Caucasus Explorer: Unveiling the Beauty of the Region

1180 €, 11 Days

The Caucasus - the region where Europe meets Asia, where dramatic nature landscapes meet thousands-of-years-old churches and where hearty fusion cuisine meets the oldest winemaking tradition in the world. Despite its incredible diversity and astoundingly rich history the area still remains one of the least explored parts of the world and is a real gem for off-the-beaten-path destinations seekers. On this tour you will explore the highlights of three countries - Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, each of them having its own specific charm and at the same time contributing to the overall allure of the region.

Highlights:

♦ Yerevan - the colorful capital of Armenia;
♦ Khor Virap Monastery - connected to Gregory the Illuminator who introduced Christianity to Armenia;
♦ Dilijan - one of the most beautiful armenian cities, often referred to as the Little Switzerland by the locals.
♦ Mtskheta - ancient capital of Georgia and important religious centre;
♦ Kakheti region - Georgia’s premier wine-producing area;
♦ Baku - the cosmopolitan capital of Azerbaijan, dubbed the Dubai of the Caucasus.

View Route Map

Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrival
Arrival at the Zvartnots airport - the main international airport of Armenia. Meet and greet transfer, accommodation at the hotel. -/-/-

Day 2. Yerevan - Echmiadzin - Yerevan
In the morning meet the guide and start a city tour around Yerevan. Drive to Echmiadzin – the place where the only Begotten descended. Holy Echmiadzin is the Armenia's spiritual center and one of the centers of Christianity all over the world. Here we will have the chance to participate in a Sunday liturgy. Return to Yerevan with a stop at the ruins of Zvartnots temple - the pearl of the 7th century architecture, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage. Lunchtime. Visit Tsitsernakaberd-walking through Memorial park and visit museum of the victims of Genocide. Visit Cafesjian Show Room and Vernisage flea market, the place to get a little taste of Armenia, to see the fusion between national traditions, art & crafts with contemporary taste. Overnight in Yerevan. B/-/-

Day 3. Yerevan - Khor Virap - Noravank - Yerevan
Sightseeing tour to Khor-Virap monastery the importance of which is connected with Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia. It is a wonderful masterpiece situated on top of a hill. It is a pilgrimage place visited by a lot of tourists and native people every year. It looks like a castle where everybody has the hint to sit and dream while admiring the beauty of the church. The highlight is the best view to the biblical Mt. Ararat. After lunch we continue our tour to Noravank monastery-religious and cultural center of 13th c. It is situated in a narrow gorge which is known for its tall, sheer, brick red cliffs, directly across from the monastery. The beauty of this monastery is appreciated by thousands of visitors not only because of its architecture and history, but for its harmony with the surrounding fabulous nature. Drive back to the capital city. Overnight in Yerevan. B/-/-

Day 4.Yerevan - Garni - Geghard - Lake Sevan - Dilijan
Check out from the hotel and departure to Garni Temple, which towers over a triangular cape, is the unique survived example of heathen culture in Armenia. After adopting Christianity in 301, the pagan temple lost its significance and the fortress of Garni became the summer residence of the kings. Then we will drive to Geghard monastery inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list. Geghard monastery is the unsurpassable masterpiece of the 13th century Armenian architecture. Some of the churches of the complex are masterfully hewn in a huge rock. The complex is rich in subtle sculptural embellishments and many striking khachkars (cross-stones). B/-/-

After lunch(optional) we will go to Lake Sevan, one of the largest freshwater alpine mountain lakes in the world. The beautiful landscape and the crystal water serve as nice preconditions for excellent rest. We will visit Sevanavank Monastery. Then we will continue to Dilijan resort town to explore one of the most beautiful resort towns of Armenia.Overnight in Dilijan. B/-/-

