Day 1: Ankara - Baku
We recommend being at Ankara Esenboğa Airport at 09:15...
12:20 Departing on the scheduled flight VF 577 of AJET Airlines to the city of flames Baku known for its history and architecture.
15:35 Arrival in Baku and transfer to the hotel. Check into the rooms.
Day 2: Baku - Ateshgah - Absheron - Heydar Aliyev Center
After breakfast, free time. Our day begins with a visit to Ateshgah (Fire Temple), one of the three Zoroastrian temples that have survived to this day and is the most important of them, originally built in the 3rd century AD. It became known for its continually burning fire, especially during the active period of the Silk Road, and was rebuilt in the 17th century by Zoroastrian pilgrims who came to the region. After our visit here, we go to see the lively dance of flames at the Absheron Yanardag. After this, we continue our tour with a visit to the Heydar Aliyev Center, which has received worldwide acclaim for its construction, designed by the Iraqi-born British futurist architect Zaha Hadid, and covers a massive area of 101,000 square meters. The complex represents the rise of the Caspian Sea in Azeri mythology and consists of theaters, conference halls, museums, and art galleries. (IMPORTANT NOTE: On some days, the cultural center may not accept visitors. Our company cannot be held responsible for this situation, as the days and hours are not announced in advance. If it is not open, it will be viewed from the outside. If it is open, entry will be allowed.) After the free time given, transfer to the hotel. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 3: Baku (Dinner with Azeri Night)
After breakfast, we leave our hotel for the Full Day Baku City Tour. Traditional and historical Baku has recently added a very modern appearance with numerous investments made in recent years. During this comprehensive tour, where you can see and learn about the most important areas of New and Old Baku, we first go to Martyrs' Lane and then to Yayla Park. Here, you will admire the panoramic views of Baku city and Baku Bay and take plenty of photos. Then, we visit Old City, also known as Ichari Shahar, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In this part of our tour, you will see and learn about the historical and traditional features of Baku. Here and in the nearby area, we will see the Maidan Tower built in the 12th century, Friday Mosque from the 15th century, the historically significant Siniggala Minaret and Mohammed Mosque, the unique Miniature Book Museum, the Shirvan Shah Palace considered one of the jewels of Azerbaijani historical architecture, the Ismail Palace currently serving as the Academy of Sciences, the heart of the city Independence Avenue, Fountain Square named after the historic fountain here, Municipal Park famous for the Philharmonic Fountain and our noteworthy National Carpet and Kilim Museum. Afterwards, we head to Baku Boulevard, a region rife with futurist architectural works including the world-famous Flame Towers. This area consists of a pedestrian walkway parallel to the seaside region known as ''Little Venice'', where oil barons built their mansions a century ago. At the end of our tour, we go to a local venue for a Dinner and Folklore Show with Azeri Night. Enjoying traditional Mugham music and local flavors in one of the city's historic venues, we will transfer back to our hotel after this lovely night.
Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 4: Baku - Shamakhi - Gabala - Sheki
After breakfast and checking out of the rooms, we set off towards Shamakhi. (approximately 125 km) This city, known from the Siege of Shamakhi which is an important phase in the Ottoman-Safavid War, is also one of the most significant places known for winemaking and carpet weaving in the Caucasus. Here, we will see the old city center, Yeddi Gumbez Tomb located at the foot of Gulistan Fortress which hosts the Shirvan Khan Tombs, and Friday Mosque. Afterwards, we continue our journey towards Gabala, famous for its natural beauty (approximately 95 km). Accompanied by the breathtaking views of Nature Park, we will have our free time by Nohur Lake. Gabala, which appears like a paradise on earth with mountains, forests, and waterfalls, will recharge your energy. After our pleasant stop, we continue our journey toward Sheki - our final destination of the day (approximately 90 km). Upon arrival, we explore Sheki, the oldest, most authentic, and beautiful city in Azerbaijan. Known for its gentle people, unique culture, and cuisine, this classical mountain town has historical stone and wooden buildings scattered across narrow, cobbled streets, including the Upper and Lower Sheki Caravanserais now partly functioning as hotels, the magnificent Han Palace a wondrous relic from the Persian Era and a significant member of the UNESCO World Heritage List, Sheki Fortress comprising the Handicrafts Workshop, Etnography Museum, Art Gallery, Art House, and the Juma Mosque, which are some of the notable places we will visit during our tour. In our free time at the market, you can taste the famous Azerbaijani Tea alongside Sheki Halva and purchase many handcrafted art pieces including some of the world's most beautiful silk products. At the end of our tour, we will transfer to our hotel and check into our rooms. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 5: Sheki - Bodbe Monastery - Signaghi - Tbilisi
After breakfast and checking out of the rooms, we head towards the Azerbaijan/Georgia Border (approximately 90 km). According to regulations, there will be a vehicle change at the border. After completing the necessary procedures, we continue our journey to Bodbe Monastery, one of the most important religious sites in Georgia and beloved for its architecture and surrounding nature (approximately 60 km). After our visit here, we head towards ''City of Love Sighnaghi''. (approximately 15 km). This lovely place, a full tourist attraction with its natural beauties, restored charming stone buildings, and natural scenery, will offer a tour with the Sighnaghi Fortress, also known as the ''Georgia Wall'' with its walls stretching over 4 km, the St. George Church appreciated for its architecture and surroundings, the well-preserved and picturesque historical center, and the ''Doctor on Donkey's Back'' Statue memorializing a doctor who was beloved for rushing to the aid of many patients by donkey in every village, all will be seen during our tour. During our city tour, we will ride special electric vehicles and stop for photo opportunities at points like Kakheti panorama viewpoint, Signaghi panorama viewpoint, and St. George tower where you can take part in an exceptional walk offering unparalleled views from the city walls. In our free time, guests can freely explore, shop, and enjoy lunch in this delightful town. We then head towards Tbilisi (approximately 10 km). Upon arrival, we will check into our rooms. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 6: Tbilisi (Dinner with Caucasus Night)
After breakfast, we start our Full Day Tbilisi Tour. In this beautiful city that continually surprises its visitors with its offerings, we will first visit; Narikala Fortress, Bridge of Peace, Rike Park, Meidan, Ethnography Museum, Agmashenebeli Boulevard, City Hall, Rustaveli National Theater, Viceroy Palace, National Bank of Georgia, Mtatsminda Hill, Mother Georgia Monument, the main square of the city called Freedom Square, the Parliament Building where the country is governed, the Archaeological Museum housing many of the country’s important historical treasures, the Fine Arts Museum consisting of over 3,500 pieces, the replica of the Samtavisi Cathedral built in the 11th century called Kashueti St George Church, the National Museum of Georgia housing the country’s significant works, the theater hosting major performances, the Opera and Ballet Theater, MoMa Museum known for its sculptures and temporary exhibitions, the Historic Books Museum known for its rare books and manuscripts, the Fine Arts Academy famous for its Mirror Hall, and the country’s largest religious structure today Sameba Holy Trinity Cathedral. We will also visit the statue known as the ''Rider King'' on Metekhi Hill, dating back to 455 B.C., as well as the Metekhi Mother Mary Church which has been a focal point of history.
