13-day wine tour Armenia and Georgia – discover the two oldest wine countries in the world in one trip
Most important features
- 13 DAYS – 12 NIGHTS
- Visited countries: Armenia, Georgia
Short introduction
The Caucasus Mountains and the Armenian Plateau are considered to be one of the world’s oldest cradles of wine art. Both countries, Armenia and Georgia, boast that they have old wineries that have been producing wines continuously for thousands of years. We invite you to a fascinating wine tour through these beautiful countries, through charming wine-growing areas, where the joy of life and hospitality are an everyday occurrence, where wine is a good reason for warm meetings, conversations and Caucasian toasts. Join this trip, enjoy cultural experiences and culinary delights accompanied by excellent wines.
Highlights
- Glass of wine as a welcome drink at a rooftop bar
- 11 wine tastings
- 2 nights in a wine hotel
- See wine estates with beautiful surrounding landscapes in the most famous wine regions of Armenia, Areni, and of Georgia, Kakheti
- Discover beautiful cities such as Yerevan, Tbilissi, Sighnaghi, and Mtskheta
- Discover beautiful monasteries such as Khor Virap, Noravank, Sevanavank
- Photograph other cultural sites such as the Amberd fort, Zvartnots Cathedral, located in the Ararat Valley.
Program
DAY 1 – DEPARTURE TO ARMENIA
Today you leave late afternoon or in the evening to Armenia where you will arrive early the next morning.
DAY 2 – ARRIVAL OF YEREVAN – ARMENIA (D)
Today you arrive at the largest city of Armenia, Yerevan. After arrival, you will be transferred from the airport to your hotel. After an early check-in at your hotel, you may have some free time. At the end of the afternoon you are expected in one of the most beautiful rooftop bars in the city overlooking the centre before going for dinner at a wine restaurant.
Overnight.
DAY 3 – YEREVAN – MATENADARAN – YEREVAN (B, D)
After breakfast you will have a tour of the capital of Armenia, Yerevan. You will visit the Matenadaran, a living archive with a rich collection of ancient manuscripts and books that have been preserved as national treasures through the ages. Afterward, travel to the first winery of this trip to experience the taste of Armenian wine and take a tour of the vineyard. Then visit one of the most famous brandy distilleries where all kinds of well-known spirits are made, some of which are world famous, a must for anyone who appreciates quality and wants to enjoy the unique and exclusive taste of the world-famous Armenian brandy. In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner in a traditional tavern.
Overnight.
DAY 4 – YEREVAN – KHOR VIRAP – ARENI (B)
In the morning, after breakfast, you will go to the southern part of Armenia, where the Armenian wine comes from. The first stop is at the Khor Virap Monastery, high in the Ararat Valley. On a clear day you can have an impeccable view of Mount Ararat. Then you will drive towards the village called “Rind”, where you will visit one of the most beautiful wineries of Armenia. Wineries in Armenia are wild and beautiful, old but vital, full of life and deeply connected to history. Here you will be able to admire the fascinating vineyards and participate in a wine tasting with different Armenian wines. Tonight, you will stay in a wine hotel.
Overnight.
DAY 5 – ARENI – NORAVANK – YEREVAN (B)
Today, after breakfast, travel to the beating heart of Armenian wine, where it all happens, the Areni wine region. Every year, this wine region organizes a wine festival and offers its guests a wide range of different wines. Along the way you will see the Amaghu Gorge, the perfect backdrop for one of the most beautiful monasteries of Armenia called Noravank. This is a perfect location to take photos and admire the red cliffs. After this, you will visit a winery where you will be offered a wine tasting, accompanied by an exquisite selection of fresh dishes from traditional Armenian cuisine. Afterward, continue to YEREVAN to spend a wine evening in a wine bar or traditional restaurant serving exclusive wines.
Overnight.
DAY 6 – YEREVAN – AMBERD – VAHRAMASHEN – YEREVAN (B)
After breakfast, travel to Aragatsotn province. Here you can see the partially destroyed old Amberd Fort built on top of the mountain that gives you a perfect view of the surrounding area and a deep gorge below. Then you continue to the Vahramashen church, also with a beautiful view over the edge of the gorge, it seems as if it is the continuation of the Amberd fort. After this cultural part you will visit a modern winery with a long history. Here you will be offered a wine tasting and you can walk around to see the surroundings. Free evening in YEREVAN.
Overnight.
DAY 7 – YEREVAN – ZVARTNOTS – ETCHMIADZIN – AKNASHEN – YEREVAN (B)
After breakfast you will visit one of the better wineries of Armenia where you will taste some of their best wines. You will also receive a guided tour with an explanation of the winemaking in this winery. Afterward, travel on to the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, located in the Ararat Valley. Although completely destroyed, the cathedral remains one of the most visited sites in the country as it offers beautiful views of Mount Ararat. Next, visit the spiritual city of Etchmiadzin – the sacred centre of all Armenians, home to the country’s oldest church. After this beautiful stop at one of the most beautiful landscapes in Armenia, you will arrive at the village of Aknashen. Here you can see the traditional baking process of the ‘lavash’, a traditional bread that resembles the Naan from India. This bread goes well with a glass of wine. At the end of the day, you will return to YEREVAN.
