Azerbaijan - Georgia Tour #3

Your trip begins in Baku, where you will tour the main sights of Azerbaijan’s capital. After being presented with an overview of the city, stroll through the newer neighborhoods before finishing up in Baku’s famous Old Town. Leave Baku the next day to continue sightseeing in Sheki, Lahij and Kish. Cross over into Georgia, where you will be welcomed with wine tasting in Kakheti followed by a tour of the region’s main sights. The trip will conclude with an excursion around the streets of charming Tbilisi.

Tour itinerary:

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Day 1: Baku

Arrival in Baku. You will be met by our driver and transferred to the hotel for luggage drop. Check-in at noon.
At noon, start a 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 visit to the iconic Heydar Aliyev center, which is in a quirky building designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid.
In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Baku – Lagich* – Kish – 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. Visit Yeddi Gumbez Mausoleum, the Shirvan Shah's family graveyard. Weather permitting, drive through Girdimanchay River Canyon to visit Lahich (Lahich, Lahij), the 5th century, quaint corner high in Caucasus mountains with its rich history and beautiful architecture. Lahich is an ancient village with charming cobbled sidewalks famous for numerous traditional handicraft workshops (jewelry, copperware, wool carpets, pottery, daggers, and iron tools). Continue driving to Sheki, the pleasant and easily walkable medieval town set in a lush mountainous area. Sheki is especially known for local style sweet baklava. On the way, visit the first Albanian church in Caucasus in the village Kish dating back to the 1st century AD. Arrival in Sheki, overnight at the hotel.
*Lagich will not be reachable during 2025 due to the road construction.

Day 3: Sheki – Georgian border – Family-style lunch in a winery – Telavi

Check out of the hotel and start a new day 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). After Georgian border control point you will meet your Georgian guide and start exploring the Eastern part of Georgia famous for its viticulture and winemaking traditions. Passing by the picturesque landscapes of vineyards and wine-producing villages, we will reach a family-owned winery where centuries-old winemaking traditions are preserved in a qvevri wine cellar. The winemaker will give us a tour and host us for a Kakheti-style lunch with wine. Drive to Telavi. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Telavi – Mtskheta – Gori – Uplistsikhe – Tbilisi

At 08:30, depart Telavi and drive towards the heart of Georgia – region Kartli. Beautiful road lies through Gombori pass. Our first stop will be at Mtskheta, one of the oldest towns and the cultural and religious centre of Georgia. Mtskheta was the capital of the Eastern Georgian Kingdom of Iberia from the third century BC. Visit Jvari Church, a true architectural masterpiece of the early Medieval Period overlooking the confluence of Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers from the top of the hill, and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral which may be translated as "The Life-giving pillar". Svetitskhoveli is the main cathedral of Mtskheta and a sacred place where the robe of Christ is being kept. Continue to Gori and visit Stalin Museum. Explore cave town Uplistsikhe dating back to Hellenistic Period and notable for unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures and the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture. In the evening, drive to Tbilisi for an overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Tbilisi

In the morning, have a sightseeing tour in Tbilisi. Start at Holy Trinity cathedral, one of the largest orthodox cathedrals in the world. Continue to Metekhi church and monument to Vakhtang Gorgasali, the legendary founder of Tbilisi. Take the cable car to Narikala Fortress to enjoy breathtaking panoramic view of the city. Walk down to the district of Sulphur bath houses passing 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. Visit Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica, and the clock tower of famous Rezo Gabriadze Theatre. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 6: Tbilisi – departure

Check-out from hotel till noon. Free time till transfer to Tbilisi International Airport. Departure. End of Azerbaijan - Georgia Tour.

Price includes:

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;
Wine tasting in Kakheti region, Georgia;
Bottled drinking water;
Azerbaijan e-visa;
Welcome dinner in Baku (folklore show in Baku is provided for groups of 4 travelers and more).