Two Countries Trail Baku to Tbilisi

Your flight lands at Heydar Aliyev International Airport where a private chauffeur guide awaits. He escorts you by sedan to your chosen hotel in Baku. After completing check in, the remainder of the day is free for you to unwind after your travels. You might take a gentle stroll along the seaside boulevard or simply rest in your room. No meals are provided on this arrival day, leaving you to explore a local eatery at your own pace.

Following breakfast, your chauffeur guide takes you on a comprehensive exploration of the capital. You enter the UNESCO listed Old City, home to the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs. Afterward, you ride the funicular up to Highland Park for sweeping views of the Flame Towers and the curve of Baku Bay. The route also includes a drive along the seaside promenade and a glance at the futuristic Heydar Aliyev Center from outside. The tour wraps up by early afternoon, giving you free time to shop or relax before an independent dinner.

After breakfast, your chauffeur guide drives you west to the picturesque region of Gabala, known for its green valleys and mountain scenery. Upon arrival, you take a ride on the two line cable car system, ascending to the peaks for panoramic views of the Caucasus range. You explore the area at your own pace, perhaps visiting the Nohur Lake or the Tufandag Mountain Resort. In the late afternoon, you check into your hotel in Gabala for an overnight stay. Dinner is on your own, with many local restaurants offering traditional Azerbaijani dishes.

After breakfast, your chauffeur guide drives you toward the Karabakh region, first reaching the city of Khankandi, also known as Stepanakert. You take a brief tour of its main squares and monuments, learning about the area’s recent history. Then you continue to Shusha, a historic mountain fortress town perched on a cliff. You check into your hotel and later explore the reconstructed streets, including the iconic Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque and the Shusha Fortress walls. The evening is free to absorb the quiet atmosphere of this culturally significant town.

Breakfast is followed by a guided drive toward the Lachin region, known for its dramatic mountain landscapes and the strategic Lachin Corridor. Your chauffeur guide takes you through winding roads with views of deep gorges and alpine meadows. You stop at a few scenic overlooks to capture photographs and stretch your legs. A local lunch can be arranged at a small family run eatery. You return to Shusha in the late afternoon, with the remainder of the evening free for personal relaxation.

After breakfast and checkout from your Shusha hotel, your chauffeur guide drives you back to Baku, a journey of several hours. Upon arrival, you check back into your original hotel. The remainder of the day is entirely free for you to design your own activities. You might revisit a favorite spot, do some souvenir shopping at the Taza Bazaar, or simply rest after the road trip. The evening offers countless dining options, from traditional kebabs to modern fusion cuisine. You overnight in Baku with breakfast ready for the next morning.

After breakfast and checkout from your Baku hotel, your chauffeur guide transfers you to Heydar Aliyev International Airport for a short flight to Tbilisi. Upon landing at Tbilisi International Airport, a fresh Georgian chauffeur guide meets you and takes you to your hotel in the capital. The rest of the day is yours to recover from the journey or take a gentle stroll along Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi’s main thoroughfare. You overnight in Tbilisi with breakfast provided for the following morning.

Right after breakfast, your chauffeur guide leads you north onto the legendary Georgian Military Highway. The first stop is Ananuri Fortress, a medieval castle standing above the turquoise waters of the Zhinvali Reservoir. You continue through the Gudauri ski area, where you pause for photos of snow capped peaks and paragliders. Reaching the town of Stepantsminda, you switch to a 4x4 vehicle for the steep climb up to Gergeti Trinity Church, perched at 2,170 metres below the mighty Mount Kazbek. After soaking in the mountain vistas, you return to Tbilisi in the evening.

After breakfast and checkout, your chauffeur guide drives west to Martvili Canyon, a spectacular gorge with emerald green water and a seven metre high waterfall. You walk along the canyon paths and take a short boat ride to admire the sheer rock walls covered in moss. Then you continue to Batumi, Georgia’s vibrant seaside capital. Upon arrival, you check into your hotel and later enjoy an evening city tour: you see the Piazza, the moving statue of Ali and Nino, the 19th century streets, the Drama Theatre, and the singing fountains on the New Boulevard. You overnight in Batumi.

Your chauffeur guide meets you after breakfast for a journey into the Adjarian mountains. You visit the Makhuntseti Waterfall, a powerful cascade surrounded by lush greenery. Nearby stands the ancient arched stone bridge of Queen Tamara, a well preserved example of medieval engineering. You have time to walk along the river and take photographs of the scenic valley. The afternoon is free for you to explore Batumi’s botanical garden or relax on the beach. You return to your hotel for a second night in this lively Black Sea resort.

After breakfast and checkout, your chauffeur guide drives you back to Tbilisi. Upon arrival, you check into your hotel and then set off on a walking tour of the old city. You take the cable car up to Narikala Fortress for panoramic views, then descend through streets lined with wooden balconies and hidden courtyards. You pass the only mosque in Tbilisi, the secret waterfall, the sulfur bath district of Abanotubani, and cross the futuristic Bridge of Peace. The tour also includes Sioni Cathedral, the 6th century Anchiskhati Basilica, and Rezo Gabriadze’s charming clock tower. You overnight in Tbilisi.