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 hotel for luggage drop. Check-in at noon.
Start sightseeing tour in Baku. Visit Martyrs' Lane, called ‘Shehidler Khiyabany’ among locals. When you walk through Martyrs' Lane, you will find a beautiful view overlooking Baku’s coastline. Continue touring new Baku and exploring architecture of 19-20th centuries: Nizami Street, Fountain Square, Nizami Ganjavi monument, Rasul-Zade Street. Move to the old part of the city - Icheri Sheher, Visit Maiden Tower, Shirvanshahs’ Palace, Caravanserai, and market square with numerous art studios and souvenir stalls. 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 dinner at traditional Azeri restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Baku – Lahij* – Kish – Sheki

In the morning, depart Baku and drive to Sheki. On the way, visit Diri Baba Mausoleum in Maraza. Continue to Shamakhi and see the historical Juma Mosque, Yeddi Gumbez Mausoleum, and the Shirvan Shah's family grave. Drive through the Girdimanchay River Canyon to visit Lahij, a 5th century place rich in its historic and architectural values. Lahij is an ancient village with charming eye-catching sidewalks inlaid with stones. It is famous for its medieval water supply and sewage systems, as well as traditional jewelry, copperware, carpets, pottery, daggers, and iron tools workshops. Continue driving to Sheki. On the way, visit the first Albanian church in Caucasus in the village Kish, dating back to the 1st century AD. Arrival in Sheki for overnight.
*Lahij will not be reachable during 2024 due to the road construction.

Day 3: Sheki – Georgian border – Kvareli – Gremi – Telavi

Check out from hotel and start sightseeing tour in Sheki. Visit Sheki medieval fortress, Sheki Khans Palace, local History Museum, handicrafts workshop, mosque-madrassah, and local bazaar. Depart Sheki and head towards border with Georgia (115 km, ~2 h). After crossing the border meet your Georgian guide and start exploring the eastern part of Georgia, famous for its viticulture and winemaking traditions.
We will pass through the beautiful landscapes of vineyards and wine-producing villages. First stop will be at Winery Khareba, located in a tunnel carved out of rock. Originally built for military purposes, today the tunnel is used to store Kakheti’s finest wines. Wine tour and wine tasting. Continue to Gremi architectural complex, a 16th century royal residence and the capital of the Kakheti Kingdom. Then reach Telavi, administrative center of Kakheti region. Have a short drive around the town. 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. This beautiful road crosses through Gombori Pass. Our first stop will be at Mtskheta, one of the oldest towns and a 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 built on a hilltop. You will enjoy the views of the confluence of Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. Visit 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 the Stalin Museum. Next, explore the cave town in 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 overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Tbilisi

In the morning, start a sightseeing tour in Tbilisi. Start at Holy Trinity Cathedral, one of the largest orthodox cathedrals in the world. Continue to Metekhi Church and the monument to Vakhtang Gorgasali, the legendary founder of Tbilisi. Take cable car to Narikala Fortress to enjoy a 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.

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);
Welcome dinner in Baku (day 1);
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;
Mineral water 0.5l per person a day;
Azerbaijan e-visa.