Fly       Singapore/Doha                      QR639                        0210/0455 – Daily (7 h 45 m)

            Doha/Tehran                           QR488                        0735/1010 – Daily (2 h 5 m)

Upon arrival, be met and transfer to your hotel.

After lunch, visit the National Museum of Iran to see its marvelous collection from Iran’s rich history, followed by the incredible National Jewels Museum. 

Morning depart for Qazvin, founded in the 3^rd century BC, and capital of Persia for a short period in the 16^th century.  This is a 2 hour drive of about 155 km.  Proceed directly to the Alborz Mountains, where the remnants of over 50 of the Castles of the Assassins lie in hidden valleys and secluded villages.  Drive to visit Alamut Castle, the fortress of Hasan-e Sabbah, the ‘Old Man of the Mountains’, whose followers were feared by the Crusaders and mainstream Muslim officials alike, and whose name led to the English word ‘assassin’.  Little is left of the castle, but its site is beautiful, with great views and offers good hiking.

Return to Qazvin for a sightseeing tour, including the Chehel Sotun and 12^th-century Jameh Mosque.

Today we drive to Zanjan, visiting Soltaniyeh enroute.  Soltaniyeh was built by the Mongols in the early 14^th century, but destroyed by Tamerlane in 1384.  The enormous Gonbad-e Soltaniyeh was left, the world’s tallest brick dome, built by the Mongol Sultan Oljeitu, originally to house the remains of Imam Ali from Najaf, but used for his own mausoleum instead.  Climb up to the upper terrace for a view of the Mullah Hasan Kashi tomb and the Khanegah Dervish Monastery, the other two monuments of Soltaniyeh which survived. 

Continue to Zanjan, and visit the Rakhatshor-Khaneh, an underground hall whose water channels were used as a public laundry.  Later spend time in the atmospheric covered bazaar, which contains historic mosques and caravanserai.  The driving distance today is 180 km, or about 2 ½ hours actual driving time.

After breakfast, check-out and proceed to Takht-e Soleiman, one of the most memorable sights of western Iran.  Ringed by high mountains and fortress walls, this was the spiritual center of the Zoroastrians in the 3^rd century, with a fire temple and mysterious, beautiful crater lake. 

Afternoon continue on to Tabriz .   Today’s drive covers almost 300 km, or about 4 hours.

Tabriz is an ethnically Azeri city dating back to at least the Sassanid period, and has long been a Silk Road trade hub.  We start with a visit to its magnificent, 1,000-year old bazaar, a labyrinth of some 35 km of covered passages.  We also visit the Blue Mosque, constructed in 1465 and once entirely covered with blue tiles.  After its destruction by an earthquake in 1773, only the main entrance portal has any of the original tiles remaining; the rest of the reconstructed building is painted.  We also have a look at the Church of St Mary, mentioned by Marco Polo in the 12^th century; there have been Christians in Tabriz almost since the beginning of Christianity.

In the afternoon, drive out to Kandovan, a charming village of Cappadocia-style fairy chimneys and troglodyte houses about 50 km outside Tabriz.

Depart from Tabriz and drive approximately 2 hours to Norduz, the border crossing to Armenia.  We time our arrival to be around 11 am, as the border closes at 12.  Armenian visas are available on arrival, after which we meet our Armenian guide and drive about an hour up to the town of Kapan for a late lunch and then on to Goris, our stop for the night.   The total drive today is 365 km, about 5 hours.

Start today by exploring Goris, nestled in a bowl of green hills and mountains with some of the nicest traditional Armenian architecture.  Then drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Tatev Monastery, above the beautiful Vorotan Canyon.  This architectural masterpiece dating to the 10^th century is built on the edge of the canyon and is accessible by a ropeway from the village of Halidzor.  Then visit the cave village of Khndzoresk before returning to Goris.

Check-out and drive to Karahunge, Armenia’s Stonehenge.  This is an ancient astronomical observatory, 1,770 m above sea level and comprising 223 slabs of basalt stone.  Continue to Noravank monastery, a great religious and cultural centre in the 12^th  century, and also visit the Areni wine factory to taste the local wine.  Final stop is Khor Virap, in the Ararat valley against the spectacular backdrop of Biblical Mt Ararat.  Although the complex we see today mostly dates from the 17^th century, it is built over the 4^th century site of the imprisonment of St Gregory the Illuminator in a pit for 12 years.  Arrive at Yerevan, capital of Armenia for dinner and overnight.  Today’s drive is 240 km, or about 4 hours.

Excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Geghard monastery, rock-cut from caves, producing some beautiful acoustics.  Then continue to Garni, a pagan Hellenistic temple in a picturesque setting, and have lunch at a local house.  Return to Yerevan, and visit the Armenian History Museum, whose collection includes important relics from Stone Age to Medieval periods.  Also visit the spectacular Cascade complex, which houses the Cafesjian Museum of Contemporary Art, which has one of the world’s greatest collections of modern glass sculpture.

