12-day Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia Tour

Dive into a 12-day Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia tour, exploring a rich mix of culture, history, and stunning landscapes. In Azerbaijan, start in the vibrant city of Baku, where ancient sites like Maiden Tower and Palace of Shirvanshahs blend seamlessly with modern marvels like the Heydar Aliyev Center and Flame Towers. Don't miss the historical wonders and natural phenomena at the Absheron Peninsula and Gobustan's ancient rock carvings.
In Georgia, wander through the picturesque town of Sighnaghi, known as the "City of Love" and indulge in the local viticulture in Telavi, sampling fine wines and cheeses. Take in the breathtaking views from Kazbegi and the historic Jvari Monastery in Mtskheta. The journey wraps up in Armenia, with highlights including the serene Lake Sevan and the spiritually resonant Geghard Monastery, concluding with the historic and scenic delights of Yerevan.

Tour itinerary:

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Day 1: Baku (Azerbaijan)

Arrival in Baku. You will be met by our driver and transferred to the hotel for check-in after 14:00.
Meet your guide and start the sightseeing tour in Baku. Visit Martyrs Lane, known as ‘Shehidler Khiyabany’ among locals. When you walk through the Alley of the Martyrs, you will find a beautiful view overlooking Baku’s coastline. Move to Icheri Sheher, the old part of the city. Visit Shirvan Shahs’ Palace, Caravanserai, Maiden Tower, and the main market square, which has numerous art studios and souvenir stalls. Continue touring new Baku by exploring Nizami Street and Fountain Square. An excellent round-up to the city tour will be the visit to the iconic Heydar Aliev center. In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Driving distance: 30 km
Meals: dinner

Day 2: Baku – Absheron Peninsula – Gobustan – Baku

Today you will visit the area of the Greater Baku and Absheron peninsula.
The first stop is at Yanardag Mountain, also known as Burning Hill, where natural gas has been ablaze for hundreds of years. Continue to the Ateshgah Fire Temple, located in the village of Surakhany. Zoroastrians from India travel thousands of kilometers to Ateshgah to worship the fire coming out of the earth. After lunch, drive to Gobustan National Park to visit the Petroglyph Museum and explore rock carvings dating back to 10,000 BC. The Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Weather permitting, drive to the mud volcanoes in Gobustan Reserve (change of vehicle). Gobustan is home to almost half of the world’s mud volcanoes. Return to Baku in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 8-9 hours
Driving distance: 220 km

Day 3: Baku – Lagich* – Sheki

In the morning, depart Baku and drive to Sheki. On the way, stop at Diri Baba Mausoleum in the village of Maraza. Continue to Shamakhi to visit the historical Juma Mosque, which was restored in 2013. Weather permitting, a scenic drive through Girdimanchay River Canyon to visit Lagich (Lahich) will follow. Lagich, an ancient village with charming cobbled sidewalks, is famous for its medieval water supply and sewage systems, as well as its traditional jewelry, copperware, carpets, pottery, daggers, and iron tools workshops. This quaint, 5th-century corner of the Caucasus Mountains is rich in historical and architectural value. Continue driving to Sheki for an evening arrival. Overnight at the hotel.
Driving distance: 340 km
Duration of sightseeing tour: 10-11 hours
*Lagich will not be reachable during 2024 due to the road construction.

Day 4: Sheki – Georgian border – Sighnaghi – Telavi (Azerbaijan-Georgia)

Check out of the hotel and start a new day by visiting the colorful Sheki Bazaar. You can find virtually everything you may want to eat: local fruits and berries, spices, freshly baked bread, honey, cheeses, and Sheki sweets. Continue to Sheki Khans Palace surrounded by medieval fortress walls. Visit handicrafts workshop and Caravanserai. Depart Sheki and head towards border with Georgia (115 km, ~2 h.). At the border, you will say goodbye to your guide, go through border formalities, and cross the neutral territory on foot (500 m). Cross the border and start exploring the Eastern part of Georgia, which is famous for its viticulture and winemaking traditions. A warm welcome awaits you in a local family which will host us for lunch. After lunch, we will reach Sighnaghi, the city of love and the Royal Town, one of the crossroads of the Great Silk Road surrounded by defensive walls with 23 towers from which a panoramic view to the Alazani Valley and the Greater Caucasus Mountains will unfold in front of you. Continue to Telavi for overnight.
Driving distance: 230 km
Duration of sightseeing tour: 9-10 hours
Meals: lunch

