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‘Caucasus Explorer’ Tour with Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan
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”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Breakfast & Lunch
wine tasting experience
Cultural Immersive Experience
Echmiatsin Cathedral
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Zvartnots Temple
Scenic Surrounds
Breakfast
Free Time
Departure Transfer
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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.
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