Baku to Yerevan
South Caucasus Explorer
Golden Eagle
Baku to Yerevan
Golden Eagle
BAKU – TBILISI – TELAVI – MTSKHETA – UPLISTSIKHE – GORI – BORJOMI – DILIJAN – LAKE SEVAN – YEREVAN
From our starting point in the historic Azerbaijan capital of Baku, we explore the beauty and rich history of the South Caucasus as we weave through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia.
Bounded by the Black Sea to the west and Caspian Sea to the east and the Caucasian Mountains to the north with stunning scenery all around, this journey promises to be a unique adventure, all experienced from the comfort of our private luxury train.
Upon arrival at Baku International Airport you will be met and transferred to the five-star Four Seasons Baku Hotel, where we stay for two nights.
Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, lies on the western shore of the Caspian Sea and the southern side of the Apsheron Peninsula, around the wide, curving sweep of the Bay of Baku. The bay, sheltered by the islands of the Baku Archipelago, provides the best harbour of the Caspian Sea, while the Apsheron Peninsula gives protection from violent northerly winds. Baku derives its international importance from its huge oil industry. The core of present-day Baku is the Old Town, or fortress of Icheri-Shekher. Most of the walls, strengthened after the Russian conquest in 1806, survive, as does the 90 ft (27 m) tower of Kyz-Kalasy (Maiden Tower, 12th century). The walled old town is highly picturesque, with its maze of narrow alleys and ancient buildings. These include the Palace of the Shirvan-Shahs, now a museum, the oldest part of which dates from the 11th century. Also of the 11th century is the Synyk-Kala Minaret and Mosque (1078-79).
Other notable historic buildings are the Law Court (Divan-Khan), the Dzhuma-Mechet Minaret, and the mausoleum of the astronomer Seida Bakuvi. Around the walls of the fortress, the regular streets and imposing buildings of modern Baku rise up the slopes of the amphitheatre of hills surrounding the bay.
This morning we offer a Freedom of Choice tour to Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape. Located 40 miles (64 km) from Baku on the west bank of the Caspian Sea, Gobustan is an outstanding archaeological site of more than 6,000 pre-historic rock engravings.
The area also features the remains of inhabited caves, settlements and burials. This is followed by lunch overlooking the Caspian Sea.
This afternoon we join the Golden Eagle in Baku and begin our journey into Georgia.
Heading into Georgia, we visit Tbilisi. Hemmed in by the Surami Range, the city extends for 17 miles (27 km) along the banks of the River Kura. Despite the wars and fires which caused innumerable changes in the topography of Tbilisi, the old part of the city still retains much of its original layout, a spider’s web of narrow winding streets and alleyways.
Historical sites we visit include the 13th century Metekhi church, a cross cupola church which forms part of the Royal Residential complex, and the 5th century Sioni Cathedral, the main church of Tbilisi. We’ll also visit the recently built Holy Trinity Cathedral, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world and take a walking tour of the old town and Rustaveli Avenue. Here we will see the Great Hall of the Georgian Philharmonia, built in 1969-71, which has been acknowledged as one of the finest public buildings since the Second World War. We’ll see the treasures of the city housed in the Janashia Museum of Georgia.
Today we explore the beautiful Kakheti region, which borders the Great Caucasus Mountain range.
This region is known as a birthplace of Georgian viticulture and wine-making. We tour the Tsinandali country estate of the Alexandre Chavchavadze family with a marvellous garden, house-museum, park and winery dating back to the 19th century, located near Telavi, a couple of hours’ drive from Tbilisi.
Gori is one of the oldest cities in Georgia, founded in the 7th century AD as Tontio. Joseph Stalin, the Soviet leader, was born here in 1879 and he spent his childhood years in the city and later (1888-94) studied at its theological seminary. The small house where Stalin was born is preserved under a canopy outside the huge columned palace-like building that houses the Stalin Museum. To the side of the museum is Stalin’s private railway carriage. The museum is filled with interesting photographs of the man responsible for more deaths and suffering than any other human being. From the town we will go directly to Uplistsikhe where we will have a private performance of traditional Georgian polyphonic singing.
