Itinerary
- Day 1
Baku
You'll arrive at Baku International Airport and get transferred to your hotel for check-in. After settling in, meet your group and guide for an evening tour of the Old City where you'll see Maiden Tower, Shirvan Shahs' Palace, Caravanserai, and the main market. Later you'll head to New Baku and walk along Nizami Street and Fountain Square, then stroll down Istiglaliyaat Street past grand buildings like the UN office, Museum of Literature, City Hall, and President House. The illuminated Flame Towers provide a nice backdrop for the evening.
Included Activities
- Evening city tour of Old City - Maiden Tower, Shirvan Shahs' Palace, Caravanserai, main market square
- Explore New Baku - Nizami Street and Fountain Square
- Stroll Istiglaliyaat Street with views of Flame Towers
Optional Activities
- Purchase souvenirs at artisans' shops in main market square
Landmarks/POIs Maiden Tower Shirvan Shahs' Palace Caravanserai Flame Towers - Day 2
Gobustan Area
Your day starts in the Greater Baku Area at the Petroglyphs Museum of Gobustan to see ancient stones with petroglyphs dating back to the 11th century BC. From there you'll head to Gobustan Reserve and explore one of the world's biggest mud volcanoes, either by tour vehicle or 4WD depending on weather conditions. After observing the volcanoes and taking photos, you'll return to Baku to visit Martyrs Lane for coastline views, then finish at the Heydar Aliyev Center with its striking modern architecture before heading back to your hotel.
Included Activities
- Visit Petroglyphs Museum of Gobustan - ancient stones with petroglyphs from 11th century BC
- Explore Gobustan Reserve and mud volcanoes
- Visit Martyrs Lane with views overlooking Baku's coastline
- Visit Heydar Aliyev Center
Landmarks/POIs Petroglyphs Museum of Gobustan Gobustan Reserve Martyrs Lane Heydar Aliyev Center - Day 3
Baku to Sheki
After breakfast, you'll drive toward Sheki with several stops along the route. You'll visit Diri Baba Mausoleum in Maraza village, then continue to Shamakha to see the recently restored Juma Mosque, Yeddi Gumbez Mausoleum (family graveyard of the Shirvan Shahs), and the first Albanian Church in the Caucasus located in Kish village. By evening you'll arrive in Sheki, a medieval town surrounded by lush mountains. Spend time exploring the town, checking out local tea shops, and trying local sweets including Sheki's well-known baklava before staying overnight there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Diri Baba Mausoleum in Maraza
- Visit Juma Mosque in Shamakha
- Visit Yeddi Gumbez Mausoleum
- Visit first Albanian Church in Caucasus in Kish village
Optional Activities
- Explore local tea shops in Sheki
- Try local sweets including Sheki baklava
Landmarks/POIs Diri Baba Mausoleum Juma Mosque Yeddi Gumbez Mausoleum First Albanian Church in Caucasus - Day 4
Sheki to Kakheti, Georgia
After breakfast you'll head toward the Georgian border where you'll switch to a Georgian guide and driver. You'll pass through Azerbaijan border control, the neutral zone, and Georgian passport control before meeting your new guide. You'll travel as a welcome guest to a local Georgian family's home for homemade lunch. Then you'll continue through beautiful landscapes with endless vineyards to reach the Kakheti wine region. You'll stop at Khareba wine cellar, the longest wine tunnel in the Caucasus, for a wine tour and tasting before driving to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Homemade lunch at local Georgian family)
Included Activities
- Homemade lunch at local Georgian family
- Wine tour and tasting at Khareba wine cellar
Landmarks/POIs Khareba Wine Cellar - Day 5
Kakheti to Tbilisi
After breakfast you'll visit Tsinandali, a Georgian Duke's residence surrounded by a beautiful English garden with a museum and wine cellar that once belonged to Prince Chavchavadze, a 19th-century public figure. Next you'll head to Sighnaghi, a red-roofed town with twisting cobbled red-brick streets surrounded by defensive walls and 23 towers. You'll visit Bodbe Convent dedicated to Saint Nino who brought Christianity to Georgia, and enjoy views of the towering Caucasus Mountains. Later you'll drive to Tbilisi for an overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Tsinandali - Georgian Duke's residence with English garden, museum, and wine cellar
- Explore Sighnaghi - red-roofed town with cobbled streets and defensive walls
- Visit Bodbe Convent dedicated to Saint Nino
Landmarks/POIs Tsinandali Sighnaghi Bodbe Convent - Day 6
