Classic Caucasus
Suggested Itinerary
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Overview
Situated between the Black Sea and the Caspian, on the border of Asia and Europe, the Caucasus Mountains contains some of Europe’s highest peaks. A place of myth and legend, this is a land of tradition and faith, where you can find some of the oldest churches in Christendom and some of the most spectacular scenery on the continent.
This captivating journey takes you across the three Caucasus states, beginning in Azerbaijan, where you will visit the Zoroastrian fire temples, ...
Situated between the Black Sea and the Caspian, on the border of Asia and Europe, the Caucasus Mountains contains some of Europe’s highest peaks. A place of myth and legend, this is a land of tradition and faith, where you can find some of the oldest churches in Christendom and some of the most spectacular scenery on the continent.
This captivating journey takes you across the three Caucasus states, beginning in Azerbaijan, where you will visit the Zoroastrian fire temples, mosques and fortresses of the Absheron Peninsula, as well as the volcanic deserts to the south west and the rock paintings of Gobustan. From here you travel by overnight train into Georgia where you will travel from the colourful backstreets of Tbilisi to the breathtaking Caucasus Mountains and on to the beautiful wine-making province of Kakheti, all the while sampling local home-cooked food and delicious homemade wine.
The final stop will be Armenia, where you explore the treasures of its capital, Yerevan, and visit Echmiadsin, the spiritual home of the Orthodox Church. From the World Heritage site of Geghard Cave Monastery you can then experience the beautiful Garni temple, ending with a delicious cooking class as you learn about some of Armenia’s culinary delights. This stunning adventure offers the perfect insight into what the Caucasus region has to offer.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Suggested Itinerary
This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.
Day 1 ARRIVE BAKU (AZERBAIJAN)
Day 1 ARRIVE BAKU (AZERBAIJAN)
On arrival into Baku, you will be greeted by your Wild Frontiers representative and transferred directly to your hotel for check in.
Day 2 BAKU: HISTORICAL SIGHTS
Day 2 BAKU: HISTORICAL SIGHTS
This morning visit the sights of Baku on a guided tour. A walk through the modern city and Fountains Square brings you to the medieval walled city "Icheri Sheher" with its narrow alleyways, historic caravanserais, mosques and Palace of the Shirvan Shahs. Visit the 12th century Maiden's Tower whose function has never been established and climb to the top of its tower. As you continue through Baku see the restored mansions of the oil barons, some now home to municipal buildings and designer shops, and also the Bulvar, the wide promenade stretching the length of the bay. The afternoon is then free for shopping, relaxing or more sightseeing. You might like to sit in the park overlooking the Caspian and watch the world go by or take a cruise on the Bay of Baku from the waterfront (only in summer). Depending on performance schedules you may choose to spend an evening at the Opera House.
Day 3 BAKU: GOBUSTAN PETROGLYPHS AND ABSHERON PENINSULA
Day 3 BAKU: GOBUSTAN PETROGLYPHS AND ABSHERON PENINSULA
Start your day with a visit to the volcanic desert of Gobustan National Park, where the mountain outcrop and cave complex is covered in thousands of rock paintings dating from the early Stone Age to the Bronze Age. You will also see the old oil fields of Bibi Heyat, learn about oil production in this area and see the bizarre mud volcanoes. This afternoon, continue via the Bibi Heybat Mosque to the Absheron Peninsula, visiting the Ateshgah (or place of fire), a Zoroastrian Fire Temple. Also see the fortresses, which in medieval times formed part of the defence system of the Peninsula and the attractive mosque at Amirjan. Return to Baku for the evening.
Day 4 BAKU: MODERN Day SIGHTS
Day 4 BAKU: MODERN Day SIGHTS
Your final day in Baku will start with a trip to the Yashil Bazaar where you can purchase some delicious Azeri snacks for your train journey tonight. Next take the funicular railway to the top of Martyr’s Hill, an area of neat parks dedicated to those who have died in recent conflict. From here there are also superb views across the bay of Baku and behind you the famed Flame Towers. Continue to the carpet museum where you take some time to explore, or walk through Azerbaijan’s ‘mini-Venice’ and on to see the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall, Palace of Happiness and Isamailiyya Palace. This afternoon you can head to the iconic Heydar Aliyev Center before transferring to the train station for your departure this evening.
