Discover the marvelous Southern Caucasus region with this unforgettable Cox & Kings tour. Follow the iconic Great Silk Road through the "Land of fire" Azerbaijan, a vibrant modern country situated on the shores of the Caspian Sea and offering the best of both worlds - the Eastern and the Western civilizations. Enjoy the stunning mountain scenery, numerous authentic vineyards and picturesque small villages in Georgia, the home of the wine and the First European man. Explore the mystical lands of the First Christian country - Armenia and its rich historical and cultural heritage. Immerse yourself into the traditional Armenian spiritual music and taste your cooking skills in a masterclass for traditional Armenian pasta. Go off the beaten track and experience the magic of the cosmopolitan pearls of Eurasia - Tbilisi, Baku and Yerevan.
Fly from London (regional connections available) to Baku, via Kiev, with Ukraine International Airlines. Transfer to the Sapphire Hotel (or similar) for 2 nights.
Excursion to see ancient rock carvings at Gobustan, a Unesco world heritage site dating back 20,000 years. Continue to Absheron and the Ateshgyakh Fire Worshippers' temple. Return to Baku for a tour of the Old City and some time at leisure.
Travel to Shemahka and visit the Yeddi Gumbez mausoleum. Continue to Sheki, stopping en route at the village of Kish to explore the sixth-century Albanian church.
Morning tour of Sheki, a pretty town surrounded by forested mountains, including the Palace of Sheki Khan. Cross the Georgian border and into the country's main wine region. Visit a vineyard for a late lunch and wine tasting. Continue to Telavi, via the Gremi monastery. Overnight at Chateau Mere.
Morning visit to Telavi market and meet a qvevri master, who will demonstrate how these large earthenware wine-keeping jars are made. Sample some local wine before continuing to the Tsinandali wine estate for lunch.
Tour of the Georgian capital including the old town, with its beautiful Orthodox churches, mosque, synagogue and sulphur baths. Afternoon at leisure.
Morning visit to the sixth-century Jvari monastery then continue to Gori, the birthplace of Josef Stalin. Visit the museum, his private train and see the house where he was born. Travel to Kazbegi via the cave city of Uplistsikhe, set on the path of the Silk Road.
Take a 3-hour roundtrip walk to the picturesque 14th-century Gergeti Trinity church. Return to Tbilisi for some time at leisure.
Travel over the border to Armenia and continue to Yerevan. En route, visit the Unesco-listed Haghpat monastery. Stay for 5 nights at the Tufenkian Historic Hotel, just off Republic Square.
Visit Garni, the only surviving Hellenistic temple in Armenia and enjoy a performance of Armenian spiritual music. Continue to Geghard monastery, dating from the fourth century and carved into the mountainside. Have lunch with a local family and have a go at making traditional lavash bread. Return to Yerevan.
Visit the Cathedral of Ejmiatsin, founded in 303AD and still the official residence of the Catholic Church in Armenia. Continue to the seventh-century Zvartnots temple. Have lunch in the village of Parakar and take part in a cooking lesson, learning how to make arishta (traditional Armenian pasta) and sweet sudzukh.
City tour of the Armenian capital, a highlight being the Museum of Ancient Manuscripts. Also visit the Genocide Memorial and the Ararat Cognac Factory for a tour and tasting. Afternoon at leisure.
Drive south to Khor Virap monastery, the site where Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia, was imprisoned. The monastery has stunning views of Mount Ararat. Continue to Noravank monastery, before lunch and wine tasting in Areni. Farewell dinner at a traditional Armenian restaurant in Yerevan.
Early transfer to Yerevan airport and fly to London, via Kiev.
Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don't include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment's notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.
This itinerary can be taken privately on a date that suits you, for which guideline prices are shown. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements.
Pre- and post-tour extensions are available in Baku or Yerevan. Please speak to a member of the team for details by calling on 0800 707 6229.
