Discover Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia: from the Caspian to the Highlands - 16 Days (CT-09)

Welcome to Azerbaijan! Upon arrival at Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport, our representative will meet you and arrange a comfortable transfer to your hotel. After check-in, you’ll have the rest of the day free to relax after your flight or take a short walk around the city at your leisure. Overnight in Baku. (Dinner)

Today, explore Baku, a city where ancient heritage blends with modernity. Begin your guided tour in the Old City (Icherisheher), a UNESCO-listed site with narrow streets, historic caravanserais, and iconic landmarks such as the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs. Walk along the seaside boulevard and admire the Flame Towers, one of the city's most striking modern landmarks. Visit the Heydar Aliyev Centre, an architectural masterpiece designed by Zaha Hadid. Enjoy dinner at a traditional Azerbaijani restaurant, where you can taste local specialties like plov and dolma. Overnight in Baku. (Breakfast, Dinner)

After breakfast, we leave the capital behind to explore the fascinating Gobustan region. This UNESCO-listed archaeological reserve is home to thousands of ancient petroglyphs, offering a glimpse into prehistoric life in the Caucasus. As we walk among these remarkable carvings, we’ll uncover stories of early human settlements, hunting scenes, and religious rituals etched into the rocks thousands of years ago. Gobustan is also famous for its extraordinary landscape dotted with nearly 300 mud volcanoes. These bubbling, gurgling formations create an otherworldly scene, with thick mud occasionally erupting like geysers. Some believe the mineral-rich mud has healing properties, making this natural wonder even more intriguing.

After lunch, we continue to Yanar Dag, or the "Burning Mountain," where flames have been rising from the hillside for decades due to natural gas escaping through the earth’s surface. This eternal fire, burning continuously since the 1950s, creates a mesmerizing sight, especially as dusk falls. After taking in this rare natural phenomenon, we return to Baku for our final evening in Azerbaijan. Overnight in Baku (Breakfast, Dinner).

Driving distance: 152 km / 95 ml.

Depart from Baku and travel towards Sheki, one of Azerbaijan’s most charming cities. On the way, stop in Shamakhi, an important historical centre of the Shirvan region, to visit the Juma Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the Caucasus. Arrive in Sheki and explore its picturesque streets before visiting the stunning Sheki Khan’s Palace, known for its intricate frescoes and stained-glass windows. Wander through the lively bazaar, where you can taste Sheki’s famous sweets, including Sheki halva. Overnight in Sheki. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Driving distance: 298 km / 186 ml.

In the morning, visit the Church of Kish, one of the oldest Christian sites in the region. Afterward, head to the Azerbaijani-Georgian border, where you will meet your Georgian guide. Continue to Signaghi, the "City of Love," a beautifully restored town with cobbled streets and breathtaking views of the Alazani Valley. Visit the Bodbe Monastery, the final resting place of Saint Nino, the evangelizer of Georgia. Enjoy the relaxed ambiance of this picturesque town. Overnight in Signaghi. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Driving distance: 157 km / 98 ml.

Start the day with a walking tour of Signaghi before heading to the Gremi Fortress, the former residence of Kakhetian kings. Continue to Napareuli, where you will visit the Twins Wine Cellar and enjoy a wine-tasting session, learning about Georgia’s 8,000-year-old winemaking tradition. Stop at Alaverdi Monastery, an ancient religious site with its own vineyard. Arrive in Tbilisi in the evening and check into your hotel. Overnight in Tbilisi. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Driving distance: 219 km / 137 ml.

Explore Georgia’s vibrant capital with a guided city tour. Visit the Old Town, where you will see Metekhi Church, the famous sulfur baths, and the 4th-century Narikala Fortress, offering panoramic views of the city. Walk through Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi’s cultural hub, and visit the Peace Bridge, a modern architectural highlight. In the evening, enjoy a gala dinner with a traditional Georgian folk performance. Overnight in Tbilisi. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Travel to Mtskheta, Georgia’s ancient capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Jvari Church, a striking example of early medieval architecture perched on a hilltop, offering panoramic views of the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers. Explore Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, one of Georgia’s most revered religious sites, believed to house the burial robe of Christ. Continue to Gori, the birthplace of Joseph Stalin, and tour the Stalin Museum, which showcases his personal belongings, childhood home, and bulletproof train carriage. Later, visit Uplistsikhe, an ancient rock-hewn town that was once a major Silk Road settlement. This fascinating complex features tunnels, dwellings, and temples carved directly into the rock, offering a glimpse into Georgia’s distant past. In the late afternoon, we depart for Kutaisi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. Before settling in for the night, we visit Prometheus Cave, a breathtaking underground wonder filled with dramatic stalactites, stalagmites, and subterranean rivers. The illuminated chambers create a magical atmosphere, making this visit a perfect way to end the day. Overnight in Kutaisi. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Driving distance: 264 km / 165 ml.

