Itinerary
- Day 1
Baku
You'll arrive at Heydar Aliyev International Airport where your guide meets you for the transfer to your hotel. Once you've settled in, the afternoon focuses on Baku's key sites. Head up to Highland Park for panoramic views taking in the Flame Towers and the Caspian Sea stretching out below. Then walk through Martyrs' Alley before heading into the UNESCO-listed Old City where narrow alleys wind past the Maiden Tower and Shirvanshahs' Palace. The Azerbaijan Carpet Museum comes next, and you'll finish with free time on Nizami Street to grab dinner or just wander around.
Included Activities
- Panoramic views from Highland Park overlooking Flame Towers and Caspian Sea
- Walk through Martyrs' Alley
- Explore UNESCO-listed Old City (Icherisheher) with narrow alleys and caravanserais
- Visit Maiden Tower
- Visit Shirvanshahs' Palace
- Visit Azerbaijan Carpet Museum
- Free time on Nizami Street
Landmarks Highland Park Flame Towers Martyrs' Alley Old City (Icherisheher) Maiden Tower Shirvanshahs' Palace Azerbaijan Carpet Museum Nizami Street - Day 2
Baku
After breakfast you're heading out to see some unusual natural phenomena starting with the mud volcanoes near Gobustan, which look almost otherworldly. Gobustan National Park follows where thousands of ancient petroglyphs carved over 40,000 years ago cover the rocks. You'll stop at the Heydar Aliyev Center for photos on the way back to the city, then continue to the Absheron Peninsula to visit the Ateshgah Fire Temple and Yanardag where flames actually burn on the mountainside. Before heading back to your hotel, there's a stop at Yashil Bazar green market to pick up some local produce and snacks.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore mud volcanoes near Gobustan
- Visit Gobustan National Park to view ancient petroglyphs
- Photo stop at Heydar Aliyev Center
- Visit Ateshgah Fire Temple
- Visit Yanardag (Burning Mountain)
- Visit Yashil Bazar green market
Landmarks Gobustan Mud Volcanoes Gobustan National Park Heydar Aliyev Center Ateshgah Fire Temple Yanardag Yashil Bazar - Day 3
Baku - Sheki
Today involves traveling west from Baku through changing terrain toward Sheki. The first stop is the Diri Baba Mausoleum, a 15th-century Sufi shrine cut directly into cliff faces near Maraza. After that you'll visit the Juma Mosque in Shamakhi, which dates back to the 8th century and ranks among the oldest in the Caucasus. If weather cooperates, there's a detour through Girdimanchay Canyon to reach Lahij, a remote mountain village where copper-smithing and carpet weaving are still practiced by locals. You'll arrive in Sheki as evening falls, situated at the base of the Greater Caucasus mountains.
Included Activities
- Visit Diri Baba Mausoleum
- Visit Juma Mosque in Shamakhi
- Visit Lahij village (weather permitting)
Landmarks Diri Baba Mausoleum Juma Mosque Girdimanchay Canyon Lahij - Day 4
Sheki - Tbilisi
Start your morning walking through Sheki to see the Palace of the Sheki Khans with its colorful frescoes and shebeke stained-glass windows that let light filter through in geometric patterns. The Round Temple is visible from outside, and then you'll visit a shebeke workshop to watch artisans create this intricate glasswork. The Caravanserai with its shops follows, and by midday you're heading toward the Georgian border roughly 1.5 hours away. Into the Kakheti wine region you go, stopping at a local winery to taste qvevri wines made using ancient methods in clay vessels. Tbilisi appears by early evening.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk through Sheki town
- Visit Palace of the Sheki Khans
- Visit shebeke workshop
- Explore Caravanserai
- Wine tasting tour at local winery in Kakheti
Landmarks Palace of the Sheki Khans Shebeke Workshop Caravanserai Round Temple - Day 5
Tbilisi
After breakfast, a guided walking tour takes you through Tbilisi's historic core starting at Metekhi Church with its equestrian statue of King Vakhtang Gorgasali. From there you climb to Narikala Fortress for wide views of the old town and river. The Abanotubani district follows with its sulfur baths and domed bathhouses, then you're walking through lively Shardeni checking out narrow lanes and wine bars along the way. Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica (the oldest church in the city), and the Gabriadze Clock Tower are stops on this route. Later you'll cross the modern Bridge of Peace into Rike Park, and the afternoon is yours to explore independently or visit the traditional sulfur baths if interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Tbilisi
- Visit Metekhi Church
- Climb Narikala Fortress for views
- Explore Abanotubani district
- Walk through Shardeni area
- Visit Sioni Cathedral
- Visit Anchiskhati Basilica
- Visit Gabriadze Clock Tower
- Cross Bridge of Peace to Rike Park
Optional Activities
- Visit traditional sulfur baths in Abanotubani
Landmarks Metekhi Church Narikala Fortress Abanotubani Sioni Cathedral Anchiskhati Basilica Gabriadze Clock Tower Bridge of Peace Rike Park - Day 6
Tbilisi - Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
You're leaving Tbilisi this morning and driving north along the Georgian Military Highway through rolling hills and alpine scenery. There's a stop at the Chronicles of Georgia monument for views over the Tbilisi Sea, then continuing to Mtskheta, Georgia's ancient capital where the UNESCO-listed Jvari Monastery sits perched above two rivers. The Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument gives you more spectacular mountain vistas before you reach Stepantsminda by late afternoon. If the weather holds, you can ascend to Gergeti Trinity Church positioned dramatically beneath Mount Kazbek. The evening wraps up with warm traditional Georgian food and a peaceful night in this mountain village.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional Georgian dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit Chronicles of Georgia monument
