Caucasus Caravan Tour

DAY 1:: ARRIVAL IN AZERBAIJAN

Welcome to Azerbaijan!  An English-speaking guide will meet you at the airport and get you settled safely into your hotel.  Hopefully you’ll be up for doing some exploring on your own this evening, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of Baku.  It’s a great city to walk around on your own.  Regardless, have a great first night of sleep, and prepare for a fantastic next two weeks!

DAY 2:: BAKU, PALACE OF SHIRVANSHAHS, MAIDEN TOWER, ATESHGAH, YANAR-DAG

Today is all about Baku! This morning you’ll visit the 15th-century Palace of the Shirvanshahs  (UNESCO site) and the Maiden Tower, the centerpiece of historical monuments in Baku. You’ll visit the natural wonder Yanar-Dag National Park, where flames of fire have been burning from the ground (without break!) for more than a millennium; this can be attributed to the country’s massive natural gas reserves.  You’ll also stop by Ateshgah Temple, an ancient Zoroastrian place of worship, also connected to, you guessed it, fire.  It’s no wonder why Azerbaijan’s historic moniker is “Land of Fire”, after your visits to Fire Mountain and Fire Temple, yes? Sadly, it’s your final evening in Baku, so enjoy the vibrant nightlife while you can! The city rests right on the shore of the Caspian Sea so make sure to dip your toes in at least once while here!

DAY 3:: GOBUSTAN, DIRI BABA MAUSOLEUM, SHAMAKHI, LAHIC

As much as we love Baku, we’re so excited for you to experience more of Azerbaijan as  you’ll explore the countryside & Caucasus mountains the next few days! This morning’s short journey south of the capital will take you WAY back in history, as you go to Gobustan National Park, home to some of the world’s oldest cave art and a UNESCO World Heritage site.  This Martian-like desert landscape also has hot mud volcanoes…lots of them :). After spending the morning in Gobustan, you’ll head northwest to Shamakhi, visiting a 15th-century cemetery (Diri Baba), where a saint was buried many centuries before.  After visiting Shamakhi’s central Juma mosque (the oldest mosque in Azerbaijan!) and stopping for lunch, it’s all beautiful nature the rest of the day, as you head to rural Lahic for an overnight, home to Azerbaijan’s coppersmithing traditions.

DAY 4:: LAHIC, GABALA LAKE & RUINS, NIJ, SHEKI

Welcome to Lahic!  You’ll explore historic Lahic yesterday evening & this morning with its ancient coppersmithing traditions.  Today you’ll also begin to experience some of the religious diversity of Azerbaijan’s history.  Although a predominantly Muslim country, Azerbaijan has an eclectic historical blend of religious influences (as you saw in Baku with the Zoroastrian temple).  After leaving Lahic, you’ll experience the natural beauty of the Gabala Region at Gabala Lake, as well as manmade beauty of the Gabala Ruins, a former stop on the Silk Road. You’ll  then visit Nij, the only remaining village in Azerbaijan with the Udi population, descendants of the Caucasian Albanian empire pre-dating Islam in Azerbaijan.  Finally, you’ll pull into Sheki this evening, a scenic, quiet town situated at the base of the Caucasus foothills, and one of the cradles of history in modern-day Azerbaijan.  Sheki is famous in Azerbaijan for its “piti”, or lamb stew; make sure to try it tonight upon arrival!

DAY 5:: SHEKI, KHAN PALACE, KISH CHURCH

Spending time in Sheki truly feels like being transported back in time. You’ll visit the 18th-century summer residence/palace of the Khan family with its incredible stained-glass  windows, as well as walking through an oft-visited caravanserai from the Silk Road.  You’ll also see Kish Church, a 1st-century church from the Caucasian Albanian empire, one of the oldest churches in the entire Caucasus region!  Sheki is also reputed as one of the last remaining places on the Silk Road where silk is still made and produced, so be sure to seek out some beautiful scarves or shawls for friends and family while here.

DAY 6:: TRANSFER TO GEORGIA, KAKHETI, GREMI CATHEDRAL, WINE-TASTING, TELAVI

Can you believe it’s already time to leave Azerbaijan?  You’ll make the scenic 1.5 hr. drive from Sheki to the Georgian border this morning, where your Georgian guide will be waiting for you at customs.  What a great part of Georgia to start your journey in, where you immediately encounter endless foothills and rural charm, especially since you’ll be having a Georgian feast first thing with a local family in Lagodekhi!  We like to call this part of Georgia the “Tuscany of the East” for its similar landscape and focus on wine.  Speaking of wine, you’ll visit a wine cellar today and learn all about Georgia’s unique methods of wine-making, as well as historic Gremo Cathedral & Tsinandali Palace.  You’ll spend this evening in Telavi with an incredible view of the Caucasus Mountain range!  We would be remiss to not mention the incredible Georgian cuisine you’ll be enjoying on your trip: cheese bread (khachapuri), meat dumplings (khinkali), soup (kharcho), and so much more!

