Transcaucasian Train Tour

Overnight in Baku.

City tour of Baku - the capital of Azerbaijan, once a small fortified fishing port, the city owes its extraordinary development to oil. We will visit the Martyrs' Cemetery overlooking the Bay of Baku, the Palace of the Chirvan Shahs (15th century), the Old Town, the Tower of the Virgin (12th century), the Caravanserai of Bukhara (14th century), the mosques, the merchants' crossroads...

Visit the Museum of History in Baku.

Walking time: 3h.

Overnight in Baku.

Return to Baku.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 1h20, 50km.

Overnight in Baku.

Departure to Gobustan, volcanic area and archaeological site, 70 km from Baku. Between the rivers Pirsagat and Goslu, more than 6000 petroglyphs and other prehistoric objects have been identified in the caves and on the rocks. The oldest findings date back to the Stone Age.

Return to Baku and visit the Museum of Carpets.

Transfer to the train station.

Night train Baku-Tbilisi 20h40-08h50 (+1).

Arrive in Tbilisi at 8h50, meeting at the train station and transfer to the hotel.

In the afternoon we visit the National Museum and its collections of "Golden Treasures" from Antiquity. At the end of the day, we will visit the Dry Bridge - a popular place thanks to its typical flea market.

Walking time: approximately 3h.

The first step allows us to discover the 11th century Alaverdi Cathedral. It is built in the middle of the Alazani plain, surrounded by the Great Caucasus mountain range.

We continue our trip to the local house with an old wine cellar, where the locals will show us their traditional methods of wine-making, very different from the European practice. Wine tasting.

We visit Tsinandali - a palace and historic vineyard estate once owned by the 19th century aristocratic poet Alexander Chavchavadze. The palace combines typical Georgian architecture with Italian inspiration.

Arrive in the small and charming village of Sighnaghi, stroll through its cobbled streets and along its walls, admiring the magnificent panorama of the Alazani Valley and the Caucasus.

Return to the capital.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 3h20, 300km.

On the way to Kazbegi, visit the Ananuri Fortress with its picturesque view of the Jinvali Reservoir. Cross the legendary Georgian Military Highway, one of the most beautiful roads in the world, through the valleys, gorges and finally over the 2300m Cross Pass. Arrival at Stepantsminda, Kazbegi.

Visit the Gergeti Trinity Church 300m above the village.

Option: It is possible to organise a hike up to the Gergeti church (6km, 2h).

Return to Tbilisi.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 5h, 300km.

Then we discover the abandoned rock town of Uplistsikhe (about 1h30), dug into the rocks from the 2nd century, overlooking the Mtkvari River.

Return to Tbilisi and transfer to the train station.

Night train Tbilisi-Yerevan 20h06-08h55 (+1).

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 2h30, 210km.

Arrive in Yerevan at 6h55, meeting at the train station and transfer to the hotel.

Depart Yerevan, en route visit local bakery of traditional Armenian bread called "Lavash", master class.

Explore the pagan Armenian civilisation, overlooking the Azat Valley and Garni Temple. Visit the summer residence of the Armenian king of the 1st century A.D. and the Geghart Monastery, surrounded by a strong fortified wall carved into the rock.

Return to the capital.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 2h, 75km.

Visit the ruins of the Zvartnots Temple in the heart of the Ararat Plain.

Return to Yerevan and visit the Museum of History.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 1h30, 60km.

Then we discover the medieval Noravank Monastery, the 13th century site with beautiful stone crosses. Noravank is an important ornithological area.

Return to Yerevan.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 4h15, 245km.