Taste the Caucasus: Food & Wine Tour of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia

Join us for a full gastronomic experience “from farm to table” on this food and wine tour of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia. Enjoy the region’s legendary hospitality as you visit farms, local markets, family homes, restaurants, and wineries. Taste a vast range of traditional dishes – such as khachapuri (“Georgian pizza”), pilaf, piti, and sweet baklava – while discovering the rich traditions surrounding the preparation and consumption of the food. Explore the culture around Azerbajiani dolma and Armenian lavash, both of which are on UNESCO’s lists of intangible cultural heritage, and share home-cooked, home-grown foods at the tables of local families. Participate in masterclasses to learn about each country’s culinary traditions, including recipes passed down through the generations and the secrets held by local cooks, and try making local specialities like khinkali, dolma, churchkhela, and different types of bread. Visit wineries in all three countries, immersing yourself in winemaking traditions that are thousands of years old while sampling the local wines and enjoying the views of beautiful vineyards surrounded by the Caucasus Mountains. Setting the food and wine in their broader context, this Caucasus food and wine tour also showcases the history and geography that have influenced the cuisine – and still do today – with visits to ancient churches and monasteries, beautiful waterfalls and canyons, and many other historical and scenic attractions, as well as three vibrant capital cities.

Tour itinerary:

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Day 1: Baku – arrival

Arrival in Baku. You will be greeted by our driver at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Check-in at 14:00.
Free day. Overnight at the hotel.
Driving distance: 30 km

Day 2: Baku city tour

At 9:30, start a guided sightseeing tour of the city. Walk along Martyrs’ Lane, known by the locals as ‘Shehidler Khiyabany’, and find a beautiful view overlooking Baku’s coastline. Move to Icheri Sheher, the old part of the city. Enjoy a tea break at a local café, where you’ll get to taste baklava (a sweet pastry filled with chopped nuts and honey). Then visit the Shirvanshah's Palace, Caravanserai, Maiden Tower, and main market square, which has numerous art studios and souvenir stalls. Have lunch at a traditional restaurant, where your main dish will be Azerbaijani dolma (grape leaves filled with lamb, rice, onion, mint, and coriander). Dolma making in Azerbaijan was added to UNESCO’s lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2017. After lunch, explore Nizami Street and Fountain Square, before visiting the iconic Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre, which is in a quirky building designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. The Centre showcases examples of a wide spectrum of Azerbaijani culture, with national costumes, musical instruments, and carpets providing a good insight into local craftsmanship. After the sightseeing tour, participate in a masterclass on Azerbaijani cuisine at Shah Restaurant, learning how to make – and then tasting – qutab (flatbread stuffed with lamb, onion, and pomegranate syrup). Finally, the restaurant will serve you a special welcome dinner. This is a great place to try national dishes like lyulya kebab and Shah pilaf – a signature dish of Azerbaijani cuisine that is served at wedding ceremonies and consists of rice cooked with aromatic herbs, fried meat, and vegetables placed inside a bowl lined with lavash (a soft, thin flatbread). Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Driving distance: 10 km
Meals: breakfast, tea break, lunch, dinner, cooking class

Day 3: Baku – Maraza – Shamakhi – Meysari Winery – Sheki

In the morning, we will say our goodbyes to Baku and depart towards Sheki. On the way, stop at the Diri Baba Mausoleum in Maraza village. Continue to Shamakhi to visit the historical Juma Mosque, which was restored in 2013. Make a stop at Meysari Winery. At the winery, learn about Azerbaijani wine-making techniques, walk around the vineyards, and enjoy a wine tasting session. Later, drive to Sheki, which some travellers consider the “gastronomic capital” of Azerbaijan. Sheki, a pleasant and easily walkable medieval town set in a lush mountainous area, is particularly famous for its sweet baklava and Sheki piti (lamb and vegetable soup cooked in a clay pot). Have dinner at a local restaurant and try Sheki piti. Overnight at a hotel in Sheki.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 9-10 hours
Driving distance: 330 km
Meals: breakfast, wine tasting, dinner

