Small Group Tour to the Caucasus | Armenia Azerbaijan Georgia

On arrival into the city built on oil that is contemporary Baku, a contrast of so much we will see on this tour, we make our own way to our hotel in Baku, where we enjoy a program orientation and welcome dinner in a local restaurant. (D)

We begin the first full day our Georgia Armenia Azerbaijan tours with a walking tour of Icheri Shey Har, the old town, with its maze of narrow, cobblestone streets lined with small mosques nestled between terrace cafes and grand turn-of-the-century architecture. A highlight of our afternoon’s explorations will surely be Shirvan Shah’s Palace, a royal palace built in the 15th century and the finest surviving example of Shirvan architecture. In the evening we enjoy a walking touralong Baku sea-side boulevard. Baku Bay is a natural harbour for the capital of Azerbaijan and the main port of Baku. It is located in the wide curve on the southern side of the Absheron Peninsula, sheltered by the Baku archipelago. Our tour guide will explain the history about the Caspian Sea. (B,L,D)

After breakfast we explore the Absheron Peninsula. It was once the centre of a booming oil industry. However, this former agricultural jewel – north of the capital – is now a desolate landscape of semi-arid vegetation, grim industry and forgotten oil fields. We will visit both Ateshga, the sacred Zoroastrian fire temple built on the site of a natural gas vent and Yanar Dag or Flaming Mountain, one of few remaining natural gas flares in the area. Here we have a traditional tea in a Gala village. We then carry on further down the Caspian coast to Gobustan where over 6,000 Stone and Iron Age petroglyphs have been discovered in the hill caves above town depicting scenes of hunting and dancing rituals, a varied repertoire of animal figures along with thousands of artefacts and tools. (B,L)

After breakfast we drive to Shemakha through small villages nestled among steep mountains and lush valleys dotted with vineyards. We will stop in Shemakha, a city that served for many centuries as the capital and commercial centre of western Azerbaijan before being replaced by Baku in 19th century. Here we visit the famed Yeddi Gumbaz (Seven Tombs), of which only three remain completely intact, the royal tombs of the last Shirvan Khans to rule before the region became part of the Russian Empire. In town, we will stop at Juma Meschid or Grand Mosque whose 10th century foundations are part of the first mosque built in the Caucasus. Passing through stark, arid landscapes dotted with mud volcanoes, we will arrive in Maraza where just off the main road lies Pir Diri Baba Mausoleum built precariously into the side of a cliff. We arrive in Sheki late afternoon. (B,L,D)

Early morning we depart Sheki and drive towards the border with Georgia. En route we stop to visit the exquisite Khan’s Palace set in the midst of dilapidated fortress walls and adorned with detailed mosaics and Shebaka windows made from fragments of coloured glass and hand-shaped wooden cross-pieces. We will have the opportunity to visit a Shebaka workshop as well as the local bazaar where we will wander among street peddlers and artists selling everything from local handicrafts and souvenirs to halva, a sweet confection flavoured with cinnamon, fennel or saffron. We continue our journey and cross into Georgia, and make our way to Telavi where we’ll learn about the local bread baking and traditional sweet churchkhela making before having dinner at our guesthouse. (B,L,D)

A short drive from Telavi takes us back to Gremi and its impressive citadel complex consisting of a 16th century domed church, tower and king’s chamber. We continue towards Signagi where we explore the Royal Town, surrounded by the defensive walls with 23 towers. Each of these towers was named after nearby a nearby village and respective families and served as a refuge in case of danger. The town was mainly inhabited by merchants and artisans. It had many gates through which numerous Silk Road travellers from Asia and Europe passed. We also visit the Signagi Historical and Ethnographical Museum. For lunch we visit a local Georgian wine cellar and then continue our travel to Tiblisi. (B,L,D)

Today we explore the narrow streets of the old town of Tiblisi including visits to Metekhi church (12-13th century) – cross cupola church, part of the Royal residential complex; Sulphur bathhouses – 19th century buildings; Sioni Cathedral – the main church of Tbilisi dated to 7th-19th century, located in the Old Town where we also visit Anchiskhati Basilica. After lunch we’ll visit the Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia, formerly known as the State Museum of History of Georgia, one of the main history museums in Tbilisi which displays the country’s principal archaeological findings and the Soviet Occupation Exhibition hall. (B,L)