After breakfast start on a city tour, including a visit to the Memorial Park and the Museum of the Armenian Genocide.  Then drive to Echmiadzin, the seat of the Armenian Apostolic Church.  Visit the ancient cathedral, on the site where St Gregory the Illuminator first built in 301-303 AD; also visit the Zvartnots ruins from the 7^th century.  Both Echmiadzin and Zvarnots are UNESCO World Heritages; return to Yerevan for dinner.

Morning check-out and drive about an hour to Lake Sevan, at 2,000 m one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world, and occupying a full 5% of the country’s land area.  Visit Sevanakh, a monastry complex built high on a promontory in the 8^th century, commanding a fine view of the lake and surrounding mountains.  Continue through the lush forested region of Dilijan, where we pause for a visit on the preserved 19^th century street of Old Dilijan and have lunch.  Visit the Gohsavankh monastry complex in the woodlands before check-in to your hotel in Dzoraget.  The driving distance today is 180 km, or a little more than 2 hours in total.

This morning visit the 10^th century monastic complexes of Sanahin and Haghpat, outstanding examples of medieval Armenian architecture and UNESCO World Heritage sites. 

After lunch, drive to the border at Sadakhlo and cross into Georgia to meet your Georgian guide and driver; drive north through grand mountain scenery to arrive at the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.  Check-in to your hotel for a rest before dinner.  The total distance driven today is around 150 km, or about 2 hours, not including the time spent crossing the border.

Today we drive north along the Georgian Military Highway.  Completed in 1817 to link Georgia with Russia this has long been an important military and economic route through the mountainous region. We stop at sacred Mtskheta, ancient capital of eastern Georgia; Georgia’s conversion to Christianity occurred in Mtskheta in 337AD.  Visit its historical, fully-functioning churches including the beautiful 7^th century Jvari Church perched on a cliff overlooking the city, the Sveti-Tskhoveli Cathedral, the first Christian church to be built in Georgia and its largest functioning cathedral, and the Samtavro monastery complex, with its shrine to St Nino, converter of Georgia. Continuing on the GMH, stop to visit Ananuri, the beautifully sited 16^th century fortress complex with its exquisitely carved churches; then into the Caucasus Mountains, stopping at Gudauri, Georgia’s top ski resort and our stop for the night.   The distance from Tbilisi to Gudauri is 110 km, or about 2 hours driving.

After breakfast, we continue north for about an hour through alpine meadows and mountain passes littered with medieval watch towers.  We visit Dariali Gorge and have a picnic lunch in the shade of mighty Mount Mkinvari, and continue up to the Russian border.  Then return to the town of Kazbegi and proceed for a gentle, hour and a half walk up to the Tsminda Sameba Church, perched in a beautiful, solitary spot high above the village, one of Georgia’s iconic sights.  Later, we drive about 200 km or 3 hours, back to Tbilisi.

This morning we drive an hour to visit Uplistsikhe cave town, developed to service the trade route from India to the west in the 1^st millennium BC.  The town is a complex of rock-cut streets, residences, churches, secret tunnels, water passages, markets and the oldest theatre in Georgia, all hewn out of the mountain side.  Continue to the close-by town of Gori, infamous as the birthplace of Josef Stalin – visit his museum then depart for Tblisi.  Tonight’s dinner is a wine and song-filled Georgian feast at a traditional restaurant.

DAY 16          TBILISI/SINGAPORE  

Today we explore Tbilisi, capital of Georgia for over 1500 years.  Destroyed and rebuilt nearly 30 times, it is today one of the most lively and cosmopolitan cities in the Caucasus.  Walk through the narrow streets and inner courtyards, and stroll down Rustaveli Avenue, the main thoroughfare.  Visit Metekhi Church of the Virgin, which was rebuilt in the 12^th and 13^th centuries after the 6^th century original was destroyed by the Mongols.  Drive to Sioni Cathedral in the town center, the main cathedral of Tbilisi and seat of the Catholicos of the Georgian Orthodox Church.  In addition, see the synagogue and bath houses, a herbal medicinal shop and the history museum. 

Later transfer to the airport for check-in to your departure flight.

Fly       Tbilisi/Doha                             QR975                        1545/1945 – Tue, Thu, Fri (5 h 10 m)

            Tbilisi/Doha                             QR977                        2015/0015 – Other days (5 h 10 m)

            Doha/Singapore                      QR642                        0055/1330 – Daily (7 h 45 m)

Arrive Singapore on Day 17 afternoon.

Transfer to the airport for flight.

Fly       Tblisi/Baku                  QR975                        1545/1700 – Daily (1 h 15 m)

Upon arrival, be met and transfer to your hotel.

Meet your guide after breakfast and visit the historic Old Town of Baku with its maze of narrow alleys and ancient buildings contrasting sharply with the relentless modernity of the new city.  Start with a visit to Icheri Sheher, the fortress of Old Baku dating to the 15^th century, and continue to Maiden Tower, the Shirvan Shahs’ Palace Complex, medieval market square and caravanserai.  The Synyk Kala Minaret, completed in 1093, is the city’s oldest building. 

After lunch, visit the historical part of downtown; this is the original boom town erected after the initial discovery of oil here in the late 19^th century.  Visit the State Carpet Museum, and have a panoramic view of Baku city and the Caspian Sea.

