1-877-725-6674 Situated between the Black Sea and the Caspian, on the border of Asia and Europe, the Caucasus Mountains contains some of Europe s highest peaks. A place of myth and legend, this is a land of tradition and faith, where you can find some of the oldest churches in Christendom and some of the most spectacular scenery on the continent. This captivating journey takes you across the three Caucasus states, beginning in Armenia where you explore the treasures of its capital, Yerevan, and visit Echmiadsin, the spiritual home of the Orthodox Church. You ll also visit the World Heritage site of Geghard Cave Monastery and beautiful Lake Sevan, before crossing into Georgia to travel the Georgian Military Highway through the breathtaking Caucasus Mountains to Stepantsminda. You ll visit the sights of Tbilisi and the beautiful wine making province of Kakheti before travelling by overnight train to Baku in Azerbaijan. Here you will visit the Zoroastrian fire temples, mosques and fortresses of the Absheron Peninsula, as well as the volcanic deserts to the south west and the rock paintings of Gobustan. HIGHLIGHTS: See Echmiadsin the spiritual home of the Armenian church Wine tasting in the beautiful Kakheti region of Georgia Drive the Georgian Military Highway through the Caucasus Mountains Explore cave monasteries and towns hewn in to cliff faces in Armenia and Georgia Discover the ancient cave paintings of Gobustan in Azerbaijan Walk to the impressive Holy Trinity Church from Stepantsminda, Georgia TOUR INCLUDES: 12 nights three and four star hotel accommodation, 1 night sleeper train 12 breakfasts and 1 dinner Private guided sightseeing Private driver and vehicle Entrance fees included as per itinerary Private guided transfers to and from all airports *Please note the prices shown are per person and based on two persons sharing a twin or double room
ITINERARY DAY 1: YEREVAN Arrive in Yerevan and transfer to your hotel. The afternoon is yours to explore this wonderful city at your own pace. DAY 2: YEREVAN Today enjoy a full day's sightseeing of the Armenian capital Yerevan. Visit the Matendaran Manuscript museum and Erebuni - the Urartian hill top fortress. You will also have a chance to visit the Memorial to the 1915 Genocide, the Blue Mosque and a brandy distillery to sample some of Winston Churchill's favourite brandy. (B) DAY 3: YEREVAN - ECHMIADZIN - YEREVAN This morning travel out to Echmiadzin the spiritual centre for Armenia's Christians and the site of Armenia's most important cathedral. Return to Yerevan and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. You might like to visit the National Historical Museum on Republic Square home to a large collection of art. (B) DAY 4: YEREVAN - GEGHARD - DILIJAN Leaving Yerevan this morning, enjoy a scenic drive to the pagan temple of Garni on an extensive Graeco-Roman site. Continue to the UNESCO Geghard Cave Monastery set on a gorge with many rock-hewn chapels before travelling past Lake Sevan and on to Dilijan. (B) DAY 5: DILIJAN - TBILISI Today travel by road from Armenia into Georgia, through the densely forested mountains of northern Armenia visiting the well-preserved Haghartsin Monastery which dates from the 10th Century en route. Continue to Tbilisi and overnight at your hotel. (B)
DAY 6: TBILISI Visit the charming city of Tbilisi today on foot. Begin the tour from the 13th century Metekhi church. Stroll through the little streets and take the cable car to the 4th century Narikala Fortress. Take in the stunning views of Tbilisi before walking down to the historical domed sulphur bath are - connected with the name of our city. Later, start visit the stunning treasury of the Georgian State Museum or historical museum, which prove that Georgia is really the country of the Golden Fleece. (B) DAY 7: TBILISI - MTSKHETA - ANANAURI - STEPANTSMINDA An exciting trip into the sheer Caucasus Mountains along the Georgian Military Highway. This exciting road runs 220km from Tbilisi to Vladikavkaz in Russia. First stop is Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia which contains many of Georgia's most beautiful and oldest churches. Continue to the 17th century architectural complex of Ananauri before finally arriving at the town of Stepantsminda in Kazbegi National Park. Climb up to the Holy Trinity Church for some magnificent views. (B,D) DAY 8: STEPANTSMINDA - GORI - UPLISTSIKHE - TBILISI Drive to the town of Gori, Stalin's birthplace, Georgia's most infamous son. Visit his house and the Stalin museum. Continue to the cave town of Uplistsikhe, hewn from the cliffs in the 6th century BC to contain wine-cellars, bakeries and a church, before returning to Tbilisi. (B) DAY 9: TBILISI - TELAVI - TBILISI A full day excursion to Telavi in Kakheti province. Visit beautiful churches and the house and garden of Prince Alexander Chavchavadze. The park and the house used to be the gathering place of all poets and artists of the 19th century. Enjoy a wine tasting at one of the vineyards before enjoying a free afternoon in Telavi. Return to Tbilisi and stay overnight. (B) DAY 10: TBILISI - BAKU Free day in Tbilisi to see some more of the sights or wander the old town before leaving for Baku on the overnight train in a first class sleeper. Please take drinks and food with you on the train as there is usually no restaurant car. You will cross the border from Georgia into Azerbaijan and border formalities are usually completed by customs and immigration officials on the train. You will not be accompanied by a guide on the overnight train journey but you will be met at the other end to transfer to your hotel. (B)
