Location highlights from this tour
Fourteen days across three countries, each with its own script — Azerbaijan's mix of Soviet-era Baku and eternal flames, Georgia's mountains and wine, Armenia's monasteries and the shadow of Ararat. This private tour crosses two land borders on foot, with a new guide and driver waiting on the far side of each.
You begin in Baku, with its walled Old City and the fire-worship sites of the Absheron peninsula, then head inland to the Khan's palace at Sheki before crossing into Georgia at Lagodekhi. Kakheti's wine country and Tbilisi's old town follow, along with a night under Mount Kazbek, before a second border crossing takes you into Armenia for Lake Sevan, Yerevan and the great sights around Mount Ararat.
Both border crossings are on foot and are built into the day rather than treated as a footnote — you'll find exactly what to expect at each. It's a full itinerary, and a couple of the days carry real driving, but because it's private, the pace and the stops bend around you.
The tour starts in Icherisheher, Baku's walled Old City and a UNESCO site, with its narrow lanes, the Maiden Tower rising above the rooftops, and the Shirvanshahs' Palace, the seat of the region's medieval rulers. From there you drive out to the Heydar Aliyev Center, a flowing white building by the architect Zaha Hadid that has become one of Baku's best-known modern landmarks, before returning to walk the newer part of the city — Fountains Square, the seafront Baku Boulevard along the Caspian, and the view up to the three glass Flame Towers that have come to define the skyline. The day ends with a dinner of Azerbaijani food in the Old City.
A day of the strange and the ancient south of the city. Gobustan National Park, a UNESCO site, holds thousands of rock carvings going back some 40,000 years, scratched onto a hillside of bare stone; nearby, a short 4WD ride out onto open ground brings you to the mud volcanoes, small cones that bubble and hiss with cold grey mud rather than lava. In the afternoon you visit Ateshgah, a walled fire temple built around a natural gas flame that has drawn Zoroastrian, Hindu and Sikh pilgrims for centuries, and Yanar Dag, a hillside where gas seeping from the rock has burned continuously for decades. Back to Baku for the night.
West today, into the foothills of the Greater Caucasus. On the way you'll stop in Shamakhi, once the capital of a medieval khanate, for the Juma Mosque, before continuing to Sheki, a town of caravanserais and craftsmen tucked into the hills. In Sheki you visit the Khan's Palace, a small 18th-century summer residence with stained-glass windows and painted walls that took no nails to build, added to the UNESCO list in 2019, and the old stone caravanserai that once sheltered Silk Road traders — many now converted into hotels, including some where you may be staying tonight.
This morning you leave Azerbaijan, but not before a stop at Sheki Bazaar, a lively local market filled with fresh produce, spices, traditional sweets and everyday local life. From there it's a short drive from Sheki to the Balakan–Lagodekhi crossing, the main land border between Azerbaijan and Georgia in this part of the country. The crossing itself is on foot: you'll clear Azerbaijani exit control, walk through the neutral zone — a paved stretch of around 300 metres, entirely manageable with wheeled suitcases, though there's no porter service, so you carry your own bags — and then clear Georgian entry control on the other side. Allow extra time for the crossing: queues and processing times vary. Your Georgian guide and driver will be waiting just past the checkpoint. From there you continue into Kakheti to a local winery for lunch and a tasting of the local wine, before settling into Telavi, the heart of the wine region, for the first of two nights.
The day starts with a walk through Telavi — the old town, the giant 900-year-old plane tree, and the Batonistsikhe castle, the former royal residence of the kings of Kakheti. Then out to the Tsinandali estate, the 19th-century home and gardens of Prince Alexander Chavchavadze, before a stop at a local winery for lunch and a tasting, with the chance to get hands-on with a qvevri — the buried clay vessel Georgians have fermented wine in for millennia. Back to Telavi for the night.
You leave Telavi and drive to Sighnaghi, the small walled “City of Love” with its cobbled streets and long views over the Alazani valley, then on to Bodbe, a hilltop convent nearby and the burial place of St. Nino, who brought Christianity to Georgia. From there it's a straightforward drive to Tbilisi for the evening.
The tour starts at Holy Trinity Cathedral — Sameba — one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, rising above the city. From there you'll visit the clifftop Metekhi church, perched above the river, then ride the cable car up to the Narikala fortress for the view over the whole of Tbilisi. Walking down from the fortress, you'll pass through Abanotubani, the district of brick-domed sulfur bathhouses the city was built on and named after, then wander the Old Town lanes to the leaning clock tower of the Rezo Gabriadze theatre. The day ends with a welcome dinner of Georgian food and local wine.
