Ultimate Central Asia & Caucasus Discovery Tour

Upon arrival at Ashgabat International Airport, you will be met by our representatives and transferred to your hotel, where early check-in is arranged. The morning is free at leisure to rest after your journey. 

Later in the afternoon, visit the National Museum of History and Ethnography, which houses an extensive collection of over 500,000 artefacts showcasing the rich heritage of Turkmenistan. The museum is divided into nine halls, each dedicated to a specific period or theme. Highlights include the Hall of Ancient History, featuring flint tools from the Mesolithic era (around 50,000 BC), as well as Neolithic ceramics and ornaments from some of the earliest human settlements along the northern slopes of the Kopet Dag. 

You will then continue to the ancient Nissa Fortress, the Sanctuary of the Parthian Kings and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Considered one of the earliest capitals of the Parthian Empire, Nissa was founded by Arsaces I and is believed to have served as a royal necropolis. The site is located just outside Ashgabat, in the village of Bagyr, and offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s ancient past. 

In the afternoon, enjoy a comprehensive city tour of Ashgabat, known for its impressive white marble architecture. Highlights include the Olympic Stadium, the Monument and Park of Independence, the main flagpole, the Arch of Neutrality, the Constitution Monument, the Ferris Wheel, and the Wedding Palace. You will also visit the Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex and enjoy panoramic views of the city from a nearby hill. 

Hotel Options:

Comfort Class: Yildiz Hotel 

Tourist Class: Sports hotel 

Meals Included: Dinner 

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, drive to Merv (approximately 395 km, about 4–5 hours) via Mary to explore the ancient city of Merv — once known as the “Queen of the World.” Merv was one of the most important capitals of the Islamic world, alongside Baghdad, Cairo, and Damascus. 

In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the ancient city. Highlights include the Greater Kyz Kala and Lesser Kyz Kala (6th–7th centuries), the Complex of Askhabs (8th–14th centuries), Erk Kala (6th century BC), Gyaur Kala (4th century BC), the Hoja Yusup Hamadani Complex, the Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, and the Muhammad Ibn Zeid Mausoleum. 

After sightseeing, transfer to Mary Airport for the return flight to Ashgabat (approximately 40 minutes). Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay. 

Hotel Options:  

Comfort Class: Yildiz Hotel

Tourist Class: Sports hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner 

After breakfast at the hotel, you will visit a local horse stable to see the Akhal-Teke horses, the national pride of Turkmenistan and one of the oldest and most unique horse breeds in the world. Bred by Turkmen tribes for over 5,000 years, these elegant horses are renowned for their beauty, endurance, and distinctive metallic sheen. Throughout history, great rulers such as Alexander the Great and Darius I are said to have prized this exceptional breed. The farm is home to a number of these magnificent horses, and local traditions even hold that contact with them brings good health. 

You will then visit a local bazaar. If your visit coincides with opening days, you will explore the vibrant Altyn Asyr (Jygyldyk) Bazaar, one of the largest open-air markets in Central Asia, located just outside Ashgabat. Here, you can experience a lively atmosphere filled with colourful carpets, textiles, jewellery, traditional clothing, and even livestock. Alternatively, you may visit the historic Gulistan Bazaar, the oldest covered market in the city, where you can browse fresh produce, spices, dried fruits, and a variety of local goods, along with clothing and souvenirs on the upper level. 

In the afternoon, you will depart for the Darvaza Gas Crater, one of Turkmenistan’s most iconic sights. Located in the heart of the Karakum Desert, this natural gas crater has been burning continuously for over 50 years, creating a spectacular glow, especially after sunset. En route, you may also visit nearby mud and water craters. 

Upon arrival, take in the unique desert landscape and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. In the evening, a traditional barbecue dinner will be served near the crater. You will spend the night in a yurt camp or private tents, experiencing the tranquillity of the desert under a star-filled sky. 

Hotel Options:  

Comfort Class: Yurt Camp

Tourist Class: Yurt Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Picnic-style breakfast at Darvaza. In the morning, drive to Kunya Urgench (approximately 267 km, around 6 hours due to road conditions). 

Upon arrival, enjoy a sightseeing tour of this historic city, once an important centre of the Khorezm Empire. Highlights include the Portal of the Caravansaray, the Mamun Minaret, the Il Arslan Mausoleum, the Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum, the Academy of Khorezm, the impressive Kutlug Timur Minaret, and the beautifully decorated Turabek Khanum Mausoleum. 

