Itinerary

Day 1 – Baku

Welcome to Baku and the start of our tour. Baku is the largest city on the Caspian Sea and capital of Azerbaijan.

Today, settle in and explore at your leisure. Many think of the city as a mix between Paris and Dubai. It’s a place that offers both history and contemporary culture and is an intriguing blend of east meets west. The heart of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, surrounded by a fortified wall and pleasant pedestrianised boulevards that offer fantastic shopping opportunities.

Attractions include the local Carpet Museum and the National Museum of History of Azerbaijan.

Day 2 – Gobustan National Park

After breakfast, we dive straight into exploring the history of Azerbaijan. Head south from Baku to Gobustan National Park for a mud volcano safari. This archaeological reserve is home to mud volcanoes and over 600,000 ancient rock engravings and paintings.

After exploring this national historical landmark of Azerbaijan, travel back to Baku city and embark on a sightseeing tour. Travel to Upland Park and capture a bird’s eye view of the city and Baku Bay below. Then, visit iconic Icheri Sheher, the Old (or Inner) City of Baku with a local guide. This UNESCO World Heritage Site includes the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and Maiden Tower.

Relax after a day of exploring strolling along the flower-lined central boulevards of the city. Finally, make a stop at the updated Fountains Square, famous for its dozens of fountains and shopping boutiques.

Experiences

• Visit Gobustan National Park and archaeological reserve: Gobustan is a rich archaeological monument in Azerbaijan. View rock engravings dating back between 5,000–40,000 years here. Gobustan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Embark on a mud volcano safari: Travel along gravel roads through Gobustan National Park to experience the iconic mud volcanoes. Azerbaijan is known as the ‘land of fire’, and nearly half of the world’s mud volcanoes are located in Azerbaijan.
• Enjoy a Baku city sightseeing tour: Explore the city of Baku with our expert local guide to learn about the history and culture of the Azerbaijani people… The Old City, Shirvanshah’s Palace and Maiden Tower (Giz Galasi) are on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 – Shamakhi – Kis – Sheki

First sight of the day is Shamakhi, an ancient city of Azerbaijan, to see where the first dynasty of the state of Shirvan was founded. Visit Yeddi Gumbez, the mausoleum known as the Seven Domes, where the remains of the last of the Shamakhi Dynasty lie. Then, visit Juma Mosque, the oldest and largest mosque in Azerbaijan.

The next stop for the day is Kish, one of the oldest villages in Azerbaijan. Visit the Mother of Alban church and ancient cemetery that dates back all the way to the 6th century. Once the tour reaches today’s final destination, Sheki, visit the Palace of Sheki Khans.

Experiences

• Explore the Yeddi Gumbez Mausoleum: See how the Shirvan Dynasty lived during the 9th to 16th C… The deserted cemetery has an air of mystery and old domes look as if they’ve grown from the ground below.
• Visit Juma Mosque: The oldest and largest mosque in Azerbaijan… one of the largest religious structures in the Caucasus.
• Explore the Albanian temple, ‘Mother of Alban’, and its ancient cemetery: Explore the 6th century church… The excavated burial places are covered with glass cupolas and you can see the Bronze Age human skeletons within.
• Visit Sheki: …Visit the must-see summer and winter palaces of the Khan.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 – Sheki – Kakheti – Gremi – Signagi

Today, cross the border into the Kakheti region of eastern Georgia. First stop is the Khareba winery for a local wine tasting experience… Continue to Gremi… Soak in the views of the Alazan valley before heading to Signagi, Georgia’s city of love.

This royal town is surrounded by a wall of 23 towers and 6 gates… Stroll the cobbled streets, see the rustic buildings and shop from local vendors.

Experiences

• Enjoy a wine tasting at Khareba winery in Kakheti: …Tour the tunnels of the Khareba winery cellars and experience how Georgian wine is made today.
• Visit the Gremi architectural complex: This 16th century architectural complex is a must-see…
• Visit Signagi: A fortifying wall was built in Signagi in the 18th century by King Erekle II…

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 – Signagi – Tbilisi

On to the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi… Metekhi Church… Sulphur Baths… Narikala Fortress… Sioni Cathedral… Tbilisi National Museum.

The rest of the day will be free to explore as you wish.

Experiences

• Explore Tbilisi: …discover the healing powers of the Sulphur Baths…

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 – Gudauri – Kazbegi – Ananuri – Tbilisi

This morning, drive along the Georgian Military Highway… Stop at the Russia–Georgia friendship monument… head to Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)… 4WD to Gergeti Trinity Church. On the way back, stop at the Ananuri fortress and castle complex.

Experiences

• Drive along the Georgian Military Highway
• See the Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument
• Visit Ananuri fortress and architectural complex
• Visit the Gergeti Trinity Church

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 – Mtskheta – Gori – Stalin – Tbilisi

Mtskheta is the first stop of the day… Jvari Monastery (UNESCO)… Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (UNESCO)… Continue to Gori for the Joseph Stalin Museum and his birthplace.

Experiences

• Visit the Jvari Monastery
• See the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
• Explore the Stalin Museum and Gori

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 – Sadakhlo – Akhtala – Odzun – Haghpat

Armenia is on the cards after breakfast today. First stop… Akhtala Monastery… Continue to Odzun for lunch with a local family and learn about their beehives and honey. Afterwards, head to the hotel for the evening in Haghpat.

Experiences

• Stop at the Akhtala Monastery
• Lunch with local family
• Watch a honey demonstration

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 – Haghpat – Molokan – Dilijan

Start the day exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Haghpat… travel through the region inhabited by the Molokan people… dine with locals… journey through Dilijan National Park to Jukhtak Monastery… explore the spa town of Dilijan.

Experiences

• Visit Haghpat
• Visit a Molokan village
• Explore Dilijan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 – Dilijan – Lake Sevan – Geghard – Garni – Yerevan

Drive to Lake Sevan; visit Sevanavank Monastery… Continue to the UNESCO-protected Geghard Monastery… photo stop for Mount Ararat… visit Garni Pagan Temple in the State Khosrov Reserve… overnight in Yerevan.

Experiences

• Explore Lake Sevan
• See Sevanavank Monastery
• Experience Geghard Monastery
• Visit the Garni Pagan Temple
• Stop at Mount Ararat

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11 – Echmiadzin – Yerevan

Visit Echmiadzin, the ancient capital of Armenia, and its monastery (303 AD). Then explore Yerevan: the Cascade, Matenadaran Museum, Abovyan Street, Republic Square and the Cafesjian Centre of Arts. Finish at the Yerevanian food market.

Enjoy a farewell group dinner with traditional music and dancing.

Experiences

• Visit Echmiadzin
• Discover Yerevan on a city tour
• Farewell group dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12 – Yerevan

After breakfast, our 12-day Caucasus adventure comes to an end. It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travellers.

Meals: Breakfast

THIS ITINERARY IS THE PROPERTY OF THE TOUR COMPANY AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

Available dates: Please check back soon for dates
Pricing 2025: $4,595 per person share twin. Single Supplement: Plus $1,995.