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Home , Dzoraget (river), Kasagh (river), Lagodekhi, Maiden Tower (Baku)

– and 2020 October 18 – November 1, 2021 15 Days and 14 Overnights

Mon. Oct. 18 Day 1 Tashkent to , Azerbaijan Today you will arrive in Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan. Located between to the south and Russia to the north, and bordering the , Azerbaijan was once a major Silk Road stop. Today it is a city that combines the modern with the ancient and is known as the Land of Fire. You will be met at Baku’s Heydar Aliyev Airport by our guide and driver and transferred to our lovely hotel located in the ancient sector of Baku. Overnight Baku – Boutique Promenado Hotel

Tues. Oct. 19 Day 2 Baku We will start to explore the fascinating inner city of medieval Baku - the Icheri Sheher –a UNESCO site. Our stops include the 15th century , the massive 12th century and Baku's landmark, the Friday Mosque. Not to be missed, a colorful caravansary – the wayside "hotel" of Silk Road merchants and their caravans. In the afternoon, you will learn the fascinating stories and legends of the region's Zoroastrian past at Atashgah "House of Fire" temple and museum, and Yanar Dag, the burning mountain. We’ll conclude the day by admiring the gleaming towers of the Three Flame Tower skyscrapers that rise above the and reflect in the waters of the bay. Overnight Baku - Boutique Promenado Hotel

Wed. Oct. 20 Day 3 Baku to Gobustan to Baku This morning we’ll head out to nearby Gobustan to admire 40,000 year old rock paintings at the open air UNESCO Heritage Site and visit the archaeological museum. Set in the Mountains this outstanding cultural heritage site includes the remains of inhabited caves and ancient settlements. On our return to Baku there will be time to enjoy the many boutiques, cafes and shops at Fountain Square and learn more about your local Azeri hosts. Shoppers may choose to visit the Carpet Museum shop to purchase a glorious Azerbaijan carpet. Overnight Baku -Boutique Promenado Hotel

Thurs. Oct. 21 Day 4 Baku to Shemakha to Sheki, Azerbaijan We depart today for the Caucasus Mountains in northwest Azerbaijan. The dry landscape of Baku gives way to a densely forested mountain area. En route we'll visit the distinctive lunar landscape of the mud volcanoes, the 15th century Diri Baba Shrine in Maraza, the Yeddi Gumbez Tomb and the in Shemakha, before continuing on to Sheki to our hotel located in the heart of the ancient city. Overnight Sheki – Marxal Resort/Spa

Fri. Oct. 22 Day 5 Sheki, Azerbaijan to Georgia border to Lagodekhi to , Georgia Sheki has always been a mercantile and crafts center. We will visit the colorful bazaar and the summer palace of the royal Sheki Khans with its magnificent frescoes and stained glass and tour the Sheki Museum and Fortress. In the late morning we’ll depart for the Georgia border, meet our Georgian guide and driver and drive to the fortified town of Sighnaghi with its quaint cobbled streets , wooden architecture and lovely views down to the Alzani Valley. En route we’ll stop to visit the Bodbe Nunnery, which houses the tomb of St. Nino who converted Georgia to Christianity as early as 337 AD; the local history museum and, if time permits, another local wine cellar. Overnight Signagi – Kagaboni Hotel

Sat, Oct. 23 Day 6 Signagi to Area in Georgia This morning the magnificent Alaverdi Cathedral and monastery complex is our first stop before continuing on to the old and new Shuamta churches. We'll visit a village wine cellar managed by local grape growers, and tour the 19th century estate of Duke Chavchavadze with its beautiful garden and house-museum. We try Tsinandali wine and stop at another winery before returning to Signagi. Overnight Signagi – Kagaboni Hotel

Sun. Oct. 24 Day 7 Sighnaghi to , Georgia We’ll enjoy a sightseeing drive to Tbilisi, Georgia today, stopping along the way at some small villages and bustling bazaars. At one stop we will watch the process of making Georgian bread. Upon arrival in Tbilisi, we’ll have some free time prior to dinner. Overnight Hotel Shota Rustaveli/Mercure4

Mon. May 25 Day 8 Tbilisi, Georgia Tblisi, the capital of Georgia is a lovely cobblestone city along the steep banks of the Mtkvari River with the Narikala Fortress rising above the old city. This morning we'll walk the narrow streets of old town which straddles the River. We'll learn about the city's complex history with periods under both Persian and Russian rule resulting in a fascinating mix of religious and secular architecture. You will visit a variety of churches, synagogues and mosques; picturesque 19th century houses with multi-colored wooden balconies, some with a subtle hint of Persian design, and therapeutic sulfur baths which impressed such celebrity visitors as Pushkin, Lermontov, and Dumas. We’ll conclude the day’s touring with a visit to the State History Museum, the Sameba (Trinity) Cathedral and the extraordinary Dry Bridge art and flea market. Our dinner will be at a local restaurant. Overnight Hotel Shota Rustaveli/Mercure4

