Two Countries. Two Worlds. One Journey.
From the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea — 15 days through Azerbaijan and Georgia by rental car.
Two countries that could hardly be more different — and that is precisely what makes them so fascinating together. Azerbaijan: shaped by Islam, modern and self-confident, with a millennia-old history on the Silk Road. Georgia: Christian since the 4th century, famously hospitable, home to the finest wine in the Caucasus. Both proud. Both unforgettable.
You start in Baku, one of the most remarkable cities in the Caucasus — medieval old town, Flame Towers, promenade along the Caspian Sea. You drive into the mountains of the Greater Caucasus, to the remote mountain village of Khinaliq, along the old Silk Road to Lahic and Sheki. At the border near Lagodekhi you cross into a different country — and a different world.
Georgia welcomes you with Kakheti and its wine, with the Kazbek along the Georgian Military Road, with Tbilisi and its sulphur baths. At the end, Batumi awaits on the Black Sea.
Our guests have been driving this route since 2016 — and they rave about it every single time.
Recommended travel season: May to October
Duration: 15 days — extendable or shorter on request
Flight: into Baku, out of Batumi or Tbilisi
We organise this tour individually for your preferred dates — write to us.
Overview
This self-drive tour connects two of the most fascinating countries in the Caucasus into a route you will not forget.
Azerbaijan — the Land of Fire. Baku is a metropolis between the Orient and modernity: the medieval old city of Icheri Sheher, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands alongside the glass-and-steel Flame Towers. Beyond the city, the country opens up: the prehistoric rock carvings of Gobustan, the remote mountain village of Khinaliq at 2,350 metres with its own unique language, the craftsmanship of Lahic and the Silk Road city of Sheki with its incomparable Khan’s Palace.
At the border crossing near Lagodekhi-Balakan, you return your Azerbaijani rental car and pick up your new Georgian vehicle — which you keep until the end of the journey.
Georgia — the oldest wine country in the world. Kakheti welcomes you with vineyards and estates where wine has been maturing in clay vessels for 8,000 years. The Georgian Military Road takes you through breathtaking mountain scenery to the Kazbek. Tbilisi, one of the most vibrant capitals in the Caucasus, Mtskheta with the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral — and then westward: Kutaisi, the Kolkheti National Park, and finally Batumi on the Black Sea.
The total distance is approximately 1,700 kilometres. You drive a SUV — one vehicle in Azerbaijan, one in Georgia. All kilometres included, fully comprehensive insurance in both countries.
This tour is booked repeatedly every year — dates for 2026 are already filling up.
Secure your preferred dates. We organise the tour individually for you — flexible in date and duration.
Highlights of the tour
- 🔥 Baku — Metropolis on the Caspian Sea Medieval old city, Soviet heritage and the Flame Towers — a city between Orient and modernity that surprises every visitor.
- 🪨 Gobustan — Prehistoric Rock Carvings 40,000 years ago, people carved their world into stone here. UNESCO World Heritage — and barely known.
- 🏔️ Khinaliq — The Highest Village in the Caucasus At 2,350 metres, with its own language and a community that has lived on this plateau for thousands of years.
- 🛺 Lahic and Sheki — On the Ancient Silk Road Coppersmiths, caravanserais, the 18th-century Khan's Palace — the Silk Road is still tangible here.
- 🍷 Kakheti — The Wine Country of the Caucasus Georgia is the cradle of wine. Wine tasting on an estate, qvevri wine from clay vessels, overnight stay in the vineyards.
- ⛪ The Kazbek and the Georgian Military Road One of the most legendary mountain roads in the world takes you up to 2,170 metres to the Trinity Church — with Mount Kazbek as the backdrop.
- 🏙️ Tbilisi — Capital of Life Sulphur baths, old town, Narikala Fortress, lively wine bars and an energy you won't forget quickly.
- 🏯 Uplistsikhe — Ancient Cave City on the Kura River A millennia-old city carved directly into the rock — an unforgettable stop on the way to Kutaisi.
