Venerable Cultures, Cherished Food and Wine Traditions, Towering Terrain
Explore The South Caucasus
The soaring Caucasus Mountains separate Europe from Asia, and the South Caucasus countries are on that borderline. Inhabitants of Azerbaijan burned crude oil in their lamps before anyone knew what it was. Beautiful, rocky Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion. And Georgia, acclaimed for its fabulous food and drink, claims to be the first area to cultivate the wine grape.
Why Travel with MIR to the South Caucasus
- 30 years of South Caucasus travel experience
- National Geographic Traveler honored MIR’s Eastern Turkey & Georgia: Legacy of Empire, as a “Tour of a Lifetime”
- Travel programs such Harvard, World Affairs Council of Philadelphia and the American Museum of Natural History have chosen MIR to guide them to the South Caucasus
- Twice named one of National Geographic Adventure’s “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth”
- On-the-ground support and quality you can trust
- Personalized travel planning from start to finish
- Guides and tour managers that clients rave about
Signature Experiences
We regularly garner compliments from our travelers for the inspired opportunities we provide to help them get to know the local people, distinctive art, architecture and accomplishments of the age-old region of the South Caucasus. Below is just a sampling of the South Caucasus experiences MIR has designed to take our clients far from the familiar.
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Visit a potter’s homeRead More
Visit a potter’s home outside of Kutaisi and learn about Georgia’s signature pottery style....Visit a potter’s home
Kutaisi, Georgia
Visit a potter’s home outside of Kutaisi and learn about Georgia’s signature pottery style.
Suggested Journeys
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Dazzle your eyes with the vivid colors and bold designs of Azeri carpetsRead More
Admire the vivid colors and bold designs of Azeri, Caucasian and Persian carpets at the Museum of Azerbaijani Carpets and Applied Folk Art....Dazzle your eyes with the vivid colors and bold designs of Azeri carpets
Baku, Azerbaijan
Admire the vivid colors and bold designs of Azeri, Caucasian and Persian carpets at the Museum of Azerbaijani Carpets and Applied Folk Art.
Suggested Journeys
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Savor an authentic “Georgian Table” mealRead More
Savor an authentic "Georgian Table," featuring an abundance of local specialties and an official Georgian toastmaster....Savor an authentic “Georgian Table” meal
Various locations, Georgia
Savor an authentic "Georgian Table," featuring an abundance of local specialties and an official Georgian toastmaster.
Suggested Journeys
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A Taste of Georgia: Wine, Cuisine & Culture
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Treasures of the South Caucasus
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Essential Caucasus
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Eastern Turkey & Georgia: Legacy of Empire
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Experience the soaring voices of a small ensemble in a classic settingRead More
Experience traditional Armenian songs sung a cappella during a private concert at 1st century Garni Temple....Experience the soaring voices of a small ensemble in a classic setting
Garni, Armenia
Experience traditional Armenian songs sung a cappella during a private concert at 1st century Garni Temple.
Suggested Journeys
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Ways to Travel to the South Caucasus with MIR
Thirty years ago we fell in love with the South Caucasus countries. Their people have welcomed us again and again and shared their secrets and suggestions with us, so that we can share them with you.
Take a look at your options, from small group escorted tours to independent, custom and private travel:
Small Group Tours
Village Traditions of the South Caucasus
Local Life & Landscapes of Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan
Travels to: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, South Caucasus
21 Days / Departures in July 2019
Small Group land tour from $7,995
See Trip
Treasures of the South Caucasus
Classic Survey of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia
Travels to: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, South Caucasus
15 Days / Departures in September 2019
Small Group land tour from $7,495
See Trip
A Taste of Georgia: Wine, Cuisine & Culture
An Epicurean Adventure Across Georgia’s Wine Country with Carla Capalbo
Travels to: Georgia, South Caucasus
13 Days / Departures in October 2019
Small Group land tour from $5,595
See TripRail Journeys by Private Train
Caspian Odyssey by Private Train: Eastbound
South Caucasus to Central Asia Aboard the Golden Eagle
Travels to: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Central Asia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, South Caucasus, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
16 Days / Departures in September 2019
Rail Journey by Private train land tour from $22,595
See Trip
Caspian Odyssey by Private Train: Eastbound
South Caucasus to Central Asia Aboard the Golden Eagle
Travels to: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Central Asia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, South Caucasus, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
16 Days / Departures in September 2020
Rail Journey by Private train land tour from $22,995
See TripCustom and private travel is our specialty. We’ve been designing unforgettable custom itineraries through the mountains and valleys of the South Caucasus for 30 years; a majority of our guests travel on custom itineraries.