Tues/Wed. Oct. 26-27 Day 9&10 Tbilisi to to Kazbegi back to Tbilisi Today we’ll depart early morning for a sightseeing drive to the ancient capital and religious center of Georgia - charming, 3,000-year old Mtskheta. Among the historical gems we will explore are the 6th century Church complex on the top of a hill and the fabulous 11th century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral where the Robe of Christ is buried. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

On our second day we travel up the famous Georgian Military Highway which leads to the Georgian-Russian border. En route we visit the 17th century Ananuri architectural complex of churches and fortress overlooking the Water Reservoir. The breathtaking drive through the high Caucasus Mountains and along the Tergi River brings us to Kazbegi (now named Stepandsminda), the main town in the region overlooked by snow-capped Mt Kazbeg. There we board a 4- wheel drive vehicle for the trip up through alpine landscapes of verdant valleys and snowy summits to the 14th century Gergeti Trinity Church at 7,119 ft. Weather permitting you may see of one of the highest glaciers in The Caucasus which rests at 16,558ft. We return to Tbilisi via Kazbegi for dinner. Overnight Hotel Shota Rustaveli/Mercure4

Thurs. Oct. 28 Day 11 Tbilisi, Georgia to the Sedakhlo Border to , Armenia We’ll enjoy a scenic drive this morning to the Georgia-Armenia border to change our guide and vehicle for Armenia. As we make our way to Dzoraget and our hotel, we’ll visit ancient sites and monasteries. Overnight Dzoraget - Dzoraget Hotel

Fri. Oct. 29 Day 12 Dzoraget to Echimiadzin to Yerevan, Armenia Today we'll explore a variety of Armenian cultural heritage sites on our drive to the capital region. We'll first stop at the Alphabet Park where giant stone letters of the Armenian alphabet stand alongside a statue of Mkhitar Gosh, the Armenian scholar. On the southern slopes of , the medieval fortress of Amberd features an 11th century church known for its splendid dome. Next we tour the 13th century monastic complex perched atop a precipitous gorge above the River. In the Armavir region, the heart of the Bronze Age, we'll visit the Metsamor Historical-Archeological Site and Museum. We'll continue to Echmiadzin, the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Conical spires rise here against the backdrop of the most fertile valley in Armenia and the crest of Mount Ararat. We'll visit the UNESCO World Heritage cathedral here. The main entrance is intricately carved, the interior walls and domes painted with geometric shapes and the treasury holds an incredible collection of Christian relics. On the grounds can be found beautiful khachkars, or carved stone crosses. We'll make our way to Yerevan for dinner (tasting the Ararat brandy) and overnight. Overnight Yerevan – Marriott/Grand Yerevan

Sat. Oct. 30 Day 13 Yerevan to Garni to Geghard back to Yerevan, Armenia Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, is one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities dating back to the creation of the Erebuni Fortress on the site in 782 BC and it’s chock full of parks, monuments, museums and cafe life! After a brief city tour we'll head to the Kotayk region to visit Geghard Monastery partially hewn from the mountainside and active during the 4th to 13th centuries. Legend has it that the lance which pierced Christ's side was kept here until it was moved to Echmiadzin. This spectacular place is a UNESCO World Heritage site and boasts history going back to pagan times. The acoustics of the rock cut halls offer singers a unique opportunity to belt out their vocals. We proceed to Garni, a pagan temple from 77 AD, called the Temple of Sun, and dedicated to the god Mithra. Reminiscent of the Parthenon in design, we will tour the ramparts, the ruins of the palace complex, a bathhouse and a fifth century round church, before returning to Yerevan. Overnight Yerevan – Marriott Sun. Oct. 31 Day 14 Yerevan to Zvatnos to Sevan to Dilijan, Armenia to Tbilisi, Georgia This morning we’ll check out of our hotel and visit Yerevan’s Cascade and Zvartnos before starting our drive back to Tbilisi. En route to Georgia we will pass the Sevan River where we will stop and enjoy fish for lunch. As we approach the border we’ll arrive at the charming Dilijan town. If time permits we’ll explore this small town – then cross the border and drive to Tbilisi. Our farewell dinner in the evening will include a music performance.

Mon. Nov. 1 Day 15 Departure from Tbilisi Today is departure day for those returning home or continuing on to other destinations.