Azerbaijan & Georgia
Azerbaijan & Georgia
Azerbaijan & Georgia
11 Days Starting in Baku and ending in Tbilisi
Visiting: Georgia, Azerbaijan
Tour operator:
Tour code:
EEAG
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
18-65
Trip Styles:
Tour Overview
In 11 days combine Azerbaijan and Georgia on this small group adventure. Starting in Baku, you will experience some of the highlights of this lesser visited nation including beautiful mosques and monasteries and picturesque landscapes. Moving onto Georgia, enjoy unique cave towns, the Caucasus mountain range and the charming capital of Tbilisi. This short tour is the perfect introduction to these understated countries that offer a rich history, a welcoming culture and some unique sites that you won't find anywhere else.
Itinerary
With no time to waste, your journey starts at 10am this morning with a sightseeing tour of Azerbaijan's capital city. Due to the early start, we recommend booking at least one night pre tour accommodation so that you arrive on the day prior and can enjoy a rest before the tour starts. The first stop today will be Mountain Park where you'll find the best panoramic view of Baku Bay and the city. One of the most impressive sights is the three giant "red flames" that Baku is known for. After a short walk around this area we continue to the old city and visit the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, a 15th century structure that served as a stronghold in the middle ages. Considered a "pearl of Azerbaijans's architecture" the clean curves and well restored walls offer a fantastic glimpse into how magnificent this palace would have been in its time. Keep a close eye for the intricate detailing on some of the buildings. The city tour continues to the old bathhouse, the 12th century Maiden tower and medieval mosques. Your guide will talk you through the rich history of Azerbaijan while showcasing these special cultural sites that help Baku retain that strong heritage.After the tour you are free to explore Baku at your own pace. Make sure to ask your guide for some local restaurant recommendations where you can start to sample some hearty cuisine.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Central Baku Hotel or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Day 2:Sheki and the Mausoleum of Sheikh Diri
This morning we will head towards the town of Sheki, making several stops at points of interest along the way. We will visit the 15th century mausoleum of Sheikh Diri-Baba in Gobustan town and then the 8th century Juma Mosque in Shamakhi town. Both these sights are an important part of the country's history and your guide will talk you through the details of their prominence.In the evening, we arrive in Sheki. We will enjoy an evening Sheki tour exploring the Sheki fortress, Palace of Shaki Khans, old caravanserai and mosque.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Sheki Park or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)
Day 3:The Church of Kish, Sighnaghi and crossing into Georgia
This morning we will visit the Church of Kish. While the church is thought to date back to the 12th century, archaeologists have found ancient artefacts which date even further back. The church has served Albanian, Georgian and Armenian churches at various times throughout history making it an important part of local heritage. From here we will continue to the eastern border of Georgia where we will swap vehicles and a local Georgian guide will now continue on the tour with you for the remainder. We will continue onto Sighnaghi which is located in the wine making region of Kakheti. Georgia is widely considered to be the first producer of wine with archaeological evidence dating back to 6000 BC. We will make a stop at the Sighnaghi Museum where we will view and learn about several ethnographic collections and archaeological exhibitions as well as works by the famous Georgian painter Niko Pirosmani.You will have the remainder of the day free to walk around and explore the charming town of Sighnaghi, enjoying the views of the mountainscape that surrounds it.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Brigitte or Hotel Solomoni or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)
Day 4:Tsinandali, Shumi, Telavi and Tbilisi
This morning we will drive to the village of Tsinandali and visit the Aleksandre Chavchavadze House Museum. Chavchavadze was a well-known 18th century Georgian aristocrat, military figure and poet. These days, his residence, garden and wine-cellar functions as a museum. We continue to Shumi where we will visit the wine museum and sample some local wines.Our next stop is Telavi, a major town of Kakheti region. We will stop at the medieval fortress that served as the residence of the Kings of Kakheti throughout the 17th and 18th centuries - Batonistsikhe Castle. The impressive complex includes a Persian-style palace, churches, royal baths and beautiful surrounding greenery.Our last stop of the day is the capital city of Tbilisi where we will spend the night.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at ZP Hotel or Brigitte Hotel or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)
Day 5:Tbilisi City Tour
This morning we will enjoy an included city tour. First off you will visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the tallest Orthodox church in Georgia and the third tallest in the world. The church was built to commemorate 1,500 years of autocephaly of the Georgian Orthodox Church and is an important symbol in the country. From here we will walk through the charming streets of the old town and head towards the Sioni Cathedral.Next we will cross the glass Bridge of Peace, a beautifully unique structure that links Rike Park with the Old Town of Tbilisi. The cable car from Rike Park then allows us to reach Narikala Fortress, one of the most popular attractions in the city. Founded in the 4th century, the ancient structure consists of sulphur baths, a botanical garden and a temple dating back to the 12th century. From here you'll also find one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city. Our city tour continues as we work our way back down to the old town where we visit the mosque, little canyon and the lovely waterfall in Legvtakhevi. Finally, we will reach the sulphur bathhouses of Abanotubani where you will learn about the city's special relationship with thermal baths. In fact, Tbilisi was built on this hot water and the name itself is derived from the old Georgian word "tbili" which means warm. Our city tour ends at the Maidan Square. You will then have the rest of the day free to continue exploring Tbilisi. Tucked away in the lovely old streets you'll find an abundance of restaurants and boutiques as well as some wonderful architecture that makes Tbilisi so utterly picturesque.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at ZP Hotel or Brigitte Hotel or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)
