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The Caucasus:
Azerbaijan, Georgia, & Armenia
Day 2: After breakfast we will depart for full day tour of Baku including lunch at the open-air restaurant Chanag Gala. Baku, Azerbaijan’s capitol city, has a cosmopolitan air about it with oil wealth used to create a unique blend of Soviet and Islamic architecture. Oil has been a part of Baku for many centuries but the city did not become an oil “boom town” until the late 1800’s. Tour includes visit of open-air museum Gobustan (rock paintings), Old City with Shirvan Shah Palace and Maiden Tower, visit of local Teza Bazaar and walking tour of pedestrian zone. Dinner at Bah Bah Restaurant, famous for its delightful cuisine prepared on the basis of old Azerbaijan culinary recipes. Transfer to the hotel after dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 3: After breakfast we will depart Baku for the mountain town of Sheki via Shemakha, the royal seat of the Shirvan Shahs from the 9th century to the 18th century. Lunch and sightseeing en-route (see Diri Baba, Yeddi Gumbaz in Shemakha). Continue to Sheki. Upon arrival in Sheki, check in at Karavan Saray Hotel (deluxe rooms). Overnight in Karavan Saray. (B,L,D)
Day 4: After breakfast we will check out and depart for a half-day tour of Sheki including visit of magnificent Khan’s Palace, Panorama point, shabaka shop, sweet shop, and the local bazaar. Depart Sheki for the Georgian / Azerbaijan border (Lagodekhi) via Zakatali where we will stop for lunch. Zakatali is located at the confluence of several rivers that come down from the Caucasus Mountains to the north. Meet at the border with our Georgian partner and exchange bus / guide. Welcome to Georgia! Change onto Georgian bus and drive to Telavi. Overnight in guesthouses. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Today we will visit the area around Telavi, including the 6th and 17th century Shuamta Monastery and Ikalto Academy from the 12th century, and Alaverdi Cathedral from the 11th century, before continuing to Tbilisi for overnight. (B,D)
Day 6: After breakfast we will have a city tour of Tblisi which will include the State Museum of Georgia, which has a vast collection of icons and metalwork. Afterwards we will drive to Mtskheta, the ancient spiritual capital of Georgia. Visits will include Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) and Jvari Church (7th century). Return to Tblisi for overnight. (B, D)
Day 7: After breakfast we will depart for David Gareji, one of Georgia’s most important and remarkable ancient religious sites. The area contains several monasteries carved out of the limestone rock, and built in the 6th century by the Davit, one of the 13 Syrian fathers. The area had fallen into neglect and was even used by the Soviets for military exercises, but the 19 known monasteries in the area are now being restored. Return to Tblisi for overnight. (B,L)
Day 8: After breakfast we will depart for Armenia by bus. Upon our arrival at the border crossing of Bagratashen, proceed through usual immigration and customs formalities and change to Armenian bus. Welcome to Armenia! Drive to the Haghpat Monastery, perched on the edge of the Debed Canyon. The monastery has UNESCO World Heritage status and the view alone with worth the visit. Built by Queen Khosrvanuch in 976, it is a splendid architectural monument in a spectacular natural setting. Also visit another UNESCO site - the Sanahin Monastery. Overnight in Alaverdi. (B,L,D)
Day 9: Check out from the hotel and continue your Armenia trip from Alaverdi, Vanadzor to Dilijan (visit Haghartsin and Goshavank Monasteries in Dilijan –magnificent and beautiful ecclesiastic monuments which are the highlight of the medieval Armenian architecture. Continue to Lake Sevan. Visit the peninsula. Arrive at the hotel and check in for overnight in Sevan. (B,L,D))
Day 10: Check out of our hotel at Lake Sevan. We depart for Khor Virap and Noravank via the famous Selima Pass – one of the main junctions on the Great Silk Route. We will stop to visit the caravanserai, the gather place for travelers along the Silk Road where they could re-supply, exchange news and information, and rest from their long journey. Picnic lunch in Noravank, known for its architecture and dramatic setting. Continue on to Yerevan with an optional visit to a local winery en-route to the capital. Arrive in Yerevan; check in at the hotel. Optional dinner and o/n at the hotel. (B,L)
Day 11: Today we will have a full day of sightseeing around Yerevan, Armenia’s capital. Yerevan is a diverse city with a very intense cultural life. There are dozens of theaters, museums, concert halls, galleries, and live music clubs. People are relaxed and go at relaxed pace. The city itself has a history dating back to 782 BC, and its past is as diverse as the present. Visit Matenadaran, the repository of Armenian written history. Lunch will be at a local restaurant, then continue your tour to Echmiadzin, the Vatican of the Holy Armenian Church, and Surp Hripsimeh. Dinner will be at a local restaurant before returning to Yerevan for overnight.
Day 12: This morning we will visit Garni Temple, a Hellenic temple dedicated to the Roman god of the sun Helios, and Geghard Monastery, named after the lance that pierced Christ’s side at the crucifixion. The spear was once housed there but now resides at Echmiadzin. Lunch will be hosted by a local family in Garni. Return to Yerevan and enjoy free time to visit Vernisage open air crafts fair. Overnight in Yerevan. (B,L)
Day 13: After breakfast depart for a full day tour to Ashtarak to visit the Saghmosavank (1215) and Ohannavank (1216-1221) Monasteries as well as the Byurakan/Amberd Fortress (weather permitting). Both monasteries perch on the edge of the precipitous gorge of the Kasakh river. The book repository of Saghmosavank, built in 1255 under Prince Kurd Vachutyan is among Armenia’s buildings rare in their purpose and original in their composition. Amberd Fortress is on the slopes of Mt. Aragats at 2300 meters above sea level. It was built during the 11th to 13th centuries. Return to Yerevan for a farewell dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 14: After breakfast we check out and transfer to the airport for our final departure.
Included:
* Accommodations in shared doubles only – no singles available due to room availability
* Transportation in air-conditioned motor coaches with licensed, English speaking guides
* Meals as noted on itinerary
* Transfers, porterage, taxes, entrance fees
Not Included:
* International air (please call us for rates)
* Visa fees (we suggest using a visa service to facilitate the visa process)
* Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone/fax calls, room service, mini bar, etc
* Beverages at meals, snacks
Please note: Due to the nature of accommodations available for tourism in these countries, single rooms are not generally available for this group. This will be a unique adventure into a region little known by American travelers.
This itinerary is subject to change without notice.
For more details please call Caravan-Serai Tours.
Caravan-Serai Tours, Inc.
3806 Whitman Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98103
Phone 206-545-1735 or 800-451-8097 Fax: 206-547-8607
Copyright 1999-2004 Caravan-Serai Tours Inc. All Rights Reserved.