THE
CAUCASUS A cultural tour of Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia
This extraordinary tour takes us to an extremely complex and interesting part of the world. Persians, Khazars, Arabs, Huns, Turko-Mongols, and Russians have invaded and migrated into the Caucasus and have provided the region with its rich ethnic and linguistic complexity as well as its astounding architecture. As if this diversity were not enough, the Caucasus also offers a variety of pristine landscapes and stunning vistas just waiting to be discovered.
Day 1: Arrive Baku (AZERBAIJAN)
Xosh gälmìsän! Welcome to Baku, the capital
city of Azerbaijan. Baku is located on the west shore of
the Caspian Sea. We are driven through the city to our
hotel.
Overnight: Grand Europe Hotel, Baku (3 nights)
Day 2: Baku
This morning we tour the Gobustan and the mud volcanoes.
Our afternoon sightseeing tour of Baku highlights some
striking architectural monuments of the Islamic Medieval
period including the medieval walls of the Old Town, Shirvan
Shakh’s Palace, the Maiden Tower, the Carpet and
Applied Arts Museum. (B, D)
Day 3: Baku
Today’s day excursion to Absheron Peninsula includes
the Zoroastrian Temple of Fire Ateshgyah – fire worshippers
temple, which for centuries has been a center of worship,
the 14th century temple in Mardakan and Yanardag Flaming
Mountain, burning with an eternal flame fed by the underground
naphtha and gas. Afternoon we enjoy some leisure time walking
throughout the central part of the city and exploring local
shopping centers. Here is a perfect opportunity to meet
and mingle with the locals. (B, D)
Day 4: Baku / Sheki
We begin this day with a scenic and relaxed drive for Sheki.
We will take advantage of the early arrival with a tour
of Sheki, which will include the Museum of Applied
Arts, "Shebeke" manufacturing workshops, and the magnificent Sheki
Khan's palace (view from the outside only). Evening is free to enjoy and stroll
around Sheki town.
Overnight: Caravan Saray, Sheki (1 night) (B, D)
Day 5: Sheki / Lagodekhi / Telavi (GEORGIA)
Morning we prepare for our departure from Azerbaijan as we are driven to the
border where we will meet with our Georgian guide and transport for our transfer
to Telavi. As we drive to Telavi, we visit the Tsinandali Winery and Park, Alavedri
Cathedral and Shuamta Monastery in the Kakheti province.
Overnight: Private homes, Telavi (1 night) (B, D)
Day 6: Telavi / Tbilisi
Another interesting day ahead as we drive from Telavi to the David Gareji Monastery
in the Gareji semi-desert. We also visit Lavra and walk up to Udabno cave Monastery.
Afternoon is a leisurely drive to the capital city of Tbilisi.
Overnight: Sheraton Metechi Palace, Tbilisi (2 nights) (B, L, D)
Day 7: Tbilisi
Our full day sightseeing tour starts with the State Museum of Georgia with its
magnificent exhibition of gold work dating back to the 3rd century BC, the Old
Caravansary Merchants oriental style building, the Metechi cross cupola church
(12th-13th century), areas of the Royal residential complex, the Sulfur Bathhouses,
the Carpet Collection, Siony, the Main Cathedral of Tbilisi (7th-19th century),
and finally Rustaveli Avenue, the most beautiful street of Tbilisi. Rustaveli
is a popular street where both local and foreigners gather to meet and spend
time together. This is also a popular shopping area and one can often see roadside
musicians displaying their talent. (B, D)
Day 8: Tbilisi / Bakuriani
A scenic drive with some interesting sites being covered today. We start off
with a visit to Mtskheta where we visit Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.
We then continue for Gori where we visit Uplistsikhe cave town. Time permitting,
we may visit the Joseph Stalin Museum. Later we embark on our journey to Bakuriani
ski resort via Borjomi.