Day 6:UNESCO Monasteries, Ananuri Architectural Complex and Gudauri
Our journey through Georgia continues today as we visit the ancient capital - Mtskheta. Once a large fortified city, Mtskheta was an economical centre of the Kingdom of Iberia until the 5th century AD. The city remains one of the most important symbols of Georgia, having been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 due to several cultural monuments, while also being considered the "Holy City" by the Georgian Orthodox Church in 2014. While here we will visit the UNESCO sites of the Jvari Monastery and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.We continue towards the Caucasus mountains along the Georgian Military Highway. On route to our final destination, we will make a stop at the Ananuri Architectural Complex, a 16th century compound that includes various ancient fortifications, churches and towers. From here we will continue through the mountains until we reach Gudauri. This will be our base for exploring the fantastic mountains that surround us.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels At Alpina Hotel or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s), 1 Dinner(s)
Day 7:Caucasus Mountains, Holy Trinity Church and return to Tbilisi
After breakfast today we will start a full day excursion of the Caucasus mountains. As well as seeing some fantastic scenery on our drive we will make stops to taste mineral waters, view waterfalls on our hike and experience the snowy peaks of the mountain range. We will view Mount Gergeti and visit the 14th century Holy Trinity Church located under the Kazbegi glacier. The image of the lonesome church perched beneath the soaring mountains is a mesmerizing experience and one of the best views in Georgia.After our journey through the mountains we return back to Tbilisi where we spend the night before continuing our tour of Georgia.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at ZP Hotel or Brigitte Hotel or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)
Day 8:Gori, Uplistsikhe Caves, Borjomi and Akhaltsikhe
After breakfast we will drive through the Kartli region, making several stops at points of interest. Upon arrival to Gori, we will visit the Stalin Museum where you will see a collection of his personal belongings and learn more about the dark history that surrounds him. Joseph Stalin was born in this region.Next we will visit the impressive Uplistsikhe Cave complex. It's one of the oldest urban settlements in Georgia and comprises various caves, tunnels, chambers and halls all connecting through the rock. It's a fascinating site and provides wonderful insight into the ancient settlement.Moving onto Borjomi, we will taste the famous mineral sparkling water that the town is known for. We will walk through the beautiful Kharagauli National Park - covering an impressive 5300 square kilometres and home to wildlife, historic sites and various ecological zones.After a packed day experiencing many different facets of the Kartli region, we reach Akhaltsikhe where we spend the night.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Tifilis or Almi Hotel or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)
Day 9:Akhaltsikhe Castle and Vardzia Caves Excursion
After breakfast we embark on our first excursion of the day - Akhaltsikhe Castle (also known as Rabati Castle). Built in the 9th century the complex consists of an amphitheatre, fountains, gardens, a museum and of course the castle. The structures are impressively restored and intact and the huge complex is a simply beautiful place to explore. Between the ancient architecture and the verdant surrounding landscape, you'll start to fall a little more in love with Georgia with each turn!After taking in the views we continue onto Vardzia Cave Town. Perched along the left bank of the Mtkvari River, the complex became a monastery under the reign of Giorgi III and Queen Ramar in the 12th century. It played a significant role in the political, cultural and spiritual life of Georgia. We will explore the area along rocky steps and observe the beautifully painted main cave hall as well as various tunnels. Much like the Uplistsikhe Caves, the structure gives a wonderful overview of these ancient settlements.We will then return to Akhaltsikhe for the evening.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Tifilis or Almi Hotel or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)
Day 10:Tsalka and return to Tbilisi
This is our final day of exploring Georgia before returning to Tbilisi. First we pass through the Javakheti Plateau and witness stunning alpine lakes and mountains in the background. We will stop at the lakes of Sagamo and Paravani to enjoy the landscape.We will arrive back to Tbilisi in the late afternoon where you will have the remainder of the evening free before your tour comes to an end tomorrow.
Accommodation:1 night(s) in hotels at ZP Hotel or Brigitte Hotel or similar . Room upgrade available on this day.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)
Day 11:Depart Tbilisi
Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.
Meals:1 Breakfast(s)
What's Included
-
Meals
10 Breakfast(s), 1 Dinner(s)
-
Accommodation
10 night(s) in hotels
Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
Tucan Travel requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
Why book with tourhub?
Safe & Secure
Your money is protected in an external trust until you travel.
100% Guaranteed Refunds if your trip is cancelled.
The safest way to make overseas, multi-currency payments.
Guaranteed Best Value
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
No cancellation or amendment fees from tourhub.
(Operator terms may apply)
Expert Knowledge
Reliable & unbiased advice from travel experts.
Direct contact with the tour operator via our messaging service.
Inspiration & advice from a community of 6000+ real travellers, influencers & content creators.
Trusted Service
Official partners & licensed agents of 1000+ tour operators worldwide.
Don't just take our word for it...
"Tourhub: Friendliness, Professionalism & Integrity I would happily give tourhub a 6* review if I could..."