TWO PEARLS OF THE CAUCASUS - BAKU & TBILISI (GUARANTEED GROUP TOUR)

Combined group tour to two South Caucasus countries – Azerbaijan and Georgia. You start the journey from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, Sheki and continue the way to Georgia Tbilisi. Two highly-qualified and friendly guides will work for you. They will take you to the most remarkable historical and architectural monuments, UNESCO World Heritage Sights, special highlights, they will help you to choose delicious food and finest wines. Get acquainted with two different cultures, see the diversity of the traditions and visit the most unique and spectacular sights of these countries. The group is “Guaranteed to Run” after two people book the tour.

                                                                                     Price from: 515 USD

DAY 1: BAKU

• Arrival in Baku, Transfer to the hotel.
• Check in at the hotel
• Free time to rest. (Overnight at the Hotel in Baku)

DAY 2: BAKU

• Breakfast in the hotel
• Baku city tour: Icheri Sheher (Old City), known as the "fortress", is a unique historical and architectural reserve in the center of Baku. One of the oldest and densely populated places in the country and even in the Middle East. During archaeological excavations, tombs of the Bronze Age are revealed. The Maiden's Tower (12th century) and the Shirvanshahs Palace (13-16th century) are famous historical monuments also located in the Old City. In addition to them there are many other unique monuments of Icheri Sheher: mosques, minarets, the remains of the caravanserai "Multani" and "Bukhara", ancient baths. There are many souvenir shops where you can buy national clothes, scarves and hats, dishes and handmade carpets.
• Lunch (additional payment)
• After lunch, we continue our excursion in the modern part of the city: a walk along Nizami Street (old Torgovaya Street with many souvenir shops), Fountains Square, Take a walk along the Boulevard - the second largest in Europe, where tourists can ride a boat along the Baku Bay and get acquainted with interesting facts and the legends of the world's largest lake, known as the Caspian Sea.
• Panoramic tour of Baku from the Highland Park. (Overnight at the Hotel in Baku)

DAY 3: BAKU -TBILISI

• Breakfast in the hotel.
• Check out.
• Free time.

Option: Tour of the Absheron Peninsula ( additional payment)

A visit to the historical and ethnographic reserve of Azerbaijan - the ancient village of Gala. The museum has restored examples of traditional architecture, which were collected from various places on the Absheron Peninsula. The museum's collection contains rare exhibits, as well as cave paintings of primitive peoples, which depict animals and sacrificial rites at the moments of fishing. Going around the museum is not so easy. Its territory extends to 1.2 hectares of land. An experienced guide will help you not to get lost in the "historical past", which will introduce you to all the secrets of the Absheron Peninsula.

• 20:30 Transfer to the railway station.
• A trip to Tbilisi by train. (Overnight on the train.)

DAY 4: TBILISI

• Arrival in Tbilisi in the morning.
• 14:00 Check in at the hotel. (Early check-in at the hotel is possible for extra payment)
• Free day in Tbilisi (Overnight at the  Hotel in Tbilisi).