Day 5. Dilijan - Fioletovo village - Tbilisi (Georgia)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Georgia. On the way to Tbilisi we will stop by the Russian village called Fioletovo to get acquainted with the life of ethnic Russian minority of Molokans. The village of Fioletovo in the Lori province of Armenia was founded in 1842 by Russian Molokan exiles from the Tambov Governorate of Russian Empire. Molokans are members of a spiritual Christian sect. In the 19th century, Molokans were exiled from Russia and settled down in Ukraine, Siberia, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and central Asia. Molokans do not accept icons, church hierarchy, clergy, do not worship the cross, don’t eat pork, don’t drink alcohol and do not smoke, considering it a sin. Departure for Georgia. In the afternoon arriving at the hotel in Tbilisi and a short rest meet the guide at the lobby of the hotel and start a few unforgettable hours of familiarization with the capital. All the places of interest are very close to each other, within a few minutes walk. The first stop of our excursion from Metekhi (13th century) plateau, then we will reach Narikala Fortress (4th century) which dominates the skyline of the Old Town and we will continue exploring brick-domed underground sulfur baths (17th century) – the district of naturally hot mineral waters, cafe street Shardeni, Synagogue, Sioni Cathedral and the most ancient Basilica in Tbilisi - Anchiskhati (6th century). We will walk across the Bridge of Peace with its stunning design which is a convenient crossing point between the newly constructed Rike Park and the Old Town. It also provides superb views over the city. Free time in the evening. Hotel accommodation and overnight in Tbilisi. B/-/-

Day 6. Tbilisi - Alaverdi - Gremi - Khareba Winery - Tsinandali - Tbilisi
After breakfast, we will drive to Kakheti region - Georgia’s premier wine-producing area which is also home to hundreds of historical and architectural monuments. We will visit Alaverdi monastery, built in 11th century, which was one of the tallest structures of the time. The surrounding courtyard is home to vineyards from which local monks make their own wine. Afterwards we have possibility to see Gremi monastery complex. Gremi was the Capital of Kakheti Kingdom (1466–1616 years). It had booming cultural life, but due to internal strife and the invasion of Shah Abbas, the town was destroyed. Afterwards we will proceed to Khareba winery tunnel carved in the rock of the Caucasus Mountain Range and used to age wine and have wine degustation. Afterwards we will visit Tsinandali – a village noted for the estate and its historic winery which once belonged to the 19th century aristocratic poet Alexander Chavchavadze. We will have an excursion in the family museum and a walk in the park beautifully laid out in English style with fine viewpoints and exotic plants. In the evening we will drive back to Tbilisi for overnight. B/-/-

Day 7. Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Uplistsikhe - Gori - Tbilisi
After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to Mtskheta - the ancient capital of Georgia, important religious centre and city-museum which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Along the way we will stop to visit the Jvari Monastery (6th century). This well-known monastery is located on the top of the mountain, at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers. Then head to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) which is known as a place where Christ’s robe was buried. Walk along the narrow streets of Mtskheta where you can buy some local souvenirs and presents. Then continue driving to Gori – the birthplace of the Soviet leader Stalin. Photo-stop at the museum of Stalin and proceed to the cave town Uplistsikhe (1st millennium BC) – one of the first cities in Georgia carved into the rock. The caves were the site of pagan rituals, before Georgia became a Christian country. In the evening we will return to Tbilisi for overnight. B/-/-

Day 8.Tbilisi – Baku by train
Free day in Tbilisi.
Evening transfer to Tbilisi Central Railway station for the night train to Baku. We travel in sleeping compartments which are shared by 4 people (2nd class compartment). It is possible to get a compartment shared by 2 people (1st class compartment) against an additional payment. B/-/-

