Don't miss out on this extraordinary opportunity
A Unique journey to the Caucasus, where ancient traditions and breathtaking landscapes converge. Our pilgrimage offers a chance to connect with the rich cultural heritage, explore remote villages, and immerse yourself in the spiritual essence of this captivating region. Exploring early Christian monasteries Discover the hidden gems that have inspired generations and return home with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper appreciation for the world's diversity.
Price After $ 250.- Early Bird discount if booked before 30.10.2024:
$ 5,995.- per Pilgrim in a double room
$ 6,245.- if booking after 30.10.2024
$ 1,775.- Single room supplement
AZERBAIJAN EXTENSION
$ 1,995.- per Pilgrim in a double room
$ 685.- Single room supplement
Payment in full before 10/02/2025
INCLUSIONS
Accommodations and meals:
4-5 star Hotels with breakfast, dinner as indicated in itinerary.
Transportation and Touring;
Deluxe air conditioned buses throughout with English speaking tour guides.
Entrance fees and sightseeing according to itinerary.
Portage at Hotels.
Bus transfers.
Exclusions: International Airfare estimated $2,750 ,
Visas - meals not mentioned, drinks, compulsory travel
insurance. Tipping fund $15 per day per pilgrim for
guides and Bus Driver will be collected prior to travel.
Mount Ararat is snow-capped and dormant compound volcano in Eastern Turkey
Ararat traditionally is associated with the mountain on which Noah's Ark came to rest at the end of the Flood. In 2004 it was reported that a team found a large wooden structure at an elevation of 4,200 meters.
Geghard is one of the best illustrations in Armenia of a medieval monastery and medieval Armenian architecture.
**"Luys" Choir will perform spiritual songs especially for our group.**
--A church in Armenia literally carved into the cliff.
--The nearby holy spring is said to bring healing.
-Geghard has extraordinary acoustics.
-UNESCO World Heritage Listed church in Armenia
-You can still see 11th-13th century carvings.
The nearby holy spring is said to bring healing.
-Geghard has extraordinary acoustics.
-UNESCO World Heritage Listed church in Armenia
-You can still see 11th-13th century carvings.
The nearby holy spring is said to bring healing.
-Geghard has extraordinary acoustics.
-UNESCO World Heritage Listed church in Armenia
-You can still see 11th-13th century carvings.
Saint Gregory the Illuminator, was imprisoned here in a pit (complete with snakes!) for 13 years.
Founded in 642 CE, the current monastery dates from 17th Century
– Khor Virap is the site of the imprisonment site of St. Gregory the Illuminator, who helped turn Armenia into a Christian country (from Pagan) in the early 4th century.
– Exquisite views of Mt. Ararat on clear days from Khor Virap monastery.
– The village nearby is home to many wild storks, and it’s possible to see them nesting in the right season.
Noravank monastery is famous for having what some consider to be the first church to have a human-like image of “God the Father” in the Christian trinity.
-Tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site
-Early image of ‘God the Father’
-Two-story main church with external staircase.
-Stunning red cliffs and surrounding mountains.
Gayane was the name of an abbess in Armenia who was martyred with other nuns by Tiridates III in the year 301. The church is dedicated to her and is part of the larger World Heritage Listed complex at Etchmiadzin.
**We will participate in a mass here**
Vardzia is a spectacular cave monastery near Aspindza in southern Georgia. It looks like one of the movie sets of Lord of the Rings, but it is not the home of dwarfs but of many monks. This underground monastery was built in the 12th Century, under the reign of King Tamar, the first woman that was ever crowned as a king (not a queen!) in Georgian history.
Borjomi’s mineral water park, dating back to 1850, occupies a narrow wooded valley and includes the town's original mineral water source, Ekaterina Spring.
Nature enthusiasts will adore exploring the park's verdant forest trails or venturing up to the nearby Borjomi Plateau for awe-inspiring vistas of the surrounding mountains.
Gelati was a cultural hub of Georgia's medieval renaissance, and many Georgian rulers were buried here, including the great 12th-century king, David the Builder. The interior of the main Cathedral of the Virgin is among the brightest and most colourful in Georgia, with fascinating frescoes.
The Bagrati Cathedral, built in 1003, is a symbol of the unity and strength. Bagrat III gathered representatives of different parts of Georgia and invited guests from abroad for the celebration of the blessing of Bagrat III temple. “ All the rulers, the Catholics, the priests, and the heads of all the monasteries, and all the nobles of the upper and lower kingdom of the land, and all the other nations, were gathered together.
The dozens of cave monasteries decorated with unique frescoes are the best examples of harmonious interaction of man made structures with the dramatic landscape. They bear the traditional principles of sustainable living and are considered as the masterpieces of Georgian Medieval art.