- 🌿 Batumi — The Black Sea as the Final Chapter Palms, promenade, fish market and the quiet feeling: you have crossed the Caucasus. From the Caspian to the Black Sea. ```
Itinerary
You land in Baku — and the first impression begins already on the way from the airport: the Flame Towers on the horizon, the light over the Caspian Sea, a city that is simultaneously ancient and completely new. Our driver meets you at the airport and takes you to your centrally located hotel in the city centre. The first evening is yours — a walk along the promenade on the Caspian Sea is highly recommended.
Today you discover Baku in all its contradictions. At 10 a.m. you meet your Azerbaijani guide for a city tour that is more than just sightseeing.
You begin at the Alley of Martyrs with a panoramic view over the city and the Caspian Sea. Then you immerse yourself in the medieval old city of Icheri Sheher — UNESCO World Heritage — with the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Maiden Tower. In the afternoon you drive out to the Absheron Peninsula to visit the fire temple Ateshgah. The evening begins with a welcome dinner at one of the finest local restaurants in Baku.
Breakfast, snack, dinner
At 9 a.m. you collect your rental car at the hotel — from now on you set the pace.
First stop: Gobustan, approximately 60 km south of Baku. Here, up to 40,000 years ago, people carved their world into stone — hunting scenes, dancers, animals. The open-air museum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most impressive and least-visited places in the Caucasus.
You then drive north along the Caspian coast. The landscape shifts — beyond Baku the Absheron Peninsula becomes drier, steppe-like. Just before Quba, the foothills of the Greater Caucasus welcome you with the beautiful Lake Chanlibel.
Distance: approx. 270 km / driving time: approx. 4.5 hrs — Breakfast
Today you drive one of the most impressive mountain roads in Azerbaijan up to Khinaliq — at 2,350 metres one of the highest villages in the entire Caucasus. The road is winding, the landscape shifts rapidly: first orchards, then open highland pasture, then rock and peaks.
Khinaliq is not a tourist village. The people here speak their own isolated language, unrelated to any other language in the world. A picnic on the way is recommended — in Quba you can buy fresh bread, cheese and fruit. Allow two to three hours for the village.
Distance: approx. 100 km / driving time: approx. 3 hrs — Breakfast
Today’s drive takes you back to the coast and then inland into the hills of the Shirvan region. Two stops along the way are worthwhile: the distinctive Five Finger Rock of Beshbarmag and the mountain village of Shurabad with its old towers.
The destination for the day is Shamakhi — one of the oldest cities in Azerbaijan. Here stands the Juma Mosque, built by the Arabs in the 8th century. A quiet, dignified testimony to the Islamic history of this region — and a first taste of the cultural contrast that awaits you in Georgia.
Distance: approx. 250 km / driving time: approx. 3.5 hrs — Breakfast
Today you travel the old Silk Road. First stop is the village of Lahic — a picturesque craftsmen’s village in a narrow mountain valley. In the open workshops, coppersmiths still work today with the same techniques as centuries ago. Spices, furs, handcrafted copper vessels — take your time to browse.
On to Sheki, one of the oldest cities in the Caucasus. The Khan’s Palace from the 18th century is a masterpiece of oriental architecture — its façade of coloured glass and murals was constructed without a single nail. Restaurant tip: Saki Khan Sarayi in the city centre.
Distance: approx. 230 km / driving time: approx. 4.5 hrs — Breakfast
Sheki deserves a second day. In the morning you visit the lively bazaar, stroll through the old town and take in the atmosphere of this city at your own pace — Sheki has its own slowness that you only notice after a while.
In the afternoon we recommend the short drive to the village of Kish. Here stands an Albanian-Christian church, considered one of the oldest churches in the Caucasus. The Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl had it restored in the last years of his life — his theory that the Caucasian Albanians were ancestors of the Norwegians makes this place particularly fascinating.
Distance: approx. 25 km (Kish and back) / driving time: approx. 0.5 hrs — Breakfast
A special day on your journey. In the morning you visit the bazaar of Sheki one last time — fresh bread, pomegranate juice, a final conversation in Azerbaijani.
Then you drive to the border at Balakan-Lagodekhi. Here you return your Azerbaijani rental car and cross the border on foot. On the Georgian side your new rental car is waiting from 1:30 p.m. — which you keep until the end of the journey.
