From the shores of the Caspian Sea to the heights of the Caucasus Mountains, this tour to Georgia and Azerbaijan has it all. Starting in Baku, this tour covers all the most famous sights of Azerbaijan’s capital, from the modern boulevards to the medieval winding alleys of Icheri Sheher. The second day is all about the treasures of Gobustan and the Absheron Peninsula, home to over half of the world’s mud volcanoes and thousands of petroglyphs. The final stop in Azerbaijan is Sheki, famous for its stained-glass windows and other outstanding artisans. Georgia is all about the mountains: the villages and vineyards of this region have been molded by the terrain through the centuries. From the stone tunnels of Khareba, used today to store wine, to Gergeti Holy Trinity Church, in the shadow of Mount Kazbegi, to the many viewpoints overlooking deep valleys and soaring peaks, Georgia is a land of deep impressions and lifelong memories. Tour Tbilisi, a charming capital, and return to Baku by night train. This is the best Caucasus tour for exploring something new, finding your new favorite place, or indulging your more adventurous side.
Tour itinerary:
Arrival in Baku. Transfer to your hotel for luggage drop off. 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 the 19th and 20th centuries: Nizami Street, Fountain Square, Nizami Ganjavi monument, and Rasul-Zade Street. Pay a visit to the Azerbaijan History National Museum and move to the old part of the city – Icheri Sheher. Visit Maiden Tower, Shirvanshahs’ Palace, Caravanserai, and a 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 a traditional Azeri restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
In the evening, enjoy dinner at a traditional Azeri restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
Today you will visit the area of the Greater Baku and the 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 – a 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 the hotel.
Return to Baku. Overnight at the hotel.
In the morning, depart Baku and drive to Sheki. On the way, visit the Diri Baba Mausoleum in Maraza. Continue to Shamakha and see the historical Juma Mosque, Yeddi Gumbez Mausoleum, and the Shirvanshah's family grave yard. Drive through the Girdimanchay River Canyon to visit Lahij, a 5th century place rich in 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.
Check out from hotel and start sightseeing tour in Sheki. Visit the Sheki 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. First stop will be at unique 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 the Gremi Architectural Complex, a 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.
We will pass through the beautiful landscapes of vineyards and wine-producing villages. First stop will be at unique 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 the Gremi Architectural Complex, a 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.
At 08:00, depart Telavi and drive towards the heart of Georgia – the Kartli Region. The beautiful road crosses 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 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 kept. Then drive up North towards border with Russia. Drive over the Cross Pass and make a short stop at the “People’s Friendship” mountain view point, a Soviet stop overlooking a deep gorge in the Caucasus Mountain Range. In Kazbegi, we will change our vehicle to a four-wheel drive car to reach Gergeti Holy Trinity Church located on altitude of 2170 m, and enjoy breathtaking views of Mt Kazbegi. Overnight in Kazbegi.
Svetitskhoveli is the main cathedral of Mtskheta and a sacred place where the robe of Christ is kept. Then drive up North towards border with Russia. Drive over the Cross Pass and make a short stop at the “People’s Friendship” mountain view point, a Soviet stop overlooking a deep gorge in the Caucasus Mountain Range. In Kazbegi, we will change our vehicle to a four-wheel drive car to reach Gergeti Holy Trinity Church located on altitude of 2170 m, and enjoy breathtaking views of Mt Kazbegi. Overnight in Kazbegi.
In the morning, depart Kazbegi and drive to the city of Gori. On the way, stop at Ananuri complex, a former residence of Argveti Dukes. The complex features churches and towers dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, beautifully overlooking the Jinvali Reservoir. Reach Gori. Explore the Joseph Stalin Museum, featuring the original small house where he was born and his personal armored wagon. Continue to Uplistsikhe (“Fortress of God”), rock-hewn town dating back to Hellensitic period. Uplistsikhe is located on the left bank of Mtkvari River and is notable for unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures and the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture. Arrive in Tbilisi. Overnight at the hotel.
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.
Take overnight train to Baku at 20:35. Overnight in a private compartment for two people.
Take overnight train to Baku at 20:35. Overnight in a private compartment for two people.
- 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;
- Mineral water 0.5l per person by day;
- Welcome dinner in Baku (day 1);
- Ticket in SV compartment on train Tbilisi-Baku;
- 2 separate Azerbaijan e-visas.
- Full board (lunches and dinners);
- Hotel charges for additional services;
- International flight tickets before and after the tour;
- Tips are not included, but would be appreciated;
- Personal travel insurance.
Accommodation:
| Baku - 2 nights | ||
| Molokan Inn, City Park, Sapphire Inn, Midtown, Boutique Hotel Baku, Grand Midway | Shah Palace, Holiday Inn, Sultan Inn, Park Inn | The Merchant Baku, Intercontinental |
| Sheki - 1 night | ||
| Sheki Palace, MinAli Boutique Hotel, Macara Sheki City Hotel, Ruma Qala | Sheki Palace, MinAli Boutique Hotel, Macara Sheki City Hotel, Ruma Qala | Sheki Palace, MinAli Boutique Hotel, Macara Sheki City Hotel, Ruma Qala |
| Telavi - 1 night | ||
| Telavi Inn, Wine Hotel Telavi, Alazani Valley, Old Telavi | Holiday Inn Telavi, Savaneti, Hotel & Wine Cellar ARGE | Akhasheni, Schuchmann Hotel, Esquisse Hotel Telavi |
| Kazbegi - 1 night | ||
| Sunshine Kazbegi, NOA Kazbegi, Shushabandi Hotel, Horizon Kazbegi, Uptown Boutique | Stancia Kazbegi, Sno Hotel, Oishe | Rooms Hotel, Porta Caucasia, Alpine Lounge, Intourist Kazbegi |
| Tbilisi - 1 night | ||
| Old Kopala, Ramada By Wyndham Tbilisi Old City, Tiflis, Brigitte, Zeg | River Side, Ibis Styles, New Tiflis | Ambassadori, Tiflis Palace, Wyndham Grand, Rooms Hotel |
