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  • Yerevan

    Yerevan

    Check out Yerevan’s art scene by climbing The Cascade staircase that connects downtown Yerevan with the museum district...
  • Southern Armenia

    Southern Armenia

    Southern Armenia is full of rugged beauty, with deep gorges and forested canyons...
  • Selim Pass

    Selim Pass

    The Selim Pass road links the provinces of Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor through the Vardenis mountain range, but the main attraction is the Selim Caravanserai, just past the highest point...
  • Lake Sevan

    Lake Sevan

    At 1,900m above sea level, the vast Lake Sevan is one of the largest freshwater high-altitude lakes in the world...
  • Dilijan National Park

    Dilijan National Park

    Northern Armenia’s Dilijan National Park is home to hiking trails where you can see bears, wolves and several species of eagle...
  • Lastiver

    Lastiver

    In a remote corner of a picturesque gorge, surrounded by waterfalls, lies the Lastiver caves, where locals from the nearby village of Yenokavan sought refuge from Mongol invaders in the 13 century...
  • Khevsureti region

    Khevsureti region

    Mountainous Khevsureti is the perfect place to go hiking in Georgia...
  • Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park

    Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park

    The forests of Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park are home to a dozen hiking trails and activities like horse-riding, biking and camping...
  • Kakheti region

    Kakheti region

    Kakheti in eastern Georgian is the country’s premier wine-producing area, with plenty of wineries where you can sample a glass of qvevri – named for the large, lemon-shaped terracotta pot buried in the ground that the wine ferments in...
  • Sheki

    Sheki

    Once a trading stop on the fabled Silk Road, the town of Sheki is now the perfect place to sample Azerbaijan’s historic architecture (look for Sheki Khan’s Palace), craft workshops and try piti, a national dish of lamb stew cooked in a clay pot...
  • Lahij

    Lahij

    The ancient village of Lahij in the Upper Caucasus was once an important trade and craft centre, with artisans creating copper adorned ornaments and knives, weaved cloth and leatherware before mass-produced factory goods saw the town decline...
  • Baku

    Baku

    Azerbaijan’s capital might be changing fast due to the oil-boom, but its heart still lies in the UNESCO-listed Old City, full of tree-lined boulevards and fascinating mansions...

Fly into Armenia’s capital Yerevan, before travelling south to hike through the valleys around the Yeghegis River. Travel along the Silk Road on the Selim Pass before descending to Lake Sevan and the Dilijan National Park for hiking. Transfer to Lastiver for a forest trek taking in waterfalls, gorges and ancient caves, before crossing into Georgia and the Chaukhi Mountains and Abudelauri White Lake. Next, travel to the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park for hiking, biking and wildlife, before exploring the Kakheti wine region. Cross into Azerbaijan for architecture and copper craftwork in Sheki and Lahij, before ending in capital Baku.

Key information

Destinations Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia
Activity Adventure, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Nature & Wildlife, Culture
Physical Level Moderate
Season Season June - October

This itinerary would cost from £2,565 per person with our The Caucasus specialist.

Book this trip with Arara Tours
Start here

Suggested itinerary

Climb The Cascade in Yerevan

Climb The Cascade in Yerevan

Day 1 in Yerevan

Check out Yerevan’s art scene by climbing The Cascade staircase that connects downtown Yerevan with the museum district. Each level hosts a different installation and views over the city.

Don't miss

Drink holy water at Geghard Cave Monastery

Drink holy water at Geghard Cave Monastery

Carved from the cliffside, Geghard Monastery began life in the 4th century as a small cave chapel before growing over the centuries. Today, visitors come to drink from the holy spring in Azavan chapel and for views of Azat River Gorge that surrounds the complex.

Explore Southern Armenia’s canyons

Explore Southern Armenia’s canyons

Day 2 in Southern Armenia

Southern Armenia is full of rugged beauty, with deep gorges and forested canyons. Visit the famous, two-storied Noravank Monastery for peaceful solitude, the ancient Areni Cave complex to see evidence of the world’s oldest winery, and the village of Vernashen for hiking.

Visit a Silk Road caravanserai on Selim Pass

Visit a Silk Road caravanserai on Selim Pass

Day 3 in Selim Pass

The Selim Pass road links the provinces of Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor through the Vardenis mountain range, but the main attraction is the Selim Caravanserai, just past the highest point. Built in 1332, this hall and domed chapel once housed weary travellers, but today is an excellent picnic spot with beautiful views over the Yeghegis Valley.

Admire Lake Sevan

Admire Lake Sevan

Day 4 in Lake Sevan

At 1,900m above sea level, the vast Lake Sevan is one of the largest freshwater high-altitude lakes in the world. Head to the quieter eastern side to escape the crowds.