Day 5: Telavi – Tsinandali – Shumi – Telavi

After breakfast, explore Telavi, the administrative and historic center of the region. Have a short walk through the charming streets of old Telavi and have a photo stop at the monument to Erekle II. During the tour of Telavi, visit the family boutique cheese factory and cellar. We will indulge in the world of cheeses and then taste five types of unique cheeses accompanied by lunch. Continue to Tsinandali, the residence of dukes of Georgia with a beautiful English garden, a museum and a wine cellar that belonged to prince Chavchavadze, a 19th-century public figure and poet. Our final stop for today will be at Shumi Winery, where you will have a wine tour and tasting. Return to your hotel for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Driving distance: 20 km
Meals: cheese tasting, lunch, wine tasting

Day 6: Telavi – Alaverdi – Ananuri – Kazbegi

After breakfast, we will embark on a long journey towards the Mount Kazbek. Our first stop on the way is Alaverdi Cathedral, one of the tallest churches in Georgia. Standing amid vines and the range of the Greater Caucasus on its back, this architectural masterpiece features unique frescoes dating back to 11-17 centuries. Then, our route will take over the Georgian Military Highway up North towards the border with Russia. En route, make a stop at the Ananuri architectural complex, a former residence of Argveti Dukes. The complex featuring churches and towers dating back to the 16-17th centuries is beautifully overlooking Jinvali reservoir. Later, you will see the conjunction of two small mountain rivers famous for the fact that being different in color they keep their colors even after merge. We will then drive over the Cross Pass and make a short stop at the Soviet-era ‘People’s Friendship’ mountain viewpoint overlooking a deep gorge. We will keep climbing on the Georgian Military Highway passing through the highest point of it at 2394 m above sea level. Arrive at Kazbegi, a small town with views of Mount Kazbek (or Mkinvari) 5033 m, the seventh highest peak in the Caucasus Mountains. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Driving distance: 200 km

Day 7: Kazbegi – Mtskheta – Tbilisi

In the morning, visit Gergeti Holy Trinity Church located at an altitude of 2170 and enjoy breathtaking views to Mt Kazbegi. Depart Kazbegi and drive to Tbilisi. En route, stop at Mtskheta, one of the oldest towns and the cultural and religious center of Georgia. Mtskheta was the capital of the Eastern Georgian Kingdom of Iberia from the third century BC.
Visit Jvari, a true architectural masterpiece of the early Medieval Period built on a hilltop. You will enjoy the views of the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, the main cathedral of Mtskheta and a sacred place where the robe of Christ is being kept. Continue to Tbilisi for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Driving distance: 170 km

Day 8: Tbilisi

In the morning, have a sightseeing tour of Tbilisi. Start at Metekhi church and monument to Vakhtang Gorgasali, the legendary founder of Tbilisi. Visit Narikala Fortress to enjoy breathtaking panoramic view of the city. Walk down to the district of sulphur bath houses and pass by the only mosque in Tbilisi. Stroll through the Sharden area, full of narrow streets with cozy cafés, wine tasting bars, souvenir shops, and breathe in the living past. We will also see Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica, the clock tower of famous Rezo Gabriadze Theatre, and the Bridge of Peace, which leads to Rike Park. After a couple of hours at your leisure, visit local restaurant to taste traditional Georgian cuisine. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Driving distance: 10 km
Meals: dinner

Day 9: Tbilisi – Armenian border – Haghpat – Lake Sevan – Sevanavank – Yerevan (Georgia-Armenia)

