Azerbaijan and Georgia Tour #1

Discover the unique world of Caucasian hospitality with this tour to Azerbaijan and Georgia. Immerse yourself in the enchanting array of colors, tastes and impressions to be found in these two countries. There is everything you need for an unforgettable trip to Azerbaijan and Georgia: mild climate, scenic landscapes, ancient monuments, and delicious dishes. Visit the Palace of the Shirvanshahs in Baku, the mystical temple of fire worshippers in Ateshgah, the best of Georgian wines in Kakheti, the ancient cave city of Uplistsikhe and more, all in this eight-day tour.

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.
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 the 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 welcome dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Baku – Absheron Peninsula – Gobustan – Baku

Today you will visit the area of the Greater Baku and Absheron Peninsula. Start with Gobustan National Park. Pay a visit to the Petroglyphs Museum and explore petroglyphs, dating back to 10,000 BC. Continue to the mud volcanoes in Gobustan Reserve. Gobustan is home to almost half of the world’s mud volcanoes. Later drive to Ateshgah – temple of fire worshippers located in Surakhany village. Zoroastrians travelled thousands of kilometers from India to Ateshgah to worship fire coming out of the earth. Drive to Yanardag Mountain, where natural gas has been burning for several thousands of years.
Return to Baku. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Baku – Lahij – Kish – Sheki

In the morning, depart Baku and drive to Sheki. On the way, visit Diri Baba Mausoleum in Maraza. Continue to Shamakha and see the historical Juma Mosque, Yeddi Gumbez Mausoleum, and the Shirvan Shah's family grave yard.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.

Day 4: Sheki – Georgian border – Kvareli – Gremi – Telavi

Check out from the hotel and start a 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.). Cross 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. Enjoy a traditional lunch in a Georgian family. The next stop will be at unique Winery Khareba located in the tunnel carved out of the 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, 16th century royal residence and the capital of Kakheti Kingdom. Then reach Telavi, administrative center of Kakheti region. Have a short drive around the town. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Telavi – Tsinandali – Bodbe – Sighnaghi – Tbilisi

After breakfast, continue exploring Kakheti by visiting Tsinandali, residence of dukes of Georgia, with beautiful English garden, museum, and wine cellar which belonged to prince Chavchavadze, public figure and poet of 19th century. Continue to Bodbe Convent and Sighnaghi Royal Town, one of the crossroads of the Great Silk Road surrounded by defensive walls with 23 towers. In the afternoon, head to Tbilisi for overnight.

Day 6: 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 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. Cross the Bridge of Peace leading to Rike Park and head to Open Air Museum of Ethnography, a miniature model of Georgia. In the evening, visit a local restaurant to taste dishes of traditional Georgian cuisine and enjoy folklore show. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 7: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Gori – Uplistsikhe – Tbilisi

After breakfast, drive to 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 the Stalin Museum. Explore the 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. Drive back to Tbilisi for overnight.

Day 8: 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, 3-5 pax by Mercedes Vito or similar, 6-15 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;
E-visa to Azerbaijan;
Mineral water;
Lunch in a Georgian family (day 4);
Dinners in Baku (day 1) and Tbilisi (day 6).