Highlights of Azerbaijan & Georgia
10 days
from Baku to Marriott Tbilisi
From
$ 2405
Duration10 days
Visit a mountain that is (literally) on fire and explore the colourful streets of two of Eurasia's fastest-growing cities. Visit two countries that have taken a big leap into the 21st century, where historical old towns and monasteries sit comfortably alongside towering skyscrapers. Visit one of Europe's largest open-air rock museums, warm your hands against a mountain that is forever on fire, walk through the gardens of a local Kakheti family and talk about provincial life over a hearty lunch. Uncover the centuries-old recipe for producing Georgian wine and learn how to make your own yoghurt.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 10 daysService level: Standard
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Starts in: BakuPhysical Grading: Average
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Ends in: Marriott TbilisiAges: 15+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Baku
Start place: Baku
Welcome to Azerbaijan! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm this evening. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where it will take place. If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader.
Day 2: Baku
Get to know Baku with a tour of the city, taking in a visit to the Old City, including the Shemakha gate, Shirvanshakhs` Palace, Maiden Tower, and the Old Market Square. Don't forget your camera as you'll also see panoramic views of Baku's skyline.
After lunch head out on a tour of the Absheron Peninsula, visiting the Ateshgah fire temple, Mardakan medieval fortress and Yanardagh Fire Mountain (literally on fire!). Return to Baku in the evening.
We suggest checking out ,Nizami Street (Targoviy Street) this evening, there are many local restaurants to choose from and at night this busy boulevard comes to life; ask your leader where to find the best "Lavangi" - walnuts, dried fruit and onions are stuffed inside either chicken and roasted to create a tantalising fusion of flavours.
After lunch head out on a tour of the Absheron Peninsula, visiting the Ateshgah fire temple, Mardakan medieval fortress and Yanardagh Fire Mountain (literally on fire!). Return to Baku in the evening.
We suggest checking out ,Nizami Street (Targoviy Street) this evening, there are many local restaurants to choose from and at night this busy boulevard comes to life; ask your leader where to find the best "Lavangi" - walnuts, dried fruit and onions are stuffed inside either chicken and roasted to create a tantalising fusion of flavours.
Meals: B
Day 3: Gobustan - Baku
Drive to Qobustan and visit the open-air rock paintings museum, a UNESCO heritage site with its own archaeological museum.
Return to Baku and head to Baku Boulevard to the architectural masterpiece that is the Carpet Museum. Carpet weaving in Azerbaijan dates back more than 3000 years and plays a huge part in the local identity. Later maybe stroll back to your hotel along the 3.5 kilometre boulevard checking at the Caspian Sea
Return to Baku and head to Baku Boulevard to the architectural masterpiece that is the Carpet Museum. Carpet weaving in Azerbaijan dates back more than 3000 years and plays a huge part in the local identity. Later maybe stroll back to your hotel along the 3.5 kilometre boulevard checking at the Caspian Sea
Meals: B
Day 4: Caucasus Mountains / Lahij
Have breakfast at the hotel before leaving Baku today. Drive to the Caucasus Mountains in the northwest of Azerbaijan through a dry landscape that gives way to a densely forested mountain area. Take part in yoghurt-making in a local home in Shamakhi. Afterwards, head to Lahij where you'll visit a copper workshop and get to know some locals over a cup of tea. Tonight, enjoy dinner with your group and stay overnight at a guesthouse or homestay in Lahij.
Meals: B, D
Day 5: Nidj / Sheki
After breakfast, head to Nidj village, the village is home to the native Udin people, the direct descendants of ancient Caucasian Albanians, we take a stroll through the local bazaar and stop of tea and perhaps a chat with the locals before visiting the Albanian church that belongs to the Udi people, there are perhaps only a few thousand Udi people in the world today and the majority, approx 4.000 live in this area and village in Azerbaijan.
Continue on to Sheki and visit Sheki Khans Palace. The facade of the palace is richly painted with drawings displaying scenes of hunting and war, in the center is a huge stained-glass window made from multi-colored glass mosaics, walk across rainbow-coloured floors created by the frescoes and stained glass and discover the history behind the Palace.
Spend the night at a hotel in Sheki.
Continue on to Sheki and visit Sheki Khans Palace. The facade of the palace is richly painted with drawings displaying scenes of hunting and war, in the center is a huge stained-glass window made from multi-colored glass mosaics, walk across rainbow-coloured floors created by the frescoes and stained glass and discover the history behind the Palace.
Spend the night at a hotel in Sheki.
Meals: B
Day 6: Kish / Sheki
Visit nearby Kish village and its old pointy spired Christian church this morning one of the oldest churches in the Caucasus.
Return to Sheki and check out a workshop, where famous 'Shebeke', intricate handmade vitrages, are produced.
The afternoon is free to discover Sheki, it is the kind of town where you can just wander around the strange mixture of architecture, stop of tea and enjoy some famous Sheki halva and fill your instagram account with local scenes. There is also silk production here in Sheki, ask you Leader to organise a visit to a local workshop if you like, these guys are masters.
