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Trip to Georgia - Armenia and Azerbaijan
On this tour you will discover the highlights of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
From the Caspian Sea and the mosques of Azerbaijan to the Greater Caucasus in Georgia and the cradle of Armenian Christianity, the diverse cultural and natural landscapes of the southern Caucasus countries are waiting for you.
Experience magnificent landscapes where the evidence of Christian and Islamic traditions is omnipresent.
Day 1: Arrival in Baku
Arrival in the capital of Azerbaijan - Baku, pickup by our local tour guide and transfer to the centrally located 4-star hotel.
After hotel check-in, we drive to a welcome dinner in a typical restaurant and get to know tasty Azerbaijani cuisine.
Accommodation: Hotel in Baku 4*
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Day 2: City tour in Baku
Our first destination, Azerbaijan has a lot to offer. Today we visit the oriental city of Baku. A lot has been built here in recent years and the cityscape is constantly changing. We will visit both the old and the new city of Baku.
After the city tour, drive to Qobustan and walk in the national park. Then we drive to the Qobustan Geological Reserve and visit the mud volcanoes. The gas emitted by the mud volcanoes consists of 90% highly flammable methane. The mud itself contains iodine, bromine, calcium and magnesium and is also rich in minerals. The mud is said to have a health-promoting effect on the skin.
In the evening we drive back to Baku you have time at leisure
Accommodation: Hotel in Baku 4*
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Day 3: Surroundings of Baku
After breakfast we visit a medieval place of worship - Ateshgah, this place is sacred to Hindus and Sikhs as well as Zoroastrians. although the present temple complex was built in the XVII-XVIII centuries, the fire rituals at the numerous natural gas vents date back to at least the X century.
In the late afternoon, after arrival in Baku, you will have time at leisure.
Accommodation: Hotel in Baku 4*
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Day 4: To the Shah's Residence in Sheki
We leave the capital Baku and drive to Sheki.
People have lived in Sheki since the late Bronze Age, in the VII century BC.
In the I century, Sheki was one of the largest cities in Albania (today Azerbaijan).
On the way we will have a tea break and visit one of the oldest and both historically and religiously most important mosques in the Islamic world Juma Mosque of Shamaxi.
Arriving in Sheki we will visit the very well-preserved Khans Palace from the XVIII century.
With the guide you get a good overview of Sheki and then you have the opportunity to explore the city on your own.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sheki 4*
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Day 5: Drive to Georgia
Today we say goodbye to our first destination, Azerbaijan. After a 2-hour drive we reach the Georgian border and after some border formalities we enter Georgia.
Because our second destination, Georgia, is a wine country, we will first get to know the wine-growing region of Kakheti.
Here, wine was already cultivated 7000 years ago and the ancient tradition of Georgian wine production has been preserved until today.
In Kakheti we visit a winery where we get detailed information about wine production according to the Georgian method in the Qvewri (amphora). After the guided tour we can taste different Georgian wines and have a pleasant lunch break.
After lunch we visit the fortified church of Gremi from the XVI century and the beautiful Alawerdi Cathedral from the XI century.
In the evening we reach our destination for the day - Telavi and after checking into the hotel we get to know the regional cuisine of Georgia.
Dinner with typical local specialties at the family hotel.
Accommodation: Family hotel in Telavi
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Day 6: Direction the Greater Caucasus
By bus we cross the Gombori Pass (1,620 m) and drive along the famous Georgian Military Road. The ancient road connected the North with the Orient and was already mentioned by the Greek geographer Strabo. The writers Alexander Pushkin, Mikhail Lermontov and Alexandre Dumas travelled the military road and immortalised it in their stories.
Today, the Georgian Military Road is the only connection between Georgia and Russia, as well as between the South and North Caucasus.
On the way we visit the Ananuri fortress from the XV-XVII century situated at the Jinvali reservoir.
On the way we pass the winter sports area of Gudauri and cross the highest point of our journey - the Cross Pass (2,400m) to reach our destination of the day - Stepantsminda.
Dinner with typical local specialities at the family hotel.
Accommodation: Family hotel in Stepantsminda
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Day 7: Stepantsminda and surroundings
If the weather is good today, we will have a beautiful day with many breathtaking highlights. First, we hike to the Gergetis Sameba Church from the XIV century - one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the country. During the hike we can admire unique views of the mighty peak of the Kasbek (5,047 m), to which, according to Greek mythology, the Titan Prometheus was chained because he stole fire from the gods and brought it to mankind.
In the afternoon, after the hike, we drive through the wild Daryali Gorge to the Russian border.
Dinner as on the previous day with typical local specialities at our family hotel.
↑ 450m. ↓ 450 m →׀ 8 Km approx. 3 hours (Optional jeep ride, 5 euros per person).
Accommodation: Family hotel in Stepantsminda
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Day 8: The religious centre of Georgia - Mtskheta and the capital Tbilisi
Today we drive to Mtskheta, the religious and cultural centre of Georgia. Until the V century, Mtskheta was the capital of the Iberian Kingdom (East Georgia) next to the Kingdom of Colchis on the Black Sea coast.
