Self-Launched Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia Highlights — 14 Days

Fly into Heydar Aliyev International Airport and take the BakuBus or metro into the city centre (around £1.50). Check into your guesthouse in or near the Old City (Icherisheher). In the evening, explore the walled Old City on foot — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander to Maiden Tower, Shirvanshah's Palace, the old Caravanserai and the main market square. Stroll Istiglaliyaat Street for views of the iconic Flame Towers lit up at night, then walk Nizami Street and Fountain Square.

🚌Airport to city: BakuBus (Line 1) or Metro to Icherisheher station — ~£1.50. Alternatively taxi via Bolt app — ~£5.

🛏Boutique guesthouse or hostel in/near Old City (e.g. Old City Inn or Sultan Inn Baku) — ~£20–30/night

• →Self-guided walk of Old City (Icherisheher) — free entry to streets, Maiden Tower entry ~£3
• →Shirvanshah's Palace Museum — ~£2 entry
• →Evening stroll to Flame Towers viewpoint — free
• →Nizami Street and Fountain Square — free

Take a shared taxi or marshrutka from Baku's Avtovagzal (bus station) toward Gobustan (~£2–3 one way, ~1hr). Visit the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape and its excellent modern Petroglyphs Museum. Continue to the nearby mud volcanoes — a surreal moonscape landscape. Return to Baku in the afternoon and visit Martyrs' Lane (Şəhidlər Xiyabanı) for sweeping views over the Caspian coastline. Finish with a visit to the striking Heydar Aliyev Center (best appreciated from outside or entry ~£6).

🚌Marshrutka from Baku Avtovagzal to Gobustan — ~£2–3 each way. Shared taxi back to Baku — ~£3. Local metro/bus within Baku — ~£0.50.

🛏Same guesthouse in Baku — ~£20–30/night

• →Gobustan Petroglyphs Museum — ~£3 entry
• →Gobustan Reserve mud volcanoes — ~£1 entry
• →Martyrs Lane viewpoint — free
• →Heydar Aliyev Center exterior/interior — ~£6 entry

Take an early marshrutka or shared taxi from Baku toward Sheki (~£6–8, 4–5hrs), asking to stop en route at Maraza for the otherworldly Diri Baba Mausoleum carved into a cliff face, and at Shamakha for the 10th-century Juma Mosque and the Yeddi Gumbez Mausoleum. Continue to Sheki and, just before arriving, detour to Kish village to see the First Albanian Church in the Caucasus. Arrive in Sheki in the late afternoon — explore the local tea houses and pick up Sheki baklava, a famous local speciality.

🚌Marshrutka Baku to Sheki from Avtovagzal — ~£6–8. Ask driver to make brief stops en route. Shared taxi for Kish detour — ~£3.

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Sheki (e.g. Caravanserai Hotel or local guesthouse) — ~£20–28/night

• →Diri Baba Mausoleum, Maraza — free
• →Juma Mosque, Shamakha — free
• →Yeddi Gumbez Mausoleum — free
• →First Albanian Church, Kish village — ~£1 entry
• →Sheki bazaar and local sweets tasting — ~£3

Cross from Azerbaijan into Georgia via the Red Bridge (Kırmızı Körpü) border crossing by shared taxi or marshrutka (~£5–8). Head into the Kakheti wine region. Book a wine tour and tasting at Khareba Wine Cellar near Kvareli independently online or on arrival (~£10–15 including tasting). For a homemade Georgian lunch experience, ask your guesthouse owner or check local community boards — many Georgian families offer home-cooked meals for ~£8–12. Settle into Telavi for the evening.

🚌Shared taxi Sheki to Red Bridge border — ~£5. Walk across border. Shared taxi or marshrutka onward to Telavi — ~£4–6.

🛏Guesthouse in Telavi (e.g. Hotel Twins Old Telavi or local family guesthouse) — ~£18–25/night

• →Red Bridge border crossing — free (check visa requirements in advance)
• →Khareba Wine Cellar tour and tasting — ~£10–15
• →Homemade lunch with local Georgian family — ~£8–12

Before heading to Tbilisi, visit the elegant Tsinandali Estate — the historic palace of Georgian poet-duke Alexander Chavchavadze, with its English garden and wine museum (~£5 entry). Then head to Sighnaghi, the 'city of love' with its red-roofed houses, cobbled streets and panoramic Alazani Valley views. Walk the defensive walls for free and visit Bodbe Convent, the resting place of Saint Nino (~free). Catch a marshrutka or shared taxi onward to Tbilisi in the late afternoon.

🚌Shared taxi Telavi–Sighnaghi–Tbilisi — ~£6–10 total (negotiate with drivers). Marshrutka from Sighnaghi to Tbilisi Isani station — ~£2.

