Caucasus Discovery, Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia

Day 1: 5 May - Arrival 

Arrival in Baku Meeting with our representative and transfer to the hotel. Rest Meeting with guide and driver at 19:00 in the lobby of the hotel and you will have welcome dinner. Overnight in Baku. 

Day 2: 6 May

Day 3: 7 May

Day 2: 8 May - Baku city tour 

Tour starts at 9:00 AM, meeting with the guide at the reception of the hotel.

Start excursion and visit historical-art reserve “Gobustan”, where rock paintings have perfectly remained, barrows and housing objects dated from X-XIII millennial BC to the Middle Ages. There are certificates of inhabitants of the region of an epoch of the Stone Age and the subsequent periods in “Gobustan” - Rock drawings, person parking, gravestone monuments, are concentrated there. Nearby is “Gaval Chalan” - original stone- tambourine, representing flatwise established huge plate. It is possible to hear rhythmic accurate motives by knocking on it. It is considered that these sounds accompanied ritual dances and ceremonies. Visiting “Gobustan” will transfer you to another world, the world of last mankind and will allow you to feel the atmosphere of the thousand-year history of this place. • 

Lunchtime: 13:00-14:00 (According to the guests' decision we will agree on time/Included) Start exploring Baku. Panorama of the city presented to the height of the mountainous part of a television tower gives an idea of the contrasts and the extent of Baku, the horseshoe bay of Baku. The city is shaped like an amphitheater, descending to the Caspian Sea. The tour covers the central part of the city showing the most interesting historical and architectural sites. Visiting “Old Town” or “Inner City”. The territory of” Inner City” - 22 hectares, which represents a small fraction of the total area of Baku (44,000 hectares). However, the concentration of architectural and historical monuments dictates the need for this excursion into a separate and make this part of Baku, perhaps the most interesting to explore. Maiden Tower (XII century), Palace of Shirvanshahs (XV century), Castle Synyk Gala, Caravan Saray, Juma Mosque - this is not a complete list of attractions of the old Baku. End of the tour.

 • Welcome dinner at the local restaurant Overnight in Baku 

Day 3: 9 May - Baku – Shemakha – Sheki 

After breakfast, drive to Shamakhy district. Visit the town of Shemakha, Diri Baba Tomb and Yeddi Gumbez. Shemakha was the capital of the Shirvan Kingdom for several centuries. Yeddi Gumbaz (The Seven Cupolas) Mausoleum is the burial place for members of the royal families of the Shirvan shahs. Then drive to village Kish to visit the Albanian church. Legend says that the church was built in 78 AD, but the researchers place it a few centuries later. • Dinner at the local restaurant. (Included) Free time. Overnight in Sheki 

Day 4: 10 May - Sheki – Lagodekhi –Wine yard N1 – Khareba winery - Tbilisi 

Sheki is one of the most famous and ancient places of Azerbaijan. Situated 700 m (2297 ft.) above sea level like an amphitheater surrounded by the mountains and forests of oak trees, this ancient city was long famed as a silk center and an important stop on the Great Silk Route. There is an assumption that the name of the town goes back to the ethnonym of the Saks, who reached the territory of Azerbaijan in the 7th century BC. We’ll start our Sheki tour from visiting the 18th century Khan's summer palace with magnificent frescoes and exquisite stained-glass work. Sheki History Museum is famous for artifacts from several periods. Then continue to drive to the Azerbaijan Georgia border in Lagodekhi. Border formalities, transport and guide change. 

Continue tour to Wine Yard N1, traditional local winery, where you will enjoy the soul of Georgian hospitality. The Wine Yard # 1 is a touristic attraction that includes a traditional wine cellar, house, and yard. The site is a social touristic destination, where it is possible to taste different verities of wines and chachas, included traditional Kakhetian cuisine. • 

Lunch break in Wine Yeard N1 (Included) 

We continue our way to Khareba winery (or similar winery) to taste some of European style Georgian wines. We continue our Tour by visiting Gremi, a 16th century architectural complex and then we go on to Gremi. Then we will visit the unique 300-year-old wine cellar where you will learn about Georgian wine making traditions, which differ quite markedly from European methods (only excursion). Drive to Tbilisi. End of the tour. Free time. Overnight at the hotel in Tbilisi. 

Day 5:11 May - Tbilisi sightseeing tour 

The city offers a wide variety of sights, most of them very ancient. Starting at the church of Metekhi, we walk to the brick domes of sulfur baths and then on to spectacularly located Narikala’s fortress – one of the oldest fortresses in Georgia, overlooking the Mtkvari river gorge. 

