THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view
Explore Tbilisi, Sighnaghi, Kazbegi and Mestia for towns, churches, villages and mountains. Photograph Baku, Gobustan and Sheki for architecture and life along the Caspian. Explore Yerevan, monasteries and Lake Sevan for religious architecture and lake landscapes.
Georgian towns and mountains
Explore Tbilisi, Sighnaghi, Kazbegi and Mestia for towns, churches, villages and mountains.
Baku and Silk Road heritage
Photograph Baku, Gobustan and Sheki for architecture and life along the Caspian.
Armenia and Lake Sevan
Explore Yerevan, monasteries and Lake Sevan for religious architecture and lake landscapes.
The journey in pictures
Photographers linked to this route: Alvin Huang →
Itinerary images · Select a photo to enlarge
PHOTOGRAPHY LEADERS
A different way of seeing
Alvin Huang
Specializes in documentary, portrait and landscape photography. He has explored dozens of intangible cultural heritage subjects and traveled extensively in western China for photographic projects. Each year he leads private, customized leisure photography and travel portrait trips overseas. An experienced retoucher with comprehensive photographic knowledge and advanced digital post-production skills, he has received dozens of provincial-level or higher awards and international awards. Photography journeys He has led groups to Norway, Iceland, Russia, Japan, New Zealand, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Malaysia, Indonesia, Dongba, Semporna, Israel, Jordan, Iran, Indonesian Papua, Namibia, Manado, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Chinese destinations include Tibet, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu and Guizhou.
THE DAYS AHEAD
A rhythm shaped by light
DAY 01May 6 · Asia/TbilisiGuangzhou/Your departure city–Tbilisi
The Caucasus photography journey begins. Tbilisi is a captivating blend of old and new. After airport pickup, transfer to the hotel to rest.
Accommodation:Tbilisi; accommodation to be confirmed
DAY 02May 7 · Asia/TbilisiTbilisi–Baku (morning flight) | Old Baku and City Landmarks
Visit the World Heritage Palace of the Shirvanshahs and thousand-year-old Maiden Tower. In the evening, photograph the Flame Towers from Highland Park at blue hour, capturing the striking temporal contrast between the old city and modern skyscrapers. Suggested flight: May 7, J2406 Tbilisi–Baku | 09:40–10:50
Accommodation:Baku; accommodation to be confirmed
DAY 03May 8 · Asia/TbilisiFull day in Baku | Prehistoric Sites and Sacred Fire
Caspian sunrise, 40,000-year-old Gobustan petroglyphs and otherworldly mud volcanoes. Visit the Zoroastrian Fire Temple and its thousand-year eternal flame, documenting Azerbaijan’s ancient Silk Road civilization.
Accommodation:Baku; accommodation to be confirmed
DAY 04May 9 · Asia/TbilisiBaku–Shamakhi–Sheki
Pause in the Silk Road town of Shamakhi, then visit Sheki’s exquisite Khan’s Summer Palace and well-preserved medieval caravanserai to photograph historic architecture and light.
Accommodation:Sheki; accommodation to be confirmed
DAY 05May 10 · Asia/TbilisiSheki–Enter Georgia–Sighnaghi
Visit Sighnaghi, the popular mountain town of love, with red roofs, vineyards and Caucasus snow mountains. Explore St. Nino’s Bodbe Monastery and a winery using the 8,000-year-old clay-jar tradition.
Accommodation:Sighnaghi; accommodation to be confirmed
DAY 06May 11 · Asia/TbilisiSighnaghi–Mtskheta–Kazbek
Visit Georgia’s spiritual landmarks, Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Follow the Military Highway through Caucasus gorges, reaching snowy Mount Kazbek in the evening.
Accommodation:Kazbegi; accommodation to be confirmed
DAY 07May 12 · Asia/TbilisiKazbek–Kutaisi
At dawn, photograph sunrise over snow mountains and the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church. Pass the 3,000-year-old rock-hewn town of Uplistsikhe, then visit Bagrati Cathedral and the city fountain in Kutaisi in the evening.
Accommodation:Kutaisi; accommodation to be confirmed
DAY 08May 13 · Asia/TbilisiKutaisi–Mestia
Explore World Heritage Upper Svaneti, with thousand-year-old Svan tower villages surrounded by snow mountains. Take a mountain cable car for views over the entire valley and excellent drone photography positions.
Accommodation:Mestia; accommodation to be confirmed
DAY 09May 14 · Asia/TbilisiMestia–Ushguli–Mestia
Visit Ushguli, Europe’s highest ancient village, to photograph Lamaria Church and Shkhara Glacier. Explore the immense glacier up close and document unspoiled alpine culture and landscapes.
Accommodation:Mestia; accommodation to be confirmed
DAY 10May 15 · Asia/TbilisiMestia–Batumi
In Black Sea Batumi, stroll the seaside boulevard, photograph the moving Ali and Nino love sculpture and European-style Europe Square, and document life at the fishing harbour.
