Tour Locations:

Tbilisi and Mtskheta

+ Tbilisi, capital city of Georgia, founded in the 5th century by King Vakhtang Gorgasali. A center of trade and conflict for centuries, Tbilisi has been sacked forty times by various invaders but survives today as the modern hub of the South Caucasus. Nevertheless, the downtown area is full of winding cobblestone streets, small shops and restaurants, as well as the churches, synagogues, and mosques that celebrate the diversity and history of this unique capital city. Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Iberia (East Georgia), lies at the confluence of two rivers just 20 miles upstream from Tbilisi. Dominated by the 11th c. Cathedral of the "Living Cross," Mtskheta was once the thriving trade capital of East Georgia. The Romans reached Mtskheta in 65 AD, as evidenced by the remains of a bridge left behind, and in the early Christian era, St. Nino the Enlightener worked miracles that converted King Mirian and Queen Nana to Christianity in 337 AD.

Yerevan

+ The tour begins in Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia. Once a village hamlet, Yerevan was completely redesigned on a radial plan in the early twentieth century, focused around the Opera house and several prominent museums and monuments. With boulevards oriented towards the imposing extinct volcano of Mount Ararat, pedestrians wandering between artisan shops and open air cafes might be startled by impressive views of the Ararat valley. The Matenadaran Institute of Manuscripts contains a world-class exhibit of medieval illuminated manuscripts from around the world, augmented by a map-room of ancient maps of the Caucasus region, and beautifully calligraphic Persian and Arabic official documents. Another museum of exceptional quality is the house museum of the avant-garde film-maker Sergei Parazhanov, which contains much of his little-known production in ceramics, collage, and costume.

Lake Sevan, Dilijan

+ The lake is one of the largest high-altitude fresh water lakes in the world at over 6000 feet above sea level. Interestingly, while the lake is fed by as many as 28 different rivers and streams, evaporation accounts for over 90% of its outflow. Human intervention in the ecosystem of the lake has taken its toll. In 1933, Stalin approved a plan to lower the level of the lake by 55 meters to increase arable land, produce hydro-electricity, and create fisheries. After just seven years in operation, nearly half the volume of the lake had been drained. Ever since, the Lake Sevan Commission has been attempting to stabilize the lake level by diverting other rivers through tunnels and other schemes. Historically, the lake has been highly significant, attested to in Persian, Greek, Georgian, and Armenian sources. Several medieval monuments surround the lake including the Noraduz khatchkar (cross-stones) field and the ninth century Hayravank and Sevanavank monasteries.

Debed canyon, Lori region

+ The Lori region, in the border marchlands between Armenia and Georgia, is dominated by a high-walled basalt canyon that follows the snaking contours of the Debed River. One of the primary trade routes between lowland Georgia and upland Armenia, the canyon served as an important gateway for travelers along the northern Silk Road. The scriptoria of its famous monasteries at Haghpat, Sanahin, and Akhtala grew in prominence especially in the 12th-13th centuries, when King David the Restorer of Georgia liberated the area from Arab and Seljuk control. In modern times, the region is known for industrial cities such as Vanadzor, Spitak, and Alaverdi, and was the epicenter of an earthquake in 1988 that unfortunately coincided with the economic collapse of the Soviet economy. Tourism has brought some life to Lori, as visitors flock to see the majestic grandeur of medieval monasteries perched on canyon plateaus far above the river below.

Telavi, Alazani Valley

+ Telavi, the regional capital of the Kakheti region in East Georgia, was the historical seat of the lowland Georgian kings allied with the highland tribes in Tusheti, Khevsureti, and Pshavi. In the Telavi region, at the head of the rich Alazani valley, there are many famous monasteries and castles set amidst long rows of cultivated vineyards. These include the 8th c. double-domed Kvelatsminda church, the 11th-12th monumental Alaverdi Cathedral and secluded Iqalto Academy, as well as the 16th c. Gremi fortress and Shuamta Convent. Our visits to the region always include local wine-tastings, song, and feasting!

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