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‘Caucasus Explorer’ Tour with Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan


The Caucasus Explorer tour includes walking tours through several remarkable cities including Baku, Tbilisi and Yerevan. Travellers will visit magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Sheki Khan’s Palace, Gobustan National Park and Jvari.
Overview
Visit three spectacular countries in twelve days with this action-packed, cross-border experience. Whether you are looking for culture, nature walks or that perfect city-break experience, this 12-day tour is packed with plenty of activities to keep you entertained. If you like a varied holiday experience and would like to explore several new countries in one go, then this tour is the best choice for you.
4×4 ride to Gergeti Trinity Church under Mt Kazbegi
City tours of Baku, Tbilisi and Yerevan
Exclusive wine Tasting Experience in Signaghi
Nature walking and relaxing under the waterfall in Jermuk
Spectacular views of Mt Ararat
Visiting three countries in twelve days
Visits to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Sheki Khan’s Palace, Etchmiadzin Cathedral and Jvari
Itinerary


Baku
Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan residing on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, near the Bay of Baku. The city is best known for its medieval walls, within which lie the Shirvanshah’s Palace Complex and Maiden Tower, designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Baku is the largest city in the world that lies below sea level and is renowned for its heavy winds, deriving its nickname, the “City of Winds”.
Day 1
Arrival in Baku
Welcome to Baku! Your driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel for check-in.
You will have the rest of the day as free time to settle into your hotel or do some exploring on your own.
Arrival Transfer
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
Day 2
City Tour of Baku
After breakfast, your tour will start a Baku city tour where you will see all of the major attractions including Highland Park, Little Venice, Icere Seher & Shirvanshah Palace, Maiden’s Tower, Juma Mosque and more.
In the afternoon, your driver will take you to the Gobustan National Park. The park was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in order to preserve its volcanoes, gas stones and intricate ancient carvings.
You will then head back to your hotel where you will have some free time to do some exploring or go out for an evening meal.
Breakfast
City Tour
Highland Park
Baku Old City
Palace of The Shirvanshahs
Scenic Surrounds
Maiden Tower
Gobustan National Park
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Travel to


Sheki
A historic city situated on the southern section the Greater Caucasus Mountain range; Sheki is one of Azerbaijan’s most culturally significant and influential cities. The city was an important political centre and trading outpost on the Silk Road for many centuries until the Arab invasion which saw it annexed to the third emirate. The city is home to the Palace of Shaki Khans, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019.
Day 3
Visit to the Sheki Khan’s Palace
Today, you will be visiting the second UNESCO World Heritage site on your tour, the Sheki Khan’s Palace. On the way to Sheki, you will have the option to visit either Shamakhi where you will see the mausoleum of Yeddi Gumbez and the Diri Baba mausoleum or explore Lahij Village.
After your stop, you will continue onto Sheki where you will stop for lunch at a local restaurant before enjoying a tour of the area including the Sheki Carvansarai, Juma Mosque, the old city of Sheki and, finally, the Sheki Khan’s Palace.
After your tour, you will head over to your hotel in Sheki where you will check in and have dinner provided by the hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transfer
Optional excursions
old city of Sheki
Juma Mosque
Sheki Khan’s Palace
Scenic Surrounds
Free Time
Day 4
Wine Tasting Experience in Signagi
After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel in Sheki. Your driver will pick you up from the hotel where you will drive to the Azerbaijanian-Georgian border.
After crossing into Georgia, you will drive over to the ancient city of Signagi where you will visit a well-known local winery for a wine tasting session followed by lunch. You will then continue onto your hotel in Tbilisi where you will check-in and spend the evening.
Breakfast & Lunch
Transfer
Azerbaijanian-Georgian border
Prominent Landscape
ancient city of Signagi
Wine tasting
Food & Drink Experience
Free Time
Travel to


Tbilisi
Located on the banks of the Kura River, Tbilisi, is the capital and largest city of Georgia. The city was a point of contention between many empires due to its prominent position on the Silk Road and has been under Persian and Russian rule which has contributed to its ecclectic architectural style. Tbilisi is best known for its Orthodox cathedrals, sulphur baths, and the Narikala Fortress, a reconstructed 4th-century fortress that overlooks the city.
