|
THE
CAUCASUS
A World Heritage Sites Tour of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia |
 |
This
extraordinary tour takes us to an extremely complex and
interesting part of the world. Persians, Khazars, Arabs,
Huns, Turko-Mongols, and Russians have invaded and migrated
into the Caucasus and have provided the region with its
rich ethnic and linguistic complexity as well as its astounding
architecture. As if this diversity were not enough, the
Caucasus also offers a variety of pristine landscapes
and stunning vistas just waiting to be discovered.
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Tour
Summary
|
Map |
Day
|
Place
|
|
01
|
Baku
(AZERBAIJAN) |
|
02
|
Baku |
| 03 |
Baku |
|
04
|
Baku
/ Sheki |
|
05
|
Sheki / Lagodekhi / Telavi (GEORGIA) |
|
06
|
Telavi
/ Tbilisi |
|
07
|
Tbilisi |
|
08
|
Tbilisi
/ Bakuriani |
|
09
|
Bakuriani |
|
10
|
Bakuriani
/ Tbilisi |
|
11
|
Tbilisi
/ Yerevan (ARMENIA) |
|
12
|
Yerevan
|
|
13
|
Yerevan |
| 14 |
Yerevan
|
| 15 |
Yerevan |
|
|
 |
UNESCO
World Heritage Sites Visited
This tour has been tailored to include the following World
Heritage Sites |
|
World Heritage Sites in Azerbaijan covered on this
tour |
|
Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and
Maiden Tower (2000) |
Built
on a site inhabited since the Palaeolithic period, the
Walled City of Baku reveals evidence of Zoroastrian, Sassanian,
Arabic, Persian, Shirvani, Ottoman, and Russian presence
in cultural continuity. |
| World
Heritage Sites in Armenia covered on this tour |
|
Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin (1996, 2000) |
These
two Byzantine monasteries in the Tumanian region dating
from the period of prosperity during the Kiurikian dynasty
(10th to 13th century) were important centres of learning.
Sanahin was renown for its school of illuminators and
calligraphers. |
| Cathedral
and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site
of Zvartnots (2000) |
The
cathedral and churches of Echmiatsin and the archaeological
remains at Zvartnots graphically illustrate the evolution
and development of the Armenian central-domed cross-hall
type of church, which exerted a profound influence on
architectural and artistic development in the region. |
| World
Heritage Sites in Georgia covered on this tour |
| City-Museum
Reserve of Mtskheta (1994) |
The
historic churches of Mtskheta, former capital of Georgia,
are outstanding examples of medieval religious architecture
in the Caucasus. They show the high artistic and cultural
level attained by this ancient kingdom. |
| Detailed
Itinerary |
Day
1: Arrive Baku (AZERBAIJAN)
Xosh gälmìsän! Welcome to Baku, the capital
city of Azerbaijan. Baku is located on the west shore of the
Caspian Sea. We are driven through the city to our hotel.
Overnight: Atropat Hotel, Baku (3 nights)
Day 2: Baku
This morning we tour the Gobustan and the mud volcanoes. Our
afternoon sightseeing tour of Baku highlights some striking
architectural monuments of the Islamic Medieval period including
the medieval walls of the Old Town, Shirvan Shakh’s Palace,
the Maiden Tower, the Carpet and Applied Arts Museum. (B,
D)
Day 3: Baku
Today’s day excursion to Absheron Peninsula includes the
Zoroastrian Temple of Fire Ateshgyah – fire worshippers
temple, which for centuries has been a center of worship, the
14th century temple in Mardakan and Yanardag Flaming Mountain,
burning with an eternal flame fed by the underground naphtha
and gas. Afternoon we enjoy some leisure time walking throughout
the central part of the city and exploring local shopping centers.
Here is a perfect opportunity to meet and mingle with the locals.
(B, D)
Day 4: Baku / Sheki
We begin this day with a scenic and relaxed drive for Sheki.
We will take advantage of the early arrival with a tour of Sheki,
which will include the Museum of Applied Arts, "Shebeke"
manufacturing workshops, and the magnificent Sheki Khan's palace
(view from the outside only). Evening is free to enjoy and stroll
around Sheki town.
Overnight: Sheki Saray Hotel, Sheki (1 night) (B, D)
Day 5: Sheki / Lagodekhi / Telavi (GEORGIA)
Morning we prepare for our departure from Azerbaijan as we are
driven to the border where we will meet with our Georgian guide
and transport for our transfer to Telavi. As we drive to Telavi,
we visit the Tsinandali Winery and Park, Alavedri Cathedral
and Shuamta Monastery in the Kakheti province.
Overnight: Private homes, Telavi (1 night) (B, D)
Day 6: Telavi / Tbilisi
Another interesting day ahead as we drive from Telavi to the
David Gareji Monastery in the Gareji semi-desert. We also visit
Lavra and walk up to Udabno cave Monastery. Afternoon is a leisurely
drive to the capital city of Tbilisi.
Overnight: Sheraton Metechi Palace, Tbilisi (2 nights)
(B, L, D)
Day 7: Tbilisi
Our full day sightseeing tour starts with the State Museum of
Georgia with its magnificent exhibition of gold work dating
back to the 3rd century BC, the Old Caravansary Merchants oriental
style building, the Metechi cross cupola church (12th-13th century),
areas of the Royal residential complex, the Sulfur Bathhouses,
the Carpet Collection, Siony, the Main Cathedral of Tbilisi
(7th-19th century), and finally Rustaveli Avenue, the most beautiful
street of Tbilisi. Rustaveli is a popular street where both
local and foreigners gather to meet and spend time together.