Today, this small group tour with your tour leader and tour guide drive across the Kartli province, the heart of Georgia. Here we visit the sacred Mtskheta, the ancient capital of eastern Georgia. Georgia’s conversion to Christianity occurred in Mtskheta in 337 AD and it is considered to be one of Georgia’s most important religious centres. We can visit several of its most important historic monuments including the beautiful Jvari church (6th-7th century), perched on a cliff overlooking the city; Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century). In Gori, which is the birth place of Josef Stalin, the tourvisits Uplistsikhe cave town that dates back to 1st millennium BC, this is a 1-1.5hrs walking tour. In late afternoon we arrive in Akhaltsikhe, where we spend 2 nights. (B,L,D)

After breakfast we explore Samtskhe-Javakheti province and its important architectural monuments. We start by visiting Varzia cave monastery a town,that was transformed into a well-fortified monastery, which had a significant role in the political, cultural, educational and spiritual life of the country. En route there will be a short stop at Khertvisi Fortress (10th century). We then return to Akhaltsikhe to explore the historical centre of the old town and Museum of Akhaltsikhe in Rabati. (B,L,D)

Today our tour guide takes the tour out to the picturesque Borjomi Valley and Rikoti Pass to Kutaisi – the capital of ancient Colchis. We’ll have a walk in Borjomi Park and taste the local mineral water. Around noon we will arrive in Kutaisi, one of the biggest cities in Georgia. Nearby we visit the Sataplia grottoes located in one of Georgia’s finest nature reserves. On our return, there will be time to enjoy a walking tour in the old town of Kutaisi. (B,L,D)

After breakfast we visit Gelati Monastery (a UNESCO world heritage site) before driving to Zugdidi. We then continue our drive to the Enguri Canyon where the Svan ethnic group evolved, cut off from the outside world by the high and inaccessible mountains, their culture preserved almost intact with the ritual of worshipping spirits, the fertility cults, the wolf and the bull, and the poetic muse, Dali, the golden-haired goddess of hunting.

Access to the Svaneti area is hard and conditions are basic, the road to Mestia is rough and long (220km / 4.5hrs drive from Kutaisi to Mestia). The climate in Svaneti is quite stern with cold winters, cool and long springs and cool summers. Mestia and Ushguli are surrounded by snow peaks, glaciers and alpine pastures which make the local climate very special. We are scheduled to arrive in Mestia late afternoon. (B,L,D)

Today’s tour takes a 2 hour drive west to the picturesque village of Ushguli, boasting more than 20 ancient Svan Towers it has been listed as a UNESCO world heritage site since 1996. We enjoy a walk in Ushguli and its surroundings. En route we will visit several remote villages and churches. In Ushguli we will be guests of a local family and learn and taste Sulguni, the local cheese. In afternoon we drive back to Mestia. There will be free time this afternoon to continue exploring Mestia at our own pace. (B,L,D)

After breakfast we explore Mestia on a walking tour and visit the Ethnographical and Historical Museum, which was established in 1936 and initially housed a small collection but in 1948 it benefited from an expedition to Svaneti, headed by the famous Georgian art historian Giorgi Chubinashvili that collected illuminated manuscripts, icons and other antiquities from the Svanetian population and from Svaneti churches. The material collected by the expedition forms the core of the museum’s collection. There will be free time this afternoon to further explore Mestia town on your own. (B,L,D)

Today we enjoy a guided tour of the town of Batumi, situated on the shore of the Black Sea. En-route our tour guideexplains the history of the regiuon before we visit Dadiani Palace – palace of the lord of Samegrelo region, along with its beautiful park and museum. In the evening we enjoy a short walking tour of Batumi, the 2nd largest city of Georgia with its seaside Boulevard park and the nearby Old Town recently renovated to bring back tourism in the post-Soviet era. (B,L,D)