Day 9. Baku city tour
Arrival in Baku at 08:50 – transfer to the hotel. After breakfast at the hotel, we will start Baku city tour from Marty’s Lane, Highland park which connects the city center by funicular. A beautiful panoramic view of the city and the Baku Bay opens from the park. Continue to Maiden’s Tower – Baku landmark, a much loved symbol of the city and of Azerbaijan. It looms dark and enigmatic, looking out to sea from the southern edge of Baku’s old, walled city the Icheri Sheher. The Tower has been constructed in 12th century. Then proceed to Juma Mosque or mosque in the Icheri-sheher which has been functioning since the 12th century. According to many modern archaeologists, there was a pagan sacred centre on the site of Juma Mosque, where the fire worshipers gathered. Afterwards discover Palace of Shirvanshah – the most striking example of the medieval palace structures in Azerbaijan is the Shirvanshah Palace complex dating to the middle 15th cen. Afterwards visit Bibi-Heybat Mosque which is a historical mosque in Baku, Azerbaijan. The existing structure, built in the 1990s, is a recreation of the mosque with the same name built in the 13th century by Shirvanshah Farrukhzad II Ibn Ahsitan II, which was completely destroyed by the Bolsheviks in 1936. Afterwards we visit famous Carpet Museum. Located in the center of Baku, the museum displays Azerbaijani carpets and rug items of various weaving techniques and materials from various periods. Overnight in Baku. B/-/-

Day 10. Day tour around Baku - 4 Absheron Treasures Tour
Drive to the Absheron Peninsula which was the site of some of the world's first petroleum production in the 19th century and shows the ravages of its oil-rich history. We will visit Gobustan (UNESCO), a culturally significant landscape of myriad rock carvings with over 6,000 Stone and Iron Age petroglyphs which depict people, animals, battle-pieces, ritual dances, bullfights, boats with armed oarsmen, warriors with lances in their hands, camel caravans, pictures of sun and stars, on the average dating back to 5,000-20,000 years.

Next stop are the Mud volcanoes which appeared on the territory of the present Azerbaijan Republic 25 million years ago. For the present Azerbaijan ranks first in the world in the number of mud volcanoes (350 of the 800 volcanoes of the world are in the Azerbaijani Republic). The eruptions of volcanoes are used as raw material in the chemical and construction industries as well as in pharmacology. Moreover, nowadays volcanic clay and mud are used in the treatment of diseases related nervous system, skin and rheumatism. Our guide will take you to the active mud volcanoes, that you can climb and view craters up close.

After lunch we continue to the temple of fire worshippers called “Ateshgah”. Thousands of years ago the ancient supporters of Zoroaster religion worshipped the fire here. We continue to “The Burning Mountain” called Yanar Dag. Here you can witness an amazing natural phenomenon - the incessant natural gas burning process.

Last visit for the day is Yanardag State Historical, Cultural and Natural Reserve. Yanardag is a natural gas flame that has been constantly burning since ancient times on a hillside on Absheron Peninsula near Baku. The meaning of the phrase “Yanardag” is “Burning Mountain”. To this day, pilgrims from Iran and India come here to visit the sacred burning mountain. B/-/-

Day 11. Departure
Transfer to Baku international airport and departure. B/-/-

Price Includes:
accommodation in standard 3*** hotels
rooms with en suite facilities (3 nights in Yerevan,1 night in Dilijan,3 nights in Tbilisi and 2 nights in Baku)
transportation as per program
transfers
train ticket Tbilisi - Baku (second class)
English speaking cultural tour guide throughout the tour days
entrance fees for Azerbaijan(as by the itinerary)
degustation of wine at Khareba winery
catering BB: (breakfast at the hotel)

Not Included:
flight tickets
insurance
visa for Azerbaijan
tips and other personal expenses
meals except described (lunches and dinners)
alcoholic drinks
entrance fees in Azerbaijan and not mentioned in the program
meals not mentioned in the program
portage at the hotels
entrances fees for Armenia and Georgia(15-20 EUR per person per country)
wire transfers fees

Additional Services:
If by any occasion the train between Georgia and Azerbaijan is not running,the transfer between both countries is made with a local airline,the cost of which is 140 EUR per person.(23kg checked-in luggage included)

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