Day 5 TBILISI: HISTORICAL SIGHTS (GEORGIA)
Day 5 TBILISI: HISTORICAL SIGHTS (GEORGIA)
Arrive from Baku early in the morning and enjoy some time at leisure before heading out for a delicious local lunch and an afternoon city tour. Tbilisi is a charming town built along the twisting valley of the Mtkvari river. Walk through narrow streets past colourful houses and patterned balconies, ancient domed sulphur baths and bustling daily markets. Take in some of the city’s most beautiful sites, before delving into the historical museum to discover why Georgia is known as the land of the Golden Fleece. End the day by taking in one of the most traditional of Georgian performances – a puppet show, held at the renowned Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theatre.
Day 6 TBILISI: CULINARY AND ARCHITECTURAL TOUR
Day 6 TBILISI: CULINARY AND ARCHITECTURAL TOUR
This morning you will be transferred to the Metro station close to Tbilisi’s Dezerter Bazaar, the capital’s oldest and largest food market. Meet your local host who will show you which ingredients to buy before welcoming you into her lovely home for a cooking class in Georgian cuisine. This afternoon you will visit one of the oldest parts of the city, discovering the 19th century homes with their hidden courtyards and beautifully carved wooden balconies.
Day 7 TBILISI - MTSKHETA - ANANURI - STEPANTSMINDA
Day 7 TBILISI - MTSKHETA - ANANURI - STEPANTSMINDA
Today is an exciting trip into the sheer Caucasus Mountains along the Georgian Military Highway, an epic road which runs from Tbilisi to Vladikavkaz in Russia. Your first stop is Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia which contains many of Georgia's most beautiful and historical churches. Continue to the fortress of Ananauri before finally arriving at the town of Stepantsminda in Kazbegi National Park. As the day draws to a close, enjoy a climb up to the spectacular Holy Trinity Church for some magnificent views, after which you will drive back down into the valley where you can enjoy some well-earned refreshments.
Day 8 STEPANTSMINDA - GORI - UPLISTSIKHE - TBILISI
Day 8 STEPANTSMINDA - GORI - UPLISTSIKHE - TBILISI
Heading west today you descend from the mountains to reach Gori, birthplace of Georgia's most infamous son – Stalin. Here you can visit Stalin's house and take a guided tour of the museum, before continuing on to the ancient cave town of Uplistsikhe, dating from the 6th century BC this town was hewn in to the cliff face and is home to dwellings, wine cellars, bakeries, a three-nave church and even a theatre. After a guided tour of these caves and a glimpse into life in Georgia, 6th century BC, you will head back to Tbilisi.
Day 9 TBILISI: KAKHETI EXCURSION
Day 9 TBILISI: KAKHETI EXCURSION
Enjoy a full day exploring Telavi and the Kakheti province of Georgia, most famously known for its wine growing, great food and superb Caucasus Mountain views. Start your day with a visit to the local agricultural market before visiting some of the local sites in the area. Continue on to Tsinandali house-museum and gardens, an estate which used to be the gathering place of the aristocracy in the 19th century. From here, you will then visit a local family home for a lunch full of traditional homemade dishes, and partake in a 'Churchkhela' making class, a traditional Georgian sweet treat. Finish the day by visiting a local winery and learning how Georgians make their own wine using quevri (clay vessels) - a UNESCO experience.
Day 10 TBILISI - HAGHARTSIN - DILIJAN (ARMENIA)
Day 10 TBILISI - HAGHARTSIN - DILIJAN (ARMENIA)
This morning you will depart Tbilisi and head to the Armenian border and on towards Dilijan. Stop off along the way to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Haghpat Monastery, before continuing on to the medieval Haghartsin Monastery, set in a scenic valley beside a stream and home to several interesting khachkars (cross stones). It includes the 10th century church of St. Gregory, the 13th century church of St. Stepanos, and the refectory - where visitors and pilgrims were received. Continue to Dilijan where you will settle in for the evening.
Day 11 DILIJAN - LAKE SEVAN - GEGHARD - GARNI - YEREVAN
Day 11 DILIJAN - LAKE SEVAN - GEGHARD - GARNI - YEREVAN
The first stop today is Lake Sevan, one of the world’s largest high-altitude lakes and a popular holiday location for Armenians, as well as the nearby site of Noratus, a striking cemetary home to more than 800 khachkars, the largest collection in the country. From here visit the holy site of Geghard Cave Monastery, before moving on to the temple of Garni, surrounded by magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and designed in an ancient Greek style. Finally reach Yerevan for the evening.
