Baku

After meeting at the airport, you will be transferred to the hotel. We will spend the day exploring Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Whether you choose to stroll the city taking in the magnificent architecture or enjoy some traditional cuisine in a local café, you’ll be sure to fall in love with this wonderful city. We will spend the night at the hotel before a full day tomorrow.

Baku

After breakfast, we will head into the city for a full day of sightseeing. The tour will include all the important historical and architectural sights, including The Flag Square, Carpet Museum, House of Government, Philharmonic theatre, and The Baku Mayor’s office. The tour will then continue to the old city, known for its preserved ancient architecture and narrow cobbled streets. The old city tour will include the Palace of Shirvan Shahs, The Maiden Tower, Karvansarays and Mosques. We will then head back to the hotel for a good nights rest – or some socialising, whatever you’d prefer!

Baku

We will start our day with a traditional breakfast, before heading out of Baku to the Gobustan National Park an UNESCO site. This area is known for its petroglyphs, mud volcanoes and gas stones. We will visit the Museum and explore the archaeological finds of the area. Later that day, we will return to Baku and visit the Bibi-Heybat Mosque, before spending the night in the hotel.

Baku – Shamakhi – Nij Village – Gabala - Sheki

After breakfast, we will head to the city of Shamakhi, home to the largest mosque of the Caucasus and the tomb of Shirvan Shahs. We will then head towards Nij Village, and visit the unique small church of Udi people. There are around 10,000 Udi people left in the world today, and this area is home to around 4,000. They practise Orthodox, Christianity and will welcome you with their kindness. Later that day, we will head to Gabala to see the Gabala Lake and Tufandag Mountain. Finally, we will head to our final destination, Sheki Town, where we will have a guided tour. We will visit the Palace of Sheki Khans and Shebeke Craft Workshop. We will then proceed to the hotel in Sheki.

Sheki - Kakheti

The day will start by heading to Georgia. After crossing the border, we will meet our Georgian representatives. We will check-in to our hotel and have a traditional breakfast. We will then drive to Kakheti, famous for its excellent Georgian wines. We will then continue our tour to Sighnaghi ‘The Town of Love’, which is famous for its architecture in the style of Southern Italian Classicism. Here you will visit the Monastery of Bodbe, where St. Nino (the founder of Christianity in Georgia) is buried. Later that day, we will take an excursion around the winery Khareba. Here you will taste a variety of local wines and have a master class on baking Georgian bread, Shoti and the national sweet, Churchkhela. We will spend the night in Kakheti at a local hotel.

Kakheti – Telavi - Tbilisi

After breakfast, we will continue to Telavi, the centre of the Kakheti region. Known for its delightful landscapes, Telavi is truly stunning. We will visit the famous 900 year old tree before continuing to Tsinandali village, the patrimony of Georgian family, the Chavchavadze. The estate is known for its amazing cellars, where the unique collection of Georgian and European wine is preserved. We will then visit The Batonis Tsikhe (fortress museum of favourable Georgian King Erekle), before heading to Tbilisi overnight. Tbilisi is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the South Caucasus. Its vibrant, lively atmosphere and the interweaving of modernity with antiquity will not leave you disappointed.

Tbilisi – Mtskheta - Tbilisi

After a traditional breakfast, we will take a short trip to Mtskheta, the first capital of Georgia. Our excursion will start with a visit to the Cathedral of the 11th century – Svetitskhoveli. We will then visit the Jvari Temple, located at the top of a hill, offering fantastic views of the two rivers, Kura and Aragvi. After which, we will return to Tbilisi and continue the city tour. This includes an in-depth exploration of the old town, starting in the historic district of Metekhi. We will visit The Assumption Church, Bridge of Peace and Narikala Fortress. We will reach for fortress by cable car and enjoy the spectacular views. We will then continue the excursion by visiting the Sulfuric Baths one of the main attractions of the Old Town. Later that day, we will visit the Shardeni Street, named after the French traveller Jean Chardin. The streets architecture resembles Paris and is full of cosy cafes, boutiques, and interesting galleries. The day will continue with a visit to The Juma Mosque, Meydan Square and Sioni Church, the home to one of the greatest relics of Georgia – The cross of St. Patriarchate. We will spend the night in Tbilisi at a local hotel, where you can get an early night or socialise with the group, whatever you like!

