Others

* 1 bottle of water per person per day * Entrance fees to all visited places * Airport transfers * Local taxes

Accommodation

Accommodation in DBL (or TWIN) room 12 nights with breakfast at 4* hotels and1 night will be at 3 star hotel

Meals

Breakfast at the hotel Lunches during the tours

Guide

Professional English speaking Tour guide (Other languages on request)

Transport

Transportation with a very comfortable cars/minibuses with a strong A/C

Not included:

Insurance

Others

• E-Visa to Azerbaijan (We can help you to apply for the evisa if you need) • Visa to Armenia if required (The US/EU citizens don’t need a visa to Armenia) • Flights • Porters at the hotels • Travel insurance • Dinners • Tips for the guides and drivers • Mini bar at the hotels • Single room supplement

Flights

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Arriva To Baku
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Arriva To Baku

Arrival to Baku, Azerbaijan. Transfer to hotel.

Overnight in Baku
Day 2 Day 2: Baku City Tour
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Baku City Tour

Panorama of the city presented to the height of the mountainous part of a television tower clearly gives an idea of the contrasts and the extent of Baku, the horseshoe bay of Baku. Later we explore the oldest district of the city – “Old Baku” or “Icheri Shey-Har” (UNESCO World Heritage Site) with its maze of cobbled streets and 12th century wall-stones. During the medieval period of Baku, such monuments as the Synyg Gala Minaret (11th century), the fortress walls and towers (11th–12th centuries), the Maiden Tower, the Multani Caravanserai and Hajji Gayyib bathhouse (15th century), the Palace of the Shirvanshahs (15th-16th centuries), the Bukhara Caravanserai and Gasimbey bathhouse (16th century) were built. In 1806, when Baku was annexed by the Russian Empire and the traditional architectural look of the Old City changed. Many European buildings were constructed during the 19th century and early 20th century, using styles such as Baroque and Gothic. Baku thus has an original and unique appearance, earning it a reputation as the ’Paris of the East’. This afternoon we visit the the Fire Temple, known locally as the Atashgah.

Overnight in Baku

Meal plan: (B-/L-)
Day 3 Day 3: Baku – Shemakha – Sheki
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Baku – Shemakha – Sheki

This morning we leave the capital and travel to Shemakha, for a long time the capital and trade centre for western Azerbaijan and now a small town. We briefly visit the Grand Mosque, a very large and attractive building from the late 19th century, Yeddi Gumbez ’Seven Tombs’, yet only three of these desecrated octagonal royal tombs remain reasonably complete. They are 18th-19th century mausoleums of the Khans of Shemakha. We continue to Sheki, one of the most ancient settlements and architectural centers of Azerbaijan founded more than 2700 years ago. The setting here is stunning -- lying in forested hills with views of the Caucasus Mountains. On arrival we visit the mosaic-fronted Khan’s Palace, a beautiful piece of Islamic architecture, and the History Museum. We will also have a walk through the busy market of Sheki.

Overnight in Sheki

Meal plan: (B-/L-)
Day 4 Day 4: Sheki – Lagodekhi Border – Gremi Fortress (Georgia) – Nekresi – Telavi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Sheki – Lagodekhi Border – Gremi Fortress (Georgia) – Nekresi – Telavi

This morning we travel along the foothills of the Greater Caucasus range and arrive at the Azerbaijani- Georgian border at Lagodekhi. After completing customs and immigration formalities we continue to Kakheti, a famous ancient wine making area.Georgia is considered one of the ancient wine making centers. The Latin term for wine, “Vino”, is said to derive from the Georgian word for wine, “Ghvino”. The Caucasus has been the very place from which domestic grapevine spread to Europe, first to Italy and then to France, North Africa, and Spain. On the way visit Gremi Fortress, built in the XVI C, which was the capital of Kakheti region in the Middle Ages. Afterwards we drive to Nekresi Monastery complex, located in an amazing natural setting and finally drive to a local restaurant in Telavi, a cozy city in the heart of Kakheti with a large city wall.

Overnight in Telavi

Meal plan: (B-/L-)
Day 5 Day 5: Telavi – Tsinandali – Sighnaghi – David Gareji – Tbilisi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Telavi – Tsinandali – Sighnaghi – David Gareji – Tbilisi

After breakfast we will visit Tsinandali– the summer residence of the noble Georgian family – Chavchavadze. The founder of this beautiful European style palace and gardens was the father of the Georgian romanticism – Alexander Chavchavadze. Later we will tour Sighnaghi "love town" - a medieval city located on the hills overlooking Alazani Valley and Dagestan Mountains (North Caucasus). Continue to David Gareji Monastery situated in the semi-desert in the region bordering with Azerbaijan. Founded in the 6th century by Assyrian monks, David Gareji is the largest monastery complex in Georgia and was once the royal monastery. In the 1616 the Persian Shah Abbas massacred 6000 monks and had the monastery sacked. The complex is known for it amazing frescoes and range of artistic and architectural styles ranging from the 6 – 18th century. Arrival to Tbilisi.

