Crossroads of the Caucasus

Embark on a guided exploration of Istanbul, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan to uncover the rich history and culture of the Caucasus.

Discover the birthplace of viticulture in Kakheti, delve into local farmers' markets, visit sacred monasteries and artisan workshops, and savor a cooking class and wine tasting. Marvel at the majestic Caucasus Mountains and catch sight of Mt Ararat from Artaxata. Above all, immerse yourself in the warmth and hospitality of the region's generous people—an unforgettable experience awaits.

Pricing

From

$21,510*

per person, twin share

From

$25,430*

per person, single occupancy

What's Included

Small group tour (18 max)

Return economy Class flights from New Zealand (ex Auckland or Christchurch)

Airline and airport taxes

Accommodation in 4-star hotels (or best available)

Transfers, sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary

Transport by air and roads as per itinerary

Meals as indicated (B-L-D)

Guaranteed departure

Gratuities

Not Included

Items of a personal nature

Visas

Travel insurance (mandatory)

Itinerary

Itinerary

Sunday 4 May: Auckland or Christchurch to Dubai
Fly to Dubai. Overnight on the flight.

Monday 5 May : Dubai to Istanbul 
Connect through to Istanbul and transfer to your hotel (D)

Tuesday 6 May: Istanbul 
Enjoy a morning walking tour including Topkapi Palace Museum, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the famed Grand Bazaar. (B,D)

Wednesday 7 May: Istanbul 
Continue your exploration of Istanbul this morning with the Basilica Cistern and Spice Market. Then, embark on a cruise on the Bosphorus before an afternoon at leisure. (B,D)

Thursday 8 May: Istanbul to Baku (Azerbaijan)
Transfer to the airport and fly to Baku. On arrival transfer to your hotel and this evening is at leisure. (B)

Friday 9 May: Baku 
Explore fascinating Baku today starting at Martyrs Lane for a panoramic view of the city. Then head into the Old City to see the Shirvanshah Palace, Maiden Tower, Fountain Square and Green Bazaar. (B)

Saturday 10 May: Baku to Gobustan, back to Baku 
Spend your morning at the historical and cultural reserve of Gobustan followed by a visit to the Gobustan Petroglyphs Museum. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Sunday 11 May: Baku to Shamakhi to Sheki 
Travel westward towards Sheki this morning, with a stop along the way to visit the Juma Mosque in Shamakhi. Upon reaching Sheki, explore the Sheki Khans Palace and the Upper Caravanserai, a historical 18th-century relic showcasing the city's merchant heritage. Participate in a Shebeke workshop, learning about the art of creating stained glass windows. (B)

Monday 12 May: Sheki to Lagodekhi to Telavi (Georgia) 
Proceed to the border to meet your Georgian guide. Discover Kakheti, the lush and fertile region of Georgia that stretches along the Great Caucasus range. Renowned as the birthplace of viticulture and wine-making, enjoy lunch with a local wine-making family to delve deeper into the region's rich traditions. (B,L)

Tuesday 13 May: Telavi to Sighnaghi to Tbilisi 
Explore the local farmers' market in Telavi before journeying to the fortified town of Sighnaghi, renowned for its wine and carpet-making traditions. Take in the stunning vistas of the Kizikhi area and experience the unique allure of Sighnaghi Royal Town. Wander through its narrow streets lined with buildings featuring intricately carved wooden balconies. Indulge in a culinary masterclass and wine tasting for lunch before continuing your journey to Tbilisi. (B,L,D)

Wednesday 14 May: Tbilisi 
Begin your exploration by visiting Metechi Church, Sioni Cathedral, and Anchiskhati Basilica—the oldest surviving church in Tbilisi. Afterwards, ascend to Narikhala Fortress for panoramic views of the city. Continue your journey with a visit to the National Museum of Georgia followed by a leisurely stroll along Rustaveli Avenue. (B,L)

Thursday 15 May: Tbilisi to Mtskheta to Tserovani to Borjomi 
Travel to Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Jvari Monastery, where St. Nino planted a cross at a former pagan temple site, and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, a fortified church where the Robe of Christ is believed to be interred. Engage with a member of the Internally Displaced People community from the Russian-occupied South Ossetia Region before participating in an enamel workshop. (B,L)

Friday 16 May: Borjomi to Vardzia to Borjomi 
Travel to the cave town of Vardzia, passing through Khertvisi Fortress along the way. Explore the recently renovated Rabat Castle, celebrated as a symbol of tolerance, and visit the Akhaltsikhe Synagogue, significant to the Georgian Jewish community. Return to Borjomi for an overnight stay. (B,L)

