Two beautiful neighboring countries with unlike culture will definitely leave you with pleasant memories. You will experience Caucasian hospitality in Tbilisi and cordial welcome in Baku, visit mountainous Kazbegi with its monasteries, city of handicrafts – Sheki and charming Goygol Lake. You will touch the history and culture of both countries and enjoy each day of this fascinating journey.

1^st Day: Arrival to Tbilisi, meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel, check in (14:00). Free time.

2^nd Day: Breakfast at the hotel. Pick-up at 09:00.  Mtskheta (40 min drive from Tbilisi) is a town-museum added to UNESCO Heritage List, famous by its historic churches. Here you will visit Jvari Monastery, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Samtavro Monastery. Old Tbilisi Tour will share the stories and legends revealing the beauty of this ancient city:

— Metekhi Church — Georgian Orthodox church located on the left bank of the Mtkvari (Kura) river opposite the Old Town of Tbilisi

— Narikala Fortress — an ancient fortress overlooking Tbilisi and the Mtkvari River. Cable car will take you to the top of mountain to the old ruins of Narikala fortress to enjoy the fascinating view of the city.

— Chardin (Shardeni) street — one of the oldest streets of Tbilisi. It has become a favorite meeting place because of its fancy cafes and clubs, little art salons and galleries. The street was named after the famous French artist Jean-Baptiste-Simeon Chardin.

— Old Sulfur Baths — a cluster of historic bathhouses built on the famed hot springs in Abanotubani (literally “Bath District”). They are all below ground level topped with unique red brick domes that allow natural light to stream through. The ceilings also function like little chimneys, for sulfur steam and fresh air circulation in the baths.

You will also get up to the Hill of Holly Mountain to visit the highest point of Tbilisi — Mtatsminda Park.

Overnight in the hotel in Tbilisi.

3^rd Day: Breakfast at the hotel. Pick-up at 09:00. Kazbegi (3.5 hour drive from Tbilisi) is one of the absolute must-visit places in Georgia. On the way you will stop at medieval Ananuri Fortress overlooking the Jinvali water reservoir, a blue gem in the green mountainous landscape. Upon arrival to Kazbegi you will have a 4×4 trip up to the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church, located on top of the mountain.

Overnight in the hotel in Tbilisi.

4^th Day: Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out and pick-up at 08:00. Transfer to Lagodekhi to cross the border, pass customs control and enter Azerbaijan (approximately 3-4 hours). Pick-up at Azerbaijani side and transfer to Sheki city (1.5 hour drive). Tour to Sheki, one of the most ancient and majestic cities of Transcaucasia, rich with many historical and architectural monuments, considered the country’s capital of handcrafts and an important stop on the Great Silk Route. Local craftsmen have managed to preserve their secrets till today, passing them from generation to generation. We will visit several workshops to see how they make “shebeke” (handmade frescos), “pakhlava” (special sweet famous in Azerbaijan) and “tekelduz” (a kind of weaving popular in this area).

The absolute must-see is Sheki Khan’s Summer Palace all covered in amazing miniature paintings from floor to ceiling. Thousands of small pieces of glass were used to produce its “shebeke” window mosaics.

You will also visit ancient Albanian church in Kish village, a quiet spiritual place included in UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites located approximately 5 km north of Sheki.

Overnight in the hotel in Sheki.

5^th Day:  Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out and pick-up at 08:00. Driving to Ganja city (2 hour drive from Sheki) to visit Javad Khan Mausoleum, Ganja fortress (16^th century), world famous Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi’s Mausoleum (13-14^th century), etc. Next stop will be Goygol city, former Helenendorf, historical colony of Germans brought here under the order of Russian Czar Alexander to help to settle the region that had just been acquired from Persia under the Treaty of Gulistan of 1813. Another beautiful treasure of Azerbaijan is a Goygol Lake sitting 1,500 metres above sea level surrounded by lush forests in the Goygol National Park.

Overnight in the hotel in Ganja.

6^th Day: Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out and pick-up at 08:00.

Driving to Baku. On the way we will stop for a tour to Gobustan National Historical-Artistic Preserve: national museum in the open air, the rarest monument of the world culture included in UNESCO heritage list, one of the first centers of human civilization. Settled since the Stone Age the area is one of the major and most ancient museums of rock engravings (petroglyphs) in the world. Gobustan State Historical-Artistic Museum is equipped with innovative technology, touch screens provided with special multimedia programs, educational and entertaining games, interactive displays, 3D video, etc.

Azerbaijan is the first in the world by the number of Mud Volcanoes. 350 out of 800 mud volcanoes in the world are located here! The mud volcanoes of Azerbaijan occupied the 5th place in the international contest of “Seven natural Wonders” and on September 15, 2004 the largest mud volcano of the world located in Azerbaijan was registered in the Guinness Book of Records.

After reaching Baku, in the evening we will have a short night city tour visiting:

— Highland Park (also called Upland Park) — the highest point in the Azerbaijani capital, opening a panoramic view of the city and its bay and providing a close look at the famous landmark of the city Flame Towers Baku

— Pedestrian Nizami (former Torgovaya) Street — old trading zone with lots of shops and boutiques

— Heydar Aliyev Centre designed by world-famous architect Zaha Hadid and “I love Baku” sign right next to it – a perfect place for taking photos

Overnight in the hotel in Baku.

7^th Day:  Breakfast at the hotel. Check out, transfer to the airport.

Hotel accommodation at 3* on BB basis: in Tbilisi — 3 nights, in Sheki – 1 night, in Ganja – 1 night, in Baku — 1 night

All transportation and tours according to the program,  including airport-hotel-airport and Azerbaijan-Georgia transfers

English speaking guide

1 bottle of water per person per excursion day

Flight tickets & visa (if required)

Extras at the hotel, tips at the sites and restaurants

Lunches and dinners except the ones included in the program

• Full payment should be done 7 days prior to arrival.
• Infants (up to 3 y.o.) are free of charge.
• Cancellation more than 7 days before check-in date is free of charge.
• Cancellation less than 7 days before check-in date is subject to 100% charge.

The organizer reserves the right to change the hotel to the different one of the same category.

The organizer reserves the right to change the order of excursions in case of necessity.

Check-in to the hotels: 14:00 (can be 15:00 in some cases).

Early check-in before 06:00 in the morning is subject to 100% of the room rate, early check-in between 06:00 and 14:00 is subject to 50% of the room rate (please confirm with our reservation managers before booking).

You can extend your stay, add more excursions and/or change the hotel category for additional payment (please confirm with our reservation managers before booking).