18-day Uzbekistan, Georgia, and Armenia Small Group Tour 202518 days | Uzbekistan, Georgia, Armenia

Day 1, Fr: Tashkent – Arrival (UZB)

 

Arrive in Tashkent. Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Check in at 14:00. Free day.

Day 2, Sa: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva (UZB)

 

After breakfast start guided sightseeing tour in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia. You will start with exploring the Old City. Visit Khast-Imam Complex, where the world famous Quran, holy book that belonged to Caliph Uthman, has been preserved. The complex consists of Barak-Khan Madrasah, Tillya Sheykh Mosque, Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari. Continue to Chorsu Bazaar. Then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to the city center to visit Applied Arts Museum and walk through Navoi Theater to Amir Timur Square where you will end Tashkent city tour. Transfer to domestic airport, evening flight to Urgench departing at 20:25 (1093 km, 1 h 30 min). Arrival in Urgench at 21:55, transfer to the hotel in Khiva (30 km, 35 min).
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours

Day 3, Su: Khiva – Urgench – Bukhara (UZB)

 

After breakfast start your sightseeing tour of Khiva, a highlight for many on the Classic Uzbekistan Group Tour. Visit Ichan-Kala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In Ichan-Kala Fortress visit Kunya-Ark, Sayeed Alauddin Mausoleum, Arab-Mukhamadkhan Madrasah, Oq-Masjid Mosque, Madrasah of Hodjan Berdi-biya, Shirgazikhan Madrasah, Abdullakhan Madrasah, Juma Mosque, Allakulikhan Madrasah, Tosh-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islom-Khoja. At 19:00 transfer to domestic airport flight* to Bukhara at 21:00 arriving in Bukhara at 22:00. Arrival in Bukhara, transfer to the hotel.
*subject to availability and maybe substituted to transfer by train
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours

Day 4, Mo: Bukhara (UZB)

 

After breakfast start walking sightseeing tour in Bukhara. Visit Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasah, trade domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrasahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. In the evening enjoy a National Show at Nadir Divan-begi Madrasah and a delicious dinner at the National house.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 5, Tu: Bukhara – Samarkand (UZB)

 

Breakfast. Continue your tour with a visit to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa – the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir, unique site combining Oriental and Russian architecture. Continue to the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi and Chor-Bakr Necropolis. In the afternoon take the high-speed train, Afrosiyob, 15:52-17:20 or overland transfer. Arrive in Samarkand, check in to the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours

Day 6, We: Samarkand (UZB)

 

After breakfast, Samarkand sightseeing tour. Visit spectacular Registan Square, Gur Emir Mausoleum – the mausoleum of Amir Timur, remains of Bibi Khanum Mosque, Siab Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory. Free time in the afternoon.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 7, Th: Samarkand – Tashkent (UZB)

 

Breakfast. Continue sightseeing tour in Samarkand. You will visit Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, Afrasiab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then drive to Konigil village to explore traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. Farewell lunch in Samarkand. At 16:30 transfer to the railway station to take the high-speed Afrosiyob train departing at 17:30 (300 km, 2 h 10 m) and arriving in Tashkent at 19:40. Pick-up and transfer to the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Meals: lunch

Day 8, Fr: Tashkent – Tbilisi (UZB-GEO)

 

Check-out from the hotel. Transfer to the airport. Take the morning flight from Tashkent to Tbilisi at 8:05. On arrival at Tbilisi at 10:25, our Georgian driver will meet you to transfer to the hotel. Check-in after 14:00. Free time in Tbilisi. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 9, Sa: Tbilisi – Tsinandali – lunch at local family – Sighnaghi – Bodbe – Tbilisi (GEO)

 

Meet our driver in your hotel at 8:30 to start the tour to Kakheti. Join the group at Tsinandali Estate, the residence of the dukes of Georgia. It has a beautiful English garden, a museum, and a wine cellar that belonged to Prince Chavchavadze, a public figure and poet of the 19th century. For lunch, we will be hosted by a local family, where we can enjoy a traditional feast and hear the best Georgian toasts. A truly local experience awaits you! Having enjoyed the hospitality of our hosts, we will drive to the royal town of Sighnaghi, which is surrounded by defensive walls with 23 towers and was an important point on the Great Silk Road. We will also visit the Bodbe Convent – according to legend, this is the burial place of St. Nino, who converted Georgia to Christianity in the 4th century. We will arrive in the capital of Georgia at about 18:30–19:30. Overnight at the hotel.
Driving distance: 270 km
Meals: lunch

Day 10, Su: Tbilisi (GEO)

 

After breakfast, we will embark on Tbilisi sightseeing tour. Start at Metekhi Сhurch and the monument to Vakhtang Gorgasali, the legendary founder of Tbilisi. Visit Narikala Fortress to enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. Walk down to the district of sulphur bath houses and pass by the only mosque in Tbilisi. Stroll through the Sharden area, full of narrow streets with cozy cafés, wine tasting bars, and souvenir shops, and breathe in the history of Old Tbilisi. Also visit Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica, and the famous Rezo Gabriadze Theatre’s clock tower, before crossing the Bridge of Peace to Rike Park. After a couple of hours at your leisure, join the group to proceed to welcome dinner (departing from the hotel by bus at 19:00). Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Driving distance: 5 km
Meals: dinner