Then, we will start a walking tour at Flower Market and Covered Market with popular Orbeliani Park, and see Atoneli Street, which has become a center of attraction with the renovation of 13 important buildings considered cultural heritage of the country. We will see Europe Square, Kura River and Rike Park, Avlabari District, Georgian Patriarchate, and Sioni Cathedral. After this, we visit the Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theatre and Angel Clock Tower, and stroll through Anchiskhati Basilica, Shardeni Street. In the free time given here, you will have the opportunity to taste local flavors in authentic cafés. We will then head to the Fortress Area, where the symbol of the city Narikala is located. Taking a short cable car ride, we will reach the top to see the Mother Georgia Monument - the statue built to celebrate the 1500th anniversary of Georgia in 1958. Here, you can take panoramic photos of the city. We will return to the city by cable car and go to the historic Abanotubani where the sulfur baths that have named the city since 4 B.C. are located. We will also see the Friday Mosque known as 'Double Mihrab Mosque' that was built by the Ottomans in 1724 and Chreli Abano Sulfur Baths. We will descend using the historical and famed Winding Staircase and cross the Bridge of Love. Afterwards, we will have free time at the Underground Bazaar right at the center of the city. Finally, we will go to a venue where you can enjoy breathtaking Caucasian Folklore performances and have a menu consisting of Georgian delicacies. At the end of this wonderful day, transfer to the hotel. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 7: Tbilisi - Chronology Monument - Gori - Uplistsikhe - Jvari - Mtskheta - Tbilisi
After breakfast, we take a short journey to the Georgia Chronicle Monument (Approx. 15 km) Located on Keeni Hill, this monument, which started its construction in 1985 but will never be completed due to the continual additions of current significant events, is a rarity in the world.
Following this, we continue our journey towards Gori (approx. 85 km). Upon arrival, we visit the Stalin Museum showcasing many items and photographs from the period of Stalin, a Georgian who transformed the Soviet Union into an industrial and military giant. Afterward, in the free time allocated in Gori, you can explore this charming city to your heart's content. Next, we head to Uplistsikhe known for its cave dwellings reminiscent of Cappadocia. (approx. 15 km) Our next stop is Jvari (Approx. 65 km), built in the 6th century on a high hill dominating the confluence of the Aragvi and Kura Rivers, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Georgia's most significant historical and religious treasures. Its architectural beauty and breathtaking views will satisfy any visitor. After this visit, we head to Mtskheta, known as the ''UNESCO City'', the previous capital of Georgia (approx. 20 km). In this historic city, we will see the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, which is considered one of the most sacred religious sites in Georgia. During our free time here, you can wrap up your shopping of world-famous Georgian wines and other souvenirs, discovering this fairy-tale-like city at your own pace. After our tour, we will return to the hotel for check-in.
Day 8: Tbilisi - Ankara
Transfer to the airport at the determined time by our guide.
05:05 Departing on the scheduled flight VF 616 of AJET Airlines to Istanbul.
05:25 Arrival. We hope to see you again on another trip...
* Airport taxes
* A total of 7 nights accommodation with breakfast in boutique hotels: 3 nights in Baku, 1 night in Sheki, and 3 nights in Tbilisi
* All transfers within the program and between cities
* All tours specified in the program
* Dinner with music at an Azerbaijani Night
* Dinner with music at a Caucasian Night
* Turkish Guiding Services (may be provided with Azerbaijani reception)
* Mandatory Professional Liability Insurance
* International Departure Fund
* Azerbaijan and Georgia do not require visas from Turkish Citizens; however, since there will be a border crossing, you need to join the trip with a passport. Otherwise, you cannot pass through the border.
* Extra Tours
* Local Service Fees (Includes city accommodation taxes, permit fees, crossing fees, and other service charges, to be collected with a receipt upon your arrival, payment is mandatory) (70 Euro)
* Tips (Turkish Guide and Local Staff)
* Beverages at meals unless explicitly stated otherwise
* Personal expenses
* Any services not explicitly stated as included