Armenia — North & Central Asia, China & Tibet intro — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

NORTH & CENTRAL ASIA, CHINA & TIBET ARMENIA * IRAN * TURKEY Around Mount Ararat 20 DAYS HOTELS MOUNT ARARAT AND THE THREE LAKES Ref YA JFMAMJJASOND JFMA Around Mount Ararat Ref YA GEORGIA ALAVERDI Aghpat base for further exploration of an ethnically diverse region; Azeri, Kurds, Turkmen, Persians and Armenians live side by side. Mount Ararat & Lake Van Crossing our final border into Turkey, we continue our journey on spectacular roads around Mount Ararat (5165m), the legendary resting place of Noah's Ark. After visiting the ancient Armenian city of Ani and the eclectic Isak Pasha Palace near Dogubeyazit we arrive at the lakeside at Van, capital city of the Urartians. Here we enjoy a boat trip to Akdamar Island to visit the well-preserved 10th century Church. Landscapes of Northern Iran KARS City tour Ani ARMENIA YEREVAN AZERBAIJAN CHAMBARAK ARMENIA * GEORGIA Kazbegi & Caucasus Mountains Echmiadzin Ararat Garni Areni A Lake Sevan Noravank Land of the Golden Fleece 16 OR 20 DAYS HOTELS/GUESTHOUSES EUROPE'S EASTERN OUTPOSTS Ref GF / GFA Dogubeyazit Isak Pasha Palace Muradiye Falls to Ankara JFMAMJJASOND JFMA MAKU ZER BA IJA ra N s KAPAN A Lake Van Qareh Kalisa Jolfa VAN IRAN TABRIZ Akdamar Hosap Island Cavustepe Goshchi The tempestuous history and diverse geography of Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan are intertwined. The snow-clad Caucasus and Black Sea once formed a trade route with ancient Greece. Later on, the Arabs, Ottoman Turks and Mongols ravished these little-known lands, where vines have been grown for thousands of years. Our journey reveals the abiding beauty and hospitality of the Caucasus. Exploring Armenia This mountainous land is dominated by Mount Aragats (4090m) and the looming presence of Mount Ararat (5165m). In Yerevan, we see the Matenadaran library, which houses one of the finest collections of ancient manuscripts in the world. We visit the great monastery of Echmiadzin and walk on the slopes of Mount Aragats to mighty Amberd Fortress and journey on the old Silk Road to Selim Caravanserai and on to Lake Sevan, famous for its ever changing hues. Georgia & the Caucasus Mountains Crossing into Georgia we visit Tbilisi, the fascinating capital. In the twisting alleys of the old quarter a mix of cultures are ever present churches are cheek-by-jowl with mosques, Orthodox priests rub shoulders with Armenian Jews. Then a dramatic drive takes us via the ancient capital Mtskheta to Kutaisi, Georgia's cultural heart, and then on via the spa town of Borjomi to Bakuriani, our base for exploring Vardzia, the impressive underground cave city hewn from the cliff face by early Christians. We then make a spectacular Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Mtskheta journey on the old Georgian Military Highway' to Gudauri, sited below the lofty peaks of the Caucasus range. TURKEY ORUMIYEH Lake Orumi -yeh Kandovan Mountain village Takht-iSoleiman Fort Hasanlu Hill IRAQ km 0 150 Extend your tour... 5-DAY AZERBAIJAN EXTENSION Heading east, we cross into Azerbaijan. We journey along an ancient caravan route, which for centuries has connected Baku on the Caspian Sea with Tbilisi and the West. Pausing at Sheki, once famous for its silkweaving and embroidery, we visit the exquisite Khan's Palace and enjoy a walk into the Caucasus foothills. Our tour ends at Baku, with ample time to wander the backstreets and bazaars of the Old Town, a treasure trove of shops and street caf�s Ref. GFA. See Factfile for further details. Saholan Cave TAKAB This unique and unusual journey of discovery, visits three very different countries in the shadow of mighty Mount Ararat: Armenia, Iran and Turkey. These lands have been a major gateway between Europe and Asia for millennia and their histories are intertwined. Our aim is to investigate their treasure trove of ancient and religious sites which dot our route as we circumnavigate the mountain, discovering the three lakes of Sevan, Orumiyeh and Van, along our way. Armenia & Lake Sevan Arriving in Yerevan, we explore the streets of the capital, home to some of the former Soviet Union's finest architecture, before striking out to the Greco-Roman temple of Garni and the fascinating monasteries of Gegard, Noravank and Zvartnots. Travelling into the mountains along one of the old Silk Roads, we overnight by the shores of peaceful Lake Sevan, then follow in the footsteps of travellers of old, to the 14th century Selim Caravanserai. Crossing the Bargushat Range, we stop for the night in rural Kapan. Tabriz & Orumiyeh Crossing the Aras River into Iran, we enter a region once heavily populated by Armenian Christians. We visit two of their most famous churches, St Stephens' at Jolfa and St Thaddeus', the Qareh Kalisa or Black Church near the Turkish border at Maku. We also explore the mosques and bazaars of Tabriz and dramatically located fort of Takht- iSoleiman, home to one of the 4 sacred fires of Zoroastrianism. Historic Orumiyeh is our FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Yerevan. 