The Silk Road... Azerbaijan and Georgia

For hundreds of years, traders risked their lives making the perilous journey between China and Europe known to this day as the Silk Route. This tour looks at part of that journey through the culture and history of Azerbaijan and Georgia.

Baku Old City • Mud Volcanoes • Flaming Mountain • Tblisi • Mtskheta

Day 1 Fly from the UK to Baku and transfer to the hotel for a three nights stay.

Day 2 In Baku visit the Memory Alley; enjoy the panoramic view of Baku Bay from the mountainous park. Visit Nizami Street and Fountain square. Explore further with a walking tour of the Old City (UNESCO world heritage) including the Maiden Tower, Shirvanshahs Palace, medieval Caravanserai, hamams (bathshouse), markets square, carpet shops and art studios. Visit the National State Carpets Museum and walk along the Seaside Boulevard.

Day 3 Travel to the mud volcanoes, a unique natural phenomenon. Almost half of the mud volcanoes on our planet are located in Azerbaijan. Continue to Gobustan Reserve, an open-air archeological museum. Observe the caves and petroglyphs of the Neolithic period. Visit Absheron Peninsula and see the flaming mountain, Yanardag, where natural gas comes to the surface and has been burning since ancient times and explore the Fire Worshippers Temple, Ateshgah.

Day 4 Depart to Sheki, in the North-West of the country (330 km). En route visit Diri Baba mausoleum in Maraza village. Then Shamakhi, the medieval capital city including the Seven Domes, the Shirvanshah dynasty Mausoleum and the ancient Juma Mosque. On arrival in Sheki, take a city tour including the city fortress, Sheki khan palace, Caravanserai and artisans' market stalls. Visit the village of Kish and see the ancient temple known as 'the mother of churches'. Overnight in Sheki.

Day 5 Depart for the Georgian border and meet your Georgian guide. Continue to a local wine cellar for a tour and tasting and a Churchkhela making masterclass. Travel to the fortified town of Sighnaghi and visit Bodbe nunnery before finally arriving in Tbilisi for a 4 night stay.

Day 6 Full day tour of Tblisi, the capital of Georgia, strategically located at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, along the historic 'Silk Road'. Visit the most important attractions of the city the church of Metekhi, the Fortress of Narikala, one of the oldest, fortifications of the city, the Sulphurous Baths, the Synagogue, the Cathedral of Sioni and the Basilica of Anchiskhati. Later walk along the Rustaveli Avenue built in the nineteenth century, the city's heart, which took its name from the great Georgian poet of the twelfth century - Shota Rustaveli. Here there are the Moorish-style Opera House, the Baroque style Rustaveli Theater, the Parliament, numerous cafes and restaurants. By funicular visit Mtsatsminda mountain.

Day 7 Travel to Kazbegi. En route make a short stop at Ananuri fortress. Arrival in Stepantsminda for a Jeep tour with the beautiful views of Kazbegi mountain peak and the village.

Day 8 Visit the Stalin Museum in Gori excursion to Stalin museum. Then Uplistsikhe, one of the oldest cities in the country. Parts of the city were carved into the rock faces at the beginning of the Iron Age. Continue to Mtskheta, the capital of Georgia before Tbilisi. Mtskheta is approximately 2,500 years-old. Here you will see one of the masterpieces of world architecture, Jvari Church built in the end of 6th century and the majestic Svetitskhoveli Cathedral from the 11th century.

Day 9 Transfer to the airport for the flight back to UK.

All tours are tailored to your requirements and can be adapted for travel by coach and/or air as you prefer. Occasionally itineraries change. Please see our current brochure or contact us for the latest version.

Your Hotels

We will carefully select hotels to match your requirements. Full details will be provided along with our tailored quotation.

Your tour includes:

• Flights from the UK to Baku and from Tblisi to the UK

• 8 nights accommodation on a half board basis

• Coach travel/excursions/admissions with many extras not stated in the itinerary (full details available on request)

• English speaking guides

For a quotation, or to enquire about this tour, fill in our online form, send us an email or call us on 01432 277666.