From petroglyphs to monasteries — an overland journey into the authentic Caucasus.









Xoş gəlmişsiniz! Welcome to Azerbaijan 🇦🇿
Depending on the arrival time, you will be met by the tour leader or someone you trust at the airport, to take you to the hotel where the group will meet. The energy of Baku, a city where the modern mixes with the old, marks the beginning of this journey.
Take advantage of the rest of the day to adjust the clock and start absorbing the rhythm of the Caucasus.
🛌 Accommodation: hotel in Baku
🍽️ Meals: –
We begin the day exploring the remarkable Qobustan National Park, discovering ancient petroglyphs—thousands of carvings over 40,000 years old—that reveal the history of the region’s first inhabitants. Besides the rock carvings, we’ll explore the dramatic volcanic mud fields—an otherworldly landscape resembling the surface of the moon.
Back in Baku, we immerse ourselves in local life: markets full of colours and aromas, spices and dried fruits, and a traditional meal that welcomes the Caucasian palate.
🛌 Accommodation: hotel in Baku
🍽️ Meals: breakfast
We leave Baku for the mountains of the Greater Caucasus, crossing roads that wind through where time seems to have stopped. Along the way, we make stops to photograph the landscapes and learn about the rural life of this mountainous region, where hospitality is an ancient heritage.
We visited Lahij, a village with more than two thousand years, cradle of copper handicrafts and a living example of the tradition and ingenuity of the Azeri people. The cobbled alleys, the sound of hammers in the workshops and the smell of freshly baked bread transport us to a simpler and more authentic rhythm of life. We spend the night in the vicinity of the Ismailli Nature Reserve, a mountain area covered with dense woods and villages hidden among the hills.
🛌 Accommodation: glamping or guesthouse in Qabala (depending on the weather)
🍽️ Meals: breakfast
We follow the ancient trade routes that connected Asia to Europe, following the same path where, centuries ago, caravans transported silk, spices and stories. Sheki, at the foot of the mountains, was one of the most important stops in this millennial network.
The city still retains the charm of the Silk Road days — ancient bazaars, cobbled alleys and genuine hospitality that makes you feel part of its past.
🛌 Accommodation: hotel in Sheki
🍽️ Meals: breakfast
We visit the Palace of the Khans, an architectural treasure decorated with stained glass windows and Persian-influenced frescoes, before delving into the labyrinth of the local bazaar. In the old Caravanserai, we imagine the hustle and bustle of merchants and travelers who have passed through here for centuries.
Sheki is the perfect link between history and contemporary life — a place where tradition still shapes everyday life.
🛌 Accommodation: hotel in Sheki
🍽️ Meals: breakfast
Მოგესალმებით (mogesalmebit)! Welcome to Georgia 🇬🇪
We crossed the land border — currently, the only one open between Azerbaijan and Georgia since the post-pandemic period. We enter the Kakheti wine region, where wine is made in clay amphorae (qvevri), an 8,000-year-old tradition.
Arriving at the walled village of Sighnaghi is a journey back in time: narrow streets, wooden balconies, and expansive views over the Alazani valley. At the table, we share stories, bread, wine and laughter with local families.
🛌 Accommodation: homestay in Sighnaghi
🍽️ Meals: breakfast
We set off heading north along the legendary Georgian Military Road, one of the most scenic routes in the Caucasus. On the way, we stop at the monumental Soviet memorial and the former capital, Mtskheta (UNESCO), the spiritual heart of the country.
The road climbs to Stepantsminda, a village sheltered under the imposing Mount Kazbegi. On the horizon, lonely churches and snowy mountains herald the days of fresh air that follow.
🛌 Accommodation: hotel in Stepantsminda
🍽️ Meals: breakfast
The day is dedicated to the mountains. We climb on foot (or by jeep) to the iconic Trinity Church of Gergeti, erected at 2,000 meters of altitude, with the Kazbegi dominating the horizon.
Between valleys and trails, we walk through alpine landscapes and pastoral villages, where time moves slowly and nature dictates the pace. In the late afternoon, the silence of the mountains and the warmth of the accommodation make this one of the most memorable days of the trip.
