Trails of Fire - From Baku to Medieval Georgia
A 10-day journey from the land of eternal fire in Azerbaijan to the medieval fortresses of Georgia, including Vardzia, Kazbegi and historic Tbilisi.
Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival in Baku
Transfer from Baku airport to hotel with guide assistance. 20 km
DAY 2: Baku - Absheron - Baku
Visit to the Shirvanshahs Palace, Ateshgah fire temple, Yanardag burning mountain, Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center and the vibrant Yashil Bazaar. 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. 204 km
DAY 4: Baku - Shamakhi - Sheki
Route to Sheki visiting Diri Baba Mausoleum, Seven Domes Mausoleum in Shamakhi, Khan Summer Palace with its famous Shebeke stained glass windows and Kish Albanian Church. 347 km
DAY 5: Sheki - Lagodekhi - Kvareli - Alaverdi - Telavi
Border crossing to Georgia via Lagodekhi. Visit to Khareba Winery with wine tasting in tunnels carved into rock. 11th-century Alaverdi Cathedral. Arrival in Telavi. 230 km
DAY 6: Telavi - Ananuri - Gergeti - Gudauri
Journey along the Georgian Military Highway. Ananuri fortified complex by Jinvali reservoir. Ascent to Gergeti Trinity Church beneath Mount Kazbek. Night in Gudauri. 198 km
DAY 7: Gudauri - Gori - Uplistsikhe - Akhaltsikhe
Stalin Museum in Gori. Rock-hewn city of Uplistsikhe with pagan temples and Christian basilicas. Arrival in Akhaltsikhe and Rabati fortress. 312 km
DAY 8: Akhaltsikhe - Vardzia - Khertvisi - Tbilisi
Exploration of Vardzia, 12th-century cave monastery city with medieval frescoes and ancient wine cellars. Khertvisi Fortress. Scenic route to Tbilisi through the Lesser Caucasus. 287 km
DAY 9: Tbilisi - Guided Tour
Tour of Rustaveli Avenue, Metekhi Square, cable car ride to Narikala Fortress, Abanotubani district with its sulfur baths and Anchiskhati Basilica. 2 km
DAY 10: Departure from Tbilisi
Transfer from hotel to Tbilisi airport. 18 km
About this trip
Follow the "Trails of Fire" from the land of eternal fire in Azerbaijan to the medieval fortresses of Georgia. This 10-day journey begins with an immersion in Azeri culture in Baku and the Absheron Peninsula, visiting the Ateshgah temple and the burning mountain of Yanar Dag. We will travel through the Lesser Caucasus mountains to Sheki, where we will sleep in an ancient caravanserai (if available) or visit the Khan's Palace.
Georgia: Wine and Fortresses
Upon crossing into Georgia, the Kakheti region will welcome us. We will visit the Alaverdi monastery and the Gremi citadel. Tbilisi will serve as our base to explore the north, climbing to Kazbegi to see the glaciers. But the focus of this trip is southern Georgia. We will travel through Borjomi to Akhaltsikhe to visit the impressive restored fortress of Rabati, a multicultural complex with mosque, church and synagogue.
The Cave City
The highlight will be the visit to Vardzia, a cave monastery city carved into the rock in the 12th century that once housed thousands of monks. We will explore its tunnels and frescoed chapels. On the way back to Tbilisi, we will stop at Khertvisi fortress. This itinerary is ideal for lovers of military history and defensive architecture, showing how these nations protected themselves throughout the centuries.
Included
- Accommodation: 9 nights in selected 4-star hotels
- Meals: Bed and breakfast
- Transport: Private vehicle with A/C and fuel
- Guide: Professional English-speaking guide throughout the tour
- Logistics: Staff expenses (guide/driver)
- Water: 1 bottle per person/day
- Taxes: Local taxes included
- Entrances: Monuments according to itinerary
Not Included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Lunches and dinners (unless indicated)
- Alcoholic beverages and tips
- Personal expenses