In the afternoon, transfer to the Turkmen–Uzbek border checkpoint at Shavat (approximately 109 km, about 1 hour 30 minutes). After completing border formalities, you will be greeted by our Uzbek guide and transferred to Khiva for an overnight stay. 

Hotel Options: 

Comfort Class: Farovon, Orient Star 

Tourist Class: Malika Khivek, Shaherezada Boutique 

Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner 

Legend has it that Khiva was founded when Shem, son of Noah, discovered a well here. The town certainly existed by the 8th Century, as a minor fort and trading post on a Silk Road branch to the Caspian Sea and the Volga. In the early 16th century, Khiva was made capital of the Timurid Empire, becoming a busy slave market and pivot of the khanate for the next three centuries. Until Russia finally wrested the region from Timurid grasp in the 19th century, even the boldest hearts feared encounters with these fierce tribesmen and their desert territory. Khiva is an ancient walled city and looks much like it did in centuries past. It is one of the few sites in Central Asia where one can easily imagine life during the time of the emirates. We will spend the morning wandering its maze of ruins and great mosques. Later, a tour of this living museum including the Ichon-Qala gates, Muhammad Amin and Rakhim Khan’s Medressas, Tosh-Khovli Palace, Islom-Huja Medressa and Minaret. Dinner will be served at Toza Bogh Palace (Summer residence of Muhammad Rahim Khan II). 

Hotel Options: 

Comfort Class: Farovon, Orient Star 

Tourist Class: Malika Khivek, Shaherezada Boutique 

Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner 

Depending on the train schedule, travel to Bukhara by train. Once you arrive, enjoy a walking tour of Bukhara—one of the best places in Central Asia to experience the atmosphere of pre-Russian Turkestan.

Much of the old city is a protected architectural preserve, featuring the impressive royal fortress known as the Ark, numerous historic madrassas, ancient hammams (public bathhouses), and the remains of a once-thriving market complex. Today, Bukhara is home to more than 140 officially protected historical monuments, offering a fascinating glimpse into the region’s rich history and culture.

Hotel Options:

Comfort Class: Mercure Accor, Paradise Plaza, Labi Rud Premium, Shahriston

Tourist Class: Makon Art, Lyabi House, Nodirabegim Boutique, Rizo Boutique

Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

Full day tour of Bukhara. Today we explore the old quarter on foot. Bukhara is an ancient city with its bustling “trade domes,” active mosques, and the Kalyan Minaret (“tower of death”), one of Central Asia’s tallest. We’ll stroll around the streets and visit the old town center where old men with long white beards gossip for hours while drinking tea. Bukhara has been designated a World Heritage Site; the resulting restoration of some of the mosques, constructed in the 11th to 15th centuries, to make them appear as if they were built yesterday. There are even some structures still standing that date back to Zorastrian times 2,500 years ago.

We also visit The Ark, a large fortress with the Emir’s open-air throne room and the Mausoleum of Ismail Samani, an intricate and beautiful 10th century brick structure that is nicely preserved. We’ll also venture to the outskirts of Bukhara and visit the summer palace of the last emir, built by a Russian Czar with grand halls and a harem. We will also see Char Minar, a gate of an ancient madrassa long time gone. It was built in 1809 and has more in common with Indian art styles than local.

Hotel Options:

Comfort Class: Mercure Accor, Paradise Plaza, Labi Rud Premium, Shahriston

Tourist Class: Makon Art, Lyabi House, Nodirabegim Boutique, Rizo Boutique

Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

We depart early for Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane (Timur), where we’ll explore the Ak-Saray Palace, Kok-Gumbaz Mosque, House of Meditation, and the Crypt of Timur a man who dramatically shaped the history of Central Asia. 

Though little remains of Timur’s Ak-Saray Palace beyond fragments of its massive 40-meter (130-foot) high entrance adorned with exquisite blue, white, and gold mosaic filigree, it’s awe-inspiring to imagine the grandeur of this once-glorious summer palace. 

Later, we continue to Samarkand, a city as legendary as Atlantis or Timbuktu for many. The city’s sublime, larger-than-life monuments commissioned by Timur, its vibrant technicolor bazaars, and its rich, layered history create a unique and magical atmosphere. Upon arrival, we’ll visit the famous old bazaars that showcase the exotic charm of this ancient city. 

