9 Days Georgia & Armenia

Transcription

1 9 Days Georgia & Armenia Travel date 30 May to 07 Jun 2019

2 TOUR INFORMATION INTRODUCTION The Caucasus mountain range lies between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea and is considered part of the natural boundary between Europe and Asia. Its isolated and ancient lands are one of the world s most ethnically diverse regions, containing more than 60 languages from five distinct language families, giving the region an astounding cultural diversity. This trip takes you to Armenia & Georgia. Armenia is an ancient and proud millennia-old civilization in a remote mountain landscape, the first state to adopt Christianity as an official religion; Georgia, the lush green heart of the Caucasus, followed not long after. With its fabulous cuisine and culture, diverse landscapes and a wealth of ancient churches, cathedrals, monasteries and cave cities, this is a part of the world truly like no other. For those who have time, you may wish to extend the trip to Azerbaijan. The capital, Baku boasts a UNESCO World Heritage old city while the countryside is where time really stood still. SPECIALS Private lectures by historian in Stalin Museum, and Georgian National Art Museum in Tibilisi, Armenian History Museum Visit the IDP village in Tserovani, meet with villagers, see their homes, visit the school, businesses of the village Private live Capella performance inside Geghard Monastery All meals included beverages Small group size of maximum 16 people Escorted by Scott Dunn Travel Concierge Tipping to Guide, Driver & Porter included Comprehensive Travel Insurance included ITINERARY DAY BY DAY Optional Extension Day 1 26 May (Sun) Arrive Baku Day 2 27 May (Mon) Baku Day 3 28 May (Tue) Baku / Gobustan / Shemakha / Sheki Day 4 29 May (Wed) Sheki / Sighnaghi Day 5 30 May (Thu) Sighnaghi / Tbilisi Main Tour Day 1 30 May (Thu) Arrive Tbilisi Day 2 31 May (Fri) Tbilisi / Mtskheta / Uplistsikhe / Tbilisi Day 3 01 Jun (Sat) Tbilisi / Ananauri / Gudauri / Kazbegi Day 4 02 Jun (Sun) Kazbegi Day 5 03 Jun (Mon) Kazbegi / Sahahin / Haghpat / Dzoraget Day 6 04 Jun (Tue) Dzoraget / Lake Sevan / Yerevan Day 7 05 Jun (Wed) Yerevan / Khor Virap / Echmiadzin / Yerevan Day 8 06 Jun (Thu) Yerevan / Geghard / Garni / Yerevan Day 9 07 Jun (Fri) Depart Yerevan DEPARTURE DETAILS Land Tour Price: Twin Sharing: S$6,990/- Single Supplement: S$1,750/- Airfare (subject to availability) Economy from S$2,287/- Business from S$6,341/- Deposit amount: S$2,000/ per person Registration Closing Date: 28 Feb 2019 or when tour is fully subscribed Travel date: 30 May 07 Jun 2019 Early Bird Offer: First 4 rooms booking enjoy complimentary room upgrade from Standard room to Signature Room in Rooms Hotel Kazbegi Azerbaijan Pre-Extension: 26 May 30 May 2019

3 ITINERARY DAY MAY (THU) - SINGAPORE TBILISI Flight: 30 May - Singapore / Doha QR /0515 (7h 55m) 30 May - Doha / Tbilisi QR /1130 (3h 15m) Upon arrival, you will be transferred to lunch at local restaurant. After lunch, we start exploring the Georgian capital. Destroyed and rebuilt nearly 30 times, it is today one of the most lively and cosmopolitan cities in the Caucasus. Walk through the narrow streets and inner courtyards, and stroll down Rustaveli Avenue, the main thoroughfare. Visit Metekhi Church of the Virgin, which was rebuilt in the 12th and 13th centuries; Sioni Cathedral in the town centre, the main cathedral of Tbilisi and seat of the Catholics of the Georgian Orthodox Church. Visit Janashia State Museum with its treasury collection Accommodation: Biltmore Tbilisi Meals: Lunch & Dinner included DAY MAY (FRI) - TBILISI MTSKHETA UPLISTSIKHE TBILISI This morning drive 45 min to Mtskheta, ancient capital of eastern Georgia. Georgia s conversion to Christianity occurred in Mtskheta in 337AD. Visit its historical, fully-functioning churches including the beautiful 7th century Jvari Church perched on a cliff overlooking the city, the Sveti- Tskhoveli Cathedral, the first Christian church to be built in Georgia and its largest functioning cathedral, and the Samtavro monastery complex, with its shrine to St Nino, converter of Georgia. In the afternoon, Gori, infamous as the birthplace of Josef Stalin, and have lunch before visiting the Stalin Museum. Then proceed just outside the town to visit Uplistsikhe cave town, developed to service the trade route from India to the west in the 1st millennium BC. The town is a complex of rock-cut streets, residences, churches, secret tunnels, water passages, markets and the oldest theatre in Georgia, all hewn out of the mountain side.. Accommodation: Biltmore Tbilisi DAY JUN (SAT) - TBILISI ANANAURI GUDAURI KAZBEGI Today we drive north along the Georgian Military Highway. Completed in 1817 to link Georgia with Russia this has long been an important military and economic route through the mountainous region. About 45 minutes out of Tbilisi, we stop to visit Ananuri, the beautifully sited 16th century fortress complex with its exquisitely carved churches; then continue into the Caucasus Mountains for another 1 hour to Gudauri, Georgia s top ski resort. After a brief rest to take in the mountain scenery, we continue for a 1½ drive through alpine meadows and mountain passes littered with medieval watch towers to Kazbegi. By 4 WD vehicles drive to visit Tsminda Sameba Church, perched in a beautiful, solitary spot high above the village of Kazbegi, one of Georgia s iconic sights. Accommodation: Hotel Rooms Kazbegi

