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)

Our driver and guide will meet you and transfer to the hotel upon your arrival in Baku. Check-in at noon.
Your Azerbaijan – Georgia tour starts with a sightseeing tour in Baku. Visit Martyrs’ Lane, called ‘Shehidler Khiyabany’ among locals. When you walk through Martyrs’ Lane, you will find a beautiful view overlooking Baku’s coastline. Continue touring new Baku and exploring architecture of 19 – 20th centuries: Nizami Street, Fountain Square, Nizami Ganjavi monument, Rasul-Zade Street. Move to the old part of the city – Icheri Sheher. Visit Maiden Tower, Shirvanshahs’ Palace, Caravanserai, and market square with numerous art studios and souvenir stalls. 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)

Today you will visit the area of the Greater Baku and Absheron Peninsula. Start with Gobustan National Park. Pay a visit to the Petroglyphs Museum and explore petroglyphs dating back to 10,000 BC. Continue to the mud volcanoes in Gobustan Reserve. Gobustan is home to almost half of the world’s mud volcanoes. Later drive to Ateshgah – a temple of fire worshippers located in Surakhany village. Zoroastrians travelled thousands of kilometers from India to Ateshgah to worship fire coming out of the earth. Drive to Yanardag Mountain, where natural gas has been burning for several thousands of years.
Take an evening flight to Tbilisi. On arrival, transfer to the 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 built on a hilltop. You will enjoy the views of the confluence of Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. The next attraction is Svetitskhoveli, the main cathedral of Mtskheta and a sacred place where the robe of Christ is being kept.
Return to Tbilisi for a sightseeing tour. Visit the monument to Vakhtang Gorgasali, the legendary founder of Tbilisi. Take 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 leading 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. The complex features churches and towers dating back to the 16 – 17th centuries, beautifully overlooking the Jinvali reservoir. Continue our drive to see the conjunction of two small mountain rivers famous for the fact that being different in color they still keep their own colors even after merge. We will then drive over the Cross Pass and make a short stop at the Soviet-era “People’s Friendship” mountain view point 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 Mount Kazbegi. Drive back to your hotel in Tbilisi.

Day 5: Tbilisi – departure (Georgia)

Check-out from the hotel till noon. Transfer to Tbilisi International Airport as per flight itinerary. End of the tour.

Price includes:

All transfers (5 pax by Mercedes Vito or similar, 6 pax by Mercedes Sprinter passenger van);
Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
Sightseeing tour program in each country with local English-speaking guides;
Entrance tickets to sights as per itinerary;
E-visa to Azerbaijan;
Mineral water;
Dinner and folklore show in Tbilisi (day 3).