Overnight in Tbilisi

Meal plan: (B-/L-)
Day 6 Day 6: Tbilisi City Tour
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Tbilisi City Tour

After breakfast we will start our exploration of Tbilisi, a city which has quite long 1500 years of history as a capital. The foundation of the city is related with the famous Tbilisi Baths – natural spring waters with sulfur. Baths’ district is nowadays the heart of the old town of Tbilisi. During our city tour we will visit this famous baths, also XVII C. Metekhi church situated on Metekhi Plateau. From plateau you can see Georgian, Armenian and Catholic churches, also Jewish Synagogue and Muslim Mosque side by side as a symbol of

Georgian tolerance. We also visit Narikala fortress (by the cable car), Cathedral Sameba – which is the highest Orthodox Church and the oldest church of Tbilisi – Anchiskhati (VI-VII C). Next to the Anchiskhati is the oldest café of Tbilisi – “café Gabriadze” named after the famous Georgian film maker Rezo Gabriadze. We also visit the main avenue of Tbilisi – Rustaveli Avenue with the buildings of almost all the types of European Architecture of the 19th century (Baroque, Moorish, classical and even Stalinist architectural styles). Also we visit the National History Museum.

Overnight in Tbilisi

Meal plan: (B-/L-)
Day 7 Day 7: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Gori – Uplistsikhe – Tbilisi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Gori – Uplistsikhe – Tbilisi

After breakfast we drive to Mtskheta (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the ancient capital of the Georgian Kingdom. Here we visit Jvari Monastery (6th c.) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral built in the 11th century as one of the symbols of unification of Georgia. We will also visit the city of Gori founded by one of the greatest kings of Georgia, David the Builder in the 12th century. One of the “must see” places of Gori is the house museum of Joseph Stalin. After visiting that unique museum we drive to Uplistsikhe meaning "the lord’s fortress". It’s an ancient rock-hewn town. Built on a high rocky left bank of Mtkvari River, it contains various structures dating from the 2nd ML BC to the Late Middle Ages. Back to Tbilisi.

Overnight in Tbilisi

Meal plan: (B-/L-)
Day 8 Day 8: Tbilisi – Sadakhlo Border – Haghpat (Armenia) – Dilijan – Sevan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Tbilisi – Sadakhlo Border – Haghpat (Armenia) – Dilijan – Sevan

After breakfast we drive to the Georgian-Armenian border at Sadakhlo and transfer to an Armenian coach and guide. Driving through the picturesque Canyon of the Debed River, we pause to visit the Monastery of Haghpat, a perfect example of medieval Armenian architecture and Armenia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. On to Dilijan National Park, a very attractive region of lakes, forests and peaceful villages known as “Armenia’s Little Switzerland.” Visits to the picturesque town of Dilijan and to the Haghartsin, a fairy tale nestled in the middle of the forest. Continue to the Lake Sevan, the 2nd largest high-altitude lake in the world at 1900 m above sea level, here we visit a 9th-century Sevanavank Monastery.

Overnight in Sevan

Meal plan: (B-/L-)
Day 9 Day 9: Sevan - Noratus - Orbelian Caravanserai - Tatev - Goris
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Sevan - Noratus - Orbelian Caravanserai - Tatev - Goris

After Breakfast we will drive through Vardenyats Mountain Pass famous for its fascinating colorful mountains we reach the Orbelian Caravanserai along the Great Silk Road where you’ll see some remains of the real old road, small medieval bridges, hundreds of fresh water springs gushing from the rocks. Here little has changed since the fourteenth century. The Caravanserai offered hospitality to travelers along the highway crossing the Vardenyats mountains. Continue to Syunik region, the southern region in Armenia. Riding the world’s longest aerial tramway (5.7km) you’ll reach the miraculous Tatev Monastery, the most formidable monastic complex founded in the 9th century located on a rocky peninsula more than 100 meters above the Vorotan River. According to tradition the relics of the Apostles, Sts. Peter and Paul, were placed under the dome’s supporting pillars. Continue to Goris town, one of the most beautiful towns in Armenia. It’s a town in orchards where the houses have the same unique architecture with red tile roofs and arched windows. The town is beautifully planned by a German architect in the 19th century.

