Tbilisi To Ashgabat (27 Days) Caucasus & Persia Uncovered

DAY 1-2: Tbilisi
The Old Town of Tbilisi has much to offer. Here you can take a stroll along narrow cobbled streets, past traditional old houses with carved wooden balconies, relax in the warm waters of the historic sulphur baths and visit some of the city’s key historical sites; Metekhi Church, Narikala Fortress, Sioni Cathedral and Anchiskhati Church. If we need to obtain Iran visas, we may pick them up here too.

DAY 3-9: Tbilisi to Yerevan
Upon leaving Tbilisi our next stop is Telavi, the principal town of the Kakheti region, famous for its vineyards and wineries. Wine has been produced in Georgia since 4000BC and the industry has played a small but significant role in the country's history ever since, as winemaking (and its consumption) has enjoyed an important role in Georgian culture and society. Here we have the option of taking a wine tour to find out more about the history of the area, why wine production has been so important, and of course to try some ourselves!

Telavi itself is a fascinating and relaxing place to spend a couple of nights with many good restaurants and cafes, and not far from the town there are other sites well worth a visit, such as the monastery of Akhali Shuamta, and the small village of Ikalta and its Church of the Transfiguration which dates from the 8th Century BC.

After departing Telavi we cross the border to Armenia and carry on to the ancient town of Dilijan, famous for its hiking, food and arts. We should have time for a day hike here before will head to high altitude Lake Sevan with the possibility to visit the Hayravank Monastery that overlooks the lake.

Leaving the Lake Sevan area, we make our way via the Geghard Monastery and Garni Temple to one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world that is Yerevan where we will be based for the next couple of days and where there is plenty to see and do.

DAY 10-11: Yerevan to Iran or Azerbaijan
From Yerevan we head south to Tatev, which at 5.7km long, hosts the longest cable tramway in the world; the "Wings of Tatev", that whisks you up into the mountains where there are lots of additional activities to take part in.

Important Note: From Tatev, our journey will either head north, towards the border into Azerbaijan. Or, head south to the border with Iran. Both routes come together again in Ashgabat in Turkmenistan. Which we take will depend on the current situation with regard to border closures, Caspian Sea ferry operations, and regional security issues. We will make a final decision on which route we will take a couple of months before each trip departs.

DAY 12-20: Iran – Tabriz to Esfahan OR Azerbaijan - Sheki to Baku
Iran route: After crossing into in Iran our first stop will be in Tabriz, where we can explore its impressive Grand Bazaar. We’ll then continue east towards the capital Tehran. This is a friendly city, and we can visit the Golestan Palace, several excellent museums, and in the evening perhaps take a walk up from Darband where there are many restaurants and cafes either side of the river which forms the start of the hiking trail up to Mount Tochal.
From Iran we head south towards Kashan, famous for Persian ceramics, and woollen & silk carpets. Then we arrive in Esfahan, for many the highlight of their travels through Iran. Exploring the huge main square, bazaars, beautifully mosaiced mosques, and the famous bridges will take up a couple of days here.

Azerbaijan route: On arrival in Azerbaijan we get to visit the 18th Century UNESCO town of Sheki and continue on to the picturesque ancient village of Lahich with its copper beaters and ancient crafts. Heading south we visit the mud volcanoes of Qobustan before arriving in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku. Baku has an amazing blend of the old city and the ultra-modern and is fascinating to explore.
Leaving Baku we head to the ferry port for our crossing of the Caspian Sea to Turkmenistan. Ferry schedules are notoriously unreliable and unpredictable and we may need to wait for a day or two (or more) for the next ferry to fill up and depart. The crossing takes approximately 18 hours.

DAY 21-25: Continue to Ashgabat
Iran route: We will leave Esfahan and head East towards Mashhad. Our route is flexible, and may include stops to explore the Morteza Ali Canyon, and the old adobe village of Esfahak, destroyed by the big earthquake in 1978. In Mashhad, the holiest city in Iran, we can see the Imam Reza Shrine, where the eighth Shia Imam, Ali al-Rida is buried. From Mashhad we head north and cross into Turkmenistan and drive straight to the capital, Ashgabat.

Azerbaijan route: After crossing the Caspian Sea we arrive in our next country, Turkmenistan. On arrival in Turkmenbashi, we will be collected by off road jeeps and head off for our desert adventure. This will be a truly unique experience as we get to visit the Yangikala Canyons via the Balkan Mountains, then on past the white cliffs of Koymat, and along the banks of the dried up Uzboy River before reaching the desert settlement of Melegoch. We will pass several traditional villages on the way before setting up camp near the dunes of Melegoch. Much of this trip will be off road, and totally remote and will truly be a new experience. Finally, we head towards Ashgabat and arrive at our hotel for a well-earned rest!

DAY 26: Ashgabat
We have some free time and enjoy a city tour of Ashgabat. Turkmenistan’s capital, founded in the 1880s by the Russian Tsarist government, sits between the foothills of the Koptedag mountains to the south, and the vast Karakum Desert to the north. The city was almost entirely destroyed following an earthquake in 1948 and rebuilt in the Soviet style. Following independence in 1991 the city has been transformed into a futuristic, and in many ways bizarre collection of unique structures and wide streets lined with white marble. All cars must by law also be white, and for many travellers, Ashgabat is one of the most mystifying and unusual cities they will ever experience.

On the city tour we visit Independence Park, the Ertogrul Gazi Mozque, the Arch of Neutrality, the Turkmenbashi Mosque Mauasoleum and many other sites throughout the city. There are plenty of fantastic photo opportunities, and we will have the chance to explore some of the markets and meet the locals.

DAY 27: Ashgabat
The trip ends after breakfast. Additional nights in Ashgabat must be booked in advance through us as they need to be registered with your visa Letter of Invitation and all arrangements in the country made with our local agent. Departure airport transfers are included in the trip price, and you will be taken straight from the hotel to Ashgabat’s futuristic, falcon-shaped airport to catch your flight.