7-Day Caucasus Countries Tour from Baku: Tbilisi and Yerevan

Discover three countries - Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan- in just one tour. The soaring Caucasus Mountains separate Europe from Asia, and the South Caucasus countries are on that borderline. Inhabitants of Azerbaijan burned crude oil in their lamps before anyone knew what it was. Beautiful, rocky Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion. And Georgia, acclaimed for its fabulous food and drink, claims to be the first area to cultivate the wine grape. These South Caucasus countries are distinguished by their distinct histories, language traditions, religions, cultures and natural surroundings… While exploring the South Caucasus countries you will discover a fascinating cross-roads culture that has integrated both Europe and Asia. You will visit World Heritage Monasteries, unique painted churches, cave towns, stunning gorges and valleys, ethnographical and historical museums, art galleries and more…

Day 1: Arrival to Baku - Baku city tour
This tour will start after check in at the hotel at 13:30 Baku time (UTC 04:00) from the hotel (Azkot Hotel hall)
Start exploring Baku. Panorama of the city presented to the height of the mountainous part of a television tower clearly gives an idea of the contrasts and the extent of Baku, the horseshoe bay of Baku. The city is shaped like an amphitheater, descending down to the Caspian Sea. Tour covers the central part of the city showing the most interesting historical and architectural sites. Visiting of "Old Town” or “Inner City”. The territory of “Inner City” - 22 hectares, which represents a small fraction of the total area of Baku (44,000 hectares). Maiden Tower (XII century), Palace of Shirvanshakhs (XV century), Castle Synyk Gala, Caravan Saray, Juma Mosque - this is not a complete list of attractions of the old Baku.
Mini-cruise on the Caspian Sea (depend on weather conditions Boat trip can be canceled).
Dinner in restaurant. Overnight in Baku.

Day 2: Gobustan - Atashgah
Breakfast at the hotel. Check out from the hotel. Tour to “Gobustan Excursion on historical-art reserve “Gobustan”, where rock paintings have perfectly remained, barrows and housing objects dated from X-XIII millennial BC to the Middle Ages. There are certificates of inhabitants of region of an epoch of the Stone Age and the subsequent periods in “Gobustan” - Rock drawings, person parking, gravestone monuments, are concentrated there.
Visiting of Temple of Zoroastrians – “Atashgah”. Temple of Zoroastrians - an ancient religious structure built in place of natural gas output. Was rebuilt in the 18th century. In the former cells, where pilgrims from around the world are now museum, containing many unique original exhibits. Region of Azerbaijan, located on the Apsheron peninsula called Apsheron. Dinner in the local restaurant, tasting local dishes.
Transfer to the airport. Meeting in the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Spend the night in Tbilisi.

Day 3: Tbilsi - Mtskheta - Guramishvilis Winery
Tbilisi to Mtskheta tour offers you a fascinating promenade in two capital cities of Georgia – Tbilisi, and Mtskheta. Within one day you will visit two cities that are 20 km distance from each other and see the whole variety and beauty of them. Tbilisi is the largest city in the country and was founded in V c A.D. It is located along the Mtkvari river mouth. It is diverse in culture, styles, and traditions. And Mtskheta is a small city, a spiritual center of the country, “Second Jerusalem” and the place where two rivers – Aragvi and Mtkvari – merge. You will see the ancient historical monuments, have a stroll on the brick streets, and will have the opportunity to watch the lifestyle of the local citizens. Our guide and driver will meet you at your hotel for a sightseeing tour in Tbilisi.
The city offers a wide variety of sights, most of them very ancient. Starting at the church of Metekhi, we walk to the brick domes of sulfur baths and then on to spectacularly located Narikala’s fortress – one of the oldest fortresses in Georgia, overlooking the Mtkvari river gorge.
Visit Metekhi Church located in the ancient historical district of Metekhi, on the left bank of the Mtkvari River, in old Tbilisi. Metekhi Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is one of the oldest churches built in Tbilisi.
Sulfur baths - Chreli Abano located at the eastern bank of the Mtkvari River at the foot of Narikala fort across Metekhisubani, Abanotubani is an important historic part of the city — the place, where according to a legend the King of Iberia, Vakhtang Gorgasali’s falcon fell, leading to a discovery of the hot springs and, subsequently, to the founding of new capital.
Narikala’s fortress - is nowadays the leading sighting among the most visited places in Tbilisi by tourists. Narikala Fortress draws your attention from all sides of Tbilisi, you can notice it from almost every part of Tbilisi. In Georgian sources, it is called “Mother Fortress”. Narikala offers you some of the best panoramas of the city. This is an ancient symbol of Tbilisi’s defensive brilliance. You will get there by cable car.
After the Capital of Georgia, we will visit old capital city Mtskheta.
Archeological evidences trace human settlement in the area of Mtskheta from 2nd millennium BC to early 1st millennium AD.[5] Numerous burials of the Bronze Age (beginning of the 1st millennium BC) prove that Mtskheta already was a significant settlement at that period. Mtskheta was the capital of the early Georgian Kingdom of Iberia from the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral - the main patriarchal cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church, the Mother Cathedral of Georgia, the place of enthronement (enthronement) of the Georgian Catholicos-Patriarchs, the burial of many kings of Georgia, their family members and patriarchs from the great cathedrals. After visit Jvari Monastery- VI century church and monastery, located in the east of Mtskheta, at the mouth of the river Mtkvari and Aragvi, on the rocky mountain peak. Jvari Monastery is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here there is kept the Robe of Jesus Christ which had been brought from Jerusalem in I c. A true architectural masterpiece of the Early Middle Ages. Built on a hilltop, the views it affords of Mtskheta and the Aragvi and Mtkvari Rivers are breathtaking and great for selfies!
After we will have a wine degustation. You can find here the oldest item of the Georgian cultural heritage – Thadeoz Guramishvili’s wine cellar, as for Georgian “Marani”. Visitors are also able to get introduced to the Georgian culture and taste some delicious Georgian wines. This sight of Guramishvilis and St. Ilia the Righteous is one of the most essential and magnificent touristic attractions in Georgia.
Drive back to Tbilisi.

