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Premium Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia

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Premium Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia

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Description

Watch arid landscapes give way to verdant hillsides and snow-capped mountains on this 16-day Premium adventure through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia. Explore a land where the walls speak of centuries of rich history and where ancient traditions intersect with modern geopolitics. Journey with an expert local leader and a small group of keen adventurers through forests, past tall mountain peaks, to cultural marvels. Taste the delectable cuisine and experience the local hospitality with plenty of opportunity to rub shoulders with the locals. Wander through cosmopolitan Baku, make friends in Tbilisi and end up in Yerevan – Armenia’s centre of culture.

Trip Name
Premium Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
16
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Enjoy two evenings at your historical Feature Stay hotel in the heart of Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital. Once owned by a noble family, it has played host to aristocrats, famous writers and public figures.
  • Visit the Tserovani Refugee Settlement in Georgia during an Exclusive Experience, where you’ll visit a jewellery making workshop aimed at providing employment to displaced women within the camp. Create a piece for yourself and learn about the issues surrounding long-term displacement.
  • Sample this region’s diverse cuisine, from a home cooked meal with a local family to a lunch of regional specialties in a refugee settlement in Georgia. Then, try organic qvevri wine made according to the world’s oldest winemaking tradition.
  • Discover ancient wonders during visits to the open-air archaeological museum of Qobustan in Azerbaijan, the magnificent cave town of Vardzia in Georgia and the Haghpat in Armenia.
  • Drive through the mighty snow-cowered Caucasus mountains, which provide diverse landscapes from lunar semideserts to forests and countryside. With expert guides and an exciting 4WD excursion, you’ll soak up the unique scenery in the best way.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Baku
Salam eleykim! Welcome to Azerbaijan. When you arrive at Baku Airport, you'll be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel. Baku is where ancient fortified buildings stand next to Russian imperial-style squares and ultra-modern architectural wonders. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive with time to spare, maybe walk down Nizami Street and observe its Baroque, Neo-Gothic and Neo-Renaissance architecture. After your meeting, head out for a local dinner with your new companions.
Day 2 - Baku
This morning, embark on a tour of the city with a local guide. Visit the fortified Old City, once the Medieval capital, where your guide will weave together the history of Baku, from the rule of the Shirvanshahs to the cosmopolitan city you see today. Stop by the Shemakha Gate, Maiden Tower (visit optional), Old Market Square and end with a guided tour of the Palace of the Shirvanshahs. Be sure to bring your camera as there will be some panoramic views of Baku's varied skyline. The rest of the day is free to explore at your own pace.
Day 3 - Baku
This morning, head out of the city on a half day trip to Qobustan, about 60 km south of Baku. Stop off along the way to view old oil rigs and learn how Azerbaijan was one of the birthplaces of the oil industry. Visit Qobustan National Park and one of the world's largest open-air archaeological museums, where a local guide will share the stories of ancient rock art dating back some 40,000 years. The prehistoric carvings depict scenes of hunting, fishing and gathering. While here, visit the impressive mud volcanoes which create a surreal lunar landscape. Return to Baku in the afternoon for free time. Maybe visit one of Baku's most significant modern landmarks – the Heydar Aliyev Center designed by Zaha Hadid. This evening, you might like to take a walk along the waterfront to find a restaurant for dinner, keeping an eye out for the Baku Eye and Flame Towers that light up the city skyline at night.
