Across The Southern Caucasus

Across The Southern Caucasus

Beginning in the oil-rich Muslim nation of Azerbaijan on the shores of the Caspian Sea, you will travel through Georgia, famous for its ancient monasteries and viticulture, and finish in the small, proud nation of Armenia, one of the oldest Christian countries in the world.

What's Included:

• Small group size - average 16 people (max 20)
• 4- star accommodation
• International flights
• Flexible - extensions, room & flight upgrades available
• Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
• Experienced local tour guides in each destination
• 13 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 4 dinners
• Hotel porterage
• Welcome dinner & farewell drink with your group & tour manager

Day 1: Fly to Baku, Azerbaijan

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Baku, Azerbaijan via Istanbul, Turkey, with Turkish Airlines. Transfer to Mercure Baku (or similar) for 3 nights. (N)

Day 2: Baku

Enjoy an afternoon sightseeing tour of Baku. (B)

Day 3: Gobustan - Absheron

Admire Gobustan's 20,000-year-old rock carvings. Enjoy an excursion to Absheron to see the Ateshgah Fire Temple and Yanar Dagh fire. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner. (B, D)

Day 4: Shemahka - Kish - Sheki

Visit the Yeddi Gumbez mausoleum in Shemahka. Continue to Shaki, stopping en route at a sixth-century Albanian church. Overnight at Hotel Macara Sheki (or similar). (B, L, D)

Day 5: Shaki - Telavi, Georgia

Tour Shaki, scenically set in the Caucasus foothills, including its 18th-century palace. Cross the border into Georgia for a vineyard lunch and wine tasting. Continue to Telavi via the Gremi monastery. Overnight at Holiday Inn Telavi (or similar). (B, L, D)

Day 6: Telavi - Sighnaghi - Tbilisi

Morning visit to Telavi market. Meet a qvevri master, who will demonstrate how these large earthenware wine-keeping jars are made. Sample local wine and 'fire-water' brandy before lunch at Tsinandali wine estate. This afternoon, tour the hilltop town of Sighnaghi. Drive to Tbilisi and stay at the Shota@Rustaveli Boutique Hotel (or similar) for 2 nights. (B, L)

Day 7: Tbilisi

Tour the Georgian capital, including the Old Town, with its beautiful Orthodox churches, mosque, synagogue and sulphur baths. Your afternoon is at leisure. (B)

Day 8: Gori - Uplistsikhe - Kazbegi

Visit the sixth-century Jvari Monastery, followed by Mtskheta, then continue to Gori, birthplace of Joseph Stalin. See the museum, his private train, and the house where he was born. Travel to Kazbegi via the cave city of Uplistsikhe, set on the path of the Silk Road. Overnight at Hotel Porta Caucasia (or similar). (B, D)

Day 9: Gergeti - Tbilisi

Excursion on foot to the picturesque, 14th-century church of Gergeti Trinity. Return to Tbilisi for time at leisure. (B)

Day 10: Yerevan, Armenia

Cross the Armenian border and continue to the UNESCO-listed Haghpat monastery, a masterpiece of Armenian architecture. Stay 4 nights at Tufenkian Yerevan Heritage Hotel, just off Yerevan's Republic Square. (B)

Day 11: Ejmiatsin - Zvartnots

Visit Echmiatsin Cathedral, founded in 303AD and still the official residence of the Catholic Church in Armenia. Continue to the seventh-century Zvartnots temple. Have lunch in the village of Parakar and take part in a cooking lesson, learning how to make arishta (traditional Armenian pasta) and sweet sudzukh. (B, L)

Day 12: Yerevan

Tour Yerevan, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Visit the city's museum of ancient manuscripts, and the genocide memorial complex. (B)

Day 13: Khor Virap - Noravank - Yerevan

Travel to Khor Virap monastery, where Armenia's patron saint, Gregory the Illuminator, was imprisoned. Savour views of the Ararat Mountain, then continue to Noravank monastery, dramatically situated within a gorge. Visit the wine-producing village of Areni for lunch. Return to Yerevan. Attend dinner with folk music at an Armenian restaurant. (B, L, D)

Day 14: Garni - Geghard - Sevan - Dilijan

Visit Garni, Armenia's only surviving Hellenistic temple, then attend a performance of spiritual music. Admire the basalt formations of Garni Gorge, before continuing to the fourth-century, mountain-carved monastery of Geghard. Enjoy lunch with a local family and a lavash bread making lesson, then visit two 10th century monasteries. Drive to Dilijan and overnight at the Best Western Paradise (or similar). Farewell drink with your group. (B, L)

Day 15: Dilijan - Goshavank - Tbilisi

Morning stroll in Dilijan followed by a visit to Goshavank Monastery and its green and pleasant surrounds. Drive to Tbilisi Airport for your flight home. (B)