21 DAYS · THE CAUCASUS
The Caucasus — Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan
Three countries, three identities and one extraordinary overland journey across a great cultural crossroads.
The Azerbaijan–Georgia land border has been subject to restrictions, so I’d plan to start in Tbilisi and fly home from Baku.
Georgia, then Armenia, then Azerbaijan, with a flight needed between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Day
Journey
Overnight
Day 1
Tbilisi
Arrive Tbilisi — settle in, gentle Old Town walk and dinner.
Day 2
Tbilisi
Tbilisi — Old Town, Metekhi, Narikala, the sulphur bath quarter, churches, balconies and the Dry Bridge.
Day 3
Tbilisi
Mtskheta and Tbilisi — Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral; afternoon back in Tbilisi.
Day 4
Kazbegi
Tbilisi to Ananuri to Gudauri to Kazbegi along the spectacular Georgian Military Highway.
Day 5
Kazbegi
Kazbegi — Gergeti Trinity Church, mountain scenery and villages; relaxed afternoon.
Day 6
Tbilisi
Kazbegi to Gori to Uplistsikhe to Tbilisi.
Day 7
Kakheti
Tbilisi to Kakheti — wine country, Telavi, traditional qvevri wine and an estate visit.
Day 8
Kakheti
Kakheti — Tsinandali, vineyards, local lunch and a slower day amongst the vines.
Day 9
Tbilisi
Sighnaghi and Bodbe, then return to Tbilisi.
Day 10
Dilijan
Tbilisi to Armenia — cross the border; visit Haghpat and Sanahin monasteries, then on to Dilijan.
Day 11
Yerevan
Dilijan to Lake Sevan to Yerevan — old Dilijan, Sevanavank and Lake Sevan.
Day 12
Yerevan
Yerevan — Republic Square, the Cascade, museums, markets and historic neighbourhoods.
Day 13
Yerevan
Garni and Geghard — temple, monastery and Garni Gorge; return to Yerevan.
Day 14
Yerevan
Khor Virap, Areni and Noravank — Ararat views, wine country and one of Armenia’s most beautiful monasteries.
Day 15
Yerevan
Etchmiadzin and Zvartnots — final afternoon and evening in Yerevan.
Day 16
Baku
Fly Yerevan to Baku — afternoon and evening on the Caspian Boulevard.
Day 17
Baku
Baku — Icherisheher Old City, the Shirvanshahs’ Palace, the Maiden Tower area and Highland Park.
Day 18
Baku
Gobustan and the Absheron Peninsula — rock art, mud-volcano landscape, Ateshgah and Yanar Dag.
Day 19
Sheki
Baku to Shamakhi to Lahic to Sheki — a lovely overland Silk Road journey.
Day 20
Sheki
Sheki and Kish — the Khan’s Palace, caravanserai, old town and Kish village.
Day 21
—
Sheki to Baku for the onward flight — or, ideally, overnight in Baku if your international flight is the following day.
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