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Armenia and Georgia with the Royal Society of Medicine

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Dates
21 Sep
4 Oct
2024

Travel from ancient Armenia, the world’s first Christian country, to spectacular Georgia, whose long history has given it a colourful cocktail of influences spanning Turkey, Russia, Persia, Central Asia and beyond.

Gain insight into the ancient history and contemporary culture of both countries and enjoy delicious local food and wine in the land where wine was first produced. Explore the rich and varied musical traditions of the area, ranging from folk to monastic choral singing, and see awe-inspiring architecture in the most spectacular of settings.

This tour has been arranged in association with the Royal Society of Medicine.

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Price (room to yourself)
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Reference:
ARM1024-1
At a glance
What you need to know
Type of tour
Cultural
Profession
Medicine
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Nights
13
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Countries
2
Tour grade
Moderate
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Remaining places
20
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Dates and places

Itinerary at a glance

1
Yerevan
Saturday
,
21
September
Arrive in Yerevan, the relaxed capital of Armenia, and spend the first day at leisure. Local dinner in the evening.
2
Yerevan
Sunday
,
22
September
Take a walking tour of Yerevan and see Republic Square, the Opera House and Victory Park. Visit Mesrop Mashtots, the Manuscript Museum, home to one of the largest collections of ancient manuscripts in the world. Visit the Cascade complex and see a craftsman making the traditional duduk, a double reed woodwind instrument made of apricot wood.
3
Yerevan
Monday
,
23
September
Meet with Armenian doctors at the oldest hospital in Armenia, the Beglaryan Medical Centre. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Cave Monastery at Geghard and hear sacred choir singing. Visit the stunning Temple of Garni, followed by tastings at a local brandy factory.
4
Yerevan / Dilijan
Tuesday
,
24
September
Drive through spectacular scenery to Khorvirab Monastery, where Armenia adopted Christianity in 301 AD, near Mount Ararat. Sample the renowned local dry red wine and see Noravank Monastery. Cross the Selim Pass and explore Selim caravanserai. Stop to admire Lake Sevan – the 'blue eye of Armenia'– before continuing to the spa town of Dilijan.
5
Dilijan / Telavi
Wednesday
,
25
September
Head for the Georgian border through rolling valleys, with a backdrop of the Lesser Caucasus. Visit a stone carver, who makes traditional Armenian stone crosses, and the UNESCO Heritage Site Monastery of Haghpat. Cross into Georgia and continue to Telavi.
6
Telavi
Thursday
,
26
September
Telavi is the heart of the Kakheti region and home to Georgia's ancient wine industry with several famous wineries as well as art museums, historic castles and a strong folkloric tradition. Explore the little town, including a visit to majestic Alaverdi Cathedral, which dates back to the 11th century. Visit a local wine cellar with lunch followed by tastings before dinner with folk music.
7
Telavi / Tbilisi
Friday
,
27
September
Visit a community clinic in Gurjaani to learn about local health care. Walking tour of the fortified town of Sighnaghi. This is a region of vineyards, with breathtaking views of the Great Caucasus Mountains. Drive to Tbilisi and overnight.
8
Tbilisi
Saturday
,
28
September
Tbilisi is a leisurely town of considerable charm with a distinctly un-Soviet character that is a blend of Europe and Asia. Half day walking tour through the picturesque Old Town. Lunch at a family home. Talk: "Georgian cuisine and its influences". At leisure or visit the local flea market. Option to visit the opera or ballet in the evening.
9
Tbilisi
Sunday
,
29
September
Visit the fascinating State Museum, the church of Metekhi, an unusual example of a domed Georgian Orthodox church, 13th century Sioni Cathedral, the old pharmacy and the historic sulphur thermal baths. Hear a talk on Georgian medicine and wine. Afternoon at leisure.
10
Tblisi / Gori / Uplistsikhe / Kazbegi
Monday
,
30
September
Transfer to Gori, a town known for its most notorious son, Stalin, and meet with doctors at the military hospital. Visit Uplistsikhe, an ancient rock-hewn town, and return to Kazbegi.
11
Kazbegi
Tuesday
,
1
October
Visit Gergeti Trinity Church, perched high above the town. Continue to Dariali Gorge for a beautiful walk to Gveleti Waterfalls. Watch out for local bird life, including birds of prey. Continue to the hotel.
12
Kazbegi
Wednesday
,
2
October
Explore the spectacular landscapes of the Great Caucasus on a 4WD tour. Visit the remote village of Juta, taste local honey and yoghurt and visit another remote gorge, Truso.
13
Kazbegi / Tbilisi
Thursday
,
3
October
Return to Tblisi via Ananuri. Lunch at Chateau Mukhrani. the original Georgian Royal Chateau founded on Georgia’s long tradition of winemaking. Continue to the ancient capital of Mtsketa and hear Georgian chanting in the 11th century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Continue to Tbilisi. Farewell dinner at the excellent Barbarestan restaurant, which serves traditional Georgian fare.
14
Tbilisi
Friday
,
4
October
Morning at leisure and depart after breakfast.
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Tour map

Plot your journey

Travel from ancient Armenia, the world’s first Christian country, to spectacular Georgia, whose long history has given it a colourful cocktail of influences spanning Turkey, Russia, Persia, Central Asia and beyond.

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What to expect

Tour highlights

Cave Monastery
Yerevan

Listen to sacred choir singing at the World Heritage Cave Monastery at Geghard.

Spectacular mountain landscapes
Great Caucasus

Explore the spectacular mountain landscapes of the Great Caucasus on a 4WD tour.

Fine dining
Tbilisi

Enjoy dinner at Barbarestan, cited as being in the world's top 50 restaurants.

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Beautiful landscapes

Tour gallery

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Tour exertion grading

Is this tour right for me?

Moderate
Level 3

Some walking between destinations, more time spent standing, and increased travel distances. Requires a reasonable level of fitness.

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Your expert companions

Tour leaders

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Accommodation

Hotels

We like charm, comfort, convenience in location, and of course, excellence in service.

Yerevan

Republica Hotel

Dilijan

Best Western Plus Paradise Hotel

Telavi

Holiday Inn

Tbilisi

Citrus Hotel

Kazbegi

Rooms Hotel

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Ask us anything

If you have some questions about this particular tour, you can contact the Jon Baines Tours team by phone or email.

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