Tbilisi – Zhinvali – Gudauri - Tbilisi

The day will start with breakfast, before heading to Ananuri Fortress, founded in 1870 and located on the beautiful shore of Zhinvali Reservoir. We will then proceed to the Gudauri resport, one of the most popular ski destinations in Georgia. Although its tourist season starts in winter, Gudauri is no less attractive in the summer and autumn, with idyllic green mountains, sunlit meadows and fields of peacefully grazing cows. We will then walk up the hill to visit Gergeti Trinity Church. Located at an altitude of 2170 meters, you will be able to have some free time and gaze upon the unforgettable view of Mount Kazbek. The last destination will be to the Dariali Gorge and the church of Transfiguration. Later that day, we will return to Tbilisi where we will stay overnight.

Tbilisi – Sadakhlo – Tavush – Dilijan – Gegharkunik – Lake Sevan

After breakfast, we will transfer to the Georgian-Armenian (Sadakhlo) border. Your pleasant trip to Armenia will start after passing through customs. Our first stop with be at the Tavush region, where you will visit the medieval monasteries of Goshavank and Haghartsin. The region is also home to the cosy resort town of Dilijan, known for its arts and crafts as well as picturesque, lush nature and healing air. The trip will continue to the Gegharkunik Province, best known for the breathtaking, Lake Sevan. It is one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world located at an altitude of 1900 meters above the sea level. After enjoying the magnificent views, we will head to the hotel for a good night’s rest.

Lake Sevan - Mount Ararat - Yerevan

After enjoying a traditional breakfast, we will drive south to Khor Virap Monastery located at the foot of Biblical Mount Ararat. The tour will continue through a narrow canyon to the valley of red rocks where Noravank Monastery is located. We will stop at the Areni cave on the way. The archaeological excavations of the cave provided valuable specimens, which later became key details to the world history of civilization. One of such valuable findings was the ancient leather shoe, which is perfectly preserved. It is considered the oldest shoe in the world, the age of which is supposed to be about 5.5 thousand years! In the evening, we will arrive in Yerevan, the vibrant capital of Armenia, before staying in a local hotel.

Yerevan – Echmiadzin - Yerevan

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, we will spend the day sightseeing around Yerevan, the ancient capital of Armenia. Armenians are very proud of Yerevan, because of its ancient architecture and unique culture, it is in fact 29 years older than Rome. During the city tour, we will walk around the centre of the city, visiting The Cascade, Opera, Ballet Theatre, Mashtots Avenue, and the Republic Square. The tour also includes a visit to the Matenadaran Museum, a repository of one of the richest manuscript collections in the world. Later that day, we will head to Echmiadzin town, the religious centre of all Armenians around the world. We will visit the stunning Echmiadzin Cathedral, which was listed as an UNESCO site in 2000. You’ll see the ruins of Zvartnots temple (the 7th century, UNESCO World Heritage Site), that was a miracle of its time. The trip will end with the visit of the Genocide Memorial, before heading back to the hotel in Yerevan.

Yerevan – Azat River - Yerevan

Following breakfast, we will drive to the Canyon of Azat River. Our destination is Geghard Monastery. This unique monastery is carved into nearby rocks and the surrounding cliffs compose a great part of it. In 2000 it became a UNESCO heritage site. We will then proceed to Garni Village, well known for its Garni temple – the only surviving example of Hellenistic architecture in the region. We will then travel back to Yerevan, where you will have an excursion in the History Museum of Armenia – the main historical museum of the country known for its Archaeological, Numismatic, and Ethnographic collections. We will then go back to the hotel for some rest – or some socialising, whatever you’d prefer!

Yerevan

After an amazing trip, we will have our last breakfast and say our goodbyes, before getting the transfers to the airport.