Day 4 - Sheki
Leave Baku and head for the Caucasus Mountains in the northwest of Azerbaijan. Watch arid landscapes slowly give way to densely forested mountains. Along the way, you’ll stop at the Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleum and the Juma Mosque in Shamakhi. When you arrive in Sheki, visit a local craft workshop where the famous shebeke (stained-glass windows with intricately carved frames) are made by hand. You’ll also visit the acclaimed Palace of Sheki Khans to see its magnificent frescoes and stained glass. Enjoy a final evening of Azerbaijani cuisine during an included dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 5 - Telavi 
Have breakfast at the hotel before driving to Lagodekhi – a town at the Azerbaijan–Georgia border where you’ll change transportation. From here, travel to Georgia's Kakheti region, known for its winemaking. Stop in Sighnaghi, one of Georgia’s most stunning towns. Overlooking the Al-Azani Valley and the Caucasus Mountains. After, travel to your accommodation in Telavi. Your hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, as well as its own cellar showcasing wines produced by women winemakers. Have dinner with a local wine making family, which includes delicious homemade cuisine, wine and chacha - a local brandy. There will also be time to listen to unique Georgian polyphonic songs – a traditional style of music prevalent in the Kakheti region.
Day 6 - Telavi
Enjoy a relaxing start to your morning, and then get a taste of local life during a visit to the Telavi Food Market. Wander the stalls and feast your senses on the region’s delicacies – there are specialty cheeses, wines and sweets to try! Next visit Batonistsikhe Castle, a remarkable and superbly preserved 17th century fortress in the centre of Telavi, which was once the most important residence for the royal family of the Kakheti Kingdom After, drive to the remote and beautiful Pankisi Valley. Inhabited mainly by the Muslim Kist community, you’ll take a cultural walking tour of the valley that employs young local Kists to develop their skills and earn an income. Enjoy a traditional lunch in the valley, and then return to your accommodation for a free evening.
Day 7 - Tbilisi
Following breakfast, drive to Tbilisi. Check into your Feature Stay hotel, a historical building once owned by a noble family. It has played host to aristocrats, famous writers and public figures, and also overlooks Georgia’s presidential palace. You’re free to explore Tbilisi at your own pace when you arrive, so you might like to wander the old districts of Georgia’s capital to see the colourful houses, patterned balconies and revamped modern architecture. Your leader will always have some great restaurant recommendations ready for dinner.
Day 8 - Tbilisi
This morning you’ll head out on a walking tour with a local guide, which includes the 13th-century Metekhi Church and amazing views over old Tbilisi. Take a cable car to the ancient Narikala Fortress – a former Persian citadel with a history stretching back to the 4th century. Here, your guide will share the layered history of the fortress while you take in sweeping views across Tbilisi. Then make your way to a historic part of the city where you’ll learn a little more about Tbilisi’s past. The name translates to ‘warm place,’ which is thought to be after the bubbling hot springs the city was built around. This afternoon, maybe visit one of the local bathhouses for a dip.
Day 9 - Akhaltsikhe
