Day 1: Arrive in Baku (Azerbaijan)
Arrive in Baku, one of the largest cities in the Caucasus. First settlements were noted in the area at least since the 5th century. Enjoy a tour of the capital and it's Old Town. Icheri-Shekher, a town in the city, is surrounded by old fortress walls. Walking along narrow twisted streets with old picturesque houses will bring you back centuries ago. Drive to Shakhid alley memorial. From there opens a picturesque view of Baku with it's Old Town, embankments and skyscrapers. Modern Baku will surprise you with rich and monumental constructions showing the prosperity of the oil-possessing country. Overnight in Baku.
Day 2: Baku – Gobustan – Baku
In the morning drive about 70 km from Baku to Gobustan Peninsula to see mud volcano “Dash-Gil” and petroglyphs which are over 10 thousands years old. Return to Baku and time to enjoy this wonderful city on your own. It is possible to have a boat trip along the Caspian Sea or visit one of the numerous museums. Overnight in Baku.
Day 3: Baku – Sheki
Drive to the southern slopes of the Caucasus range to see Sheki, one of the oldest Azerbaijan towns. It is fairly called the architectural reserve of the Republic. On the way to Sheki we will stop in Shemaka to see local mosque. Another interesting stop will be in Basgal village, where famous silk scarves “kelagai” are made. Lunch in Basgal. Continue to Sheki, where we will visit the Khan's Palace (1762) showing unique combination of traditional palace architecture and local authentic style. Sheki was once the centre of Mountainous Albania, a Christian country in the north of Azerbaijan. We will visit a small village Kish to see the ancient Albanian Christian church. This church was restored with the help of Thor Heyerdahl, famous Norwegian sailor and traveler. Sheki is a well known silk producing centre. This silk was once even more precious than Chinese one. Overnight in Sheki.
Day 4: Sheki – Telavi (Georgia)
Today we depart Sheki and head for another country, Georgia. We drive to the border with Georgia, cross it and stop for lunch in the local private house in a village of Gavazi. Continue driving to Telavi. We will stop in the castle fortress of Gremi and Alaverdi Monastery. Alaverdi monastery was founded in the 6th century AD and it's 50 meters high dome was the tallest in Georgia until the Holy Trinity Cathedral was recently built in Tbilisi. Overnight in Telavi.
Day 5: Telavi
This day we will spend in Telavi, starting with a visit to Ikalto Academy founded in the 6th century. In the 12th century Shota Rustaveli, a legendary Georgian writer and poet studied here. For his great works he is fairly called Georgian Shakespeare. And his life is as much unknown to us as the one of William Shakespeare. Then we will move on to Tsinandali to see a nice house and a nice garden in English style which once belonged to Alexander Chavchavadze. He was a general in the Russian Army, a historian and a poet. In the afternoon we will visit Telavi wine cellar to see wine producing technologies and enjoy tasting of Saperavi, Kindznarauli and other famous Georgian wines. Lunch in Telavi. Free time to enjoy the town. Dinner in a local winemaker's family.
Day 6: Telavi – Signahi – Tbilisi
Leave Telavi in the morning and drive to see Bodbe Monastery dating back to the 4th century. There are relics of the Saint Nino, the baptizer of Georgia. Continue to Signahi town where we visit local Art museum to see works of a famous Georgian painter Niko Pirosmani. Lunch in restaurant with nice view over Alazani valley. Drive to the magnificent David Garedji cave monastery dating back to the 6th century. This is one of the eastern Christian outposts located almost in a desert. The climate there is rather severe and shortage of water is often experienced. Today the monastery is located close to the border with Azerbaijan. Arrive in Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 7: Tbilisi
Start the day with a walking city tour of old part of the Georgian capital. During the tour we will walk through narrow streets of the Old town, see Narikala – the main fortress of Tbilisi dating back to the 4th century. We will also see Sioni Cathedral, Metekhi temple, the Abanotubani sulphur baths which were popular among many kings, poets musicians and and other nobility. Lunch in the open-air museum of Ethnography in Vake. After lunch visit Pantheon on the Mtatsminde mountain where famous Georgian politicians and artists are buried. Then continue to the Holy Trinity Cathedral, which is now the tallest one in the Caucasus. Time to enjoy Tbilisi when on your own. You can visit local market, museums or sulfur baths. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Tbilisi
In the morning we drive to the ancient Georgian capital Mtskheta to see wonderful Jvari and Svetitskhoveli monasteries. Drive to the town Gori, which is mostly know as a birthplace of Iosif Stalin. Visit to the Stalin's museum. Return to Tbilisi. Free time in the city. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 9: Tbilisi – Dilijan (Armenia)
Drive to the border with Armenia in Sadahlo (ca. 1.5 hours). Cross the border. Visit to the Haghpat monastery, one of the cultural and enlightenment centers of Armenia, located not far from the town of Alaverdi. After lunch drive to Dilijan. Visit to Sanain village to see the museum devoted to Mikoyan brothers. Elder brother Anastas Mikoyan was a state Minister in the USSR, and younger one Artyom Mikoyan invented famous MiG jet fighters or fagots – the most widely used military planes. Free time and rest at the hotel. Overnight in Dilijan.
Day 10: Dilijan – Sevan Lake - Dilijan
In the morning we will visit the Art Gallery and craft centre in Dilijan. Then drive to Sevan lake. Walk in the area and visit Sevanavank Monastery. Fish lunch in one of the local restaurants in Sevan area. Return to Dilijan. Easy hiking in the surroundings of the town. Overnight in Dilijan.
Day 11: Dilijan - Yerevan
Exiting drive to Yerevan via Selim pass. On the way we will see Selim Caravan-serai, Noravank Monastery, winery in Areni village (including local wine tasting) and Hor-Virap monastery by the Turkish border. Overnight in Yerevan
Day 12: Yerevan
Sightseeing tour of Yerevan including visit to the museum of the ancient manuscript Matenadaran and Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex. Drive to Echmaidzin, Catholicos of all Armenians. Lunch in Echmiadzin. Return to Yerevan and visit to the cognac factory. Overnight in Yerevan
Day 13: Yerevan – Gegard – Garni - Yerevan
Today we will enjoy a nice trip to the cave monastery Gegard and then on to Garni village to see the only in the Caucasus Hellenic temple dating back to the 1 century A.D. Farewell dinner in a local family house. Return to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan
Day 14: departure
Fly out Yerevan.