Caucasus Discovered Westbound - 16 Days

Welcome to Baku, the emerging capital of Azerbaijan! Make your own way to our joining hotel where there’s a pre-departure Welcome Meeting at 18:00. The evening is free to explore the city as you please. Perhaps check out the old part of the city, including the famous Maiden Tower.

Today is free to explore Baku as you please. The oil-rich city is an amazing contrast of the old and new, with glistening skyscrapers contrasting against the old architecture. The city is emerging as a global player on the world scene and recently hosted the 2019 Europa League football final. It also hosts a Formula One Grand Prix race every year.

Baku - Lahij. This morning we drive to Gobustan, the region known for its bubbling mud volcanoes and ancient petroglyphs. After exploring this site, we continue to Lahij, an ancient mountain settlement which is famous for its copper and arms production. Explore the site at leisure and camp with facilities tonight.

Lahij - Sheki. Today we drive to the old city of Sheki. Explore the exquisite Khan’s Palace before we arrive at our accommodation for the night. You’re in for a treat as we are staying in a hotel which has been built inside an ancient caravanserai, once an important stopover for weary travellers on the Silk Road.

Sheki - Lagodekhi National Park (Georgia). Today we say goodbye to Azerbaijan and cross into Georgia. We'll spend the night camping in the lush scenery of Lagodekhi National Park, which is located fairly close to the border.

Lagodekhi National Park - Telavi. We head into the Alazani Valley this morning and visit the impressive Gremi Citadel en route to Telavi. We'll be basing ourselves in this famous wine region for the next couple of days.

Today we have plenty of time to explore Telavi and visit some of the local vineyards. Watch traditions such as grape harvesting in action and enjoy some Georgian hospitality with an included lunch and wine tasting at a local family-run winery.

Telavi - Stepantsminda. Leaving Telavi behind, we drive to the town of Stepantsminda, which is nestled in beautiful scenery. During our stay here we’ll enjoy a trek up to the tiny Tsminda Sameba Church, which is hidden away in the rolling hills and mountains of the Georgian Caucasus. There’s also an optional cooking class where you can learn how to make delicious Georgian kinkhalis (meatballs).

Stepantsminda - Mtskheta. We’ll spend the morning unwinding in Stepantsminda or hiking up to the Tsminda Sameba Church if there wasn't time yesterday. Later, we drive to the charming town of Mtskheta. Here we can visit the beautiful 11th century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.