Overnight: Vera Palace Hotel, Bakuriani (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 9: Bakuriani
An exciting day ahead as we drive to Samtskhe-Javakheti Province where we will
visit some exceptional sites. The Khertvisi Fortress (11th century) that, according
to legend, was seen along with other Georgian fortresses by Alexander of Macedonian
in the 4th Century BC during his campaign in the east. The Cave-town of Vardzia
(12th -13th Century frescos), is a striking complex hewn in rock, regarded as
the cultural and educational center of the time. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Bakuriani / Tbilisi
On our return journey from Bakuriani to Tbilisi we take a diversion and turn
north along Georgian Military Highway up to Zhinvali Lake. Here we visit the
Ananauri architectural complex. We arrive in time at Tbilisi to allow us with
some independent time to wander through the town and local bazaars.
Overnight: Sheraton Metechi Palace, Tbilisi (B, D)
Day 11: Tbilisi / Yerevan (ARMENIA)
After breakfast we head for Sadakhlo on the Georgian-Armenian border. Bidding
farewell to our Georgian friends we are met by our Aremenian friends and warmly
welcomed and transferred to Yerevan. En-route our journey to the Armenian capital,
we visit the Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin, touted as the best architectural
examples of Armenian religious art between the 10th and 13th Centuries.
Overnight: Golden Palace, Yerevan (4 nights) (B, D)
Day 12: Yerevan
We start the day with a sightseeing tour of the city of Yerevan with visits to
the National Museum of Armenian History and the Matenadaran, followed by an excursion
to the Echmiadzin Church and Museum, and the Hripsime and Zvartnots Cathedrals.
Evening is free to stroll on your own. (B, D)
Day 13: Yerevan
Today is our excursion to Garni and Geghard, followed by an afternoon visit to
the empty beaches and white sands of Lake Sevan. This mountainous lake covers
approximately 5% of Armenia’s surface area and is 2000 meters/2187 yards
above sea level. Maxim Gorky said about the waters, that they were like a piece
of the sky that had descended to earth among the mountains. It will be an interesting
countryside day. (B, D)
Day 14: Yerevan
Full day excursion south to Khor Virap, one of the romantically sited monasteries
in Armenia with views across vast planes of Turkey and the twin peaks of Mount
Ararat. Here, in the atmosphere of historical environment and vivid imagination
one notices Noah’s Ark in the snows of Ararat. Humankind was reborn here,
and Noah is considered to be the first tourist in the world. The theatrical ceremonies
and festivals performing on a Noah’s-Ark-shaped stage in the immediate
vicinity of the monastery and against the majestic Mount Ararat will take you
back to the Noah’s ages. Free time for people to enjoy Yerevan including
visiting the hole where Gregory the Illuminator was jailed for disseminating
Christianity in Armenia. The tour culminates with a visit to the 12th century
monastery of Noravank set in a canyon rich with rare flora. (B, D)
Day 15: Depart Yerevan
Today we depart the Caucasus filled with memories and unforgettable experiences
of a land that has been traveled often in the past but little explored. (B)
Departure
Dates
2010
English Speaking Departures
May 11, Jun 29 &
Sep 14
Inclusions
Tour
Price Includes
Tour
Price Does Not Include
Accommodation
as mentioned or similar category
International
Airfare/Departure Taxes
Meals
as indicated (B= Breakfast,
L = Lunch,
D= Dinner)
Insurance/Visa Fees
All
transfers and sightseeing with services of
local English speaking driver/guide.
Drinks/Beverages
with meals
Entrance
fees to museums and sites
Tips/Gratuities
to Drivers & Guides
Visa
Support as required
Please
Note: The visa fees are approximately
$60.00 per visa (to be issued locally with
2 photos required per country.
Tour
Price
We
accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA
$ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for
clients outside North America).
Bestway
Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection.
Once full payment has been received, and no modification
has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour
that rate.
Estimated
International Airfare - International
airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada
- West Coast
N/A
USA
- West Coast
US
$ 1600
Canada
- East Coast
N/A
USA
- East Coast
US
$ 1400
Participants
This
tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of
15 participants.
Notes
Customised
Itinerary
If you would like to have a tour on dates other
than the above ones or with a customised itinerary,
please contact us and we will be happy to work out
an exclusive program for you.
Foreign Language Departures
Please contact us for information on French,
German,
Italian and Spanish
speaking departures.
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com
or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of
U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.
THE
CAUCASUS
Day 6: Telavi / Tbilisi
Day 12: Yerevan 
