Azerbaijan - Georgia Tour #2

For a short trip through the Caucasus, this is the best tour for exploring the most in a limited amount of time. In just 5 days, you will go from the shores of the Caspian Sea to the heights of the Caucasus Mountains, learning all about the history and culture of the region as you travel. Start with Baku, a modern city with ancient roots, and nearby Gobustan, where petroglyphs have been preserved on the rock walls for millennia. Continue to Tbilisi, a charming city home to a number of world-class restaurants and landmarks, before heading up to the mountains. Stop at the church in Mtskheta, the castle in Ananuri, and climb up to the Gergeti Trinity Church, high up in the mountains near Mount Kazbek. From the prehistoric to the medieval to the modern day, you’ll cover the best of the Caucasus in five days.

Tour itinerary:

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Day 1: Baku (Azerbaijan)

Arrival in Baku. You will be met by our driver and transferred to the hotel for luggage drop. Check-in at noon.
At noon, start a sightseeing tour in Baku. Visit Martyrs Lane, known as ‘Shehidler Khiyabany’ among locals. When you walk through the Alley of the Martyrs, you will find a beautiful view overlooking Baku’s coastline. Move to Icheri Sheher, the old part of the city. Visit Shirvan Shahs’ Palace, Caravanserai, Maiden Tower, and the main market square, which has numerous art studios and souvenir stalls. Continue touring new Baku by exploring Nizami Street and Fountain Square. An excellent round-up to the city tour will be visit to the iconic Heydar Aliyev center, which is in a quirky building designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Baku – Absheron Peninsula – Gobustan – Tbilisi (Azerbaijan – Georgia) (Azerbaijan – Georgia)

Today you will visit the area of the Greater Baku and Absheron peninsula. The first stop is at Yanardag Mountain, where natural gas has been burning for hundreds of years. Continue to Ateshgah, a temple for fire worshippers located in the village of Surakhany. Zoroastrians from India travel thousands of kilometers to Ateshgah to worship the fire coming out of the earth.
After lunch, drive to Gobustan National Park. Pay a visit to the Petroglyphs Museum and explore petroglyphs dating back to 10,000 BC. Weather permitting, drive to mud volcanoes in Gobustan Reserve (possible change of vehicle). Gobustan is home to almost half of the world’s mud volcanoes. Return to Baku. Overnight at the hotel.
Take an evening flight to Tbilisi. On arrival, transfer to hotel for overnight.

Day 3: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Tbilisi (Georgia)

After breakfast, drive to Mtskheta, one of the oldest towns and the cultural and religious centre of Georgia, UNESCO site. Visit Jvari Church, a true architectural masterpiece of the early Medieval Period overlooking the confluence of Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers from the top of the hill, and Svetitskhoveli, the main cathedral of Mtskheta and a sacred place where the robe of Christ is being kept. Return to Tbilisi for sightseeing tour. Visit monument to Vakhtang Gorgasali, the legendary founder of Tbilisi. Take the cable car to Narikala Fortress to enjoy breathtaking panoramic view of the city. Walk down to the district of Sulphur bath houses passing by the only mosque in Tbilisi. Stroll through the Sharden area full of narrow streets with cozy cafés, wine tasting bars, souvenir shops, and breathe in the living past. Visit Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica, and the clock tower of famous Rezo Gabriadze Theatre and cross the Bridge of Peace to Rike Park. In the evening, visit a local restaurant to taste dishes of traditional Georgian cuisine and enjoy folklore show. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 4: Tbilisi – Ananuri – Kazbegi – Tbilisi (Georgia)

At 09:00, our driver and guide will pick you up at your hotel in Tbilisi. The route will take over the Georgian Military Highway up North towards the border with Russia. Your first stop will be at Ananuri complex, a former residence of Argveti Dukes. A complex featuring churches and towers dating back to the XVI-XVII cc. is beautifully overlooking Jinvali reservoir. Continue our drive to see the conjunction of two small mountain rivers famous for the fact that being different in color they keep their own colors even after merging. We will then drive over the Cross pass and make a short stop at Soviet time “People’s Friendship” mountain viewpoint overlooking a deep gorge of Caucasus mountain range. In Kazbegi, we will change our vehicle to a four-wheel drive car to reach Gergeti Holy Trinity Church located on altitude of 2170 m and enjoy breathtaking views of Mt Kazbegi. Drive back to Tbilisi. Drop off at your hotel.

Day 5: Tbilisi – departure (Georgia)

Check-out from hotel till noon. Free time till transfer to Tbilisi International Airport. Departure. End of Azerbaijan-Georgia Tour.