Caucasus Discovered

Caucasus Discovered 16 Days | Tbilisi, Georgia to Baku, Azerbaijan

Cross the Caucasus from Georgia • Lake Sevan - relax on the shore of this • A stay in the ancient Sheki caravanserai in to Azerbaijan on this 16 day shimmering Armenian lake, home to the Azerbaijan • overland adventure which starts in only beaches in the landlocked country Visit to Gobustan to see the petroglyphs • Yerevan - enjoy two nights in one of the and mud volcanoes Tbilisi and ends in Baku. Discover oldest continuously inhabited cities in the the incredible Vardzia Cave world What's Not Included Monastery, the lush scenery of • Sheki - spend the night in a converted • International flights and visas Stepantsminda and the bubbling caravanserai, where traders on the Silk • Items of a personal nature, additional mud volcanoes of Gobustan. Stay Road used to rest and resupply their meals and drinks in a Silk Road caravanserai in caravans • Tipping - an entirely personal gesture • Baku - see the mud volcanoes of • Sleeping bag and roll mat - please bring Sheki and take in the highlights of Gobustan and end your adventure your own for camping Armenia including Lake Sevan and in bustling Baku which is an amazing ancient Yerevan. contrast of ancient and modern Local Payment $510pp, paid in USD What's Included HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS • 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 9 dinners ITINERARY Trip Highlights • 10 nights in hotels and guesthouses • 5 nights camping (including 1 night Day 1 : Welcome to Tbilisi! • Stepantsminda - hike to the Tsminda camping with facilities, 1 night camping Welcome to Georgia and its charming capital Sameba Church which is nestled in rolling without facilities and 3 nights wild of Tbilisi! Make your own way to our joining hills and stunning scenery camping) hotel where there’s a pre-departure Welcome • Tbilisi - take in the sights of Georgia's • All necessary camping equipment Meeting at 6pm. The evening is free to charming capital including the Sioni (excluding sleeping bags) explore the city as you please. Overnight - Cathedral and impressive Metekhi • Transportation in an overland expedition Tbilisi Temple vehicle • Vardzia - marvel at the stunning • Services of two crew (drivers/tour leaders) subterranean cave city and the monastery and local guides along the way which remains inhabited by a handful of • Sightseeing as per itinerary dedicated monks • Visit to the Vardzia Caves in Georgia • Telavi - taste delicious local wines and • Visits to the Garni Temple, Geghard watch aspects of the wine production Monastery & Khor Virap Monastery in process then enjoy some famous Armenia Georgian hospitality

Caucasus Discovered - 16 Days updated on 29-09-2021 06:47:07 www.onthegotours.com This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday. Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to UK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] this itinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa AUS 1300 855 684 [email protected] requirements are subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours. NZ 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 - 1 - USA 1 866 606 2960 SA 0800 990 311 Caucasus Discovered

Caucasus Discovered

Day 2 : Terrific Tbilisi the impressive Graeco-Roman Garni Temple Tonight, we wild camp near to Vardzia. before arriving in ancient Yerevan, one of Overnight - Vardzia (B, L, D) the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Day 8 : Mtskheta

There’s free time to relax or explore Yerevan at leisure during our two night stay here. Perhaps join an optional excursion to the Ararat Brandy Museum. Overnight - Yerevan

