10-Day Caucasus Experience

Upon arrival in Baku, you will be welcomed by our driver and transferred to your hotel for check-in, available from midday. After settling in, your journey through the vibrant capital of Azerbaijan begins with an insightful city tour. Start at Martyrs’ Lane (Shehidler Khiyabany), a solemn memorial site offering stunning panoramic views over the Caspian Sea and Baku’s sweeping coastline. Then, head into the heart of the ancient city, Icheri Sheher, Baku’s atmospheric Old Town. Here, you’ll explore the Shirvanshahs’ Palace, a masterpiece of 15th-century architecture, the storied Caravanserai, the iconic Maiden Tower, and bustling market squares filled with local crafts, art studios, and souvenirs. Your exploration continues in modern Baku along the lively Nizami Street and the dynamic Fountain Square. The tour concludes with a visit to the architectural marvel of the Heydar Aliyev Center, designed by the late Zaha Hadid, symbolizing Azerbaijan’s fusion of tradition and innovation. In the evening, enjoy a warm welcome dinner at a local restaurant, sampling Azerbaijani cuisine. Overnight at the hotel.

Today, embark on an exciting day trip exploring the Greater Baku region and the Absheron Peninsula. Your first stop is the mystical Yanardag, or “Burning Mountain,” a hillside perpetually alight with natural flames due to underground gas seepage, captivating visitors for centuries. Continue to Ateshgah Fire Temple in Surakhany, a 17th-century Hindu-Zoroastrian place of worship where flames rise mysteriously from the earth—a sacred destination for fire-worshippers throughout history. After a lunch break, venture to Gobustan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the interactive Petroglyphs Museum and hike through the surrounding rocky landscape adorned with thousands of ancient carvings dating back to the Stone Age, offering a glimpse into prehistoric life. If weather conditions allow, take a detour to the famous Gobustan mud volcanoes—this area boasts nearly half of the world’s known mud volcanoes. Return to Baku in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

This morning, depart Baku and drive through picturesque countryside toward Sheki, one of Azerbaijan’s most charming towns. En route, pause at the Diri Baba Mausoleum in Maraza, an intriguing structure partially carved into a rocky cliff, shrouded in local legends. Continue to the historic town of Shamakhi to visit the restored Juma Mosque—one of the oldest mosques in the Caucasus—and the ancient Yeddi Gumbez Mausoleum, the final resting place of Shirvan royalty. If conditions permit, travel through the scenic Girdimanchay River Gorge to reach Lahich (inaccessible in 2025 due to roadwork), a 5th-century mountain village famed for its cobblestone streets, traditional crafts, and enduring cultural heritage. Then head onward to the village of Kish, home to the oldest Christian church in the Caucasus, believed to date back to the 1st century AD. Arrive in Sheki by evening, where you can unwind in this lush, green town nestled in the foothills of the Greater Caucasus Mountains. Sheki is renowned for its distinct architectural style and its famed nut-filled Sheki halva. Overnight at the hotel.

Begin the day with a stroll through Sheki’s vibrant bazaar, a lively marketplace where locals sell fresh fruits, homemade cheeses, fragrant herbs, local sweets, and more. Then, explore the exquisite Sheki Khans’ Palace, adorned with elaborate stained-glass windows and decorative frescoes. Also visit the nearby Caravanserai and traditional crafts workshops. Depart for the Azerbaijani-Georgian border, completing passport formalities and crossing the neutral zone on foot. On the Georgian side, meet your new guide and continue into the Kakheti wine region. Enjoy lunch hosted by a local family, experiencing warm Georgian hospitality and home-cooked flavors. Visit the unique Khareba Wine Tunnel, an atmospheric cellar carved into a mountainside originally for military use but now home to some of Georgia’s finest wines. After a guided wine tasting, drive to Gremi, a historic citadel and church complex that once served as the royal capital of Kakheti. Arrive in Telavi, the regional center, for a short city orientation and overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, delve deeper into Kakheti’s rich history and culture. Begin with a visit to the Tsinandali Estate, a 19th-century residence of Georgian aristocrat and poet Alexander Chavchavadze. Stroll through the landscaped gardens, explore the museum rooms, and enjoy a wine tasting in the historic cellar. Continue to the peaceful Bodbe Monastery, which houses the relics of St. Nino, the evangelizer of Georgia. Surrounded by cypress trees and offering sweeping views of the Alazani Valley, Bodbe is a revered pilgrimage site. Next, discover Sighnaghi, a hilltop town dubbed the “City of Love,” with charming pastel-colored houses and 18th-century defensive walls. Wander along cobbled lanes, take in the views over the valley, and enjoy the town’s inviting cafés and galleries. In the afternoon, journey through Georgia’s eastern landscapes toward Tbilisi. Upon arrival, check in and relax. Overnight at the hotel.