DAY 7:: TELAVI, ALAVERDI CATHEDRAL, GEORGIAN MILITARY HIGHWAY, GUDAURI, STEPANTSMINDA, KAZBEGI

Today you’ll explore more of Georgia’s beautiful wine country, Kakheti, on your way to Kazbegi, one of Georgia’s most iconic regions.  You’ll walk through Telavi’s Old town as well as stop by the 6th-century Alaverdi Cathedral before taking the scenic Tianeti Pass that brings you to the main Georgian Military Highway at Zhinvali Lake.  The historic Georgian military highway served as a key transport route through the mountains esp. in the 19th and 20th centuries w/ the Russian Empire & Soviet Union.   Gudauri is Georgia’s most popular ski resort, and one of Europe’s hidden gems being discovered more and more each year.  Jvari Pass between Gudauri and Kazbegi will be the literal high point of your trip at 2,395 meters above sea level (7,857 feet).  You may be ready to turn in to bed earlier tonight with the significant change in elevation!

DAY 8:: KAZBEGI, STEPANTSMINDA, GERGETI CHURCH, ANANURI, MTSKHETA, TBILISI

If you liked the view of the Caucasus Mountain Range from Telavi, you’re sure to appreciate majestic Mt. Kazbek, which towers above the surrounding peaks at 5,054 meters (16,581 feet).  Your visit to Gergeti Church above the village Stepantsminda is sure to be seared in your memory as one of the most beautiful places you’ve ever visited, with the Caucasus mountain range surrounding you on all sides.  The Military Highway goes all the way to the Russian border (just 15 minutes from your hotel) and really helps you envision the conditions that people used to travel in.  Besides Gergeti Church with its stunning surrounding views, you can visit beautiful Dariali Gorge, do a short hike to Gveleti Waterfall, or there are chances to do some horseback riding in Stepantsminda as well.  Yesterday and today have the potential to be some of your best photography opportunities!  This afternoon you’ll head back down the highway to Tbilisi, with stops at the 15th-century Ananuri Fortress Complex, which sits on the beautiful Zhinvali Lake, as well as in Mtskheta, which some call the spiritual center of Georgia with its historic churches and monasteries’ role in the country’s history (multiple UNESCO  sites, including Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery).  Mtskheta especially is beautiful to visit at sunset. You’ll pull into Georgia’s lively capital Tbilisi tonight!

DAY 9:: TBILISI

Welcome to Tbilisi!  In recent years, Tbilisi is enjoying lots of positive press as one of the coolest cities in Eastern Europe, or the “New East”, as some  call this part of the world.  Enjoy your day here to the fullest with a guided city tour visiting some of Tbilisi’s most iconic spots: ancient churches, historic baths/saunas, the Jewish synagogue, an Old City that rivals any of Europe’s oldest cities, and more.  The Georgian National Museum as well as Museum of Soviet History are both very interesting stops.  Tbilisi has something for everyone, so you’re sure to be charmed in your time there.  The city is quite hilly and so many of the views from restaurants are very memorable. You’ll cap your full day in Tbilisi off the right way, with dinner and a national Georgian dance & folklore experience this evening.

DAY 10:: GORI, UPLISTSIKHE, BORJOMI, AKHALTSIKHE

Sadly, you depart from Tbilisi today in your final full day in Georgia, but your road trip today has something for everyone’s taste.  You head west from Tbilisi with your first stop in Gori, Joseph Stalin’s hometown, touring through the 1950s-era museum in his honor.  Then, you’ll explore 6th-century cave city Uplistsikhe, a UNESCO site unlike anything you’ve probably seen before.  You’ll continue to work your way into the Trialeti Mountain region of southern Georgia to Akhaltsikhe with its famous castle/fortress. On the way you’ll make a brief stop in Borjomi, famous throughout the former Soviet Union for its tasty mineral waters.  You’ll wrap up your time in Georgia the right way tonight with a feast with a local Georgian family happy to lavish their hospitality on you!

