Discover Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan - 16 days (CT-02)

Today your Caucasus adventure starts when you step off the plane in the Armenian capital Yerevan. You’ll be met for your transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Yerevan. (Dinner)

The Yerevan Cascade is one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, with its staircases and escalators rising over multiple levels, offering a breathtaking view of the capital and the distant Mount Ararat from the top. We’ll continue exploring the city, including Republic Square with its singing fountains and the lively Vernissage market, where rows of stalls offer everything from antiques to locally-made crafts. Also included is a visit to the Matenadaran, which houses an impressive collection of ancient manuscripts. Before heading out of the city, we’ll visit the Genocide Memorial, a solemn and powerful tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Just outside of town, we’ll explore the 7th-century ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral. Nearby, you’ll also visit the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, the spiritual and administrative heart of the Armenian Church. Return to Yerevan for a traditional Armenian dinner. Overnight in Yerevan. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Driving distance: 55 km / 34 ml.

This morning, our journey takes us to Garni Temple, an ancient Greco-Roman site that stands in striking contrast to Armenia’s many monasteries. After exploring the temple and uncovering its fascinating history, we will proceed to Garni Gorge, famous for its breathtaking "Symphony of Stones," a remarkable natural formation of basalt columns that create a stunning visual spectacle. Following our time in the gorge, we’ll head to Geghard Monastery, one of the first of several monasteries you will encounter during your stay in Armenia. On our way back to the capital, we’ll visit a local home in the countryside where you can participate in making lavash, the traditional Armenian flatbread. Finally, if time permits, we can stop at the Ararat Wine Factory for a tasting of some exquisite local wines. Overnight in Yerevan. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Driving distance: 75 km / 47 ml.

An excursion to Khor Virap takes us a little closer to iconic Mount Ararat, which you saw from the top of the Yerevan Cascades. This monastery is famous as the site of the cell that held Saint Gregor the Illuminator prisoner for 13 years. After lunch, we will drive to Noravank Monastery. This beautiful monastery is tucked away up a narrow canyon and sits in perfect harmony with its surroundings. Climb a staircase without rails to enjoy jaw-dropping views along the canyon. Later this afternoon we’ll take you to Areni Winery. This is one of the best places in the country to try wine and also fruit-infused spirits - you may wish to leave room in your bag to bring home a souvenir or two. Overnight in Yerevan. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Driving distance: 245 km / 153 ml.

Armenia has a few more sights to show us before we set off for the Georgian border. Lake Sevan is the largest body of water in Armenia and perched on a hilltop above its shoreline is the delightful Sevanavank Monastery. There are quite a few steps to climb, but the reward is panoramic views across the blue waters of the lake as well as a glimpse inside this 9th century marvel. Later, you’ll enjoy a tour of the spa resort of Dilijan before visiting Haghpat Monastery en route to the border. We’ll continue on to the Georgian capital Tbilisi; total driving distance today is around 188 miles (301km). Overnight in Tbilisi. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Driving distance: 301 km / 188 ml.

The Georgian capital is very different to Yerevan, with less of a Soviet feel to the place, particularly in the heart of the city. We’ll begin in Tbilisi’s Old Town, where there’s a plethora of ancient churches, old synagogues and the thermal baths for which the city is known. On today’s tour, you’ll pay a visit to the Georgian National Museum to learn a bit about this fascinating country and also take a walk along Rustaweli Avenue, one of the city’s liveliest thoroughfares. Overnight in Tbilisi. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Tbilisi hasn’t always been the capital of Georgia; before, that honour went to Mtskheta. As you’d expect, that means there is much to see, the highlights being the UNESCO-listed Djvari Church and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Later, in the afternoon, we will drive to Kutaisi, the country’s second largest city, and visit the Prometheus Cave which is located just outside. Overnight in Kutaisi. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Driving distance: 265 km / 166 ml.

