21 days tour

Mountains And Monasteries

Mountains And Monasteries

This tour includes:

Meals

20 breakfasts 2 lunches 5 dinners

Guide

An experienced Tour Leader Certified Local Guides

Others

Comprehensive schedule of sightseeing with certified Local Guides. Youโ€™ll have a generous sprinkling of free time to relax or explore on your own.

Transport

All transfers including to and from the airport

Accommodation

20 Hotel/Guesthouse (twin share)

Not included:

Others

Other activities and services are not included

Flights

Flights are not included

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

Optional

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Mountains And Monasteries

  • Day 1 Day 1: Baku
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Baku

      Spared destruction by the Mongols, Azerbaijanโ€™s capital of Baku has a walled city where narrow streets lead to Shirvanshahโ€™s Palace and the Maiden Tower, while the Caravanserai is a reminder that Silk Road caravans once stopped here. In the evening of Day 1 join your Tour Leader and fellow travellers at 5:00pm for your Welcome Meeting as detailed on your Joining Instructions.

  • Day 2 Day 2: Baku
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Baku

      We begin the day exploring Baku, including the medieval walled city โ€™Icheri Sheherโ€™. We then travel to the countryside where we find a Zoroastrian fire temple, formerly used by traders from Persia and India, while the Yanar Dag Fire Mountain is an interesting geological occurrence.

  • Day 3 Day 3: Baku To Sheki
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Baku To Sheki

      Today we travel through beautiful landscapes stopping first to visit Shemakha. Weather permitting we will also stop by the โ€™village of mastersโ€™ Lahij which is famous for itsโ€™ authentic handicrafts, particularly copper.

  • Day 4 Day 4: Sheki And Kish
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Sheki And Kish

      Sheki is one of the most ancient cities of Azerbaijan and is rightly called the architectural reserve of the country. The Palace of Sheki Khans is a rare and stunning example of combining the national and palace architecture traditions. We also visit the workshop of Kelagai, which is a traditional large, square silk head scarf and its production is included in the list of intangible cultural heritage UNESCO.

  • Day 5 Day 5: To Kakheti
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: To Kakheti

      Welcome to Georgia! Today we travel across the border and into the Kakheti wine region, and the towns of Gremi, Nekresi and Telavi, enjoying the excellent food, wine and stunning mountain views.

  • Day 6 Day 6: To Tbilisi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: To Tbilisi

      Tbilisi, the charming capital is situated on the Mtkvari River and is a delightful city to explore on foot. With 5th century origins in the Old Town we visit Metekhi Church and Sioni Cathedral then stroll along Rustaveli Avenue to Freedom Square.

  • Day 7 Day 7: To Gudauri
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: To Gudauri

      Today we farewell our welcoming hosts and continue our journey to the UNESCO site of Mtskheta, the centre of the Georgian Orthodox Church and one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. Christianity was proclaimed the state religion here in the 4th century, today the Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral are UNESCO World Heritage Listed sites. From here we join the Georgian Military Highway and continue onto the mountain resort of Gudauri.

  • Day 8 Day 8: Gudauri And Stepantsminda
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Gudauri And Stepantsminda

      A stunning drive from Gudauri along the Tergi River will bring us to Kazbegi โ€“ the main town in the region. We set out on a challenging and rewarding 1.5 hour walk to Gergeti Trinity Church (2170m) high in the Caucasus Mountains. Alternatively, transport will be arranged locally. Weather permitting you will have a chance to see Mt Kazbegi.

  • Day 9 Day 9: Kutaisi Via Gori
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Kutaisi Via Gori

      We continue through Gori, Stalinโ€™s birthplace, to see where it all began visiting the dictators house and museum โ€“ though you will not find any reference to his purges which cost millions their lives. Then on to Kutaisi.

  • Day 10 Day 10: Mestia (Svaneti)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: Mestia (Svaneti)

      Climbing deep into the Caucasus Mountains to Svaneti we see unique โ€˜watchtowerโ€™ constructions which provided protection from would-be conquerors so successfully that the Svan tribes became isolated in their mountain fortresses. Enjoy a cable car ride up Mt Zuruldi (weather permitting) where exceptional views of the Caucasus Mountains can be enjoyed. Continuing to Zugdidi where we join a tour of the Dadiani Palace, a testimony to the regions rich royal past, before continuing to Mestia.

  • Day 11 Day 11: Mestia
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 11: Mestia

      Travel deep into the Svan heartland to Ushguli which at 2200 metres is the highest permanent village in Europe. Today upper Svaneti is a UNESCO Heritage Site, where the locals retain their old unwritten language and are known to practice blood-feuds from time to time. Svan offers some of the best views in Europe across the surrounding peaks and glaciers of the High Caucasus, and if the weather conditions are right, weโ€™ll have the opportunity to see them.

