Welcome to Azerbaijan! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm this evening. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader.

Get to know Baku with a tour of the city, taking in a visit to the Old City, including time at Shemakha gate, Shirvanshakhs` Palace, Maiden Tower, Old Market Square and the Carpet Museum. Don't forget your camera as you'll also see panoramic views of Baku's skyline. Afterwards head out on a tour of the Absheron Peninsula, visiting the Ateshgah fire temple, Mardakan medieval fortress and Yanardagh fire mountain (which is literally on fire). Return to Baku in the evening. 

Drive to Qobustan and visit the open-air rock paintings museum, a UNESCO heritage site with its own archaeological museum. Enjoy a free afternoon to wander Qobustan National Park before returning to Baku. 

Have breakfast at the hotel before leaving Baku. Drive to the Caucasus Mountains in the northwest of Azerbaijan, a dry landscape that gives way to a densely forested mountain area. Take part in a yoghurt-making masterclass at a private house in Shamakhi. Afterwards head to Lahic, where you'll visit a local copper workshop and get to know some of the locals over tea. Tonight, enjoy dinner with your group and stay overnight at a guesthouse in Lahic (private facilities). Special Information

After breakfast, head to Nidj village and meet the native Udin people, the direct descendants of ancient Caucasian Albanians. Later arrive in Sheki and visit Sheki Khans Palace, known for its magnificent frescoes and stained glass. Spend the night at a hotel in Sheki.

In the morning visit nearby Kis village and its old pointy spired Christian church. Return to Sheki and visit local craft workshops, where famous 'Shebeke', intricate handmade vitrages, are produced. The afternoon is free to roam the village. Stay overnight at a hotel in Sheki.

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Lagodekhi at the Azerbaijan-Georgia border. Visit a traditional bazaar and change leader and transportation. From Lagodekhi, travel to the Kakheti region, famous for its wine making and welcoming hospitality. From here, both the snowy Caucasus mountains and bountiful green valleys are visible. Visit a local family and learn about the provincial way of life. Explore the gardens and vineyards and then enjoy lunch, with delicious homemade food, wine and Georgian grapewater 'Chacha'. Later, visit a 300-year-old Georgian wine cellar and taste Georgian wine produced using Qvevri, large earthenware pots. This method of wine making is protected on UNESCO's heritage list and Georgian farmers have used this method for centuries. Continue to the beautiful 18th-century town of Sighnaghi, known for its quaint stone walls, small houses with terracotta roofs and decorated balconies. Admire the picturesque views of Alazani Valley and Great Caucasus mountains. Stay overnight at a hotel in Sighnaghi.

In the morning drive to the David Gareja caves, a rock-hewn monastery carved into the stark semi-desert landscape in the sixth century. After seeing the Lavra Monastery, walk for about 50 minutes up a steep hill to the Udabno Monastery. This monastery features wonderful painted caves and dramatic views across to Azerbaijan. Special Information

Today, explore the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi. Wander the old districts of the city, which are structured like terraces, and walk through the narrow streets to appreciate the colourful houses, patterned balconies and revamped modern architecture. Start the tour from the 13th-century Metekhi church, with its magnificent views over old Tbilisi. A stroll along winding little streets takes us to the main sights of the city. Afterwards enjoy the panoramic views of the whole town and climb the battlements at the ancient Narikala fortress. Later explore the historical domed sulphur bath area and learn how this precinct is connected to the name of the city. Take the afternoon to continue exploring, perhaps visit the Museum of History and see the treasury as an optional extra, or why not try a spa for yourself. Spend the night at a hotel in Tbilisi.

Your trip finishes today after breakfast.