Today, you’ll visit Mtskheta – the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia. Visit World Heritage-listed sites with your local guide as they share fascinating histories. After, visit the Tserovani Refugee Settlement – home to 8000 people displaced by the 2008 conflict between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Georgia over South Ossetia. While here you’ll visit an enamel jewellery workshop run by social enterprise Ikorta (an Intrepid Foundation partner), offering training and employment to displaced youth and women within the settlement. Meet the artists whose pieces tell the story of Georgia, and with their guidance, maybe even design a piece for yourself. Have a light lunch, then tour the settlement to learn about the issues surrounding long-term displacement faced by thousands of Georgia’s citizens. In the afternoon, drive to Akhaltsikhe. Sitting in Georgia’s southwest, the town has long been known for its multiculturalism, which is reflected in its variety of architecture and monuments.
Day 10 - Akhaltsikhe
Today, drive to the once mighty cave city of Vardzia, with a stop along the way at the 10th-century Khertvisi Fortress. Vardzia stretches over half a kilometre along the river Mtkvari and has 19 tiers of winding cobbled streets. There is a church hewn out in rock with 12th-century frescos and the complex also includes dwelling quarters, small hall-type churches, refectories and wine cellars. Tour the site with a local guide who will provide historical context and explain the rise and fall of the city, which now serves as a working monastery. Head back to Akhaltsikhe in the afternoon, where you’ll have to time to visit the Rabati Fortress. Boasting multiple watchtowers, gardens and places of worship, your leader can help to arrange a local guide to help you see it all. Alternatively, return to your accommodation for a restful evening.
Day 11 - Gudauri
In the morning you’ll visit Gori – the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. Your leader will take you on a city tour before you visit the Stalin Museum. See the sites of Gori, including The Memorial of Georgian War Heroes and Gori Fortress, and delve into its artistic side to see traditional ornamental mosaics. After, drive the renowned Georgian Military Highway, which eventually leads to the Georgia–Russia border. On the way, you'll visit the Ananuri architectural complex – two churches and a fortress that overlooks the Zhinvali water reservoir. Your leader will explain how the carvings on the churches are some of the best surviving examples of Georgian art. Take a scenic drive through the Caucasus Mountains and arrive at your hotel in Gudauri, where you’ll have dinner with the group.
Day 12 - Gudauri
Enjoy a scenic drive from Gudauri along the Tergi River before arriving in Stepantsminda. From here, head into the heart of the Caucasus Mountains, hop in 4WDs and take the mountain road to Gergeti Trinity Church, 2170 m above sea level. Weather depending, you may catch a glimpse of Mt Kazbegi. On the way back to Gudauri, stop at the small village of Sno to explore the local version of Easter Island – a park with half a dozen massive stone heads representing famous figures of Georgian history. Return to Gudauri this afternoon for some free time – the perfect opportunity to enjoy the mountain air and views. Your hotel has many facilities, including a wellness centre.
Day 13 - Dzoraget
Have breakfast in Gudauri before driving to Sadakhlo – a village at the Georgia–Armenia border. On the way to the border, stop in Tbilisi to break the journey and have lunch. Continue to Armenia and after completing all the formalities, begin the Armenian leg of your adventure with a visit to Haghpat Monastery, listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Haghpat stands as an example of one of the most outstanding works of medieval Armenian architecture and your leader will give you an introduction to the country’s history and design. Continue to Dzoraget, where you’ll spend the night surrounded by views of the Debed River.
Day 14 - Yerevan
