Armenia and Georgia with the Royal Society of Medicine

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.

Price (sharing a room)

per person

Price (room to yourself)

per person

Reference:

ARM1024-1

At a glance

What you need to know

Type of tour

Cultural

Profession

Medicine

Nights

Countries

Tour grade

Moderate

Remaining places

Dates and places

Itinerary at a glance

Yerevan

Saturday

September

Arrive in Yerevan, the relaxed capital of Armenia, and spend the first day at leisure. Local dinner in the evening.

Yerevan

Sunday

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.

Yerevan

Monday

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.

Yerevan / Dilijan

Tuesday

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.

Dilijan / Telavi

Wednesday

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.

Telavi

Thursday

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.

Telavi / Tbilisi

Friday

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.

Tbilisi

Saturday

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.

Tbilisi

Sunday

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.

Tblisi / Gori / Uplistsikhe / Kazbegi

Monday

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.

Kazbegi

Tuesday

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.

Kazbegi

Wednesday

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.

Kazbegi / Tbilisi

Thursday

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.

Tbilisi

Friday

October

Morning at leisure and depart after breakfast.