Time to time you think where to travel to get new experiences and have a nice vacation – in Europe or Asia. South Caucasian tour in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan gives you a chance to get to know with both cultures. The South Caucasus places are an elegant combination of Asian and European culture, architecture, lifestyle and even mindset of local population because of the crossroad geographical location. Visiting ancient and historical cities, the Great Caucasus mountains, tasting wine, trying yourself on Shebeke (Sheki’s own special of stained glass, is made through the process of tracery) making and memorable impressions are all of them you get in our South Caucasian tour.

“In an old Georgian legend is told that the Georgians came too late when God distributed the land. The Georgians did not complain but sang and danced. God liked this and gave them the land that he had originally intended for himself. ”

Highlights:

• Tbilisi capital city and Mtskheta (UNESCO)
• Ananuri Fortress (XVI - XVII centuries)
• Gudauri Ski Resort
• Jvari Pass (2379 m)
• Gergeti Trinity Church (XIV c)
• Mount Kazbgei (5047 m)
• Uplistsikhe Cave City (dated back to second millennium BC)
• Telavi - the main city of Kakheti wine region
• Gremi Fortress and Sighnaghi - City of Love
• Wineries in Georgia
• Sheki and Nohur Lake
• Tofundag Winter-Summer Ski Ressort
• Chokhur Sa’ad
• Yerevan
• Haghpat and Khor Virap monasteries
• Sevan Lake

The Tour Itinerary

 
Day 1 Arrival
Arrival to Tbilisi, meeting in the airport Transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Tbilisi.
 
Day 2 Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Tbilisi 75 km
Tbilisi as a capital dates from V century AD. The city has its unique culture and history, which is shown in the Tbilisi City tour offered by Colour Tour Georgia. Tour includes visit Sameba Cathedral - the tallest temple in Georgia, opened in 2004 as a symbol of renewed strength of Georgia, Metekhi Plateau - where was a residence of Vakhtang Gorgasali, who made Tbilisi the capital of Georgia. Now a monument of him is erected at the Metekhi church is overlooking old Tbilisi and Mtkvari river (the longest river in Georgia). The tour continues to Park Rike, where travelers take the cable car and drive up to Narikala Fortress, an ancient fortress on the hill above Tbilisi. Travelers will get a nice view of Old Tbilisi from there. Tbilisi walking tour continues to Bath Quarter (Abanotubani in Georgian) - the first community of Tbilisi; Shardeni Street, which is one of the most famous tourist streets in Tbilisi; Peace Bridge, designed by the Italian architect Michele De Lucchi, - listed in the world’s unusual bridges, with its unique architecture. Anchiskhati Basilica (VI century AD) and Marionette Theatre (2010 year) with its creative content make Tbilisi Tour more colorful.
After walking in Tbilisi, the tour continues to Jvari Monastery (UNESCO, V Century) in Mtskheta city with a nice view of two rivers junction and Mtskheta (city museum, UNESCO) - the ancient capital of Georgia before Tbilisi. After getting full with emotions from the mystical view of Mtskheta, where time stops, travelers visit the heart of this city and being amazed by the perfect architecture and wall painting of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (XI century AD).
Overnight in Tbilisi.
 
Day 3. Mount Kazbegi Tour. 165 km
Starting from Tbilisi head towards north part of Georgia by following Georgian Military Road , with total 208 km connecting Tbilisi to Vladikavkaz (Russia), on the way first stop Jinvali Reservoir, which is the youngest Reservoir in Georgia, continue your way towards Ananuri fortress dated back to XVI-XVII century , one of the best example of Georgian fortresses. Next destination - the most popular Georgian winter ski resort Gudauri, with 54 km well prepared and marked ski traces. Soon after stopping at Cross Pass (2.390 m, the highest point on the road) and travertines rock. At the end of the root, arrival to village Stepantsminda, at the foot of mount Kazbegi (5.047 m). From the village, road heads up to amazing Gergeti Trinity church erected at the slope of mount Kazbegi at the altitude 2.160 m high. When traveler wishes, they can do 1-hour trekking from village Stepantsminda up to Gergeti Trinity church.
Overnight in Kazbegi
 
Day 4 Kazbegi - Gori - Uplistsikhe - Tbilisi 320 km
Traveling from Kazbegi to city Gori, the name comes from Georgian word “Gora “ which translates as “hill” or “heap”. Visiting Joseph Stalin museum, his birthplace and personal things introduce the Soviet Leader better. Tour continues to Uplistsikhe cave city, located just 15 km away from Gori. Uplistsikhe caves are the oldest settlement in Georgia, dated back to second millennium BC. After one hour excursion in the Uplistsikhe open-air museum drive back to Tbilisi.
Overnight in Tbilisi.
 