DAY 11:: VARDZIA, TRANSFER TO ARMENIA, GYUMRI

You’ll spend your final morning in Georgia climbing around Vardzia, a 12th century complex of cave monasteries, built into the side of a cliff.  After lunch, you’ll head to the third and final country of your Caucasus Caravan: Armenia!  Despite Armenia being landlocked, it’s a country  with incredible beauty with much to see.  This will be a full day of travel covering two countries and various sites, so you’ll be glad to pull into Gyumri this evening for dinner and a good night’s sleep!

DAY 12:: GYUMRI, GOSHAVANK MONASTERY, DILIJAN

This morning you’ll spend time in Gyumri, Armenia’s 2nd-largest city.  The architecture in this city is renowned for its distinct feel compared to the rest of the country, and the city continues to rebuild after the devastating earthquake in the region in 1988.  Gyumri is also well-known in Armenia as a hub of ceramic-making, so you’ll get to participate in a ceramic-painting class.  After visiting the city’s various sites, you’ll head east, visiting 12th-century Goshavank Monastery along the way.  You’ll overnight in quaint Dilijan, known locally as the “Armenian Switzerland” for its beautiful forested, alpine landscape.

DAY 13:: LAKE SEVAN, SELIM MOUNTAIN PASS, ORBELIANI CARAVANSERAI, NORATUS CEMETERY, NORAVANK MONASTERY, ARENI CAVE, YEREVAN

The adventures in Armenia continue today as you travel through Armenia’s diverse countryside, experiencing both historical sites as well as beautiful landscapes!  You’ll start the day with a scenic drive along the southwestern edge of Lake Sevan, the largest lake in the wider Caucasus region, before crossing the Selim Mountain Pass and exploring Orbeliani Caravanserai, a 14th-century stop for travelers along the Silk Road.  After lunch, you’ll visit Noratus Cemetery with UNESCO-recognized “khachkar” headstones, then make a stop at Noravank Monastery and Areni Cave before pulling into the capital city of Yerevan this evening.  All in all, something for everyone today! You’ll spend the final three evenings of your trip in Yerevan to fully experience all this part of Armenia has to offer.

DAY 14:: YEREVAN, LAVASH BAKING CLASS, GARNI TEMPLE & GORGE, GEGHARD MONASTERY

Welcome to historic Yerevan!  You’ll do a city tour this morning, including visiting the Matenaredan, the world’s largest collection of Armenian manuscripts.  Around lunch and after your lavash-baking master-class (i.e. Armenian bread), you’ll do a short day-trip east of the city to Geghard Monastery, another must-see UNESCO site. Not far from Geghard Monastery is the unique Garni Temple, the only pre-Christian structure (1st-century) in Armenia and the only Greco-Roman colonnaded building to be found in the entire former Soviet Union!  You’ll also visit one of Armenia’s most famous natural sites, the “Symphony of Stones” in Garni Gorge, which is an amazing rock cliff of basalt columns, resembling a huge organ with endless pipes. While in Yerevan, make sure to visit Vernissage, the city’s best open-air market. 

DAY 15:: YEREVAN, EJMIATSIN & ZVARNOTS CATHEDRALS, GENOCIDE MEMORIAL, ARMENIAN MUSIC EXPERIENCE

Can you believe it’s your final day in the Caucasus?!  This morning, we’ll stay closer to “home” and explore some of Yerevan’s most historic locations, starting with Ejmiatsin Cathedral.  Incredibly, this cathedral is reputed to have been built in 303 AD, staking claim to being the world’s first Christian church building.  Alongside the church is the Ejmiatsin Treasury with several ancient Christian relics.  Nearby is also Zvartnots Cathedral, a 7th-century church now in ruins but which boasted specific Armenian architectural features at one time.  Both cathedrals are UNESCO sites.  You’ll visit the the Genocide Museum & Memorial today as well, and interact with an Armenian musician who plays various traditional musical instruments.  It’s definitely our hope that you have a clear view of iconic Mt. Ararat from Yerevan on one of your three evenings in the city. It’s your final evening in the Caucasus; make the most of it with a tasty meal at one of Yerevan’s many restaurants and cafes!

DAY 16:: DEPARTURE FROM ARMENIA

You’ll be transferred to the airport this morning for your flight home.  Thanks for visiting and experiencing just a drop of what the Caucasus has to offer!  We hope to see you again, possibly exploring each country more in-depth: Georgia’s mountain regions of Svaneti or Tusheti, Armenia’s beautiful southeastern district of Goris, or Azerbaijan’s mountain towns (Quba, Khinalig) along the Caucasus Mountain range. Nakhvamdis! (Goodbye in Georgian)