Day 01: Arrive Baku (AZERBAIJAN)

Xosh gälmìsän!  Welcome to Baku, capital of Azerbaijan. We are cordially welcomed and transferred to our hotel. Baku provides a unique mix of centuries old monuments and uber-modern architecture that is a joy to explore. Hotel check in time starts at 1500 hrs. With a population of over 2.5 million, every forth national of Azerbaijan is a resident of Baku.

Please see border formalities under “Notes”.

Overnight: Promenade Hotel/Sapphire Bayil Hotel, Baku (3 nights)

Day 02: Baku

Baku, the capital and commercial hub of Azerbaijan, is a low-lying city with coastline along the beautiful Caspian Sea. We start our exploration visiting the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape*, which covers three areas of a plateau of rocky boulders rising out of the semi-desert of central Azerbaijan. It has an outstanding collection of more than 6,000 rock engravings bearing testimony to 40,000 years of rock art. The site also features the remains of inhabited caves, settlements and burials, all reflecting an intensive human use by the inhabitants of the area during the wet period that followed the last Ice Age, from the Upper Paleolithic to the Middle Ages. Next, we visit the Walled City of Baku*, built on a site inhabited since the Paleolithic period. The Walled City reveals evidence of Zoroastrian, Sasanian, Arabic, Persian, Shirvani, Ottoman, and Russian presence in cultural continuity. We explore the Inner City (Icheri Sheher), which has preserved much of its 12^th century defensive walls; the 12^th century Maiden Tower (Giz Galasy), built over earlier structures; and the 15^th century Palace of the Shirvanshah, one of the gems of Azerbaijan's architecture. (B, D)

Day 03: Baku

We travel around the Absheron Peninsula, visiting the Ateshgyah Zoroastrian Temple of Fire, which for centuries has been an important center of worship.  Explore the “Gala” historical ethnographic reservation area.  One of the oldest settlements in Absheron, Qala village is situated in the north east of the peninsula. There are 215 architectural and archaeological monuments in Qala village and the surrounding regions, preserving a unique environment dating back to the 3^rd millennium BC. In 2008, the Open Air Archaeological Ethnographical Museum Complex was created here, gathering and restoring monuments found in the region. We also enjoy an excursion to the 14^th century temple in Mardakan and the Yanardag Flaming Mountain, burning with an eternal flame fed by the underground naphtha and gas. In the afternoon, time at leisure walking throughout the central part of the city and exploring local shopping centers, a perfect opportunity to meet and mingle with the local people. (B, D)

Day 04: Baku/Sheki (Drive) (300 Kms.)

After breakfast, we take a scenic and comfortable drive to Sheki. This town was once a stop on the fabled Silk Road, the world’s oldest and longest trade route. Here we will visit the Museum of Applied Arts and "Shebeke" manufacturing workshops of traditional stained-glass art. Next, see the magnificent Sheki Khan's palace, built in the 18^th century as perhaps the most striking example of Shebeke art (view from outside only). The evening is free to stroll around Sheki. We also enjoy a walking trip to the village Kish near Sheki town to visit the first church in the Caucasus.

Overnight: Sheki Palace Hotel, Sheki (1 night) (B, D)

Day 05: Sheki/Lagodekhi/Signagi/Tbilisi (GEORGIA) (Drive) (260 Kms.)

Adieu Azerbaijan for Georgia. At the border checkpost, we are welcomed by our Georgian guide and transferred to Telavi at 10:00 hrs Georgia time. We will make our way through the Kakheti region on the way to Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital. This scenic region is dotted with fine old churches and vineyard after vineyard. At one of these wineries, we will stop for the opportunity to and sample some of Georgia’s famous wines.  Historically, Kakheti was often the centre of political turmoil. However, some of Georgia’s most beautiful and important buildings were erected here and its church architecture is as diverse as its wines. We will also explore Gremi architectural complex, which consists of the Church of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel (16^th century), a three-story castle, a bell tower and a wine cellar.  

Enjoy lunch with a local family in the form of a traditional home-cooked meal, complete with Georgian wines. Learn to make ‘churchkhela’, a traditional Georgian sweet made with grapes and various nuts. Afterwards, visit the fortified hill-town of Signagi. Weather permitting, this site offers panoramic views of the Kakheti area and eastern Caucasus summits. It is an eclectic mix of old and new. The old section has narrow cobbled streets lined with typical houses complete with wooden balconies and shuttered windows.

Overnight: Hotel Tbilisi (2 nights) (B, L)

Please see border formalities under “Notes”.

Note: Please be aware that your Azerbaijan guide and driver will NOT cross the border. Therefore, you should be ready to cross the border on foot through no man’s land (distance of approximately 600 meters).