Day 5
City Tour of Tbilisi
Today, you will enjoy breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a full city tour of Tbilisi. As part of the tour, you will get to see the Metekhi Church, the statue of king Vakhtang Gorgasali, Shardeni street, Agmashenebeli avenue and more before riding the cable way from Rike Park to Narikala fortress.
In the afternoon, you will drive over to Mtatsminda Park. This family entertainment park has all you could want from a family theme park with carrousels, water slides, a roller-coaster, and a big Ferris Wheel near the mountains offering panoramic views over the city.
After spending your afternoon at Mtatsminda Park, you will head back to your hotel in Tbilisi.
Breakfast
City Tour
Metekhi Church
Rike Park
Narikala fortress
Scenic Surrounds
Tbilisi Old City
Mtatsminda Park
Tbilisi Funicular
Day 6
Visiting Svetitskhoveli and Jvari
After an early breakfast, your driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Mtskheta where you will visit Svetitskhoveli and Jvari, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites renowned for their spectacular beauty and distinct culture.
In the afternoon, you will visit a local family for lunch and a cooking masterclass where you will get to learn how to make the traditional Georgian dish, Khinkali.
After your Georgian cooking masterclass, you will continue on the road to Ananuri where you will get to visit the castle complex overlooking beautiful Jinvali reservoir. You will continue your journey across a Georgian military road to Kazbegi by crossing the “Jvari Pass” before making a stop for your final experience of the day. Enjoy a 4×4 ride to Gergeti Trinity Church, a remarkable Georgian building situated under Mt Kazbegi.
After your 4×4 experience, your driver will take you back to Tbilisi where you will spend the evening.
Breakfast & Lunch
Mtskheta Old City
11th century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
6th century Jvari Monastery
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Food & Drink Experience
Khinkali masterclass
Jvari Monastery
Mount Kazbegi
Day 7
Exploring ‘‘Zarni-Parni‘‘ Cave Castle
Today, you will say goodbye to Georgia and cross the border into Armenia. After breakfast you will check out of your hotel in Tbilisi where your driver will pick you up before heading to the Georgia-Armenia border crossing.
After crossing the border, you will head through the scenic mountains and forests of North Armenia before stopping at Haghpat Monastery, a Medieval UNESCO World Heritage Site founded by Queen Khosrovanush in the 10th century AD.
You will continue on the road to Yerevan making a stop at the ‘‘Zarni-Parni‘‘ cave castle complex located in a picturesque, forested canyon with spectacular views of the Kayan fortress.
After stopping for lunch, you will travel through the beautiful region of Dilijan where you will get to see the Lake Sevan and visit the Sevanavank monastery overlooking the lake. After your stop at Dilijan, you will head to your hotel in Yerevan where you will be spending the final days of the tour.
Breakfast & Lunch
Georgia-Armenia border
Prominent Landscape
ZARNI-PARNI CAVE CASTLE COMPLEX
Haghpat Monastery
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Lake Sevan
Dilijan mountain resort
Sevanavank Monastery
Travel to


Yerevan
The capital of Armenia and its largest city, Yerevan has been occupied since the 8th century BC and is one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in the world. Although the city is known for its Soviet architecture, it has a vibrant cultural identity which it expresses through classical artistry, musical fountains, unique museums and its founding landmark, Erebuni Fortress.
Day 8
City Tour of Yerevan
After breakfast you will start your time in Yerevan with a visit to the Cascade Complex offering spectacular views of the city, before heading into the centre. Here, you will set off on a walking tour where you will see the Opera and Ballet House, Swan Lake, Northern avenue, Abovyan street, Republic square.
Next, you will set out on the road to Garni, home of the mysterious Garni Temple. The temple is known to be the only remaining pagan temple in Armenia dating back to the 1st century AD and devoted to the Sun God Myrth.
You will stop for a family-hosted lunch where you will get to see the locals make traditional ‘Lavash’ (Armenian flatbreads) and taste a range of homemade vodkas and wines made from apricots, grapes, mulberry, and apple.
The final part of today’s tour will take you the Geghard Monastery, built between the 12th and 13th centuries where you will get the option to stay for a concert of liturgical songs, before heading back to your hotel in Yerevan.