DAY 5: TBILISI - MTSKHETA - TBILISI

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Transfer for an excursion to the ancient city-museum of Mtskheta.
• Mtskheta is an ancient museum city, the former capital of Eastern Georgia.
• Visit to the ancient and unique monasteries of Jvari and Svetitskhoveli (both monuments are included in the UNESCO world heritage) is included in the obligatory program of any guest of Georgia
•  "Jvari" - the first monastery of Georgia, 5-6 century. It was here that St. Nino raised her cross from the vine and began to preach Christianity. Lermontov settled Mtsyri here and described in his poem a beautiful view that opens from this holy place for all Georgians.
• "Svetitskhoveli" - the central department of Georgia, 10th century. Here the kings were crowned and buried. The unique frescoes and shrines of the world Orthodox culture are stored in the walls of this monastery.
• Nothing arouses carnal thirst more than quenching spiritual thirst, and after getting acquainted with the cultural heritage of Georgia, we will go to our cellar to hear a little more about the history and traditions of winemaking in this country. We learn a lot of interesting and unexpected things about the technology of making wine and the culture of growing grapes.
• Comprehending the theory, we practice tasting. Today we can taste 2 grades of wine: white and red, as well as try chacha. Then, inspired by the tasting, try to making khinkali. The master class will be followed by a traditional Georgian lunch.
• Transfer to Tbilisi.
• Evening sightseeing tour of Tbilisi.
• The tour begins in Rike Park. After admiring the magnificent panorama of the Old City, we will go by cable car to the Narikala Fortress - the main citadel of many centuries.
• Then we will go down the narrow cobbled streets and visit the only mosque in Tbilisi.
• Following inland along the Fig Gorge, we will see a small waterfall.
• The next object of our walking tour - "Abanotubani" (literally "bathing area") - is known for healing sulfur baths. Previously, they served not only as centers of personal hygiene and restoration of strength (the predecessors of modern spas), but also as a place for meetings.
• On the way, we can look into cozy open cafes and restaurants famous for their Caucasian hospitality, incredibly delicious cuisine and wines.
• We will definitely walk along the pedestrian "Bridge of Peace", spreading over the Mthvari River - it will certainly be remembered for its futuristic design, which stands out from the general architectural ensemble of our capital.
• The Temple of Sioni (XVII century) will not remain without our attention. Previously, he served as the main Cathedral and at the same time the residence of the Patriarch-Catholicos of Georgia until the erection of the Holy Trinity Church in 2004.
• Also, we will definitely see the oldest surviving temples in Tbilisi - Anchiskhati (VI century BC)
• And how indifferent to walk past the clock tower of the famous Puppet Theater Rezo Gabriadze?
• This day alone with amazing Tbilisi will remain in your memory forever!  (Overnight at the  Hotel in Tbilisi).

Distance: Tbilisi-Mtskheta - 25 km

DAY 6: TBILISI

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Free day in Tbilisi.

OPTIONAL: EXCURSION TO THE KAKHETI REGION - BODBE AND SIGNAGHI.

• The first stop on our way is a winery. Here we learn a lot of facts about the traditions of Kakheti winemaking. By the way, the history of wine making in Georgia goes back centuries. However, modernity has brought a lot of new things, including innovative technologies. During a tour of the factory, we will learn how now they combine ancient customs and modern innovations in the manufacture of exceptional wines. This drink is rightfully considered a national treasure of Georgia, a country that is also called the cradle of wine.
• After the tour, we will be able to taste different types of wines, and in practice understand all the taste nuances and features of each type.
• Next we follow to Bodbe Monastery, a popular pilgrimage destination. Here are the relics of the Equal-to-the-Apostles St. Nino (it was thanks to her that Christianity became the official religion of Georgia in 326). In addition, there is a bathhouse of St. Nino, where you can plunge into the blessed water.
• Then we follow to Sighnaghi, which is also called the city of Love. Despite the recent restoration, the pristine, historical view of the city has been preserved. Exploring the picturesque streets, we will plunge into the atmosphere of past centuries. Paved pavements will lead us through charming houses decorated with carved balconies to the very top of the hill, and from there we will have a bewitching view of the Alan Valley and the Caucasus Mountains.
• We will walk along the walls of the fortress surrounding Sighnaghi: during the war years, all of its 28 watch towers gave a guarantee of protection of nearby villages. The fortress was miraculously preserved to this day.
• Sighnaghi is also famous for its museum, which contains a magnificent collection of archaeological and ethnographic exhibits from all over the region. Moreover, on the 2nd floor you can visit the permanent exhibition of the famous self-taught artist - Niko Pirosmani, who is popularly called simply "Nikala". By the way, it was thanks to him that Sighnaghi became famous as the "city of Love".
• With this we will end our tour and will return to Tbilisi.(Overnight at the  Hotel in Tbilisi).

Distance: Tbilisi-Signaghi - 130 km

DAY 7: TBILISI

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Check out from the hotel.
• Transfer to the airport of Tbilisi.

The prices include:

• All transfers according to the program
• Transport service throughout the tour according to the program.
• Accommodation in a hotel on the basis of breakfast (3 nights in Tbilisi, 2 nights in Baku)
• All excursions according to the tour program.
• English-speaking guide service during excursions.
• Cable car ticket in Tbilisi.
• Lunch, tasting and master classes according to the program during the excursion to Mtskheta
• Baku-Tbilisi train ticket (night train, coupe)

The prices exclude:

• Flights
• Personal expenses
• Lunches and dinners outside the program
• Medical insurance
• Entrance tickets to museums in Baku: Maiden Tower - $ 9, Shirvanshahs Palace - $ 9, Boat tour -6 $ - 9 $

For more information with prices, please contact the staff of our company. You can find our contacts in the "Contacts" section.