Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia - Caucasus Discovery

Arrive in Baku and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore. Overnight Ibis Hotel or similar. No meals or guided activities.

Explore Azerbaijan’s capital, including the medieval fortress of Icheri Sheher, the Shirvanshahs’ Palace and the 15th century caravanserai among other sites. From Baku we head to the Absheron Peninsula to visit the ‘flaming mountain’ of Yanardag, continuously alight with burning underground gases that seep through holes in the earth’s surface. Photo stop at the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center. We then visit the Gala Museum, the ‘fire-worshippers’ temple of Ateshgah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and continue to the medieval fortress at Amirjan before returning to Baku for the night. Overnight Ibis Hotel or similar. (B)

This morning we depart for Gobustan, a short distance from the city of Baku. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, Gobustan is rich in archaeological monuments with over 6000 rock engravings dating back as far as 40,000 years. The petroglyphs depict ceremonial dances, battles, warriors, boats and many other scenes, as well as more recent Roman ‘graffiti’ from the 1st century. But Gobustan is equally well known for its natural phenomena – mud volcanoes that simmer and belch muddy bubbles from their cones, an incredibly atmospheric place and probably unlike anything you will have seen before. Azerbaijan is home to more than half of the mud volcanoes in the world with nearly 400 of them within its borders. Roughly every twenty years one of them explodes with great gusto, showering tons of mud over the surrounding area. Later this afternoon we return to Baku and enjoy the panoramic views from the upland park. You will then have some time at leisure to enjoy the city (B)

This morning we journey to the North of Azerbaijan to the important city of Sheki. En route stop at Shamakhi and visit the ancient Juma mosque and the mausoleum of Seven Domes. Continue to the delightful town of Sheki, one of Azerbaijan’s highlights. An important centre on the Trans-Caucasian trade routes, it was an independent khanate up until the 1820s and evidence of its former grandeur is not hard to spot. The splendid Khan’s Palace was built in 1762 without the use of any nails and is elaborately decorated with ornate patterns on its exterior. There are also several old caravanserais and mosques to explore. Sheki is a delight to wander around, with winding streets and traditional houses giving the feeling of yesteryear. Overnight Sheki Palace or similar (B)

This morning we visit the ancient temple in the Kish village, one of the first churches in Caucasus. Then we cross the border into Georgia. Visit Kakheti, Georgia’s picturesque wine district, which lies due east from Tbilisi in a land dotted with fine old churches and vineyard after vineyard. We explore the region this afternoon, including a stop at a local winery and get a feel for the methods of wine production in Georgia. Viticulture was arguably first practiced here some 8000 years ago and to this day is an intrinsic part of the national psyche. Also explore the beautiful building and grounds of Tsinandali Residence. Later we continue to the capital Tbilisi. Overnight Hotel Kalasi (B)

Spend the day exploring delightful Tbilisi, taking in the fascinating history of this long-overlooked region. We spend the day discovering sites such as the National Museum, home to many of the treasures that inspired the legend of the Golden Fleece, as well as the Narikala citadel, Metekhi Temple and the Sioni Cathedral, among other sites. A walk across the modern Bridge of Hope (pedestrian only) gives a great perspective of the mix of old and new and fine views. Tonight, enjoy traditional Georgian food at a local restaurant. Overnight Hotel Kalasi (B)

This morning we take the short drive to Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia. Mtskheta is packed full of historical monuments and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We explore the 11th century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and the 6th century Jvari Monastery, with superb vistas for miles around. Continue to Gori (journey around 3 hours) a town almost entirely known as the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. Visit the museum where you can explore Stalin’s personal train carriage and see the small house where he spent his early years. Gori train station is also worth a stop for its imposing waiting room. Then we drive a short distance to Uplistsikhe, a cave town dated to 7th Century BC. Finally continue for our overnight stay in the Lesser Caucasus in the spa town of Borjomi (B)