Accommodation:Batumi; accommodation to be confirmed
DAY 11May 16 · Asia/TbilisiBatumi–Tbilisi
Return to Tbilisi and visit the immense Chronicle of Georgia monument. Climb to Narikala Fortress in the evening for old-town panoramas, city night views and cable cars.
Accommodation:Tbilisi; accommodation to be confirmed
DAY 12May 17 · Asia/TbilisiTbilisi–Yerevan, Armenia
Pass the thousand-year-old cliffside cave city of Vardzia, then arrive in Armenia’s pink capital, Yerevan. Climb the Cascade for views toward the national sacred mountain, Ararat.
Accommodation:Yerevan; accommodation to be confirmed
DAY 13May 18 · Asia/TbilisiYerevan–Lake Sevan Circuit
Visit Etchmiadzin, the world’s oldest Christian mother cathedral; Zvartnots ruins; Garni, the Caucasus’s only Greek temple; and the rock-hewn sanctuary of Geghard. Reach the highland sapphire of Lake Sevan in the evening.
Accommodation:Lake Sevan; accommodation to be confirmed
DAY 14May 19 · Asia/TbilisiLake Sevan–Dilijan–Tbilisi
At dawn, photograph Lake Sevan’s black-stone monastery reflected in the water. Capture street life in the forest town of Dilijan, then return to Tbilisi at night for golden-lit views of Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Accommodation:Tbilisi; accommodation to be confirmed
DAY 15May 20 · Asia/TbilisiTbilisi–Guangzhou/Your destination
Photograph Tbilisi before the airport transfer. The reference flight departs in the evening; meeting and transfer times are to be confirmed.
Accommodation:Return flight
DAY 16May 21 · Asia/TbilisiGuangzhou/Your destination
Arrive back in China.
Accommodation:End of trip
Trip staff
- Photography leader · Alvin Huang
- IncludedProfessional tour leader, guide and photography instruction fees;
- ExcludedTips for the relevant guides, drivers or service staff are additional; applicable amounts, days and total are to be confirmed.
Transport
- IncludedTransport: all overland touring vehicle expenses;
- ExcludedFlights: all air tickets are excluded; booking assistance is available;
Travel details and reference schedules
These are reference services, not mandatory travel arrangements. Schedules, transfers and connections are to be confirmed. [Reference flights] The photography instructor's flights for this trip are as follows: Outbound: May 6 | CZ6888 Guangzhou–Urumqi | 11:45–17:05 May 6 | CZ6039 Urumqi–Tbilisi | 19:50–21:20 Return: May 20 | CZ6040 Tbilisi–Urumqi | 22:50–07:25+1 May 21 | CZ6895 Urumqi–Guangzhou | 10:45–16:00 Flight within the itinerary: May 7 | J2406 Tbilisi–Baku | 09:40–10:50 Before booking transport, please confirm the departure and travel arrangements through this website. Included · Transport: all overland touring vehicle expenses; Included · Admission: initial attraction tickets, including the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, Maiden Tower, mud volcanoes, Sheki Khan’s Palace, wine tasting, Kazbek mountain transport, Stalin Museum and round-trip off-road transport between Mestia and Ushguli; Excluded · Flights: all air tickets are excluded; booking assistance is available;
Photography
- Georgian towns and mountains
- Baku and Silk Road heritage
- Armenia and Lake Sevan
Photography details
Georgian towns and mountains Explore Tbilisi, Sighnaghi, Kazbegi and Mestia for towns, churches, villages and mountains. Baku and Silk Road heritage Photograph Baku, Gobustan and Sheki for architecture and life along the Caspian. Armenia and Lake Sevan Explore Yerevan, monasteries and Lake Sevan for religious architecture and lake landscapes. Georgian towns and mountains Baku and Silk Road heritage Armenia and Lake Sevan Included · Professional tour leader, guide and photography instruction fees; Excluded · Tips payable to subjects when independently photographing people;
Accommodation
- 15 nights
- Planned overnight arrangements; bookings, room types and unspecified details are to be confirmed.
