Best of Georgia and Azerbaijan - 12 Days (CT-03)

Arrival in Tbilisi. Transfer to your hotel and settle in.

Today, you’ll explore Tbilisi. The Old Town has much to recommend.

In the morning we will visit the ancient city of Mtskheta that sits at the confluence of the Kura and Aragvi Rivers. Afterwards, you’ll make your way to Kutaisi, visiting Gelati Monastery and Bagrati Cathedral. 

This morning, you’ll have the opportunity to visit Kutaisi’s bustling market. Later, you’ll drive to Akhaltsikhe, whose name means “new castle” and visit the Rabati Fortress. 

Akhaltsikhe is the jumping off point for Vardzia, and that’s your destination today. The cave complex of Vardzia was dug out of solid rock on the orders of Queen Tamar in 1185.

Today, you’ll visit the Stalin Museum & Uplistikhe Cave Town. Afterwards, you’ll drive to Gudauri via the delightful architectural complex of Ananuri. Walk the walls of the castle to get a bird’s eye view of the reservoir below. 

We continue to Kazbegi along the Georgian Military Highway where you’ll transfer into jeeps to ascend the hill topped by Gergeti Trinity Church. Return to Tbilisi. 

Today you’ll make an excursion to Kakheti - Georgia’s premier wine growing region. You’ll enjoy a wine tasting at a local family winery in Signagi and enjoy a tour of this pretty town. Depart for Azerbaijan. Overnight in Sheki.

This morning you’ll enjoy a city tour of Sheki. From Sheki, drive to Baku. En route, make an excursion to Shemakha, where you’ll find Juma Mosque and a couple of interesting mausoleums. 

Take a city tour of old Baku, whose treasures include the Maiden Tower, the Palace of Shirvanshahs, the courtyard of Divankhana and numerous mosques, minarets, caravanserais and baths.  

There are three excursions on today’s itinerary: Ateshgah, Gobustan and Yanar Dag. Ateshgah is known as the Fire Temple of Baku. You’ll move on to Gobustan State Reserve, famous for its petroglyphs depicting prehistoric life in the Caucasus. Finally, visit Yanar Dag, a hillside that is permanently alight. 

Transfer to the airport. We hope you’ve had a wonderful trip. 

Your tour begins in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, a characterful city with a compact city centre. Transfer to your hotel and settle in. Overnight in Tbilisi. (D)

Today, you’ll explore Tbilisi. The Old Town has much to recommend it: the 13th century Methekhi Church overlooking the Mtkvari River, the 12th century Sioni Cathedral and the 6th century frescoes of the Antchiskhati Basilica, all located within walking distance of each other. You’ll also see the domes that mark the ceilings of the subterranean thermal baths and enjoy the views from the 4th century Narikala Fortress, reached by cable car. In Liberty Square, snap a photograph of a glittering St George slaying the dragon before continuing along Rustaveli Street to the Georgian National Museum. Overnight in Tbilisi (B, D).

Located about twenty kilometres north of Tbilisi, the ancient city of Mtskheta sits at the confluence of the Kura and Aragvi Rivers. This former capital is home to the Jvari Monastery. Dating from the 6th century, it was constructed in the shape of a cross which gives it the name “monastery of the cross”. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site, together with its near neighbour Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, another must-see. Afterwards, you’ll make your way to Kutaisi, visiting Gelati Monastery and Bagrati Cathedral on the outskirts of town. Overnight in Kutaisi. (B,D).

This morning, you’ll have the opportunity to visit Kutaisi’s bustling market, packed full of shoppers stocking up on all manner of food items. Later, you’ll drive to Akhaltsikhe, whose name means “new castle”. Inside the Rabati Fortress – though dating from the 12th century it’s anything but new – there’s a fascinating ethnographic museum to explore. Overnight in Akhaltsikhe. (B,D).

