Take a deep dive into the history and culture of three fascinating countries: Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia. Feel at home among welcoming people and beautiful scenery, from the medieval architectural monuments nestled in mountain landscapes to the delicious cuisine, filled with fresh bread, roasted meats, rich cheese, and fine wines. See the shores of the Caspian Sea in Azerbaijan to the charming churches of Georgia to the rocky mountains of Armenia, with stops at historical and cultural sights.
The best times to travel to Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan are April, May, June, September, October when the weather is mild.
Arrive Baku. Welcome to Azerbaijan.
Meet driver and Transfer to hotel.
The rest of the day is free at leisure to relax and get over jetlag.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Stay overnight in Baku
In the morning we will leave Baku for Gobustan Historical Reserve (65 km far). The reserve is well known with its perfectly preserved rock paintings - petroglyphs - a kind of artistic "archive" of human evolution on the Earth.
Before the start of the tour around Gobustan we will visit the Interactive Museum with the same name, where with the help of special programs and multimedia touch screens we will get information about the nature, the flora of Gobustan and later we will walk on the top of the rocks and see the engravings. In 2007 Gobustan was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then our way lay through the Mud Volcanoes (tour is subject to weather conditions). On our way back we will visit Bibi Heybat Mosque. Later our guided walking tour of Baku includes the medieval walled city "Icheri Sheher" with it is narrow alleyways, historic caravanserais, mosques and Palace of the Shirvan Shahs, UNESCO Heritage site. We will see the Maiden`s Tower (exterior view), UNESCO Heritage site the imposing mansions of the oil barons, built in the oil boom of 1870-1914 and Martyr`s with its superb views over the Bay of Baku and Flame Towers.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight in Baku.
Leaving Baku behind us, our journey takes us through beautiful landscapes on the way to Shemakha. Upon arrival in Shemakha we will have a sightseeing of historical Djuma Mosque (8th century, reconstructed in the 19th century). We will drive to Sheki. One of the most ancient cities of Azerbaijan, Sheki is rightly called the architectural reserve of the country. Upon arrival, visit the Palace of Sheki Khans (1762) – a rare example of combining the national and palace architecture traditions. Also we will visit the Caravanserai. It is a historical monument in Sheki, a part of which is used as a hotel. Construction of these caravanserais is dated back to the 18th-19th centuries AD.
Later drive to Kish to visit ancient Caucasian Albanian Church.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight in Sheki.
In the morning visit the Local Bazar.
Guided transfer to the border of Georgia. Arrival to the border at 11:30.
After border formalities, continue the trip in Kakheti region - famous for Georgian wine.
Visit Khareba Winery and taste 2 types of wine. Afterwards, proceed to Sighnaghi and take a stroll in the fortified town. Visit Bodbe Monastery and transfer to the capital of Georgia - Tbilisi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight in Tbilisi.
In the morning, visit Mtskheta - Jvari Church, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (UNESCO sites).
Afterwards, drive up along the famous military highway to Stepanstminda. On the way, stop at Gudauri Panorama for a photo. After arrival to Stepanstminda, change to 4WD and drive to Gergeti Trinity Church.
If the weather permits, we will enjoy the beautiful views of Great Caucasus and Mt. Kazbegi.
Drive back to Stepantsminda, change to coach and transfer to Gudauri.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight in Gudauri.
In the morning, transfer to Gori - the birthplace of Stalin and visit Stalin’s Museum.
En route visit Ananuri Fortress – a medieval defensive fortress on the Georgian Military Road.
Afterwards, drive to the ancient cave town of Uplistsikhe. Uplistsikhe was a waypoint on the Silk Road, which passed through Georgia on this route, it is one of the oldest settlements and urban centres in the Caucasus.
In the evening, drive back to Tbilisi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight in Tbilisi.
After breakfast, we start our Tbilisi Sightseeing Tour to get acquainted with the city.
After enjoying the Tbilisi panorama by cable car, we walk through the historical part of the city which possesses unique combination of cultures. Meandering through the narrow streets of the city we will come-across various religious buildings: Churches, Synagogues, Mosques, Wooden houses built in the 19th century with colourful balconies, sulphur baths, the Narikala Fortress.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight in Tbilisi.
In the morning, we take the road to Samtskhe-Javakheti. We visit the city of Borjomi, famous for its mineral water.
While walking in Borjomi Central Park, we can taste the legendary mineral water “Borjomi”.
Afterwards, we leave for Akhaltsikhe.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight in Akhaltsikhe.
In the morning, we drive to Vardzia. During the trip we see Khertvisi Fortress, we stop here to take a photo of this medieval defensive structure. Following this, we move on to the Vardzia Monastery Complex, which is the largest among the cave towns in Georgia and can be easily seen from afar. This monument of Georgian artistic culture of the 12th-13th century is located in thirteen tiers.