Saturday 17 May: Borjomi to Gori to Ananuri to Gudauri 
Following breakfast, proceed to Gori, renowned as the birthplace of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. Explore the Stalin Museum in Gori, featuring Stalin's birth house and his personal railway carriage. Continue your journey to the 16th-17th century Ananuri fortress and church. Overnight in Gudauri. (B,L,D)

Sunday 18 May: Gudauri to Kazbegi to Gudauri 
Explore Georgia's northern borderlands, experiencing the majestic peaks, rushing rivers, and mountain lifestyle along the Georgian Military Highway, one of the oldest roads in the country named by Russian Tsar Alexander I. Weather permitting, visit 'Mkinvartsveri' or Mt Kazbek, a dormant volcano towering at 5047 meters. Join a jeep tour to Gergety Trinity Church, a significant 14th-century altar perched on the slopes of Mount Kazbek. Enjoy a home-hosted lunch and participate in a dumpling making class in the quaint, remote village of Tsdo. After lunch, engage with a wool felt master to discover the centuries-old tradition of this craft. (B,L)

Monday 19 May: Gudauri to Sadakhlo to Haghpat Monastery (Armenia) 
Travel to the Sadakhlo border crossing, with a stop in Tbilisi for lunch along the way. Cross into Armenia in the afternoon and explore Haghpat Monastery, renowned for its distinctive manuscript school. Visit the COAF Smart School, a contemporary facility providing free education to children in rural areas, and overnight at the Concept Hotel. (B,L,D)

Tuesday 20 May: Haghpat to Dilijan to Lake Sevan to Yerevan 
Explore artisan workshops in Dilijan before journeying to the Sevanavank Monastery located on Lake Sevan. Enjoy panoramic views as a reward for climbing 200 steps to reach the monastery. Participate in a culinary workshop and lunch before proceeding to Yerevan. After some rest, join a walking tour of downtown Yerevan. (B,L)

Wednesday 21 May: Geghard Cave Monastery to Garni Pagan Temple
Embark on a drive from Yerevan to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Geghard Cave Monastery, where you can experience a live performance of medieval Armenian spiritual chants in one of its chambers. Afterwards, continue to Garni to explore its 1st-century pagan temple dedicated to the deity of the sun and justice, Mithra, in a Greco-Roman style. Enjoy lunch and then visit the impressive natural wonder known as the "Symphony of Stones" in the Garni Gorge. Overnight in Yerevan. (B,L,D)

Thursday 22 May: Yerevan 
Travel to Khor Virap monastery to admire views of Mt Ararat. Return to Yerevan to visit the Armenian Genocide Museum & Memorial. Later, meet with a musician for a presentation featuring traditional Armenian woodwind musical instruments, followed by a live performance showcasing various instruments. Conclude the day with a farewell dinner in the evening. (B,L,D)

Friday 23 May: Yerevan to Dubai
Fly to Dubai arriving this afternoon. Transfer to your stopover hotel. (B)

Saturday 24 May: Dubai to Auckland or Christchurch
This morning depart for New Zealand, travelling overnight

Sunday 25 May: Arrive in Auckland or Christchurch
Arrive mid-morning.

Terms and Conditions

While World Travellers have exercised reasonable care and skill to ensure that the contents of this website are correct, accurate, and up-to-date, please note that: the contents are based on information supplied to us by third party suppliers and we cannot be expected to have personal knowledge of the current conditions of accommodation, facilities, and services provided by each supplier; facilities and/or services may change after the publishing date. Any quotes provided by World Travellers are valid for 7 days from the date of quotation. All prices are subject to change until final payment has been received due to currency fluctuation or other factors outside our control. Please check www.mfat.govt.nz for current Department of Foreign Affairs travel advice. While we are happy to assist you, it is your responsibility to check all health, vaccination, passport and visa requirements for each country you intend to visit.

Confirmation of Services
Your acceptance of a quotation or your booking request does not guarantee actual availability of the requested flights, tours, accommodation, or services until such time as you receive a confirmation invoice from World Travellers.

Deposits and Final Payments: Tailor-made Travel
A non-refundable deposit of 20% of the total invoice is required within 7 days of confirmation of arrangements. If the deposit is not received by this time, we reserve the right to cancel all arrangements without notification. Some tours and cruises require higher deposits and details of such will be advised at time of reservation. Receipt of deposit will be taken as an understanding by us that you have checked your confirmed arrangements and have read and agree to abide by the terms and conditions set forth on this website. Final payment is due 60 days before departure or by the payment deadline stated on the final invoice, whichever is earliest. If the final payment is not received by the company by the due date, we reserve the right to cancel all arrangements without notification. Bookings made within 60 days of departure will only be processed if we hold full payment. We do not accept bookings for travel within 7 days of departure. The name provided in the reservation must match the full name as per passport. Passport must be valid for 6 months after your scheduled return.  Please note: once arrangements are paid in full the price is set and no further communication over pricing will be entered into.

