Cox and Kings Across the Southern Caucasus

• 4-star accommodation
• Flexible – extensions, room & flight upgrades available
• Small group size – average 16 (max 18 people)
• International flights
• Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
• Experienced local tour manager
• 13 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 3 dinners
• Guided sightseeing & entrance fees
• Welcome drink

• Explore the beautiful Khan Palace in Sheki, Azerbaijan
• Wine & cognac tasting
• Enjoy a performance of Armenian spiritual music
• Masterclass in making arishta, traditional Armenian pasta

Day 1 – Fly to Baku, Azerbaijan.

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Baku, via Istanbul. Transfer to the Midtown Hotel (or similar) for 2 nights.
(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. Continue to Absheron and the Ateshgyakh Fire Worshippers’ temple. Return to Baku for a tour of the Old City and some time at leisure.
(Breakfast)

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. Overnight at the Sheki Saray Hotel (or similar).
(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 and lunch)

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: Kazbegi • Tbilisi

4×4 drive to the 14th century Gergeti Trinity church. Return to Tbilisi for some time at leisure.
(Breakfast)

Day 9: Haghpat, Armenia

Visit the monastery of Haghpat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of medieval Armenia’s largest religious, cultural and educational centres.
(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 • Areni

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.

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 and overnight at the Best Western Paradise (or similar).
(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

Midtown Hotel, Baku
Set in the very heart of Baku, the Midtown Hotel is the perfect location to explore all the sights of the Azeri capital, including Fountain Square, the waterfront, and the Carpet Museum.

Sheki Saray Hotel, Sheki
A fabulous 4-star lodging facility right next to the central park

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 note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.