MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST

Departure on a regular flight to Baku. Arrival at Baku airport. Meet and greet with the company representative and transfer to the hotel.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST

We will dedicate the morning to visiting the old city center of the capital. We will begin with a visit to the Martyrs’ Cemetery, located on the highest slopes of the western edge of the city, offering the best panoramic views of the city and Baku Bay.

Next, we will arrive at the historic center of Baku, its old town – Icheri Sheher. We will see the Shirvanshah Palace (the most striking example of medieval palace architecture in Azerbaijan, dating from the mid-15th century), the Maiden Tower (an eight-story ancient fortress originally built as a fire beacon), the Juma Mosque, and shops selling antiques and carpets. Free time in the area.

Afterwards, we will explore the main sites of the Absheron Peninsula. We will visit Ateshgah, the Fire Temple of the Faithful in the village of Surakhany. Then, we will see Yanar Dag (Burning Mountain), one of the few remaining natural phenomena in Azerbaijan where natural gas emerges from the ground and ignites, a unique feature of the region.

Return to Baku and visit the ancient Yashil Bazaar market. Transfer to the hotel at the end of the tour.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST

After breakfast, we will visit the Gobustan Reserve, an open-air museum full of Neolithic rock carvings. Located just 65 km south of Baku, Gobustan has around 6,000 inscriptions dating back up to 12,000 years (including a 2,000-year-old Latin graffiti). The well-preserved carvings depict ancient populations traveling in reed boats, men hunting antelopes and wild bulls, and women dancing.

Afterwards, you will also have the opportunity to see a unique site where 300 of the world’s 700 mud volcanoes are located in Gobustan, Azerbaijan.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center. Return to the hotel and rest.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST

In the morning, after breakfast, we depart from Baku to Sheki. On the way, in Shamakhi, we will stop to visit the two-story Diri Baba Mausoleum (15th century) and the Seven Domes Mausoleum. The architecture of Diri Baba harmonizes beautifully with its picturesque surroundings of rocks and green trees. The mausoleum is a masterpiece of the Shirvan architectural school, a beautiful creation of ancient craftsmen, and is protected by the state. The Seven Domes Mausoleum is an ancient cemetery of members of the Shirvanshah royal dynasty, offering a great view of the city.

We will continue our route to Sheki, arriving in the afternoon. The tour will begin at the Khan’s Summer Palace (18th century) with magnificent frescoes (one 24 meters long) and exquisite colored glass windows in the northern part of the city. We will visit Sheki’s confectioneries, souvenir shops, and workshops showcasing the exquisite Shabaka stained glass.

Next, we will see the Albanian Church located in the nearby village of Kish. Arrival at the hotel for overnight stay.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST

In the morning, after breakfast, we will continue the route toward the Georgia border. Some border formalities will be required, including a change of transport and guide.

We will continue to Kakheti, located in the great Caucasus mountains with a wide, sunny plain. Kakheti is a winemaker’s paradise, where the renaissance of Georgian wine has flourished, and where both boutique and larger wineries are putting Georgia back on the world wine map.

We will visit the Gremi Fortress, a fortress and central-domed Archangel Church built with square bricks. The church interior is decorated with 17th-century frescoes. Next, we will visit the Khareba Winery in Kvareli for a Georgian wine tasting.

In the afternoon, we will arrive in Telavi. Overnight stay at the hotel.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST

After breakfast, we will have a city tour in Telavi and then drive to the Alaverdi Cathedral. Parts of the monastery date back to the 6th century, but the current cathedral was built in the 11th century by Kvirike III of Kakheti over an earlier St. George Church.

Next, we will visit the David Gareji Monastery. In the afternoon, we will arrive in Tbilisi. Overnight stay at the hotel in Tbilisi.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST

After breakfast, we will have a guided city tour of Tbilisi, offering an unforgettable introduction to the capital. A charming city built in the 5th century along the winding Mtkvari River valley, all major sights are within walking distance of each other.

The tour begins at the medieval Metechi Church (13th century), followed by a cable car ride to Narikala Fortress (4th century), which overlooks the old town skyline. We will continue to explore the oriental-style sulfur baths with their brick domes (17th century), located in the district of naturally hot mineral waters.

We will walk through the city center, discovering Shardeni Street with its attractive cafés and galleries. Visits include the synagogue, Sioni Cathedral, and the Anchiskhati Basilica (6th century). We will also visit the National Museum of Georgian Handicraft, showcasing artifacts dating back to the 3rd millennium BC.

The tour concludes at Rustaveli Avenue, where we will see the Parliament, Opera House, Ballet, and Tbilisi Theatre, offering a taste of the city’s cosmopolitan atmosphere. Return to the hotel at the end of the tour.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST

After breakfast, at the scheduled time, we will drive to Mtskheta, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Georgia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located at the crossroads of the Military Road and the Silk Road. The tour includes:

• Jvari Monastery (6th century), a cross-shaped church that greatly influenced Georgian architecture and served as a model for many other churches.

• Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century), magnificent both inside and out, which plays an important role as the burial site of Christ’s robe.

Next, we will continue to Gori, the birthplace of Stalin. Visit the Uplistsikhe Complex (“Lord’s Fortress”), an ancient rock-hewn city from the 1st millennium BC, where we will explore various structures from that era, including the theater, a pharmacy, and several palaces, showcasing different rock-cut architectural styles. There will also be a brief stop at the Stalin House-Museum.

In the afternoon, we will return to the hotel in Tbilisi.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST

After breakfast, departure to the airport.