South Caucasus is a mountainous region, which embraces the territory of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia and is situated between the Black and Caspian Seas. Since ancient period it represented an important region of exceptional geopolitical significance playing the role of a connecting link between the countries of Orient and Occident where the ancient states of the world Urartu, Kolkhida and Caucasian Albania, existed in the IX-VI cc. BC. Caucasus Region with its mountainous and hilly places are beloved travel destination for adventure trekking and hiking lovers.
Caucasus trekking tour:
Accommodation type: budget
Tour duration: 15 days
Trekking routes: easy
Day 1. Arrival at Tbilisi airport, airport transfer and accommodation, a walk in Botanical Garden trekking route and enjoy sulphur spring baths – where “water is hot without the aid of fire” – as Ibn Haukal wrote in the X c. Stay overnight in Tbilisi Hotel.
Day 2. Sightseeing in Tbilisi and Mtskheta; a walk in multinational Abanotubani (district of sulphur baths) and Karvasla (Caravan-sarai). Cultural excursion to the old capital of Georgia – Mtskheta: a view from historic and architectural complex of Jvari.
Day 3. Departure to west Georgia: on the way visit to Uplistsikhe. Sightseeing excursion in Kutaisi: Bagrati Temple and historic and architectural complex of Gelati, stay overnight in Kutaisi Guesthouse.
Day 4. Batumi sightseeing (ancient name: Bathus): museum of history and achitecture, Gonio Fortress and trekking to Batumi botanical garden. Evening walk to seaside park and stay overnight in Batumi Hotel.
Day 5. Drive to Tbilisi and walk in the City centre, visit Dry bridge fair, painting and gift shops. Departure by train to another destination in Caucasus region - Azerbaijan.
Day 6. Sightseeing excursion in Baku: a walk in Old-City district, Maiden Tower Gys Galasy, museum of carpets, Caravansarai, stay overnight in Baku.
Day 7. Cultural excursions to Bailov Stones, temple of fire-worshippers, museum - sanctuary Palace of Shirvanshah, stay overnight in Baku.
Day 8. Leisure afternoon in the capital: shopping in the city and a walk along the avenue. Evening: departure to Tbilisi by train.
Day 9. Half day trekking tour to Zeda - Zeni Monastery Complex and departure by train to the next destination in Caucasus region - Armenia.
Day 10. Yerevan, cultural excursion: institute of ancient manuscripts Matenadaran, fortress of Garni (1st. c. BC), trekking to Sevani Lake, (located 2000 meters above sea level). Stay overnight in Yerevan.
Day 11. Armenia Excursions to Monastery of Echmiadzin (2nd c.), basilica of St. Gayane, church of St. Ripsime (630), ruins of Zvartnots temple (641-661). Gegard (monastery cut in the rock, 12-13th cc.), monastery Gehatavank.
Day 12. Leisure afternoon and a walk in the City, shopping, departure to Tbilisi by train.
Day 13. East Georgia - Kakheti: fortified city of Sighnaghi, medieval citadel of Gremi and trekking to Nekresi monastery complex, return to Tbilisi.
Day 14. Trekking tour from Mt. Mtatsminda to Turtle Lake and lunch, free time in the capital for shopping.
Day 15. Transfer to airport and departure.
Tour Includes:
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all transportations;
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accommodation in 2-3 * hotels and guesthouses;
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rooms of DBL category;
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meals 2x day (breakfast and lunch);
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entrance tickets and guide service.
Not included:
Cultural tour: Armenia,Georgia and Azerbaijan
Accommodation type: mid-range
Tour duration: 15 days
- Armenia (5 days):
Day 1. Yerevan, Meeting and accommodation. Cultural excursion: institute of ancient manuscripts Matenadaran, fortress of Garni (1st. c. BC) and Khor-Viqrap.
Day 2. Lake Sevan, (60 km from Yerevan and 2,000 m. above the sea level) and return to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 3. Monastery of Echmiadzin (2nd c.), basilica of St. Gayane, church of St. Ripsime (630), ruins of Zvartnots temple (641-661). Gegard (monastery cut in the rock, 12-13th cc.), monastery Gehatavank.
Day 4. Excursion in Odzun, Haghpat-Sanahin and Vanadzor. Stay overnight in Yerevan.
Day 5. Leisure time in Yerevan: a walk in the city, shopping and departure for Tbilisi by train.
- Georgia (6 days):
Day 6. Meeting at the train station, accommodation at the Hotel, Tbilisi Tour: Sameba Cathedral, Abanotubani, Narikala fortress, Metekhi
Church, Museum of History, Anchiskhati, Museum of Ethnography. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 7. Departure to health resort Borjomi, on the way visit Mtskheta (declared as UNESCO world heritage): Jvari historical-architectural complex (586 - 604), Svetitskhoveli cathedral (1010 - 1029), arrival in Borjomi and tasting of Borjomi world known Georgian mineral water from the spring. Trekking to Borjomi - Kharagauli national reserve and stay over night in Borjomi.
Day 8. Visit Bakuriani and trekking to Kokhta - Gora mountain. Drive to Tbilisi, on the way: Stalin Museum in Gori, Uplistsikhe and Sioni Church.
Day 9. Caucasus, Georgian military road: historical and architectural complex of Ananuri, Gudauri mountain-ski resort, Jvari Pass (2395 m), Kazbegi borough, trekking to Gergeti Trinity Church (2170 m) with the most magnificent view on the Kazbegi peak (5033 m). Return to Tbilisi.
Day 10. Drive to David-Gareja and hiking up to the mountain on Georgian - Azerbaijan border, visit Signaghi Town and St. Nino Church in Bodbe. Trekking to Nekresi and stay overnight in Vazisubani at the village House.
Day 11. East Georgia, Kakheti region, country of wine: Tsinandali house-museum and wine cellar, Alaverdy monastery complex (XI c. one of the classical model among the worlds highest temples), trekking to Shuamta, medieval castle Gremi (way goes along the Caucasus mountains). Drive to Baku, accommodation.
- Azerbaijan (4 days):
Day 12. Baku tour: walking in the old city, Shirvan Shach palace (XI-XV cc.), Caravansaray (XIII-XV cc.) and drive to Gobustan open-airMuseum (paintings from ancient people), Stay overnight in Baku.
Day 13. Drive to Ashkheron, visit village Surakhani (XVII c.), Mukhtarov Mosque, Temple of Mardakhani and Romani, Stay overnight in Baku.
Day 14. Tour route: Shemakha - Lagidj - Gabala, Excursion and stay overnight in Gabala.
Day 15. Visit History Museum, ruines of old capital-city of Albania (IV B.C. - XI A.D.), driving back to Baku for departure.
Tour Includes:
- all transfers and trips;
- Accommodation at the 3-4 star Hotels and Guesthouses;
- Meals: breakfast, lunch or picnic, dinner;
- All entrance fees and guide service
Not included:
- Airfare and insurance.
Overview: Geography, Historical heritage, Architectural Monuments, Big Cities, Legends,
Traditions, Food & Wine, Mountainous Regions, Tours & Hotels in Georgia