The famous cave city of Uplistsikhe dates from the 6th century BC and is first mentioned in the chronicles of the 1st century AD. Carved into rocky plateau we find huge echoing halls, meandering corridor-streets, chambers for pagan worship and even the remains of Georgia’s oldest theatre, complete with auditorium, stage and orchestra pit. Like the other cave-towns of Georgia, it is rooted in the prehistoric traditions of the peoples of the Near East. On one side the fortress was protected by the Mtkvari and an almost vertical rock face, on the other, by powerful fortifications. Its strategic position on the approaches to Gori and, in particular, its strong defences made it possible to control the surrounding terrain. There were numerous attempts to destroy Uplistsikhe. Only in the 13th century, however, did the hordes of Genghis Khan’s son Khulagu succeed in doing so, after capturing and destroying many fortresses in Transcaucasia with the help of siege machines. The 5,000 inhabitants of Uplistsikhe perished and life ended forever in the fortress.
Late afternoon we visit the city of Mtskheta, Georgia’s Old Capital. Due to its historical significance and numerous ancient monuments, Mtskheta became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
On the fast-running Mtkvari River in the middle of the Borjomi Gorge stands the town of Borjomi. The entire gorge is a vast natural preserve situated at an altitude of 2,625 feet (800 metres) above sea level and dotted with spa towns, and summer villas which date back to the latter half of the 19th century.
In Mineral Park is a former Romanov Palace; set in superb gardens it is an idyllic setting with a ruined castle perched overlooking the river and gorge. The most famous mineral water of the former USSR, ‘Borjomi’, is bottled here – over 300,000,000 bottles per year.
We’ll continue to Dilijan to visit the nearby Monastery of Haghpat, built between the 10th and 14th centuries. Its beautiful location in dense wood in the gorges of two small mountain rivers make an atmospheric backdrop for St. Astvatsatsin Church, its most important building.
Our train takes a scenic route today around the stunning Lake Sevan and we make a short stop to walk to the beach for a photo opportunity. Along with Lake Van and Lake Urmia, Sevan was considered one of the three great lakes of the historical Armenian Kingdom, collectively referred to as the Seas of Armenia; it is the only one within the boundaries of today’s Republic of Armenia.
The Yerevan skyline is dominated by Mount Ararat in nearby Turkey, with its snow-covered peak towering in the distance. Yerevan has a rich history and was occupied as early as 6,000 BC. The fortress of Erebuni was erected there in the 8th century BC. Seized by a succession of conquerors, the city later passed back and forth between the Turks and the Persians until 1827, when it was taken by Russia. It became the capital of Soviet Armenia in 1920 and following the demise of the Soviet Union, the capital of the new nation of Armenia.
Our day’s touring will take us 23 miles (37 km) out of Yerevan to the ancient Geghard Monastery. The beautiful monastery contains a number of churches and tombs, many of them cut into the rock. The complex of medieval architecture is set into a landscape of great natural beauty, surrounded by towering cliffs at the head of the Azat Valley.
We’ll also visit the 1st Century pagan temple of Garni, built to worship the Sun God Mitra. We’ll explore the remains of an ancient fortress, palace and baths there. Back in Yerevan city we’ll visit the Cascade giant stairway and inside it the Casfejian Museum of Modern Art.
Following breakfast you will be transferred to Yerevan Airport for your onward flight.
Why not extend your stay in Yerevan with additional nights to explore more of the city and surrounding region at your leisure?
The Golden Eagle, comprising three categories of cabins, featuring state-of-the-art amenities and en-suite facilities, is the only private train of its kind operating in these regions of the world.
All prices are per person
USD ($) | Silver Class | Gold Class | Imperial Suite | |||
Twin ($) | Single ($) | Twin ($) | Single ($) | Twin ($) | Single ($) | |
Sep 13 – Sep 22 | 9,995 | 9,995 | 12,495 | 12,495 | On Request | On Request |
Deposit | $1,750 | $3,000 | $6,000 |
GBP (£) | Silver Class | Gold Class | Imperial Suite | |||
Twin (£) | Single (£) | Twin (£) | Single (£) | Twin (£) | Single (£) | |
Sep 13 – Sep 22 | On Request | On Request | On Request | On Request | On Request | On Request |
Deposit | £1,500 | £2,500 | £5,000 |
EUR (€) | Silver Class | Gold Class | Imperial Suite | |||
Twin (€) | Single (€) | Twin (€) | Single (€) | Twin (€) | Single (€) | |
Sep 13 – Sep 22 | On Request | On Request | On Request | On Request | On Request | On Request |
Deposit | €1,500 | €2,500 | €5,000 |
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