Georgia welcomes you immediately differently: greener, lusher, the hills more gently curved. You drive into the fertile wine region of Kakheti and spend the night at a winery — with a wine tasting in the evening. A deliberate contrast: a different language, a different religion, a different culture — and yet the same Caucasus.
Distance: approx. 190 km / driving time: approx. 4 hrs — Breakfast, wine tasting
One of the most legendary mountain roads in the world. The Georgian Military Road has connected the South Caucasus with Russia since antiquity — Pushkin and Tolstoy wrote about it.
You drive via Tianeti to the turquoise Jinvali Reservoir and on through the Terek Valley to Stepantsminda. From here a hiking trail leads up to the Trinity Church at 2,170 metres — one of the most iconic views in Georgia: the church, the Kazbek behind it, the valley far below.
Distance: approx. 180 km / driving time: approx. 4 hrs — Breakfast
Today you leave the Military Road and drive into the quiet Sno Valley, which most travellers never get to see. At the end lies Juta — a small mountain village at almost 2,200 metres, surrounded by the jagged peaks of the Chaukhi massif, sometimes called the “Caucasian Dolomites”.
From here you hike along the river, through some easy stream crossings, to Lake Chaukhi. The landscape is wild and empty — eagles, glacial streams, rock.
Distance: approx. 40 km (Juta and back) / driving time: approx. 1.5 hrs — Breakfast, dinner
The Military Road takes you back down to the plains — and into the history of Georgia. Mtskheta, the ancient capital of the country, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site: here Georgia became a Christian state in the year 337. The Jvari monastery on the hill above the city, the Svetitskhoveli in the centre — take your time.
Then on to Tbilisi, just 20 kilometres away.
Distance: approx. 150 km / driving time: approx. 3.5 hrs — Breakfast
At 10 a.m. your city tour begins with an English-speaking guide. Tbilisi is a city you cannot understand in three hours — but you can begin: the curved balconies of the old town, the Sioni Church, the Narikala Fortress, the statue of the Mother of Georgia. And everywhere: cafés, wine bars, conversations.
Free time in the afternoon. A private bath in the historic sulphur baths is highly recommended. We are happy to arrange a table at a good restaurant or discuss the onward route with you at our office.
Breakfast, snack
Today you head west. First stop: the ancient cave city of Uplistsikhe near Gori — a millennia-old city carved directly into the rock of the Kura riverbank. Hundreds of rooms, corridors and churches, a river far below. One of the most fascinating and least-visited sights in Georgia.
On over the Rikoti Pass into western Georgia to Kutaisi — the second largest city in Georgia, with the impressive Bagrati Cathedral, the pretty city park and the White Bridge over the Rioni River.
Distance: approx. 230 km / driving time: approx. 4 hrs — Breakfast
Today you head to the sea. Near Poti you can optionally visit the Kolkheti National Park — kayak tour or boat trip through the subtropical wetlands that in Greek mythology were known as the land of the Golden Fleece.
On along the coast southward. Just before Batumi a stop at the beautiful Botanical Garden is recommended. In the evening Batumi awaits: old town, harbour, boulevard on the Black Sea. Car return at the hotel.
Distance: approx. 160 km / driving time: approx. 2.5 hrs — Breakfast
Transfer to Batumi airport. Departure.
