Exploring the Caucasus: Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia in 17 Days
A deep 17-day immersion into the heart of Eurasia. From the modernity of Baku to the medieval towers of Svaneti, through the monasteries of Armenia and the mountains of the Greater Caucasus, a complete journey to understand three unique nations.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Baku
Transfer from Baku airport to the hotel with guide assistance.
Accommodation: Baku Midtown Hotel 4* | 20 km
Day 2: Baku - Absheron - Baku
Exploration of Baku visiting the Shirvanshahs Palace, the Ateshgah fire temple, the burning mountain of Yanardag, the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center designed by Zaha Hadid, and the vibrant Yashil Bazaar.
Accommodation: Baku Midtown Hotel 4* | 43 km
Day 3: Baku - Gobustan - Baku
Excursion to Gobustan Reserve (UNESCO Heritage) with 40,000-year-old petroglyphs, mud volcanoes and visit to the Carpet Museum in Baku.
Accommodation: Baku Midtown Hotel 4* | 204 km
Day 4: Baku - Shamakhi - Sheki
Visit to Diri Baba Mausoleum (15th c.), the Seven Domes Mausoleum in Shamakhi, Khan's Summer Palace in Sheki with its Shebeke stained glass, and the Albanian Church of Kish.
Accommodation: Sheki Macara Hotel 4* | 347 km
Day 5: Sheki - Lagodekhi - Sighnaghi - Tbilisi
Border crossing at Lagodekhi into Georgia. Visit to Sighnaghi, the "City of Love", with its cobbled streets and views of Alazani Valley. Continue to Tbilisi.
Accommodation: Ibis Styles Tbilisi Center 4* | 267 km
Day 6: Tbilisi - Guided Tour
Tour of Rustaveli Avenue, Metekhi Square, cable car ride to Narikala Fortress, Abanotubani district and Anchiskhati Basilica.
Accommodation: Ibis Styles Tbilisi Center 4* | 2 km
Day 7: Tbilisi - Sadakhlo - Haghpat - Saghmosavank - Yerevan
Border crossing at Sadakhlo into Armenia. Visit to Haghpat Monastery (UNESCO Heritage) and Saghmosavank Monastery on the edge of Kasakh River Canyon. Arrival in Yerevan.
Accommodation: Hotel Ani Plaza 4* | 289 km
Day 8: Yerevan - Khor Virap - Noravank - Areni Cave - Yerevan
Visit to Khor Virap Monastery with views of Mount Ararat, Noravank Monastery in a red cliff canyon, and Areni Cave with the world's oldest winery (6,000 years).
Accommodation: Hotel Ani Plaza 4* | 240 km
Day 9: Yerevan - Sevan - Dilijan - Goshavank - Sadakhlo - Tbilisi
Visit to Lake Sevan, Armenia's "blue pearl", Dilijan National Park and Goshavank Monastery. Border crossing at Sadakhlo back to Georgia and arrival in Tbilisi.
Accommodation: Ibis Styles Tbilisi Center 4* | 157 km
Day 10: Tbilisi - Ananuri - Kazbegi - Tbilisi
Excursion to Ananuri Fortress by Zhinvali Reservoir, and ascent to Gergeti Trinity Church at 2,170 meters beneath Mount Kazbegi.
Accommodation: Ibis Styles Tbilisi Center 4* | 321 km
Day 11: Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Uplistsikhe - Gori - Kutaisi
Visit to Mtskheta (UNESCO Heritage) with Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, the rock-hewn town of Uplistsikhe, Stalin Museum in Gori. Continue to Kutaisi.
Accommodation: Best Western Kutaisi 4* | 267 km
Day 12: Kutaisi - Bagrati - Motsameta - Gelati - Nikortsminda - Kutaisi
Visit to Bagrati Cathedral, Motsameta Monastery, Gelati Academy (UNESCO Heritage) and Nikortsminda Cathedral in the Racha region.
Accommodation: Best Western Kutaisi 4* | 191 km
Day 13: Kutaisi - Ushguli - Mestia
Ascent to Svaneti. Visit to Ushguli, one of Europe's highest inhabited settlements (2,200 m), with its medieval towers and views of Mount Shkhara. Night in Mestia.
Accommodation: Hotel Posta Mestia 4* | 208 km
Day 14: Mestia - Zugdidi - Dendrological Park - Batumi
Descent from the Greater Caucasus passing through Zugdidi. Stop at Shekvetili Dendrological Park with giant trees, bamboo, lemurs and flamingos. Arrival in Batumi.
Accommodation: Best Western Premier Batumi 4* | 268 km
Day 15: Batumi and surroundings
Visit to Batumi Ethnographic Museum, Gonio Fortress (1st c. Roman) and walk through the historic center and coastal Boulevard.
Accommodation: Best Western Premier Batumi 4* | 30 km
Day 16: Transfer to Batumi Airport
Transfer from hotel to airport according to flight time.
End of trip | 6 km
About this trip
Exploring the Caucasus invites you to a deep 17-day immersion into the heart of Eurasia, a journey designed for those seeking to understand the essence of three unique neighboring nations: Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia.
We will begin our odyssey in Baku, the Azerbaijani capital on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Here, the bold modernity of the Flame Towers intertwines with the medieval alleys of the Old City. We will explore the mystique of fire on the Absheron Peninsula and marvel at the prehistoric petroglyphs of the Gobustan Reserve. The journey continues to Sheki, a historic enclave on the Silk Road famous for its exquisite Khan's Palace.
Georgia: Land of Wine and Hospitality
We will cross the border into Georgia to discover the cradle of wine. In the Kakheti region, we will visit Sighnaghi, the "city of love". Tbilisi will welcome us with its eclectic charm and sulfur baths. The adventure continues to the heights of the Greater Caucasus in Kazbegi and the remote towers of Svaneti.
Armenia: Faith and Mountains
We dedicate quality time to Armenia, visiting the monasteries of Haghpat and Saghmosavank. In Yerevan we will explore the deep south with Khor Virap before Mount Ararat, the Noravank monastery and the Areni cave. We will also visit Lake Sevan and Dilijan, the "Little Switzerland".
Included
- Accommodation: 15 nights in selected 4* hotels
- Meals: Bed and breakfast
- Transport: Private vehicle with A/C and fuel
- Guide: Professional English-speaking guide
- Logistics: Staff expenses (guide/driver)
- Water: 1 bottle per person/day
- Taxes: Local taxes
- Entrances: Monuments according to itinerary
Not Included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Lunches and dinners (unless indicated)
- Alcoholic beverages and tips
- Personal expenses