DAY 5 Tbilisi - Sheki 400 km
After departure tour continues to Azerbaijan. At the line of the border between Azerbaijan and Georgia, travelers are picked up to Azerbaijan. The first stop is Sheki Khan’s Palace (XVIII c) - the summer residence of Shaki Khans. Travelers enjoy with a master class on making shebeke - Sheki’s own special of stained glass - stained glass windows made by national Azerbaijani masters, without glue or nails. Some panes of shebeke use up to 1,800 individual pieces. Then visit Juma mosque (XVIII-XIX cc)
Overnight in Sheki.
 
DAY 6 Sheki - Tufandag Winter - Summer Tourism Complex - Nohur Lake - Sheki 215 km
From Sheki visit to Church of Kish (XII c). Historical sources of 7th centuries give us information that the first Christian church in village Kish was built in the 1st century. Moreover, archaeological evidence demonstrates that the modern Church of Kish is located on an ancient cultic site.
Tour continues to Tufandag Winter-Summer Tourism Complex and goes up to the mountains by cable car.
Tour includes visiting ChokhurSa’ad - a velayat (province) of the Safavid Empire (XVI-XVIII cc), centered on the territory of present-day Armenia. The next destination is eye-catching Nohur Lake with the magnificent view to the Caucasus Mountains, fresh air and water.
Overnight in Sheki

DAY 7 Sheki - Sighnaghi - Telavi 240 km
After Checkout drive to Sighnaghi. Buildings in the city built in the style of southern Italian classicism with Georgian elements. The city is surrounded with a high defending wall, 4 km in length. The wall was rebuilt by King Erekle II in 1772. After renovation in 2007 Sighnaghi is called “ City of Love “, because of the wedding house where people from every country can get married 24/7.
Tour continues to Bodbe Monastery, (less than 1 km away from Sighnaghi) which is nany monastery, built in the IV century, in honor of Saint Nino (the enlightener of Georgia) from Cappadocia.
After visiting Bodbe, East Georgia tour continues to Telavi, the main city of wine region - Kakheti, to see walls of lords Fortress and giant 900 years old plane tree.
Overnight in Telavi
 
Day 8 Telavi - Tsinandali - Gremi - Tbilisi 165 km
Tour starts with introducing Georgian winemaking tradition, which dates 8 000 years before. During the tour, you will visit to taste wine infamous Georgian wine cellars. First stop at Kvareli wine tunnels, which is cut right under Caucasian mountains, prince Alexander Chavchavadze Palace and Shumi wine factory and wine cellar as well. The last place to visit is the Gremi Fortress complex (XVI century). Gremi was an administrative center of Kakheti region before Telavi.
Overnight in Tbilisi
 
Day 9 Tbilisi - Yerevan 290 km
Tour starts from Tbilisi and continues to Armenia. First Armenian destinations are Sanahin and Haghpat monasteries (X - XIII cc). Those two complexes represent the highest flowering of Armenian religious architecture and educational centers of that time. Tour continues to Armenian Alphabet Monument, located in Artashavan village on the Western slope of Mount Aragats. The complex was built in 2005, on the 1600th anniversary of the creation of Armenian alphabet.
Overnight in Yerevan.
 
Day 10 Yerevan - Zvartnots ruins - Geghard - Yerevan 125 km
Tour starts to Echmiadzin Cathedral (V c, UNESCO) located in a walled compound with gardens and various structures. Next destination is Zvartnots ruins (VII c, UNESCO), destroyed in the 10th century. World Heritage List in 2000. Returning to Yerevan travelers have a short city tour with the visit of Armenian Genocide Museum. Then drive to pagan temple Garni (I century BC). It is the only Hellenistic colonnaded building in Armenia. Then travelers move to Geghard monastery (IV century, UNESCO). The name Geghard or more fully Geghardavank means in Armenian “the Monastery of the Spear”,
 
Day 11 Yerevan - Lake Sevan - Tbilisi 320 km
Tour starts with driving to Lake Sevan (1900 meter altitude), the pearl of mountainous Armenia. Next visit in Sevanavank, a monastery complex on Sevan peninsula. Then the way continues to Dilijan town. The region is known for its resorts and mineral water. Later drive to 13th-century Haghartsin monastery )XII - XIII centuries). The last point of the tour is Goshavank - 12th-13th centuries famous religious and scholarly center.
Overnight in Yerevan.
Later you will be driven to Sadakhlo Border back to Tbilisi.
 
Day 12 Departure
Transfer to the airport for the flight in your lovely country.
End of the tour and we say goodbye to the group with the hope to see it again in South Caucasus.
 

What's Included:

- Transfer to/from the airport in Tbilisi;
- Accommodation in either 3* or 4* hotels;
- Guide service during itinerary;
- Transportation in a modern, fully air-conditioned car;
- Cable cars in Tbilisi and Tufandag Winter - Summer Ski Resort
- Entrance tickets to the museums;
- Meals - breakfast;
- A bottle of drinking water per day

What is not Included:
- Air tickets;
- Travel Insurance;
- Lunches and dinner;
- Tips for the driver and guide.