Crossroads of Europe and Asia - Azerbaijan and Georgia

Your fare excludes:

Day 1 - Baku

Welcome to Baku! The Azeri capital is a fascinating place, nicknamed the ‘Dubai of the Caspian Sea’. Its old town is a well-preserved warren of caravanserais and cafés, mosques and mansions, while outside its ancient walls lies a world of glitz, glamour and gloss. Join your tour group at the hotel and you’ll have the afternoon to relax and explore a little of Baku ahead of our guided tour tomorrow. Perhaps try a pot of hot thyme tea and a sticky walnut baklava at one of the local cafes - though don’t fill up too much, as we’ll feast on Azeri specialties at this evening’s welcome dinner.

Day 2 - Baku

We’ll dive into Baku’s medieval walled city, Icheri Sheher, this morning, getting a glimpse into ‘old’ Azerbaijan. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the city reveals Baku’s many layers of history, from the ancient Zoroastrians to the more recent Russian influences. Highlights of our tour include the 12th-century Maiden Tower (the symbol of the city) and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, described by UNESCO as ‘one of the pearls of Azerbaijan’s architecture’. We’ll admire the art nouveau mansions built by Baku’s oil barons in the late 19th and early 20th century, and take in superb views over the Bay of Baku and the city’s distinctive Flame Towers. Moving out of the old town, we’ll embrace Baku’s shiny new side at the Zaha Hadid-designed Heydar Aliyev Center - a huge, curvy creation that won a raft of architecture awards when it was unveiled. We’ll also make time to appreciate Azerbaijan’s weaving history at the Carpet Museum, housed inside a building that looks like a giant rolled-up rug (yes, really!).

Day 3 - Gobustan - Absheron Peninsula

This morning, we’ll make our way to the ‘outdoor museum’ of Gobustan Historical Reserve, where perfectly preserved petroglyphs (rock paintings) provide an artistic archive of life here over 40,000 years, from Neolithic rituals and Bronze Age games to horse hunts in the Middle Ages. The interactive museum gives a great insight into the timelines and meanings of the paintings - we’ll spend some time here first. Nearby lie some of the 400-odd mud volcanoes Azerbaijan is home to, so (weather permitting) we’ll stop off to take a look at these oozing, bubbling beasts. We’ll also pay a visit to Bibi Heybat Mosque - a reconstruction of a 13th-century building destroyed by the Bolsheviks. The rest of the day is devoted to the Absheron Peninsula. We’ll explore a Zoroastrian Fire Temple and marvel at the three-meter-long flames that shoot up from the blackened earth at Yanar Dag (‘Fire Mountain’), fuelled by natural gas reserves under the hillside.

Day 4 - Shemakha - Sheki

Our Azerbaijan tour takes us cross-country today, as we make our way west from Baku towards the Georgian border. Our first stop is Shemakha, one of Azerbaijan’s oldest cities and a crossroad point on the ancient Silk Road trading route. We’ll visit the two-storey Diri Baba mausoleum, and tour the Djuma Mosque. Lunch will be with a welcoming local family, who’ll show us how they make the delicious yogurt-based snacks we’ll enjoy afterward with a cup of samovar tea. We’ll then be on our way to Sheki, a picturesque town boasting cobblestone streets, traditional mosaics, and gabled roofs (the architecture of the Khan’s Palace, which we’ll visit, is especially beautiful). It was another key Silk Road stop - we’ll stop off at one of the original caravanserais, which would play host to merchants and traders on their long journeys. Just outside town is the little village of Kish, where we’ll explore the historic church and enjoy tea and tandir bread in one of the village homes.

Day 5 - Kakheti Wine District - Telavi

This morning, you’ll say goodbye to Azerbaijan and your tour manager - your Georgian tour manager will be waiting to welcome you on the other side of the border crossing. We’ll start in Kakheti, the heart of the Winelands. The history of winemaking in Georgia goes back centuries - it was one of the first places in the world to begin producing it. We’ll meander through the countryside, past countless vineyards and pretty churches, as we head for a winery in the town of Kvareli for lunch and a tasting. In the afternoon, we’ll explore the architectural complex at Gremi - a 500-year-old former royal citadel - and then head to the fortress town of Telavi, where we’ll check in to our hotel and enjoy a sightseeing tour.

Day 6 - Sighnaghi - Tbilisi

Our second day in Kakheti starts at the towering Alaverdi Cathedral, which sits in a river valley with views across to the mountains, followed by a visit to the grand estate of a 19th-century noble family. We’ll then make our way to Sighnaghi, a beautiful walled town set on a hilltop with views across the Alazani Valley to the mountains. After a guided walking tour, we’ll say goodbye to wine country and hello to city life, as we arrive in Tbilisi.

Day 7 - Tbilisi

A full-day city tour of Tbilisi reveals the secrets of Georgia’s captivating capital. Founded in the 4th century, Tbilisi’s strategic setting saw it become a key stop on ancient trading routes, welcoming merchants from Europe and Asia as they bartered for spices and silks. We’ll meander through the narrow streets of the old town on foot, stopping to admire centuries-old temples, churches, and cathedrals, as well as traditional bathhouses where locals soak in mineral-rich sulphur baths. We’ll also have the chance to visit the National Museum to learn more about Georgia’s rich history and culture.

Day 8 - Tbilisi

Part two of our Tbilisi city tour takes us back to the old town, where we’ll admire the architecture along David Aghmashenebeli Avenue, browse the stalls at the flea market, and learn more about the city’s past at its ‘historic heart’, Orbeliani Square. A visit to the cathedral (Georgia’s largest church) concludes our tour - you’ll then have the afternoon free to relax or explore more of the city under your own steam.

Day 9 - Tbilisi

Today is free for you to make the most of our last full day in Georgia - tour a few of the city’s wonderful museums (the National Gallery of Georgia and Georgian Museum of Fine Arts are highlights) or perhaps take the funicular up Mtatsminda Mountain for incredible views across the city.

Day 10 - Tbilisi

Say goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel.

Please note: Exact itineraries may vary slightly depending on the departure date - your full itinerary will be shown on your confirmation invoice.

Book by 31 March 2025 & Save 10%

Departs 17 April, 14 May, 24 September 2025 from Baku, Azerbaijan

• Twin Share from $3,510 $3,159 per person *
• Single from $4,485 $4,037 per person*

Call our team today to find out more on 1300 414 198. O​ur team can also assist with booking International flights and accommodation as part of your overall travel plans.

• City Park Hotel Baku
• Macara Sheki City Hotel 
• Holiday Inn Telavi
• Courtyard by Marriott Tbilisi Hotel

Important Notes

In crossing the border between Azerbaijan (Balakan) to Georgia (Lagodheki), you will need to cross a 'no man's land'; this is approximately 500m in distance. This will be unescorted and you will be required to manage your own luggage.

This tour has been classified as: Level 2 - a moderately paced holiday with more days that are longer and excursions may require moderate walking at a steady pace. You might be required to walk further distances, including over mixed terrain and up and down stairs.