🛌 Accommodation: hotel in Stepantsminda
🍽️ Meals: breakfast
We descend the Aragvi valley on the way back. Arriving in Tbilisi is a contrast: vibrant streets, cafes, galleries and thermal baths reveal the creative and cosmopolitan soul of the Georgian capital.
The rest of the day is free time to explore the city — and perhaps toast to life with a glass of local wine.
🛌 Accommodation: hotel in Tbilisi
🍽️ Meals: breakfast
In the morning, we head to Gori, Stalin’s hometown, where we visit the museum dedicated to his history and the armoured train he used during World War II. We continue to Uplistsikhe, an ancient rock-cut city dating back to the early Iron Age — one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Georgia, with tunnels, pagan temples, and views of the Mtkvari valley.
We return to Tbilisi at the end of the day, where we explore a little more about its traditional neighbourhoods and discover the local cuisine.
🛌 Accommodation: hotel in Tbilisi
🍽️ Meals: breakfast
բարի գալուստ! (Bari Galust) Welcome to Armenia 🇦🇲
We enter Armenia and follow roads lined with dense forests to Dilijan, known as the “Armenian Switzerland”. We visit the Haghartsin Monastery, hidden among trees and fog, one of the most serene places in the country.
The day ends in a mountainous environment, perfect for slowing down and taking a deep breath.
🛌 Accommodation: guesthouse in Dilijan
🍽️ Meals: breakfast
The morning begins on the shores of the immense Lake Sevan, one of the highest alpine lakes in the world, surrounded by mountains that are reflected in its turquoise waters. We climb up to the Sevanavank Monastery, one of the most emblematic places in Armenia, with a panoramic view over the lake and its small islands. It is a place that invites contemplation, to the sound of the wind and the bells that echo through the hills.
We then head towards Goris, in the south of the country, crossing winding roads that cut through valleys and forests. Along the way, the stone villages and vineyards remind us of the strength of Armenian communities and their roots in the mountains. Goris welcomes us among cliffs and houses carved into the rock — one of the most picturesque and authentic villages on the trip.
🛌 Accommodation: hotel in Goris
🍽️ Meals: breakfast
In the morning, we board the Wings of Tatev, the longest cable car in the world, which slides over the Vorotan Gorge and takes us to the Tatev Monastery, one of the most impressive in the country, suspended over the abyss. This monastery was for centuries a spiritual and academic centre of reference, and its secluded location makes it even more magical.
Then, we explore Karahunj, known as the “Armenian Stonehenge” — a stone circle over 7,000 years old, surrounded by mystery and astronomical theories. At the end of the day we return to Goris, for a quiet and well-deserved dinner, between conversations and local wine.
🛌 Accommodation: hotel in Goris
🍽️ Meals: breakfast
We head towards Yerevan, but the trip is punctuated by one of the most symbolic places in Armenia: the Khor Virap Monastery, with an unbeatable view of Mount Ararat — a national and biblical symbol. It is one of the strongest moments of the trip, where spirituality and landscape merge.
Upon arrival in Yerevan, the energy changes: the capital is vibrant, modern and full of life. Between wide avenues, outdoor cafes and music in the squares, the city shows the contrast between tradition and modernity. At the end of the day, we explore the Republic Square and Yerevan’s Cascade, from where you can see the entire city illuminated.
🛌 Accommodation: hotel in Yerevan
🍽️ Meals: breakfast
Last day of this intense and unforgettable trip. Free morning to stroll, shop at the Vernissage market or simply enjoy an Armenian coffee on a terrace. For those who want and have time, an optional visit to the Armenian Genocide Memorial, a space for memory and reflection, and to the Matenadaran, the museum of ancient manuscripts.
The journey ends, but there is the feeling of having travelled through three countries with deep histories and welcoming people — a crossing through the heart of the Caucasus, where the past and the present are intertwined in each landscape!
🛌 Accommodation: –
🍽️ Meals: breakfast
This tour generates around 9 kg of CO₂-e per person, per day.
We take responsibility for this impact — and we’re working to reduce it further.
Want to learn more or contribute for your flights too? Visit our sustainability page.
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Made with love © Tânia Neves, 2025