Drive along river Kura Valley to the cave town Vardzia (12th c). On the way stop at Khertvisi fortress, built in the Middle Ages. Vardzia, the unique example of Georgian Renaissance is the place associated with Queen Tamara and Shota Rustaveli, the author of the legendary poem "The Knight in the Panther’s Skin". Visit Vardzia (walking). Time permitting stop in Akhaltsikhe town and visit Castle. Return to our hotel in Borjomi. Hotel (B)

Continue our tour onto the Georgian Military Highway and snake our way up into the Caucasus Mountains. Visit the castle complex of Ananauri attractively situated on the Aragvi River. Continue climbing until the Jvari Pass where will stop and drink in the views of the High Caucasus range. This dramatic journey continues with a descent into the frontier town of Kazbegi, surrounded by dramatic peaks. Overnight local hotel in town (B)

This morning if conditions are favourable, you will have the opportunity to take the walk up to the Sameba Church (subject to weather conditions) with its stunning setting below the brooding presence of Mt Kazbek, a dramatic 5000m plus peak. For those that do not want to walk, it is possible to hire jeeps for an extra charge to go by up via a track. Note we may do this visit the previous late afternoon depending on weather forecasts. Later we leave the High Caucasus and return to Tbilisi in preparation or our journey into Armenia tomorrow. Overnight Hotel Kalasi or similar (B)

An early start this morning for a 1.5 hours journey approx. to the border. After completing border formalities and meeting your Armenian guide, we drive to Haghpat monastery, a journey of around 2 hours from the border through beautiful scenery. Haghpat, (10th century UNESCO Heritage site) which used to be a spiritual, cultural, and educational centre of the region. The monastery is one of the masterpieces of Armenian medieval architecture. Continue to the Dilijan region, known as the little Switzerland of Armenia. We have a short stop to have a look around the old part of the town. We then travel on to the picturesque Lake Sevan and the Sevanavank monastery which is a 9th century monastery founded on the peninsula that used to be an island. The monastery affords a panoramic view of the alpine lake. Finally, today, we continue to Yerevan, your base for the final stage of this Caucasus adventure. Overnight Imperial Palace or similar (B)

This morning we drive around 1 hour to Kotayk province to explore Geghard Monastery and Garni Pagan temple. Admire the outstanding views of the Armenian Highlands stretched out before you. From Garni, enjoy breathtaking views down into the canyon and to the strategically located Geghard Monastery below. Garni dates to the 1st century AD and is the only pagan temple that remained after the adoption of Christianity. After exploring these magnificent sites, we return to Yerevan and enjoy a city tour of Yerevan including visits to a high-scale view point over the city, City Park, Abovyan Street, and Republic Square. Then we visit the interesting cascade area. We also have short visit of Matenadaran – a Museum and Scientific Institute of ancient manuscripts, hosting the treasures of Armenian science and around 20.000 ancient manuscripts – the largest collection in the world. The short tour in Matenadaran will be exclusively guided by the most prominent specialists of the Institute. Overnight Imperial Palace Hotel or similar (B)

An early start today at around 08:00am travelling south to the spectacular Khor Virap Monastery which affords excellent views to the stunning sight of Mt Ararat. This monastery has long been an important place of pilgrimage for Armenians. After the tour of the monastery, we will be back in Yerevan by approximately 2pm and you will have the rest of the afternoon at leisure in Yerevan. Overnight Imperial Palace or similar (B)

Visit the ruins of Zvartnots temple, a three-tiered central-domed structure of astounding magnificence. According to European specialists, the temple of Zvartnots should be ranked among the greatest monuments of ancient architecture. Continue to Echmiadzin, the spiritual centre of Armenia, the Armenian Vatican. Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral is considered the oldest cathedral in the world. It was built between 301 and 303 by Armenia's patron saint Gregory the Illuminator, following the adoption of Christianity as a state religion. Echmiadzin translates as “the place where the Only Begotten Son of God descended.” Next follows an optional and sobering visit to the Genocide Memorial and Museum, dedicated to the victims of the Great Genocide that took place in 1915. For those that do wish to visit the Genocide Museum and Memorial, your time will be at leisure. Overnight Imperial Palace or similar (B)

Any remaining time is at leisure, until airport transfer for your onward flight (B)