Breakfast & Lunch
City Tour
Republic Square
Garni Temple
Masterclass
Food & Drink Experience
wine tasting experience
Geghard Monastery
Cultural Immersive Experience
Day 9
Walking Nature Tour in Jermuk
You will start your day with breakfast at your hotel before checking out and heading on a drive to the Ararat Valley to visit the Khor Virap Church where you will see the best views of the biblical Mt Ararat and delve into the dungeon beneath.
After stopping for lunch at a local restaurant, you will drive to Jermuk where you will set off on a scenic walking tour of waterfalls, lakes, hot springs, mountain ridges and forest trails. During the walk you will stop for a rest at one of the waterfalls before heading deeper into the canyon.
After your tour, your will head to your hotel in Jermuk for check-in followed by an evening meal.
Breakfast & Lunch
Ararat Valley
Khor Virap Monastery
Prominent Landscape
Walking Tour
Scenic Surrounds
Travel to


Jermuk
A spa resort town situated in the Vayots Dzor Province in southern Armenia, Jermuk was considered one of the most popular destinations for medical tourism during the Soviet era. The town is well known for its hot springs and mineral water as well as its idyllic surrounds set in beautiful Armenian forest land.
Day 10
Drive to the Tatev Monastery
After breakfast you will check out of your hotel in Jermuk. Start your morning with a drive to the Tatev Monastery where you can ride on the ‘Tatever’, known as the longest ropeway in the world, stretching over the canyons to the Monastery. You will stop for lunch at a restaurant overlooking the gorge before driving to the Areni winemaking region.
After your drive to Areni, you will head back to Yerevan where you will check into your hotel and have some free time to explore and go for an evening meal.
Breakfast & Lunch
Tatever ropeway
Religious Buildings & Monuments
Monastery of Tatev
Prominent Landscape
Free Time
Scenic Surrounds
Souvenir Shopping
Day 11
Visiting the Old City of Etchmiadzin
The final day of your Caucasus tour! After breakfast, you will drive over to Sasunik Village to visit ‘Armenia Wine’ a family-owned winery known as one of the best in the world. Enjoy a guided tour of the vineyards and facilities followed by an exclusive wine tasting session and lunch.
After your tour of the winery, you will head over to Etchmiadzin City, the old capital of Armenia. Visit the Etchmiadzin Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you will see many precious artefacts including a holy spear and a colossal silver boiler made for holding Myrrh.
Finally, your driver will take you to another UNESCO site, the 7th century Zvartnots temple where you will have time to have a look around before heading back to your hotel in Yerevan for the evening.
Breakfast & Lunch
wine tasting experience
Cultural Immersive Experience
Echmiatsin Cathedral
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Zvartnots Temple
Scenic Surrounds
Breakfast
Free Time
Departure Transfer
Where you can stay
A hotel can be the make or break of any experience, and we understand that choosing the right hotel is important to our travellers. Check out our range of hotels ahead of time, and learn more about our standard 3-star options and the luxury 5-star upgrades that are available in the destinations you will be visiting.
Please note that the selection of hotels included here are examples of where you may stay on your tour, we will pick the best option for you based on your travel requirements.
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Dates & Rates
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*This tour’s total cost is an estimate, based on travel costs prior to tickets being released. The price is subject to fluctation of up to 10%.† Based on 2 people sharing a twin room.
More information
What’s included
2 bottles of water per person per day in the bus
Accommodation as part of the tour
All entry tickets per program
All masterclasses mentioned in the program
All tours are COVID-19 secure and offer flexible booking options. Visit our Covid-19 information page to find out more
Food and drink (as mentioned in the tour itinerary)
Off road cars till Gergeti
Professional English-speaking guide service
Transport as part of the tour including airport / railway station transfers
What’s not included
International train / plane tickets
Optional excursions and activities
Personal costs (souvenirs, additional snacks etc)
Tips for drivers/guides/in restaurants
Travel / medical insurance
Travel Tips
All travellers are asked to check the vaccination requirements before travel. Visit our Vaccines and Health page to find out more
Any dietary or allergy requirements will need to be disclosed before the start of the tour
Carrying a water bottle with you is recommended
Medication should always be taken with you and kept on your person
Please ensure that you keep any personal documents and valuables on your person at all times
WIFI will be available at most of the hotels, although mobile coverage may vary in rural areas
Your local guides will recommend stops where you can go souvenir shopping during your tour
Special notes
The itinerary, prices and departure dates for this tour will be confirmed on request.