One of the great joys when travelling in the Caucasus is to visit the bustling local markets and we’ll do so in Kutaisi before leaving the city. Our UNESCO hit list continues with visits to Gelati Monastery and Bagrati Cathedrals. There’ll be plenty of time to explore before we need to hit the road for Akhaltsikhe. Incidentally, its name means “new castle” although old is no longer an apt epithet. Overnight in Akhaltsikhe. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Driving distance: 213 km / 133 ml.

Visitors come to Akhaltsikhe to visit the spectacular underground cave city of Vardzia. The hillside is riddled with tunnels and caverns; these were used as store rooms, churches and refectories. If you’re wondering how they came to be here, the thirteen level site was hewn from the rock on the orders of Queen Tamar in 1185. Destroyed by an earthquake in 1283, it was rebuilt but abandoned again when the Ottomans came in the 16th century. Back in Akhaltsikhe the itinerary includes a visit to the famous ethnographic Museum in the Rabati Fortress. Overnight in Akhaltsikhe. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Driving distance: 122 km / 76 ml.

The most infamous leader Russia ever had was in fact Georgian by birth, and he came from the town of Gori. Today, there’s a museum dedicated to his life, which incorporates the humble wooden hut in which he spent his early years. Of course, this is a sanitised history and you’ll be wise to make up your own mind as to what you think of the man and his actions. Afterwards, we’ll visit nearby Uplistikhe Cave Town, another fascinating subterranean complex, before returning to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Driving distance: 240 km / 150 ml.

Georgia has a long history of viticulture; the nation has been producing wine for over 8000 years. Today’s programme takes us into wine country, to explore the region of Kakheti. We will explore the Alaverdi Monastery and Gremi Complex as well as enjoy a much-anticipated wine tasting in Napareuli. Last stop today is the pretty town of Signagi. We’ll start exploring the town’s fortifications and from those walls enjoy far-reaching views across the surrounding countryside. Overnight in Signagi. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Driving distance: 219 km / 137 ml.

Having enjoyed a tour of Signagi’s main sights yesterday afternoon, there’ll be more time in this characterful place to soak up the atmosphere of its historic centre. A couple of miles down the road is Bodbe Monastery, a complex set amid delightful gardens. That will be our last stop before we leave Georgia. It’s time to cross the border into our third country, Azerbaijan, where we’ll begin the drive to Sheki. A visit to Kish village completes today’s programme. Overnight in Sheki. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Driving distance: 157 km / 98 ml.

Sheki, sometimes referred to as Shaki, was a stop on the ancient Silk Road. Its 18th century Palace of the Shaki Khans was a summer residence for the ruling elite and was built without a single nail. Even the regular dwellings were richly decorated with wooden lattice work framing colourful glass. That’s not all; we’ll also show you the 18th century Shaki Castle before setting off for Shamakhi. This place is rich in culture and history; highlights include Juma Mosque which has survived many earthquakes. Our final destination this afternoon is the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku. Overnight in Baku. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Driving distance: 298 km / 186 ml.

Baku is forward thinking, but also has a thriving old city which abuts the Caspian Sea. You’ll enjoy a tour of old Baku, taking in the Maiden Tower, the Palace of Shirvanshahs, the courtyard of Divankhana and numerous mosques, minarets, caravanserais and baths. Most people will recognise the distinctive shapes of Baku’s newest landmark, the Flame Towers, built on the back of Azerbaijan’s not insignificant mineral wealth. Overnight in Baku. (Breakfast, Dinner)

For our final full day of sightseeing, we head out of the capital into Gobustan. The Gobustan State Reserve is best known for its petroglyphs which depict prehistoric life in the Caucasus. There are also around three hundred mud volcanoes which some say have health-enhancing properties. After lunch, we’ll take you to the hillside of Yanar Dag. Gases have seeped from this hillside since the 1950s and since then the hillside has burned without a break. Overnight in Baku. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Driving distance: 152 km / 95 ml.

Your Caucasus adventure has to end sometime and today is that day. We’ll transfer you to the airport for your flight home and wish you well for the journey home. (Breakfast)