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

Welcome to Georgia! Our representative will be waiting for you at the airport for your transfer to your city centre hotel in the capital Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi. (D)

With its compact old town and friendly residents, getting to know Tbilisi is a cinch. Our guide will show you some of the historic highlights of the capital, beginning with the 13th century Methekhi church. Tbilisi has long been fortified and we shall ascend by cable car to the hilltop fortress of Narikala, from where it is a short stroll to the imposing Mother Georgia statue. Next up, we’ll visit Antchiskhati Church (6th century), Sioni Cathedral (12th century) and an ancient synagogue. We’ll round off your introduction to this fascinating city with a look around the Georgian National Museum and a stroll along Tbilisi’s main thoroughfare, Rustaveli Avenue. Overnight in Tbilisi. (B, D).

You’ll depart Tbilisi this morning, but we won’t travel far before our first stop of the day. Mtskheta was the capital city long before Tbilisi and it remains one of Georgia’s most important religious centres to this day. You’ll enjoy a guided tour of Djvari Church (6th century) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century), both of which feature on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Moving on, we’ll head in the direction of the second largest city in the country, Kutaisi, making a slight detour to admire the stalactites and stalagmites of Prometheus Cave. Overnight near Kutaisi. (B,D).

The energy and passion invested in the sale of livestock throughout the Caucasus makes a trip to an animal bazaar a highlight of any trip. We’ll look on as the farmers haggle to get the best price for what they’ve reared. Then it’s time to move on, and we have another pair of UNESCO sites lined up. The Gelati Monastery and Academy Complex dates from the 12th century and was constructed on the edge of a steep gorge overlooking the Tskaltsitela River. Its many murals, mosaics and mediaeval works of art make this an extraordinary destination for anyone with an interest in Georgia’s rich heritage. After a visit to Bagrati Cathedral we’ll make our way to Akhaltsikhe where we will spend the next two nights. Overnight in Akhaltsikhe. (B,D).

One of the many delights of a visit to Georgia is to explore its vast subterranean cities. This underground world is best represented by the cave city of Vardzia, which was excavated from the slopes of Mount Erusheti on the bank of the River Kura. There, around 300 caves were once purposed for churches, refectories, wine cellars and private dwellings. After we’ve explored, we’ll drive to Rabati Fortress. Inside we’ll look around its fascinating Ethnographic Museum before returning to Akhaltsikhe. Overnight in Akhaltsikhe. (B,D).

Some of Georgia’s most interesting historical events took place in the last two hundred years. Driving via Borjomi and its pretty park, the city of Gori is the star of today’s itinerary. It’s claim to fame is that it was the birthplace of Joseph Stalin, the Soviet leader known for taking a hard line on political matters. The museum devoted to his life offers an insight not only into key events but also into how the Georgians view their infamous compatriot. Near Gori lies one of the most interesting places on the ancient Silk Road - Uplistikhe. A guided tour has been arranged of this cave city, after which we’ll drive back to Tbilisi. Tonight, a special performance of folk dancing and a traditional meal awaits. Overnight in Tbilisi. (B,D).

Georgia boasts an 8000 year tradition of viticulture and the techniques used are quite different to those favoured in France, Germany or Italy. Today you’ll explore the region of the country most associated with wine growing, Kakheti. There are visits to Alaverdi Monastery and the royal citadel and the Church of the Archangels which form the Gremi complex. A wine tasting has been arranged at the Twins Wine Cellar in Napareuli. This afternoon, we’ll continue on to the picturesque town of Sighnaghi. Its cobbled streets, fortified walls and views across lush valleys make it one of the prettiest towns in the country. Overnight in Sighnaghi. (B,D).

Today’s the day we cross the border into Azerbaijan. But we can’t leave without seeing Bodbe Monastery, just a couple of kilometres down the road from Sighnaghi. It’s dedicated to St Nino, who preached Christianity here in the 4th century. At Lagodekhi you’ll cross the border and meet your Azeri guide. Taking the road to Sheki, you’ll stop at the village of Kish. The main monument is an Albanian church whose history can be traced back to at least the 6th century, perhaps even as early as the 1st century. Under glass, you can see the bones of people buried here many centuries ago. These people would have looked very different to those who live in the Caucasus today, with blonde hair and a tall physique, giving rise to the village’s nickname “land of Atlantis”. Overnight in Sheki. (B,D).

Sheki is the oldest city in Azerbaijan and was founded as a Silk Road city. It’s worth looking around the history museum to learn a little about how the place has developed and altered over the years. You’ll also pay a visit to the Khan’s summer palace. With floral motifs on its elaborate façade and beautiful frescoes adorning the interiors, this is an insight into the lavish world of the rich and powerful. No expense was spared to create mirrored balconies, decorations of Venetian glass and paintings of hunting scenes. A casualty of time is the garden, however, as only two trees remain. Our second stop is at Shamakhi. Once the capital of the Shirvan Empire, it’s now more famous as a centre for wine-making. You’ll visit the Yeddi Gumbez mausoleum and also the Diri Baba tomb. From there we’ll drive to Baku. Overnight in Baku. (B,D).

The capital of Azerbaijan has changed dramatically in recent years, its booming economy and 21st century architecture built on the profits from oil. From a lofty vantage point, you’ll take in the views over the city and Baku Bay. You’ll easily spot the capital’s best known trio: the recognisable shapes of the Flame Towers. We’ve arranged a guided tour of Baku’s old town, the Icheri sheher, bounded on three sides by thick walls and on the fourth by the Caspian Sea. This city within a city is crammed full of historic monuments and noteworthy buildings, including the Shirvanshah Palace, home of the Shahs and the Maiden Tower, which predates the palace. Silk route trade from Russia to Iran brought great wealth and with it the construction of mosques, caravanserais and bathhouses, many of which remain to this day. Overnight in Baku. (B,D).

Today’s sightseeing takes us to Gobustan where you’ll see petroglyphs and other ancient sites. Over 6000 rock carvings depict primitive people, animals, battles, ritual dances, camel caravans and even bullfights, dating back 5,000 to 20,000 years. The area is also home to many mud volcanoes. You’ll also visit Yanar Dag, continuously burning thanks to the gases which escape from the rocks. No wonder Azerbaijan is often called “the fire country”. Overnight in Baku. (B, D).

Sadly, your Caucasus adventure draws to a close today. A driver will have you at the airport in good time for your flight home. (B)