Caucasus Mosaic: Azerbaijan & Georgia in 8 Days

Upon your arrival in Baku, Azerbaijan’s vibrant capital on the shores of the Caspian Sea, our driver will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. After dropping off your luggage, you can check in starting from noon.
Your cultural journey begins with a comprehensive sightseeing tour of Baku. Begin at Martyrs’ Lane (Shehidler Khiyabany), a peaceful memorial park honoring those who lost their lives during the Black January tragedy and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. From here, enjoy panoramic views of the Baku Bay and Flame Towers.
Next, explore Icheri Sheher, the historical heart of Baku. Enclosed by ancient city walls, this UNESCO-listed Old City is a maze of narrow alleys and historic structures. Visit landmarks such as the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, the elegant Caravanserai, the iconic Maiden Tower, and stroll through the main bazaar square lined with local art studios and souvenir stalls.
Continue to modern Baku’s lively Nizami Street and Fountain Square, where cosmopolitan charm meets local life. Round off the tour with a visit to the Heydar Aliyev Center, an architectural marvel designed by Zaha Hadid, featuring captivating exhibitions on Azerbaijani culture.
In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a traditional restaurant, sampling Azerbaijani cuisine full of rich spices and flavors. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, set out to explore the Absheron Peninsula, known for its unique natural and cultural wonders. Begin at Yanardag (“Burning Mountain”), where flames burst naturally from the hillside—a result of underground gas seeping to the surface. This mystical site has fascinated travelers for centuries.
Continue to the ancient Ateshgah Fire Temple in the village of Surakhany. Once a pilgrimage site for Zoroastrians and Hindus from the Indian subcontinent, the temple is built atop natural gas vents and features a central eternal flame.
After lunch, travel to Gobustan National Park, home to over 6,000 prehistoric petroglyphs etched into rocky outcrops. Visit the modern museum that provides context to the engravings, some of which date back 12,000 years. If weather permits, switch to a suitable vehicle and drive to the nearby mud volcanoes, an otherworldly landscape unique to Azerbaijan. This region holds nearly half the world’s known mud volcanoes.
Return to Baku in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

After an early breakfast, depart Baku and drive northwest towards Sheki. Your first stop is the Diri Baba Mausoleum in Maraza village, an ancient tomb built into a cliffside, harmoniously blending with its natural surroundings.
Continue to the historical town of Shamakhi, one of Azerbaijan’s oldest cities and a former capital of the Shirvan Empire. Visit the beautifully restored Juma Mosque, one of the earliest Islamic places of worship in the Caucasus. Also see the Yeddi Gumbez Mausoleum, the royal necropolis of the Shirvanshah dynasty, offering great views over the city.
Weather permitting, take a detour through the scenic Girdimanchay River Canyon to reach Lagich—a 5th-century mountain village famed for its cobblestone streets, stone houses, and traditional crafts. Explore artisan workshops where locals still produce intricate copperware, handmade carpets, daggers, and ceramics using centuries-old methods.

Continue through lush, mountainous landscapes to the ancient town of Sheki, nestled at the foot of the Greater Caucasus. En route, stop at Kish village to see the oldest Christian church in the Caucasus, originally founded by Saint Elishe in the 1st century.
Arrive in Sheki and check in to your hotel. Overnight in Sheki.

*Note: Access to Lagich is restricted in 2025 due to road construction.

Start the day with a visit to Sheki Bazaar, a colorful marketplace filled with fresh produce, local cheeses, spices, honey, and the town’s famous Sheki halva (baklava).
Explore the Sheki Khans’ Palace, a masterpiece of 18th-century architecture adorned with stained glass windows and vibrant frescoes. Visit nearby handicrafts workshops and the atmospheric Caravanserai, once a key stop on the Silk Road.
Depart for the border crossing with Georgia (~115 km). After saying farewell to your Azerbaijani guide, cross on foot through the neutral zone (approx. 500 meters). On the Georgian side, meet your new guide and begin your adventure in the Kakheti wine region.
Stop at a local family home for a traditional Georgian lunch with homemade wine, offering a warm introduction to Georgia’s famed hospitality.
In the afternoon, visit the Khareba wine tunnel, a vast underground cellar originally built for military use and now used to store and age wine in optimal conditions. Take a guided wine tour followed by a tasting of signature Kakhetian varieties.
On the way to Telavi, stop at Gremi, the former royal residence of the Kakheti kings, featuring a church, castle, and bell tower. Overnight in Telavi.

After breakfast, begin with a short tour of Telavi, including views of the 900-year-old Plane Tree and the statue of King Erekle II.
Then drive to Tsinandali Estate, the former residence of 19th-century poet and nobleman Prince Alexander Chavchavadze. Explore the elegant manor, landscaped gardens, and historic wine cellar.
Continue to the Bodbe Monastery, the burial place of Saint Nino, who brought Christianity to Georgia. The serene complex overlooks the Alazani Valley and is a revered spiritual site.
Arrive in Sighnaghi, a charming hilltop town known for its pastel houses, cobbled streets, and panoramic views. Surrounded by defensive walls with 23 towers, Sighnaghi was once an important trading town on the Silk Road.
After enjoying the local scenery and perhaps sampling more wine, depart for Tbilisi, the Georgian capital. Overnight at the hotel.

Begin your Tbilisi city tour at the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba), one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world.
Visit the Metekhi Church and statue of King Vakhtang Gorgasali, Tbilisi’s founder. Take a scenic cable car ride up to Narikala Fortress for spectacular views over the Old Town.
Descend on foot through the Abanotubani district, famous for its sulfur baths and the only mosque in Tbilisi. Wander the Sharden area, a vibrant mix of restaurants, wine bars, and art shops.
See the Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica, and the whimsical clock tower of the Gabriadze Theatre. Cross the ultra-modern Bridge of Peace to reach Rike Park, and conclude your day at the Open Air Museum of Ethnography, showcasing traditional Georgian houses and regional crafts.
In the evening, enjoy a delicious Georgian dinner accompanied by live folk music and dance. Overnight in Tbilisi.

After breakfast, take a day trip westward from the capital. Start in Mtskheta, Georgia’s ancient capital and spiritual heart. Visit the Jvari Monastery, perched atop a hill where you can admire sweeping views of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers.
Continue to the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and revered as the burial site of Christ’s robe.
Next, travel to Gori, the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. Visit the Stalin Museum, including the dictator’s house and personal train carriage.
Conclude the day at Uplistsikhe, an ancient cave city carved into sandstone cliffs, featuring temples, tunnels, and wine cellars from both pagan and Christian times.
Return to Tbilisi for overnight.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel by noon. You will have some free time to enjoy a last walk in Tbilisi or pick up final souvenirs before your scheduled transfer to Tbilisi International Airport.
Your enriching journey through Azerbaijan and Georgia comes to an end—leaving you with unforgettable memories of ancient cities, rich cultures, and warm hospitality