Tbilisi
Today you'll start at the statue of Vakhtang Gorgasali, founder of Tbilisi, which offers excellent views of the old city. You'll visit Metekhi Church and Narikala Fortress for panoramic city views from above. Walking down from Narikala, you'll see the sulfur baths and the only mosque in Tbilisi. You'll stroll through the old town full of cafes, wine bars, and souvenir shops, seeing important landmarks like Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica, the clock tower of the famous Rezo Gabriadze Theatre, and the Bridge of Peace leading to Rike Park. Your evening includes a welcome dinner with a traditional show.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner with traditional show)
Included Activities
- Visit statue of Vakhtang Gorgasali with old city views
- Visit Metekhi Church
- Visit Narikala Fortress with panoramic city views
- Walk to sulfur baths from Narikala
- Visit Tbilisi Mosque
- Stroll old town
- Visit Sioni Cathedral
- Visit Anchiskhati Basilica
- See Rezo Gabriadze Theatre clock tower
- Cross Bridge of Peace to Rike Park
- Welcome dinner with traditional show
Landmarks/POIs Vakhtang Gorgasali Statue Metekhi Church Narikala Fortress Sulfur Baths Tbilisi Mosque Sioni Cathedral Anchiskhati Basilica Rezo Gabriadze Theatre Bridge of Peace Rike Park - Day 7
Tbilisi to Kazbegi
After breakfast you'll drive to Mtskheta, one of Georgia's oldest towns and a major religious center. You'll visit Jvari, an early Medieval architectural masterpiece on a hilltop with views of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. You'll see Svetitskhoveli Cathedral where the robe of Christ is kept, then continue to Ananuri Complex, a church and fortress on the Zhinvali Reservoir shore. You'll drive along the Georgian Military Highway passing its highest point at 2394 meters/7,854 feet. After a stop at a mineral water spring, you'll reach Kazbegi and visit Gergeti Holy Trinity Church at 2170 meters/7,120 feet elevation with views of Mt. Kazbek before staying overnight there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Jvari church on hilltop
- Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
- Visit Ananuri Complex church and fortress
- Stop at mineral water spring on Georgian Military Highway
- Visit Gergeti Holy Trinity Church at 2170m
Landmarks/POIs Jvari Church Svetitskhoveli Cathedral Ananuri Complex Gergeti Holy Trinity Church Mt. Kazbek - Day 8
Kazbegi to Tbilisi
After breakfast you'll drive to Gori, hometown of Joseph Stalin. You'll visit the Stalin House Museum containing more than 60,000 artifacts including Stalin's well-preserved birth house in the museum yard and an impressive bulletproof train. Later you'll explore the cave town of Uplistsikhe from the Hellenistic Period, which features unique rock-cut architecture combining pagan and Christian styles. By evening you'll return to Tbilisi and stay overnight at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Stalin House Museum with artifacts and birth house
- View Stalin's bulletproof train
- Explore cave town of Uplistsikhe
Landmarks/POIs Stalin House Museum Uplistsikhe - Day 9
Tbilisi to Dilijan, Armenia
After breakfast you'll check out and drive to the Georgia-Armenia border, switching to an Armenian guide to continue the tour. You'll visit Haghpat Monastery from the 12th century, a UNESCO World Heritage site on a high plateau. Next comes Sanahin Monastery, another UNESCO site that functioned as an educational center with a well-preserved library and study halls. You'll continue to the Tavush region and arrive in Dilijan, known as Armenian Switzerland for its lush forests and endless hills. You'll walk through the Old Dilijan Complex to see 19th-century traditional architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Haghpat Monastery - 12th century UNESCO World Heritage site
- Visit Sanahin Monastery with library and study halls
- Walk Old Dilijan Complex - 19th-century traditional Dilijan
Landmarks/POIs Haghpat Monastery Sanahin Monastery - Day 10
Dilijan Area
You'll start by driving to Noratus Cemetery, home to the largest collection of khachkars, the distinctive Armenian cross stones adorned with intricate carved traditional ornaments and depicting Armenian rituals. You'll visit Hayravanq Monastery featuring beautiful 10th to 12th century architecture with great views of Sevan Lake. Later you'll have lunch in an Armenian family home where you'll enjoy homemade food and experience Armenian hospitality and warmth from local people.