🛏Guesthouse or boutique hostel in Tbilisi Old Town (e.g. Fabrika Hostel or Old Town Tbilisi Hostel) — ~£15–25/night

• →Tsinandali Estate and wine cellar — ~£5
• →Sighnaghi old town and defensive walls — free
• →Bodbe Convent — free
• →Arrive and settle into Tbilisi

Spend a full day exploring Tbilisi on foot — one of the Caucasus's most captivating capitals. Start at Metekhi Church overlooking the Mtkvari River, then climb to Narikala Fortress for panoramic city views (free). Walk down through the atmospheric sulphur bath district (Abanotubani). Visit Tbilisi Mosque, Sioni Cathedral and the ancient Anchiskhati Basilica. Don't miss the puppet-like astronomical clock at Rezo Gabriadze Theatre. Cross the Bridge of Peace to modern Rike Park. In the evening, book a traditional Georgian dinner with folk show via GetYourGuide or direct at a local restaurant (~£20–30).

🚌All on foot or metro within Tbilisi — ~£1/day.

🛏Same guesthouse in Tbilisi Old Town — ~£15–25/night

• →Metekhi Church — free
• →Narikala Fortress — free
• →Sulfur baths district walk — free (bath entry ~£5–10 optional)
• →Tbilisi Mosque, Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica — free
• →Rezo Gabriadze Theatre clock tower — free
• →Bridge of Peace and Rike Park — free
• →Traditional Georgian dinner with folk show — ~£20–30 (book via GetYourGuide)

Take an early marshrutka from Tbilisi's Didube bus station to Kazbegi (~£5, 3hrs), or book a shared day-trip minivan via GetYourGuide (~£15–20 including stops). Stop at the spectacular Ananuri Fortress and Church complex on the Zhinvali Reservoir (free). Continue along the dramatic Georgian Military Highway, stopping at the Gudauri mineral water spring. Arrive in Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) and hike or take a 4WD taxi (~£8 return) up to the iconic Gergeti Holy Trinity Church perched at 2,170m with views of Mt. Kazbek.

🚌Marshrutka Tbilisi Didube to Kazbegi — ~£5. Or shared minivan day trip from Tbilisi — ~£15–20.

🛏Guesthouse in Stepantsminda (e.g. Rooms Hotel Kazbegi dorm, or local family guesthouses like Betsy's Guesthouse) — ~£18–28/night

• →Ananuri Fortress and Church — free
• →Zhinvali Reservoir viewpoint — free
• →Mineral water spring stop — free
• →Gergeti Holy Trinity Church hike (2–3hrs return) or 4WD taxi — free/£8
• →Mt. Kazbek views — free

Return to Tbilisi by marshrutka from Kazbegi (~£5). Ask to be dropped at Mtskheta, Georgia's ancient capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Jvari Monastery (a 5th–6th century masterpiece atop a hill with views of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers confluence — shared taxi up ~£3). Walk down to Mtskheta town and visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, the 11th-century cathedral considered the spiritual heart of Georgia (free entry). Catch a marshrutka back to Tbilisi (~£0.80).

🚌Marshrutka Kazbegi to Mtskheta — ~£4. Shared taxi to Jvari — ~£3. Marshrutka Mtskheta to Tbilisi — ~£0.80.

🛏Same guesthouse in Tbilisi Old Town — ~£15–25/night

• →Jvari Monastery — free (shared taxi up the hill ~£3 return)
• →Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers confluence viewpoint — free
• →Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Mtskheta — free
• →Return to Tbilisi and evening at leisure

Cross from Georgia into Armenia. Take a shared taxi or marshrutka from Tbilisi to the Georgian–Armenian border at Sadakhlo/Bagratashen (~£8–10, 2hrs). Cross on foot and pick up a shared taxi on the Armenian side toward Alaverdi and Lori region (~£5–8). En route, visit Haghpat Monastery — a stunning 12th-century UNESCO-listed complex — and nearby Sanahin Monastery with its medieval library and study halls. Continue to the charming mountain resort town of Dilijan in the afternoon. Walk the restored 19th-century Old Dilijan Complex on Sharambeyan Street.

🚌Shared taxi Tbilisi to Sadakhlo border — ~£8–10. Walk border crossing. Shared taxi to Alaverdi/Haghpat — ~£5. Shared taxi Alaverdi to Dilijan — ~£6–8.

🛏Guesthouse in Dilijan (e.g. Old Dilijan Hostel or a local family B&B) — ~£15–22/night

• →Haghpat Monastery — free
• →Sanahin Monastery — free
• →Old Dilijan Complex (Sharambeyan Street) — free

Head to the Noratus Cemetery near Martuni — the largest collection of medieval Armenian khachkars (cross-stones) in the world — a hauntingly beautiful and little-visited site (~free). Continue to Hayravank Monastery perched on a promontory above Lake Sevan with gorgeous views. Enjoy a homemade Armenian lunch at a local family — ask your guesthouse in Dilijan to arrange this, or look for community homestay listings (~£8–12). Spend the afternoon at Lake Sevan, one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world.