Start the day with a short drive to Mtskheta, the spiritual heart of Georgia and one of its oldest cities. Visit the hilltop Jvari Monastery, a UNESCO-listed 6th-century masterpiece offering a dramatic vista of the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. Then, descend to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Georgia’s second-largest church and a place of immense historical and religious importance believed to house Christ’s robe. Return to Tbilisi and begin an immersive city tour. Visit the statue of Vakhtang Gorgasali, Tbilisi’s legendary founder, and ride the cable car up to Narikala Fortress for stunning views over the capital. Descend to the Abanotubani district, famous for its sulfur bathhouses, and walk past Tbilisi’s only mosque. Continue through the lively Sharden neighborhood with its cafés, wine bars, and local boutiques. See the Sioni Cathedral and Anchiskhati Basilica—the oldest church in the city—and admire the whimsical clock tower of the Rezo Gabriadze Theatre. Cross the ultra-modern Bridge of Peace to reach Rike Park. In the evening, enjoy a festive Georgian dinner with traditional dishes and local wine. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Depart Tbilisi in the morning and drive south toward the Georgian-Armenian border at Sadakhlo-Bagratashen. After border formalities, meet your Armenian guide and begin exploring the verdant Lori Province. Your first stop is the impressive Haghpat Monastery, a 10th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site perched above the Debed River, showcasing the intricacy and spirituality of Armenian medieval architecture. Enjoy a traditional Armenian lunch hosted by a local family, where you can sample homemade dishes and learn about Armenian customs. Continue through the forested hills of Dilijan to reach Lake Sevan, one of the highest and largest alpine lakes in the world. Stop at the Sevanavank Monastery, set on a peninsula that offers breathtaking views of the lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks. The twin churches of Surb Arakelots and Surb Karapet, made from dark volcanic tuff, lend the site its poetic name—“The Black Monastery.” Conclude the day with a drive to Armenia’s capital, Yerevan, for overnight at the hotel.

Begin your discovery of Yerevan, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, known for its rose-colored buildings crafted from volcanic tuff. Start with the Cascade Complex, a massive staircase and contemporary art center offering a panoramic view of the city, including sights like the Opera House, Mount Ararat, and Republic Square. Walk along lively Abovyan Avenue and visit Swan Lake. If it’s a weekend, browse Vernissage, the city’s largest open-air market, full of handicrafts, artwork, and souvenirs. Then, pay your respects at the Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum at Tsitsernakaberd, a moving tribute to the victims of the 1915 genocide. Your tour also includes a visit to the Megerian Carpet Factory, where you will learn about Armenia’s centuries-old weaving traditions and symbolism hidden in carpet motifs. In the evening, enjoy a dinner accompanied by a traditional Armenian folklore performance. Overnight in Yerevan.

Today’s excursion begins with a drive to Garni, home to the only surviving pagan temple in Armenia. This 1st-century Greco-Roman structure, dramatically situated on a cliff edge, offers a rare glimpse into pre-Christian Armenia. Descend into the nearby Garni Gorge to witness the Symphony of Stones, a stunning natural formation of columnar basalt. Next, visit the Geghard Monastery, a 4th-century cave monastery carved into towering cliffs and renowned for its acoustic chambers and medieval carvings. The monastery’s name derives from the legendary spear said to have wounded Christ, once housed here. Continue to Etchmiadzin, the spiritual center of Armenia and the seat of the Catholicos. Visit the ancient Etchmiadzin Cathedral, widely considered the oldest cathedral in the world. Return to Yerevan in the evening for your final overnight stay.

After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, enjoy free time for last-minute shopping or a stroll through Yerevan’s streets and cafés. At the appointed time, transfer to Zvartnots International Airport for your departure flight. End of the tour.