Visit Metekhi Church located in the ancient historical district of Metekhi, on the left bank of the Mtkvari River, in old Tbilisi. Metekhi Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is one of the oldest churches built in Tbilisi. Sulfur baths - Chreli Abano located at the eastern bank of the Mtkvari River at the foot of Narikala fort across Metekhisubani, Abanotubani is an important historic part of the city —the place, where according to a legend the King of Iberia, Vakhtang Gorgasali’s falcon fell, leading to a discovery of the hot springs and, subsequently, to the founding of new capital. • 

Lunchtime: 13:00-14:00 (According to the guests' decision we will agree on time/Included) 

Narikala’s fortress - is nowadays the leading sighting among the most visited places in Tbilisi by tourists. Narikala Fortress draws your attention from all sides of Tbilisi, you can notice it from almost every part of Tbilisi. In Georgian sources, it is called “Mother Fortress”. Narikala offers you some of the best panoramas of the city. This is an ancient symbol of Tbilisi’s defensive brilliance. You will get there by cable car. Walk on Meidan Square which was an active market place in Great Silk Road period. 

Jean Chardin Street -the street was named after the famous French traveler and now it is the most popular place of the citizens and tourist where they can have a rest in bars and restaurants. After that, we visit the synagogue, and the Sioni and Anchiskhati churches, which mark the end of the Old Town. End of the tour. Free time. Overnight in Tbilisi. 

Day 6: 12 May - Tbilisi – Ananuri – Gudauri - Stepantsminda – Tbilisi 

You will drive north towards the Northern Caucasus along the well-known Georgian Military Road The first stop will be at the Ananuri complex, a former residence of Argveti Dukes. The complex features churches and towers dating back to the 16-17th centuries, beautifully overlooking the Jinvali reservoir. The buildings included in the complex are: upper and lower fortress, fence, towers, Church of the mother of God, Church of the Deity, “Mkurnali” Church, bell tower, octagonal cell, and reservoirs; Continue our drive to see the conjunction of two small mountain rivers famous for the fact that being different in color they still keep their own colors even after merging. 

• Lunch in Passanauri village 

Continue our incredible tour and now visit the Gudauri Friendship monument, also known as Gudauri Panorama- located 120 KM from Tbilisi, on the Georgian Military Highway connecting to Russia. The monument is very vivid and colorful, however, most of its beauty is thanks to the location. Georgia-Russia Friendship monument is a circular balcony hanging off of a 600-meter cliff with amazing views of the Caucasus Mountains. Our last stop and the main attraction of the tour is Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) and its amazing Mount Kazbegi, where the Gergeti Trinity Church is built - located at an altitude of 2170 m. From Kazbegi ride in 4 WD vehicles through beautiful valleys and woods reaching the Gergeti Trinity church. In good weather, you can see one of the highest glaciers in the Caucasus – the mountain Kazbegi at 5047m. Enjoy breathtaking views, take pictures breathe fresh air, and collect lots of emotions. 

Drive back to Tbilisi. 

Day 7:13 May - Tbilisi –Uplistsikhe – Rabati fortress - Borjomi – Akhaltsikhe 

After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to Akhaltsikhe (approximately 3 hrs.) It was founded at least 800 years ago and was a regional administrative center for the Ottomans from the 16th century up to the Russian-Turkish War. On the way to Akhaltsikhe, we may stop at Uplistsikhe Cave Town-Fortress, which history begins in the I-II millennium B.C.

Uplistsikhe cave town- in translation Fortress of the Lord is located on the left bank of Mtkvari River and is notable for unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures and the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture. 

You will see how people used to live in stone cells, how their household looked like, and even go through the secret tunnel. 

Afterward, a tour to the 13th century Rabat Fortress that is a mix of different religions and architecture. Rabati fortress is a medieval structure in Akhaltsikhe, Georgia, which dates back to the 13th century. The castle complex is comprised of a mosque, a minaret, a synagogue, a Christian church, a palace, a citadel, as well as landscaped gardens, vineyards on terraces, outdoor pools with fountains, a history museum, a hotel, a restaurant, souvenir and wine shops.