Day 4: Sheki – Georgian border – Begaso Family Winery

Breakfast. At 08:30, visit the colorful Sheki Bazaar. Here, 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 the Palace of Sheki Khans, which is surrounded by medieval fortress walls, and then visit handicrafts workshops and caravanserai (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Leave Sheki and head towards the border with Georgia (115 km, ~2 h). Cross the border and start exploring the Eastern part of Georgia, which is 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. We will spend a night at the winery guesthouse, trying traditional homemade dishes and tasting the local wines.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 8-9 hours
Driving distance: 180 km
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, wine tasting

Day 5: Begaso Family Winery – Sighnaghi – Bodbe – Vellino Winery – Tbilisi

After breakfast, check-out from hotel and continue exploring Kakheti by visiting Sighnaghi, the Royal Town and “City of Love”. This city, surrounded by defensive walls with 23 towers, was an important trading centre on the Silk Road. Continue to Bodbe Convent – according to legend, this is the burial place of St. Nino, who converted Georgia to Christianity in the 4th century. Then, we will drive to Tbilisi and make a stop at the local winery Vellino for lunch and wine tasting. The Vellino winery was founded in 2015 to continue the family's involvement in winemaking and to promote Georgia's 8,000-year-old winemaking tradition. After the tour, drive to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Overnight at a hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 8-9 hours
Driving distance: 190 km
Meals: breakfast, lunch, wine tasting

Day 6: Tbilisi city tour

Take a sightseeing tour of Tbilisi, starting with Metekhi Church and the monument to Vakhtang Gorgasali, the legendary founder of Tbilisi. Then visit Narikala Fortress to enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. Walk past Tbilisi’s only mosque, down to the district of sulphur bath house. Enjoy a stroll through the Shardeni area, which is full of narrow streets with cozy cafés, wine bars, and souvenir shops, and breathe in the history of Old Tbilisi. Also visit Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica, and the famous Rezo Gabriadze Theatre’s clock tower, before crossing the Bridge of Peace to Rike Park. Next, explore Dezertirebi Bazaar, a market brimming with natural, local products such as churchkhela and other Georgian sweets, dried fruits, and various kinds of nuts, spices, and Georgian cheeses. After a visit to the local market, continue your tour with a cooking class of traditional Georgian dishes. Learn how to make khinkali (Georgian dumplings), khachapuri (local cheese pie like pizza), shkmeruli (chicken fried until golden brown in a spicy milk-garlic sauce), and badridjani (eggplants with walnuts). Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 8-9 hours
Driving distance: 20 km
Meals: breakfast, cooking class

Day 7: Tbilisi – Jvari – Mtskheta – Merebashvili’s Marani – Uplistsikhe – Kutaisi

Check out of the hotel and head to Mtskheta, one of the oldest towns in Georgia and the country’s cultural and religious centre. Mtskheta was the capital of the eastern Georgian kingdom of Kartli from the 3rd century BC. Visit Jvari, 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, which is Mtskheta’s main cathedral and a sacred place where the robe of Christ is kept. Continue to Merebashvili’s Marani, to discover a family’s century-old winemaking traditions. These include the use of qvevri, amphora shaped clay vessels that are buried in earth to ferment, store, and age wine – a method recognised by UNESCO. As well as the most famous wines of the Shida Kartli region – Chinuri and Tavkveri – Merebashvili`s Marani produces wines from rare endemic grape varieties such as Goruli Mtsvane and Shavkapito. After lunch and a wine tasting session, continue to the cave town of Uplistsikhe. This dates to the Hellenistic period and is notable for its unique combination of various styles of rock-cut architecture, including both pagan and Christian. Then drive to Kutaisi, the central city of Western Georgia. The road goes over the Rikoti Pass and through Georgia’s longest tunnel (1,722 m). A good option for dinner in Kutaisi (not included) is the cozy Palaty bar-restaurant, which offers a wide variety of dishes and wines in a friendly atmosphere with live music in the evening. You may like to try the beef steak with red wine, as well as the restaurant’s speciality – khachapuri (cheese-stuffed flatbread, also known as “Georgian pizza”). Here, the khachapuri is made with ham and Imeretian cheese (a curd cheese made from cow’s milk, with a soft texture and a salty taste). To finish, try the excellent curd and sour cream dessert. If you wish, pair your dinner with Imeretian wines such as Tsitska and Tsolikouri, which are lighter than other Georgian wines. Overnight at a hotel in Kutaisi.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 9-10 hours
Driving distance: 250 km
Meals: breakfast, lunch, wine tasting