Dont forget to ask your Leader where to get the best Sheki Piti - stew made of lamb, sheep fat, chickpeas, onions, chestnuts, saffron and spices that is cooked in a claypot and eaten in a particular way.
Return to Sheki and check out a workshop, where famous 'Shebeke', intricate handmade vitrages, are produced.
The afternoon is free to discover Sheki, it is the kind of town where you can just wander around the strange mixture of architecture, stop of tea and enjoy some famous Sheki halva and fill your instagram account with local scenes. There is also silk production here in Sheki, ask you Leader to organise a visit to a local workshop if you like, these guys are masters.
Dont forget to ask your Leader where to get the best Sheki Piti - stew made of lamb, sheep fat, chickpeas, onions, chestnuts, saffron and spices that is cooked in a claypot and eaten in a particular way.
Meals: B
Day 7: Border Crossing / Sighnaghi
After breakfast at the hotel, drive take a walk with your Leader through the Sheki market, perhaps grab some halva, nuts and dried fruit for the journey to Lagodekhi on the Azerbaijan-Georgia border. Time to farewell Azerbaijan and meet your Georgia Leader. From Lagodekhi, travel to the Kakheti region, famous for its wine making and welcoming hospitality. From here, both the snowy Caucasus Mountains and bountiful green valleys are visible.
Visit a local family, explore the gardens and vineyards and then enjoy a lunch of delicious homemade food, wine and Georgian 'Chacha'. Later, visit a 300-year-old Georgian wine cellar and taste Georgian wine produced using Qvevri, large earthenware pots. This method of wine making is protected on UNESCO's heritage list and Georgian farmers have used this method for centuries. Continue to the beautiful 18th-century town of Sighnaghi, known for its quaint stone walls, small houses with terracotta roofs and decorated balconies. Admire the picturesque views of the Alazani Valley and Great Caucasus mountains. Stay overnight at a hotel in Sighnaghi.
Visit a local family, explore the gardens and vineyards and then enjoy a lunch of delicious homemade food, wine and Georgian 'Chacha'. Later, visit a 300-year-old Georgian wine cellar and taste Georgian wine produced using Qvevri, large earthenware pots. This method of wine making is protected on UNESCO's heritage list and Georgian farmers have used this method for centuries. Continue to the beautiful 18th-century town of Sighnaghi, known for its quaint stone walls, small houses with terracotta roofs and decorated balconies. Admire the picturesque views of the Alazani Valley and Great Caucasus mountains. Stay overnight at a hotel in Sighnaghi.
Meals: B, L
Day 8: David Gareja Caves / Tbilisi
In the morning drive to the David Gareja caves, a rock-hewn monastery carved into the stark semi-desert landscape in the sixth century. After seeing the Lavra Monastery, walk for about 50 minutes up a steep hill to the Udabno Monastery. This monastery features wonderful painted caves and dramatic views across to Azerbaijan.
Spend a free afternoon in Tbilsi.
Spend a free afternoon in Tbilsi.
Meals: B
Day 9: Tbilisi
Today, explore the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi. Wander the old districts of the city, which are structured like terraces, and walk through the narrow streets to appreciate the colourful houses, patterned balconies and revamped modern architecture. Start the tour from the 13th-century Metekhi church, with its magnificent views over old Tbilisi. A stroll along winding little streets takes us to the main sights of the city. Afterwards enjoy the panoramic views of the whole town and climb the battlements at the ancient Narikala fortress. Later explore the historical domed sulphur bath area and learn how this precinct is connected to the name of the city.
Take the afternoon to continue exploring, perhaps visit the Museum of History and see the treasury as an optional extra, or why not try a spa for yourself.
Spend the night at a hotel in Tbilisi.
Take the afternoon to continue exploring, perhaps visit the Museum of History and see the treasury as an optional extra, or why not try a spa for yourself.
Spend the night at a hotel in Tbilisi.
Meals: B
Day 10: Tbilisi
Your trip finishes today after breakfast and you are free to depart at any time.
End place: Marriott Tbilisi
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Baku - Maiden's Tower
- Baku - Shirvan Shah Palace
- Baku - Caravanserai
- Baku - Absheron Peninsula Tour
- Qobustan - Petroglyphs
- Baku - Carpet Museum
- Shamakhi - Yoghurt making
- Lahic - Copper workshop visit
- Sheki - Khan's Palace
- Nidj - Udin village visit
- Kis - Church
- Kis - Village Visit
- Sheki - Shebeke workshop visit
- Sighnaghi - Georgian Wine Tasting & Home Cooked Lunch
- David Gareja - Monastery Complex & Hike
- David Gareja - Udabno Monastery
- Tbilisi - Old Town Walking Tour
- Tbilisi - Narikala Fortress
- Tbilisi - Metekhi Church
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Transport
Private Bus -
Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights), Guesthouse (1 night)