CAUCASUS

Day 1: Arrival to Baku
Upon arrival to International airport of Baku transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Baku. 

Day 2: Baku/Absheron Peninsula/Baku
Sightseeing tour of Baku with a visit and tour of the monumental, historical and architectural monuments of the city: you will see a panorama of the city of Baku Bay and the Upland Park. 
Then excursion to Absheron Peninsula – Ateshgah Fire Temple. The temple is located at the Apsheron peninsula at the outskirts of Surakhani village in30 km from the centre of Baku and was revered in different times by Zoroastrians, Hindus and Sikhs. Current constructions of the temple are dated by XVII century. As a result of excavations far more ancient artifacts were discovered here. Visit Yanardagh. After the tour we return to Baku.
Overnight in Baku. 

Day 3: Baku/Shemakha/Kish/Sheki
Transfer to Shemakha and visit outstanding mausoleum - Yeddi Gumbez. Short stop at Diri Baba Mausoleum. Drive to Sheki. On road Excursion to the village Kish. Village Kish famous for its huge Christian architectural monument. This is Albanian church which history goes back to 6th-7th centuries. 
Overnight in Sheki.

Day 4: Sheki/Lagodekhi border/Gavazi/Sighnaghi/Telavi
Morning visit to town of Sheki and its wonderful palace of Sheki Khan. Continue to Georgia over the Lagodekhi checkpoint. Travel to the home of a local Georgian family, where you will enjoy a home-made lunch with local wine. After a delicious lunch, you will journey on to explore tiny romantic town of Sighnaghi nestled inside the defensive walls. In the late afternoon travel to Telavi.
Overnight at a hotel in Telavi. 

Day 5: Telavi/Vardisubani/Tianeti/Kazbegi
This morning we explore the colorful agricultural market of Telavi and the central parts of the town. Next, travel to Qvevri maker’s studio to learn more about these huge jars buried underground for storing wines. Taste home-made wines and continue towards the Great Caucasus Mountains, passing Ananuri fort and passing along part of the Georgian Military Highway on the way. 
Overnight at a hotel in Kazbegi.

Day 6: Kazbegi/Gori/Uplistsikhe/Ateni
In the morning we’ll visit Gergeti Trinity church and enjoy marvelous views of the surroundings. 
Visit the town of Gori to see the Stalin Museum, then continue to Uplistsikhe Cave Town. Transfer to Nika’s Marani in Ateni village. Dinner and overnight in Ateni.

Day 7: Ateni/Gelati/Prometheus Grotto/Kutaisi
In the morning, travel to the magnificent Gelati Monastery and Academy – UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Next, visit the underground world of mystical stalactites and stalagmites at Prometheus grotto. In the evening we can take a short walk in the central part of Kutaisi.
Overnight at a hotel in Kutaisi.

Day 8: Kutaisi/Mtskheta/Tbilisi
Drive to Mtskheta, the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia, for a walk around the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery. Upon arrival in Tbilisi, we’ll take a cable car to Narikala Fortress and enjoy the walk downwards to the famous Sulphur Baths.
Overnight at a hotel in Tbilisi.

Day 9: Tbilisi/Armenian Border Sadakhlo/Dilijan
After breakfast at the hotel we’ll see sites of Tbilisi we weren’t able to see yesterday – churches, synagogue, as well as famous 19th century houses with wooden multi-colored balconies, Old city, Georgian History Museum, Rustaveli Avenue – the main street in Tbilisi.  Drive to Georgia – Armenia border “Sadakhlo”.  After border formalities we’ll start acquaintances with Armenia with the Haghpat dated to 976 AD, Monastic Complex which one of outstanding works of medieval Armenian architecture and is inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage List.  The complex used to be an educational center of the middle ages where the majority of Armenian scholars and scientists obtained their education.  We’ll continue on driving to Dilijan, where we’ll accommodate at the hotel, overnight in Dilijan.

Day 10: Dilijan/Sevan/Garni/Geghard/Yerevan
After breakfast at the hotel we’ll start sightseeing tour with Lake Sevan – the emerald of Armenia.  It is the second largest alpine freshwater lake in the world and the biggest in Caucasus.  This mountain lake is located at 6200 ft above sea level.  Sightseeing in Sevan also includes peninsula with Sevan Monastery. Today we’ll drive to a magnificent monument of medieval Armenian architecture – Geghard monastery partly carved out of a mountain.  Continue on to Garni Temple – citadel and pagan temple of Garni. Overnight in Yerevan today. 

Day 11: Yerevan/Etchmiatzin/Zvartnots/Yerevan 
After breakfast at the hotel, today we’ll drive to Etchmiatzin.  On the way visiting St. Hripsime Church. We’ll have lunch in a local community tasting homemade dishes.  Then drive back to Yerevan with stop at the ruins of Zvartnots temple – of the 7th c. architecture.  Second part of the day our main attraction will beTsitsernakaberd memorial of victims of Genocide. We’ll also visit the depositary of ancient manuscripts – Matenadaran, which contains historical documents of Europe and Asia from many centuries.  Overnight at a hotel in Yerevan.

Day 12: Departure
Transfer to the airport and departure.
 

Includes:

• Accommodation at double/twin room (single at supplement)
• Air conditioned vehicle 
• English speaking guide service
• Meals as mentioned
• All entrance fees
• 1 bottle of water (0.5lt) per person per day
   

Excludes:

• Flights
• Insurance fees
• Visa fees
• Services and meals that are not mentioned above
• Beverages
• Tips and other personal expenses
• Portage