Treasures of the Caucasus - From the City of Winds to the Silk Road
A 10-day journey from Baku following the Silk Road to Georgia, exploring ancient petroglyphs, the walled city of Signagi, the mountains of Kazbegi, and the impressive cave city of Vardzia.
Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival in Baku
Transfer from Baku Airport to hotel with guide assistance. 20 km
DAY 2: Baku - Absheron - Baku
Exploration of the Shirvanshahs' Palace, a World Heritage Site. Visit to the Zoroastrian fire temple Ateshgah and Yanardag, the eternally burning mountain. In the afternoon, the avant-garde Heydar Aliyev Center by Zaha Hadid and the vibrant Yashil Bazaar. 43 km
DAY 3: Baku - Gobustan - Baku
Excursion to Gobustan Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with petroglyphs dating back 40,000 years. Visit to the Mud Volcanoes and Baku's Carpet Museum. 204 km
DAY 4: Baku - Shamaki - Sheki
Visit to the 15th-century Diri Baba Mausoleum and the Seven Domes Mausoleum in Shemakha. Arrival in Sheki to discover the Khan's Summer Palace with its famous Shebeke stained glass and the 1st-century Albanian Church of Kish. 347 km
DAY 5: Sheki - Lagodekhi - Signagi - Tbilisi
Border crossing at Lagodekhi into Georgia. Visit to Signagi, the "City of Love," with its cobblestone streets, wooden balconies, and 18th-century walls. Panoramic views of the Alazani Valley. Arrival in Tbilisi. 267 km
DAY 6: Tbilisi - Guided Tour
Tour of Rustaveli Avenue with the Parliament, Opera House, and Rustaveli Theatre. Visit to Metekhi Square, cable car ride to Narikala Fortress. Stroll through Abanotubani district with its sulfur baths and visit to Anchiskhati Basilica, the city's oldest church. 2 km
DAY 7: Tbilisi - Ananuri - Kazbegi - Tbilisi
Excursion to Ananuri Fortress by the Zhinvali Reservoir. Ascent to the Gergeti Trinity Church at 2,170 meters, beneath Mount Kazbegi. 321 km
DAY 8: Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Gori - Uplistsikhe - Borjomi - Akhaltsikhe
Visit to Mtskheta, the ancient capital and World Heritage Site: Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Stalin Museum in Gori and exploration of Uplistsikhe, an Iron Age rock-hewn city. Stroll through Borjomi park to taste its mineral water. Arrival in Akhaltsikhe with its Rabati fortress. 245 km
DAY 9: Akhaltsikhe - Vardzia - Khertvisi - Tbilisi
Exploration of Vardzia, a 12th-century cave monastery city with medieval frescoes and ancient wine cellars. Visit to Khertvisi Fortress, one of the oldest in Georgia. Return to Tbilisi crossing the Lesser Caucasus mountains. 287 km
DAY 10: Departure
Transfer to Tbilisi airport. 18 km
About this trip
Discover the Treasures of the Caucasus on a 10-day journey that begins in the "City of Winds," Baku. We will explore the architecture of the oil boom era and the ancient sites of the Absheron Peninsula. We travel westward following the Silk Road, visiting Sheki and its artisan workshops.
Georgia: Wine and Stone
In Georgia, we venture into the Kakheti region to visit the walled city of Signagi and enjoy valley views. Tbilisi will captivate us with its charm. The trip includes an excursion north to the mountains of Kazbegi to see the Gergeti church. But the real treasure of this itinerary is the exploration of the south.
The Deep South
We travel to the Samtskhe-Javakheti region to visit the cave city of Vardzia and the Khertvisi fortress. We also explore Stalin's birthplace, Gori, and the ancient pagan city of Uplistsikhe. We finish in Tbilisi, completing a journey that highlights the region's historical importance as a meeting point of civilizations.
Included
- Accommodation: 9 nights in 4* hotels
- Meals: Bed and breakfast
- Transport: Private vehicle with A/C and fuel
- Guide: Professional English-speaking guide
- Logistics: Staff expenses (guide/driver)
- Water: 1 bottle per person/day
- Taxes: Local taxes
- Entrances: Monuments as per itinerary
Not Included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Lunches and dinners
- Alcoholic beverages and tips
- Personal expenses