  • Day 12 Day 12: Return To Kutaisi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 12: Return To Kutaisi

      It is Kutaisi where Georgiaโ€™s most revered King, David the Builder, is buried within the UNESCO listed Gelati Monastery. Here we marvel at the wonderful mosaics and wall paintings of this well-preserved complex.

  • Day 13 Day 13: Borjomi Via Akhaltsikhe
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 13: Borjomi Via Akhaltsikhe

      We leave Kutaisi for Akhaltsikhe where we wander the Rabat Fortress (Old Town) with its rare examples of darbazebi (traditional Georgian houses), castle, mosque and synagogue. Later we visit Prometheus grotto, one of Georgiaโ€™s natural wonders rich in petrified waterfalls, stalactites, stalagmites, underground rivers and lakes.

  • Day 14 Day 14: Into Armenia And Gyumri
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 14: Into Armenia And Gyumri

      This morning we visit the remarkable remains of Vardzia, a monastery complex carved into the rocks and cliffs dating back to the 12th - 13th centuries. Continuing to the Armenian Border at Bavra we farewell our Georgian guide and after completing border formalities we set foot in Armenia bound for the capital of the Shirak Province, Gyumri.

  • Day 15 Day 15: To Yerevan
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 15: To Yerevan

      Armenia was the worldโ€™s first state to adopt Christianity as its official religion. Winding our way to Armeniaโ€™s capital we make a stop at the archaeological remains of Zvartnots.

  • Day 16 Day 16: Yerevan
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 16: Yerevan

      Beyond the city we visit the last surviving Pagan Temple in Garni of indeterminate origin, and farther on the UNSECO World Heritage Listed monastery of Geghard, which is carved, literally, out of the surrounding mountain.

  • Day 17 Day 17: Yerevan
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 17: Yerevan

      Whilst in Yerevan we explore the delightful city with beautiful tree-line streets, cafes and museums on our city tour including a visit to the State History Museum.

  • Day 18 Day 18: Yerevan To Goris
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 18: Yerevan To Goris

      Leaving Yerevan we stop to admire some of the regionโ€™s surrounding treasures including Noravank Monastery. We will also take in the stunning Tatev Monastery as well as the breathtaking view over biblical Mt Ararat (weather permitting), the reputed resting place of Noahโ€™s Ark.

  • Day 19 Day 19: Goris To Tsaghkadzor
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 19: Goris To Tsaghkadzor

      Travelling northwards from Goris to Tsaghkadzor we visit the breathtaking Khndzoresk Village. Situated on the steep slopes of Khir Dzor is the thousand-year-old Khndzoresk cave village, today around four hundred natural and man-made dwellings remain etched in the hillsides. Sixty-three metres above the ground Khndoresk Swinging Bridge runs over a deep canyon connecting the old and new villages. Continuing our journey, we take some time to uncover the mysterious Karahunge Observatory, known as the Armenian Stonehenge (predating its English counterpart by 3,000 years), Selim Caravanserai and onto Gegharkunik region to see Noratus Medieval Khachkar Field, a fascinating medieval cemetery. The scenery and mountain setting provides the perfect canvas and backdrop to such a unique and impressive array of history, carved in stone.

  • Day 20 Day 20: Tsaghkadzor To Tbilisi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 20: Tsaghkadzor To Tbilisi

      Today we wind our way through valleys and gorges to seek out the hidden monasteries amongst untouched nature, serenity and impressive architecture - Haghpat and Haghartsin before returning to Tbilisi. En route we pause at the serene Lake Sevan, the worldโ€™s second largest, high altitude lake at 1900 metres above sea level. From here we can climb up to Sevanavank Monastery to marvel at the stunning panoramic views across the azure waters.

  • Day 21 Day 21: Tbilisi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 21: Tbilisi

      Our adventure has drawn to a close. Say farewell to your travelling companions and tour leader before departing your hotel this morning.

  • Day 22 Journey Summary
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Journey Summary

      Day 1 Baku - journey begins Day 2 Baku Day 3 Baku to Sheki Day 4 Sheki Day 5 To Kakheti Day 6 Tbilisi Day 7 Tbilisi to Gudauri via Mtskheta Day 8 Gudauri Day 9 Gudauri to Kutaisi via Gori Day 10 Kutaisi to Mestia via Zugdidi Day 11 Mestia Day 12 Mestia to Kutaisi via Tskaitubo Day 13 Kutaisi to Akhaltsikhe Day 14 Akhaltsikhe to Gyumri Day 15 Gyumri to Yerevan Day 16 Yerevan Day 17 Yerevan Day 18 Yerevan to Goris Day 19 Goris to Tsaghkadzor Day 20 Tsaghkadzor to Tbilisi Day 21 Tbilisi - journey concludes

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Basic

Almost everyone is fit for these activities. Every hike or physical exercise last less than 30 minutes, such as paragliding and horseback riding. Please ask about specific conditions.

Age range

Age range

Min: 12 / Max: 90

Age range allowed for this experience.

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