Mountains and monasteries in Dilijan National Parks

Mountains and monasteries in Dilijan National Parks

Day 5 in Dilijan National Park

Northern Armenia’s Dilijan National Park is home to hiking trails where you can see bears, wolves and several species of eagle. However, it’s the 10th-century Haghartsin Monastery in Dilijan town that attracts visitors for its unique Armenian architecture.

Explore the Lastiver Cave carvings

Explore the Lastiver Cave carvings

Day 6 in Lastiver

In a remote corner of a picturesque gorge, surrounded by waterfalls, lies the Lastiver caves, where locals from the nearby village of Yenokavan sought refuge from Mongol invaders in the 13 century. Inside the caves, you can see carvings and sculptures, before hiking in the dense forest.

Go trekking in majestic Khevsureti

Go trekking in majestic Khevsureti

Day 7–8 in Khevsureti region

Mountainous Khevsureti is the perfect place to go hiking in Georgia. Wild rivers lead to atmospheric villages, ancient shrines and well-marked trails. Try traversing the Chaukhi Mountain Pass before descending through the alpine Abudelauri Lakes.

Go hiking in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park

Go hiking in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park

Day 9–10 in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park

The forests of Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park are home to a dozen hiking trails and activities like horse-riding, biking and camping. You can see deer, eagles and even brown bears on your hike.

This park is the first of its kind in Georgia to comply with international standards for national parks, meaning every trail is well marked apart and their are designated areas for tents, fires and picnic areas. Trekking here involves staying either at the tourist shelters or putting up a tent. It is possible to go hiking in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park in every season except summer, as it gets far too hot.

The best way to get to the national park is to take a marshrutka from Tbilisi to Borjomi. The journey takes around two hours. From Borjomi, take another marshrutka towards Likani and ask your driver to drop you off at the park’s administrative centre.

Twelve well-marked hiking trails provide single or multi-day hikes.

Taste fine Georgian wine in Kakheti

Taste fine Georgian wine in Kakheti

Day 11 in Kakheti region

Kakheti in eastern Georgian is the country’s premier wine-producing area, with plenty of wineries where you can sample a glass of qvevri – named for the large, lemon-shaped terracotta pot buried in the ground that the wine ferments in.

Encounter the Silk Road in Sheki

Encounter the Silk Road in Sheki

Day 12 in Sheki

Once a trading stop on the fabled Silk Road, the town of Sheki is now the perfect place to sample Azerbaijan’s historic architecture (look for Sheki Khan’s Palace), craft workshops and try piti, a national dish of lamb stew cooked in a clay pot.

Visit the copper craftsmen of Lahij

Visit the copper craftsmen of Lahij

Day 13–14 in Lahij

The ancient village of Lahij in the Upper Caucasus was once an important trade and craft centre, with artisans creating copper adorned ornaments and knives, weaved cloth and leatherware before mass-produced factory goods saw the town decline. Today, the town’s artisans mainly sell to tourists, but it’s worth visiting for Lahij’s cobbled streets and cosy workshops.

Explore Baku’s Old City

Explore Baku’s Old City

Day 15–18 in Baku

Azerbaijan’s capital might be changing fast due to the oil-boom, but its heart still lies in the UNESCO-listed Old City, full of tree-lined boulevards and fascinating mansions. Look for ruined mosques and busy bakeries dotted between the new fashion boutiques.

Don't miss

See the petroglyphs in Gobustan National Park, Azerbaijan

See the petroglyphs in Gobustan National Park, Azerbaijan

UNESCO-listed Gobustan National Park is home to one of the world’s largest collections of rock paintings, with more than 4,000 petroglyphs depicting boats, people and societies.

Where to stay

Classic

Cascade Hotel

Three-star Cascade Hotel is located in the heart of Yerevan near the architectural complex called The Cascade. The hotel has friendly staff, professional service and spacious air-conditioned rooms. International and Armenian cuisine is available in the restaurant.

Superior

Opera Suite Hotel

The Opera Suite Hotel is located in central Yerevan, only 550 yards from the Armenian Opera Theatre.
Its suites have air conditioning, ensuite bathrooms, seating area and kitchenettes with a fridge, stove and kettle. International cuisine is available in the hotel’s Sinatra Restaurant.

Superior

Auroom Hotel Baku

The four-star Auroom Hotel is located in the centre of Baku, only two kilometres from Fountain Square. The hotel is known for its friendly staff and beautiful design.

Book this itinerary

This route booked with one of our specialist tour operators would cost from £2,565pp. Pricing varies by accommodation class, and can be tailored to suit your budget.

Pricing is typically inclusive of hotels, transfers, meals, and all guided excursions and activities.

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