 Check-in at the hotel in Akhaltsikhe • In the evening dinner at a local restaurant. (Included) End of the tour. Free time 

Day 8:14 May - Vardzia cave town– Kertvisi fortress – Border -Yerevan 

After breakfast at the hotel, a tour to the 2nd century B.C. Khertvisi Fortress, once destroyed by Alexander the Great. Khertvisi fortress – Middle age castle is located on a tall rocky mountain. Khertvisi was an active fortress during feudal ages. Khertvisi was reconstructed several times, early middle age building layer is noticeable. The fortress consists of the citadel and a wall. Citadel stands on a narrow, rocky edge of the mountain, it is not approachable from the northeastern side. Water was supplied by a tunnel on a northwestern side. After we will explore Vardzia Cave town, very impressive historicalcultural monument, founded in 12th century, 13 floors and hundreds of rooms, halls and churches, huge complex made in rocks. There once were about 3,000 caves and 50,000 people lived there. You visit the church carved into the rock with amazing frescoes of the 12th century. The monastery has never been restored since then, but in the second half of XIX c every now and then several monks lived there. Some traces of revival of the monastery live are noticeable even nowadays. •

 Lunchtime: 13:00-14:00 (According to the guests' decision we will agree on time/Included) 

After lunch, you go to the border, where you change the transport and guide. 

After meeting with the Armenian guide, you move forward to Yerevan -the hospitable capital of Armenia. Check-in. Rest. End of the tour. Free time. Overnight in Yerevan.  

Day 9: 15 May - Yerevan city tour – Etchmiadzin (UNESCO) – Zvartnots (UNESCO) – Yerevan 

Start discovering Armenia by a visit to the State History Museum where you get familiar with a complete picture of the Armenian culture and history dating back to 1 million years ago up to nowadays. Then go sightseeing in one of the world's oldest cities – 2796-year-old Yerevan. Open-air lunch at one of the restaurants located just in the Hrazdan River gorge. • Lunchtime: 13:00-14:00 (According to the guests' decision we will agree on time/Included) Then you move forward to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin – the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the seat of the Supreme Patriarch and the Catholicos of all Armenians. Numerous kings and Catholicoses have been crowned and consecrated here. On the way back to Yerevan you stop at the ruins of outstanding Zvartnots Temple. End of the tour. Free time. Overnight in Yerevan. 

Day 10: 16 May - Yerevan – Geghard (UNESCO) – Garni – Yerevan 

In the morning the coach takes you to Geghard Monastic Complex located on the mountainside of the almost closed amphitheater of harsh cliffs. It is famous for its rock-cut architecture. Thanks to its hardto-reach area, the Holy Lance, which pierced the side of Christ, has been kept here for 500 years. St. Thaddeus Apostle brought it to Armenia in 33 AD. In honor of the Holy Lance, Ayrivank Monastery (meaning “Cave Monastery”) was renamed Geghard (the Armenian translation of “the Holy Lance”). On the way, you stop at Charents Arch to enjoy the majestic view of the Biblical Mount Ararat. • Lunchtime: 13:00-14:00 (According to the guests' decision we will agree on time/Included) The next highlight is the only standing pagan temple in Armenia – Garni, devoted to Mihr, who, in accordance with the Armenian Mythology, was the God of the Sun. From here you will enjoy the impressive view of breathtaking high cliffs called “Symphony in the stone”. An unforgettable experience is waiting for you in Garni village – you can take part in a real ritual of baking national “lavash” bread with local villagers. Return to Yerevan. Spice this day with an excursion and tasting in well-known Yerevan Brandy Factory. End of the tour. Free time. Overnight in Yerevan. 

Day 11: 17 May - Yerevan – Lake Sevan – Haghartsin (UNESCO) – Sadakhlo – Tbilisi

 It's time to driving to one of the highest fresh-water lakes in the world – the Sevan (1 900m). From the top of the Sevan Peninsula, you can admire the full view of the lake of volcano-tectonic origin and the adjacent mountain chains. Driving through wooded mountains of Dilijan National Park and deep gorges of Northern regions you stop in mountainous Haghartsin village. You just cannot leave Armenia without seeing a masterpiece of architecture – Haghartsin Monastic Complex. • 

Lunchtime: 13:00-14:00 (According to the guests' decision we will agree on time/Included) Say goodbye to Armenia and continue your route to travel within Georgia. After meeting with the Georgian guide, you move forward to Tbilisi. Check-in. Rest. • 

Gala dinner at the local restaurant. Overnight in Tbilisi 

Day 12: 18 May - Departure 

Check out from the hotel and transfer to the Airport.