Baku to Black Sea Tour

Arrive in Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital. You will be met by our driver at Heydar Aliyev International Airport for drop-off at the hotel, where check-in begins at noon. Have a rest, followed by a private walking tour of Old Baku (Icheri Sheher) to see several historical monuments:

• Maiden Tower (date unconfirmed), an ancient fortress believed to have once been a fire temple, it is now a city symbol which affords a great view of Baku from the top.
• Palace of the Shirvanshahs (15th century), a UNESCO ensemble and Azerbaijan’s finest example of medieval architecture, it includes a mosque, bathhouse and entrance gates.
• Multani Caravanserai (15th century), built as a haven for Indian merchants and fire worshipers hailing from the city of Multan in present-day Pakistan.
• Juma Mosque (12th century, rebuilt 1899), defined by intricate stone carvings and an adjacent 14th-century minaret, it was constructed on the site of a Zoroastrian temple.
• Market Square (17th century), a plaza filled with winding streets and shops selling carpets, souvenirs and antiques.

Depart your hotel in Baku and drive to Gobustan National Park (60km, 1hr), located on the west bank of the Caspian Sea.

• Start your excursion at Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, an open-air gallery dating back to 10000 BC. Discover 6000 petroglyphs ranging from depictions of ritual dances and warriors to animals and the cosmos.
• Explore the Petroglyph Museum for a brief introduction to the park’s cultural and ecological history.
• Drive to the Mud Volcanoes (10km, 15min), an unusual natural phenomena where underground gases bubble up from the earth in a mixture of mud and methane.
• View Yanar Dag (Burning Mountain), a natural gas fire which has been burning for thousands of years due to the large reservoir of gas under the Absheron Peninsula.
• Tour Ateshgah Fire Temple (dates vary), a historic center of Zoroastrian worship and philosophical teaching.

Your guide and driver will meet you at your Baku hotel for a drive to Shamakhi (120km, 1hr 30min).
On the way, stop at Diri Baba Mausoleum (15th century) in the village of Maraza. Explore the two-story monument, carved into a rocky cliff as a unique display of Shirvan-Absheron architecture.
Continue driving to ancient Shamakhi, former seat of the Shirvanshah Empire, to visit:

• Juma Mosque (8th century), the oldest mosque in Azerbaijan whose ancient Islamic architecture and interior stone columns are unparalleled in the country.

Continue driving to Sheki (170km, 2hrs 30min) to tour to its finest sites:

• Sheki Khans’ Palace (18th century), a UNESCO World Heritage Site built without glue or nails. Famous for its stained glass and miniature paintings, it is the country’s most treasured relic from the 1700s.
• Sheki Caravanserai (18th century), which once housed foreign merchants and their camels. You can stop for a rest too as you enjoy tea and local sweet halva, or pakhlava.
• Gelersen-Gerersen Fortress (Come-and-See Fortress, 15th century), a once impenetrable citadel whose history is closely linked with the city.

In the morning, your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel for a private city tour to the following:

• Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba Church), one of the largest houses of worship in the world.
• Drive to Tbilisi’s modern quarter, passing the Parliament Building on Rustaveli Avenue before reaching Freedom Square.
• Metekhi Church (13th century), guarded by a statue of King Vakhtang Gorgasali.
• Bridge of Peace, which leads to the popular Rike Park.
• Cable car ride to Narikala Fortress (4th century), Georgia’s oldest citadel and the best spot for a panoramic view of the city. Nearby stands the 20-meter-high statue of Kartlis Deda, Mother of Georgia.
• Old Tbilisi, the city’s largest district, including the famous Jumah Mosque.
• Bridge of Lovers, found near the cooling waters of the 22-meter-high Legvtakhevi Waterfall.
• Historic Abanotubani District, including the Tbilisi Sulfur Baths.
• Jan Shardeni Street (Jean Chardin), an area filled with cozy coffee shops, wine tasting bars and souvenir stores.
• Sioni Cathedral (7th century), with a jaw-dropping interior of gold and turquoise frescoes.
• Leaning Clock Tower of Tbilisi, next to the famous Reza Gabriadze Puppet Theater.
• Anchiskhati Basilica Church (6th century), the oldest house of worship in Tbilisi.

In the morning, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel to drive to the small town of Mtskheta (25km, 30min) where you will explore two UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

• Jvari Orthodox Monastery (6th century), a unique remnant of the early Georgian church built at the top of a hill. The church amazes its visitors with simple yet beautiful facades.
• Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century), where one of the holiest items of the orthodox Christian world - the seamless robe, or chiton, worn by Jesus Christ at crucifixion - is believed to be buried. Admire its stunning architecture and frescoes as you learn the legends connected with the church.

In the morning, begin your tour of Kutaisi Region:

• Visit Colchis Fountain (2011), located in Kutaisi’s David Agmashenebeli Square. It includes dozens of statues and waterworks that recall the ancient kingdom of Colchis, believed to have been located near Kutaisi.
• Drive over Rioni River to Bagrati Cathedral (11th century), whose medieval architecture and detailed inner paintings are sure to impress.

In the morning, begin your Batumi city tour, which will take you to the following sights:

• Driving tour of the House of Justice, Batumi Mall, Dolphinarium, Rustaveli University, Museum of Art, Batumi Port and Orta Mosque.
• Gonio Fortress, the oldest fortress in Georgia (1st century AD) which spans 4.5 hectares and two millennia of buried history.
• Europe Square with its famous Medea Statue and nearby Italian Piazza Square.
• Batumi Boulevard, including a dancing fountain and the famous Ali and Nino Monument.
• Seaside Miracle Park, a delightful promenade featuring the Panoramic Wheel, Chacha Tower, Alphabetic Tower, Batumi Lighthouse and Nurigeli Lake.
• Church of St. Nicolas (1871), one of Batumi’s key historical monuments built by the Greek community.
• Holy Mother Virgins Nativity Cathedral (1897), a gothic-style church with large stained-glass windows.