*NEW* 9/13 DAYS MOSAICS OF CAUCASUS: AZERBAIJAN, GEORGIA & ARMENIA

Arrival Day in Baku

Upon arrival in Baku, you will be transferred to the hotel. 

After lunch, visit one of the country’s oldest oil fields in Absheron Peninsula and Ateshgah Zoroastrian Fire Temple before returning to Baku.  

Old & New City of Baku

Explore the winding alleys of old mosques, caravanserais and overhanging wooden balconies in the Old City of Baku, including the Icheri Sheher which date back to the 15th century, Maiden Tower, Shirvanshah Palace Complex, medieval Market Square and Caravanserai. Visit Synyk Kala Minaret, the city’s oldest building completed in 1093. Continue to the Museum of State Carpet and the Martyr’s Lane. 
 
You will also visit the famous house of the Nobel Brothers at Villa Petrolea and enjoy an exclusive black caviar tasting with champagne at the Nobel Museum, usually not open for the public.

Journey from Baku to Sheki

Get ready to travel back in time as you explore ancient Baku and the remarkable rock art engravings of Gobustan, a UNESCO World Heritage site. From there, embark on a scenic six-hour drive through the mountainous countryside to Sheki. Along the way, we’ll stop at the Diri Baba Mausoleum, the historic town of Shemakha, once the capital of the Shirvan Khanate, the Djuma Mosque, and the royal mausoleum complex of Yeddi Gumbaz.  

Sheki Khan’s Palace, Signaghi & Kakheti Wine Region

Visit the fascinating Sheki Khan’s Palace, a UNESCO world heritage site before we cross the border into Georgia. We will visit the 18th century royal town of Signaghi, surrounded the region’s longest defensive walls with 23 towers, as well as the Bodbe Nunnery.  
 
Next, proceed to the Kakheti wine region, famous as the birthplace of winemaking dating back to 8th century BC with the ancient Qvevri technique still in place today. End the day with wine tasting and delicious local dinner at your Tsinandali hotel. 

Tbilisi Walking Tour 

Enjoy a leisure morning before driving towards Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Destroyed and rebuilt nearly 30 times, today it is one of the liveliest cosmopolitan cities in the Caucasus.

The Georgian capital is endowed with Eastern Orthodox churches, ornate art nouveau buildings and Soviet Modernist structures. Start exploring the city by visiting the Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia, Metekhi Church of the Virgin, and Sioni Cathedral.  

Jvari Monastery

This morning, you will visit the charming 7th century Jvari Monastery. Listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jvari Monastery represents a rare case of an Early Medieval Georgian church that has survived to the present day almost unchanged. It is stunningly located on a cliff overlooking the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers.  

Lunch at Chateau Mukhrani

An iconic part of the Georgian history, Chateau Mukhrani was once an ancestral home to Prince Ivane Mukhranbatoni of the Georgian royal family Bagrationi. After an excursion with wine tasting, you will enjoy lunch at this historic chateau.  

Gori & Uplistsikhe Cave City

Your journey continues to Gori. Joseph Stalin, the Soviet leader, was born here in 1879. He spent his childhood years in the city and later (1888-94) studied at its theological seminary. The small house where Stalin was born is preserved under a canopy outside the huge columned palace-like building that houses the Stalin Museum. A private lecture by a historian awaits you to uncover the stories behind Stalin. 
 
Thereafter, you will visit the cave city of Uplistsikhe, which dates back to the 6th century BC and is first mentioned in the chronicles of the 1st century AD. Carved into rocky plateau we find huge echoing halls, meandering corridor-streets, chambers for pagan worship and even the remains of Georgia’s oldest theatre, complete with auditorium, stage and orchestra pit. Like the other cave-towns of Georgia, it is rooted in the prehistoric traditions of the peoples of the Near East.  

Mtskheta Highlights

Head to Mtshketa, the ancient capital of eastern Georgia and known as one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. You will visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Samtavro monastery complex, both of which are listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ananuri Castle & Gudauri Ski Resort

Your journey continues northwards to Kazbegi. Along the way, you will make a stop at Ananuri and Gudauri. From Mtshketa, an approximate 1-hour drive brings us to Ananuri. This quaint 16th century fortress complex features exquisitely carved churches by the Aragvi River. Continue with 1-hour drive to Gudauri, Georgia’s top ski resort. 
 
Afterwards, the journey resumes for another 1.5 hour through alpine meadows, mountain passes and medieval watch towers towards Kazbegi.

Walk to Tsminda Sameba Church

Hop onboard a 4WD vehicle and walk up to Tsminda Sameba Church. Perched in a solitary spot high above the village, this is one of Georgia’s most iconic sights!  

Rural Charms of Kazbegi

Today, you will explore the beautiful valleys and villages around Kazbegi. Hop onboard your 4WD to Juta Village, where you will embark on a 2-hour hike towards Chaukhi massive to admire the picturesque landscapes, before hiking downwards for another 2 hours. 
 
After a picnic lunch, you explore a local felt master village. Gain insights into the history and technique of sheep wool processing, as well as tasting of different types of herbal teas.

Sanahin & Haghpat Monasteries

From Kazbegi, it is approximately 4.5-hour drive to the Bagratashen-Sadakhlo Border Crossing point. After your immigration procedure to Armenia, a further 1-hour drive will take you into Sanahin and Haghpat Monastery Complex, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. These monastic complexes represent the highest flowering of Armenian religious architecture, blending elements of Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture and the traditional vernacular architecture of the Caucasian region. 
 
Then, proceed to Dzoraget, nestled along the scenic Debed river among forest-covered hills.

Highlights of Lake Sevan

Embark on a 1.5-hour drive to the 9th century Sevanavank Monastery, set at a picturesque setting overlooking Lake Sevan. As the second highest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Sevan is often considered as the emerald of Armenia. 
 
Continue to Noratus, also known as the cemetery of thousand Kachkars (cross-stones), Noratus is home to the largest cluster of khachkars in Armenia. After your excursion, a further 1.5-hour drive will bring you to Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia.

Garni Temple & Canyon

This morning, you will visit the pagan Hellenistic Temple of Garni followed by a 1-hour hiking excursion in the picturesque Garni Canyon.

Lavash-Making Master Class

Enjoy lunch at a local house, where you will participate in an Armenian lavash-making ceremony. The preparation of this traditional bread forms an integral part of the Armenian cuisine and has been inscribed in 2014 into UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Private A Capella at Geghard Monastery

Proceed to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Geghard Monastery, stunningly carved out from a mountain. This medieval monastery is known for its beautiful acoustics, which you will get to experience first-hand with a private live a capella performance during your visit to the monastery.

Visit Khor Virap Monastery

Set out to the famous Khor Virap Monastery. Set against the stunning view of the biblical Mount Ararat, this is one of the most recognizable landmarks of Armenia.

Holy City of Echmiadzin

Travel onward to Echmiadzin, the spiritual epicenter of Armenia, and marvel at the impressive 7th-century ruins of Zvartnots. Both are honored as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Yerevan: A Heart-Breaking Past

Thereafter, you will return to Yerevan and uncover the country’s heart-breaking past at the Memorial Park and Museum of the Armenian Genocide.

Transfer: Hotel to Airport

Transfer to the airport for your flight out.