|
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.
|
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 galmisan! 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: Grand Europe 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: Caravan Saray, 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: 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 |
|
2008
May 13,
Jul 01 & Sep 16
|
| Prices |
| Season |
Tour
Price US$ / CA$ |
Single
Sup US$ / CA$ |
| 2008 |
5375 |
1165 |
| 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 $ / CA $
1400 |
| West
Coast |
US $ / CA $
1600 |
| Please
note:
This tour operates with a minimum of 02
and a maximum of 15
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 April 04, 2008
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