4 ITINERARY DAY JUN (SUN) - KAZEBGI This morning we travel by 4x4 cars drive Juta village from were start hiking tour towards Chaukhi massive and enjoy picturesque landscapes. (Note: hiking takes one way 2 hours) Afterwards have picnic lunch on nice place. After lunch have hiking tour back to Juta village and then continue drive back to Kazbegi. After arrival have a walk in the village and visit local felt master and find out old history, techniques and process of sheep wool treatment and dyeing with natural paints as well as enjoy several species of herbal teas. Drive back to Hotel. Accommodation: Hotel Rooms Kazbegi DAY JUN (MON) - KAZEBGI SAHAHIN HAGHPAT DZORAGET Drive about 3 hours back to Tbilisi. From here it is an hour to the border crossing to Armenia at Sadakhlo; after the immigration formalities, meet your Armenian guide and driver. Drive another 30 minutes to visit the 10th century monastic complexes of Sanahin and Haghpat, outstanding examples of medieval Armenian architecture and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Then we drive towards Dzoraget, along the Debed River nestled among the forest-covered hills. Check-in to the Avan Dzoraget hotel, built in 2004 but designed to evoke the historical atmosphere of a medieval Armenian castle. Accommodation: Avan Dzoraget Hotel DAY JUN (TUE) - DZORAGET KHOR VIRAP ECHMIADZIN YEREVAN This morning we head towards Yerevan, en route we will stop by the lake Sevan- The emerald of Armenia, the pearl of Caucasus and the second highest fresh water lake in the world. to visit 9th century Sevan Monastery. Visit Noratuz - cemetery of thousands of Khachkars (cross-stones). Arrive Yerevan for dinner. Accommodation: Hotel Aleksander Luxury Collection

5 ITINERARY DAY JUN (WED) - YEREVAN KHOR VIRAP ECHMIADZIN YEREVAN After breakfast excursion to Khor Virap, in the Ararat Valley about 40 minutes drive from Yerevan. Set against the stunning view of Biblical Mt Ararat, this large 17th century monastery is built over the 4th century site of St Gregory s imprisonment in a pit for 12 years. Then drive about 30 minutes to Echmiadzin, the seat of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Visit the ancient cathedral, on the site where St Gregory the Illuminator first built in AD; also visit the Zvartnots ruins from the 7th century. Both Echmiadzin and Zvarnots are UNESCO World Heritages; return to Yerevan for dinner. Accommodation: Hotel Aleksander Luxury Collection DAY JUN (THU) - YEREVAN GEGHARD GARNI YEREVAN Then drive about 1 hour to Garni, a pagan Hellenistic temple in a picturesque setting and have 1 hour hiking tour in picturesque Garni canyon to see natural monument called stone symphony. Have lunch at a local house, where we participate in an Armenian Lavash-making ceremony. Visit to the close by UNESCO World Heritage Geghard monastery, rock-cut from caves, producing some beautiful acoustics. Return to Yerevan for dinner. start on a city tour, including a visit to the Memorial Park and the Museum of the Armenian Genocide. Accommodation: Hotel Aleksander Luxury Collection DAY JUN (FRI) - YEREVAN SINGAPORE Flight: 07 Jun - Yerevan / Doha QR / (2h 55m) 07 Jun - Dohan / Singapore QR /2015 (8h 00m) Accommodation: N/A Meals: N/A

