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The Caucasus Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan Departs 17Th April, 2022

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The Caucasus Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan Departs 17Th April, 2022 a The Caucasus Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan Departs 17th April, 2022 Itinerary correct as at 18 May, 2021 but subject to change. ALL flights to be confirmed. www.bluedottravel.com.au $10,990 pp Ex Syd/Mel, twin-share, economy class flights. Single supp $980 THE CAUCASUS — AZERBAIJAN, ARMENIA & GEORGIA At the crossroads of Asia and Eastern Europe, between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus is a unique travel destination. Few tourists visit this fascinating region, which includes Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia, but those who do are struck by its beauty, culture and history. On this trip, you’ll pass snow-capped mountains, glaciers and gorges; dine with local families; and explore rock-hewn villages, mosques and UNESCO World Heritage-listed monasteries and churches. Azerbaijan is a country boasting a history that dates back to prehistoric times and evidence of stone-age settlements. From the dynamic capital city of Baku to charming villages filled with stone buildings and cobblestone streets, to the ancient city Sheki, it is a country of contrasts. Azerbaijan was an important part of the Great Silk Route, and nowadays its economy is based on the abundance of oil and gas reserves. It is home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed rock art site Gobustan and is the birthplace of the ancient Zoroastrian religion. The Republic of Armenia is a small, landlocked country which was part of the Soviet Union until it reclaimed independence in 1991. Discover the country’s fascinating history during visits to cathedrals, churches, museums and monasteries - notably, Armenia is home to the oldest Christian cathedral in the world! Learn about the country’s unique indigenous culture at artistic workshops and bake the national bread, lavash, and other Armenian dishes. Armenia's countryside is beautiful with the jewel being the alpine Lake Sevan at almost 2,000 metres above sea level – one of the largest freshwater alpine lakes in the world. Georgia has an ancient culture and a unique alphabet found nowhere else in the world. Over the centuries all her neighbours have coveted over her land. Turks, Persians, Mongols, Arabia and the Russians have invaded and periodical civil war has also left its mark. But nowadays, it is a peaceful country becoming known for its quality wines and spectacular scenery. The capital, Tbilisi, has a modern European vibe, with cosy cafes, art galleries and theatres. Yet, leave the city and it may feel like travelling in medieval times, amongst palaces, castles, fortresses and rock-hewn villages. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed ancient capital Mtskheta sits at the confluence of the Aragvi River, and its 11th-century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is where Christ’s robe was buried. Admire the views of snow-capped mountains, gorges and glaciers as we travel through the country and the higher Caucasus Mountain range, reaching heights of over 5,000 metres. This fascinating region has been overlooked by travellers for too long - now is the time to visit, as it emerges as a destination for adventurous travellers. Itinerary correct at 18 May, 2021 but subject to change. ALL flights to be confirmed. www.bluedottravel.com.au Day 1, Sunday 17th April Caucasus, on IN TRANSIT the banks of Depart Australia for Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan. the river Gudial. Flights most likely via Doha (to be confirmed). Guba district is a favourite Day 2, destinations Monday 18th with locals and April despite being a ARRIVAL small town, in AND CITY the Middle WALKING Ages it was the TOUR capital of Guba Khanate. We’ll visit the Juma Mosque and a We’ll meet our carpet factory where locals weave carpets with guide at the characteristic patterns common in this region. We’ll airport and continue on to the small, magical village of Khinalig, located transfer to the high in the Caucasus Mountains at an altitude of 2350 m. hotel for check- The village is inhabited by 2,000 light-skinned, blue-eyed in. Depending on arrival time, we’ll take a walking city tour people who consider themselves to be descendants of the of the old town and surrounds including the Palace of the Prophet Noah. Drive back to Baku, via the Jewish Shirvan Shahs Maiden Tower, mosques, Nizami Street and settlement of Krasnaya Sloboda. Dinner at the hotel. B/D Fountain square. We’ll then continue along the waterfront promenade. The narrow cobbled streets amongst the Old Day 4, Wednesday 20th April Town walls are a wonderful place for walking and reflect the GOBUSTAN AND ABSHERON PENINSULA history and culture of Baku and its