North today, up the old Georgian Military Highway into the Caucasus. First stop is Mtskheta, Georgia's spiritual heart — the great Svetitskhoveli cathedral in the town, and Jvari monastery on the hill above it, both UNESCO sites. Then a pause at Ananuri, a fortress standing over the turquoise Jinvali reservoir. Further up you'll stop where the black and white Aragvi rivers meet, their two colours running side by side before they blend into one, and again at the Gudauri Panorama for the wide view back down the valley. From there the road climbs to Kazbegi, a small town under the snows of Mount Kazbek where the air changes completely.
Your morning is the big one — up to Gergeti Trinity, the lone church at 2,170 metres with Mount Kazbek behind it, one of Georgia's great views and best in the early light. You then leave the mountains and head south, stopping at Uplistsikhe, a town carved into the rock that goes back to the Iron Age, its halls and tunnels still climbing the hillside, before continuing to Tbilisi for your last Georgian night.
Your second border crossing. Your Georgian guide and driver take you south from Tbilisi to the Sadakhlo crossing, where you again cross on foot — a short, well-marked walk between checkpoints. Queues and processing times vary here too, so allow extra time. On the Armenian side, at Bagratashen, your new guide and driver are waiting. First stop is Haghpat, a 10th-century monastery on a green plateau in the Lori hills and one of Armenia's UNESCO sites. The road then climbs to Lake Sevan, a vast alpine lake at nearly 1,900 metres, where the Sevanavank monastery sits on a headland above the blue water. From there it's on to Yerevan for the first of three nights.
A full day to Armenia's three most famous sights. You start south at Khor Virap, a monastery set right below Mount Ararat with the finest views of the mountain in the country — the place where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned before Armenia adopted Christianity. Then east to Garni, a 1st-century Greco-Roman temple standing above a river gorge — the only colonnaded pagan temple of its kind in the region — with a walk down to the Symphony of Stones, a wall of natural basalt columns in the canyon below. Nearby is Geghard, a UNESCO-listed monastery partly hewn straight into the rock. Back to Yerevan for the night.
Today pairs Armenia's spiritual heart with its capital. You'll drive out to Echmiadzin, the seat of the Armenian Apostolic Church, home to a cathedral founded in the 4th century — one of the oldest in the world and a UNESCO site — and stop at the ruins of Zvartnots, a 7th-century cathedral whose great ring of columns stands open to the sky, also on the UNESCO list. Back in Yerevan, the city tour takes in Republic Square, the Cascade with its view to Mount Ararat, the Opera House and the Matenadaran manuscript museum. The day ends with a farewell dinner of Armenian food and local wine in Yerevan.
Check out of your hotel by 12:00 p.m. When it's time, we'll transfer you to Zvartnots International Airport for your departure.
Sheraton Baku Intourist stands by the seafront in the centre of Baku, within easy reach of the Old City, the Maiden Tower and the Flame Towers. Its rooms look out over gardens or the Caspian Sea. The hotel has the ABAKUZ Restaurant and the ABAKUZ Lounge & Terrace, a wellness centre offering massages and spa treatments, and a fitness centre open 24 hours a day.
Boutique 19 Hotel occupies a heritage building on Aziz Aliyev Street in the historic centre of Baku, combining period architecture with contemporary comfort. Guests can dine at Sabah Restaurant, enjoy a drink at Bade Wine Bar and relax at Damda Pool & Lounge.
Radisson Hotel Baku stands by the seafront at Azadlig Avenue 1, close to Baku Boulevard. Its 255 rooms include Superior and Junior rooms as well as studios and apartments with a kitchenette. The hotel has the all-day Lagom restaurant and bar, a fitness centre open 24 hours a day and flexible meeting spaces.
Mövenpick Winter Park Baku is a 4-star hotel in the Nasimi district, close to the centre of Baku, with Nizami Street, Winter Park and the Old City within walking distance. The 15th-floor restaurant offers views of the city and the sea, and there is a 24-hour lobby bar. Guests can use the fitness centre, sauna and massage services.
Shah Palace Hotel is a 4-star hotel inside Baku's historic Old City (Icherisheher), a short walk from Icheri Sheher metro station. Its classic-style rooms and traditional decoration are arranged around a central atrium with arched galleries. The hotel has a restaurant, a fitness room, a sauna and Wi-Fi.
Midway Park Hotel is in Baku, close to Nizami Street and the Baku City Circuit. The hotel has a restaurant serving a breakfast buffet, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk.
