury.

• Day 3: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Gudauri

We drive to Mtskheta – the ancient capital of Georgia and Visit Jvari Monastary and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Then we continue up the Georgian Military highway en route visiting Ananuri Complex. Overnight in Gudauri ski resort (2000 m).

• Day 4: Gudauri – Kazbegi – Gudauri

A scenic drive in the Caucasus Mountains brings us to the town of Kazbegi. From there we walk to Gergeti Trinity Church located at 2170m. We then drive through the dramatic Dariali Gorge before returning to Gudauri.

• Day 5: Gudauri – Gori – Kutaisi

We travel to the town of Gori and visit the Stalin Museum and Uplistsikhe cave town. Then we had to West Georgia. Overnight in Kutaisi.

• Day 6: Kutaisi – Bakuriani

We visit Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery & Academy and then continue to Bakuriani ski resort.

• Day 7: Bakuriani – Borjomi – Atskuri – Vale – Kars

From Bakuriani we take a mountain train to Borjomi spa town. Here we visit Romanov’s Summer Palace, then climb up Atskuri Fortress and after lunch continue to the Georgian-Turkish border at Vale. After crossing the border we drive to Kars for two-night stay.

• Day 8: Kars – Ani – Igdir – Kars

We visit the ruins of once a flourishing city of Ani – the ancient capital of Armenia. Then we continue towards the Armenian border to visit Igdir before returning to Kars.

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  Day 9: Kars – Isak Pasha Palace – Van

We travel to Dogubeyazit en route passing biblical MT. Ararat – the legendary resting place of Noah’s Ark. We visit Isak Pasha Palace and Muradiya Waterfalls and then continue to the lakeside town of Van.

• Day 10: Lake Van

We visit Hosap castle and Cavustepe – the centre of the ancient Urartu civilization. Then we visit a carpet school and in the afternoon take a boat trip to Akdamar Island to visit the well-preserved Armenian church of the Holy Cross. In the evening we return to Van.

• Day 11: Van – Erzurum

Today we travel to Erzurum – the capital of the east and visit Ulu Cami (Great Mosque), Cifte Minaret and Uckumbetler. Overnight in Erzurum.

• Day 12: Erzurum – Yusufeli – Rize

On the way to Yusufeli we visit the ancient Georgian monasteries of Oshki and Ishkani. We then travel to Artvin and Hopa along the beautiful mountains and arrive in the town of Rize on the Black Sea coast.

• Day 13: Rize – Sumela Monastery – Trabzon

In the mountainous hinterland a short hike brings us to Sumela Monastery perched on a sheer cliff. We then drive to Trabzon and visit Haghia Sophia and admire its wonderful frescos. In the evening we have farewell dinner with traditional Turkish dishes.

• Day 14: Departure