Jewels Of The Caucasus: A 10 Day Odyssey Through Azerbaijan, Georgia, And Armenia

After landing at the Baku International Airport, passport control and other formalities, the company representative will greet the guests at the exit from the terminal. Transfer to the hotel (duration: 30-35 minutes). Arrival at the hotel, assistance with check-in (registration time: 14:00-15:00). Free time for the personal acquaintance with Baku. Overnight in Baku

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to the excursion that covers the entire central part of the city with a display of the major historical and architectural sites. Our excursion starts from the upland park – the spectacular place where you can enjoy an unsurpassed view of Baku Bay. The excursion also involves the Governor's Garden, Government House of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall, the sights that are considered the symbols of modern Baku – truly iconic Flame Towers, Carpet Museum which resembles a folded carpet, Crystal Hall (in which was held “Eurovision” song contest) and of course walk along the embankment. Our next stop is Old City that is a heart of Baku. Here, on the hill and in front of Caspian Sea, the ancient city was born. Several dozens of historically architectural monuments are in the territory of Old Town: Palace of Shirvanshahs, Maiden Tower, caravansaries, mosques, baths etc. The next point is Cultural Center – a complex construction that includes an auditorium, museum, exhibition halls, administrative offices. The center project and design belong to the famous architect Zaha Hadid. The construction of the building was covered on the channels of Discovery and Science Channel, dedicated to the most courageous engineering projects of modernity and architectural masterpieces of the world. Excursion to the temple of fire worshipers – Atashgah. Azerbaijan is one of the few places on the earth where even today one can observe elements of preserved fire cult and the ancient Zoroastrianism religion. The last destination of today’s excursion is Yanardag (“burning hill”). Road back to the hotel. Overnight in Baku

Today we leave for the mountain regions of Azerbaijan where you can witness the most picturesque and spectacular corners of Azerbaijan. The first stop is in Shamakha town with a rich heritage. It provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence. Being a capital of the Shirvanshahs state from the 9th century, it was one of the main towns along “The Great Silk Way”.
During the excursion you visit architectural monuments such as “Juma Mosque”, mausoleum “Diri-Baba”. Excursion in Sheki dappled with tiled-roof old houses will introduce you a city located in the picturesque mountains and considered one of the most ancient, authentic in the entire Caucasus. It is a hub of ancient crafts where you will visit one of the most valuable monuments of Azerbaijan – Palace of Sheki Khans with magnificent frescos and exquisite stained-glass work, Lower and Upper Caravansaries, fortress walls, local studios, traditional workshops etc. It is a great opportunity to watch the masters’ work and get souvenirs to remember the outstanding trip. Overnight in Shaki city.

Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out, transfer to Azerbaijan\ Georgia border. Start your tour at Old Town, a cobbled street full of picturesque wooden houses. Witness the Bridge of Peace that linked old and modern Tbilisi from Mtkvari River. Take 1 way cable car ride to Narikala Fortress, be amazed by the Kartlis Deda (Mother of Georgia) statue with beautiful skyline and city view. At the foot of Narikala Fortress, lies the historical sulfur bath quarter, Abanotubani. Photostop at the Leaning Clock Tower and proceed to the Holy Trinity Sameba Cathedral, is the tallest church in all of Tbilisi and recognized as a symbol of “New Georgia”. Overnight in Tbilisi

Breakfast at the hotel drive to Kazbegi, and visit Jvari Monastery. It was built at the end of the sixth century AD. Standing on the top of the Mtskheta Rock, is where Christianity was introduced to Georgia in the fourth century AD, where the cross was first erected by Saint Nino, and the great Russian poet Lermontov wrote the famous poem "The Child Monk". Take a photo at Zhinvali Dum and visit the Ananuri Castle. After lunch, visit the Gudauri Friendship Monument (about 15 minutes), where you can admire the grandeur of the Georgian Military Avenue and the magnificence of the snow-capped mountains of the Caucasus. After that, take the world's most beautiful highway developed in the former Soviet era, the Military Meritorious Avenue, to the Caucasus Mountains and visit the Holy Trinity Church located on a steep cliff, and when the weather is clear, you can clearly see the altitude 5047 meters of Kazbegi Mountains and snow-covered Caucasus Mountains. Overnight in Kazbegi

Breakfast at the hotel explore the ancient cave of Uplistsikhe, an ancient rock- hewn town built over rocky bank of the Mtkvari River. The place was founded inhabited since Uflistsikhe was inhabited since millennium until 17th century AD. Visit Stalin’s Museum. Visit first Capital of Georgia – Mtskheta, Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. historic Mtskheta is sometimes called “Little Jerusalem” on account of the town’s immense cultural and religious significance. The former Georgian capital is also the seat of the Georgian church, and is a veritable living museum with all of the historic sites in and around the town. Overnight in Tbilisi

Transfer to Georgian - Armenian border, Sadakhlo. Lake Sevan - The largest lake in the Caucasus, its colours and shades change with the weather, forming dazzling azure to dark blue hues, and a thousand shades in between. Haghpat Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site) - Visit the medieval monastic complex built in the 10th to 13th centuries. Overnight in Yrevan.

Kotayk - Visit Geghard Cave Monastery, one of the country's greatest spiritual and cultural center. The Temple of Garni - Dedicated to the sun goddess Mythra, the only pagan temple in Armenia. Khor Virap - Visit the fortified monastery of Khor Virap, the place of pilgrimage and one of the most worshipped ones in Armenia and also the holy site for the Armenian Apostolic Church. Enjoy the beautiful view of Mt. Ararat on a clear day. Overnight in Yrevan.

Yerevan - One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Cascade Monument - Main symbol of the city's 2780th anniversary with the equivalent number of stairs, Opera House and republic Square.
Erebuni Museum - It contains many artifacts that have been discovered in the excavations of the fortress of Erebuni in 1950-1959. Echmiadzin Cathedral - The residence of the Armenian Catholics and the center of Armenian Churches. Lunch and Dinner at the local restaurant. Overnight in Yerevan.

After breakfast, drive to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, we meet the guide at customs and after lunch ,transfer to the airport. We hope you had enjoyed your holidays and we look forward to seeing you again.