Hotel Options:

Comfort Class: Hilton Garden Inn, Continental, Mövenpick, Zafshon Parkside

Tourist Class: Medina, Rayyan, Registon Saroy

Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner 

In the morning, we drive to the Uzbek–Tajik border crossing at Penjikent. After completing border formalities, you will meet your Tajik guide and continue to the Seven Lakes (approximately 80 km), passing through the settlement of Sarazm, a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

The Seven Lakes of Marguzor lie in the western Fan Mountains, each lake boasting its own unique color from calming turquoise to mesmerizing purple. Today, you’ll have the opportunity to hike around this stunning mountain landscape. Following a picnic lunch, we return  

 to Panjakent to visit the Panjakent Museum and explore the local market. Later in the evening, transfer back to Samarkand, where you will be met your Uzbek guide and transfer to your hotel. 

Hotel Options: 
Comfort Class: Hilton Garden Inn, Continental, Mövenpick, Zafshon Parkside

Tourist Class: Medina, Rayyan, Registon Saroy  

Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner 

Samarkand, often called the ‘Rome of the Orient,’ was already thriving long before the founding of Rome and Babylon. During our full-day tour, we will visit some of the city’s most iconic sites, including the famous Registan Square, the majestic Bibi Khanum Mosque, the Mausoleum of Tamerlane, and the Observatory of Ulughbek, where Ulughbek, Tamerlane’s grandson, made groundbreaking astronomical discoveries in the 15th century, well before the invention of the telescope. 

We will also explore the regal mausoleums of Shah-i-Zinda, home to Central Asia’s most sacred Islamic shrine, and wander through the vibrant market next to the grand Bibi Khanum Mosque. Here, you can sample Samarkand’s famous bread, a delicacy so prized that even Alexander the Great tried, unsuccessfully, to replicate it in Greece,e as well as taste the region’s local produce, including grapes and some of the world’s most flavorful melons in multiple varieties. 

Our afternoon includes a visit to the Afrosiab Museum, where the rich history and archaeology of ancient Samarkand are beautifully showcased. 

Hotel Options:

 
Comfort Class: Hilton Garden Inn, Continental, Mövenpick, Zafshon Parkside 

Tourist Class: Medina, Rayyan, Registon Saroy 

Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

Full free day at leisure in Samarkand. 

Hotel Options: 

Comfort Class: Hilton Garden Inn,Continental, Mövenpick, Zafshon Parkside  

Tourist Class: Medina, Rayyan, Registon Saroy  

Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner 

In the morning, travel by high-speed train from Samarkand to Tashkent. Upon arrival, begin exploring the capital city. Our city tour begins with visiting the Hazrati Imam Complex, the spiritual heart of the city. Explore the Barak-Khan Madrasah, Hazrati Imam Mosque, and Mausoleum of Kaffal Shashi, together forming one of Tashkent’s most important historic and religious landmarks.

Continue to Chorsu Bazaar, one of Tashkent’s oldest and most vibrant markets. Wander through colourful stalls filled with spices, dried fruits, fresh produce, sweets, and traditional Uzbek foods. Be sure to visit a traditional tandir bakery, where local bakers press non bread by hand against the walls of a clay oven. Try it warm from the oven for an authentic taste of everyday Uzbek life.

See another side of Tashkent aboard the city’s famous Metro, stopping at some of its most impressive stations, including Alisher Navoi, Uzbekistan, and Kosmonavtlar. Each station features its own distinctive architecture, mosaics, chandeliers, and artistic design.

Continue to the Museum of Applied Arts, housed in an elegant historic residence. Its collection of intricate embroidery, textiles, ceramics, jewellery, and wood carving offers an insight into Uzbekistan’s rich artistic and craft traditions.

The tour then continues to Independence Square, Tashkent’s principal ceremonial space and an important symbol of the country’s independence. Finish at Amir Timur Square, one of the city’s central landmarks, dominated by the monument to Amir Timur, the celebrated 14th-century ruler and statesman.

Note: The State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan is currently closed for renovation. We will add it back to the itinerary once it reopens to visitors.

Hotel Options: 

Comfort Class: Lotte City Tashkent Palace

Tourist Class: Florence Boutique or Ateca Suits 

Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner 

Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to Tashkent Airport for your flight to Bishkek. 

