ABTA 38 Years | Mon - Fri: 9am to 5:30pm | Sat: 9am to 5pm | Sun & Bank Holidays: 10am to 4:00pm
Home » destinations » Europe » Armenia » Cox and Kings Across the Southern Caucasus
Discover the marvelous Southern Caucasus region with this unforgettable Cox & Kings tour. Follow the iconic Great Silk Road through the “Land of fire” Azerbaijan, a vibrant modern country situated on the shores of the Caspian Sea and offering the best of both worlds – the Eastern and the Western civilizations. Enjoy the stunning mountain scenery, numerous authentic vineyards and picturesque small villages in Georgia, the home of the wine and the First European man. Explore the mystical lands of the First Christian country – Armenia and its rich historical and cultural heritage. Immerse yourself into the traditional Armenian spiritual music and taste your cooking skills in a masterclass for traditional Armenian pasta. Go off the beaten track and experience the magic of the cosmopolitan pearls of Eurasia – Tbilisi, Baku and Yerevan.
Day 1 – Fly to Baku, Azerbaijan
Fly from London (regional connections available) to Baku, via Istanbul.
(No meals)
Day 2: Baku • Gobustan • Absheron
Excursion to see ancient rock carvings at Gobustan, a UNESCO world heritage site dating back 20,000 years. Return to Baku for a sightseeing tour, before taking an trip to Abesheron to see the Ateshgah Fire Temple and the Yanar Dagh Fire. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner
(Breakfast and dinner)
Day 3: Shemahka • Kish • Sheki
Travel to Shemahka and visit the Yeddi Gumbez mausoleum. Continue to Sheki, stopping en route at the village of Kish to explore the sixth-century Albanian church.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 4: Sheki • Kvareli • Telavi, Georgia
Morning tour of Sheki, a pretty town surrounded by forested mountains, including the Palace of Sheki Khan. Cross the Georgian border and into the country’s main wine region. Visit a vineyard for a late lunch and wine tasting. Continue to Telavi, via the Gremi monastery. Overnight at Chateau Mere.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 5: Telavi • Sighnaghi • Tbilisi
Morning visit to Telavi market and meet a qvevri master, who will demonstrate how these large earthenware wine-keeping jars are made. Sample some local wine before continuing to the Tsinandali wine estate for lunch. In the afternoon, tour the town of Sighnaghi before driving to Tbilisi, where you’ll stay at the Shota@Rustaveli Boutique Hotel (or similar) for 2 nights.
(Breakfast and lunch)
Day 6: Tbilisi
Tour of the Georgian capital including the old town, with its beautiful Orthodox churches, mosque, synagogue and sulphur baths. Afternoon at leisure.
(Breakfast)
Day 7: Gori • Uplistsikhe • Kazbegi
Morning visit to the sixth-century Jvari monastery then continue to Gori, the birthplace of Josef Stalin. Visit the museum, his private train and see the house where he was born. Travel to Kazbegi via the cave city of Uplistsikhe, set on the path of the Silk Road. Overnight at Hotel Porta Caucasia (or similar)
(Breakfast and dinner)
Day 8: Gergeti • Tbilisi
Excursions on foot to the 14th century Gergeti Trinity church. Return to Tbilisi for some time at leisure.
(Breakfast)
Day 9: Yerevan, Armenia
Visit the monastery of Haghpat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of medieval Armenia’s largest religious, cultural and educational centres. Then continue to Yerevan, where you’ll stay for the next 4 nights.
(Breakfast)
Day 10: Ejmiatsin • Zvartnots
Visit the Cathedral of Ejmiatsin, founded in 303AD and still the official residence of the Catholic Church in Armenia. Continue to the seventh-century Zvartnots temple. Have lunch in the village of Parakar and take part in a cooking lesson, learning how to make arishta (traditional Armenian pasta) and sweet sudzukh
(Breakfast and lunch)
Day 11: Yerevan
Tour Yerevan and visit its museum of ancient manuscripts and the genocide memorial complex.
(Breakfast)
Day 12: Khor Virap • Noravank • Yerevan
Drive south to Khor Virap monastery, the site where Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia, was imprisoned. The monastery has stunning views of Mount Ararat. Continue to Noravank monastery, before lunch and wine tasting in Areni. Farewell dinner at a traditional Armenian restaurant in Yerevan.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 13: Garni • Geghard • Sevan • Dilijan
Visit Garni, Armenia’s only surviving Hellenistic temple, then enjoy a performance of spiritual music. Admire the basalt formations of Garni Gorge, before continuing to the fourth-century, mountain-carved monastery of Geghard. Enjoy lunch with a local family and a lavash bread-making lesson, then visit two 10th century monasteries. Drive to Dilijan for an overnight stay. Enjoy a farewell drink.
(Breakfast and lunch)
Day 14: Dilijan • Goshavank • Tbilisi
Morning stroll in Dilijan followed by a visit to Goshavank Monastery. Drive to Tbilisi airport for your flight home.
(Breakfast)
Chateau Mere, Telavi
An iconic hotel situated in an old stone castle and overlooking the vineyards with the Caucasus mountains and Alazani valley below
Hotel Porta Caucasia, Kazbegi
Located in the magnificent Kazbegi National Park and offering some of the traditional Georgian cuisine’s most exquisite dishes
Shota @ Rustaveli Boutique Hotel, Tbilisi
An elegant hotel in the heart of vibrant Tbilisi offering traditional meals with a modern twist
Tufenkian Historic Yerevan Hotel, Yerevan
A landmark 19th-century hotel in the center of Yerevan, decorated with handmade authentic rugs and blankets
Please call us free on 0800 707 6229 for pricing and availability
Useful Info
Location
Board Basis
Duration
Need more information?
Provided By
Get A Quote
Recommended Collections
With over 260 years of superior touring experience under their belt, Cox and Kings are experts in high quality escorted group tours and tailor-made private travel to the most awe-inspiring places in the world. As a leading agent for Cox and Kings, we can offer you specialist knowledge and extra exclusive savings.
Why Book With Us?
Please Call Free:
0800 707 6229
Email:
Newsletter
Get The Latest Offers
Sign Up to Our Newsletter
Get The Latest Offers
"*" indicates required fields