Deposits and Final Payments: Small Group Hosted Journeys
A non-refundable deposit as shown on the tour package is required within 7 days of our confirmation of your option. If the deposit is not received by this time, we reserve the right to cancel all arrangements without notification. Receipt of deposit will be taken as an understanding by us that you have checked your confirmed arrangements and have read and agree to abide by the terms and conditions set forth on this website. Final payment is due between 60 and 90 days before departure and is stated under the ‘Booking Conditions’ of each tour. If we do not receive the final payment by the due date, we reserve the right to cancel all arrangements without notification. Bookings made within 60 days of departure will only be processed if we hold full payment. We do not accept bookings for travel within 5 days of departure. Please note that your place will not be confirmed until a copy of your passport and the deposit has been received. The name provided in the reservation must match the full name as per passport. Passport must be valid for 6 months after your scheduled return.

Amendments: Tailor-made Travel
If you wish to alter your arrangements after your booking is confirmed you must notify us in writing. We will endeavour to make the amendments you require but due to the additional administrative costs we will charge you $100 per amendment plus any fees imposed by our supplier. Amendments within 60 days of departure are subject to full cancellation fees.

Amendments: Small Group Hosted Journeys
If you wish to alter your arrangements after your booking is confirmed you must notify us in writing. We will endeavour to make the amendments you require but due to the additional administrative costs we will charge you $500 per amendment plus any fees imposed by our suppliers. Amendments made within 60 days of departure are subject to full cancellation fees.

Cancellations and Refunds
We strongly recommend travel insurance and it is the traveller’s responsibility to ensure they have read and understood their travel insurance policy cover and any exceptions or exclusions contained therein.

Cancelled bookings will incur charges. These charges can be up to 100% of the cost of the booking regardless of whether travel has commenced. As a minimum, our cancellation charges are 20% of the total booking value, plus any applicable supplier fees or penalties. The amount of each supplier’s cancellation fees or penalties is beyond our control and payment is solely your responsibility. To the extent permitted by law, no refund is available for cancellations after the holiday package has commenced or in respect of any tours, accommodation, meals or any other services not utilised.

After payment of the tour deposit or final balance of arrangements to World Travellers, in the event of an advice being posted on the NZ Government Safe Travel website www.safetravel.govt.nz declaring ‘Do Not Travel’ to any country in the itinerary, World Travellers reserves the right to cancel some or all of the travel arrangements included as part of the entire itinerary. In this event, we will attempt to recover as much refund as possible on behalf of the traveller for unused services resulting from the cancellation, but will not be liable for any unrecoverable costs or fees charged by any supplier. The traveller will need to submit a claim to their travel insurance company for any unrecoverable costs or fees and any decision over compensation of these costs or fees will be between the traveller and their travel insurance company. It is the traveller’s responsibility to read and understand their travel insurance policy prior to payment to World Journeys for any arrangements.

Requests for refunds must be received no later than 30 days after the last service booked with World Journeys. Where air tickets are purchased from World Travellers, cancellation fees will be applied by the airline and refunds, if any, will not be made until the airline has refunded World Journeys.

Regarding Small Group Hosted Journeys
Any cancellations must be received in writing and will be assessed based on the date received in our office. Cancellation fees are levied as follows:
More than 60 days before departure – loss of deposit
From 60-31 days before departure – 50%
Less than 30 days before departure – 100%
Where air tickets are included and purchased from World Journeys, cancellation fees will also be applied by the airline and refunds, if any, will not be made until the airline has refunded World Journeys.

Due to supplier restrictions, cancellation terms for some tours will vary from the above. Your option and confirmation letter contains the terms for your specific tour and signing the booking form will be taken as an understanding by us that you have read and agree to abide by the terms and conditions set forth within those letters.

Unavoidable Extraordinary Circumstances (Force Majeure)
We cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected, or you otherwise suffer any loss, injury, death, inconvenience or damage as a result of circumstances amounting to ‘force majeure’. In these terms and conditions ‘force majeure’ means any event or circumstances which we or the supplier of the services in question could not foresee or avoid. Such events and circumstances may include, whether actual or threatened, war, insurrection, riots, strikes, civil action, decisions by governments or governing authority, technical or maintenance problems with transport, changes of schedules or operational decisions of air carriers, terrorist activity, industrial action, natural or nuclear activity, epidemics/pandemics, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events outside our control.

Prices, Taxes and Currency Fluctuations
World Travellers guarantees the price of your arrangements once you have paid us in full. Prices on this website are based on costs and exchange rates as at 1 September 2022 – should these change it may be necessary to reprice your holiday package. If a booking falls over two different rate periods, the rate will change and we reserve the right to re-quote.  Please check with World Travellers before placing your reservation to ascertain if there have been any pricing changes. The price quoted for a package will be a total figure and no breakdown of component costs can be provided. Taxes or levies imposed by government bodies or their agencies are beyond our control. Prices shown are for payment by cash or debit card only.  Prices are in New Zealand Dollars (unless stated otherwise).

