Istanbul To Azerbaijan - 30 Days
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Overview
Highlights
- Istanbul - Begin your adventure in the cultural Turkish city and discover highlights including the Blue Mosque independently
- Ephesus - Explore the ancient marble ruins including the Library of Celsus and the Temple of Serapis
- Sumela Monastery - Gaze out over the green forests and swirling mists of the valley from this ancient monastery which clings to a rock face
- Cappadocia - Discover the enchanting and unique landscape of subterranean churches and cities then opt for a hot air balloon ride over this magical region
- Vardzia - Venture into the incredible subterranean cave city and visit the Vardzia Monastery where a handful of monks still reside
- Tbilisi - Take in highlights of the Georgian Capital including the National Museum, Sioni Cathedral and Metekhi Temple
- Stepantsminda - Hike into the hills and visit the tiny Tsminda Sameba Church which is surrounded by the towering Caucasus Mountains
- Yerevan - Opt to relax or independently explore one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth
- Sheki - Stay in an ancient Silk Road Caravanserai which has been converted into a comfortable hotel
- Baku - See the bubbling mud volcanoes and ancient petroglyphs at Gobustan and end your tour in the emerging Azerbaijani Capital
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Destinations
Activities
Max Group Size
Trip includes
- 17 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 14 dinners
- 20 nights in hotels and guesthouses
- 9 nights camping (including 3 nights on campsites, 5 nights wild camping and 1 night camping without facilities)
- Transportation in an overland expedition vehicle
- All necessary camping equipment (excluding sleeping bags)
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Guided tour of Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus and Cappadocia
- Visits to the Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery and Khor Virap Monastery in Armenia
- A stay in the ancient Sheki caravanserai in Azerbaijan
- Visit to Gobustan to see the petroglyphs and mud volcanoes
- Services of two crew (drivers/tour leaders) and local guides along the way
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Itinerary
Welcome to Turkey! On arrival in Istanbul there’s a 10:00am pre-departure meeting at our joining hotel. The rest of the day is then free to explore the city at leisure. Alternatively, you could join a cruise on the Bosphorus which separates Asia and Europe.
Istanbul - Gallipoli. Leaving Istanbul, we board our overland truck for the first time and drive to the Gallipoli peninsula. Here we’ll take a guided tour of the region and can pay our respects at some of the WW1 battlefields and memorials. We’ll also visit ANZAC Cove, the site of some of the fiercest fighting during the war.
Gallipoli - Selcuk. On day 3 we cross the Dardenelles by ferry and drive to the ruins of the fabled city of Troy. See the replica Trojan Horse before we arrive at our hostel in Selcuk. The evening is free to relax in one of the many tea bars in the area. The nex...
Selcuk - Pamukkale. Driving inland, we reach the small village of Pamukkale, which is famous for its mineral rich hot springs and white terraced travertines. Take a walk along these beautiful terraces and opt for a dip in the thermal springs. Tonight, we will either camp near Pamukkale or stay in a local hotel.
Pamukkale - Olympos. On day 6 we drive to the popular beach town of Olympos, where there’s free time to relax on the beach or explore the local area. The next day you may wish to join an optional sea kayaking adventure and at nightfall we take a short hike up to the m...
Olympos - Egirdir. We leave Olympos behind and drive to the impressive Pisidian ruins of Termessos, which sit at an altitude of more than 1,000m. After exploring the site, we continue towards Egirdir, finding a suitable spot for our first night of wild camping en route.
Egirdir - Goreme. On day 9 we drive to the small town of Goreme, nestled in the heart of the magical Cappadocia Mountains. During our two days here we’ll enjoy guided sightseeing in this enchanting subterranean landscape. Explore the underground city of Kaymakli and t...
Goreme - Zara. Today we have a long drive towards the incredible Sumela Monastery, stopping en route to wild camp near the villages of Zara or Alucra.
Zara - Sumela. Today we reach the incredible Sumela Monastery, which clings to rugged cliffs 1,200m up. The monastery was founded in the year 368CE during the reign of the Roman Emperor Theodosius I. We get to explore this amazing site and gaze out at the green forests and mystical swirling mists in the valley below. We spend the night at a campsite near the monastery (weather permitting).