Day 11, Mo: Tbilisi – Jvari – Mtskheta – Kazbegi – Gudauri (GEO)

 

Breakfast. Today we will explore the North of Georgia. The first stop will be at Jvari Monastery, a true architectural masterpiece of the Early Middle Ages, which is picturesquely perched above the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari Rivers.
Continue to Mtskheta, one of the oldest towns in Georgia and the country’s cultural and religious center. Mtskheta was the capital of the Eastern Georgian Kingdom of Iberia from the 3rd century BC. Visit Svetitskhoveli, the main cathedral of Mtskheta and a sacred place where the robe of Christ is kept. Next, drive over the Cross Pass and make a short stop at the Soviet-era “People’s Friendship” mountain view point, which overlooks a deep gorge of the Caucasus Mountains. In Kazbegi, switch to a four-wheel drive vehicle to reach Gergeti Holy Trinity Church (located at an altitude of 2,170 m) and enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Kazbegi. Reach Gudauri at about 19:00 for overnight at the hotel.
Driving distance: 210 km
Meals: lunch and dinner

Day 12, Tu: Gudauri – Ananuri – Uplistsikhe – Gori – Tbilisi (GEO)

 

Breakfast. Drive to the Ananuri Complex, a former residence of Argveti Dukes, which features churches and towers dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries and beautifully overlooks Jinvali Reservoir. Explore the cave town of Uplistsikhe, which dates back to the Hellenistic Period and is notable for its unique combination of various styles of rock-cut architecture, including both pagan and Christian. Continue to Stalin’s hometown of Gori. Visit the Stalin Museum, which includes more than 60,000 artifacts, the tiny house where Stalin was born, and an impressive bulletproof train that Stalin used to travel to Yalta and Potsdam. Reach Tbilisi in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 9-10 hours
Driving distance: 250 km
Meals: lunch

Day 13, We: Tbilisi – free day (GEO)

 

Breakfast. Free day in Tbilisi (guide and transportation are not provided).
If you would like to explore other destinations of Georgia, we can offer private day tours from Tbilisi:
For wine lovers
Sample delicious Georgian wines and learn about the local winemaking traditions at the cradle of Georgian wine, the Kakheti Region.
One-Day Kakheti Wine Tour from Tbilisi
Canyons and natural sites
Explore the breathtaking scenery of the Samegrelo region by visiting one of the most memorable places in Georgia, Martvili Canyon.
Martvili Canyon Day Tour
Hiking
Immerse yourself in beautiful nature and enjoy quality hiking time in the vicinities of Tbilisi, Birtvisi.
Day Hike to Birtvisi Canyon
Sightseeing tour to cave monastery
Experience the beauty of an ancient cave town and mysterious fortresses with one day to Varzdzia.
Vardzia and Rabati Fortress Tour
If you would like to spend the free day in Tbilisi, we suggest the following activities and places to visit in Tbilisi:

• Georgian National Museum on Rustaveli Avenue – to visit the “Archaeological Treasury” exhibition;
• National Gallery on Rustaveli Avenue – to see the works of the famous Georgian artists Niko Pirosmani, David Kakabadze, and Lado Gudiashvili;
• Tbilisi flea market at Dry Bridge – where you can find antiquities (many of which are from the Soviet era), paintings by local artists, and handmade Georgian souvenirs;
• David Agmashenebeli Avenue – a recently-renovated pedestrian street full of historical buildings that have beautiful facades in the art nouveau, pseudo gothic, and classicist styles with a mix of typical Georgian ornamentation and balconies. All along the street there are plenty of cozy art cafés, galleries, shops, and wine bars;
• Dezertirebi Bazaar – which sells local, natural products including Georgian sweets (such as churchkhela); various types of dried fruits, nuts, and spices; and Georgian cheeses;
• Funicular railway to Mtatsminda Mountain – which offers a beautiful view of Tbilisi;
• Wander in Sololaki – a neighborhood full of art nouveau houses.
• In the evening, you can visit the famous Tbilisi sulphur bath houses to relax in the hot, naturally sulphur-enriched water after a long day of exploring (both public and private rooms are available, but private ones should be booked in advance).
• For those who are interested in culture, we suggest visiting the State Opera House of Georgia to enjoy a ballet or opera performance (opera.ge). You can find out what other cultural events are on in Tbilisi, and book tickets, at tkt.ge.

Advantour offers a culinary masterclass on traditional Georgian food in Tbilisi. The masterclass includes 3-4 dishes and snacks and takes 4-5 hours. It should be booked in advance. The price is 60 USD per person.