In the afternoon, we return to Akhaltsikhe and visit beautifully reconstructed Rabat Fortress and Museum.
It was the most important defensive structure in the region.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight in Akhaltsikhe.
In the morning, depart from Akhaltsikhe and transfer to the Geo-Arm. border (Bavra).
Meet with the Armenian guide and after border formalities, continue the trip to Shirak region.
We start our Gyumri Sightseeing Tour to get familiar with the second largest city in Armenia, which is famous for its unique and indigenous architecture. This walking tour will allow you to explore the historic flavor of the city, the lifestyle of the Gyumretsis, and the birthplace of George Ivanovich Gurdjieff.
After the walk, have lunch at the local restaurant in Gyumri.
After enjoying the local food, we proceed our trip to Yerevan. En route, visit Saghmosavank - a medieval monastery, situated in the breathtaking site, at the deep canyon of Ashtarak. Have dinner at the local restaurant in Yerevan.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight in Yerevan.
Have breakfast at the hotel and depart to Ararat region.
After the breakfast take a trip to Khor Virap, which is one of the shires of Armenian Apostolic Church and indulge yourself in exploring its charming architecture and rich history, both religious and cultural.
Continue the trip by visiting Areni-1 Cave. Explore the depths of Areni Cave system. It’s history dates back to at the very least 6,000 years ago and its suspected that the cavernous settlement served as a trading a cultural hub.
Have lunch at the local restaurant.
Continue the trip to Noravank Monastery - a great religious and cultural center of the 12th century.
Drive back to Yerevan and have dinner at the local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight in Yerevan.
Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Kotayk region.
We start the day by visiting Geghard Cave Monastery – an incredible ancient Armenian monastery, partly carved out of a mountain (UNESCO).
Proceed to the village of Garni. The citadel and pagan Temple of Garni is a picturesque monument of the Hellenistic period and an impressive piece of ancient Armenian architecture. It was built in the first century A.D. by the Armenian King Tiridates.
Optional: Armenian traditional musical instrument duduk performance in Garni 5 USD PP
Have lunch in a local house in Garni where you will have opportunity to watch Armenian national bread “lavash” baking process in the underground stove called “tonir”.
Optional: Armenian traditional musical instrument duduk performance in Garni 5 USD PP
Visit the Symphony of Stones (“Basalt Organ Pipes”) - a natural monument, which appeared due to the collapse of the volcanic rocks. Drive to Sevan, the largest freshwater high-altitude lake in Eurasia. Sightseeing on the Peninsula, admire the breathtaking views.
Optional: 30-minute boat trip (100 USD per boat).
Drive back to Yerevan and have dinner at the local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight in Yerevan.
Have breakfast at the hotel. After the breakfast, we depart to Echmiadzin Cathedral (note: the inside is under re-construction), one of the oldest standing churches in Christendom, which was built in 303 AD. It is considered the Mother Church of all Armenia and serves as the cornerstone of Armenian Culture. Also visit the Treasury Museum.
Then visit the UNESCO Heritage listed remains of Zvartnots Cathedral - the perfect example of the 7th c. Armenian architecture. Grandiose ruins of once magnificent center of Armenian Church overlooking Mount Ararat.
Have lunch in the local house.
Drive back to the Yerevan and take a City Tour - visit the Republic Square, Opera House, Cascade an open-air museum of modern art with massive stairways leading up to the Victory Park.
Farewell dinner at the local restaurant with a traditional folk performance.
Optional: Visit Brandy Factory 15 USD PP
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight in Yerevan.
Check out and transfer to the Zvartnots International Airport for your flight back home.
- Price is per person / sharing double/twin room. Single room supplement surcharge applies.
- Price is for land arrangements only, for minimum of 4 participants.
- Price is subject to change without prior notice. Terms and Conditions Apply
- Price is subject to availability and confirmation at the time of booking.
- INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS ARE NOT INCLUDED (can be quoted and arranged separately)
Inclusions:
~ Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing [4* Hotels = 13 nights],
~ 02 nights stay in Baku
~ 01 night stay in Sheki
~ 01 night stay in Gudauri
~ 03 nights stay in Tbilisi
~ 02 nights stay in Akhaltsikhe
~ 04 nights stay in Yerevan
~ Transportation and transfers by comfortable A/C vehicle
~ Professional English-speaking guide throughout the program
~ Entrance fees to the sites as per itinerary (museums are closed on Mondays and on public holidays)
~ Full board meals as per itinerary [ Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ]
~ 1 bottle of mineral water per day/per person
Remarks:
~ Please note that itinerary and prices are subject to change due to airline and train schedule changes, currency fluctuations and other unforeseeable events.
REMINDER:
Depending on nationality, tourist visa to Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia are required which can be obtained on arrival and/or online. Visa Fee is about US$20 – 25.00
For inquiries and bookings please
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