Day 06: Tbilisi (Drive)

Begin the exploration of the capital city of Tbilisi with visits to Sameba (Holy Trinity) Cathedral, a recently built and magnificently Cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church. Then we take a walking tour of the Old Town, offering structures dating back to the 5th Century. This original settlement of Tbilisi boasts winding roads, alleys and wooden balconies. We see Metekhi Church, standing proudly above the river on a cliff-top, and the sulphur baths (Abanotubani). According to legend, these baths were responsible for giving the name to the city and for king Vakhtang Gorgasali’s (5^th century) decision to move the capital from Mtskheta. We will also explore Narikala Fortress, an impressive set of ruins and city landmark providing excellent views of the swirling river Mtkvari (Kura) and the Old Town. Next, see Sioni Cathedral, the beating heart of Georgian Orthodoxy, and Anchiskhati Church, a yet more ancient style of Georgian church with a choir to match. It we’re lucky, we may be able to witness a service at this church. Drive along Rustaveli Avenue, the main 1,500-meter-long artery of the city decked out with elegant Renaissance and neoclassical buildings. Here, we find the city’s most important theatres and the Opera House. We also visit the funicular at Mtatsminda (Holy Mount or Father David’s Mount) Pantheon & Park. This railway was built in 1903 i.e. over 120 years back and its upper station takes us to the Panoramic Park, providing spectacular views of the city. (B, L)

Day 07: Tbilisi/Mtskheta/Gori/Kutaisi (Drive) (225 Kms.)

Our rural Georgian drive will take us to one of the oldest cities in Georgia, Mtskheta*, which lies in a lush valley at the confluence of two rivers, the Aragvi and the Mtkvari. It was founded in 2,000 BC and was the capital of the Georgian Kingdom of Iberia between 500 BC and 500 AD. Georgians adopted Christianity in the 4^th Century and after that, Georgians, Byzantines, Persians, Arabs and Mongols traded control of the territory until the Russian annexation in the 19^th Century. It is overlooked by the marvellously simple church of Jvari (6^th Century), a perfect example of early Georgian Christian architecture. Walk through the Svetitsikhoveli Cathedral (11^th Century), Georgia’s largest remaining cathedral and burial place of the Georgian kings, members of the Bagrationi family. It has an extraordinary interior combining paintings, frescoes and a domed chapel used for the Christmas service. These are both, UNESCO World Heritage sites.  We also visit Stalin Museum named after Joseph Stalin, who ruled Russia from 1924 till o his death in 1953.  Later, we arrive at Kutaisi, which dates back to the Argonauts’ time (13^th -12^th centuries B.C). Formerly capital of old Colchida, Kutaisi ruled all of Western Georgia. We end this wonderful day with a visit of the Bagrati Cathedral (11^th Century).

Overnight: Newport Hotel/Best Western Kutaisi, Kutaisi (1 night) (B, L)

Day 08: Kutaisi/Mestia (Drive) (220 Kms.)

After breakfast we visit the Gelati Monastery*, founded in the 12^th century by Georgia’s most famous king, David the Builder (1073 – 1125 AD). Its walls are covered in splendid floor-to-ceiling murals of Georgia’s saints and monarchs. This site is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Continuing our exploration of Mestia, we pass the lovely villages of Colkhida lowlands. Then, drive along Enguri river valley, stopping at the Enguri Reservoir. Continue on, then arrive in Mestia* (1400m), a small provincial settlement surrounded by huge Caucasian mountains, the most impressive of which are mountains Ushba (4710m) and Tetnuldi (4975m) some of the most severe and beautiful summits of the Caucasus. End the day with a visit of the towers and the historical Svan House.

Overnight: Chalet Hotel, Mestia (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 09: Mestia/Ushguli/Mestia (Drive)

A scenic rural Caucasian secenery as we drive to Ushguli* (2400m), Europe’s highest permanently inhabited village. Visit the village, its medieval towers and Lamaria Church dating back from the 11^th Century. Enjoy the views of Mt. Shkhara (5201m), the highest summit in Georgia. At the Mestia Museum which houses more than 4000 archaeological objects discovered in the Svaneti region comprising of unique samples of engraved and painted icons, objects of religious significance, manuscripts from the 11^th – 13^th Centuries of the New Testaments from Adishi, Labskaldi, Lenashi, Mestia traditions. Balance of the day is free. (B, D)

Day 10: Mestia/Zugdidi/Borjomi (Drive) (225 Kms.)

This morning, travel to Zugdidi to visit the Dadiani Palace, one of the most eminent palaces in the Caucasus.  Dadiani Palaces History and Architectural Museum is a Georgian national museum located in Zugdidi, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, Georgia. The History and Architecture Museum is considered to be one of the most eminent palaces in Caucasus. It is a Neo Gothic building. Afternoon, we arrive at Borjomi with the balance of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Crowne Plaza, Borjomi (1 night) (B, L)

Day 11: Borjomi/Akhaltsikhe/Vardzia (Drive) (140 Kms.)