Breakfast
Our services
SERVICES — Included
- - Professional travel planning, organisation and support by our experienced team in Tbilisi and Baku
- - Individual travel documents with detailed route plan, maps, tips and all important contacts
- - 2x airport transfer (arrival Baku / departure Batumi)
- - 2x city tour with English-speaking guide (Baku and Tbilisi)
- - 14 nights in double rooms in 4* and 3* hotels and selected guesthouses — single rooms on request
- - Meals as per programme (daily breakfast, further meals as indicated in the itinerary)
- - 1x welcome dinner in Baku on the first evening
- - 1x wine tasting at a winery in Kakheti
- - SUV rental car in Azerbaijan (e.g. Hyundai Tucson) and Georgia (e.g. Nissan Xterra) — all kilometres and additional drivers included
- - 100% comprehensive insurance and liability (50,000 USD) for Georgia
- - OSAGO liability insurance (approx. 10,000 USD) and comprehensive insurance with 100 EUR excess for Azerbaijan
SERVICES — Not Included
- - Flights to Baku / from Batumi or Tbilisi (we can arrange a suitable flight offer via our German partner on request)
- - Optional local guides e.g. in Gobustan, Sheki or Kutaisi
- - Optional additional liability insurance for Georgia with 1,000,000 USD coverage — EUR 65.00
- - Tips for guides and hosts
FAQs
Yes. At the Matsimi border crossing between Balakan and Lagodekhi, you return your Azerbaijani rental car and cross the border on foot. On the Georgian side your new rental car is waiting for you — which you keep until the end of the tour in Batumi. The handover is well-established and runs smoothly.
Your EU driving licence is valid in both countries. An international driving licence is not required, but never hurts.
For Georgia, EU citizens can enter visa-free — you only need your valid passport.
For Azerbaijan, an e-visa is required, which you can easily apply for online in approximately 3 working days: www.evisa.gov.az/en. Please apply in good time before your trip — you are responsible for obtaining the visa yourself. We are happy to help if you have any questions.
One tip: when uploading your passport photo, make sure the file size is under 1 MB — otherwise the application form often cannot be submitted successfully.
Since 2026, valid travel health and accident insurance is mandatory for entry into Georgia. It must cover Georgia as a destination and be valid for the entire duration of your stay. Please ensure your travel insurance meets this requirement before you travel.
Since 1 January 2026, the insurance must meet the following requirements:
- Issued in English or Georgian
- Georgia explicitly included or worldwide coverage
- Minimum coverage: 30,000 Lari
- Valid for the entire travel period
If you already have travel insurance, it will generally meet these requirements — just make sure you carry it with you and that it is issued in English. A straightforward option specifically for Georgia travellers is offered by the Georgian provider IMEDI L directly online (approx. €0.70 per travel day): www.imedil.ge/visitors-insurance/en
For Georgia: 100% comprehensive insurance with no excess and liability coverage of 50,000 USD. Optional: additional liability insurance with 1,000,000 USD coverage for EUR 65.00 — recommended for added peace of mind.
For Azerbaijan: OSAGO liability insurance (approx. 10,000 USD) and comprehensive insurance with a 100 EUR excess.
All kilometres are included, additional drivers too.
You receive a reliable SUV with which you can safely reach all destinations. In Azerbaijan, the road from Quba to Khinaliq is partly unpaved — but easily manageable in a 4×4. The road to Lahic is now fully asphalted. In Georgia, there is a short section of rough road between Akhmeta and Tianeti, and the Sno Valley with the mountain village of Juta requires a short off-road stretch. All other routes are comfortable to drive.
The petrol station network is well developed in both countries. In Azerbaijan we recommend filling up in Quba before driving to Khinaliq. On the Georgian Military Road there are petrol stations in Stepantsminda as well. A litre of fuel currently costs approximately EUR 1.30. Credit cards are accepted at most stations.
In hotels, English is spoken everywhere alongside the local language and Russian. In Azerbaijan, our German-speaking colleague in Baku is available to you at all times. In Georgia, you can reach us 24/7 by phone and in person at our office in Tbilisi. In rural areas, many older people still speak good Russian.
Yes — road signs in both countries are easy to read. Everything is signposted in Latin script alongside the respective local language.
We recommend a open-jaw flight with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul — flying into Baku, out of Batumi. Alternatively, a direct flight to Baku with return from Tbilisi is also possible. We are happy to arrange a suitable flight offer via our German partner on request.
You return the Azerbaijani rental car directly at the Matsimi border crossing between Balakan and Lagodekhi. On the Georgian side your new car is waiting immediately.
You return the Georgian rental car at the end of the journey in Batumi — near your hotel. After coordination with our partner, you may be able to leave the key at the reception. We arrange a driver for your transfer to the airport.
