Azerbaijan and Georgia Tour #1

Discover the unique world of Caucasian hospitality with this tour to Azerbaijan and Georgia. Immerse yourself in the enchanting array of colors, tastes and impressions to be found in these two countries. There is everything you need for an unforgettable trip to Azerbaijan and Georgia: mild climate, scenic landscapes, ancient monuments, and delicious dishes. Visit the Palace of the Shirvanshahs in Baku, the mystical temple of fire worshippers in Ateshgah, the best of Georgian wines in Kakheti, the ancient cave city of Uplistsikhe and more, all in this eight-day tour.

Tour itinerary:

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Day 1: Baku

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.
In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Baku – Absheron Peninsula – Gobustan – Baku

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.

Day 3: Baku – Lagich* – Kish – Sheki

In the morning, depart Baku and drive to Sheki. On the way, stop at Diri Baba Mausoleum in the village of Maraza. Continue to Shamakhi to visit the historical Juma Mosque, which was restored in 2013. Visit Yeddi Gumbez Mausoleum, the Shirvan Shah's family graveyard. Weather permitting, drive through Girdimanchay River Canyon to visit Lagich (Lahich, Lahij), the 5th century, quaint corner high in Caucasus mountains with its rich history and beautiful architecture. Lagich is an ancient village with charming cobbled sidewalks famous for numerous traditional handicraft workshops (jewelry, copperware, wool carpets, pottery, daggers, and iron tools). Continue driving to Sheki, the pleasant and easily walkable medieval town set in a lush mountainous area. Sheki is especially known for local style sweet baklava. On the way, visit the first Albanian church in Caucasus in the village Kish dating back to the 1st century AD. Arrival in Sheki, overnight at the hotel.
*Lagich will not be reachable during 2025 due to the road construction.

Day 4: Sheki – Georgian border – Kvareli – Gremi – Telavi

Check out of the hotel and start a new day visiting the colorful Sheki Bazaar. You can find virtually everything you may want to eat: local fruits and berries, spices, freshly baked bread, honey, cheeses, and Sheki sweets. Continue to Sheki Khans Palace surrounded by medieval fortress walls. Visit handicrafts workshop and Caravanserai. Depart Sheki and head towards border with Georgia (115 km, ~2 h.). At the border, you will say goodbye to your guide, go through border formalities, and cross the neutral territory on foot (500 m). After exiting Georgian border control point you will meet your Georgian guide and start exploring the Eastern part of Georgia famous for its viticulture and winemaking traditions. Enjoy a traditional lunch in a Georgian family. We will pass through the beautiful landscapes of vineyards and wine-producing villages. The next stop will be at unique wine cellar “Khareba” located in the tunnel carved out of the rock. Originally built for military purposes, today the tunnel is used to store Kakheti’s finest wines. Wine tour and wine tasting. Continue to Gremi architectural complex, 16th century royal residence and the capital of Kakheti Kingdom. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Telavi – Tsinandali – Bodbe – Sighnaghi – Tbilisi

After breakfast, continue exploring Kakheti by visiting Tsinandali, residence of dukes of Georgia, with a beautiful park, a museum, and a wine cellar which belonged to prince Chavchavadze, public figure and poet of 19th century. Continue to Bodbe Convent and Sighnaghi Royal Town, one of the crossroads of the Silk Road surrounded by defensive walls with 23 towers. In the afternoon, we will head to Tbilisi for overnight.

Day 6: Tbilisi

In the morning, have a sightseeing tour in Tbilisi. Start at Holy Trinity cathedral, one of the largest orthodox cathedrals in the world. Continue to Metekhi church and 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. Cross the Bridge of Peace to Rike Park and head to Open Air Museum of Ethnography, a miniature model of Georgia. In the evening, visit a local restaurant to taste dishes of traditional Georgian cuisine and enjoy folklore show. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 7: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Gori – Uplistsikhe – Tbilisi

After breakfast, drive to Mtskheta, one of the oldest towns and the cultural and religious centre of Georgia. Mtskheta was the capital of the Eastern Georgian Kingdom of Iberia from the third century BC. 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 Cathedral which may be translated as "The Life-giving pillar". Svetitskhoveli is the main cathedral of Mtskheta and a sacred place where the robe of Christ is being kept. Continue to Gori and visit Stalin Museum. Explore cave town Uplistsikhe dating back to Hellenistic Period and notable for unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures and the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture. Drive back to Tbilisi for overnight.

Day 8: Tbilisi – departure

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

Price includes:

All transfers (1-2 pax by sedan, 3-4 pax by Mercedes Vito or similar, 5-12 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;
Dinner in Baku (day 1, folklore show in Baku is provided for groups of 4 travelers and more) and Tbilisi (day 6);
Wine tasting in Kakheti region, Georgia;
Lunch in a Georgian family;
Bottled drinking water.
Azerbaijan E-visa.