Wendy Wu Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan

– Sample Georgian cuisine
– Discover ancient caravanserais
– Learn about the 1st Christian nation
– Marvel at Mount Kazbegi
– Taste the popular local wines
– Explore an abandoned cave town

Days 1-2: Fly to Azerbaijan
Fly overnight to to Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Then enjoy some free time to relax or explore before having dinner in Baku Old Town.
(Dinner)

Day 3: Baku City Tour
Enjoy a tour of the historic old town, seeing the Shirvanshahs’ Palace and the Maiden Tower before having lunch at a local restaurant.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 4: Visit Yanardag
Travel to the Absheron region, famous for its rock paintings. Then, visit Azerbaijan’s mud volcanoes. Next, head to the ‘burning mountain’ of Yanardag and Ateshgah, the Fire Worshippers Temple.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 5: Caucasus Mountains
Head north through the spectacular landscapes of the Caucasus Mountains. Stop in the ancient city of Shamakhi, visiting the 8th-century Juma Mosque and pop into a local home to try your hand at traditional yoghurt making. Continue to the city of Gabala.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 6: Explore Sheki
Visit Nidj village to meet the native Udin people before arriving in Sheki. Spend the afternoon exploring, visiting the Sheki Palace before meeting a local family.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 7: Georgia Wine Tour
Cross the border into Georgia, arriving in Lagodekhi. Here, visit a local market before having lunch with a local family. Afterwards, head to the Khareba Winery to try a variety of wines and learn about the history of wine-making in the region.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 8: Discover Sighnaghi
Travel to the beautiful 18th-century town of Sighnaghi. Continue to Bodbe Convent, the burial place – so legend tells – of St Nino, who converted Georgia to Christianity in the 4th century. Arrive in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia and have dinner in the atmospheric old town.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 9: Travel into Armenia
Set out to Sadakhlo to cross the border into Armenia. The first stop of the day is Haghpat Monastery. Then, travel to Vanadzor, known as the Green City. Here you get the chance to experience a khachqar carving masterclass. Then, head to Dilijan.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 10: Selim Caravanserai
Begin the day with a visit to Sevanavank Monastery before continuing to Noratus, home to ancient Armenian khachkars. Then, visit a family farm to learn about cheese production. Pass through Selim Caravanserai, to reach Noravank Monastery. Finish the day in Goris.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 11: Tatev Monastery
After breakfast, travel to Khndzoresk village to see its famous swinging bridge. Continue to Halidzor to see the ‘Wings of Tatev’ aerial cableway, leading to the Tatev Monastery. Following lunch, continue to Yerevan.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 12: Yerevan City Tour
Start your exploration of Yerevan at Republic Square, heading up the Cascade Monument to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views. Then, travel to Echmiadsin. Here, experience a tolma masterclass before heading to the ruins of Zvartnots.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 13: Geghard Monastery
After breakfast, explore the Matenadaran home to a collection of ancient manuscripts. Then, journey to Geghard Monastery before visiting the Garni Pagan Temple, the only Greco-Roman building in Armenia. After a lavash-baking class, return to Yerevan, visiting the Symphony of Stones on route
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 14: Travel to Gyumri
Head to Saghmosavank Monastery before proceeding to Gyumri. Following lunch, you’ll explore the city on a guided tour, seeing the Old Town and the Kumayri district.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 15: Back into Georgia
Return to Georgia today, heading to Vardzia, a rock-hewn complex. After some time exploring, visit Valodia’s cottage for lunch. Then, stop at Rabati Castle, spending some time at the museum and galleries.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 16: Kutaisi
Travel to Borjomi, with some free time to enjoy the park. Later, head to the city of Kutaisi for a tour, seeing the White Bridge and Colchis Fountain, as well as the Bagrati Cathedral.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 17: Mestia
Venture to Upper Svaneti region to reach Mestia, pausing to admire the Greater Caucasus.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 18: Ushguli
Today, visit Ushguli, a collection of villages including one of Europe’s highest settlements. Explore the Svaneti Musuem of History and Ethnography. Then, prepare lunch at a Kudbari masterclass.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 19: Zugdidi
Journey back to Kutaisi today. Along the way, visit Sisa Tura Ethno Village. See the Megrelian dwellings and try preparing elarji, gebjalia and khachpuri. Continue to Zugidi to explore the Dadiani Palace Museum.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 20: To Gori
After breakfast, head to Gori, the birthplace of Joseph Stalin and visit the museum dedicated to him. Them, explore the cave city of Uplistsikhe before travelling to Gadauri.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 21: Kazbegi
Journey to Kazbegi where you’ll see the magnificent Gergeti Trinity Church before enjoying lunch at a local guesthouse where you’ll take part in a khinkali masterclass. Then, return to Gudauri in the afternoon.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 22: Mtskheta and Tbilisi
Begin the day by visiting Mtskheta, seeing the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Tbilisi’s Old Town. Then, visit the Narikala fortress and many other landmarks before ending the day with a folk show.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 23: Depart Tbilisi
Transfer to the airport according to your flight time for your return flight to the UK, arriving later the same day.
(Breakfast)

You’ll spend 21 nights in 3/4 accommodation

Learn about the art of Icon painting
In the city of Mtskheta, join a master craftsman to discover more about icon painting as well as the secrets of ‘teka’ (felt) making.

Learn how to make Khachapuri
In the village of Lakhiri, learn how to make one of Georgia’s most popular snacks.

Traditional Yogurt Making
Visit a rural home in the Caucasus mountains of Azerbaijan, where you can try your hand at making yogurt

– All meals: 21 Breakfasts, 20 lunches and 21 dinners
– International flights and taxes
– Domestic transportation
– All accommodation
– Touring with guides and entrance fees
– Visa fees for UK & EU passport holders

Go Beyond

Featuring lesser-known destinations and unique experiences that are tantalisingly off the tourist trail, our flexible and often more active Go Beyond tours are all about helping you to see and experience places that may not have made it onto other travellers’ radars. On these tours, you may find yourself away from the comforts of home, but you’ll be rewarded with unique culture, interactions with local people and unforgettable sights.

The maximum number of people per group for this tour is 24.

This tour has a level 3 fitness rating. This means that a good level of fitness is required as you need to be comfortable walking 2-3 hours and covering longer distances. Other activities such as cycling will be at a gentle pace and will involve straightforward terrain.