After breakfast, you'll meet your Armenian driver and local guide and drive to the reflective waters of Lake Sevan, nicknamed ‘The Pearl of Armenia’. Sevan is one of the largest fresh-water high-altitude lakes in the world. Visit Sevanavank Monastery, which overlooks the water on the Peninsula. Move on to the village of Garni to visit the first century Garni Temple, where your guide will explain how it was built by the Armenian King Tiridates and dedicated to Mithra, the God of the Sun. Be treated to a special local performance in the temple and hear the sounds of the Duduk – a flute-like instrument originating in Armenia and currently listed on the UNESCO in-tangible Cultural Heritage List. Travel northeast of Garni, higher up the gorge of the Azat River, to the magnificent Geghard Monastery. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed site is partly carved out of a mountain and surrounded by cliffs. In the afternoon, drive to Armenia’s capital, Yerevan, where you’ll spend the next two evenings.
Day 15 - Yerevan
This morning your local guide will introduce you to the sights and sounds of Yerevan on a tour of the city. Established in 782 BC, Armenia’s capital is one of the oldest cities in the world. Nowadays, the city’s liveliness comes from its ancient culture mixed with a modern lifestyle. Visit the Armenian Genocide Museum to learn the tragic history of this region, then the afternoon is free for reflection or further exploration. Tonight, join your group for a final dinner at a local restaurant. Armenian cuisine is built on a foundation of fresh local produce and meat. Maybe try some khorovats (a barbecued kebab) or spas (a refreshing yoghurt soup).
Day 16 - Yerevan
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you would like to spend some more time in Yerevan, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
03-08-202518-08-2025AUD $ 9,600-
17-08-202501-09-2025AUD $ 7,293-
31-08-202515-09-2025AUD $ 6,818-
04-09-202519-09-2025AUD $ 9,595-
07-09-202522-09-2025AUD $ 9,450-
14-09-202529-09-2025AUD $ 9,420-
25-09-202510-10-2025AUD $ 9,420-
09-10-202524-10-2025AUD $ 9,210-
12-10-202527-10-2025AUD $ 8,990-
16-10-202531-10-2025AUD $ 9,090-
12-04-202627-04-2026AUD $ 8,925-
16-04-202601-05-2026AUD $ 8,925-
19-04-202604-05-2026AUD $ 8,925-
26-04-202611-05-2026AUD $ 9,280-
03-05-202618-05-2026AUD $ 9,280-
10-05-202625-05-2026AUD $ 9,640-
14-05-202629-05-2026AUD $ 9,640-
17-05-202601-06-2026AUD $ 9,640-
24-05-202608-06-2026AUD $ 9,640-
31-05-202615-06-2026AUD $ 9,280-
11-06-202626-06-2026AUD $ 9,280-
21-06-202606-07-2026AUD $ 9,280-
28-06-202613-07-2026AUD $ 8,925-
05-07-202620-07-2026AUD $ 8,925-
19-07-202603-08-2026AUD $ 8,925-
02-08-202617-08-2026AUD $ 8,925-
16-08-202631-08-2026AUD $ 8,925-
30-08-202614-09-2026AUD $ 9,280-
03-09-202618-09-2026AUD $ 9,280-
06-09-202621-09-2026AUD $ 9,640-
13-09-202628-09-2026AUD $ 9,640-
17-09-202602-10-2026AUD $ 9,640-
20-09-202605-10-2026AUD $ 9,640-
01-10-202616-10-2026AUD $ 9,640-
04-10-202619-10-2026AUD $ 9,640-
11-10-202626-10-2026AUD $ 9,280-
18-10-202602-11-2026AUD $ 8,925-
25-10-202609-11-2026AUD $ 8,925-
11-04-202726-04-2027AUD $ 9,370-
15-04-202730-04-2027AUD $ 9,370-
18-04-202703-05-2027AUD $ 9,370-
25-04-202710-05-2027AUD $ 9,745-
02-05-202717-05-2027AUD $ 9,745-
09-05-202724-05-2027AUD $ 10,120-
13-05-202728-05-2027AUD $ 10,120-
16-05-202731-05-2027AUD $ 10,120-
23-05-202707-06-2027AUD $ 10,120-
30-05-202714-06-2027AUD $ 10,120-
10-06-202725-06-2027AUD $ 9,745-
20-06-202705-07-2027AUD $ 9,745-
27-06-202712-07-2027AUD $ 9,370-
04-07-202719-07-2027AUD $ 9,370-
18-07-202702-08-2027AUD $ 9,370-
01-08-202716-08-2027AUD $ 9,370-
15-08-202730-08-2027AUD $ 9,370-
22-08-202706-09-2027AUD $ 9,370-
29-08-202713-09-2027AUD $ 9,745-
02-09-202717-09-2027AUD $ 9,745-
05-09-202720-09-2027AUD $ 9,745-
12-09-202727-09-2027AUD $ 10,120-
16-09-202701-10-2027AUD $ 10,120-
19-09-202704-10-2027AUD $ 10,120-
23-09-202708-10-2027AUD $ 10,120-
26-09-202711-10-2027AUD $ 10,120-
30-09-202715-10-2027AUD $ 10,120-
03-10-202718-10-2027AUD $ 9,745-
07-10-202722-10-2027AUD $ 9,745-
10-10-202725-10-2027AUD $ 9,745-
14-10-202729-10-2027AUD $ 9,745-
17-10-202701-11-2027AUD $ 9,370-
24-10-202708-11-2027AUD $ 9,370-

Accommodation

Comfortable Hotel (13 nights),Feature Stay (2 night)

Transport

Private Vehicle

Map

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