Caucasus Food and Culture Tour

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.
Later, in Baku, we’ll spend the afternoon exploring its exciting food scene. Our visit to a traditional market includes experiencing the delightful scents of spices, nuts, and teas, followed by a typical meal that lets us savour the unique flavours of Azerbaijan. The rest of the day is free for exploring; stroll the old town, unwind on a terrace, or discover the architectural contrasts between the capital’s past and present.

Accommodation: hotel in Baku
Meals: breakfast

Our journey takes us from modern Baku into the heart of Azerbaijan’s countryside, a scenic drive through a stunning gorge leading to the captivating village of Lahij, which boasts a history stretching back 2,000 years. The town’s cobbled streets and historic houses are a testament to its rich past, preserving a legacy of over 40 crafts, ranging from leather and carpet making to metalworking. Lahij’s skilled artisans are still renowned for their copper work, with pieces found in world-famous museums.
Lahij, home to the Tat people with their unique language and traditions, is a haven for culture and food. Summer brings fresh mountain air, village exploration, artisan workshops, delicious local food, and scenic hikes for the adventurous, revealing the raw beauty of the Greater Caucasus.

Accommodation: guesthouse in Lahij
Meals: breakfast

Following a pleasant morning in Lahij, a scenic drive through Azerbaijan’s countryside will take you to Sheki. En route, stop off in Ismayilli, where you can experience the authenticity of the countryside and sample local delicacies. Our trip proceeds to Sheki, where, following a visit to the stunning Sheki Palace, you can indulge in delicious tandir bread and local sweets, culminating in a traditional dinner featuring the renowned piti. This day celebrates the region’s vibrant culture and delicious food.

Accommodation: hotel in Sheki
Meals: breakfast

Sheki was a major trading hub along the Silk Road, a crucial stop for merchants travelling through the Caucasus to link east and west. Silk, spice, and handicraft trade built the city’s prosperity, a heritage clear in its architecture and customs. The majestic Palace of the Khans of Sheki, with its exquisite Shebeke windows and frescoes, is our first stop in the morning; a testament to Persian artistry.
The experience continues at the historic Caravanserai, once a haven for merchants and exotic goods, where we have lunch in an atmosphere that harks back to the days of the Silk Road. We also stroll through the local bazaar, where the flavours and aromas transport us back centuries of cultural exchanges, and end the day with a traditional dinner, tasting the iconic piti, a stew cooked slowly in clay pots, a direct legacy of the old trade routes.

Accommodation: hotel in Sheki
Meals: breakfast

მოგესალმებით! (mogesalmebit) – welcome to Georgia 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿  Today we say goodbye to Azerbaijan and cross the border into Georgia, where the landscape changes and so does the culture.
We arrive in Kakheti, Georgia’s wine region, where winemaking has a history spanning over 8,000 years. Here, wine is not just a drink, but an essential part of Georgian identity, produced in a unique way in clay amphorae called qvevri.
We’re staying in Sighnaghi, a picturesque walled city offering breathtaking views of the Alazani Valley and the Caucasus Mountains. We’ll wander its charming streets, discover its rich history, and end the day with an unforgettable wine tasting at a family-run winery. There, we’ll learn about traditional Georgian viticulture, raise a toast to our journey, and enjoy a delicious meal featuring local specialties.

Accommodation: homestay in Sighnaghi
Meals: breakfast

Leaving the Kakheti hills behind, we set off for Gori, a city steeped in history. Famous as Josef Stalin’s birthplace, Gori draws visitors fascinated by Soviet history, especially those interested in the museum dedicated to the long-time USSR leader. Exploring both the museum and his birthplace offers a complex perspective on his personality cult and its lasting effects on the area. Gori, however, offers more than just political history; it also boasts a rich culinary tradition.
We’ll balance our day with an immersive culinary journey into local gastronomy, tasting authentic dishes including khinkali (delicate Georgian dumplings) and mtsvadi (barbecued meat). Sip some strong Georgian chacha brandy while listening to the amazing stories of this place—it’s a crazy mix of politics, culture, and tradition!

Accommodation: hotel in Gori
Meals: breakfast

Today we take the iconic Georgian Military Road, one of the most scenic routes in the Caucasus, linking Tbilisi to Russia. On the way, we stop in Mtskheta, the former capital of the Kingdom of Iberia and one of the country’s most important spiritual sites. We visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, where Christ’s robe is said to be buried, before continuing our ascent northwards.
Along the road, we pass through dramatic landscapes, deep gorges, and verdant valleys until we reach Stepantsminda, a small village nestled under the shadow of majestic Mount Kazbegi. Here, we visit the iconic Trinity Church of Gergeti, a medieval jewel at an altitude of 2,170 metres. In the evening, we warm up with typical mountain dishes such as kharcho (meat stew with spices and nuts) and toast the day with a glass of saperavi wine, while soaking up the serene mountain atmosphere.