Start your day at Kutaisi’s lively local market, where you can experience the vibrant exchange of fresh produce and local goods. Then, visit Bagrati Cathedral, a symbol of Georgia’s unification, offering stunning views of the city. Next, head to Gelati Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its medieval academy and beautiful frescoes, reflecting Georgia’s religious and intellectual history. In the afternoon, travel to Akhaltsikhe, a historic town in southwestern Georgia, rich in culture and heritage. Enjoy a night in this charming town, with its impressive fortress and welcoming atmosphere. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Driving distance: 170 km / 106 ml.

Visit Rabati Fortress, an impressive medieval complex that reflects various cultural influences. Continue to Vardzia, a spectacular cave monastery carved into the mountainside during the 12th century. Afterward, cross the border into Armenia, where you will meet your Armenian guide and travel to Gyumri, Armenia’s second-largest city known for its artistic heritage. Overnight in Gyumri. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Driving distance: 194 km / 121 ml.

Explore the charming city of Gyumri, known for its beautiful architecture and artistic culture. Visit the Dzitoghtsyan Museum of Social Life and National Architecture, as well as the historic Iron Fountain and Sev Berd (Black Fortress). In the afternoon, travel to Yerevan, Armenia’s capital. Overnight in Yerevan. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Driving distance: 119 km / 74 ml.

Begin the day at the Yerevan Cascade, an iconic landmark with grand staircases and escalators leading to breathtaking panoramic views of the city and Mount Ararat. Continue to Republic Square, known for its charming singing fountains, before exploring the bustling Vernissage market, where vendors offer everything from antiques to locally-made crafts. Next, visit the Matenadaran, a renowned repository of ancient manuscripts, preserving Armenia’s rich literary heritage. A solemn stop at the Genocide Memorial follows, honouring the victims of the Armenian Genocide. In the afternoon, explore the 7th-century ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral before visiting the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, the spiritual heart of the Armenian Church. Return to Yerevan for a traditional Armenian dinner. Overnight in Yerevan. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Driving distance: 55 km / 34 ml.

Start the day at the Temple of Garni, the only surviving Greco-Roman colonnaded temple in the Caucasus, perched above the Azat River Gorge. Then, walk through the Symphony of Stones, a striking basalt rock formation resembling organ pipes. Continue to Geghard Monastery, a 13th-century UNESCO-listed complex partially carved into the cliffs, renowned for its intricate stonework and sacred spring. Before returning to Yerevan, take part in a traditional lavash bread-making masterclass, learning the art of baking this Armenian staple in a tonir oven. Enjoy a traditional dinner in Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Driving distance: 75 km / 47 ml.

Travel to Khor Virap Monastery, a historic site offering stunning views of Mount Ararat. Learn about its significance as the place where Saint Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned before converting Armenia to Christianity. Continue to Noravank Monastery, a breathtaking 13th-century complex set against dramatic red cliffs. Admire its intricate carvings and unique two-story church while soaking in the surrounding landscape. Next, visit Areni, Armenia’s renowned wine region, and enjoy a tasting session featuring local varieties, including the famous Areni red. Nearby, explore Birds’ Cave (Areni-1 Cave), an important archaeological site where the world’s oldest leather shoe and evidence of ancient winemaking were discovered. Return to Yerevan for a traditional Armenian dinner. Overnight in Yerevan. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Driving distance: 245 km / 153 ml.

Travel to Lake Sevan, the "Pearl of Armenia," one of the world’s largest high-altitude lakes. Visit Sevanavank Monastery, perched on a peninsula, offering stunning views of the lake’s azure waters and surrounding mountains. Continue to Dilijan, often called "Armenia’s Switzerland" for its lush forests and alpine scenery. Take a short tour of the town, known for its traditional architecture, artisan workshops, and serene atmosphere. In the afternoon, visit Haghpat Monastery, a UNESCO-listed medieval complex set against breathtaking mountain landscapes. Explore its beautifully preserved churches and intricate stone carvings, reflecting Armenia’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage. Return to Yerevan for dinner and a relaxing evening. Overnight in Yerevan. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Note: There may be more flight options to your home destination from Georgia. Instead of returning to Yerevan, you can continue to Tbilisi and fly back home from there.

Driving distance: 367 km / 229 ml.

After breakfast, transfer to Yerevan International Airport for your departure flight. Safe travels! (Breakfast)