people. There’s a This morning we’ll drive to Gobustan, well known for its welcome dinner planned at a local restaurant. D perfectly preserved rock paintings (petroglyphs). The Gobustan rocks reflect the 15,000 years history of the Day 3, Tuesday 19th April region, a UNESCO World heritage site. Of particular BAKU – GUBA – KHYNALIQ – KRASNAYA SLOBODA interest, images of the multi-oar boats. Recently scientists After breakfast, we depart for Guba, located in the found, described and studied more than 4,000 petroglyphs NorthEastern slopes of Mount Shahdag in Greater and this important work continues. We’ll visit the interactive museum, then drive to the “mini mud volcanos” to witness Itinerary correct as at 18 May, 2021 but subject to change. ALL flights to be confirmed. www.bluedottravel.com.au this strange phenomenon. After, we’ll head back to Baku Dinner is at a local restaurant followed by a short walking and on to “Ateshgah” - worshipped by Zoroastrian tour across the Freedom bridge to enjoy the beautiful city believers. Zoroastrianism (sometimes called 'fire skyline by night. B/D worshipping'), is one of the world's oldest religions and first began in Azerbaijan. In the ancient language of the land, Day 8, Sunday 24th April 'Azer' means 'fire', and no other name seems quite as TO KAZBEGI VIA MTSKHETA AND ANANURI appropriate for Azerbaijan. Today, fire remains a part of the After breakfast we’ll take a short drive to Mtskheta, a national symbolism. Dinner back in Baku. B/D UNESCO-listed site and an ancient capital of the Georgian Kingdom from the 3rd century BC. We will visit the Day 5, magnificent 11th century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral where Thursday Christ’s robe was buried and the 6th century Jvari 21st April monastery sitting high on a rocky mountaintop. The BAKU- stunning drive along the Tergi River leads to Kazbegi, LAHIJ - passing Ananuri Castle and Jinvali water reservoir. Dinner SHEKI at the hotel in Kazbegi. B/D After breakfast, Day 9, Monday 25th April we’ll drive KAZBEGI north west After breakfast we’ll transfer to 4WD vehicles for the drive into regional to Gergeti Azerbaijan to Trinity Church Lahij village in the Ismayilly district. Most of the 2,000 located at an people living in Lahij are engaged in ancient crafts such as altitude of copper work, silver smiths and carpet weaving. Traders 2170m. This is discovered Lahij crafts many centuries ago and brought one of the them to the bazaars in Baghdad, Shiraz and other Middle great sights of Eastern cities. We’ll have lunch at a local house in Lahij Georgia. before driving to Sheki for a city tour. Sheki is one of the Weather most famous and ancient places in Azerbaijan surrounded permitting, by mountains and forests of oak trees. This ancient city was catch a long famed as a silk centre and an important stop on the glimpse of Mt Great Silk Route. We’ll visit the 18th century Khan's Kazbegi, one summer palace with its magnificent frescos and exquisite of the highest stained glass work, the “Shebeke” workshop where we’ll mountains of Eurasia at 5047m. Afterwards drive to the see the local craftsman and enjoy some of the Sheki Dariali Gorge for a short trekking tour to the Gveleti water baklava that is popular all over Azerbaijan. Then on to the fall. Return back to the hotel for a free afternoon. Dinner is Albanian church in Kish village. Legend says that this at the hotel. B/D church is the first Christian church built in the Trans- caucasia region, dating back to the 7th century. Drive back Day 10, Tuesday 26th April to the hotel for dinner at your leisure. B/L TO KUTAISI VIA GORI AND UPLISTSIKHE If you don’t mind rising early, grab your camera and, Day 6, Friday 22nd April weather permitting, take a photo of the sun rising on Mt SHEKI – SIGHNAGHI – TBILISI Kazbegi. After breakfast, we’ll drive to the 11th-century city This morning we’ll drive to the Lagodekhi border where we of Gori and visit the Joseph Stalin Museum plus his cross into Georgia. personal train. We’ll also see the home where he was raised. We’ll drive to nearby Uplistsikhe, an ancient rock- WELCOME TO GEORGIA hewn town known as “the Lord's fortress". Built high on the After border crossing formalities, we’ll drive to Sighnaghi. rocky left bank of Mtkvari River, some structures date from The city was established in the 17th century and was 2000 BC through to the late middle ages and it is also fortified with a 5 km long wall that is still evident today. notable for its unique combination of different styles of rock- Modern Sighnaghi reflects both Georgian and Italian cut cultures. Some of the walking here is a little steep and designs in its beautiful architecture. It’s a wonderful city to there is also a tunnel to walk through (if open) so for those wander, passing parks and cobbled streets, local handicraft who don’t like enclosed spaces, you may want to wait at the studios and markets.
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