Not Included in Tour Cost
Tailor-made Travel: Airfares (unless specified), airport taxes, ticketable taxes and surcharges, visas, insurance, excess baggage, optional activities, shore excursions, gratuities/tipping (unless stated otherwise) and items of a personal nature.
Small Group Hosted Journeys: Visas, insurance, excess baggage, optional activities, shore excursions and items of a personal nature.

Holiday Variation
If unforeseen circumstances beyond our control require us to make necessary changes to your holiday, we reserve the right to cancel or reschedule/defer departures and itineraries. When it is necessary to change a hotel, the company reserves the right to substitute accommodation of at least a similar standard.  Travel dates and transit points are based on airline schedules available at the time of publishing. These may change at any stage which may alter the itinerary and require amending flights and/or cities. 

Accommodation
All accommodation detailed on this website provides a room with ensuite facilities unless otherwise stated. Accommodation descriptions are based on current guides and are subject to change. Accommodation photographs may not be specific to the actual hotel room occupied.

Maps
Maps used on our website are for illustration purposes only and may not be to scale.

Insurance
It is a condition of booking one of our Small Group Hosted Journeys that travellers are adequately insured for the full duration of their holiday.  We strongly recommend that travel insurance is purchased at the time of reservation and payment of deposit.

Travel Advice
While every effort is made to ensure guest safety, World Travellers makes no representation as to the safety, conditions or other issues that may exist at any destination. For travel advice please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade or visit their website at www.safetravel.govt.nz

Passports, Visas & Health
It is your responsibility to have a valid passport and any visas, re-entry permits and/or health regulations which meet the requirements of immigration and other government authorities.

Business Purposes
You agree that where our services are acquired for business purposes, or where you hold yourself out as acquiring our services for business purposes, the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 will not apply to any supply of goods or services made under these conditions.

Governing Law
This agreement is covered by the laws of New Zealand. Any claim or legal action against overseas suppliers is likely to be subject to the terms of our contract with them, and may be governed by the laws of other countries.

Health & Medical Requirements
It is important for us to know and a condition of accepting your booking that you advise us at the time of booking of any health or medical conditions that could affect your ability to participate in the travel arrangements requested. All World Journeys’ small group hosted journeys include a level of walking and all participants must be able to easily walk a minimum of 2km without aid. If you have any concerns over the suitability of the proposed travel arrangements, we recommend that you contact your medical practitioner to discuss the travel to be undertaken. You must advise us in writing at the time of reservation (or subsequently should a new condition be diagnosed):
1. Any physical or mental conditions that may require medical or professional treatment or attention during the journey.
2. Any condition that may render the traveller unfit for travel, or that may require special care or assistance.
3. Any condition that may pose a risk or danger to the guest or anyone else on the journey.
4. Any condition that may require oxygen for medical reasons.
5. Any intention or need to use a wheelchair or other mobility device during the journey.
By booking the journey and paying the deposit, all travellers represent and warrant that they are physically and otherwise fit to travel. Should you have any concerns over your condition(s), you are requested to discuss your condition(s) with us before placing your reservation and paying your deposit.

Pandemic/Covid Policy
Should you test positive for Covid-19 or any other infection declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO) while travelling as part of arrangements made through World Journeys, you will be required to follow the government regulations of the country in which you are travelling. You must also advise World Journeys and their local partners as soon as possible in the event you test positive for a pandemic related illness. We encourage anyone with any symptoms of Covid-19 or other pandemic related illness to self-test while travelling, and suggest you carry a supply of your own Rapid Antigen test kits for this purpose. Should you test positive for Covid-19 or other pandemic related illness, you must follow the advice of local government, including self-isolation if required.

If you are a member of a World Journeys Small Group Hosted Journey and test positive for Covid-19 or another WHO designated pandemic infection, for the health and safety of your host and fellow travellers you may be required to complete a period in isolation until you no longer test positive. Any additional costs incurred as a result of isolation would be your own responsibility, including but not limited to, the cost of any additional accommodation, travel, medical costs, or any costs associated with having to return home early or to re-join the tour, and any incidental expenses. Refunds will not be provided to any traveller who cannot fulfil the entirety of their programme due to Covid-19 or any other WHO designated pandemic illness once the tour has commenced.

Purchasing travel insurance is a mandatory requirement when booking a Small Group Hosted Journey. It is your responsibility to check if your travel insurance policy covers any additional costs you may incur or any refunds for services you miss out on in relation to any WHO pandemic.

Professional service fees may apply.