Sumela - Batumi (Georgia). Today we say goodbye to Turkey and cross into Georgia. Our first stop is the hospitable port city of Batumi. Sitting on the Black Sea coast, Batumi is a popular summer getaway destination for Georgians and travellers alike. There’s free time to explore the city and an optional visit to the Batumi Archaeological Museum.
Batumi - Kutaisi. We leave Batumi and head to the ancient city of Kutaisi. Later today we’ll explore the stunning Bagrati Cathedral, which has recently been restored by the Georgian authorities. We also pay a visit to the Gelati Monastery and the giant Prometheus Cave, located just outside the city.
Kutaisi - Tbilisi. On day 15 we drive to the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. The city was once a major superpower on the Silk Road due to its geographical position. During our two day stay in the city we’ll explore the charming old town and visit the fascinating National M...
Tbilisi - Lake Sevan (Armenia). Saying goodbye to Georgia for now, we cross the border into neighbouring Armenia. Today’s drive takes us through the lush forests of Dilijan National Park. We either camp in the park or continue to Lake Sevan. The pebble beaches on this...
Lake Sevan - Yerevan. On day 18 we drive to the ancient city of Yerevan, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. En route we visit the UNESCO-listed Geghard Monastery, which has been carved out of the rock face of the Azat River Gorge. We also st...
Yerevan - Armenian Highlands. Today we drive into the pristine Armenian Highlands. A stop is made at the Khor Virap Monastery, close to the Turkish border. This important pilgrimage site sits in the shadow of imposing Mt Ararat and on a clear day there are magnificent views of the snow-capped peak. We wild camp in the highlands tonight.
Armenian Highlands - Vardzia (Georgia). Today we cross back into Georgia and journey to Vardzia, home to the sprawling Vardzia Caves. This ancient cave city is carved into the side of a mountain and was once a sprawling underground community. Abandoned mostly in the 1...
Vardzia - Mtskheta. If we haven’t already then we’ll visit the Vardzia Caves this morning before we drive into Borjomi National Park. Here we have time for a short hike, and you can opt to ride the cable car up the mountain. We then drive to Mtskheta where we visit the pretty Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.
Mtskheta - Stepantsminda. Today we drive to the town of Stepantsminda, nestled in picturesque scenery. During our stay we’ll hike up to the tiny Tsminda Sameba Church, which is hidden in the towering Caucasus Mountains. There’s also an optional cooking class to learn how to create delicious Georgian kinkhalis (meatballs).
Stepantsminda - Telavi. On day 24 we head into the Alazani Valley and arrive in the wine-making region of Telavi. Hundreds of varieties of grape are grown here and we’ll visit some local vineyards on day 25. Watch local traditions in action including grape harvesting and enjoy some famous Georgian hospitality with lunch and wine tasting at a family-run winery.
Telavi - Lagodekhi National Park. Leave the wine region behind as we visit the impressive Gremi Citadel and drive into the lush Lagodekhi National Park. Tonight we’ll wild camp in the park, somewhere close to the border with Azerbaijan.
Lagodekhi National Park - Sheki (Azerbaijan). Today we begin the final stretch of our journey as we cross into the resource-rich country of Azerbaijan. Driving to the ancient city of Sheki, we visit the exquisite Khan’s Palace before continuing to our accommodation - ...
Sheki - Lahij. We drive to Lahij today, an ancient mountain village that is known for its copper and arms production. Explore the site at leisure and camp with facilities tonight.
Lahij - Baku. Today we drive to Gobustan, near the Caspian Sea coast. See the ancient petroglyphs and bubbling mud volcanoes that the area is famous for. After our visit we climb aboard our overland truck for the final time and drive to the emerging world city of Baku...
Our adventure comes to an end today. If you wish to stay in Baku for a few extra days to partake in some of our optional activities, then please contact our sales team.
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- International flights and visas
- Sleeping bag and roll mat - please bring your own for camping
- Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
- Local payment - $930pp, paid in USD
Accommodation
16 years with an accompanying adult
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