After breakfast today this small group tour drives south to visit Gonio Fortress, a well preserved Roman fortification just 4km from the border with Turkey. The site is believed to hold the tomb of the Apostle Mathew – one of Christ’s disciples – but has yet to be fully excavated. Later we drive back to Batumi to visit the Botanical Garden, where we take a walk. The gardens overlook the Black Sea and cover an area of 111 hectares, divided into sections displaying flora from different parts of the world. For our lunch we enjoy a traditional cheese-filled bread called “Khachapuri”. There will be free time in the afternoon to continue walking along the boulevard or relax back at the hotel. (B,L)

Your small group tour has an early morning start departing Batumi for the drive to Tbilisi (approx. 7hrs). On the way we stop at the monastic complex of Ubisa, comprising a 9th century St. George’s Monastery founded by St. Gregory of Khandzta, a 4-floor tower (AD 1141), fragments of a 12th century defensive wall and several other buildings and structures. A short drive away in the village Shrosha, we will be hosted by a pottery maker’s family before we continue our travels to the capital Tblisi. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we will be guests in a batik studio where we will meet textile artists and see how they work and later visit the museum of Local Arts and Crafts. After lunch at a local restaurant we will drive to Sadkhalo border and continue our sightseeing in Armenia where we visit the 10-13th centuries Haghpat and Sanahin historical and architectural monuments standing amidst forest-clad hills close to the town of Alaverdi. The monuments including the Haghpat monastery are now a UNESCO world heritage site and excellent examples of medieval Armenian architecture .

We then continue to the town of Dilijan where we spend the night. (B,L,D)

Today we visit the nearby Hagharstin Monastery of 13-14th century before departing for Yerevan, which is also another fine example of medieval Armenian architecture. Our first stop is at Lake Sevan – the emerald of Armenia, with a visit to the 9th century Sevan Monastery. If the weather is nice, we can enjoy some time to relax on the sunny and sandy beach of lake Sevan. After lunch we drive south and visit Noratus field of “Khach Kars” – Kross Stoness before heading west to the capital city. On arrival we’ll enjoy a short orientation city tour of Yerevan. (B,L,D)

Today we enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of Yerevan. Your tour guide leads the city tour which includes visits to the Memorial Complex to the Genocide Victims, Museum of the Medieval Armenian Culture – Matenadaran, and a brandy factory to taste some brandy. (B,L,D)

Today this Caucasus tour heads south to Khor Virap monastery, one of the romantically-sited monasteries in Armeniawith views across vast plain to Turkey and the twin peaks of Mount Ararat. Here, you will find a Noah’s Ark in the snow of Mount Ararat. Humankind was reborn here, with Noah, the world’s first tourist. The theatrical ceremonies and festivals performing in a Noah’s-Ark-shaped stage in the immediate vicinity of the Khor Virap monastery and against the majestic Mount Ararat will take us back to Noah’s ages. We may also enter the hole where Gregory the Illuminator was jailed for 13 years for dissemination of Christianity in Armenia (optional). We also visit the 13th century monastery complex of Noravank set in a marvellous canyon. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. The evening is free to continue exploring the city of Yerevan at your own pace. (B,L)

With the tour leader this small group tour heads south again for a tour of Echmiadzin – the holy seat of the Supreme Patriarch-Catholicos of all Armenia. The Cathedral was built in 303 on the site of a pagan temple after the adoption of Christianity as a state religion in 301. We then visit St. Hripsime Church of Echmiadzin (7th century) before driving through the picturesque Avan Canyon, skirting formidable cliffs and passing exotic-looking gorges until the green plateau of the Azat River comes into view. In this natural setting, you will see the pagan Garni architectural complex of the 1st century and feel the spirit of ancient ages. Lunch will be at a photographer’s house. We will also visit the UNESCO world site Heritage listed monastery of Geghard (13th century) which contains a number of churches and tombs, most of them cut into the rock, representing the very peak of medieval Armenian architecture. In the evening we enjoy our farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we say our farewells and another one of Odyssey Travellers Georgia Armenia Azerbaijan tours draws to a close. (B)