Azerbaijan and Georgia Tour (10 days)

Arrival in Baku Meeting with our representative and transfer to the hotel. Early check -in. Rest. Meeting with guide and driver at 19:00 in the lobby of the hotel and you will have welcome dinner. Overnight in Baku.

Tour starts at 9:00 AM, meeting with the guide at the reception of the hotel. Start excursion and visit historical-art reserve “Gobustan”, where rock paintings have perfectly remained, barrows and housing objects dated from X-XIII millennial BC to the Middle Ages. There are certificates of inhabitants of the region of an epoch of the Stone Age and the subsequent periods in “Gobustan” - Rock drawings, person parking, gravestone monuments, are concentrated there. Nearby is “Gaval Chalan” - original stone- tambourine, representing flatwise established huge plate. It is possible to hear rhythmic accurate motives by knocking on it. It is considered that these sounds accompanied ritual dances and ceremonies. Visiting “Gobustan” will transfer you to another world, the world of last mankind and will allow you to feel the atmosphere of the thousand-year history of this place. Lunchtime: 13:00-14:00 (According to the guests' decision we will agree on time/Included). Start exploring Baku. Panorama of the city presented to the height of the mountainous part of a television tower gives an idea of the contrasts and the extent of Baku, the horseshoe bay of Baku. The city is shaped like an amphitheater, descending to the Caspian Sea. The tour covers the central part of the city showing the most interesting historical and architectural sites. Visiting “Old Town” or “Inner City”. The territory of” Inner City” - 22 hectares, which represents a small fraction of the total area of Baku (44,000 hectares). However, the concentration of architectural and historical monuments dictates the need for this excursion into a separate and make this part of Baku, perhaps the most interesting to explore. Maiden Tower (XII century), Palace of Shirvanshahs (XV century), Castle Synyk Gala, Caravan Saray, Juma Mosque - this is not a complete list of attractions of the old Baku. End of the tour. Free time. Overnight in Baku.

After breakfast, drive to Shamakhy district. Visit the town of Shemakha, Diri Baba Tomb and Yeddi Gumbez. Shemakha was the capital of the Shirvan Kingdom for several centuries. Yeddi Gumbaz (The Seven Cupolas) Mausoleum is the burial place for members of the royal families of the Shirvan shahs. Then drive to village Kish to visit the Albanian church. Legend says that the church was built in 78 AD, but the researchers place it a few centuries later. Dinner at the local restaurant. (Included) Free time. Overnight in Sheki.

Sheki is one of the most famous and ancient places of Azerbaijan. Situated 700 m (2297 ft.) above sea level like an amphitheatre surrounded by the mountains and forests of oak trees, this ancient city was long famed as a silk centre and an important stop on the Great Silk Route. There is an assumption that the name of the town goes back to the ethnonym of the Saks, who reached the territory of Azerbaijan in the 7th century BC. We’ll start our Sheki tour from visiting the 18th century Khan's summer palace with magnificent frescoes and exquisite stained-glass work. Sheki History museum is famous with artifacts from several periods. Transfer to Azerbaijan Georgia land border where tourists will cross to Georgia Border formalities, transport and guide change. Continue our tour in Georgia, wine region Kakheti. Visit Khareba wine tunnel a touristic attraction where it is possible to taste different verities of wines and chachas, included traditional Kakhetian cuisine. Lunch break. We continue our way and now visit Sighnaghi. The most romantic city in Georgia is famous for its old Georgian architectural style, amazing views of Alazani valley, and the long castle wall of Sighnaghi city. Wooden balconies and beautiful homes overlooking the narrow streets create an unforgettable image. Sighnaghi is called the city of love. We enjoy the magnificent views of the Caucasus Mountains. Visit the monastery complex Bodbe founded in the 4th century. Drive to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.

The city offers a wide variety of sights, most of them very ancient. Starting at the church of Metekhi, we walk to the brick domes of sulfur baths and then on to spectacularly located Narikala’s fortress – one of the oldest fortresses in Georgia, overlooking the Mtkvari river gorge. Metekhi Church is located in the ancient historical district of Metekhi, on the left bank of the Mtkvari River, in old Tbilisi. Metekhi Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is one of the oldest churches built in Tbilisi. Researchers confirm that the temple was built in the 6th century. King Vakhtang I Gorgasali erected a church, a castle, and a palace here, which also served as the king's residence. Sulfur baths - Chreli Abano located at the eastern bank of the Mtkvari River at the foot of Narikala fort across Metekhisubani, Abanotubani is an important historic part of the city — the place, where according to a legend the King of Iberia, Vakhtang Gorgasali’s falcon fell, leading to a discovery of the hot springs and, subsequently, to the founding of new capital. Narikala’s fortress - is nowadays the leading sighting among the most visited places in Tbilisi by tourists. Narikala Fortress draws your attention from all sides of Tbilisi, you can notice it from almost every part of Tbilisi. It overlooks the Mtkvari River, which makes Narikala even more incredible. Narikala offers you some of the best panoramas of the city. This is an ancient symbol of Tbilisi’s defensive brilliance. You will get there by cable car. After that, we visit the synagogue, and the Sioni and Anchiskhati churches, which mark the end of the Old Town. After we visit the treasury of the National Museum of Georgia (Georgian Archaeology from the 8th millennium B.C.) or visit the treasury of the Georgian Museum of Fine Arts. (The treasury preserves and presents works from the Bronze Age, Antic-Hellenistic, and medieval periods, as well as significant modern artifacts up through the 20th century). Walking along Rustaveli Avenue – the main street in Tbilisi. Welcome Dinner at the local restaurant with folk show.