For ideas, peruse one of our Regional Travel Planners, a roundup of the must-sees from our savvy staff.
Read more about how to design your own trip or view our suggested itineraries. Also, consider this: You can customize one of our small group tours to match your preferred dates of travel.
Design Your Own Custom Trip
Traveling privately on a custom program means flexibility:
- You set the dates, the focus and the level of accommodations.
- You are met on arrival and seen off at the end of your trip.
- Your in-country transportation is pre-arranged hassle-free.
- Your own expert local guides ensure that you get the most out of your visit.
- And the best part? You travel at your own pace on an itinerary exclusive to you.
Check out just a handful of our South Caucasus signature experiences below and then get in touch with a MIR Private Journey Specialist to craft an itinerary that suits your travel goals, budget and style. Or get started planning now.
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Learn to make lavash, Armenian flatbreadRead More
Visit a private Armenian home for a lavash-making demonstration, then taste the fresh bread during a meal....Learn to make lavash, Armenian flatbread
Various locations, Armenia
Visit a private Armenian home for a lavash-making demonstration, then taste the fresh bread during a meal.
Next Steps
- Start to design your own custom trip
- Find out how Custom & Private Travel works
- Contact a Private Journeys Specialist with any questions
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Learn about Neolithic artists through their ancient rock carvingsRead More
Visit Azerbaijan’s UNESCO-listed ancient petroglyphs on the Caspian Sea, discovered by accident in the 1930s....Learn about Neolithic artists through their ancient rock carvings
Gobustan, Azerbaijan
Visit Azerbaijan’s UNESCO-listed ancient petroglyphs on the Caspian Sea, discovered by accident in the 1930s.
Next Steps
- Start to design your own custom trip
- Find out how Custom & Private Travel works
- Contact a Private Journeys Specialist with any questions
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Experience the soaring voices of a small ensemble in a classic settingRead More
Experience traditional Armenian songs sung a cappella during a private concert at 1st century Garni Temple....Experience the soaring voices of a small ensemble in a classic setting
Garni, Armenia
Experience traditional Armenian songs sung a cappella during a private concert at 1st century Garni Temple.
Next Steps
- Start to design your own custom trip
- Find out how Custom & Private Travel works
- Contact a Private Journeys Specialist with any questions
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Participate in making khinkali, juicy flour dumplingsRead More
Participate in making khinkali, juicy flour dumplings, at a village home near Georgia’s highest peak, Mt. Kazbek...Participate in making khinkali, juicy flour dumplings
Kazbegi, Georgia
Participate in making khinkali, juicy flour dumplings, at a village home near Georgia’s highest peak, Mt. Kazbek.
Next Steps
- Start to design your own custom trip
- Find out how Custom & Private Travel works
- Contact a Private Journeys Specialist with any questions
Suggested Itineraries for Private Travel
Whether you’re looking for a compact trip with all the highlights or something a little roomier with some of the extras, MIR offers itineraries that are available on a private departure basis with your choice of dates. They can also serve as inspiration for your own custom itinerary.
Our itinerary, your dates – great for solo travelers, couples or small groups.
Essential Georgia
From Wine Country to High Country
Travels to: Georgia, South Caucasus
Departures in July, August, September, October 2019
This itinerary available as a private journey
See Trip
Essential Caucasus
Highlights of Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan
Travels to: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, South Caucasus
Departures in July, August, September, October 2019
This itinerary available as a private journey
See Trip
Essential Georgia & Armenia
Between Two Capitals: A Journey to Cave Towns & Mountain Villages
Travels to: Armenia, Georgia, South Caucasus
Departures in July, August, September, October 2019
This itinerary available as a private journey
See TripEssential Azerbaijan
Cultures & Contrasts in the Land of Fire
Travels to: Azerbaijan, South Caucasus
Departures in July, August, September, October 2019
This itinerary available as a private journey
See Trip
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Traveler Reviews
“My MIR guide in Georgia was one of the best guides I have ever had anywhere in the world. Like most guides, her English is flawless, her knowledge of her country and its history is complete. What puts her above all the rest, was her willingness to spend her free time showing me the little visited hidden treasures that her country is blessed with.”
- C. Fisher - Youngstown, OH
