“Pre-Trip Extension: Eternal Flames, Azerbaijan and Western Georgia

7 Days / 6 Nights — June 10–16, 2027

Counting countries? Why not add another one before our main group?  Before the main Caucasus tour begins, we’re taking the scenic route—and by “scenic,” we mean ancient rock carvings, eternal flames, bubbling mud volcanoes, Black Sea beaches, palaces, underground caves, and the abandoned remains of a Soviet spa town. 

Our trip starts in Baku, Azerbaijan’s bold and slightly surreal capital on the Caspian Sea. Glass towers rise above medieval walls, fire burns straight from the earth, and centuries-old palaces sit alongside reminders of the oil boom that transformed the city. We’ll explore Baku’s UNESCO-listed Old City, visit the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and Maiden Tower, and discover why Azerbaijan has been called the “Land of Fire.”

Outside the capital, things get even stranger—in the best possible way. We’ll see prehistoric petroglyphs at Gobustan, bounce across a Martian-looking desert in Soviet-era 4x4s and stand beside mud volcanoes that bubble and burp beneath the open sky!  Back in Baku, we’ll shop at the Green Market and share an Azerbaijani dinner with traditional music and dancing.

Then we’ll fly from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea, landing in Batumi on Georgia’s subtropical coast. After a relaxed evening among stone beaches, old streets, and lively restaurants, we’ll head inland to Kutaisi. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, Kutaisi feels more intimate than Georgia’s capital—cobblestone lanes, neighborhood cafés, and families whose roots here stretch back generations.

Western Georgia has plenty of surprises of its own. We’ll descend into the enormous Prometheus Caves, feast our way through a traditional Georgian supra, and explore Tskaltubo, a once-glamorous Soviet spa destination now filled with haunting ruins. There’ll even be a chance to try the mineral-water treatments that drew visitors—including Joseph Stalin—to this unusual resort town.

Seven days later, we’ll arrive in Tbilisi with a camera full of wonderfully bizarre photos, a much better understanding of the Caucasus as we join the main group.  This isn’t just an add-on. It’s a full adventure before the adventure.

Deposit: $800

Azerbaijan pre-trip: $ 2995 plus $240 airfare, based on a minimum of 11 people + $95 gratuities.

Total: $ 3,330 (Note: airfare can change until tickets are issued, but it should be minimal, if at all.)

INCLUDED IN COST OF TOUR:

·       All transportation (including airport transfers for arrivals + departures in Baku & Batumi)

•       6 days of touring Azerbaijan & Western Georgia with an English-speaking guide(s)

•       Twin bed, sharing room unless otherwise requested

•       All excursion and entrance fees

•       All Breakfasts

•       Various lunches & dinners included, generally one per day as per itinerary

•       Unlimited drinking water

•       Lodging - 6 nights in hotels

•       Single Supplement available for additional cost...limited, $725 additional

•       Off-roading to mud volcanoes in Azerbaijan

•       National folklore dinner in Azerbaijan

•       Traditional Supra/Dinner in Georgia

•       Exploring abandoned Soviet-era health resorts in Georgia

•       Exploring underground caves in Georgia

•       And more experiences as described in itinerary

·      NOT INCLUDED IN COST OF TOUR:

•       International airfare from Baku (AZ) to Batumi (GE) on June 13 (approx. US$240)

•       Tourist visas (required e-visa to Azerbaijan for $30 - we will help you prepare for this)

•       Tips for guides, drivers & meals• 1 Lunch OR Dinner not included most days

·      Accommodations:

·      Days 1-3: Baku, AZ - Movenpick Winter Park Hotel (or something similar)

·      Day 4: Batumi, GE - Hampton by Hilton (or something similar)

·      Days 5-6: Kutaisi, GE - Newport Hotel (or something similar)

·      Day 7: Transfer to Tbilisi, GE, to join main 2-country tour

Pre-Trip Azerbaijan Extension to Georgia & Armenia

June 10: Arrival in Azerbaijan

Welcome to Azerbaijan! Upon arrival in Baku, you’ll be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Settle in, catch your breath, and get ready for an incredible adventure through Azerbaijan and Georgia.

If you’re feeling energetic, head out for your first look at Baku. This fascinating city blends ancient stone walls, bold modern architecture, and the breezy waterfront of the Caspian Sea. It’s also easy to explore on foot, making tonight the perfect chance to wander at your own pace.

Hotel: Mövenpick Winter Park Baku
Meals: Dinner

June 11: Baku, Palace of the Shirvanshahs, Maiden Tower, Ateshgah and Yanar Dag

Today we discover Baku—and quickly learn why Azerbaijan is known as the “Land of Fire.”