You will drive north towards the Northern Caucasus along the well-known Georgian Military Road. The first stop will be at the Ananuri complex, a former residence of Argveti Dukes. The complex features churches and towers dating back to the 16-17th centuries, beautifully overlooking the Jinvali reservoir. The buildings included in the complex are: upper and lower fortress, fence, towers, Church of the mother of God, Church of the Deity, “Mkurnali” Church, bell tower, octagonal cell, and reservoirs; Continue our drive to see the conjunction of two small mountain rivers famous for the fact that being different in color they still keep their own colors even after merging. Lunch break in Pasanauri. Continue our incredible tour and now visit the Gudauri Friendship monument, also known as Gudauri Panorama- located 120 KM from Tbilisi, on the Georgian Military Highway connecting to Russia. The monument is very vivid and colorful, however, most of its beauty is thanks to the location. Georgia-Russia Friendship monument is a circular balcony hanging off of a 600-meter cliff with amazing views of the Caucasus Mountains. Our last stop and the main attraction of the tour is Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) and its amazing Mount Kazbegi, where the Gergeti Trinity Church is built - located at an altitude of 2170 m. From Kazbegi ride in 4 WD vehicles through beautiful valleys and woods reaching the Gergeti Trinity church. In good weather, you can see one of the highest glaciers in the Caucasus – the mountain Kazbegi at 5047m. Enjoy breathtaking views, take pictures breathe fresh air, and collect lots of emotions. Drive back to Tbilisi. – a 17th century complex. An exciting drive from Gudauri along the Terek River will take us to Kazbegi – the main town in the region. From Kazbegi, drive with 4 WD vehicles to Gergeti Trinity church located at 2170m. In good weather you can see one of the highest glaciers in the Caucasus – the mountain Kazbegi (5047m). Drive back to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Starting the magnificent canyons tour. Drive to city Kutaisi, but on the way we will visit Jvari Monastery- VI century church and monastery, located in the east of Mtskheta, at the mouth of the river Mtkvari and Aragvi, on the rocky mountain peak. Jvari Monastery is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here there is kept the Robe of Jesus Christ which had been brought from Jerusalem in I c. A true architectural masterpiece of the Early Middle Ages. Built on a hilltop, the views it affords of Mtskheta and the Aragvi and Mtkvari Rivers are breathtaking and great for selfies! Lunch break. Kutaisi is the second biggest city in Georgia, where we will visit Prometheus cave - one of Georgia’s natural wonders providing visitors with breathtaking examples of stalactites, stalagmites, curtains, petrified waterfalls, cave pearls, underground rivers, and lakes. There are 22 halls found, where just 6 halls are open for tourists. It is possible to walk through the length of 1420 meters in the cave's territory visit the halls and enjoy boat tour by walking the river. Discover real masterpieces of nature - stalactites and stalagmites at Prometheus Cave, which are the most beautiful forms created by nature. While visiting the cave, hanging waterfalls are waiting for you. Visit Bagrati Cathedral – amazing 11th-century architecture and UNESCO site Gelati Monastery complex – founded in the 12th century, here was the first academy in the country, the first big educational center. At last, check-in at the hotel in Kutaisi and rest.

After breakfast at hotel drive to Ushguli village, one of the highest standing settlements in Europe (2,200 m). Ushguli is located under the Skhara Peak, between 2070-2200 meters. It used to be the highest inhabited village in Europe until 2015, when another village in Georgia – Bochorna took the title, though Bochorna has only 1 inhabitant. There are about 60 families living in Ushguli now. Ushguli is only accessible in the summer months, as it’s located in an area where avalanches are very common. Through the rest of the year, roads are covered in snow and getting to Ushguli is only possible via a helicopter. It is thanks to this isolation that Ushguli is so unique – people have lived here in isolation from the rest of the world for hundreds of years. In winter months families spend most of their days reading, taking care of animals and chit-chatting with neighbors – there’s not much else you can do in the freezing cold of the Svaneti winters. Another thing that makes Ushguli unique, is the fact that it has never had a ruler – Ushguli has always been under the Georgian kingdom but never had a direct ruler – as the Georgian saying says: “True freedom is only high in the mountains”. Spend time in Ushguli strolling old narrow streets. Visit Lamaria Church complex with impressive wall frescos (XII). Locals believe that it was under this church that Queen Tamara was buried. Enjoy picturesque view of Mt. Shkhara. Ushguli architectural complex is a valuable architectural and historical monument listed in the World heritage of UNESCO for its exclusiveness. Return to Mestia and overnight at hotel. Dinner at the local restaurant in Mestia.

After breakfast drive back to Kutaisi. On the way, stop at Dadiani’s (Princes of West Georgia) Palace in Zugdidi. Dadiani Palace was the home of the final ruling family of the Principality of Samegrelo, whose reign ended in 1857 when Russian Imperial rule began. Russian architect Leonid Vassilyev built the complex. It includes the palace of Ekaterine Chavchavadze - Dadiani, the last queen of Samegrelo, a residence for her son Niko Dadiani, a monastery, and a large garden, which is now the Zugdidi Botanical Gardens. Lunch break. Continue drive to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Check out at 12:00 Transfer to the airport and departure from Georgia.