Overnight in Goris

Meal plan: (B-/L-)
Day 10 Day 10: Goris - Karahunj - Noravank - Areni Winery - Khor Virap - Yerevan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Goris - Karahunj - Noravank - Areni Winery - Khor Virap - Yerevan

After breakfast drive to to Karahundj (Armenia’s Stonehenge). This stone circle, now shown to be a prehistoric observatory, long predates Stonehenge in England. Ancient inscriptions found here may mark the birthplace of the Zodiac – and of Western Civilization itself. Possibly it was the world’s first astronomical observatory founded 7500 years ago. Continue to Vayots Dzor region, our next stop will be Noravank Monastery, an architectural gemstone nestled among brick-red cliffs, just above a deep gorge. Later we’ll drive to Areni village, the cradle of viticulture. This is where the world’s oldest winery(6100 years old) has been found in the cave Areni-1. Winery tour and wine tasting. Drive to Ararat region, where we will visit Khor Virap Monastery, one of the most popular destinations in Armenia for a number of reasons, primarily because it is where St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years before curing King Trdat III of a disease. This caused the conversion of the king and Armenia into the first officially Christian nation in the world in the year 301. Its location, near the closest point to biblical Mount Ararat within Armenian borders, offers a spectacular view of the mountain, the national symbol of Armenia. Continue to Yerevan.

Overnight in Yerevan

Meal plan: (B-/L-)
Day 11 Day 11: Yerevan City Tour
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Yerevan City Tour

Today we explore Yerevan, the “pink pearl” of Armenia, a beautiful European city built with different shades of purple and pink tufa stone quarried in Armenia. Yerevan as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities of the world has a history that dates back 2800 years. Walking down the Abovyan Street, one of the oldest streets in Yerevan which was on the Great Silk Road, we continue to Northern Avenue, Opera House, Ring Park encircling the downtown. We visit the birthplace of Yerevan – the Urartian Fortress of Erebuni, founded in 782 B.C. by the King Argishti I. A photo-stop at the legendary hero “David of Sasun” Statue. We’ll have a panoramic tour of the city starting with the "Victory" Park offering a bird’s eye view of the city. We also visit the Cascade which is a colossal white stairwell built on a Yerevan hillside in the 1970’s, with water fountains running down the sides, all reminiscent of a natural river or stream cascading. Afterwards a tour of food Bazaar “GUM” - a real museum of food. Get acquainted with the rich spiritual and cultural life of ancient Armenia at Matenadaran, a unique Research Institute and museum of ancient and medieval illustrated manuscripts. Marvel at the illuminated pages of some of those manuscripts within their glass cases.

Overnight in Yerevan

Meal plan: (B-/L-)
Day 12 Day 12: Yerevan - Echmiadzin – Zvartnots Ruins - Matendaran Museum (Yerevan)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Yerevan - Echmiadzin – Zvartnots Ruins - Matendaran Museum (Yerevan)

Excursion to Armenia’s “Vatican”, Holy Echmiadzin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring the world’s earliest Christian churches, including Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral, i.e. the mother church of the Armenian Church, originally built by Saint Gregory the Illuminator in 301-303AD, when Armenia had just become the first officially Christian state in the world. We also visit St. Hripsime Church, built in the 7th century, another masterpiece of early medieval Armenian architecture, and the impressive ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral. After lunch, we visit the Matenadaran, one of the world’s richest collections of ancient and mostly illustrated manuscripts.

Overnight in Yerevan

Meal plan: (B-/L-)
Day 13 Day 13: Yerevan – Garni – Geghard - Yerevan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Yerevan – Garni – Geghard - Yerevan

Excursion to the ancient Greco-Roman temple of Garni, constructed in the 1st century AD but amazingly well preserved and still featuring a peristyle of Ionic columns. The sanctuary, whose adjoining baths have fine mosaics, was allegedly dedicated to the God of Sun, Mithras. On to Geghard Monastery, carved out of a huge monolithic rock, where the Holy Lance that pierced the body of Christ was said to be kept. The monastery and surrounding Azat River Gorge, one of Armenia’s major tourist sites, are classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also visit to a local home, where we will traditional Armenian “lavash” bread being made in a “tonir” oven.

Overnight in Yerevan

Meal plan: (B-/L-)
Day 14 Day 14: Departure
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Departure

Transfer to Zvartnots international Airport in Yerevan, departure

+11

14 days tour

Grand Caucasus Tour (Azerbaijan - Georgia - Armenia) - 14 Da

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Grand Caucasus Tour (Azerbaijan - Georgia - Armenia) - 14 Da

Day 1: Arriva To Baku

Day 2: Baku City Tour

Day 3: Baku – Shemakha – Sheki

Day 4: Sheki – Lagodekhi Border – Gremi Fortress (Georgia) – Nekresi – Telavi

Day 5: Telavi – Tsinandali – Sighnaghi – David Gareji – Tbilisi

Day 6: Tbilisi City Tour

Day 7: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Gori – Uplistsikhe – Tbilisi

Day 8: Tbilisi – Sadakhlo Border – Haghpat (Armenia) – Dilijan – Sevan

Day 9: Sevan - Noratus - Orbelian Caravanserai - Tatev - Goris

Day 10: Goris - Karahunj - Noravank - Areni Winery - Khor Virap - Yerevan

Day 11: Yerevan City Tour

Day 12: Yerevan - Echmiadzin – Zvartnots Ruins - Matendaran Museum (Yerevan)

Day 13: Yerevan – Garni – Geghard - Yerevan

Day 14: Departure

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