Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan 11 days

Itinerary

Day 1: Friday: Arrival day

Pass By: Tbilisi International Airport
Arrival in Tbilisi airport, drive to Yerevan

Stop At: Bagratashen - Sadakhlo Border Crossing
Cross the Armenia-Georgia border
Duration: 30 minutes

Pass By: Ani Plaza Hotel
Check in to hotel in Yerevan; Check in after 15:00

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Yerevan

Day 2: Saturday: Yerevan city tour

Pass By: Ani Plaza Hotel
12:00 - Yerevan city tour. Visit Mother Armenia monument and get a spectacular view of Mt. Ararat with panorama of central Yerevan. Visit the Matenadaran Institute of Ancient Manuscripts. Take a tour of Cascade complex, Opera House, Northern Avenue and Republic Square. Visit Armenian Genocide Memorial. Take a tour of “Vernissage” to buy souvenirs and gifts. Visit fruit market “Shouka” to buy traditional sweets or dry fruits.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Yerevan

Day 3: Sunday: Yerevan – Khor Virap- Echmiadzin – Zvartnots - Yerevan

Pass By: Ani Plaza Hotel
09:00 - drive to Khor Virap monastery, where the Mt. Ararat reveals its breathtaking size and splendor. Drive to Echmiadzin, the spiritual and administrative center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Visit the Main Cathedral of Echmiadzin and attend the Holy Liturgy (Sundays). Return to Yerevan. En route visit ruins of the 7th century Zvartnots Temple. Return to Yerevan.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Yerevan

Day 4: Monday: Yerevan– Garni – Geghard – Lake Sevan – Haghpat - Armenia / Georgia border – Tbilisi

Pass By: Ani Plaza Hotel
09:00 - check out from hotel. Drive to the oldest surviving building on the territory of Armenia, the 1st century Garni Pagan Temple. Visit one of the most beautiful monasteries in Armenia, the 13th century cave monastery of Geghard. Drive to Lake Sevan.

Pass By: Lake Sevan, Lake Sevan, Gegharkunik Province
Visit monastery of Sevanavank on Sevan peninsula. Continue to Dilijan, a resort town renowned for its charming nature and extraordinary architecture. Visit the historical district of Old Dilijan, the Sharambeyan Street. Drive to Alaverdi. Visit Haghpat monastery. Drive to Armenia-Georgia border.

Stop At: Bagratashen - Sadakhlo Border Crossing
Cross the Armenia-Georgia border, drive to Tbilisi.
Duration: 30 minutes

Pass By: Gallery Palace
Check in to hotel in Tbilisi.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Tbilisi

Day 5: Tuesday: Ananuri - Gudauri - Kazbegi - Gergeti - Tbilisi

Pass By: Gallery Palace
09:00 - driving towards the Caucasus Mountains, we will make a stop on the bank of the Zhinvali reservoir and visit Ananuri castle. Continuing upwards to the alpine ski resort at Gudauri, we will follow the old Georgian Military road through Cross Pass to arrive in Stephantsminda, here we will enjoy view from Gergeti church.

Stop At: Gergeti Trinity Church, Stepantsminda, Mtskheta-Mtianeti Region
Exotic lunch in a local family
Duration: 1 hour

Pass By: Gallery Palace
Return to Tbilisi hotel.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Tbilisi

Day 6: Wednesday: Signagi - Bodbe - Kvareli - Telavi

Pass By: Gallery Palace
09:00 - drive to fortified city of Signagi which is surrounded with a wall with 28 watch towers, visit convent of Bodbe, the territory of the monastery offers spectacular views of the land of the best Georgian wines - Alazani Valley with peaks of the Greater Caucasus towering behind it. After Bodbe we continue to the tunnel winery at Khareba to taste Kakhetian wines made according local traditions in Kvevri. Visit Gremi fortress and continue to Telavi.

Pass By: Savaneti Hotel
Visit Telavi old town and check in to hotel.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Telavi

Day 7: Thursday: Alaverdi - Tsinandali - Shuamta - Tbilisi

Pass By: Savaneti Hotel
09:00 - we will start with Telavi food market and continue to Alaverdi Cathedral. Built in the early XI century, it is one of four Great Cathedrals of the country and the highest of the ancient churches of Georgia. Next stop is in the Tsinandali estate - well known for its beauty. Prince Alexander Chavchavadze was a poet and a prominent figure in Georgia. In his home you can find an art gallery and a bar, where you can try Tsinandali - the first Georgian wine produced in accordance with the European technology. Continue visiting Ikalto Academy and Shuamta monastery complex; drive to Tbilisi hotel via beautiful Gombori pass.

Pass By: Gallery Palace
Check in to Tbilisi hotel.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Tbilisi

Day 8: Friday: Lagodekhi – Border with Azerbaijan – Sheki

Pass By: Gallery Palace
09:00 - check out and drive to Lagodekhi border with Azerbaijan.

Stop At: Lagodekhi Customs
Cross Georgia - Azerbaijan border, meet your local guide.
Duration: 1 hour

Pass By: Sheki Palace Hotel
Start exploring Azerbaijan – the land of fire. Drive to Sheki. On the way, visit the first Albanian church in Caucasus in the village Kish dating back to the 1st century AD. Have a short sightseeing tour on arrival: visit Sheki medieval fortress, Sheki Khans Palace, handicrafts workshop, panoramic view of the Town, Mosque-Madrassah and local bazaar.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Sheki

Day 9: Saturday: Shamakhi – Baku

Pass By: Baku Old City, Baku, Absheron Region
09:00 - drive to Baku. On the way visit historical mosque Juma and mausoleum of Seven Domes – Yeddi Gumbez in Shamakhi town. visit the Shirvan Shah's family grave yard. Arrival in Baku. Evening tour 1 hour.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Baku

Day 10: Sunday: Baku - Absheron Peninsula – Gobustan – Baku

Pass By: Gobustan Rock Art, Baku, Absheron Region
09:00 - today you will visit the area of the Greater Baku and Absheron peninsula. Start with Gobustan National Park. Pay a visit to the Petroglyphs Museum and explore petroglyphs dating back to 10,000 BC. Continue to mud volcanoes in Gobustan Reserve. Gobustan is home to almost half of world’s mud volcanoes. Later drive to Ateshgah – temple of fire worshippers located in Surakhany village. Zoroastrians from India travelled thousands of kilometers to Ateshgah to worship fire coming out of the earth. Drive to Yanardag Mountain with natural gas burning for several thousands of years.

Pass By: Baku Old City, Baku, Absheron Region
Return to Baku hotel.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Baku

Day 11: Monday: Departure

Pass By: Heydar Aliyev International Airport
Transfer to Baku airport for departure.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.