You will then visit the stunning hilltop town of Sighnaghi, and the Gremi architectural complex, founded by the King of Kakheti Levan, before arriving in the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi.
Long under the thumb of its neighbouring triumvirate of regional powers — the Persians, the Ottomans, and then the Soviets — Georgia has finally managed to shake off its shackles and stand as an independent country. Until recently mired in post-Soviet poverty and corruption, the Georgian capital has now emerged with a mix of old town gentrification and ultramodern hip architecture.
You begin your exploration of Tbilisi in the Old Town, a city born where sulphur bathhouses still stand, once the haunt of Pushkin and guarded over by the rambling 17th-century fortress. Hidden courtyards, balconied facades, century-old mosques, synagogues, and icon-filled Orthodox churches all stand in unity suggesting a multi-faith tolerance.
You’ll then head for the Shida Kartli region to visit Gori, the birthplace of Stalin and home to a controversial museum dedicated to the dictator’s memory. A short distance away you’ll visit Uplistsikhe — The Fortress of God — a rock-hewn town dating back to 2000BC.
Head north and into the watchful gaze of Mt. Kazbek a soaring 4890m peak. You’ll travel along the great Georgian Military Highway in the shadow of jagged peaks topped with snow and alpine meadows. Cross the Jvari Pass and arrive in Kazbegi near the Russian Border.
Your time in this rugged region will include a visit to the famous Gergeti Trinity Church and the dramatic Dariali Gorge bordering Russia. The itinerary also includes the Aravgi region featuring churches with massive guard towers and richly decorated façades dating back to the 13th century.
You’ll spend time in Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia, and the 6th Century Jvari Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your itinerary and Main Conference conclude with a final stop back in Tbilisi.
For those who are ready to discover all three countries, we recommend you continue your journey to Armenia.
Your itinerary begins with Conference Sessions in Tbilisi, before crossing the border to Armenia, a country whose past is as dramatic as its rugged landscape.
One of the world’s oldest civilizations, few countries have a history as rich or complex. With spectacular medieval churches and monasteries, breathtaking natural beauty, and warm and welcoming people, Armenia’s enticing culture is one that shows resilience and rebirth from its tragic past.
Crossing the border you’ll visit the monastery of Haghpat representing a fusion of vernacular and Byzantine architecture located in the Debed Canyon in North Armenia. The oldest structures here date back to the 10th century. You’ll arrive amongst the lush landscapes of Dilijan, your home for the next couple of nights. This pristine landscape has been a centre for artists, writers, and musicians alike, revelling in the tranquil ambiance of its dense forests, crystal clear streams, and pristine landscape. Then there’s the sparkling waters of Lake Sevan, a vast lake that covers five percent of Armenia’s total surface area.
Discover the Molokan communities, a religious community with roots in Russia dating back to the 19th century. The way of life here has stood still, and you’ll meet a local family that is proud to preserve their cultural heritage.
Arrive in Yerevan, one of the oldest cities in the world — 28 years older than Rome. You’ll explore imposing Soviet-style façades, and pink hue buildings. Further afield you venture to two more jewels in Armenia’s cultural crown, the Hellenic-style Temple of Garni and the monastery at Geghard.
You’ll visit Khor Virap located in the Ararat plain, a stone’s throw from the border of Turkey with the looming Mt Ararat, the biblical mountain where Noah’s Ark is said to have landed as a breathtaking backdrop. It’s then onto the 13th-century Noravank Monastery tucked between tall, brick-red cliffs.
Christianity is embedded in everyday life here and the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one the oldest churches in the world is not to be missed.
Foodies will appreciate the local cuisine in the region. The itinerary includes some of the best restaurants and you can expect delicious dishes throughout . . . with many new and exciting flavours not available anywhere else.
Together, the ‘Grand Caucasus’ Conference & Small Group Tour provides participants with the most comprehensive itineraries ever offered in this region and represents exceptional value for money.
The all-inclusive travel packages cover the best accommodation available, all touring, all entrance fees as well as many specially arranged activities not available to the general public. We also include all meals and take great care to ensure those with special dietary requirements are looked after.
We hope you can join us as we travel through the Caucasus region in May 2024. Unlike our usual conference groups which are capped at 40 people, we’ve reduced the maximum number of people who can attend this conference to just 34 people. This will help ensure your comfort and maximize your touring pleasure.
Register today or risk missing out!