Today we explore Tbilisi. Wander through the Day 6 : Armenian Highlands charming Old Town and visit sites including the fascinating National Museum, the Sioni Cathedral and the 12th century Metekhi Vardzia - Mtskheta. We’ll explore Vardzia if Temple. The temple once served as a fortress we didn’t get the chance yesterday, before and residence for the Georgian Tsars and continuing to the lush Borjomi National Park. has been destroyed and rebuilt several times Enjoy a short hike in the ancient forest and throughout its history. There’s free time later opt to ride a cable car up the mountain. today if you wish to explore the hilltop Later, we’ll arrive in Mtskheta and visit the 11th Narikala Fortress or join an optional visit to century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Overnight - the Museum of Soviet Occupation. Overnight Mtskheta (B, D) - Tbilisi (B) Yerevan - Armenian Highlands. This morning we set off from Yerevan into the stunning Day 9 : Stepantsminda Day 3 : Dilijan National Park & scenery of the Armenian Highlands. There’s Lake Sevan a stop at the Khor Virap Monastery, near the Turkish border. This important pilgrimage site is set in the shadow of Mt Ararat and on a clear day there will be incredible views of the snow-capped peak. After our visit we’ll continue driving and will find a suitable spot to wild camp tonight. Overnight - Armenian Highlands (B, L, D) Day 7 : Vardzia Cave Mtskheta - Stepantsminda. Today we drive Monastery to the town of Stepantsminda, nestled in beautiful scenery. During our stay here Tbilisi - Lake Sevan (Armenia). Boarding Armenian Highlands - Vardzia (Georgia). we’ll enjoy a trek up to the tiny Tsminda our overland truck for the first time, we Today we cross back into Georgia and Sameba Church, which is hidden away in the leave Tbilisi behind and drive to the border arrive at the incredible Vardzia cave city. rolling hills and mountains of the Georgian with Armenia. Pass through the picturesque First inhabited during the Bronze Age, the Caucasus. There’s an optional cooking class scenery of Dilijan National Park to shimmering network of caves is one of the highlights of where you can learn how to make delicious Lake Sevan. Landlocked Armenia’s only the Caucasus. Though the site was mostly Georgian kinkhalis (meatballs). Overnight - beaches are found at the lake, making it a abandoned in the 16th century, a handful Stepantsminda (B, D) popular summer retreat for Armenians. We’ll of monks still reside in the Vardzia Cave spend the night camping on the shore of the Monastery and they ring the bells at 07:00 lake. Overnight - Lake Sevan (B, L, D) every morning. Days 4-5 : Ancient Yerevan Lake Sevan - Yerevan. Setting off from We’ll either explore the site today or Lake Sevan on day 4, our first stop is the tomorrow, depending on how long it takes UNESCO-listed Geghard Monastery, which to cross the border from Armenia to Georgia. has been carved out of the rock face of the Azat River Gorge. We continue to

Caucasus Discovered - 16 Days updated on 29-09-2021 06:47:07 www.onthegotours.com This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday. Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to UK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] this itinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa AUS 1300 855 684 [email protected] requirements are subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours. NZ 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 - 2 - USA 1 866 606 2960 SA 0800 990 311 Caucasus Discovered

Caucasus Discovered

Days 10-11 : Telavi & Wine Day 14 : Lahij Village Departure dates noted with a 'G' tasting Sheki - Lahij. Today we drive to Lahij, an are guaranteed to operate. All other ancient mountain settlement which is famous departure dates are guaranteed with for its copper and arms production. Explore a minimum of 4 persons. Prices the site at leisure and camp with facilities tonight. Overnight - Lahij (B, L, D) shown are per person travelling. These overland trips are designed for shared Day 15 : Gobustan & Baku accommodation, whether camping or staying in hotels or hostels, and therefore do not involve a single supplement. Whilst the crew will do Stepantsminda - Telavi. On day 10 we drive their best to accommodate couples to the wine producing region of Telavi. During travelling together in twin rooms, all our stay in the town there’s plenty of time to our travellers should expect multi-share explore and visit some of the local vineyards. Watch traditions such as grape harvesting in accommodation when staying in hostels, action and enjoy some Georgian hospitality homestays or yurts, which may be mixed Lahij - Baku. Today we drive to Gobustan, the with lunch and wine tasting at a local winery sex. on day 11. Overnight - Telavi (B:2, D:2) region known for its bubbling mud volcanoes and ancient petroglyphs. After exploring this PRICES / DATES 2021 Day 12 : Lagodekhi National site, we complete the final leg of our overland Park adventure to Baku, the bustling capital of Date Twin Share Single Azerbaijan. This emerging metropolis is an 30 Mar NZD 3,110 NZD 3,110 Telavi - Lagodekhi National Park. Leaving incredible contrast of the old and new. The 11 May NZD 3,110 NZD 3,110 Telavi, we head towards the border with discovery of oil has led to huge economic 06 Jul NZD 3,110 NZD 3,110 Azerbaijan. Stop at the impressive Gremi growth and as a result, Baku is an emerging Citadel before we spend our final night in city on the world scene. Georgia wild camping in Lagodekhi National Park. Overnight - Lagodekhi NP (B, L, D) Take time to explore historic architecture such as the Maiden Tower and admire the Day 13 : Sheki & Caravanserai glistening skyscrapers which dot the skyline. stay Overnight - Baku Day 16 : Baku

Lagodekhi National Park - Sheki (Azerbaijan). Today we enter Azerbaijan and drive to the old town of Sheki. Explore the exquisite Today our Caucasus adventure comes to an Khan’s Palace before we arrive at our end. If you wish to extend your stay in Baku accommodation for the night. You’re in then speak to our sales team. A number of for a treat as we are staying in a hotel optional activities are available if you have the which has been built inside an ancient time including a guided tour of the Old City. caravanserai, once an important stopover for weary travellers on the Silk Road. Overnight - PRICES / DATES INFO Sheki (Caravanserai)