Although the capital was moved to Tbilisi 1,500 years ago, Mtskheta has not lost its importance for the country. In 2006, the city was restored to its historical style and since then many visitors come to see the sights and simply stroll through this idyllic city.
We will visit the Dzhvari Monastery from the VII century and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral from the XI century. Both sacral buildings and part of the old town of Mtskheta are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the evening we arrive in the capital of Georgia - Tbilisi and after checking into the hotel we drive to a Georgian traditional restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel in Tbilisi 4*
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Day 9: Tbilisi City tour
During the city tour through the old town of Tbilisi, you will discover the cultural and religious diversity of Georgia in a very small space. Over the centuries, Tbilisi has become a colourful mix of Art Nouveau, Classicism, Stalinism and traditional architecture. On our tour we visit the oldest church in Tbilisi, climb to Narikala Fortress and visit the National Museum.
In the evening you have free time
Accommodation: Hotel in Tbilisi 4*
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Day 10: Dictator Stalin and Cave town Uplistsikhe
Today we drive to the south of Georgia. On the way we take a short break in the town of Gori, where the Soviet dictator Stalin was born. If you wish, we can visit the house where he lived.
Afterwards we drive to Uplistsikhe and visit the oldest cave town in the Caucasus, where people lived already in the III millennium before Christ.
In the afternoon we drive through the spa town of Borjomi and in the evening we reach our destination for the day, the historic town of Akhaltsikhe.
Dinner with a local family in Akhaltsikhe and overnight in a nice family hotel.
Accommodation: Family hotel in Akhaltsikhe
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Day 11: Cave city Vardzia and the oldest Christian country in the world - Armenia
After breakfast, we visit the XIII century rock city of Wardsia. This unique site never fails to impress guests with its complexity and excellent location.
We then drive to the Armenian border. After short border formalities we leave Georgia and enter the oldest Christian country in the world - Armenia. Soon after crossing the border, we reach the second largest city in Armenia - Gyumri, where we take a short city tour.
In the evening we reach the capital of the country - Yerevan and after checking into the hotel we drive to an Armenian restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel in Yerevan 4*
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Day 12: City tour in Yerevan
After breakfast we start our city tour of Yerevan.
The tour starts with a visit to the Matenadaran Scientific Library (closed on Mondays), which exhibits a valuable collection of ancient Armenian manuscripts, the oldest of which dates back to the V century. Then we visit the cascade with a magnificent view of the city and Mount Ararat.
(If desired, we can include a visit to the Genocide Museum in our daily program).
Accommodation: Hotel in Yerevan 4*
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Day 13: Yerevan and surroundings
Drive to Garni, former summer residence of the Armenian kings and famous for the only surviving Hellenistic temple in the Caucasus, dating from the 1st century, built on the edge of a basalt gorge.
Afterwards, drive to Geghard (UNESCO World Heritage Site) to visit the cave monastery from the XIIth /XIIIth century, which is located at the end of a gorge and is one of the most beautiful monasteries in the Caucasus.
Continue to Lake Sevan, the blue pearl of Armenia. It is the largest alpine lake on earth and the largest freshwater reservoir in the Transcaucasus. The lake lies at almost 2000 m above sea level. Sevan is of volcanic origin and is surrounded by mountains over 3000 m high. We take a walk along the beach and visit the Sevanavank monastery from the VIII century, which is situated on a peninsula.
In the evening return to Yerevan
Accommodation: Hotel in Yerevan 4*
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Day 14: Mount Ararat and the Religious Centre of Armenia-Etschmiadzin
Drive to the Ararat plain to the most important place of pilgrimage in Armenia, the restored monastery of Chor Wirap from the IV century. According to tradition, Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned here in a deep pit for 15 years because of his confession of the Christian faith, before he became the convert of Armenia. From the monastery you have a unique view of the holy mountain of the Armenians, Mount Ararat (5165 m).
Then drive to Echmiadzin, the centre of the Armenian Apostolic Church and residence of the Armenian Catholicos. Visit to the main cathedral and the museum "Treasures of Echmiadzin". There are unique holy relics on display, the most famous of which are the Holy Lance, with which, according to legend, Longinus verified the death of Jesus, and an icon with a fragment of Noah's Ark.
After return in Yerevan, we will enjoy a farewell dinner together in an Armenian restaurant to celebrate the end of a highly interesting and successful journey through Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Accommodation: Hotel in Yerevan 4*
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Day 15: Departure
Depending on the departure time, you will be transferred to the airport and start your journey home with unforgettable impressions.
Tour includes
Transportation
English speaking tour guide
Entrance fees
Overnight stays in hotels and family hotels
Meals according to itinerary
A bottle of mineral water every day
Excludes:
Air Tickets
Alcohol beverages
Price List
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