2 Arrive Yerevan; excursion to Garni Roman temple and Gegard. 3 & 4 In Yerevan; Visit Zvartnots Cathedral and Echmiadzin Monastery; excursion to Amberd Fortress. 5 Drive via Noravank to Selim Caravanserai; continue to Chambarak at Lake Sevan. 6 Via Dilijan to Aghartsin and Aghpat Monasteries (UNESCO heritage sites) and on to Georgian border; drive Tbilisi. 7 In Tbilisi; sightseeing tour. 8 Via Mtskheta to Kutaisi. 9 In Kutaisi; visit Gelati and Motsameta Monasteries. 10 Drive via Ubisi Church to Bakuriani. 11 Visit Khertvisi Castle and Vardzia. 12 Drive to visit Gori and then on to Gudauri along Georgian Military Highway'. 13 Visit Kazbegi; walk in Caucasus Mountains. 14 Drive via Winery to Telavi. 15 Visit Alaverdi Cathedral and Gremi Fortress; drive Tbilisi. 16 Fly London. Itinerary Ref. GFA Azerbaijan Extension: Days 1 to 14 Same as above. 15 Visit Alaverdi Cathedral and Gremi Fortress; on to Sheki via Azerbaijan border. 16 Drive to Kish village; visit village church and walk to castle. 17 Continue to Baku. 18 & 19 In Baku; walking tour of old town; optional excursion to Qobustan and mud volcanoes. 20 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 12nts hotel, 3nts guesthouse; 15 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 8 dinners included. Azerbaijan Extension 16nts hotel, 3nts guesthouse; 19 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 10 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/Minibus/On foot. Comment: We discover the fascinating and diverse cultures of the Caucasus and experience the exceptional hospitality of their peoples. Tourism is in its infancy: be prepared for limited facilities and some rough roads. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leaders (one in Armenia, another for Georgia and Azerbaijan) plus driver(s), and some local guides. Group Size: Approx. 15 to 20. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Yerevan. 2 In Yerevan city tour. 3 AM visit Zvartnots and Echmiadzin monasteries; PM visit Garni and Gegard. 4 Visit Noravank monastery and Areni village. 5 Drive Alaverdi via Amberd fortress and Akhpat. 6 Drive Lake Sevan via Dilijan. 7 Drive Kapan via Noraduz cemetery and Selim Caravanserai. 8 Drive Tabriz (Iran) via Meghri and Jolfa. 9 AM visit Kandavan cave houses; PM in Tabriz. 10 Drive Takab via Takht-i-Soleiman fort. 11 Drive Orumiyeh via Hasanlu hill. 12 In Orumiyeh. 13 Drive Maku via Goschi and Qareh Kalisa. 14 AM visit Baqcheh Juq Palace; drive Kars (Turkey). 15 AM visit Ani; PM Kars city tour. 16 Drive Dogubeyazit, visit Isak Pasha Palace; drive Van via Muradiye Falls. 17 Visit Cavustepe site and Hosap Castle; PM Visit Rock Of Van (optional). 18 Boat trip on Lake Van to Akdamar Island; PM In Van. 19 Fly Ankara. 20 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 19nts hotel; 19 breakfasts and 12 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/Boat/Flight. Comment: A fascinating and unusual off-the-beatentrack journey, focusing on the awesome scenery and diverse cultural sites of the region in a circumnavigation of Mount Ararat. Alcohol is prohibited in Iran and a strict dress code applies. Please see dossier for details. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader, some local guides and driver(s). Group Size: Approx. 15 to 20. Mount Ararat Kazbegi Azerbaijan Extension Ref GFA Gremi Alaverdi Fort Lagodekhi Cathedral GUDAURI Zoroastrian GEORGIA Kish village A Ananuri BAKU Fire Temple TELAVI l a z a Gelati & Walk to castle Surakhani Uplistikhe Motsameta Mtskheta Gori Monasteries SHEKI Winery Qobustan Khan's Palace TBILISI Visit mud Caravanserai Kur ni volcanoes' Petroglyphs a R i o KUTAISI BAKURIANI (optional) Aghpat Monastery Cathedral Khertvisi CASPIAN Aghartsin & Gohavank Castle Vardzia Monasteries AZERBAIJAN SEA Cave town CHAMBARAK Mt Kazbeg 5033m ni RUSSIA C A U C A S U S Land of the Golden Fleece Ref GF ARMENIA Echmiadzin Monastery km YEREVAN 0 160 Selim Caravanserai Noravank Monastery Mt Ararat 5165m Ar IRAN TURKEY Ambered Fortress Garni & Gegard Request a tour dossier for comprehensive tour information as Lake Sevan 163

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