Day 4: Tbilisi - Ananuri - Gudauri - Kazbegi - Tbilisi
After breakfast You will drive north towards the Northern Caucasus along the well-known Georgian Military Road. The first stop will be at the Ananuri complex, a former residence of Argveti Dukes. The complex features churches and towers dating back to the 16-17th centuries, beautifully overlooking the Jinvali reservoir. The buildings included in the complex are: upper and lower fortress, fence, towers, Church of the mother of God, Church of the Deity, “Mkurnali” Church, bell tower, octagonal cell, and reservoirs.
Continue our drive to see the conjunction of two small mountain rivers famous for the fact that being different in color they still keep their own colors even after merging.
Continue our incredible tour and now visit the Gudauri Friendship monument, also known as Gudauri Panorama- located 120 KM from Tbilisi, on the Georgian Military Highway connecting to Russia. The monument is very vivid and colorful, however, most of its beauty is thanks to the location. Georgia-Russia Friendship monument is a circular balcony hanging off of a 600-meter cliff with amazing views of the Caucasus Mountains.
Our last stop and the main attraction of the tour is Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) and its amazing Mount Kazbegi, where the Gergeti Trinity Church is built - located at an altitude of 2170 m.
From Kazbegi ride in 4 WD vehicles through beautiful valleys and woods reaching the Gergeti Trinity church. In good weather, you can see one of the highest glaciers in the Caucasus – the mountain Kazbegi at 5047m. Enjoy breathtaking views, take pictures breathe fresh air, and collect lots of emotions. Drive back to Tbilisi.

Day 5: Tbilisi - Border Procedures - Sevan Lake - Dilijan - Yerevan
After a breakfast, we go to the border, where you change the transport and guide. After meeting with the Armenian guide, you move forward to Yerevan - the hospitable capital of Armenia.
Driving through wooded mountains of Dilijan National Park and deep gorges of Northern regions you stop in mountainous Haghpat village. You just cannot leave Armenia without seeing a masterpiece of architecture – Haghpat Monastic Complex.
After drive to Lake Sevan, “The Jewel of Armenia” and one of the largest high-mountain freshwater lakes in the world. The coastline of Lake Sevan is rich with thick woods, white bare steep rocks, mountain steppes and Alpine meadows from the top of the Sevan Peninsula, you can admire the full view of the lake of volcano-tectonic origin and the adjacent mountain chains.
Check-in, rest. Overnight in Yerevan.

Day 6: Yerevan - Echmiadzin - Zvartnots - Yerevan
Start discovering Armenia by a visit to the State History Museum where you get familiar with a complete picture of the Armenian culture and history dating back to 1 million years ago up to nowadays. Then go sightseeing in one of the world's oldest cities – 2796-year-old Yerevan. Open-air lunch at one of the restaurants located just in the Hrazdan River gorge.
Then you move forward to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin – the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the seat of the Supreme Patriarch and the Catholicos of all Armenians. Numerous kings and Catholicoses have been crowned and consecrated here. On the way back to Yerevan you stop at the ruins of outstanding Zvartnots Temple. End of the tour. Free time. Overnight in Yerevan.

Day 7: Departure from Yerevan
After breakfast check out and this beautiful tour finishes.