Suggested reading
Enrich your travel experience with our list of top recommended books from specialist travel guides to compelling novels. Whether you are looking for something to pass the time on the train, or want to get to grips with the local history, reading is essential to turning your trip into a fully-fledged experience.
Armenian History: A Captivating Guide to the History of Armenia and the Armenian Genocide
A magnificent guide delving into one of the worlds lesser-known regions, this book will explore the rich heritage and often tumultuous history of Armenia. The country has endured many invasions, revolutions and rebellions dating over a millennia, yet, despite being under the reign of many empires from the Romans to the Ottomans, the country has carved a unique cultural identity that can still be found within its surviving monuments and, of course, its people.
Edge of Empires: A History of Georgia
Standing at the crossroads of Europe and the Muslim world, Georgia is a country of extremes and, historically, one of the most turbulent histories known in the Christian world. Yet, despite its political and cultural significance few histories have really got to grips with the country, offering a post-Soviet focus. Rayfield works to readdress the balance covering the history of Georgia from its traces in ancient Anatolia right up to the present day and the formation of a new Georgia after the collapse of the Soviet Union. This compelling text is a must for anyone looking to learn more about Georgian history.
Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan
The ultimate guidebook to the Caucasus that no tourist can go without! Lonely Planet’s Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan is packed full of almost everything you need when travelling to these three spectacular Caucasus countries including the best places to eat in its most popular cities, what you need to see while you are there, cultural highlights and more. In addition to its noteworthy insider tips about key attractions such as the Sheki Palace, Narikala Fortress and the monasteries of Armenia, this guide includes regional maps that are invaluable to even the most seasoned traveller.
The Art of Armenia: An Introduction
Featuring illustrations of the fascinating artist examples from across the breath of Armenia, this introduction to the art of Armenia is perfect for those wanting to learn more about not only art, but Armenian culture as a whole. Armenia’s visual culture dates as far back as the Palaeolithic era and is diverse as it is old with influences from Byzantium, the Islamic world, Yuan-dynasty China, and 17th century Europe and beyond, and this book presents a chronological timeline of art ranging from antiquity to the early 18th century.
Yes and No Stories: A Book of Georgian Folk Tales
An incredible collection of folk tales and long held traditions from Georgia. Papashvily brings together tales from all corners of Georgia with spectacular illustrations from a Russian émigré fine artist and theatrical designer. These children’s tales are firmly cemented in the traditions of Georgian culture told with a unique voice and filled with unexpected humorous twists. As the old storyteller says himself “a story is a letter that comes to us from yesterday. Each man who tells it adds his word to the message – and sends it on to tomorrow.”
Ali and Nino: A Love Story
Set in Azerbaijan during the troubling times of the first World War, Ali and Nino follows the lives of two lovers that come from very different backgrounds; Ali is a Muslim, with his ancestors’ passion for the desert, while Nino is a Christian Georgian girl brought up within a typically European cosmopolitan mindset. Ali and Nino must tackle adversity on all fronts from family and beyond and continue to fight what they believe; their love for one another. Said’s gripping love story provides a fascinating insight into the lives of those marked by opposition.
Mirror of the Invisible World: Tales from the Khamseh of Nizami
A magnificent, illustrated volume consisting of three stories from Persian poem the Khamseh – “Khosrow and Shirin,” “Layla and Majnum,” and “The Seven Princesses”. Professor Peter J. Chelkowski’s English adaptation of this 16th century manuscript provides an introduction and commentaries on each story, which not only present the historical context of the poems, but also give us an insight into the rich imagination of the 12th century poet, Nizami.
Extras & Upgrades
Extras
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Upgrades
Sorry, we currently do not have any upgrades readily available for this tour. However, if you are interested in customising your travel experience, please contact our Sales team at travel@realrussia.co.uk for assistance.
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