Depart for Yerevan, Armenia from North America.

Arrival in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Meet our representative at the airport and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your own leisure. Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast at hotel. This morning we begin at the Cascade Complex, a great limestone stairway climbing from the city centre through a sculpture park to the Cafesjian Center for the Arts. Continue on a walking tour past the Opera and Ballet Theatre, Swan Lake, Abovyan Street and Northern Avenue to Republic Square, the heart of the city. Then visit the Vernissage open-air market, founded by artists in the 1980s, where you will find carved wood, carpets, old coins, jewellery and traditional instruments.

This afternoon you may join an optional visit to the ARARAT Brandy Factory, where Armenian brandy has been made for more than 130 years, including a guided tasting (US$39/person). Later, stroll through the GUM farmers' market among stalls of fresh fruit, herbs, cheeses, dried fruit and nuts, and sample the local specialities.

This evening, meet your tour leader and fellow travellers at the orientation meeting, followed by a welcome dinner at a traditional Armenian restaurant. Overnight in Yerevan.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, drive south to Khor Virap Monastery, set on a hill directly beneath Mount Ararat. This is where Saint Gregory the Illuminator was held in a pit for thirteen years before Armenia became the first nation in the world to adopt Christianity, and it offers the most iconic view in the country.

Continue to Echmiadzin, the spiritual centre of the Armenian Apostolic Church, where we enjoy lunch at the Agape Refectory, the oldest authentic restaurant in Armenia. Visit the Mother Cathedral, founded in the early fourth century, along with its treasury museum where the Holy Lance is kept. On the way back to Yerevan, stop at the seventh-century ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This evening you may join an optional dinner with traditional Armenian music and dance at one of Yerevan's most popular restaurants (US$69/person). Overnight in Yerevan.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, drive to the first-century Garni Temple, the only Hellenistic colonnaded building in Armenia and the sole temple to survive the country's conversion to Christianity. From the viewpoint above Garni Gorge, admire the Symphony of Stones, vertical basalt columns formed by ancient volcanic activity that rise from the valley floor like organ pipes.

Lunch today is at a village home, where you will take part in baking lavash, Armenia's thin flatbread, in a clay tonir set into the ground. In the same tonir the family prepares khorovats, Armenian barbecue, served with cheese and fresh herbs. Join in or simply watch — lunch is yours either way.

Continue to the thirteenth-century cave monastery of Geghard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site carved directly into the mountainside. Inside the rock-hewn chambers, a female choir performs for our group; the acoustics here are extraordinary. Return to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast at hotel and check out. This morning you may join an optional visit to the studio of a duduk master, to see how this ancient Armenian woodwind is carved from apricot wood and to hear the master play (US$39/person, min 4 pax). Those not joining may visit the Vernissage flea market or relax at the hotel until the group returns.

We then drive to Lake Sevan, one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world and known as the Blue Pearl of Armenia. Visit Sevanavank Monastery, set on a peninsula with sweeping views over the water, followed by lunch on the lakeshore featuring freshly grilled Sevan trout.

Continue to Dilijan, the forested spa town often called the Switzerland of Armenia. Stroll along Old Sharambeyan Street, lined with restored wooden houses, artisans' workshops, small galleries and cafes. Overnight in Dilijan.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, drive north to Alaverdi in the Debed Canyon and visit Haghpat Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in the tenth century and once one of the great centres of learning in the medieval world. Enjoy lunch in Alaverdi featuring the regional speciality, grilled sturgeon.

This afternoon we cross the border into Georgia. Porters and a shuttle vehicle assist with luggage on both sides. Arrive in Tbilisi in the early evening, check in to the hotel and enjoy dinner. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we explore Tbilisi, the vibrant capital of Georgia. Ride the cable car up to Narikala Fortress for panoramic views over the old city, then walk the level path to the Mother of Georgia monument. The cable car returns us to the valley.

Continue to the Abanotubani district with its domed brick sulphur bathhouses, and visit Metekhi Church perched above the Mtkvari River. Stroll along Shardeni Street to Sioni Cathedral, the Jewish Synagogue, the Bridge of Peace and Anchiskhati Basilica, the oldest church in the city, finishing at the Gabriadze Theatre with its whimsical leaning clock tower. The afternoon is at your own leisure.

This evening you may join an optional Georgian supra, the traditional Georgia feast accompanied by three-part polyphonic singing (US$59/person). Overnight in Tbilisi.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, drive to Kakheti, Georgia's principal wine region, and to the hilltop town of Sighnaghi, known as the balcony of Kakheti. With its cobbled lanes, pastel houses and long views across the Alazani Valley to the Caucasus beyond, it is one of the loveliest towns in the country.

At the Javakhishvili Winery, taste wines made in qvevri, the buried clay amphorae Georgians have used for eight thousand years, a method recognised by UNESCO. Lunch follows at the winery, you may also join in a churchkhela-making workshop(USD$35)— the strings of walnuts dipped in grape must that Georgians have made since the Middle Ages.

Return to Tbilisi. This evening you may join an optional visit to the sulphur baths of Abanotubani, bathing in a private room in one of the historic domed bathhouses (US$69/person, min 2 people sharing). Overnight in Tbilisi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast at hotel and check out. Drive north to Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia and its spiritual heart. Visit Jvari Monastery, standing on a hilltop above the meeting of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers, and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral — both UNESCO World Heritage Sites — where the Robe of Christ is said to be buried.

Continue along the Georgian Military Highway, the historic road through the Great Caucasus. Stop at the Ananuri fortress above the turquoise Zhinvali Reservoir, then at the Gudauri Friendship Monument, set dramatically on the rim of the Devil's Valley with mountains stretching away in every direction. Arrive in Kazbegi for dinner. Overnight in Kazbegi.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast and check out, board 4x4 Delica vehicles for the ascent to Gergeti Trinity Church, standing alone at 2,170 metres beneath the glaciers of Mount Kazbek. A short walk on gravel leads from the parking area to the church, and seating is available for those who prefer to wait.

Lunch today is our farewell meal with cooking class, taken at one long table in a village beneath the mountain. Learn to fold khinkali, Georgia's celebrated soup dumpling, served alongside mtsvadi barbecue, local cheeses and churchkhela. We then return to Tbilisi in the late afternoon, and the evening is at your own leisure. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast at hotel, transfer to the airport and fly back to your sweet home. Guests joining the Azerbaijan extension will fly on to Baku today.

Meals: Breakfast