After breakfast, proceed outside the city to Gobustan, famous for its archeological monuments with more than 4,000 rock drawings from the Neolithic period.  Continue to the Absheron Peninsula, which has the oldest oil fields in Azerbaijan, and stop at the pink salt lake of Masazir Golu.  Visit the Zoroastrian Fire Temple at Ateshgyakh, from the 18^th century, and return for lunch.

Later transfer to the airport for departure flight.

Fly       Baku/Doha                              QR975                        1800/1945 – Tue, Thu, Fri (2 h 45 m)

            Doha/Singapore                      QR642                        0055/1330 – Daily (7 h 45 m)

Arrive Singapore on Day 20.

• The prices stated can only be indicative and may be adjusted once we know your date of travel, number in your party and if you have any other specific requirements.  In particular, airfares and associated taxes and fees are subject to change without prior notice.

Using the following hotels/camps/lodges	Tour Prices per person
	Based on 2 persons traveling together	Based on 4 persons traveling together	Single supplement
Category 1:Tehran: Laleh InternationalQazvin: MarmarZanjan: GrandTabriz: ParsGoris: Mirhav or Mina HotelYerevan: Hotel MetropoleDzoraget: Avan DzoragetTbilisi: Courtyard by MarriottGudauri: Hotel Carpe Diem	S$9,340/-	S$7,905/-	S$1,310/-
Category 2:Tehran: Laleh InternationalQazvin: MarmarZanjan: GrandTabriz: ParsGoris: Mirhav or Mina HotelYerevan: Hotel MetropoleDzoraget: Avan DzoragetTbilisi: MarriottGudauri: Hotel Carpe Diem	S$9,850/-	S$8,590/-	S$ 1,690/-
Extension to Azerbaijan
Category 1:Kempinski Badamar	S$1,560/-	S$1,510/-	S$430/-
Category 2:Park Hyatt Baku	S$1,825/-	S$1,790/-	S$655/-
Category 3:Boutique Palace	S$1,720/-	S$1,265/-	S$570/-

- International airfare;

- Domestic flights;

- All transfers and tours in private vehicle;

- Accommodation on twin share basis with daily breakfast;

- English-speaking accompanying guide;

- Entrance fees where necessary;

- Invitation letter and visa support

- (approximately S$433.40 per person payable to Country Holidays during ticket issuance and subject to change)

- Visa fees and application;

- Lunches and dinners;

- Personal expenses such as beverages, tips and telephone charge.

-Laleh International: Formerly the Intercontinental, the Laleh is dated by international standards but offers large, comfortable rooms with good views at the best city center location in Tehran. (http://www.lalehhotel.com/)

-MarMar Hotel: The better of the city’s two hotels, this is a simple hotel with good basic facilities.  An overnight stay in Qazvin is necessary to explore Alamut Castle and the Valley of the Assasins (http://www.marmar.com/)

-Grand Hotel: Facing the Alborz Mountains, this is a modern, recently owned hotel with comfortable, contemporary rooms (http://www.zanjangrandhotel.ir/main.html)  

-Tabriz El-Goli Pars Hotel: Overlooking El Goli Park, this is the best hotel in Tabriz.  Clean, acceptable rooms and facilities, although service is typically lacking from government-owned and managed hotels like this one.

-Hotel Mina: Comfortable, modern 3-star hotel, the newest in Goris.  Located in the northern part of the town.

-Hotel Mirhav: Newly built incorporating an old Armenian stone house, the hotel is surrounded by gardens with a natural gorge and river in the back.  Public areas are decorated with old Armenian carpets and pottery; rooms are clean and comfortable.  Located in the town centre.

-Hotel Metropole: Once the city’s best hotel, the Soviet-era Metropole has been completely refurbished to an international 4-star standard.  Located on Mashtots Avenue, it is within easy reach of the main commercial and cultural areas of Yerevan. (http://www.metropol.am/)

-Armenia Marriott Hotel Yerevan: The first international-brand hotel and still its most luxurious, the Marriott is located on Republic Square, right in the center of the city. (http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/evnmc-armenia-marriott-hotel-yerevan/)

-Avan Dzoraget Hotel: Built in 2004 but designed to resemble medieval Armenian architecture, the hotel sits along the Debed River, and is one of the Tufenkian Heritage Hotels, which is attempting to build Armenia’s first luxury boutique chain of hotels.  (http://www.tufenkianheritage.com/en/accomodation/avan-dzoraget-hotel/)

-Courtyard by Marriott: An international-standard 4-star hotel, possibly in the best location in the city on Freedom Square.  Galleries, gardens, museums, the Rustaveli Theatre and State Opera House, and the Old Town, are all within walking distance. (http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/tbscy-courtyard-tbilisi/)

-Tbilisi Marriott Hotel: The first 5-star luxury hotel in Tbilisi, beautifully converted from a heritage building.  Located on Rustaveli Avenue, the main commercial street of the city. (http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/tbsmc-tbilisi-marriott-hotel/)

-Hotel Carpe Diem: Completed in 2011, this 24-room property is the newest hotel in Georgia’s premier ski area; modern rooms and fabulous views of the mountains and ski runs.