Our adventure begins in Baku’s UNESCO-listed Old City, where we’ll visit the 15th-century Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the mysterious Maiden Tower. These landmarks sit at the heart of the city’s long and layered history.

Next, we’ll visit Yanar Dag, where natural flames have burned from the hillside for centuries, fueled by Azerbaijan’s underground gas reserves. We’ll also explore Ateshgah, an ancient fire temple once used as a place of worship.

Tonight is yours to enjoy. Find a lively restaurant, stroll along the waterfront, or dip your toes in the Caspian Sea—because how often do you get to say you’ve done that?

Hotel: Mövenpick Winter Park Baku
Meals: Breakfast and lunch

June 12:  Petroglyphs, Jeeps, Mud Volcanoes, Shopping and Folklore Dinner

This morning we leave the capital behind and travel into Azerbaijan’s wonderfully strange countryside.

At Gobustan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we’ll see prehistoric rock carvings that reveal scenes of life from thousands of years ago. The surrounding desert feels almost Martian—and then things get even more unusual.

Nearly half of the planet’s mud volcanoes are found in Azerbaijan. We’ll climb into Soviet-era 4x4 vehicles and head off-road for a closer look at these bubbling natural curiosities.

Back in Baku, we’ll visit the site of the world’s first mechanically drilled oil well and browse the colorful stalls of the Green Market. Tonight, we’ll gather for a traditional Azerbaijani dinner with local music and dancing.

Hotel: Mövenpick Winter Park Baku
Meals: Breakfast and dinner

June 13: Baku and Flight to Batumi

Enjoy one last morning in Baku, including time to pick up a few souvenirs, before flying from Azerbaijan’s Caspian coast to Georgia’s Black Sea coast. The journey takes only about 90 minutes, but it brings us into a very different part of the Caucasus.

Welcome to Batumi! Georgia’s second-largest city has changed hands and identities many times, shaped by Georgian, Ottoman, and Russian influences. Today, it’s known for its pebble beaches, whimsical architecture, and atmospheric Old Town near Europe Square.

Tonight is free, so settle in and choose from Batumi’s wonderfully eclectic mix of restaurants.

Hotel: Hampton by Hilton Batumi
Meals: Breakfast

June 14: Kutaisi and Georgian Supra Dinner

Today we leave the Black Sea behind and travel inland to Kutaisi, one of Georgia’s oldest and most character-filled cities.

Kutaisi feels lived-in—in the best possible way. Its cobblestone streets, narrow alleys, neighborhood markets, and old houses tell stories of families who have called this city home for generations. We’ll explore its historic center and get acquainted with the slower rhythm of life here.

Tonight comes one of Georgia’s essential experiences: a traditional supra. Expect a table covered with delicious dishes, generous hospitality, and toast after toast led by a tamada, the evening’s toastmaster. Come hungry. Very hungry.

Hotel: Newport Hotel Kutaisi
Meals: Breakfast and dinner

June 15: Prometheus Cave, Tskaltubo and Stalin’s Soviet-Era Spa

We’re heading underground this morning at Prometheus Cave, an enormous series of caverns filled with dramatic stalactites and stalagmites. The caves were discovered in the late 20th century while the area was being considered as a possible nuclear-disaster bunker. Thankfully, today’s visit is much more enjoyable.

Later, we’ll travel to Tskaltubo, once one of the Soviet Union’s most glamorous spa towns. Its mineral-rich waters attracted visitors from across the USSR, including Joseph Stalin, who came here for regular health treatments.

We’ll explore the eerie remains of grand sanatoriums and see the places connected to Stalin’s visits. There may also be an opportunity to try a traditional mineral-water treatment before returning to Kutaisi.

Tonight is free to enjoy our final evening in this charming corner of western Georgia.

Hotel: Newport Hotel Kutaisi
Meals: Breakfast and lunch

June 16: Ubisa Monastery and Transfer to Tbilisi

After breakfast, we’ll begin our journey east toward Tbilisi, traveling along Georgia’s main cross-country highway.

On the way, we’ll stop at Ubisa Monastery, a historic Georgian Orthodox complex known for its medieval architecture and religious frescoes. It’s a peaceful final stop before we reach the capital.

Upon arrival in Tbilisi, we’ll meet the rest of our travelers and begin the next chapter of our Caucasus adventure through Georgia and Armenia.

Hotel: Mercure Tbilisi Old Town
Meals: Breakfast and dinner

The Tbilisi hotel and dinner are included in the main tour proposal.