The three Caucasus Countries : Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia

Arrive in Baku and transfer to the hotel.

Breakfast. After an hour-long drive from Baku, we will find ourselves in an ancient rock-carved city. Gobustan State Historical-Ethnographic Reserve is one of the sights of the country today.

Gobustan rock painting is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

In the afternoon we will give a tour of Baku. We walk to the historical center of old Baku, where the important sights of the city are gathered: Maiden Tower, the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, the Shemakha Gate, and the Caravanserai.

At the end, we stop at the three-flame tower, which has become a symbol of modern Baku.

After the study tour, we can spend a pleasant evening on the boulevard of Baku or take a walk on the busiest Nizami Street in the city, which is full of souvenir shops and cafes.

The second morning of the trip to Azerbaijan is dedicated to Shemakha. Shemakha is one of the oldest cities in Azerbaijan.

Here we will visit the famous Juma Mosque. This mosque impresses the visitor with its size.

Continue the way to one of the oldest cities in the country – Sheki. The main attraction of the city is the Khan Palace, which was built in the 18th century.

The historic center of Sheki and Khan Palace has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Overnight in Sheki

After breakfast, we will drive for one hour across the border of Azerbaijan and Georgia. Border formalities. Note: change of the guide and the transportation. Drive to Khareba Winery, wine tasting and lunch. Drive to the town of Sighnaghi, which makes a special impression with its beautiful streets and unique natural location. We will stroll along the cobblestone streets lined with colorful houses and balconies; admire the stunning views of the snow-capped Caucasus Mountains and the vast Alazani Valley. Drive to Bodbe Monastery, which, according to legend, is the burial place of St. Nino, who converted Georgia to Christianity in the 4th century. The Bodbe complex has been used as a monastery since 1889 by decree of Russian Tsar Alexander III. Drive to Tbilisi. Overnight

After breakfast, start exploring the north of Georgia. Drive to the Ananuri architectural complex, a former residence of Argveti dukes, which features churches and towers dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries and beautifully overlooks the Jinvali Reservoir. Drive over the Cross Pass and make a short stop at the Soviet-era “People’s Friendship” viewpoint, which overlooks a deep gorge of the Caucasus mountain range. In Kazbegi, switch to a four-wheel drive vehicle to reach Gergeti Holy Trinity Church (located at an altitude of 2,170 m) and enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Kazbegi. Back to Tbilisi and overnight

After breakfast, start exploring the north of Georgia. The first stop will be at Jvari Monastery, which is built on a hilltop and is a true architectural masterpiece of the early Medieval Period. From here you can enjoy the views of the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. Continue to Mtskheta, one of the oldest towns in Georgia and the country’s cultural and religious centre. Mtskheta was the capital of the eastern Georgian Kingdom of Kartli from the 3rd century BC. Visit Svetitskhoveli, which is the main cathedral of Mtskheta and a sacred place where the robe of Christ is kept. Back to Tbilisi. Start walking through the historical part of the city and enjoying the unique combination of cultures. Meandering through the narrow streets of the city we will come-across various religious buildings: Churches, Synagogues, Mosques, Wooden houses built in the 19th century with colorful balconies, sulphur baths, the Narikala fortress. Visiting the Stalin Printing House in Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi

After breakfast drive to the border of Georgia/Armenia. Border formalities. Note: change of the guide and the transportation. Start the journey to the land of ancient traditions and the ancient churches. Drive through Dilijan to Lake Sevan, one of the largest high-mountain freshwater lakes in the world (and considered to be the “Jewel of Armenia”). The lake’s coastline is rich with dense woods, white cliff faces, mountain steppes, and Alpine meadows. Visit Sevanavank Monastery, which includes two churches – Surb Arakelots and Surb Karapet – standing among numerous khachkars. The buildings were constructed from black tuff, which probably gave the monastery its name of Sevanavank, “the Black Monastery”. Enjoy the magnificent views: the monastery is situated at the lake and is surrounded by snowcapped mountains. Continue to Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, for overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive out of the city to the Holy See of Armenia, Etchmiadzin, where we’ll visit Etchmiadzin Cathedral (the residence of the Catholicos, the supreme head of the Armenian Apostolic Church) and the museum of Christian relics. Return to explore Yerevan, one of the world’s oldest cities. Yerevan is also nicknamed the “Pink City” and impresses visitors with its grand Soviet architecture. Our first stop in Yerevan will be at Cascade Monument, a 500-metre high, 50-metre wide limestone staircase with no less than 572 steps. From the top of the monument, enjoy a breathtaking city view that includes the Opera House, Mount Ararat, Republic Square, and Abovyan Avenue, all of which we’ll see as we walk the streets of Yerevan (~2 km walking). After drive to the Airport.

Farewell!