Azerbaijan, Georgia, Svaneti & Armenia
Trans-Caucasus Adventure
Overview
Our epic journey through the dramatic Trans-Caucasus region with veteran Trip Leader Roger Williams brings us to lands with a fascinating ancient history, deep religious roots, and incredible people from a variety of cultures.We begin in Azerbaijan, ancient home to Zoroastrianism, and kick off our adventure by savoring its Central Asian atmosphere, craggy mountain scenery, and utter lack of outside visitors. After exploring its mountainous landscapes, we'll cross the border into the Republic of Georgia. Here, we visit the charming riverside capital, Tbilisi, explore the rugged, green foothills of the Caucasus below Mt. Kazbek, visit ancient wine country, and then head to the city of Batumi, with its 19th century architecture, set along the shores of the Black Sea. With its innate beauty and fascinating cultural legacy, Svaneti has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status. We'll explore this remote region of northwestern Georgia—celebrated in myth as the home of the fabled Golden Fleece (Svaneti belonged to the ancient state of Colchis, from where Jason stole the Golden Fleece)—and end our grand journey in Armenia, whose rich human heritage dates back thousands of years and whose landscape is dotted with stone-carved monasteries and frescoed churches set in dramatic locations. Each day, we enjoy wonderful interactions with hospitable people, visit nine different World Heritage Sites, and spend comfortable overnights in lovely hotels and inns.
Arrive: Baku, Azerbaijan
Depart: Yerevan, Armenia
Highlights
- Exotic Azerbaijan, with its traditional mountain villages and Stone Age petroglyphs
- Georgia: green foothills of the Caucasus, wine country, ancient cathedrals
- Armenia's dramatically perched monasteries and churches, turquoise-blue Lake Sevan
- Visit a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Itinerary
Welcome to Baku, the largest city in the Caucasus! We’ll get acquainted with this ancient yet cosmopolitan Azeri capital, walking the intriguing cobble-stone back streets, with stops at the fascinating Palace of the Shirvanshahs (World Heritage Site), the Maiden’s Tower (World Heritage Site), Heydar Aliyev Center, the Nobel House, and the superb carpet museum. We’ll also visit Qobustan (a World Heritage Site), site of thousands of Stone Age petroglyphs, and explore other important historical sites including the Ateshgah Fire Temple and Yanar Dag (Burning Mountain).
We fly to Tbilisi, Georgia, and visit the 4th century Narikala Fortress, brick-domed Sulphur Baths, and view the treasures of the Georgian State Museum. Heading south to the 12th century cave town of Vardzia, a window into the ancient world, we explore an incredible church building carved out of rock revealing beautiful frescoes.
Near Kutaisi, we visit Gelati Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Bagrati Cathedral, a former UNESCO World Heritage Site until its removal as a result of controversial conservation works concluded in 2012. Traveling to Zugdidi, we tour the Dadiani Palace, housing the private belongings of the local royal family—armaments, coin collections, furnishings, a library, and more—as well as ethnographic exhibits of the area. After an overnight in Mestia, we head to Ushguli (7,218'), the highest permanently inhabited village in Europe and part of a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The village is most famous for its many watchtowers and sprawling fortresses, and we have wonderful views of the highest mountain in Georgia, Mt. Shkhara (16,627'). Leaving our bucolic mountain paradise, we drive along the Black Sea to the ancient port of Batumi, capital of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara.
We return to Tbilisi for two nights, then cross the border into Armenia. At 10th century Akhtala Monastery, we examine its breathtaking frescoes, then continue to beautiful Debet Canyon, with its two World Heritage-listed monasteries, Hagpat and Sananhin, dating back to the 10th-13th centuries. We continue south to the alpine town of Dilijan, a national Nature Reserve, with beech and oak forests, a spring-fed lake, and deep gorges, then head to the shores of turquoise-blue Lake Sevan (6,500'), the largest lake in the Caucasus region, a jewel set amid tawny mountains. We visit several ancient churches set along its shores and a prehistoric archaeological site en route to Sisian.
Leaving Sisian, we drive to Vorotnavank Monastery, a stunning example of Armenian ecclesiastical architecture, and magnificent Tatev Monastery, set on a fairytale outcrop of rock on the edge of Voroton Canyon and once home to a thousand monks. As we head to Yerevan, capital of Armenia, we visit 13th century Noravank Monastery and stop at a village winery to taste some fine wine and local cheese. In Yerevan, we explore the city's sights, including Echmiadzin, a World Heritage Site, the ancient capital of Armenia and the spiritual center of Armenian Christianity, and Geghard Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a monument of medieval Armenian architecture set in a steep canyon. Depart on Day 20.
What the Trip is Like
The trip is rated Level 3, Moderate, according to our trip rating system. While this trip is not expected to be physically demanding, there are long travel days due to road conditions and a lot of time spent exploring sites on foot (although this is not a hiking trip). The most important requirement for this journey is a spirit of adventure.
For your own enjoyment, we recommend you make a special effort to be in good physical condition for the trip.
We offer this trip in May and June, when the temperatures are the most pleasant of the year, especially in the lowlands where the weather is warm and we avoid the summer heat and humidity.
Accommodations in the main cites are 4-star hotels and are very good. The rest of the countryside hotels will be more basic but clean. Sometimes there will be shared bathrooms rather than private bathrooms.
The food on this trip is often a highlight. Azeri cuisine is rich in variety and very tasty, with lots of lamb kebab, and one of the best reasons to visit Georgia is for its food. The food in Armenia, basically Mediterranean with Arabic, Russian, Greek, and Persian influence, is considered by some to be a "national treasure." Lightly spiced meat shish kabob, fresh organic vegetables, lots of chewy lavash bread, and some of the best melons in the world are staples of the cuisine.
Overland travel is in minivans and small buses, depending upon the size of the group. Road conditions can be very basic, and trip members should be prepared for narrow mountain roads and some bumpy drives due to remote locations.
Client Testimonials
"The trip was a historically rich walk back in time that was well orchestrated by our trip leader, Roger. We were impressed by the itinerary…it was packed full of places that boggled our imagination."
Ann G.
Santa Rosa, CA
"It was great to see these three countries—there are great rewards in doing such an extensive trip. Our Trip Leader Roger worked very hard to please everyone, and remembered many small details for each traveler."
Jim C.
Wauwatosa, WI
"Excellent trip! Roger is remarkable in every way. He has incredible organizational skills, is extremely knowledgeable, kind, and understanding. Roger always lets you know what to expect throughout the day, which is much appreciated. Truly, a great guide."
Lana B.
San Francisco, CA
"Roger is brilliant and I am overwhelmed with his knowledge and expertise. His attention to detail, interpersonal skills, and desire to share the history and culture of these countries truly makes a great trip a fantastic and perfect trip. And we are lucky travelers to have him share his knowledge and passion with us."
Pam S.
Culver City, CA
"The Caucasus region is a very interesting part of the world and this trip provided an excellent opportunity to experience the natural beauty, rich history and culture of these areas. Roger is a unique group leader who has extensive knowledge, energy, and enthusiasm for the areas we visited, and the local guides offered valuable insight on their countries."
Sandy C.
Seattle, WA
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.