In Medieval times, Gareji desert with its rock-cut monasteries and magnificent murals containing the portraits of Georgian Kings, served as one of the most important monastic and pilgrimage centres of Georgia. It was a Royal monastery with a primary and figurative meaning. The Kings themselves patronised and took care of it.
Sameba is the highest church in Georgia at 101m high. The cathedral is designed in the spirit of modernism, and its architecture has little similarities with old traditions.
The cathedral consists of nine chaples (chapels of the Archangels, John the Baptist, Saint Nino, Saint George, Saint Nicholas, the Twelve Apostles, and All Saints); five of them are situated in a large, underground compartment.
Baku is the largest city in Azerbaijan and a major cultural, economic, and political centre of the country. Baku has a rich history and culture, with evidence of human settlements dating back to the 4th millennium BCE. Today, Baku is a modern and vibrant city, known for its stunning architecture, beautiful parks, and bustling streets.
Being one of the most recognized architectural landmarks worldwide, the Heydar Aliyev Center is in the meantime one of the signature architectural landmarks of modern Baku. It includes a new national museum, library and concert hall. The core element of the design by Zaha Hadid Architects is the unity between the plaza, the surrounding landscape and the double-curved building envelope.
Candy Cane Mountains
The staggering pink-and-white slopes of the Caucasus mountain foothills in the Khizi region have earned them the name of the “Candy Cane Mountains”.
FAQs
How do I secure a Booking?
- Simply fill in the booking form per Individual and pay the required deposit. You can pay by credit card through Travel pay or deposit the amount into our bank account once the place has been confirmed.
Flight bookings
- We do group bookings, so if you would like to travel with the group, we can arrange your flights. For anyone who wants to arrange their own flights please advise Christian pilgrimage when filling the booking form.
Where do I meet the group?
- You will be advised where you will meet the group before departure it will be available in your documents before traveling.
Airport transfers
- Individuals who purchase a tour and air package are not required to pay a fee for transfer unless they decide to arrive before or to extend their travel or deviate from the group or add an extension to their travel then a fee would apply.
When is the final balance required?
- Payment in full must be received by the date(s) reflected on your invoice OR no less than 90 days before commencement of your trip whichever date comes first.
What is the average size of a group?
- Most pilgrimages depart with smaller groups average 28 Pilgrims.
Travel Insurance
- Travel insurance is compulsory
You cannot travel with us if you do not have travel insurance.
We advise travel insurance to be taken out straight at the same time of you paying the deposit. As Travel insurance may cover you whilst you are still here and also against cancellation or amendments in the event of unseen circumstances. For travel insurance you can ask us to quote you on this link. We offer a 20% discount on travel insurance.
What if I need Medical assistance?
- While Christian Pilgrimage does its best to follow Safe Travel procedures we do not employ medically trained staff on any of the tours. Should medical assistance be required while on tour, the tour guide may be able to provide some assistance or arrange transport to a hospital, it is the individual’s responsibility for all charges incurred at the time. Please consult https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/what-do-if-you-test-positive-covid-19-when-travelling
Vaccinations?
- Please check https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/travel-vaccinations for vaccinations required for each destination.
Passport and Visas:
- All passports have to be valid for a minimum of 6 months in advance. As for visa requirements we will advise you of any visas requirements for your travel itinerary and can assist you in the process of obtaining these. Application forms along with visa fee information will be provided in your letter of confirmation. Non-Australian passport holders will need to apply for their visa in person through the respective Consulate or Embassy
Our pilgrims have consistently praised our ability to create a sense of community, and the support and guidance provided by our team has been instrumental in making their pilgrimage a truly transformative experience. We take pride in the positive impact we have on our clients’ lives and we are committed to continue providing exceptional customer service.
The “team” consisting of Randa & John + the numerous clergy provided excellent support & information on all occasions. We became pilgrims & not holidaymakers almost immediately . We celebrated Mass in beautiful locations, inside and out which was very special.
Both John and Randa were very approachable with any fears or worries. They worked tirelessly to ensure that everyone was catered for and were always present in everything that was in the programme
I began this pilgrimage with a group of mostly strangers going to places I have never been before. Now at the end I rather surprisingly feel a very strong sense of connection not only with my fellow pilgrims but with all the Christians who have gone before, right back to Paul and the first Christians. I feel very privileged and blessed and with a new sense of purpose in my life of faith.
Overall I am thoroughly pleased that I participated in the pilgrimage. One of the best experiences I have had. The dynamics of our group worked well and the programme exceeded my expectations. Randa, you need to be congratulated, you excelled on this trip. I admire and respect what you have done for us.