DAY 11: BAKU Arrive in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan and transfer to your hotel in the city centre. In the afternoon enjoy a walking city tour of Baku, including the historic mosques and palaces, the Maiden's Tower, the imposing mansions of the oil barons, built in the oil boom of 1870-1914. (B) DAY 12: BAKU - ABSHERON PENINSULA - BAKU Today enjoy a half day excursion to the Absheron Peninsula, visiting the Ateshgah (or place of fire), a Zoroastrian Fire Temple. Also see the fortresses, which in medieval times formed part of the defence system of the Peninsula and the attractive mosque at Amirjan. There's time for a swim in the Caspian Sea, before returning to Baku for a free afternoon. (B) DAY 13: BAKU - GOBUSTAN - BAKU Travel down the Caspian Sea shore to the volcanic desert south of Baku. Visit Gobustan where there are thousands of rock paintings from the early Stone Age depicting hunting scenes and animals as graffiti left by Alexander the Great's army and Roman legionnaires. Return to Baku and afternoon at leisure. (B) DAY 14: BAKU Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)
ACCOMMODATION BAKU SAPPHIRE INN HOTEL Th Sapphire Inn Hotel is located in the city centre of Baku, making it ideal for exploring the city. The hotel is designed in the Art Nouveau style yet has many modern amenities of a three-star hotel. Before entering your room, enjoy the cosy lobby bar, perfect for an afternoon coffee or evening cocktail. The Akhundoff restaurant s menu serves both national and international cuisine, suitable for any palette, as well as one of the city's most famous lunches. The rooms have a simple yet regal feel and each room comes complete with air-conditioning, cable television, en suite bathroom, a writing desk, a mini-bar and Wi-Fi. Relax after a long day touring in the Aromatherapy Spa, offering baths, inhalations and massage sessions with natural oils. DILIJAN TUFENKIAN OLD DILIJAN Close to the centre of Dilijan, the Tufenkian is a renovated stone complex located directly on historical Sharambeyan Street. The eight rooms are simple and modern but with very traditional features, natural colours and extra comforts such as kettles and satellite television. Breakfast is served in the attached Haykanoush restaurant which also specialises in rich Western Armenian cuisine for lunches and dinner. The complex around the hotel has a number of small workshops which specialise in traditional Armenian crafts such as carpets, wood carvings, ceramics and furniture, as well as a bakery and delightful souvenir shops all promoting local handicrafts. The English speaking staff are helpful and welcoming. STEPANTSMINDA PORTA CAUCASIA Travel through the Caucasus range towards Mount Kazbegi to reach the four star Porta Caucasia Kazbegi Hotel. Standing 1740 metres above the sea level, the Kazbegi has fantastic picturesque mountainous landscapes on all sides. The hotel has thirty three rooms each with a seating area, air-conditioning, a desk, flat-screen television and an en suite bathroom, while some have the added luxury of a terrace overlooking Mount Kazbegi. Guests can relax in the shared terrace, lounge, wine shop, Spa, restaurant and bar. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property and a delicious buffet breakfast is included with every stay. YEREVAN
VILLA DELENDA Villa Delenda is an elegant traditional hotel in the heart of Yerevan. It was originally built in 1906 as a private residence and during its conversion to a hotel many of its original features were restored and retained. All eight rooms are simply furnished and en suite, some with baths. The hotel also features a relaxing sitting room with library and internet connection. Only breakfast is served but the hotel is a mere ten minute walk from Yerevans central restaurants. Income from the hotel is used to support the Art School in Spitak which was founded after the 1988 earthquake to help disadvantaged children develop creative skills their craft is displayed in a showroom at the hotel. Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel Ltd Tel 1-877-725-6674 Email info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website wildfrontierstravel.com