Explore Azerbaijan & Georgia: Baku, Sheki, Tbilisi, Gudauri – 10-Day Cultural Adventure

After having a good breakfast at the hotel, Your Guide and Private Car will pick up you from the hotel to visit Gobustan Rock Mountain Reserve & Museum. The Archeological monument- Gobustan is located in 56 km from the capital city, Baku. The artifacts and rock carvings were discovered in 1939 – 1940 years. As a result of the researchers, more than 3,500 human and animal paintings and various markings – petroglyphs were recorded and 20 suburban shelters have been identified in this place. Mesolithic monuments (medieval stone) are mostly exhibited in the reserve. There are many caves, springs, carved by primitive men on walls of caves, rocks, and stony lumps. First you will visit the Gobustan Museum to get the better insights to the history of the area then you will go by car to the Rock Mountain to see the real carvings. After the Rock Mountain, you will visit the Mud Volcanoes. That is why the Transportation will be changed to the Soviet Lada Cars. Whoever wants can bring some strong plastic bags with them to collect some of the mud from there which has been said is good for the skin. Spending 10 minutes around Volcanoes you will be transferred back to your car. On the way to the Hotel you will also visit the Bibihaybat Mosque, with magnificent green internal decorative beauty and the First Industrial Oil Well on the Earth that was opened for use in 1846.

After the early breakfast, your tour to the Natural sites of Azerbaijan will start. Car will pick you up from the hotel. The first site you will visit on the way to Shamakhi City will be the Diri Baba Mausoleum that built in th 15th Century. After the Mausoleum you will reach to the Shamakhi City-one of the most ancient cities in Azerbaijan dated back to 5th century BC. In the Middle Ages, Shamakhi was the capital of the Shirvanshahs government. In the Middle Ages Shamakhi was one of the fascinating cities in the east. City also has the biggest astrophysical observatory in the Caucasus. The city itself is not only rich with its nature and beauty but very rich with monuments that have historical significance. Inside of the Shamakhi City you will visit the Shamakhi Juma Mosque, a first mosque ever built in the territory of Azerbaijan in year 743. After the mosque you will proceed to the 7 Gumbez Mausoleum. A medieval graveyard of the Kings Family. After visiting and doing some experience there, we will continue our journey. Lahij is the best example of original architecture that preserved by villagers more than centuries. Lahij Village entered to List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO because the village was one of the best handcraft and trading centers in the Caucasus. The main fame of the village comes from handmade copper products with a magnificent design that all made in the village in traditional way. Now the village is one of the most famous touristic destinations in Azerbaijan because even today the village has dozens of workshops that are making very beautiful handmade copper products. People started to live there from III-IV centuries and even village has water and sewage systems that operate 1000 years. Later, we visit our next destination – Sheki city. You will be transferred to the Hotel in Sheki.

After breakfast, visit the village of Nij, home to the Udi people, who are direct descendants of ancient Caucasian Albanians. Explore the Udi Cultural Museum and the Albanian Church, a symbol of heritage for the community. Continue to Sheki, where you’ll have a free evening to relax and explore the area at your own pace.

Visiting Sheki Khan Palace. The Palace itself built in 1762 as a summer residence for the Khan(King) of Sheki. During the construction of the building, no single nails and glues were used. From inside, all the walls of the Palace are full of paintings which each painting has its own philosophical meaning. Visiting Caravanserais- Sheki has 2 caravanserais that are called Upper & Lower Caravanserais both dating back to 18th centuries. Due to city’s location on the main trade road from the East to the West, Caravanserais were main resting and trading places of merchants who are passing from the city. Drive to Kish Village. In the Kish Village of Sheki, you will visit an Albanian church that dates back to the 1st century AD. Drive to the Restaurant for having Lunch. Overnight at the Hotel in Sheki.

After breakfast, visit the Sheki market, a great place to buy snacks for the journey, such as halva, dried fruits, and nuts. Continue to Lagodekhi, located on the Azerbaijan-Georgia border, and travel through the picturesque Kakheti region. Stop at the 16th-century Gremi complex, which includes a castle and a church. Visit a local winery where you can learn about the ancient qvevri wine-making method, which is listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Enjoy lunch at the winery before reaching Telavi, where you’ll spend the night.

This morning, explore the vibrant farmers' market in Telavi, where you can see butchers at work and sample local spices. Visit the Tsinandalia estate and winery, once owned by the Georgian poet Alexander Chavchavadze, who introduced the qvevri wine-making method. Continue to the Alaverdi Cathedral, a 6th-century UNESCO-listed site. Then, drive along the scenic Georgian Military Highway, passing beautiful mountain landscapes, and end the day in Gudauri with dinner.

Take a drive along the Tergi River to Stepantsminda, formerly known as Kazbegi and explore this picturesque mountain village. Enjoy a hike through the valleys to reach the stunning Gergeti Trinity Church, perched at the base of the second-highest peak in the Caucasus, Mt Kazbegi. The views of the church with the mountain backdrop are breathtaking. Afterward, return to Gudauri for a dinner.

Drive to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, located along the Kura River. Begin with an orientation walk, getting a feel for the city. You have the rest of the day free to explore Tbilisi at your own pace. Perhaps try a khachapuri (cheese-filled bread), a Georgian specialty. In the evening, go for a dinner, where you can sample khinkali (soup-filled dumplings). Your leader will teach you the proper way to eat them – by sipping the broth and leaving the pinched dough at the end.

After having breakfast at the Hotel, Check-out & transfer to the Airport.