This is also a popular shopping area and one can often see roadside
musicians displaying their talent. (B, D)
Day 8: Tbilisi / Bakuriani
A scenic drive with some interesting sites being covered today.
We start off with a visit to Mtskheta where we visit Jvari Monastery
and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. We then continue for Gori where
we visit Uplistsikhe cave town. Time permitting, we may visit
the Joseph Stalin Museum. Later we embark on our journey to
Bakuriani ski resort via Borjomi.
Overnight: Vera Palace Hotel, Bakuriani (2 nights) (B,
D)
Day 9: Bakuriani
An exciting day ahead as we drive to Samtskhe-Javakheti Province
where we will visit some exceptional sites. The Khertvisi Fortress
(11th century) that, according to legend, was seen along with
other Georgian fortresses by Alexander of Macedonian in the
4th Century BC during his campaign in the east. The Cave-town
of Vardzia (12th -13th Century frescos), is a striking complex
hewn in rock, regarded as the cultural and educational center
of the time. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Bakuriani / Tbilisi
On our return journey from Bakuriani to Tbilisi we take a diversion
and turn north along Georgian Military Highway up to Zhinvali
Lake. Here we visit the Ananauri architectural complex. We arrive
in time at Tbilisi to allow us with some independent time to
wander through the town and local bazaars.
Overnight: Sheraton Metechi Palace, Tbilisi (B, D)
Day 11: Tbilisi / Yerevan (ARMENIA)
After breakfast we head for Sadakhlo on the Georgian-Armenian
border. Bidding farewell to our Georgian friends we are met
by our Aremenian friends and warmly welcomed and transferred
to Yerevan. En-route our journey to the Armenian capital, we
visit the Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin, touted as the
best architectural examples of Armenian religious art between
the 10th and 13th Centuries.
Overnight: Golden Palace Hotel or Marriott Hotel, Yerevan
(4 nights) (B, D)
Day 12: Yerevan
We start the day with a sightseeing tour of the city of Yerevan
with visits to the National Museum of Armenian History and the
Matenadaran, followed by an excursion to the Echmiadzin Church
and Museum, and the Hripsime and Zvartnots Cathedrals. Evening
is free to stroll on your own. (B, D)
Day 13: Yerevan
Today is our excursion to Garni and Geghard, followed by an
afternoon visit to the empty beaches and white sands of Lake
Sevan. This mountainous lake covers approximately 5% of Armenia’s
surface area and is 2000 meters/2187 yards above sea level.
Maxim Gorky said about the waters, that they were like a piece
of the sky that had descended to earth among the mountains.
It will be an interesting countryside day. (B, D)
Day 14: Yerevan
Full day excursion south to Khor Virap, one of the romantically
sited monasteries in Armenia with views across vast planes of
Turkey and the twin peaks of Mount Ararat. Here, in the atmosphere
of historical environment and vivid imagination one notices
Noah’s Ark in the snows of Ararat. Humankind was reborn
here, and Noah is considered to be the first tourist in the
world. The theatrical ceremonies and festivals performing on
a Noah’s-Ark-shaped stage in the immediate vicinity of
the monastery and against the majestic Mount Ararat will take
you back to the Noah’s ages. Free time for people to enjoy
Yerevan including visiting the hole where Gregory the Illuminator
was jailed for disseminating Christianity in Armenia. The tour
culminates with a visit to the 12th century monastery of Noravank
set in a canyon rich with rare flora. (B, D)
Day 15: Depart Yerevan
Today we depart the Caucasus filled with memories and unforgettable
experiences of a land that has been traveled often in the past
but little explored. (B)
|
|
B
= Breakfast
|
L
= Lunch
|
D
= Dinner
|
|
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|
Departure Dates |
|
2011
May
17, Jun 28
& Sep 06
|
| Prices |
| Season |
Tour
Price US$ |
Single
Sup US$ |
| 2011 |
5995 |
1195 |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include: |
•
Hotel accommodation as mentioned or similar
• Meal plan as mentioned (B= Breakfast,
L =
Lunch, D= Dinner)
• All transfers and sightseeing with services of local English
speaking driver/guide.
• Entrance Fees to Museums and Sites
• Visa Support as required |
•
International Airfare / Departure Taxes
• Travel Insurances
• Visa Fees
• Drinks / Beverages with meals
• Tips / Gratuities to Drivers & Guides |
Please
Note: The
visa fees are approximately $60.00 per visa (to be issued locally with
2 photos required per country.
| Estimated
International Airfare(not
included in tour price) |
| East
Coast |
US
$ 1400 |
| West
Coast |
US
$ 1600 |
| Please
note:
This tour operates with a minimum of 02
and a maximum of 10
participants. |
| Other
Dates / Customized Itinerary / Languages |
In addition to our set programs we are also pleased
to offer customized tours.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your
individual needs.
Customized tours can be conducted in English, French,
German, Spanish or Italian. Each departure is conducted
in the designated language only. |
| Contact
Information |
|
|
Fax:
+1-604-264-7774
|
| 206–8678
Greenall Ave |
Phone:
+1-604-264-7378 |
| Burnaby
B.C., Canada |
Toll
Free (US & Canada): 1-800-663-0844 |
| V5J
3M6 |
Email:
bestway@bestway.com |
|
30
years in small group journeys
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Site
updated Jun 01, 2009
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