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  • 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...
  • Mount Yanar Dag

    Mount Yanar Dag

    Azerbaijan is known as the Land of Fire and nowhere is that more apt than at Mount Yanar Dag in Mehemmedi village, where an eternal flame burns from the hillside’s underground gas reserves...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Tbilisi

    Tbilisi

    Tbilisi’s famous sulphur baths can be found in the Abanotubani district in the old town...
  • Rabati Fortress

    Rabati Fortress

    Located on a mountaintop overlooking the town of Akhaltsikhe, Rabati Fortress attracts tourists for its mix of architecture, churches and mosque...
  • Kutaisi

    Kutaisi

    Kutaisi was once the capital of Georgia and dates back to the 15th century BC...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • Tatev Monastery

    Tatev Monastery

    The 9th-century Tatev Monastery was a centre of spiritual enlightenment and home to more than 600 monks at one point...
  • Yerevan

    Yerevan

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

Begin your Caucasus trip in Azerbaijan’s cosmopolitan capital of Baku, before exploring the burning flames of Mount Yanar Dag and historic architecture in Sheki. Cross the border into Georgia and spend a couple of days wine-tasting in Kakheti, before treating yourself to a sulphur bath in capital Tbilisi. Next, go rural and explore ruins, fortresses and forests at Akhaltsikhe and Kutaisi. Head into Armenia for hiking at Dilijan National Park, 9th-century monasteries at Tatev and end in arty Yerevan.

Key information

Destinations Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia
Activity Nature & Wildlife, Culture, Culinary
Physical Level Easy
Season Season April - October

This itinerary would cost from £2,939 per person with our The Caucasus specialist.

Book this trip with Arara Tours
Start here

Suggested itinerary

Explore Baku’s Old City

Explore Baku’s Old City

Day 1 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.

See the ring of fire at Mount Yanar Dag

See the ring of fire at Mount Yanar Dag

Day 2 in Mount Yanar Dag

Azerbaijan is known as the Land of Fire and nowhere is that more apt than at Mount Yanar Dag in Mehemmedi village, where an eternal flame burns from the hillside’s underground gas reserves. Come at night for a spectacular show.

Encounter the Silk Road in Sheki

Encounter the Silk Road in Sheki

Day 3 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.

Taste fine Georgian wine in Kakheti

Taste fine Georgian wine in Kakheti

Day 4–5 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.

Take a sulphur bath in Tbilisi

Take a sulphur bath in Tbilisi

Day 6–7 in Tbilisi

Tbilisi’s famous sulphur baths can be found in the Abanotubani district in the old town. Hot and cold sulphur springs used to run under Tbilisi and were used for bathing. Today, you can join locals at public baths (prepare for total nakedness) or try a spa-like private bath – the sulphur is said to help circulation and skin health.

Don't miss

See the architectural hodge-podge of Ananuri Fortress

See the architectural hodge-podge of Ananuri Fortress

Forty miles or so from Tbilisi lies Ananuri Fortress, a castle complex sitting on the banks of the Aragvi River. Dating back to the 17th century, the fortress has witnessed numerous battles and is famous for its architecture, which mixes elements of Persian, Byzantine and Greco-Roman design.

See Rabati Fortress – Georgia’s symbol of tolerance

See Rabati Fortress – Georgia’s symbol of tolerance

Day 8 in Rabati Fortress

Located on a mountaintop overlooking the town of Akhaltsikhe, Rabati Fortress attracts tourists for its mix of architecture, churches and mosque. Once a place where Catholics, Jews, Orthodox Christians and Muslims all had their own places of worship, today it’s a symbol of the region’s tolerance.

Visit Kutaisi, gateway to the Imereti region

Visit Kutaisi, gateway to the Imereti region

Day 9–10 in Kutaisi

Kutaisi was once the capital of Georgia and dates back to the 15th century BC. Today, it’s a city with an old-world charm, but is best known as an entry point to the Imereti region, where you can explore caves, waterfalls and awe-inspiring Gabzaruli Lake.

Mountains and monasteries in Dilijan National Parks

Mountains and monasteries in Dilijan National Parks

Day 11 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.

Visit a Silk Road caravanserai on Selim Pass

Visit a Silk Road caravanserai on Selim Pass

Day 12 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.

Visit Armenia’s most famous monastery in Tatev

Visit Armenia’s most famous monastery in Tatev

Day 13 in Tatev Monastery

The 9th-century Tatev Monastery was a centre of spiritual enlightenment and home to more than 600 monks at one point. Today, you can see frescoes and carvings at Surp Poghos-Petros Church and join the faithful at the newer Surp Grigor Church.

Climb The Cascade in Yerevan

Climb The Cascade in Yerevan

Day 14–17 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.

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.

Classic

Bridge Boutique

Bridge Boutique Hotel is located in a 19th-century building in the centre of Tbilisi. Guests can enjoy their meals on the terrace with fantastic views of the old town, Mtatsminda Mount and River Kura. In addition, the Bridge Hotel has a wine cellar where guests can taste natural Georgian wines.

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.

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.

Book this itinerary

This route booked with one of our specialist tour operators would cost from £2,939pp. 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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