20 Days | Discover the secrets of the Caucasus region, from Baku to Tbilisi in depth
Visit two countries that have taken a big leap into the 21st century, where historical old towns and monasteries sit comfortably alongside towering skyscrapers. Stop by one of Europe's largest open-air rock museums, walk through the gardens of a local Kakheti family and talk about provincial life over a hearty lunch. Uncover the centuries-old recipe for producing Georgian wine and learn how to make your own yogurt. Reconnect with nature on hikes through wooded forests and past the Chaladi glacier and learn the secrets of Georgian cheese making. This all-encompassing trip takes you from eccentric Baku, to the lush green slopes of Georgia's Mestia valley and ancient alleyways of Tbilisi
Trip overview
- Start
- Baku, Azerbaijan
- Finish
- Tbilisi, Georgia
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- Georgia, Azerbaijan
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- KFSGC
- Azerbaijan's cosmopolitan capital of Baku is often referred to as the 'new Dubai'. Enjoy a guided walking tour around the city's World Heritage-listed Old Town.
- Mud volcanoes, ancient mosques, lush forests and tall peaks – the Caucasus Mountains will take your breath away.
- Navigate the organised chaos of the farmers markets in Telavi. Your leader will be there to help you order as much fresh fruit, nuts or pigs heads as you desire.
- Journey to the Svaneti region, a remote and alluring land of snow-capped mountains, discover the iconic tower houses dotted amongst mountain valleys and learn of one of the highest settlement in Europe - Ushguli people and its fascinating culture and traditions.
- Far from a mere sightseeing tour, this trip is active and hands-on. You'll try your hand at preparing delicious local food and have plenty of chances to hike and explore.
- Get active on hikes in the shadow of magnificent snowy peaks of the Greater Caucasus, to the iconic Gergeti Trinich Church to medieval villages and one of the biggest glaciers in Georgia, Shkhara glacier.
- The highest altitude reached on this trip is 2200 metres at the highest point. A good level of fitness is required. That said, alternative activities can often be arranged for those who would prefer not to hike.
- As we don't want you to miss anything, the itinerary is densely packed, so you'll be busy. There will, however, be plenty of free time and opportunity for independent exploration.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2024
Inclusions
19 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners
Private Vehicle, Public Bus, Train, Taxi
Hotel (12 nights), Guesthouse (7 nights)
- Baku - Leader-led night city walk
- Qobustan - Petroglyphs
- Baku - Old City Walking Tour
- Lahij - Yoghurt Making Master Class
- Lahij - Copper workshop visit
- Shamakhi - Juma Mosque
- Nij - Udin village visit
- Kish - Albanian Church
- Kish - Village Visit
- Sheki - Shebeke workshop visit
- Sheki - Khan's Palace
- Sheki - Bazaar Visit
- Kakheti - Lunch with a Local Family
- Kakheti- Gremi Complex
- Kakheti - Tsinandali Estate Visit
- Kakheti - Telavi Fresh Produce Market
- Telavi - Alaverdi Cathedral
- Stepantsminda - Gergeti Trinity Church Hike
- Tbilisi - Orientation Walk
- Tbilisi - Anchiskhati Church
- Tbilisi - City tour
- Kutaisi - Leader-led city walking tour
- Kutaisi - Golden Marquee Palace
- Kutaisi - Farmers Market
- Mestia - Cooking class
- Mestia - Lakhiri Village Hike
- Mestia - Georgian cheese making
- Ushguli - Village hike
- Ushguli - Lamaria Church
- Ushguli - Queen Tamar`s Tower
- Ushguli - Shkhara Glacier hike & picnic
- Batumi - Leader-led city walking tour
- Baku - National Carpet Museum - AZN10
- Baku - The Heydar Aliyev Centre - AZN15
- Baku - National Museum of History of Azerbaijan - AZN10
- Telavi - Telavi Historical Museum - GEL5
- Telavi – Batonis Castle - GEL2
- Tbilisi - Metekhi Church - Free
- Tbilisi - Open Air Museum of Ethnography - GEL20
- Tbilisi - The National Gallery - GEL25
- Tbilisi - Georgian National Museum - GEL30
- Tbilisi - Thermal Bath House Visit - from - GEL70
- Tbilisi - Aerial Cable Car One Way - GEL2
- Kutaisi - Bagrati Cathedral & Gelati Monastery - Free
- Kutaisi - Pub Crawl - GEL60
- Kutaisi - State Historical Museum - GEL5
- Kutaisi - Aerial Tramway - GEL1
- Ushguli – Ethnographical Museum - GEL10
- Batumi - Botanic Garden - GEL20
- Batumi - Cable car - GEL30
- Batumi – Wine Tasting - GEL30
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. A single supplement is bookable on this trip, excluding day 13, 14&16 in local guest houses, subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Please note there is a chance of potential changes to the itinerary due to heavy rain, flooding and snow at higher altitudes, which often affect roads and bridges, making travel difficult or impossible (particularly in remote areas).
3. Please be advised that due to current border crossing restrictions for different Caucasus nationalities, your Trip Leader may be from nearby Ukraine or Russia. Your leader will have in-depth knowledge and extensive travel experience throughout the Caucasus. Local guides from Azerbaijan and Georgia are represented throughout the itinerary to ensure you receive a diverse and uniquely local range of perspectives.
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