Upon arrival at Bishkek Airport, you will be greeted by your Kyrgyz guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy an afternoon walking tour of Ala-Too Square. Witness the changing of the guard at the National Flag Pole, enjoy the lively  

atmosphere of the city central hub. State History Museum: Located near Ala-Too  

Square, this museum offers fascinating exhibits on Kyrgyzstan’s history, culture, and  

art. Its a great place to gain insight into the countrys rich heritage. 

Hotel Options: 

Comfort Class: Orion Hotel

Tourist Class: Golden Dragon or City

Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

This morning, set out on a scenic drive to the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Along the way, stop at the Burana Tower, a historic remnant of the ancient city of Balasagun, founded by the Karakhanids in the 9th century. 

Next, visit Don-Aryk Village to witness the traditional horseback game Buzkashi, a thrilling and deeply rooted Central Asian sport. Continue to the village of Kyzyl-Tuu, where you will visit a local yurt-maker’s family and learn how traditional yurts are crafted. You will see how the wooden frames, often made from willow trees, are carefully shaped using techniques passed down through generations. 

Our next stop is Jaychy Pasture, where you will watch an impressive Eagle Hunting demonstration, a proud tradition of Kyrgyz nomadic culture in which trained golden eagles are used for hunting. 

Later, continue driving to Beltam Yurt Camp on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. Enjoy a traditional Kyrgyz-style dinner and experience authentic nomadic hospitality as you spend the night in a traditional yurt. 

Hotel Options: 

Camp: Yurt Camp  

Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch -Dinner 

After breakfast, drive to Skazka Canyon (also known as Fairy Tale Canyon) and enjoy time exploring its colourful rock formations shaped by wind and erosion. 

Continue driving to Karakol. Along the way, stop to visit the famous Jety-Oguz Red Rocks, a striking series of red sandstone cliffs known for their unique formations and local legends. 

Upon arrival in Karakol, enjoy a walking city tour. Visit the Chinese Dungan Mosque, a unique wooden mosque built in traditional Chinese style without the use of nails, and the Russian Orthodox Church, a historic wooden church reflecting the region’s multicultural heritage. 

Hotel Options: 

Comfort Class: Green Yard or Karagat

Tourist Class: Green Yard 

Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

After breakfast, drive to Cholpon-Ata, located on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Upon arrival, visit the open-air Petroglyphs Museum, where you can see ancient rock carvings dating back to the Bronze Age. These fascinating petroglyphs depict scenes of animals, hunting, and daily life, offering insight into the beliefs and culture of the region’s early inhabitants. 

After the visit, continue your journey to the beautiful Chong Kemin Valley, a scenic national park known for its lush forests, rivers, and traditional Kyrgyz villages. Surrounded by the Tian Shan Mountains, the valley offers a peaceful glimpse into rural Kyrgyz life and stunning natural landscapes. 

Upon arrival, enjoy time at leisure to explore the surroundings, take a short walk, or simply relax and take in the tranquil mountain scenery. 

Hotel Options: 

Comfort Class: Ashu Guest House or similar  

Tourist Class: Guest House or similar  

Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

After breakfast, depart from Chong Kemin Valley and drive towards the Kyrgyzstan–Kazakhstan border. After completing border formalities, continue your journey to Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan and the country’s cultural and financial centre. 

Enjoy scenic views along the way as you travel through beautiful mountain landscapes and open steppe regions. Upon arrival in Almaty, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. 

Hotel Options:  

Comfort Class: Rixos Almaty or Dostyk Hotel

Tourist Class: Kazzhol Park Almaty or Resident Abay 

Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner 

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin your Almaty city tour with a visit to the famous Arbat Pedestrian Street, a lively area adorned with fountains and street sculptures where local artists sell their works and musicians perform. 

Continue to Panfilov Park, one of the city’s most popular green spaces, where you will visit the beautiful Zenkov Cathedral, a colourful wooden Russian Orthodox church. Nearby, explore the National Museum of Musical Instruments, which houses an impressive collection of traditional Kazakh instruments, some dating back to the 17th century. 

The first part of the tour concludes with a visit to the vibrant Green Bazaar, where locals shop for fresh produce, spices, and traditional delicacies. 

In the afternoon, drive to Medeu Gorge in the Tian Shan Mountains. Located about 15 km from Almaty, Medeu is a picturesque valley known for its beautiful scenery and the world’s largest high-altitude speed skating rink. From here, take a cable car up to Shymbulak Ski Resort, where you can enjoy panoramic mountain views and relax at one of the popular cafés or coffee shops. 