After breakfast, drive to Akhaltsikhe.  Here we enjoy an excursion to the recently restored 13^th century Rabati Castle.  Afterwards, we drive to Vardzia, a thirteen-story cave town built between 1186 and 1189 by Georgia’s famous Queen Tamar. It stands as a unique example of the Georgian renaissance in an area of many medieval sites. En route, we visit the stop at Khertvisi Fortress. Khertvisi fortress is one of the oldest fortresses in Georgia and was functional throughout the Georgian feudal period.  At Vardzia, we spend the night at the picturesque Vardzia Resort. Balance of the day is free to enjoy the resort and its many amenities.

Overnight: Vardzia Hotel, Vardzia (1 night) (B, D)

Day 12: Vardzia/Dzoraget (ARMENIA) (Drive) (220 Kms.)

Our Georgian experience and hospitality is now coming to a close as we drive to the Georgian-Armenian border of Bavra.  Adieu to Georgia and we are welcomed by our Armenian guide. After immigration formalities, we visit Armenia’s 2^nd largest city, Gyumri. Gyumri has a distinct look, style and dialect.  It is a fairly modern town having been rebuilt after the 1988 Spitak earthquake. From here we take a scenic drive to Dzoraget via Spitak and on to the Vanadzor all along accompanied by beautiful scenery of forests and mountain. Vanadzor, dates back to the Bronze Age. Balance of the day is free and enjoy the scenery and walking trails around the Avan which is also known for its traditional Armenian cuisine.

Overnight: Avan Dzoraget Hotel, Dzoraget (1 night) (B, D)

Please see border formalities under “Notes”.

Day 13: Dzoraget/Lake Sevan (Drive) (50 Kms.)

A relaxed morning as we have a leisurely breakfast before Start exploring the Sanahin* Monastery and Haghpat. Standing on a high plateau, amidst low structures, they raise sharp against the background of steep, forested slopes. The ensembles are complemented by small churches built around them. Here we will see besides churches and chapels, four annexes, sepulchers, bell-towers, building of the Academy, book depositories, refectories, galleries, bridges and other monumental structures.  After lunch in Dilijan, we continue exploring the surrounding city and historical monuments of the area.  Wander in the art street of Sharambeyan, chat with the local carpenter and pottery master, see them at work and choose one lovely souvenir.  Some 90Kms from Dzoraget is Lake Sevan, famous for its emerald water and delicious fish. This mountainous lake covers approximately 5 per cent of Armenia’s surface area and is 2000 meters above sea level. Lake Sevan is a freshwater lake and whilst open for swimming, it may be difficult for those who have only been used to salty ocean waters. Another free time in the evening and enjoying your optional dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Bohemian Resort or Best Western Paradise Hotel, Lake Sevan (1 night) (B, L)

Day 14: Lake Sevan/Yerevan (Drive) (65 Kms.)

As we are heading to Yerevan, Armenia’s capital city, we will first visit the Noraduz cemetery of cross stones (khachkars) - Armenian cross-stone with carved, memorial stele bearing a cross, and often with additional motifs such as rosettes. The oldest khachkar with a known date was carved in 879 (though earlier, cruder, examples do exist). We also visit Selim Caravanserai, situated in the Selim (Sulema) mountain pass 2410 meters above sea level. According to the two building inscriptions (one of which is in Arabic), the caravanserai was built in 1332 by Prince Orbelyan Chesar. Our tour culminates with a visit to the 12^th century Monastery of Noravank, set in a canyon rich with rare flora.  Visit Bird's Cavern, where the world's oldest shoe was found.  We also take an excursion to Khor Virap Monastery, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Armenia. Its location, near the closest point to Mount Ararat within Armenia, offers a spectacular view of the mountain, the national symbol of Armenia. It is also significant as being the place of Gregory the Illuminator's 13-year imprisonment, after which Gregory in 301 made Armenia the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion. Arrive Yerevan and we are transferred to our elegant hotel with the balance of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Grand Hotel, Yerevan (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 15: Yerevan

Exploring Armenia’s capital, we start with a visit to the National Museum of Armenian History and the Matenadaran. An excursion to the Cathedral and churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots* will illustrate to us the evolution and development of Armenian central-domed cross-hall churches. These churches exerted a profound influence on architectural and artistic development in the region.  At the Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley*, which contain a number of churches and tombs, we will see many rock structures reflecting the zenith of Armenian medieval architecture. The complex of medieval buildings is set into a landscape of great natural beauty, surrounded by towering cliffs at the entrance to the Azat Valley. (B, D)

Day 16: Depart Yerevan

Our journey experiencing the heritage of the tri-countries of the Caucasus, comes to an end as we are transferred to the airport with unforgettable experiences. Hotel Check out time is 1100AM. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

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Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 08 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
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