Caucasus Highlights
• Baku • Sheki • Sighnaghi • Tbilisi • Uplistsikhe • Yerevan
PRICE FROM | DURATION | |
---|---|---|
NZD
$13,535
|
Days
15
|
Nights
14
|
PRICE FROM | DURATION | |
---|---|---|
NZD
$13,535
|
Days
15
|
Nights
14
|
Introduction
Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia are exotic, exciting, dynamic and ultimately hugely rewarding.
Wander ancient streets, temples, mausoleums and monasteries; sample traditional food; step back in time with history museums; and enjoy unusual artworks and craft markets unlike any others in this tailor-made journey.
This itinerary can be tailor-made, with the number of days, places visited, and activities varied to suit you.
Itinerary
Day 1 : Baku
Transfer to your hotel on arrival in Baku.
Day 2 : Baku > Absheron Peninsula > Baku
Today enjoy a city tour of Baku exploring the harbour and Martyr’s Lane memorial park, on one of the highest hills of the city. Moving to the Old City, the historical heart of Baku and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the 15th century Shirvanshah’s Palace, its Maiden Tower a prominent piece of the Baku panorama and a number of other historical sites including the baths of Haji Banu, and Multani and Bukhara caravanserais. The new building of the Azerbaijan State Carpet Museum will amaze you with its vast collection of more than 10.000 items.
Continue to the Absheron peninsula to see the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ateshgah, an ancient religious temple of Zoroastrian fire worshipers built in the 17th century.
Back in Baku enjoy a pleasant walk through the heart of modern Baku – Fountain Square and Nizami street, a huge pedestrian zone with many cafes, restaurants, bars and shops.
Day 3 : Baku > Sheki
Visit Diri Baba Mausoleum and Juma Mosque en route to Sheki. Afternoon tour of Sheki Khan Palace, an important historical site. The palace is noted for its beautiful stained-glass windows which are assembled as a puzzle, without the use of nails or glue. Of great interest are the 18th century Caravanserais of Sheki, once used to accommodate traders passing along the Silk Road. Later, visit nearby Kish village to view the church and wander the narrow streets and cobblestone roads.
Day 4 : Sheki > Lagodekhi > Gremi > Telavi
Cross the Lagodekhi border and drive to the Kakheti region in Georgia, the birthplace of viticulture and wine-making. Visit the 16th to 17th century Gremi architectural complex, consisting of a tower, king’s chambers, defensive walls and a central-dome Archangel’s church built of square bricks.
Day 5 : Telavi > Tsinandali > Ikalto > Alaverdi > Sighnaghi > Tbilisi
Visit Tsinandali Family Estate and wine cellar, featuring several vintages of white wine. Visit Ikalto Monastery and Alaverdi Cathedral and explore Sighnaghi, one of Georgia’s most attractive towns, famous for its wine and carpet making culture. Enjoy breathtaking views of Kizikhi area and unusual Charm of Sighnaghi Royal Town. Have a walk in narrow streets of the town in shadow of wooden balconies richly decorated with the lace of carved ornaments. Then drive to Tblisi.
Day 6 : Tbilisi
Today is a fascinating journey through history in Georgia’s capital city. Visit Metekhi Church of Assumption, Georgian Synagogue, Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica, Narikhala Fortress, Sulphur Baths, Rustaveli Avenue and the National Museum of Georgia, where you can enjoy the permanent exhibition ‘The Archaeological Treasury’.
Day 7 : Tbilisi > Mtskheta > Ananuri > Gudauri
Drive to Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Jvari, a 6th century cross-shaped monastery, and the fortified cathedral of Svetitskhoveli, where the Robe of Christ is buried. Drive along the Georgian Military Highway to visit the Ananuri Architectural complex, overlooking Jinvali reservoir. Dinner is included tonight at your hotel in Gudauri.