Akhaltsikhe is the jumping off point for Vardzia, and that’s your destination today. It’s a 60km drive into the countryside but the scenery along the way is almost as impressive as the destination. The cave complex of Vardzia was dug out of solid rock on the orders of Queen Tamar in 1185. It stretched below ground for thirteen levels and contained an estimated 6000 rooms plus a church with an external bell tower. Outside, terraces made fertile through irrigation stood in stark contrast to the arid landscape around them. But in 1283, a massive earthquake struck, tearing apart the mountain and exposing the caves to daylight. The complex was rebuilt but was finally abandoned when the Ottomans took over in the 16th century. Overnight in Akhaltsikhe. (B,D).

Stalin wasn’t Russian, he was Georgian, and Gori was his birthplace. Today, you’ll visit the Stalin Museum; the tiny wooden hut in which he was born is now housed in a fancy pavilion. It’s a space which offers up a sanitised history of the infamous Soviet leader so see it for what it is and form your own opinion. Also on the programme is a visit to Uplistikhe Cave Town, a short distance east of Gori. Afterwards, you’ll drive to Gudauri via the delightful architectural complex of Ananuri. Walk the walls of the castle to get a bird’s eye view of the reservoir below. Overnight in Gudauri. (B,D).

Gudauri is one of Georgia’s best-known ski resorts in winter, so it’s no surprise that the scenery along what’s known as the Georgian Military Highway is as dramatic as it is beautiful. Stop at the Friendship monument to admire the colourful murals; you’ll often see people selling locally produced honey. Continue to Kazbegi where you’ll transfer into jeeps to ascend the hill topped by Gergeti Trinity Church. Surrounded by mountains, this incredible structure is one of the most breathtaking sights in the country, particularly on a clear day. Descend and return to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi. (B,D).

Today you’ll make an excursion to Kakheti, Georgia’s premier wine growing region. Viticulture is an ancient industry in the country, dating back 7000 years. Wines are fermented, aged and stored in earthenware pots known as qvevri, rather than in the more usual corked bottles. You’ll enjoy a wine tasting at a local family winery in Signagi and enjoy a tour of this pretty town. Stroll along its cobblestone streets and along its fortifications before visiting the nearby Bodbe Monastery, associated with St Nino. Depart for Azerbaijan. After a border crossing and guide change, you’ll head for Sheki. Overnight in Sheki. (B,D).

This morning you’ll enjoy a city tour of Sheki, also spelt Shaki. The city was a stop on the fabled Silk Road. Its Palace of the Shaki Khans was a summer residence for the ruling elite and was constructed in the 18th century; look closely, there’s not a single nail. Regular dwellings also warrant close inspection: they’re decorated with Shebeke, a wooden lattice holding coloured glass. Nearby, you’ll also find Shaki Castle, another 18th century masterpiece, enclosed by thick stone walls and protected by imposing bastions. From Sheki, drive to Baku, the Azeri capital. En route, make an excursion to Shemakha, where you’ll find Juma Mosque and a couple of interesting mausoleums. Overnight in Baku. (B,D).

The Azeri capital is a thriving city where the old and the modern coexist in harmony. Take a city tour of old Baku, whose treasures include the Maiden Tower, the Palace of Shirvanshahs, the courtyard of Divankhana and numerous mosques, minarets, caravanserais and baths. Also a must are the landmark Flame Towers, proof of Azerbaijan’s mineral wealth. Overnight in Baku. (B,D). 

There are three excursions on today’s itinerary: Ateshgah, Gobustan and Yanar Dag. Ateshgah is known as the Fire Temple of Baku, a religious temple that has the appearance of a castle that’s been a Hindu, Sikh and Zoroastrian place of worship. You’ll move on to Gobustan State Reserve, famous for its petroglyphs depicting prehistoric life in the Caucasus and for its 300 or so mud volcanoes which are believed by some to have health-enhancing properties. Finally, visit Yanar Dag, a hillside that is permanently alight. The flame is a consequence of seeping gases, lit in the 1950s and ablaze ever since. Overnight in Baku. (B, D).

Transfer to the airport. It’s time to say farewell as you head to the airport for your flight home. We hope you’ve had a wonderful trip. (B)