Set within the legendary 19th-century Tsinandali Estate, this Radisson Collection property is the pinnacle of luxury in Georgia's wine country. Surrounded by historic gardens, a renowned wine cellar, and the Caucasus foothills, it offers an unforgettable blend of heritage, wine culture, and world-class hospitality.
A modern and comfortable hotel set amid the lush greenery of the Tsinandali area in Kakheti. Park Hotel Tsinandali offers a peaceful retreat with well-appointed rooms, a lovely garden terrace, and easy access to the region's famous wineries and historic estates.
A vineyard hotel in the village of Ruispiri, a few kilometres from Telavi, welcoming guests since 2018. Hotel Arge has its own wine cellar for tastings, an outdoor pool and a garden restaurant, with most rooms opening onto balconies that look out over the Alazani Valley and the Greater Caucasus.
A design-forward boutique hotel housed in a converted Soviet-era publishing house on the banks of the Mtkvari River. Rooms Hotel Tbilisi is a cultural landmark in its own right, blending industrial-chic aesthetics with warm Georgian hospitality, a vibrant lobby bar, and a celebrated restaurant.
A colorful and contemporary hotel right on Tbilisi's main Rustaveli Avenue. Ibis Styles Tbilisi Center offers reliable international-standard comfort with a playful design, complimentary breakfast, and an unbeatable central location for exploring the capital.
A cheerful budget-friendly hotel tucked into the winding streets of Tbilisi's Old Town. Ginger Hotel offers clean, comfortable rooms with a warm atmosphere and friendly staff, making it a great-value base for travelers who want to be in the heart of the action.
A design masterpiece set against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Kazbek. Rooms Hotel Kazbegi is one of Georgia's most iconic luxury retreats, offering floor-to-ceiling mountain views, a crackling fireplace lounge, an indoor pool, and a spa — the ultimate mountain escape.
A comfortable mid-range hotel in the heart of Stepantsminda with warm hospitality and mountain views. Northgate Hotel provides a cozy retreat after a day of Caucasus adventures, with a welcoming restaurant serving hearty Georgian cuisine and well-appointed rooms.
A budget-friendly guesthouse-style hotel in Stepantsminda offering simple, clean rooms and genuine Georgian warmth. Hotel Horizon is perfect for travelers who want to explore the Kazbegi region without breaking the bank, with home-cooked meals and a friendly atmosphere.
A polished international hotel close to central Yerevan, combining spacious contemporary rooms with reliable Hilton comfort. DoubleTree by Hilton Yerevan City Centre is about a 10-minute walk from Republic Square and offers an on-site restaurant, a rooftop terrace, a spa and a fitness center, making it a comfortable premium base for three nights in the Armenian capital.
A comfortable 4-star hotel in the heart of Yerevan, just steps from Republic Square. Yerevan Place combines modern rooms with an exceptionally central location, along with a restaurant and bar, a gym and useful guest services — a convenient mid-range choice for exploring the Armenian capital on foot.
A comfortable and good-value 4-star hotel in central Yerevan, within easy reach of Republic Square and the city's main sights. Ani Central Inn offers bright rooms, daily breakfast, an indoor swimming pool and a sauna, making it a practical Classic option with more facilities than its straightforward positioning might suggest.
Cancellation: 30 days or more before the tour, you lose the deposit; 15–29 days before, 50% of the tour cost; 7–14 days before, 80%; less than 7 days before, 100%.
Payment by bank transfer or online with Visa, MasterCard or American Express (2.5% card fee).
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15 daysA 15-day small-group tour from Baku to Yerevan — Baku's Old City, Sheki, Kakheti wine country, Tbilisi and Kazbegi, then Haghpat, Lake Sevan, Yerevan and the sights around Mount Ararat. Set 2027 departures for 2–12 adults.
13 days / Starting from 1,875 USD (4 travelers)For 2 travelers: 2,690 USD per personA private 13-day route from Baku to Tbilisi through Azerbaijan and Georgia — Baku, Gobustan and Sheki, Kakheti wine country, Tbilisi and Kazbegi, Borjomi, Rabati and Vardzia, with one border crossing on foot.
13 days / Starting from 1,835 USD (4 travelers)For 2 travelers: 2,665 USD per personA private 13-day route from Tbilisi to Yerevan through Georgia and Armenia — Kakheti wine country, Tbilisi and Kazbegi, Borjomi, Rabati and Vardzia, then Lake Sevan, Yerevan and the sights around Mount Ararat, with one border crossing on foot.