Day 8 : Gudauri > Gori > Uplistsikhe > Kutaisi
Visit Joseph Stalin’s Museum in Gori. Continue to Uplistsikhe, the “Fortress of God”, notable for its unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures and the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture. Here you can see ancient wine presses carved in stone. Arrive in Kutaisi, the ancient Kingdom of Colchis.
Day 9 : Kutaisi > Prometheus > Tbilisi
Visit the 11th century Bagrati Cathedral, the symbol of united Georgia. Continue to Gelati Monastery where a number of 12th century manuscripts have been preserved. Explore Prometheus Caves, a 1.2 kilometre-long cave complex providing breathtaking examples of stalactites, stalagmites, petrified waterfalls and underground rivers and lakes.
Day 10 : Tbilisi > Sadakhlo > Haghpat > Sanahin > Dilijan > Sevan
Cross the Sadakhlo border into Armenia and visit Haghpat Monastery. Its oldest structures date back to the 10th century. Visit Sanahin Monastery and continue to Sevan for overnight.
Day 11 : Sevan > Selim Pass > Noravank > Tetev Monastery > Goris
Explore the romantic Sevanavank Monastery, founded in 874 by Princess Mariam. Continue to Noravank, a 12th century monastery complex set in a canyon rich with rare flora. Stop at Halidzor Village and take the longest tramway in the world to Tatev Monastery.
Day 12 : Goris > Noravank > Areni Winery > Khor Virap > Yerevan
Visit Noravank, a 12th century monastery complex set in a canyon rich with rare flora. Continue to the Areni Winery, then drive to Khor Virap, offering views across a vast plain to Turkey and the twin peaks of Mount Ararat.
Day 13 : Yerevan
Enjoy a walking tour of Yerevan, visiting Matenadaran, home to a large collection of Greek, Persian and Arabic manuscripts, the History Museum and Picture Gallery. Next visit the Genocide Memorial and Museum, then conclude the day at Vernisage, a large arts and crafts market.
Day 14 : Yerevan > Garni > Geghard > Ejmiatsin > Zvartnots > Yerevan
Drive to Garni and visit the pagan Garni architectural complex and Geghard cave monastery. Continue to Echmiadzin Cathedral, built in 303 on the site of a pagan temple after the adoption of Christianity as a state religion in 301. Nearby are the ruins of the spectacular Temple of Zvartnots.
Day 15 : Yerevan
Transfer to the airport, where arrangements end.
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Pricing
Pricing (per person), NZD
TYPE |
TWIN from |
SINGLE from |
EXTRA from |
---|---|---|---|
2024 | |||
4-star | |||
1 Oct – 31 Dec |
NZ$13,535 |
NZ$23,270 |
|
5-star | |||
1 Oct – 31 Dec |
NZ$14,615 |
NZ$25,040 |
|
2025 | |||
4-star | |||
1 Jan – 31 Dec |
NZ$13,535 |
NZ$23,270 |
|
5-star | |||
1 Jan – 31 Dec |
NZ$14,615 |
NZ$25,040 |
**2024**
**4-star **
1 Oct – 31 Dec
Twin: from $13535
Single: from $ 23270
**5-star**
1 Oct – 31 Dec
Twin: from $14615
Single: from $ 25040
**2025**
**4-star **
1 Jan – 31 Dec
Twin: from $13535
Single: from $ 23270
**5-star**
1 Jan – 31 Dec
Twin: from $14615
Single: from $ 25040
Departs
Daily, year-round |
Included
- Tailor-made journey
- 14 nights’ accommodation
- 14 breakfasts and 2 dinners
- Meet & Greet at Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport
- Private transfers as per the itinerary
- English-speaking local guides
- Private sightseeing as per the itinerary
- Entrance fees as per the itinerary
Not Included
- Gratuities
Important Notes
- Surcharges may also apply on national or religious holidays
- Accommodations in Kvareli are best available
Please refer to World Journeys terms & conditions
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