6 PRICE INFORMATION Hotels Tbilisi: Hotel Biltmore Tbilisi (Deluxe Room) x 2 nights Kazebgi: Hotel Rooms Kazbegi (Standard Room) x 2 nights Dzoraget: Avan Dzoraget Hotel (Standard Room) x 1 night Yerevan: Hotel Alexander (Superior Room) x 3 nights Land tour price per person Twin share Single Supplement S$6,990/- S$1,750/- * These prices are based on minimum 10 people travelling together. Airline Qatar Airways (QR) Singapore / Doha / Tbilisi / Yerevan / Doha / Singapore Airfare price per person Economy Class S$ 1,715 + S$ 572 (taxes) = S$ 2,287/- Business Class: S$ 5,436 + S$ 905 (taxes) = S$ 6,341/- *Airfare & Taxes are calculated as of 20 Nov 2018 and subject to change & availability. Should you wish to explore alternative flying routes, do consult our friendly consultants. COST INCLUDES Accommodation on twin/double basis Meals as stated including one glass of wine or 1 bottle of non-alcoholic beverage or local beer Service of a throughout English speaking guide All tours & transfers including park fees Tipping to Guide, Driver & Porter Comprehensive Travel Insurance Service of Scott Dunn Travel Concierge COST EXCLUDES Airfare between Singapore/Doha/Tbilisi/Yerevan/Doha/ Singapore (as quoted separately) Visa & Entry Tax Personal expenses e.g. laundry, and telecommunication

7 OPTIONAL EXTENSION 5 DAYS 4 NIGHTS AZERBAIJAN DAY MAY (SUN) - ARRIVE BAKU Flight: 26 May - Singapore / Doha QR /0515 (7h 55m) 26 May - Doha / Baku QR /1120 (2h 50m) Upon arrival, you will be met & transferred to Four Seasons Baku for 2 nights. Dinner at Traditional restaurant. Accommodation: Four Seasons Baku Meals: Dinner DAY MAY (MON) - BAKU This morning we set off on a walking tour of the historic Old Town of Baku with its maze of narrow alleys and ancient buildings contrasting sharply with the relentless modernity of the new city. The walking tour starts with a visit to Icheri Sheher, the fortress of Old Baku dating to the 15th century, and continues to Maiden Tower, the Shirvan Shahs Palace Complex, medieval market square and caravanserai. We shall also visit the Synyk Kala Minaret, completed in 1093, which is the city s oldest building. Visit the State Carpet Museum, and the Martyr s Lane. After lunch, continue to the Absheron Peninsula, which has the oldest oil fields in Azerbaijan. Visit the Zoroastrian Fire Temple at Ateshgyakh, from the 18th century. Return to Baku. Accommodation: Four Seasons Baku DAY MAY (TUE) - BAKU GOBUSTAN SHEMAKHA SHEKI This morning proceed outside the city to Gobustan with an archaeologist for another UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its archaeological monuments with more than 4,000 rock drawings from the Neolithic period. Leaving Baku, it is a long drive of 296 km over the mountain to Sheki. Visit Daribaba Mausoleum. Visit Shemakha, the former capital of the once powerful Shirvan Khanate, Djuma Mosque and Yeddi Gumbaz, the royal mausoleum. The drive is beautiful tracing the ancient Silk Road and with views of the lovely countryside. Accommodation: Marxal Resort & Spa

8 OPTIONAL EXTENSION 5 DAYS 4 NIGHTS AZERBAIJAN DAY MAY (WED) - SHEKI SIGHNAGHI Morning have sightseeing tour of Sheki. After lunch continue the drive across the mountain across the border into Georgia. We enter Georgia in the region of Kakheti, the biggest and the most important winemaking region in Georgia, which is famous with its hospitality, delicious food and ancient Georgian technique of winemaking which dates to the 8th century BC and is still used to produce unique organic Qvevri wine. Continue to 18th century Royal town of Signaghi. Surrounded by the longest defensive wall in the region with 23 towers, Signaghi was an important strategic place where on Silk Road route. Visit Bodbe Nunnery (9thc) near Sighnaghi, the place where St. Nino, the 4th.c female evangelist of Georgians is buried. Enjoy evening in beautiful narrow streets of Sighnaghi from where you can explore panoramic sights of Caucasus Mountains and Alazani valley. Visit one of famous wineries Pheasants Tears in Sighnaghi, enjoy wine tasting and delicious dinner with local food. Accommodation: Hotel Kabadoni DAY MAY (THU) - SIGHNAGHI TBILISI Enjoy a leisure morning, drive towards Tbilisi and meet the main group. Accommodation: Tbilisi Marriott Hotel

9 PRICE INFORMATION OPTIONAL EXTENSION Hotels Baku: Four Seasons Baku (Deluxe City View Room) Sheki: Marxal Resort & Spa (Standard Room) Sighnaghi: Hotel Kabadoni (Standard Room) Land tour price per person Twin share Single Supplement S$ 2,880/- S$ 870/- * These prices are based on minimum six people travelling together. COST INCLUDES COST EXCLUDES Accommodation on twin or double sharing basis Visa (if applicable) Professional English local guide throughout the trip Personal expenses e.g. laundry, bar bills, tips etc Meals as stated including beverages (except premium wine & hard liquor) Entrance fees where applicable Tipping to Guide, Driver & Porter Service of Scott Dunn Travel Concierge; Comprehensive Travel insurance