- Meals
- Lunch (Homemade lunch in Armenian family)
Included Activities
- Visit Noratus Cemetery with largest collection of khachkars
- Visit Hayravanq Monastery with Sevan Lake views
- Homemade lunch in Armenian family
Landmarks/POIs Noratus Cemetery Hayravanq Monastery Sevan Lake - Day 11
Dilijan to Yerevan
You'll dedicate this day to exploring the capital city Yerevan and Echmiadzin. You'll start with Zvartnots Temple, a UNESCO site with unique architecture representing centuries of Armenian architectural traditions. You'll continue to Echmiadzin, the spiritual center of Armenians worldwide, visiting Echmiadzin Cathedral built in 301 AD as the first Christian church in the world, and Saint Hripsime Church from the 7th century. Back in Yerevan you'll tour the city starting at Mother Armenia statue with city views, walk through Cascade Monument with its museums and galleries, visit the Opera House, see Abovian Street with 19th-century houses, and Northern Avenue designed by Alexander Tamanian. You'll finish at Republic Square with its spectacular buildings and dancing fountains before staying overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Zvartnots Temple - UNESCO site
- Visit Echmiadzin Cathedral - first Christian church built in 301 AD
- Visit Saint Hripsime Church from 7th century
- Visit Mother Armenia statue with city views
- Visit Cascade Monument
- See Opera House
- Stroll Abovian Street
- See Northern Avenue
- Visit Republic Square
Landmarks/POIs Zvartnots Temple Echmiadzin Cathedral Saint Hripsime Church Mother Armenia Statue Cascade Monument Opera House Republic Square - Day 12
Mount Ararat Region
You'll drive to Khor Virap Monastery, the best viewpoint for Biblical Mount Ararat. On the hilltop are ruins and excavations of Artashat, the ancient Armenian capital from the 2nd century BC. You'll see a 7-meter deep well that served as a prison where Saint Gregory was held for 13 years for spreading Christianity. You'll enjoy views of Mount Ararat from very close range. Next you'll continue to Noravank Monastery set amidst red cliff valleys. You'll visit Areni 1 Cave where the oldest shoe, wine press, clay pots, and vine seeds proving Armenia's ancient winemaking traditions were found. You'll end at Old Areni winery for Armenian wine tasting.
Included Activities
- Visit Khor Virap Monastery with Mount Ararat views
- Visit Artashat ruins and excavations
- Visit Saint Gregory prison well
- Visit Noravank Monastery
- Visit Areni 1 Cave
- Wine tasting at Old Areni winery
Landmarks/POIs Khor Virap Monastery Artashat Noravank Monastery Areni 1 Cave Mt. Ararat - Day 13
Garni and Geghard
You'll head to Garni Pagan Temple dedicated to Mihr, the Armenian sun god. This rectangular columnized Hellenistic structure built in the 1st century AD stands on an impressive triangular plateau surrounded by deep gorges and mountains. You'll see well-preserved fortress walls and a Roman-style bath with mosaic floors. You'll continue to the natural monument Symphony of Stones formed from volcanic rock collapse. You'll visit Geghard Cave Monastery named after the Holy Spear kept there, featuring cave churches carved into a single cliff. Back in Yerevan you'll visit Vernissage, an open-air market where local artists sell handmade souvenirs. You'll have time to chat with artists and choose items as memories from your Armenia tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Garni Pagan Temple
- See Roman-style bath with mosaic floor at Garni
- Visit Symphony of Stones natural monument
- Visit Geghard Cave Monastery
- Visit Vernissage open-air market
Optional Activities
- Purchase handmade souvenirs at Vernissage
Landmarks/POIs Garni Pagan Temple Symphony of Stones Geghard Cave Monastery Vernissage - Day 14
Yerevan Departure
After breakfast you'll have free time before your flight. Check-out is at noon. If your flight leaves in the evening, you can leave your luggage at the hotel until your airport transfer. A private airport transfer will be arranged according to your flight time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