🚌Shared taxi or marshrutka Dilijan to Noratus/Sevan area — ~£5–8 return.

🛏Move to Yerevan or stay lakeside (budget guesthouse near Sevan town) — ~£15–22/night

• →Noratus Cemetery khachkars — free
• →Hayravank Monastery — free
• →Lake Sevan shoreline — free
• →Homemade Armenian family lunch — ~£8–12

Travel to Yerevan by marshrutka from Dilijan (~£3–5, 2hrs). En route or by short detour, visit the UNESCO-listed Zvartnots Temple ruins — an extraordinary 7th-century circular cathedral near the airport (~£2 entry). Continue to Vagharshapat (Echmiadzin) to visit Echmiadzin Cathedral, the seat of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the world's oldest state-built church (301 AD), plus nearby Saint Hripsime Church from the 7th century. Arrive in Yerevan and explore the city: Mother Armenia statue, the Cascade Monument, Opera House, Abovyan Street, Northern Avenue and Republic Square.

🚌Marshrutka Dilijan to Yerevan Kilikia bus station — ~£3–5. Shared taxi to Echmiadzin — ~£3 each way. Metro/bus within Yerevan — ~£0.30.

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Yerevan centre (e.g. Envoy Hostel or Doss Hostel Yerevan) — ~£12–22/night

• →Zvartnots Temple UNESCO site — ~£2
• →Echmiadzin Cathedral — ~£2
• →Saint Hripsime Church — free
• →Mother Armenia Statue and Military Museum — ~£1
• →Cascade Monument — free
• →Republic Square, Opera House, Abovyan Street — free

Take a day trip south from Yerevan by shared taxi or self-booked tour. Visit Khor Virap Monastery dramatically set against the backdrop of Mount Ararat — one of Armenia's most iconic views (~free; shared taxi from Yerevan ~£10–12 return). Continue to Artashat ruins briefly, then head to the spectacular red-rock gorge of Noravank Monastery (~£1 entry). Visit the nearby Areni-1 Cave, one of the world's oldest known wine-production sites. Finish with a wine tasting at Old Areni Winery — a small family-run operation where tastings cost around £3–5. Book as a GetYourGuide day trip (~£25) or arrange independently with a shared taxi (~£20–25 for the whole southern loop).

🚌Shared taxi from Yerevan for full southern loop (Khor Virap–Noravank–Areni) — ~£20–25 for the car. Alternatively, GetYourGuide day tour — ~£25–30.

🛏Same hostel/guesthouse in Yerevan — ~£12–22/night

• →Khor Virap Monastery with Mt. Ararat views — free
• →Artashat ruins — free
• →Noravank Monastery — ~£1
• →Areni-1 Cave — ~£2
• →Old Areni winery tasting — ~£3–5

Take a shared taxi or marshrutka from Yerevan to Garni (~£2–3 each way, or shared taxi ~£8 return for both sites). Visit the 1st-century Garni Pagan Temple — the only standing Greco-Roman colonnaded building in the former Soviet Union (~£2 entry) — and the adjacent Roman-style baths with stunning mosaic floors. Walk the basalt Symphony of Stones gorge below the temple (free). Continue to Geghard Cave Monastery, a remarkable 4th-century monastery partly carved into the cliff face (~£1 entry). Return to Yerevan and browse the Vernissage open-air art and craft market, perfect for picking up handmade Armenian souvenirs.

🚌Marshrutka Yerevan to Garni — ~£1.50. Shared taxi Garni to Geghard — ~£3. Marshrutka back to Yerevan — ~£1.50.

🛏Same hostel/guesthouse in Yerevan — ~£12–22/night

• →Garni Pagan Temple and Roman baths mosaic — ~£2
• →Symphony of Stones natural gorge — free
• →Geghard Cave Monastery — ~£1
• →Vernissage open-air market — free (budget ~£10–20 for souvenirs)

Enjoy a final Armenian breakfast — lavash bread, cheese, honey and strong coffee. If time allows before your flight, revisit Republic Square or grab final khinkali or dolma from a local bakery. Transfer to Zvartnots International Airport by bus (No. 1 from Republic Square, ~£0.50) or taxi via GG app (~£6–8). Yerevan to most European hubs is under 4 hours.

🚌Bus No. 1 from Republic Square to airport — ~£0.50. Or GG taxi app — ~£6–8.

🛏Check out — no accommodation needed

• →Final stroll around Republic Square — free
• →Armenian breakfast at local bakery — ~£3–5
• →Transfer to Zvartnots Airport