Note: This trip is appropriate for travelers who are physically fit, with a sense of adventure. Expect to travel by coach up to 150kms on some days and participate in up to 2 – 3 hours of light to moderate physical activity per day. Access to many sites in the program requires you to navigate stairs and uneven ground.
9 May 2024 @ 7:00pm
16 May 2024 @ 7:00pm
23 May 2024 @ 9:00am
30 May 2024 @ 9:00am
Starts: Baku, Azerbaijan
Ends: Tbilisi, Georgia
Conference Participant: $995 pp
Non-Conference Participant: $795 pp
Amaco Family Price: $10,995 pp
(For previous Amaco Conference Participants)
Early Bird Price: $11,995 pp
(If booked on or before 1 November 2023)
Standard Price: $12,995 pp
(If booked on or after 02 November 2023)
Single Supplement (if travelling alone): $3,695
Gain a much deeper understanding of this extraordinary region by combining the Azerbaijan & Georgia Conference with the Armenia Conference.
Participants will save up to $1000 per person by combining all three destinations.
22 May 2024 @ 7:00pm
29 May 2024 @ 7:00pm
30 May 2024 @ 9:00am
6 June 2024 @ 9:00am
Starts: Tbilisi, Georgia
Ends: Yerevan, Armenia
Conference Participant: $795 pp
Non-Conference Participant: $595 pp
Amaco Family Price: $6,995 pp
(For previous Amaco Conference Participants)
Early Bird Price: $7,495 pp
(If booked on or before 01 November 2023)
Standard Price: $7,995 pp
(If booked on or after 02 November 2023)
Single Supplement (if travelling alone): $2,955
Gain a much deeper understanding of this extraordinary region by combining the Azerbaijan & Georgia Conference with the Armenia Conference.
Participants will save up to $1000 per person by combining all three destinations.
Given everything that has happened in the travel industry of late – you’re correct to be vigilant about where you spend your travel dollar.
Amaco is not only a member of AFTA (the Australian Federation of Travel Agents) and CATO (Council of Australian Tour Operators) but we are also ATAS Travel Accredited. This means we have met strict industry financial, operational, and management standards and criteria. Only the best industry agents achieve this accreditation meaning that you can travel with us knowing that you’re in safe and very capable hands.
With almost 30 years’ of experience in planning and running conferences, we understand that participants often want to add additional travel destinations and adventures either before or after the all-inclusive packages we provide.
Other operators might discourage you from doing this. Sometimes, it’s because of the added complexity it creates and at other times they’ll try to talk you out of it simply because they don’t have capable or experienced consultants with the breadth and depth of the consultants we employ.
We encourage all participants to make the most of the time away. This might mean departing earlier than the rest of the group and visiting other destinations before meeting up with the main group at the conference or staying on at the conclusion and doing some additional travel.
Either way – our consultants are perfectly positioned to assist you with making these arrangements and will do all the hard work for you – seamlessly combining your personalised itinerary with the group program.
Amaco is an Accredited Education Provider for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian College of Rural & Remote Medicine.
Each conference we run includes an education syllabus that assists GP’s, pharmacists and health professionals to improve the quality of care they provide to patients and customers while at the same time providing them the opportunity to travel to and experience new and exciting destinations.
Our conference will allow delegates the opportunity to earn CPD hours / points based on the content and time in sessions. As has been the case with past conferences, we will work closely with participants affiliated with other associations to ensure that they receive maximum recognition for attending the conference.
The content of the education sessions will be relevant to GPs, Medical Specialists, Pharmacists, Dentists, Nurses, and other health providers. We encourage all attendees to register for the conference sessions.
The Education Committee for these two Grand Caucasus Conferences will be selected in late-2023 with final conference topics to be chosen based on the feedback from our previous conference attendees and with input from the RACGP, ACRRM, and medical journals. Suitable speakers will be approached based on the topics selected.
Subject to final accreditation, each Main Conference: Azerbaijan & Georgia Conference will include up to 12 hours of accredited education. The Post Conference Extension to Armenia will include up to 8 hours of accredited education.
ACRRM members can also expect the education program to be accredited and to earn CPD points. RACGP and ACRRM accreditation will be applied for under the triennium 2023 to 2025.
As has been the case in the past, Amaco will work with pharmacy bodies and those affiliated with other associations to ensure that they receive maximum recognition for attending the conference.
We welcome applications from potential presenters and encourage anyone interested to contact us to obtain further information.