Yes, gladly. This tour is designed as an individual self-drive journey and can be flexibly adapted — in length, order and focus. If you would like to add an extra day in Svaneti, or end the tour in Tbilisi rather than Batumi — just write to us. We will put together your individual offer.
If you would like to experience all three countries of the South Caucasus, please take a look at our tour “Self-drive tour Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia”: en.kaukasus-reisen.de/trips/self-drive-tour-azerbaijangeorgia-and-armenia/
Travel route
GUEST REVIEWS
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A wonderful and unforgettable holiday” Frank-Uwe H., Germany — Self-drive tour Azerbaijan and Georgia A wonderful and unforgettable holiday — multi-layered and fascinating, with great opportunities to get to know the country and its people. The organisation by Kaukasus-Reisen was absolutely perfect. From the planning in advance to the rental cars in both countries, the carefully selected hotels, the city tour in Baku and the transfers — everything worked without a hitch. The travel plan was thoughtfully designed and offered many suggestions for activities. This was our second holiday with Kaukasus-Reisen — and again we have nothing but praise. We will definitely recommend this travel company to others.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “One of the most exciting and unforgettable experiences of my life” Cornelia S. & Frank, Germany — Self-drive tour Azerbaijan and Georgia We recently completed the road trip from Baku via Khinaliq and Sheki to Tbilisi and Batumi — it was one of the most exciting and unforgettable experiences of my life. Baku overwhelmed us with its modern architecture. Khinaliq, the remote village high up in the Caucasus, was a true highlight — its remoteness and fascinating location are unique. In Sheki we explored the Khan’s Palace and enjoyed the local cuisine, which was simply divine. Tbilisi is vibrant and cosmopolitan. And the plunge into the Black Sea in Batumi was a wonderful conclusion. All in all, an absolute adventure full of breathtaking landscapes, unique cultures and unforgettable experiences. I can warmly recommend this journey to everyone.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Excellently organised — Kaukasus-Reisen has an outstanding reputation in the region” Michael T., Germany — Self-drive tour Azerbaijan and Georgia It was a fantastic trip, excellently organised without any reservations. We didn’t miss a thing. The mix of simpler accommodation and hotels was very well chosen — especially in the mountains. Lahic with its guesthouse is a place where you’d happily stay for a few days. Off the route there are great hiking trails — we tried some and suddenly found ourselves completely alone in nature. Kaukasus-Reisen has an outstanding reputation in the area, which we noticed on several occasions. There are already a few ideas for a return trip.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Everything worked perfectly — we greatly enjoyed our time in Azerbaijan and Georgia” Claudia W., Germany — Self-drive tour Azerbaijan and Georgia Many thanks to Ms Born and the entire team for the support with the organisation. The car handovers and tours all worked perfectly — we greatly enjoyed our time in Azerbaijan and Georgia.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “We are thrilled — it broadened our horizons” Family G., Germany — Self-drive tour Azerbaijan and Georgia This trip was truly wonderful! The hotels were superbly chosen — a great combination of city and countryside. We saw an enormous amount and were able to bring home so many impressions. The distances by car were all manageable. The city tour in Baku even impressed our boys — and in Tbilisi we learned more about the country than I know about Germany. We are thrilled and it has broadened our horizons.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Exciting, adventurous, thrilling, interesting — and we will definitely come back” Yvonne F., Germany — Self-drive tour Azerbaijan and Georgia It was a wonderful trip: exciting, adventurous, thrilling, interesting, varied, challenging — and full of surprises. Throughout the entire journey we encountered almost exclusively open-minded and warm-hearted people. Baku impressed me greatly — our guide Shura was a wonderfully refreshing companion whom we took to our hearts immediately. Azerbaijan was fascinating and the authenticity there was impressive. The guesthouse in the mountains suited us particularly well. Georgia feels more familiar to us — but we didn’t know the wine region yet, and the drive was beautiful. The wine case was well filled after the tasting. The food was excellent everywhere throughout the entire tour, without exception. Juta was a very good decision — we were there alone and were wonderfully looked after. Tbilisi as always very beautiful, the meal before the sulphur bath exceptionally good. For the organisation, special requests and patient support — our warmest thanks. We will definitely come back.
