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 laidback capital. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Stroll down Martyrs’ Lane to the seafront before heading into Icheri Sheher, the atmospheric old city for a delicious local dinner.

Day 3: Baku City Tour

Explore the city, visiting the treasures of Icheri Sheher – Shirvanshah’s Palace, a caravanserai and the Maiden Tower. Later, visit the Carpet Museum and the main market square, with its numerous art studios and souvenir stalls.

Day 4: Visit Yanar Dag

Visit Yanar Dag, meaning ‘Burning Mountain’, a fire fed by natural gas seeping through the sandstone and Ateshgah, the UNESCO-listed Fire Temple of Baku. Explore the medieval fortress of Mardakan and, after lunch, drive to Gobustan National Park to visit the Petroglyph Museum and view rock carvings dating back to 10,000 BC.

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.

Day 6: Explore Sheki

Discover the ruins of the ancient walled city Chukhur Gabala and visit the Gabala Historical Ethnography Museum. Visit Nidj village to meet the native Udin people before arriving in Sheki. Browse the wares of the colourful bazaar, visit Sheki Palace and the village of Kis.

Day 7: Georgia Wine Tour

Cross over the border into Georgia. Explore a traditional market and visit a local family. Lunch on homemade food, wine and Georgian ‘chacha’ before travelling through picturesque landscapes of vineyards and wine villages, to the magnificent wine cave at Kvareli and the Chavchavadze Estate. Continue to Akhasheni Wine Resort which, as well as being your overnight accommodation, will host you for a wine tour and tasting.

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.

Day 9: Explore Tbilisi

Explore the sights of Tbilisi. Visit the 13th-century Metekhi church, the monument to Vakhtang Gorgasali and Narikala Fortress. Stroll through the Sharden area, where narrow streets are lined with cosy cafés, wine bars and souvenir shops.

Day 10: Discover ancient Mtskheta

This morning visit the 3,000-year-old ancient capital – Mtskheta. Spend time visiting the city’s historical sites including the UNESCO-listed Svetitskhoveli Cathedral where, preserved in the crypt, it is said the robe of Christ resides. Later, travel to Gudauri to visit a local painter to learn about Georgian icon painting and ‘teka’ (felt) making.

Day 11: Uplistsikhe Cave Town

Travel back along the scenic Tergi River to Gori, the hometown of Joseph Stalin. Visit the Stalin Museum and the tiny house where he was born. Continue to the abandoned cave town of Uplistsikhe, a fascinating complex of ancient dwelling quarters and a three-nave basilica church, all hewn from rock. Continue to Kutaisi.

Day 12: Visit Okatse Canyon

Visit the local Kutaisi farmers’ market and then travel to Okatse Canyon, for panoramic views. Travel on to Svaneti – a region that is home to high mountains, glaciers and ancient traditions. Arrive in Mestia and explore the famous watchtowers that look out over the distant mountains.

Day 13: Lakhiri Village Hike

This morning you will visit Lakhiri village and take a short hike through a valley to view the Chalati Glacier. Back in Lakhiri enjoy a baking class where you’ll make khachapuri, a famous cheese-filled bread.

Day 14: Explore Ushguli

Drive to Mulakhi, one of many villages dotted with twenty-metre-high stone watchtowers, built during the Middle Ages to defend against invaders. Continue to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Ushguli to visit the 12th Century Lamaria Church, Queen Tamar’s Tower and the Ushguli Museum.

Day 15: Around Kutaisi

Pay a visit to the beautiful hillside Gelati Monastery before exploring the Prometheus Grotto, one of Georgia’s natural wonders. Return to Kutaisi to explore the cobbled streets of the town as you make your way up to the ruins of Bagrati Palace and citadel.

Day 16: Visit Borjomi Spa

Drive to Borjomi Spa, famous for its mineral springs, and taste the waters for yourself. Continue to Akhaltsikhe, where you will visit the multi-cultural complex of Rabath. Wander the Rabat Fortress (Old Town) with its rare examples of darbazebi (traditional houses), castles, mosques and synagogues.

Day 17: Into Armenia

Visit Vardzia, a magnificent 12th Century cave town, before crossing the border into Armenia. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Haghpat Monastery and continue to the medieval kingdom of Dzoraget. Travel to Dilijan, a town that boasts an old district filled with craftsmans workshops, galleries and a museum.

Day 18: Dilijan Monasteries

Discover Haghartsin Monastery, a beautiful example of medieval Armenian architecture nestled in lush woodland. Enjoy lunch with a local family before driving on to Lake Sevan, known as the ‘Emerald of Armenia’. Visit Sevanavank, a beautiful monastery on its shores. Enjoy stunning sunset views over Lake Sevan, where you will overnight.

Day 19: Journey to Goris

Start the day at the ‘Forest of Khachkars’, a fascinating medieval cemetery before travelling by road to the southern town of Goris via Selim Caravanserai. Visit the mysterious Karahunge Observatory, where the scenery and mountain setting provide a spectacular backdrop.

Day 20: Wine and Cheese Making

Travel to the 10th Century Tatev Monastery, before a wine tasting at Areni Winery. Lunch today is in a local home, where you will have the opportunity to see how to distil vodka, enjoy homemade wine, and learn how to make Armenian cheese. Finally, visit Noravank Monastery – a great religious and cultural centre located in the midst of impressive red cliffs. Continue to the capital city of Yerevan.

Day 21: Yerevan

Established in 782 BC, Yerevan is a thriving city with all the hustle and bustle of a modern capital. Start your explorations in Republic Square, continuing to the Opera House and the Cafesjian Centre for the Arts. Travel to Echmiadzin, a spiritual centre and the seat of the Armenian Catholicos and stop at the ruins of 7th Century Zvartnots.

Day 22: Garni Village

Visit Garni Village to see its 1st Century temple and have lunch at a local family home where you will learn flatbread making techniques. After lunch, visit Geghard Monastery and the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex. Sit down to a farewell dinner tonight.

Day 23: Fly Yerevan to the UK

Transfer to the airport according to your flight time for your return flight to the UK, arriving later the same day.

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: 20 Breakfasts, 19 lunches and 20 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.