Classic Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia

Salam aleykum! Welcome to Azerbaijan! At the airport, you’ll be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Get your first glimpse of Baku, where ancient stone walls and winding lanes share the skyline with grand imperial-era buildings and striking contemporary architecture. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you have some free time beforehand, wander along Nizami Street, one of the city’s liveliest boulevards, lined with elegant Baroque, Neo-Gothic and Neo-Renaissance facades. This evening, get to know your group over a traditional Azerbaijani dinner where you can try shakh plov (the country’s festive rice dish, baked inside a crisp, golden pastry crust).

After breakfast this morning, discover the ‘fiery’ side of Baku on a half-day trip to the Absheron Peninsula. Wander through the Ateshgah Fire Temple, dedicated to the ancient Zoroastrian tradition of fire worship, then witness the ‘eternal’ flame at Yanar Dag (Burning Mountain), where a natural gas fire has been burning, according to local belief, for hundreds of years. Return to Baku this afternoon for a guided walk through the fortified Old City. As you wander its narrow lanes, learn how centuries of history, from the Shirvanshahs to the present day, have shaped Azerbaijan’s capital.

Leave Baku behind and travel north towards the forested slopes of the Caucasus Mountains, watching the landscape shift from arid plains to green, rolling hills. Along the way, stop at the Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleum and the historic Juma Mosque in Shamakhi. Arrive in Sheki and round out the day at the Palace of the Sheki Khans, famed for its intricate frescoes and luminous stained glass. Unlike its neighbour Georgia, which claims the world's oldest winemaking tradition, Azerbaijan has kept a lower profile in the world of wine. This evening, head to a local wine bar for a tasting of some of Azerbaijan’s much-loved wines.

After breakfast, drive to Lagodekhi – a border town where you’ll switch transport and cross into Georgia. Continue into Kakheti, the country’s renowned winemaking region, where rolling vineyards stretch towards the Caucasus foothills. Pause in Sighnaghi – a hilltop town overlooking the Alazani Valley, with sweeping mountain views. Share lunch with a local winemaking family and taste distinctive amber and red wines before continuing to Tbilisi. Arrive in the capital by evening and enjoy a free night to explore at your own pace.

This morning, set out on a walking tour through Tbilisi’s Old Town with a local guide, tracing the layers of the city’s long and complex history. Visit the 6th-century Anchiskhati Basilica, then ride the cable car up to Narikala Fortress – an ancient citadel overlooking the river and rooftops below. From the ramparts, take in sweeping city views as your guide brings to life centuries of change, from Persian rule to the present day. Learn how Tbilisi – literally translating to ‘a warm place’ – was founded around natural hot springs that still define the city today. This afternoon, you may choose to unwind in one of the traditional bathhouses, where steaming sulphur waters offer a soothing end to the day.

Today, travel to Mtskheta, Georgia’s ancient capital and spiritual heart, where centuries of history are preserved in its UNESCO World Heritage–listed sites. Visit the iconic Jvari Church and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral – a masterpiece of medieval architecture and one of the country’s most sacred landmarks. Continue along the dramatic Georgian Military Road, winding deeper into the Greater Caucasus Mountains, until you reach Stepantsminda. Settle into a family-run hotel and enjoy a warm, homecooked dinner together. Your hosts will guide you through a hands-on khinkali masterclass, sharing the traditions behind Georgia’s beloved dumplings.

Set out this morning on a scenic mountain drive into the heart of the Greater Caucasus, travelling by 4WD along winding roads to the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church at 2170 m (7120 ft) above sea level. If the weather cooperates, you’ll get sweeping views of Mount Kazbegi rising dramatically above the surrounding peaks. Switch transport, then drive towards Borjomi, stopping along the way at the fortress-like Ananuri complex, set above the Jvari reservoir. Arrive in Borjomi, famous for its naturally sparkling mineral water, and take a short walk with your leader through its leafy parks and spring-filled surroundings.

This morning, set off for the remarkable cave city of Vardzia, carved into the cliffs above the Mtkvari River and stretching for more than half a kilometre, a vast labyrinth of tunnels, stairways and terraces. Explore its many levels with your guide, from rock-hewn churches adorned with 12th-century frescoes to former dwellings, refectories, wine cellars and small chapels, all offering a vivid glimpse into its medieval life as both fortress and monastic sanctuary. Pause for lunch near the Saro nunnery – a quiet rural convent in a remote setting. The surrounding landscape is dotted with large volcanic boulders covered in rust-coloured lichen, remnants of ancient Cyclopean fortresses and part of the many Bronze Age megalithic structures found across Samtskhe-Javakheti. Continue across the border into Armenia and arrive in Gyumri, where you’ll have a free evening to explore this atmospheric city at your own pace.

Start the morning with a guided walk through Gyumri and learn about its layered history. Once known as one of Armenia’s most beautiful cities (now the second-largest city), it was profoundly affected by the devastating 1988 Spitak Earthquake, which reshaped much of its identity. Later, visit the Gyumri Central Market – one of Armenia’s largest open-air markets – and check out the fresh produce. Follow your leader as they point out some delicious regional specialties to try. For lunch, head to a family-run museum dedicated to the preservation of Armenian traditions. Here you'll enjoy traditional Armenian cuisine, learn how to prepare traditional Armenian coffee and discover ghayfa, a nearly forgotten wheat-based drink that offers a fascinating glimpse into the region's culinary heritage. The rest of the day is free to explore Gyumri.

After breakfast, set out southeast to the Azat River gorge to the remarkable Geghard Monastery. Partly carved into the mountainside and framed by dramatic cliffs, this UNESCO World Heritage site is one of Armenia’s most interesting spiritual landmarks. Continue to the nearby village of Garni to visit the 1st-century Garni Temple, built by King Tiridates and dedicated to Mithra, the Sun God. Enjoy a demonstration of lavash baking (Armenia’s iconic and UNESCO-recognised flatbread), then sample a burduch – a popular local wrap filled with fresh ingredients. Later, drive to Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, where you’ll take an orientation walk with your leader and enjoy some free time in the afternoon and evening.

This morning, join a local guide for a walking tour of Yerevan and get to know one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, founded in 782 BC. Today, its energy comes from a blend of deep-rooted history and a modern, creative spirit. Later, visit an ethnographic house, set up by a local NGO dedicated to preserving Armenian traditions, for a rug-weaving workshop where you’ll learn the traditional art of knotting on a large loom and see the craftsmanship behind Armenia’s iconic carpets. This evening, gather with your group for a farewell dinner and toast to the end of an unforgettable journey.

With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end this morning after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your adventure, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.