On the way back to the city, visit the Central State Museum, which offers an excellent introduction to Kazakhstan’s history. One of the highlights is a miniature replica of the country’s famous archaeological treasure, the Golden Man — a warrior costume made from over 4,000 gold pieces, many decorated with intricate animal motifs. 

Later, stop at Republic Square, where you will see the Independence Monument and other important national symbols of Kazakhstan. 

Hotel Options:  

Comfort Class: Rixos Almaty or Dostyk Hotel 

Tourist Class: Kazzhol Park Almaty or Resident Abay

Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner 

Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to the airport for your flight to Baku. Upon arrival at Baku International Airport, you will be greeted by our Azerbaijani team and transferred to your hotel.

Hotel Options:

Comfort Class: Mercure in Baku

Tourist Class: Central Park in Baku

Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a full-day excursion in Azerbaijan. Begin with a visit to Gobustan, where you will see more than 4,000 ancient rock carvings depicting the lifestyle, rituals, and daily activities of early inhabitants who lived near the Caspian Sea thousands of years ago. The area is also known for its fascinating archaeological and historical significance. 

In the afternoon, continue the tour with a visit to the Museum of Art, which houses an impressive collection of Azerbaijani and international artworks. 

Hotel Options:  

Comfort Class: Mercure in Baku

Tourist Class: Central Park in Baku 

Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

After breakfast at the hotel, begin a morning sightseeing tour of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. The tour includes a panoramic view of the city and visits to some of its most famous historical landmarks, including the Shirvanshahs’ Palace, the Maiden Tower (a 12th-century architectural monument), and a historic Caravanserai in the Old City. 

Later, travel to the Absheron Peninsula to visit the Fire Worshippers’ Temple (Ateshgah) in the Surakhany district, a historic architectural monument dating back to the 17th century. Continue to the Mardakan Fortresses, which were built for defensive purposes during the medieval period. 

You will also learn about Azerbaijan’s long history with the oil industry, which has played a major role in the country’s development. The excursion continues with a visit to Yanar Dag (“Fire Mountain”), a natural gas fire that has been burning continuously on the hillside for decades. 

Hotel Options: 

Comfort Class: Mercure in Baku

Tourist Class: Central Park in Baku 

Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner 

After breakfast at the hotel, depart Baku and begin your journey to Sheki, one of Azerbaijan’s most charming and historic towns. The drive takes approximately 4 hours, covering around 350 km (about 220 miles). 

Along the way, stop to visit the fascinating Mud Volcanoes, a unique natural phenomenon for which Azerbaijan is famous. Continue to the Diri Baba Mausoleum in Maraza, a remarkable monument built into a cliffside. 

Next, visit Shamakhi, once the historic capital of the Shirvan region. Here you will explore the Yeddi Gumbez Mausoleum complex and the historic Juma Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the Caucasus. 

Upon arrival in Sheki, enjoy a city tour including a visit to the magnificent Sheki Khan’s Palace, renowned for its intricate stained-glass windows and exquisite interior decorations. 

Dinner will be served at a local restaurant. 

Hotel Options:  

Comfort Class: Macara in Sheki

Tourist Class: Macara in Sheki 

Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner 

After breakfast, transfer to the Azerbaijan–Georgia border at Lagodekhi. After completing border formalities, continue your journey into Georgia. 

Begin your sightseeing in the Kakheti wine region with a visit to a traditional Georgian winery, where you will taste local wines and learn about Georgia’s ancient winemaking traditions, which date back thousands of years. 

Next, visit a local family home to observe the preparation of traditional Georgian bread called “Shoti”, baked in a clay oven known as a “Tone.” Enjoy a homemade lunch featuring local specialties. 

After lunch, visit a Qvevri master’s workshop, where you will see how the large clay jars used for traditional Georgian winemaking are handcrafted. You will also have the opportunity to taste homemade wines and Chacha, a strong Georgian grape brandy. 

Later, travel to Telavi, the main town of the Kakheti region, for a short walk before continuing to your hotel located near Telavi. 

Hotel Options:  

Comfort Class: Holiday Inn

Tourist Class: Family Guesthouse in Telavi

Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner 

After breakfast at the hotel, travel to the charming, fortified town of Sighnaghi, often referred to as the “City of Love.” Here, enjoy a leisurely walk through its picturesque streets while taking in beautiful views of the surrounding valleys and the Caucasus Mountains. 