Overnight.
DAY 8 – YEREVAN – SEVAN – DILIJAN – TBILISI (B)
After breakfast, the last day arrives in Armenia before you will stay in the Georgian capital tonight. After checking out from your hotel, travel to the magical freshwater lake Sevan surrounded by scenic landscapes. Next, head to the old Sevanavank Monastery located on the highest peak of the lake’s peninsula. Then you travel to Dilijan known as “Armenian Switzerland”. Dense forests, mountains and hills embrace the city of Dilijan, creating a small green oasis in the southern part of the province. In the evening you will reach the Armenian-Georgian border. After passport control, it is a short time before you reach Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Check in to your hotel in Tbilisi.
Overnight.
DAY 9 – TBILISI – SIGHNAGHI (B)
After breakfast, stroll through the colourful old town where each structure is considered a precious monument. You will visit the Sameba Cathedral, the main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church, the Orbeliani Baths, the Synagogue, the Sioni Cathedral and the Anchiskhati Church. Then you will go by cable car to the Narikala fortress from the IV century and you will be able to admire the breath-taking panorama over the city. After lunch, drive to the wine region of Kakheti. Here you will visit one of the best wineries in Georgia. You will be offered a wine tasting and short tour. You also have some time to admire the landscapes around the winery.
Overnight in Signagi.
DAY 10 – SIGHNAGHI – VELISTSIKHE – TELAVI (B)
After breakfast you will discover the pearl of the Kakheti region, Sighnaghi. Houses with colourful wooden balconies, small cosy sidewalks, wine cellars, the nearby Alazani valley and the beautiful mountains of the Caucasus will all give you an unforgettable picture of this old city. Then you travel on to the village of Velistsikhe. Here you will visit the open-air museum Numisi and a wine cellar from the sixteenth century where you will be offered a wine tasting. In the afternoon, depart for Telavi – one of the most important wine regions of Georgia and home to many wineries. The rest of the day is spent in a beautiful wine hotel in Telavi which is famous for its vineyards, among other things. In this cosy atmosphere you can enjoy delicious specialties from the Georgian kitchen and taste several good local wines. Overnight in a beautiful wine hotel.
Overnight.
DAY 11 – TELAVI – IKALTO MONASTERY – KVARELI – TBILISI (B, D)
The day starts with a morning walk in the city of Televi. Here you will visit the famous Georgian bazaar with its delicious varieties of traditional sweets, drinks, spices and other surprises it has to offer. Then you will visit the beautiful monastery Ikalto. Then you will travel to Kvareli which is considered the two most important wine region of Georgia thanks to its unique wines. Here you will visit a beautifully situated winery famous for its high-quality wines, some of which have won prestigious awards. In this traditional winery you will enjoy exquisite dishes specially selected for the locally made wines. In the evening you will leave for Tbilisi and you will be offered dinner in a wine restaurant. The experienced sommelier will tell you about the history of wine and the right combination of wine and dishes. Then you return to your hotel.
Overnight.
DAY 12 – TBILISI – MTSKHETA – CHÂTEAU MUKHRANI – TBILISI (B)
Today you will leave for the beautiful town of Mtskheta. This small city is easily explored on foot. Among other things, you can see the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. On the way back to Tbilisi, in the heart of the old town, you will then visit Mukhrani Castle with a winery in it, also the former royal residence in the 19th century. Here you will have the opportunity to discover the history and legends of the royal families of Georgia, as well as visit the winery and vineyards and then taste delicious wine. Return to your hotel.
Overnight.
DAY 13 – RETURN
Early this morning, and depending on your flight times, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home… end of this wine tour to Armenia and Georgia.
Included / Excluded
What’s included / not included in this wine tour ?
Included
- 12 wine tastings and 11 wine cellar visits
- International flights
- Transfer airport – hotel – airport
- 11 nights in a standard double room in good quality hotels
- Meals where indicated (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
- Transport as described in the program
- Experienced English-speaking guide unless otherwise stated, other languages on request
- Entrance fees to the listed sights
Excluded
- Specialized wine guide
- Single room surcharge
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks unless explicitly stated
- Meals other than mentioned in the program (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
- Tips
- Cancellation and travel insurance (we can arrange this for you if desired)
- Taxes to be paid locally, such as the tourist tax
- Everything that is not reported under the heading including
Request a quote for this wine tour and we can work with you to determine what will and will not be included. The choice is yours.
All flights (international and domestic), hotels and rental car are always subject to availability until the time of final booking with signing the sales file. The booking is made and recorded after receipt of the deposit on our bank account.
Prices are always subject to change and are signed up to the sales file without prior notice and / or evidence. The reasons, which are not exhaustive, can be seasonality and availability.
