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Peregrine Travel Centre

Highlights of Azerbaijan & Georgia

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Highlights of Azerbaijan & Georgia

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Description

Spend 10-days in Azerbaijan and Georgia, where historical old towns and monasteries sit comfortably alongside towering skyscrapers,or against draw-dropping scenery of the Caucasus mountains. Discover warmth and pride among the ostensible austerity of Azerbaijan culture, then cross into Georgia to devour medieval ruins and traditional wines alike. Visit one of Europe’s largest open-air rock museums, enjoy a hearty home-cooked lunch with a local Kakheti family and hike to the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church. From cities to mountains, this trip guarantees encounters that will stay with you forever.

Trip Name
Highlights of Azerbaijan & Georgia
Last Updated
2024-04-23
Days
10
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Take a guided walking tour of Azerbaijan's Old Town, where views of the Palace of the Shirvanshahs are made even more spectacular by the modern skyscrapers in the background.
  • The Caucasus Mountains will take your breath away in more ways than one during a hike to the 14th-century Gergeti Trinity Church, which sits in splendid isolation at 2170 m.
  • Be treated to Azerbaijan's national dish Piti, and stop at a traditional Georgian wine producer where the ancient, UNESCO-listed qvevri method is still used.
  • Navigate the organised chaos of the farmers markets in Telavi. Your leader will be there to help you order as much fresh fruit, nuts or pigs heads as you desire.
  • Explore the small ethnic villages and workshops along the way - Lahij's cobbled streets, Nij's udi community, Kish's pointed church and learn about the traditional method and unique techniques in yogurt making, copper craftsmanship and stained glass making - the perfect opportunities to make local friends and gain some authentic insights to local life.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Mtskheta-Mtianeti Regional Hub. Donations help them improve their services and training hub to connect people, who’ve fled their homes due to war or political instability, with their new community in Georgia.

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. 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. There is a chance of potential changes to the itinerary due to heavy rain, flooding and snow at higher altitudes, which often affect roads and bridges, making travel difficult or impossible (particularly in remote areas). Your tour leader will advise of the revised itinerary in such unexpected situations.