Day 8: Kutaisi – Sisa Tura – Mestia

In the morning, explore Kutaisi, the second biggest city in Georgia, which according to the legend was the ultimate destination of the Jason and Argonauts searching for the Golden Fleece. Our tour will include visit to Bagrati Cathedral, a reconstructed monument of 11th century which is seated on top of a hill overlooking the entire town. Depart Kutaisi and head to mysterious Svaneti, passing through the Inguri Gorge. This region is the birthplace of the Svans, a unique ethnic group, who are distinguished by their amazing old culture and traditions. Make a stop for lunch at ethno-village “Sisa Tura” close to Zugdidi, in the village Chkhoria. Here you will see old Megrelian house “Oda” with fascinating relics (old utensils, newspapers from last century and authentic Megrelian clothing that have been kept from ancestors). The whole place is dedicated to ethnography and is essentially a living museum. Having a lunch here is a unique experience, enabling you to enjoy traditional Megrelian meals like Gebzhalia (cheese in mint sauce), Ghomi (a hot porridge made with corn flour) and Sulguni (type of cheese) in an authentic Megrelian place. After lunch, continue driving to Mestia, the capital of Svaneti region. Svaneti is also famous for its original and authentic architecture and is dubbed “the land of thousand towers”. Those towers used to play an important economic and defensive role in the history of Svaneti. There are still dozens of the towers – stone houses from the Middle Ages with fire watchtowers, and churches from the 10-14th centuries. On arrival in Mestia, visit Svan original house ‘machubi’ and tower ‘koshki’.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 9-10 hours
Driving distance: 260 km
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 9: Mestia – Ushguli – Heshkili – Mestia

After the hotel breakfast, drive to Ushguli village, the highest standing settlement in Europe (2200 m). The Ushguli architectural complex is a valuable architectural and historical monument, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List for its exclusiveness. There are about 70 families (around 200 people) living in Ushguli. Spend time in Ushguli strolling through the old narrow streets. Visit Lamaria Church complex, with impressive 12th century wall frescoes. Locals believe that Queen Tamar was buried under this church. Enjoy picturesque view of the Mount Shkhara. Return to Mestia and stop en route at Heshkili Swings to enjoy beautiful mountain views. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Driving distance: 100 km
Meals: breakfast
*Optional cooking class of Svan cuisine: learn to cook kubdari (local pie with meat and herbs) and tashmidjabi (potato puree with sulguni cheese).

Day 10: Mestia – Oda Marani – Kutaisi

In the morning, depart Svaneti and drive to Kutaisi. En route, make a stop for lunch and wine tasting at Oda Marani. This beautiful place offers its visitors authentic natural wine and Megrelian cuisine. Taste the most popular dishes of the Megrelian region: elarji (grits mixed with Megrelian sulguni cheese), gebjalia (cheese rolls dipped in a mix of sour cream and milk), and Megrelian khachapuri (which has more cheese than other types of khachapuri found across Georgia), accompanying by local wines. After lunch, continue your drive to Kutaisi. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Driving distance: 230 km
Meals: breakfast, lunch, wine tasting
*Optional stop at Martvili Canyon (extra 1,5 hours). We will take a small boat trip inside the canyon, and after that enter the gorge's another side to stroll over the canyon's waters watching it changing its colors on every turn and stone.

Day 11: Kutaisi – Tbilisi

After breakfast, we will depart Kutaisi and drive back to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. If you are eager to explore the natural wonders of Imereti, we can visit Prometheus Cave (extra two hours) where you will walk in a 1.5 km long tunnel and enjoy breathtaking views of stalactites, stalagmites, petrified waterfalls, underground rivers, and lakes along the cave. Arrival in Tbilisi, free evening to explore more of the city.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Driving distance: 220 km
Meals: breakfast