Afterward, continue your journey to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Upon arrival, begin a walking sightseeing tour of the city. Explore the Old Town, visiting various religious landmarks including churches and a synagogue, reflecting the city’s diverse cultural heritage. 

You will also see the famous 19th-century houses with colourful wooden balconies and stroll along Rustaveli Avenue, the main Boulevard of Tbilisi, lined with historic buildings, theatres, and cultural institutions. 

Hotel Options:  

Comfort Class: Qarvasla in Tbilisi

Tourist Class: Holiday Inn Express in Tbilisi 

Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy an excursion to Mtskheta, the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia, with a history dating back more than 3,000 years. Here you will visit the historic Jvari Monastery, built in the 6th century, which offers stunning views over the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers. Continue to the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, built in the 11th century and believed to be the burial place of the Robe of Christ. This remarkable cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most sacred places in Georgia. 

Later, travel to the town of Gori, located in the heart of the Kartli region. Visit the Stalin Museum, dedicated to the life of Joseph Stalin, who was born in Gori. 

Continue to Uplistsikhe Cave Town, an ancient rock-hewn settlement dating back to the 1st millennium BC. This fascinating archaeological site once stood along the Great Silk Road and served as an important political, religious, and cultural centre. 

Hotel Options:  

Comfort Class: Qarvasla in Tbilisi 

Tourist Class: Holiday Inn Express in Tbilisi  

Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive along the famous Georgian Military Highway, one of the most spectacular mountain roads in the Caucasus. This stunning journey will take you to Kazbegi (Stepantsminda), the main town in the region. 

From Kazbegi, continue driving through beautiful valleys and forested hills to reach the Gergeti Trinity Church, located at an altitude of about 2,170 metres (7,100 ft). Weather permitting, you may catch breathtaking views of Mount Kazbek, one of the highest peaks in the Caucasus Mountains, rising to 5,047 metres (16,500 ft) and often covered with glaciers. 

After spending time at the church and enjoying the surrounding mountain scenery, return to Kazbegi and then drive back to Tbilisi. 

Hotel Options:  

Comfort Class: Qarvasla in Tbilisi   

Tourist Class: Holiday Inn Express in Tbilisi  

Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner 

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for the Georgia–Armenia border. After completing border formalities, continue your journey into Armenia. 

Begin your introduction to the country with a visit to Dilijan, a picturesque town often referred to as the “Armenian Switzerland,” known for its forests, traditional architecture, and scenic mountain surroundings. 

Continue to Lake Sevan, often called the emerald of Armenia. It is one of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in the world and the largest in the Caucasus region. The lake lies at an elevation of about 1,900 metres (6,200 ft) above sea level and offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. 

Visit the Sevan Peninsula, where you will explore the historic Sevan Monastery, an important medieval religious site overlooking the lake. 

After the visit, continue your journey to Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. 

Hotel Options:  

Comfort Class:  Historic or Republica in Yerevan 

Tourist Class: Ani Central Inn in Yerevan 

Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of the vibrant city of Yerevan, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Explore its lively streets, historic landmarks, and beautiful squares while learning about the city’s rich culture and history. 

Later, drive to the Khor Virap Monastery, located in the Ararat Valley near the border with Turkey. The monastery is famous for its spectacular views of the biblical Mount Ararat, where, according to tradition, Noah’s Ark came to rest after the Great Flood. Khor Virap is also one of Armenia’s most important pilgrimage sites and holds great significance in the country’s Christian history. 

Hotel Options:  

Comfort Class: Historic or Republica in Yerevan   

Tourist Class: Ani Central Inn in Yerevan

Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner 

After breakfast at the hotel, begin the day with a visit to Garni Temple, a well-preserved citadel and the only standing pagan temple in Armenia, dating back to the 1st century AD. 

Continue to the Symphony of Stones, a natural wonder featuring spectacular basalt rock formations that resemble the pipes of a giant organ, created by ancient volcanic activity. 

Enjoy lunch at a local home, where you will experience traditional Armenian hospitality and watch the preparation of lavash, Armenia’s traditional bread, baked in a clay oven known as a tonir. 

After lunch, visit the picturesque Zvartnots Temple ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its impressive remains and stunning views of Mount Ararat. 

After the tour, return to Yerevan. 

Hotel Options:  

Comfort Class: Historic or Republica in Yerevan   

Tourist Class: Ani Central Inn in Yerevan

Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner 

Our service will end with airport transfer.  

Meals Included: Breakfast