At 09:00, our driver will meet you at your hotel in Tbilisi and transfer to “Sadakhlo-Bagratashen” Georgian-Armenian border point. Cross the border, meet your Armenian guide and driver and start the journey to the land of ancient traditions and oldest temples.
Drive to Lori region and visit UNESCO World Heritage Site Haghpat monastery. Stunning example of Armenian traditional architecture was erected in 10-13th centuries. Standing on a hillside, Haghpat beautifully overlooks Debed River. Location of monastery was chosen to protect peace and seclusion of its monks. Drive through Dilijan and to Lake Sevan, “The Jewel of Armenia” and one of the largest high-mountainous freshwater lakes in the world. The coastline of Lake Sevan is rich with thick woods, white bare steep rocks, mountain steppes and Alpine meadows. Stop at Sevanavank to visit the remnants of the monastery that include two temples – Surb Arakelots and Surb Karapet standing among numerous khachkars. The buildings were constructed from black tuff which probably gave the monastery its name Sevanavank – “the Black Monastery”. The view from there is simply magnificent: the mountains surround the lake from all sides and snow tops are seen almost on the entire perimeter and disappear behind horizon. Continue to Yerevan for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 9-10 hours
Driving distance: 370 km

Day 10: Yerevan – Etchmiadzin – Yerevan

In the morning, continue the tour to the Holy See of Armenia, Etchmiadzin. Visit Etchmiadzin Cathedral* which is the residence of the head of Armenian Apostolic Church the Catholicos of All Armenians. Return to Yerevan for a sightseeing tour. One of the oldest cities of the world, Yerevan is famous as a pink city and calls visitors with its humble and at the same time splendid landscapes. Start city tour visiting the Cascade Monument, one of the main symbols of the city. The mega scale staircase is 118 meters high and has 572 steps. A panoramic view from the monument opens breathtaking city view with Opera House, Mount Ararat, Swan Lake, Republic Square, and posh Northern Avenue around, which you will also walk by during the tour. Continue to the Armenian Genocide memorial complex on the hill of Tsitsernakaberd. In the evening, enjoy dinner and traditional folklore show. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Driving distance: 50 km
Meals: dinner
*The site is currently under conservation works. Observation of the Cathedral is possible from the outside.

Day 11: Yerevan – Garni – Geghard – Khor-Virap – Yerevan

Depart Yerevan and drive to Garni, one of the major villages in Armenia famous for its fortress. The fortress is the only pagan sacred place from the 1st century that survived aggressive introduction of Christianity in the 4th century. Descend Garni Gorge to explore a monumental rock formation called Symphony of Stones. Next stop is at the monastery complex Geghard (“spear”). A beautiful landscape of Geghard is framed with towering cliffs. Decorative art cut into rocks reflect and explain Medieval Ages development throughout the region. The complex was introduced to the history in the 4th century as a sacred spring inside a cave. Head to Khor Virap monastery (“deep pit”). According to the legend, St. Gregory the Illuminator, the Baptist of Armenia, had been kept here in the basement during 13 years for the disseminating of Christianity until tsar Tradt decided to adopt new religion. The monastery location allows you to enjoy the best views of Mt. Ararat. Drive back to Yerevan for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Driving distance: 150 km

Day 12: Yerevan – departure (Armenia)

Check-out from hotel till noon. Free time till transfer to Yerevan International Airport. Departure. End of the 12-day Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia tour.
Driving distance: 15 km

Inclusions
Exclusions

All transfers (1-2 pax by sedan, 3-4 pax by Mercedes Vito or similar, 5-10 pax by Mercedes Sprinter passenger van);
Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
Sightseeing tour program in each country with local English-speaking guides;
Entrance tickets to sights as per itinerary;
Dinners in Baku (folklore show in Baku is provided for groups of 4 travelers and more), Tbilisi, and Yerevan;
Wine tasting in Kakheti region, Georgia;
Azerbaijan e-visa;
Lunch in a Georgian family;
Lunch and cheese tasting in Georgia;
Bottled drinking water.