- Visit Mtskheta
- Visit Jvari Monastery
- Stop at Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument
- Visit Gergeti Trinity Church (weather permitting)
- Traditional Georgian dinner
Landmarks Chronicles of Georgia Jvari Monastery Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument Gergeti Trinity Church Mount Kazbek - Day 7
Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) - Borjomi
An early morning hike to Gergeti Trinity Church at 2,170 meters takes roughly two hours round trip, moving through Gergeti village and alpine meadows (though 4WD transfer is available if you prefer). Once back down, you'll stop at Ananuri Fortress overlooking the turquoise Aragvi River with its towers and 17th-century churches. Then it's south into the Georgian lowlands to Gori where the Stalin Museum provides complex historical perspective on this controversial figure. By evening you're in Borjomi, a tranquil town known for mineral springs and dense forests surrounding it.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Early morning hike to Gergeti Trinity Church
- Visit Ananuri Fortress
- Visit Stalin Museum in Gori
Optional Activities
- 4WD transfer to Gergeti Trinity Church (alternative to hiking)
Landmarks Gergeti Trinity Church Ananuri Fortress Aragvi River Stalin Museum Gori - Day 8
Borjomi - Gyumri
The morning in Borjomi is peaceful and unhurried. You can stroll through Borjomi Central Park, taste mineral water straight from the source, or take a short forest walk to get your bearings. Late morning brings departure toward Vardzia, a remarkable cave monastery carved into cliffs above the Mtkvari River dating to the 12th century with impressive frescoes, stone tunnels, and panoramic views. After exploring, you're heading south toward the Armenian border across vast valleys and remote highlands. Border formalities take some time, then you continue across the Shirak Plateau reaching Gyumri by evening. Your time here is free to walk through the historic center, sit in a local cafe, or settle into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Leisure time in Borjomi Central Park
- Visit Vardzia cave monastery
Optional Activities
- Short walk on forest trails in Borjomi
Landmarks Borjomi Central Park Vardzia Mtkvari River - Day 9
Gyumri - Yerevan
A guided walking tour of Gyumri starts your day, focusing on the Kumayri Historic District with its 19th-century buildings, artisan studios, and the creative spirit the city's known for. Later you're driving south across Armenian plains where snow-capped Mount Ararat appears in the distance. The destination is Khor Virap Monastery where Saint Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned, and the views here are iconic with the monastery, surrounding fields, and Mount Ararat all visible together. An afternoon stop includes a local winery where you'll tour stone cellars and taste wines aged in traditional amphorae. Yerevan arrives by evening, its pink tuff stone buildings glowing as the light fades.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Gyumri
- Visit Khor Virap Monastery
- Wine tasting tour and cellar visit at local winery
Landmarks Kumayri Historic District Khor Virap Monastery Mount Ararat - Day 10
Yerevan
Your guided walking tour of Yerevan connects grand Soviet avenues with hidden courtyards, moving through streets lined with leafy boulevards, lively markets, and historic churches that tell centuries of Armenian history. Next is Tsitsernakaberd, the Armenian Genocide Memorial on a quiet hill with sweeping views of Mount Ararat where towering basalt columns and an eternal flame create a contemplative space. In the afternoon you'll travel west to Etchmiadzin to see the Mother Cathedral, believed to be the world's first Christian cathedral with over 1,700 years of spiritual significance, and visit the elegant stone arches of Zvartnots Temple ruins. Return to Yerevan in late afternoon for free time at cafes, galleries, or open squares.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Yerevan
- Visit Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial
- Visit Mother Cathedral in Etchmiadzin
- Visit Zvartnots Temple
Landmarks Tsitsernakaberd Mount Ararat Mother Cathedral (Etchmiadzin) Zvartnots Temple - Day 11
Yerevan - Lake Sevan
Your final full day combines ancient history and warm hospitality starting with Garni Temple, the only Hellenistic temple remaining in the Caucasus perched above the Azat River Gorge showing Armenia's pre-Christian roots. A short walk takes you to Symphony of Stones where towering basalt columns create one of Armenia's most natural landmarks. Then comes a lavash-making experience in a local village watching this iconic flatbread prepared in a traditional tonir oven before enjoying a home-cooked lunch featuring lavash, fresh herbs, and local dishes. Lake Sevan follows with the peaceful Sevanavank Monastery where black-stone churches overlook the vast alpine lake. Optionally stop at the Mother Armenia statue on your return to Yerevan.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Home-cooked lunch featuring lavash, fresh herbs, and local specialties), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Garni Temple
- Visit Symphony of Stones
- Lavash-making class with home-cooked lunch
- Visit Sevanavank Monastery at Lake Sevan
Optional Activities
- Photo stop at Mother Armenia statue
Landmarks Garni Temple Symphony of Stones Lake Sevan Sevanavank Monastery Mother Armenia statue - Day 12
Yerevan - Departure
After traveling through ancient landscapes, experiencing warm traditions, and collecting unforgettable stories, today brings your departure. A private transfer takes you from your hotel to Zvartnots International Airport depending on your flight schedule. You'll leave with memories of monasteries, mountain trails, shared meals, and the distinctive spirit of the Caucasus.