Accommodation: hotel in Stepantsminda
Meals: breakfast

We leave the mountains and return to the Georgian capital, but not before stopping at the Ananuri Fortress, an impressive medieval complex on the banks of the Aragvi River, full of legends and battle stories. Arriving in Tbilisi, we immerse ourselves in the vibrant heart of the city. We stroll through the historic quarter of colourful houses and ornate balconies, explore the cobbled streets and visit the famous Abanotubani sulphurous baths, which gave the city its name.
In the afternoon, we explore the Dezerter market—a paradise of spices, cheeses, dried fruit, and the famous shoti puri bread baked in traditional ovens. In the evening, we dine in a typical restaurant, trying the legendary Adjarian khachapuri, a bread stuffed with melted cheese and egg, and other Georgian delicacies.

Accommodation: hotel in Tbilisi
Meals: breakfast

Today we dedicate the day to exploring the contrasts of Tbilisi, where the ancient and the modern intertwine. We start in the Sololaki neighbourhood, full of 19th century mansions, before crossing the iconic Peace Bridge and visiting the Georgian National Museum, which gives us a deeper insight into the rich history of the Caucasus. Lunch is a special experience: we take part in a cooking class with a local family, learning how to prepare dishes such as lobio (bean stew) and pkhali (spinach and walnut paste). The afternoon is free to explore cafés, natural wine bars and art galleries, before dinner in a contemporary restaurant that reinvents Georgian cuisine with a modern twist.

Accommodation: hotel in Tbilisi
Meals: breakfast

բարի գալուստ! (bari galust) – Welcome to Armenia 🇦🇲
In the morning, we say goodbye to Georgia and head for Armenia, crossing the border at Sadakhlo. The landscape changes again as we approach Dilijan, a town surrounded by dense forests and known as the “Little Switzerland of Armenia.” On the way, we visit the Haghartsin Monastery, hidden among the mountains, where we feel the deep spirituality that characterises Armenian culture. Arriving in Dilijan, we experience the local hospitality over a home-cooked dinner, sampling traditional dishes such as khorovats (Armenian barbecue) and gata, a typical sweet filled with nuts and brown sugar.

Accommodation: hotel in Dilijan
Meals: breakfast

Today we head towards southern Armenia, passing through landscapes of deep valleys and dramatic gorges. We stop at Lake Sevan, one of the largest high mountain lakes in the world, and visit the Sevanavank Monastery, on a peninsula with spectacular views over the crystal-clear water.
Along the way, we discover small villages where life goes on at a traditional pace, with street markets full of fresh fruit, dried herbs and mountain honey. We arrive in Goris, a charming town surrounded by surreal rock formations, where we enjoy a dinner of dishes such as harissa (a slow-cooked wheat and meat stew) and taste the famous Armenian wines.

Accommodation: hotel in Gori
Meals: breakfast

Today we explore one of Armenia’s most fascinating sites, the Tatev monastery, accessible by the Wings of Tatev cable-car, the longest in the world. This medieval monastery, on the edge of a gorge, was one of the country’s most important cultural and spiritual centres.
Next, we visit Karahunj, known as the “Armenian Stonehenge”. This ancient astronomical observatory, over 7,000 years old, suggests that ancient civilisations were already observing the sky with impressive precision. In the evening, we return to Goris for a special dinner honouring Armenia’s ancient recipes, combining mountain herbs, nuts and spices unique to the region.

Accommodation: hotel in Gori
Meals: breakfast

We leave the mountains and head towards Yerevan, the vibrant capital of Armenia. On the way, we stop at the emblematic Khor Virap Monastery, which offers a breathtaking view of Mount Ararat, a powerful symbol of Armenian identity. Here, tradition holds that St. Gregory the Illuminator’s imprisonment preceded his conversion of King Tiridates III, establishing Armenia as Christianity’s first official state religion.
On arrival in Yerevan, we explore the city on a panoramic tour of Republic Square, the Yerevan Waterfall and the historic quarter. In the late afternoon, we visit the Mother of Armenia, an imposing statue that symbolises the country’s strength, and replaced an old sculpture of Stalin. From the top, the view over the city and Mount Ararat in the background is breathtaking. The day ends with a special dinner in a restaurant that honours Armenian cuisine with a contemporary twist, toasting with local wines and celebrating our journey through the Caucasus.

Accommodation: hotel in Yerevan
Meals: breakfast

On our last morning in Armenia, and depending on your departure time, you can visit one of the country’s most moving sites: the Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial – Tsitsernakaberd. This space honours the victims of the 1915 genocide and offers an essential insight into the history and resilience of the Armenian people. Or you could also visit the Matenadaran, a museum dedicated to ancient manuscripts, or stroll through the local markets in search of spices, carpets and souvenirs.
With our suitcases full of flavours, aromas and stories, we bid farewell to the Caucasus, a land of ancient cultures, unforgettable landscapes and surprising gastronomy.

Accommodation: –
Meals: breakfast