Day 14, Th: Tbilisi – Armenian border – Haghpat – Lake Sevan – Sevanavank – Yerevan (GEO-ARM)

 

Breakfast. Meet your driver at the hotel after breakfast to transfer to the Georgian-Armenian border point, Sadakhlo-Bagratashen. Cross the border and meet your Armenian guide and driver to start the journey to the land of ancient traditions and the ancient churches. Drive to the Lori region and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Haghpat Monastery. This stunning example of traditional Armenian architecture was erected between the 10th and 13th centuries. Standing on a hillside, Haghpat beautifully overlooks the Debed River Canyon. The monastery’s location was chosen to protect the peace and seclusion of the monks. Drive to Lake Sevan, one of the largest high-mountain freshwater lakes in the world. The lake’s coastline is rich with dense woods, white cliff faces, mountain steppes, and Alpine meadows. Visit Sevanavank Monastery, which is situated at the lake and is surrounded by mountains. Reach Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, in the evening. Overnight at DoubleTree by Hilton hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 9-10 hours
Driving distance: 370 km
Meals: lunch

Day 15, Fr: Yerevan – Etchmiadzin – Yerevan (ARM)

 

Breakfast. In the morning, drive out of the city to Etchmiadzin*, the Holy See of Armenia and the residence of the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church – the Catholicos of All Armenians. We will visit the museum of Christian relics. Return to explore Yerevan, the oldest capital city in the South Caucasus. Yerevan is known as the Pink City and attracts visitors with its humble yet splendid landscapes. Our first stop in Yerevan will be at the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex on Tsitsernakaberd Hill. Next, visit the Cascade Monument, one of the main symbols of the city. The mega scale staircase is 118 meters high and has 572 steps. From the top of the monument, enjoy a breathtaking city view that includes the Opera House, Mount Ararat, Swan Lake, Republic Square, and Abovyan Avenue, all of which we’ll see as we walk the streets of Yerevan (~2 km walking). Bus drop off at the hotel. Free evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Driving distance: 50 km
* The site is presently under renovation works. Observation is possible from the outside

Day 16, Sa: Yerevan – Khor Virap – Noravank – Areni cave – Yerevan (ARM)

 

At 08:00, we head to Khor Virap Monastery. According to the legend, St. Gregory the Illuminator, the Baptist of Armenia, had been kept in the basement here for 13 years for disseminating of Christianity until King Tradt decided to adopt the new religion. The monastery’s location allows you to enjoy the best views of Mount Ararat. Drive to Noravank Complex situated on a ledge of a deep winding gorge. Noravank stands amidst the bizarrely shaped, precipitous red cliffs. Continue to Areni Cave complex, where in 2008, an ancient wine storage and the earliest shoe in the world were discovered. On the way back to Yerevan we will stop to taste wines from local grape varieties. Arrive in Yerevan at around 18:00. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 9-10 hours
Driving distance: 240 km

Day 17, Su: Yerevan – Garni – Symphony of Stones – Geghard – Yerevan (ARM)

 

Depart Yerevan and drive to Garni, the only pagan temple in Armenia that survived the introduction of Christianity in the 4th century. Descend Garni Gorge to explore a monumental rock formation called Symphony of Stones. Next stop is the monastery complex called Geghard (“spear”). The beautiful landscape of Geghard is framed by towering cliffs. Decorative art cut into the rocks reflect and explain Medieval development in this part of the world. The complex appeared in the 4th century around the sacred spring inside of the cave.
You will have a free afternoon to explore more of Yerevan. Here are our suggestions:

• Ararat Brandy Factory
• History Museum
• Souvenirs market “Vernisage”

We meet in the evening for a farewell dinner at one of local traditional restaurants. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Driving distance: 80 km
Meals: dinner

Day 18, Mo: Yerevan – Departure (ARM)

 

Check-out from the hotel till noon. Free time till transfer to Yerevan Zvartnots International Airport. End of Uzbekistan, Georgia, and Armenia Small Group Tour.
Driving distance: 10 km

Price includes:

• All land transfers, incl. airport;
• Accommodation in 3-4* hotels with breakfasts included;
• English-speaking tour guide;
• Entrance tickets to sights as per itinerary;
• Economy class tickets for flights Tashkent-Urgench, Urgench-Bukhara, Tashkent-Tbilisi;
• Economy class tickets for trains Bukhara-Samarkand (subject to availability and maybe substituted to transfer by bus/auto), Samarkand-Tashkent (on rare occasions when the high-speed train is unavailable, we will replace this with the most-comfortable class of regular train);
• Three dinners, five lunches, 17 breakfasts;
• Two wine tastings: Tsinandali (GE), Hin Areni (AM);
• Bottled drinking water.

Price doesn't include:

• Full board (lunches and dinners);
• Hotel charges for additional services;
• Personal travel insurance;
• Surcharge for staying in a single room.

100% guaranteed departures – even if there is only 1 traveler.

Group size: 1-16 persons

Please note that itinerary and prices are subject to change due to airline and train schedule changes, currency fluctuations and other unforeseeable events.