Day 12 YEREVAN: ETCHMIADZIN EXCURSION
Day 12 YEREVAN: ETCHMIADZIN EXCURSION
This morning you explore Etchmiadzin, the spiritual heart of the Armenian Apostolic Church. In 301 Armenia was the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as its state religion, and in 303 the first church was built on the site of Etchmiadzin. This afternoon you can enjoy some free time to relax or explore Yerevan at your leisure.
Day 13 YEREVAN: HISTORICAL SIGHTS
Day 13 YEREVAN: HISTORICAL SIGHTS
Spend the day exploring the Armenian capital, a city whose history stretches back to before the founding of Rome. See, among other things, the Matenadaran Manuscripts Museum - a huge depository of ancient manuscripts, the Memorial of the 1915 genocide, and the old Urartian Fortress of Erebuni, the first capital of Armenia. The Blue Mosque makes an interesting visit in this Christian country and the doors to the brandy distillery are open to all visitors interested in trying for themselves this popular local tipple, famous for being Winston Churchill’s favourite drink.
Day 14 DEPART YEREVAN
Day 14 DEPART YEREVAN
Today you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport in time for your onward flight.
SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION
Tufenkian Old Dilijan Complex, Dilijan
Close to the centre of Dilijan, the Tufenkian is a renovated stone complex located directly on historical Sharambeyan Street. The eight rooms are simple and modern but with very traditional features, natural colours and extra comforts such as kettles and satellite television. Breakfast is served in the attached Haykanoush restaurant which also specialises in rich Western Armenian cuisine for lunches and dinner. The complex around the hotel has a number of small workshops which specialise in traditional Armenian crafts such as carpets, wood carvings, ceramics and furniture, as well as a bakery and delightful souvenir shops all promoting local handicrafts. The English speaking staff are helpful and welcoming.
KMM Hotel, Tbilisi
Boasting panoramic views of Tbilisi cityscape, KMM Hotel has a wonderful location within the Old Town district. Since its opening in 2006, the hotel has gone through developments to improve its services, with a spa and restaurant expected to open late 2019. The fifty guest rooms, spread across two buildings, feature a classic charm with plenty of natural light and modern amenities. In the mornings, enjoy a breakfast buffet in the dining room or in the hidden courtyard. After a long day of sightseeing, a drink on the rooftop terrace is the perfect accompaniment to the setting sun.
Porta Caucasia, Stepantsminda
Travel through the Caucasus range towards Mount Kazbegi to reach the four-star Porta Caucasia Kazbegi Hotel. Standing 1740 metres above sea level, the hotel has fantastic picturesque mountainous landscapes on all sides, as well as thirty-three rooms, each with a seating area, air-conditioning, a desk, flat-screen television and a private bathroom, while some have the added luxury of a terrace overlooking Mount Kazbegi. Guests can enjoy the large breakfast spread on the shared terrace with views of the church. The Georgian restaurant is open for dinner and pairs well with a flavourful wine from the hotels own wine shop. The Spa, sauna, massage rooms and hair/beauty salon will ensure you are pampered after a long day exploring the surrounding mountains.
Boutique 19 Hotel, Baku
An elegant mix of old world charm and modern comforts, the Boutique 19 Hotel is a great luxury option when staying in the city of Baku. The guest rooms are classically designed with period pieces, beautifully paired with natural light and plush furniture. The guestrooms look out onto the Old City, attached to the fortress, or the European side of the city. A continental breakfast is served in the morning to start your day exploring the nearby Maiden Tower and Shirvanshakhs' Palace. Wi-Fi is available in the property, with the shared lounge a great place to mingle with other guests and share your stories of Baku.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.
GUIDELINE PRICE & WHAT’S INCLUDED
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EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.
Positive Impact of this Trip
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HAND-PICKED ACCOMMODATION
Whether you are looking for a boutique hotel, homestay, local guesthouse, luxury spa, tented camp or heritage hotel, our experts can select the perfect property for you.
24-HOUR SUPPORT
Our local agents are there to help you on the ground should you need any assistance, and in addition you will be given a 24-hour UK emergency phone number.Meet the expert, Natalie
Natalie is our Causcaus expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Natalie by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258