Day 1 - Baku
Welcome to Azerbaijan! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. Why not seek some traditional local fare with the group after the meeting and join your leader for a night walk around Baku.
Day 2 - Qobustan/ Baku
In the morning, drive to Qobustan, a national reserve and World Heritage site that functions as an open-air archaeological museum. Stop on the way to check out the bubbling mud volcanoes first and then continue to Qobustan. Here lie some well-preserved rock petroglyphs dating back as far as BC 12th century, as well as a Roman inscription notable as the easternmost of its kind. Return to Baku in the afternoon and explore Baku’s UNESCO World Cultural Site - the walled old Town and learn about its history and legends on a guided walking tour. Finish in the Old Market Square and enjoy exploring the old city of Baku. The evening is yours to spend. If you’re searching for somewhere to eat, ask your leader to point you in the direction of Nizami Street, where local restaurants line this busy boulevard. Perhaps order some lavangi – walnuts, dried fruit and onions stuffed inside chicken and roasted to create a tantalising fusion of flavours.
Day 3 - Caucasus Mountains / Lahij
This morning, leave Baku and drive through a dry landscape that gives way to a densely forested mountain area, stopping en route in Shamakhi to check out one of the oldest Mosques of Azerbaijan - Juma (Friday) Mosque, then continue to your destination today, the village of Lahij, a stunning traditional village of Tats people. Explore its cobbled streets, stone houses and visit a copper workshop and get to know some local folk over a cup of tea. Enjoy a yogurt master class later on and bunk down in a guesthouse in Lahij tonight.
Day 4 - Sheki
After breakfast, head to Nij village, a settlement of the Udi people who are the direct descendants of ancient Caucasian Albanians. Most the world’s surviving Udi people call Nij home, giving the community a unique culture.Take a stroll in the village with your leader and visit an unassuming site of a significant church. The Albanian Church (as it’s known colloquially) is a source of pride and heritage for the local Udi community. Continue to Sheki afterwards and enjoy a free evening.
Day 5 - Sheki
Visit the Palace of Shaki Khans first in the morning. The walls inside the palace are painted with scenes of hunting and war and feature impressive stained glass. Afterwards, check out a workshop where shebeke – stained glass windows made with no glue or nails – are produced by masters. Then get on a local public bus to Kish to visit the pointed spires of a church that is among the oldest in Christendom, believed to be around 1700 years old. Try Azerbaijan’s national dish – Piti for lunch – a stew made of lamb, sheep fat, chickpeas, onions, chestnuts, saffron and spices, and is guaranteed to be full of exciting flavors. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to discover Sheki. Why not explore the impressive traditional architecture on foot. It’s easy enough to stop for tea and some local halva (made with sugar, hazelnuts, coriander and rice flour grinned in a watermill) if you get tired.
Day 6 - Telavi
After breakfast at the hotel, take a walk with your leader through the Sheki market. It’s a good idea to stock up on snacks for the journey to come, so maybe grab some halva, nuts and dried fruit. Continue to Lagodekhi on the Azerbaijan-Georgia border. Travel through the beautiful green valleys of the Kakheti region to Gremi, a complex that includes a castle and church from the 16th century. Spend some time here and then hit the road again, stopping at a traditional Georgian wine producer where the ancient, UNESCO-listed qvevri method is still used and enjoy lunch here. Continue to Telavi to your accommodation for the evening – a locally-owned family hotel.
Day 7 - Gudauri
In the morning, wander through the raucous local farmers market in Telavi, where butchers carve up fresh meat and vendors offload piles of spices, then visit Tsinandalia, a historic estate and winery once owned by noted Georgian poet Alexander Chavchavadze. In 1814, aristocrat Chavchavadze was the first to bottle wine produced using the qvevri method. Tour the complex, which consists of a memorial house, European-style landscaped garden, a traditional winery, wine cellar, hotel and cafe. Continue to UNESCO listed Alaverdi Cathedral that dates back to 6th century. Afterwards, a stunning drive into the mountains up the renowned Georgian Military Highway, which eventually leads to the Georgia–Russia border. Tonight, enjoy an included dinner and spend the night in lofty Gudauri.
Day 8 - Gudauri / Stepantsminda
Follow the Tergi River on a drive to Stepantsminda (formerly known as Kazbegi). Explore this mountain village then take a 2.5-hour hike through beautiful valleys and woodlands to the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church (2170 m). This 14th-century church sits at the base of the second-highest volcanic summit in the Caucasus – Mt Kazbegi (5047 m) – and weather permitting you may catch a glimpse of this frosty behemoth. The image of the pointed spires of the isolated church against the mountains is truly breathtaking, and a great place to practice your photography skills. Drive back to Gudauri for an included dinner.
Day 9 - Tbilisi
Make the drive to the capital of Tbilisi (approximately 3 hours), sure to be a slight shock to the system after the peace of the mountains. Get into the swing of things with an orientation walk with your leader. Spend the rest of the daytime as you wish, perhaps grabbing a khachapuri (bread stuffed with salty cheese) to snack on while you wander. In the evening, regroup and head out for dinner with your fellow travellers and leader. This is a good chance to munch down on khinkali, Georgia’s famous dumplings. Make sure to ask your leader about the polite way to eat them – it involves sucking out the juice and leaving the pinched bit of dough where the edges of the delicious parcel have joined on the plate.
Day 10 - Tbilisi
Your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. Want to spend more time in this gorgeous city? We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
13-05-202422-05-2024AUD $ 3,440-
20-05-202429-05-2024AUD $ 2,871-
27-05-202405-06-2024AUD $ 2,504-
03-06-202412-06-2024AUD $ 3,160-
17-06-202426-06-2024AUD $ 2,763-
20-06-202429-06-2024AUD $ 3,010-
04-07-202413-07-2024AUD $ 3,010-
08-07-202417-07-2024AUD $ 3,100-
15-07-202424-07-2024AUD $ 3,010-
22-07-202431-07-2024AUD $ 3,130-
12-08-202421-08-2024AUD $ 3,440-
19-08-202428-08-2024AUD $ 3,315-
29-08-202407-09-2024AUD $ 3,250-
02-09-202411-09-2024AUD $ 3,410-
05-09-202414-09-2024AUD $ 3,250-
09-09-202418-09-2024AUD $ 3,250-
19-09-202428-09-2024AUD $ 3,410-
26-09-202405-10-2024AUD $ 3,250-
28-04-202507-05-2025AUD $ 3,190-
05-05-202514-05-2025AUD $ 3,315-
12-05-202521-05-2025AUD $ 3,445-
19-05-202528-05-2025AUD $ 3,445-
26-05-202504-06-2025AUD $ 3,445-
02-06-202511-06-2025AUD $ 3,315-
09-06-202518-06-2025AUD $ 3,315-
16-06-202525-06-2025AUD $ 3,190-
23-06-202502-07-2025AUD $ 3,190-
07-07-202516-07-2025AUD $ 3,190-
14-07-202523-07-2025AUD $ 3,190-
21-07-202530-07-2025AUD $ 3,190-
28-07-202506-08-2025AUD $ 3,190-
04-08-202513-08-2025AUD $ 3,315-
11-08-202520-08-2025AUD $ 3,315-
18-08-202527-08-2025AUD $ 3,315-
25-08-202503-09-2025AUD $ 3,315-
01-09-202510-09-2025AUD $ 3,445-
08-09-202517-09-2025AUD $ 3,445-
15-09-202524-09-2025AUD $ 3,445-
22-09-202501-10-2025AUD $ 3,445-

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights),Guesthouse (3 nights)

Transport

Private Vehicle,Public Bus,Taxi

Map

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