11D10N Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia

Arrive in Baku airport. Transfer to hotel.

The capital of Azerbaijan, where past and present intricately intertwined, have always attracted tourists. We start Baku city tour in the Old City, enclosed within the fortress walls, or Icheri Sheher (Inner City). This open-air museum, together with famous Maiden Tower (XII c.) is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It contains 44 monuments of medieval architecture, including the unique Palace of the Shirvanshahs, former residence of the rulers of Shirvan (XV c.). 30 km away from Baku there is a Zoroastrian monument – fire worshipers’ temple "Ateshgah". A little further into the village of Gobustan (60 km away from Baku), one of the earliest centers of human civilization, where 4,000 rock drawings of people and animals were found. This historical-art reserve is also listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Baku sightseeing tour. Visit to Memory Alley – “Shehidler Khiyabany”, panoramic
view of Baku city from the park. visit to medieval fortress of Old Baku - “Icheri Sheher”15-17 c.c., “Maiden Tower “ – 9 c., the Complex of Shirvan Shahs’ Palace - 15 c. medieval CaravanSaray -15c., medieval Markets square, handmade carpet’s workshop art studio. After lunch visit the Temple of Fire Worshippers’ – “Ateshgah”.
Welcome dinner at the restaurant. Overnight in Baku. Hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out. Departure to Sheki town. On the way to Sheki. Visit to Diri Baba Mausoleum in Maraza village. In Shamakha visit to historical mosque Juma (Friday), mausoleum of Yeddi Gumbez – (Seven Domes) – grave yard of Shirvan Shahs’. Continue trip to Sheki via Muganly passing. Photo stops on the most beautiful places on the mountains. Arrival in Sheki. Sheki sightseeing tour. Visit to the local medieval fortress, Sheki Khans’ palace, local museum of history, local handicrafts workshop, panoramic view of the town. Visiting of Kish village. Albanian Church. Dinner and overnight in Sheki. Hotel.

Morning leave Yerevan and drive to Lake Sevan. Photo stop at the peninsula and sightseeing. Lunch in the restaurant. Via the resort of Dilijan we continue trip and arrive at the monastic complex of Haghpat, listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. Transfer to Armenia – Georgia border (Sadakhlo - Bagratashen). Cross the border and meet the guide and transport. Transfer to Tbilisi. Arrival in Tbilisi. Welcome dinner in the restaurant. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Tbilisi, capital of Georgia from the 5th century AD has a long and fascinating history Founded in the 4th century by King Vakhtang Gorgasali on the site of its warm mineral-water springs – it developed into the main city of the Caucasus. By the 12th century Tbilisi was one of the most important political, economic and cultural centres of the Middle East. It stood as a key stop on the famous Silk Road - right on the border between Europe and Asia. Tbilisi’s Old Town, the most ancient part of the city, is renowned for its wonderful mix of cultures. The mosque, the synagogue, the Armenian and Roman Catholic churches mingle harmoniously with the splendid Georgian churches and architecture. The wooden houses with open, carved balconies seem to welcome every visitor. The balmy sulfur baths have hosted poets, writers, musicians, kings down through the centuries. 

Full-day city tour of Tbilisi with visits to the Old Town, Metekhi Temple, 12th c. Full- day city tour of Tbilisi with visits to the Old Town, Metekhi Temple, 12th c.“Abanotubani” – the baths area, Narikala, - The main fortress of Tbilisi. Walking through narrow streets, along which some carpet and souvenir shops are situated. We will continue excursion in the old town. We visit the Sioni Cathedral 11th c. Lunch. Visit the “Peace Bridge”, Anchiskhati Church 6th c. Visit the National Museum (Closed on Mondays and public holidays). Visit Freedom Square and Rustaveli Avenue, the main street of Tbilisi. We take cable train to the Funicular for panoramic views of the city. Overnight in Tbilisi.

We start our trip by driving to Mtskheta. Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia is situated 20km from Tbilisi. Historians date the town back to the 2nd millennium B.C. Mtskheta was the capital of Georgian Kingdom of Iberia between 500BC - 500AD. Here Georgians accepted Christianity in the beginning of the 4th century. The town and its architectural monuments are listed as the World's Cultural Heritage sites by UNESCO. Visit Jvari Monastery (6th c.) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th c.). Arrive in Gori, a historical town. Lunch. Today the town is mainly known for its huge Fortress and as a birthplace of J. Stalin. Drive to Uplistsikhe cave town dated to 7th c. BC. It contains a large central hall for pagan rituals, living rooms and a church of the 9th century. Travel east and then north along to the Caucasus Mountains. We have photo stops and cross the Greater Caucasus at the Jvari Pass (2395m) down to Kazbegi (Now official name is Stepantsminda). Overnight in Kazbegi.

Surrounded by gigantic mountains Kazbegi is a picturesque settlement overlooked by the biggest of all - Mount Kazbek (5047m) - one of the six 5000 metre peaks of the Caucasus. Walk up (1 hour 15min) to the Sameba Church beautifully situated on the hill (2150m) above the hill and providing splendid views of Mt. Kazbek. Walk down.
Note: For extra charge you can hire 4x4 vehicles in Kazbegi to take you to the church and after excursion down to Kazbegi. Lunch. Explore the twon Return to Tbilisi.
Overnight in Tbilisi. Hotel.

Morning leave Tbilisi and arrive at Georgia – Armenia border. Cross the border and meet Armenian staff. We visit the monastic complex of Haghpat, listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. Then via the resort Dilijan arrive at Lake Sevan. Photo stop at the peninsula and sightseeing. Arrive in Yerevan. Dinner in the restaurant. Hotel.

After breakfast start Yerevan city tour that includes visit to Republic Square, Cascade with Gafesjyan center for contemporary Arts, Northern Avenue, Opera house with Swan Lake etc. Depart to Garni Temple. The citadel and pagan temple of Garni is a picturesque monument of the Hellenistic period and an impressive piece of ancient Armenian architecture. After proclaiming Christianity as a state religion in Armenia in 301, the temple was probably used as a summer residence of the kings. In the village of Garni we visit a local family house where we can see Armenian bread “lavash” baking process. Here we have a delicious lunch. Then we visit magnificent monument of medieval Armenian architecture - Geghard Monastery inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list. Return to Yerevan. Hotel.

Proceed to Echmiadzin which is mere 20 km from Yerevan. Etchmiadzin Cathedral (301 – 303 AD) is known as the center of the Armenian Church and appears to be one of the world's first Christian State churches. Stop at the ruins of Zvartnots temple - the pearln of the 7th c. architecture which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage. Drive to Ararat region. Sightseeing tour to Khor-Virap Monastery. The highlight is the fantastic view over the biblical Mt. Ararat. Return to Yerevan. Visit “Ararat Brandy Factory” for tasting of Armenian brandy. Overnight in Yerevan.

Transfer to the airport. End of the tour.