Day 12: Tbilisi – Armenian border – Haghpat – Lake Sevan – Sevanavank – Yerevan

Breakfast. At 8:30, meet your driver at the hotel after breakfast to transfer to the Georgian-Armenian border point, Sadakhlo-Bagratashen. Cross the border and meet your Armenian guide and driver to start the journey to the land of ancient traditions and the ancient churches. Drive to the Lori region and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Haghpat Monastery. This stunning example of traditional Armenian architecture was erected between the 10th and 13th centuries. Standing on a hillside, Haghpat beautifully overlooks the Debed River Canyon. The monastery’s location was chosen to protect the peace and seclusion of the monks. We will visit a local family near Haghpat to enjoy the delicious homemade lunch with Armenian specialties. Drive through Dilijan to Lake Sevan, one of the largest high-mountain freshwater lakes in the world. The lake’s coastline is rich with dense woods, white cliff faces, mountain steppes, and Alpine meadows. Visit Sevanavank Monastery, which is situated at the lake and is surrounded by mountains. Reach Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 9-10 hours
Driving distance: 370 km Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 13: Yerevan city tour

Take a sightseeing tour of Yerevan, nicknamed the “Pink City”, which impresses visitors with its grand Soviet architecture. The first stop will be the Cascade Monument, a 500-metre high, 50-metre wide limestone staircase with more than 572 steps. From the top of the monument, enjoy a breathtaking city view that includes the Opera House, Mount Ararat, Swan Lake, Republic Square, and Abovyan Avenue, all of which you’ll see as you walk the streets of Yerevan with your guide (~2 km walking). Time permitting, visit Yerevan’s GUM market, which is filled with dried and candied fruits, nuts, herbs and spices, fresh and pickled vegetables, and Armenian cheeses. The last stop on the city tour is the Ararat Brandy Factory. The culture of winemaking in Armenia goes back centuries, and the Armenian brandy that is famous around the world today appeared at the end of the 19th century. Taste three types of Armenian brandy. End the day with dinner at the Megerian Carpet Factory Restaurant, where you’ll learn about Armenian cuisine, as well as carpet weaving traditions, and have the chance to participate in a masterclass on making Armenian dolma. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Driving distance: 25 km
Meals: breakfast, dinner, cooking class, brandy tasting

Day 14: Yerevan – Khor-Virap – Tushpa Winery – Noravank – Krya Wines – Yerevan

In the morning, we will visit Khor Virap Monastery. According to the legend, St. Gregory the Illuminator (who is credited with converting Armenia to Christianity) had been kept in the basement here for 13 years for disseminating of Christianity, until King Tradt decided to adopt the new religion. The monastery’s location allows you to enjoy superb views of Mount Ararat. Continue to Tushpa Winery. The owners create wines according to the traditions passed down to them by their ancestors. Wine tasting at the winery will be accompanied by snacks: cheese, nuts, dried fruits, pita bread, olives, and jam. We will then drive to the Noravank complex situated on a ledge of a deep, winding gorge. Noravank stands among bizarrely shaped, precipitous red cliffs. The tour continues to Krya Wines. A visit to Krya Wines offers more than just an array of fine wines. Each wine tasting is complemented by a variety of hors d'oeuvres. The founders enjoy sharing the history of their winery and discussing the intricacies of winemaking in Armenia and beyond. Drive back to Yerevan for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 10-11 hours
Driving distance: 290 km
Meals: breakfast, two wine tastings

Day 15: Yerevan – Geghard – Symphony of Stones – Garni – Yerevan

Leave Yerevan and drive to the Geghard (“spear”) monastery complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The beautiful landscape surrounding Geghard is framed by towering cliffs, with decorative art cut into the rocks reflecting and explaining medieval development in the region. Descend Garni Gorge to explore a monumental rock formation called Symphony of Stones.
The next stop is Garni, the only pagan temple in Armenia that survived the introduction of Christianity in the 4th century. After sightseeing, learn about the preparation of, and traditions surrounding, Armenian lavash – which are on UNESCO’s lists of intangible cultural heritage – and have a go at baking the bread yourself. This will be followed by a lunch of traditional Armenian specialties – including, for dessert, garni gata, a sweet bread that’s usually served with tea or coffee. After lunch, return to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 8-9 hours
Driving distance: 90 km
Meals: breakfast, lunch, cooking class

Day 16: Yerevan – departure

Check out of the hotel till noon. Transfer to the airport. End of Caucasus Food & Wine Tour.
Driving distance: 15 km

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;
Meals, cooking classes, and wine tastings as per the itinerary;
Azerbaijan e-visa;
Bottled drinking water.