- IncludedAccommodation: standard twin rooms in local four-star hotels during the itinerary, two people per room;
Accommodation details
Planned overnight arrangements; bookings, room types and unspecified details are to be confirmed. Day 1: Tbilisi; accommodation to be confirmed Day 2: Baku; accommodation to be confirmed Day 3: Baku; accommodation to be confirmed Day 4: Sheki; accommodation to be confirmed Day 5: Sighnaghi; accommodation to be confirmed Day 6: Kazbegi; accommodation to be confirmed Day 7: Kutaisi; accommodation to be confirmed Day 8: Mestia; accommodation to be confirmed Day 9: Mestia; accommodation to be confirmed Day 10: Batumi; accommodation to be confirmed Day 11: Tbilisi; accommodation to be confirmed Day 12: Yerevan; accommodation to be confirmed Day 13: Lake Sevan; accommodation to be confirmed Day 14: Tbilisi; accommodation to be confirmed Day 15: Return flight Day 16: End of trip Day 1 · 2027-05-06 Tbilisi; accommodation to be confirmed Day 2 · 2027-05-07 Baku; accommodation to be confirmed Day 3 · 2027-05-08 Baku; accommodation to be confirmed Day 4 · 2027-05-09 Sheki; accommodation to be confirmed Day 5 · 2027-05-10 Sighnaghi; accommodation to be confirmed Day 6 · 2027-05-11 Kazbegi; accommodation to be confirmed Day 7 · 2027-05-12 Kutaisi; accommodation to be confirmed Day 8 · 2027-05-13 Mestia; accommodation to be confirmed Day 9 · 2027-05-14 Mestia; accommodation to be confirmed Day 10 · 2027-05-15 Batumi; accommodation to be confirmed Day 11 · 2027-05-16 Tbilisi; accommodation to be confirmed Day 12 · 2027-05-17 Yerevan; accommodation to be confirmed Day 13 · 2027-05-18 Lake Sevan; accommodation to be confirmed Day 14 · 2027-05-19 Tbilisi; accommodation to be confirmed Day 15 · 2027-05-20 Return flight Day 16 · 2027-05-21 End of trip 15 nights Planned overnight arrangements; bookings, room types and unspecified details are to be confirmed. Included · Accommodation: standard twin rooms in local four-star hotels during the itinerary, two people per room; Excluded · Single occupancy requires an additional supplement, to be confirmed.
Meals
- IncludedMeals: 28 main meals throughout;
- IncludedDaily drinking water, with no waste permitted.
Visa
- ExcludedVisa or entry processing is additional; applicable requirements and arrangements are to be confirmed.
A CLEAR PICTURE
Know what is included
Deposit in the operator’s published information
per personThis amount reflects the payment terms in the operator’s published information. When booking through this platform, follow the payment schedule shown at checkout.
Public prices may change. Checkout quotes expire at a stated time; your confirmed order records its price and payment deadlines.
Included
Accommodation: standard twin rooms in local four-star hotels during the itinerary, two people per room;
Transport: all overland touring vehicle expenses;
Admission: initial attraction tickets, including the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, Maiden Tower, mud volcanoes, Sheki Khan’s Palace, wine tasting, Kazbek mountain transport, Stalin Museum and round-trip off-road transport between Mestia and Ushguli;
Meals: 28 main meals throughout;
Insurance: travel accident insurance for every participant, actively protecting photographers’ interests, with the insurance company handling insurance matters;
Professional tour leader, guide and photography instruction fees;
Daily drinking water, with no waste permitted.
Not included
Flights: all air tickets are excluded; booking assistance is available;
Visa or entry processing is additional; applicable requirements and arrangements are to be confirmed.
Single occupancy requires an additional supplement, to be confirmed.
Tips for the relevant guides, drivers or service staff are additional; applicable amounts, days and total are to be confirmed.
All personal and incidental expenses;
Tips payable to subjects when independently photographing people;
In cases of force majeure such as natural disasters, war or strikes, or special circumstances including airline delays or cancellations and consular visa delays, the organizing team may cancel or alter the itinerary. We may charge the actual expenses of additional expenses, including visa extensions abroad, accommodation, meals, transportation and national airfare adjustments, while doing our best within our capabilities to minimize participants’ losses;
Invoice taxes are additional; details are to be confirmed.
Single-room supplements, additional local expenses and the final total must be confirmed in writing.
BEFORE YOU GO
What to know before you go
Availability and booking
Let us know if you’re interested in this trip. Availability is not updated in real time, so please contact us to check whether the trip is confirmed, how many places are available, and the final total and booking terms.
Trip information
[Transport] 1. Flights arranged by the organizing team use economy-class group tickets. Before tickets are issued, check the airline's rules for changes and refunds. 2. Flight, road and boat journey times may vary with conditions on the day. 3. The airlines and flight times listed are for guidance only. Flight changes may require minor adjustments to the itinerary. Please follow the final trip details sent before departure. [Accommodation] The total is based on two people sharing a room. We'll try to match solo travelers with a roommate of the same gender. If you prefer not to share, or no roommate is available, you must pay a single supplement for your own room. [Group meals] We aim to serve meals suited to Chinese tastes. We make sure everyone has enough to eat. [Photography] 1. Photography sessions follow the itinerary, but conditions on the day may affect how long we spend at each location. 2. Read the itinerary carefully and choose a trip that suits your health and circumstances. Skipping part of the itinerary for health or other personal reasons, or choosing not to use the arranged accommodation or transport, counts as voluntary withdrawal from those arrangements. You are responsible for your own safety while not taking part in the itinerary. 3. Stay with the group during photography sessions unless you have permission to leave. This does not apply during free time. The organizing team is not responsible for accidents that occur while you are away from the group. 4. Typhoons, blizzards or other events beyond our control may require changes to the itinerary. [Fuel surcharges] The organizing team reserves the right to adjust the amount payable if fluctuations in global oil markets lead to a substantial rise in fuel surcharges. If the team can absorb the increase, the amount payable will remain unchanged. [Before departure] 1. We'll send your final trip details no later than the day before departure. If arrangements are confirmed sooner, we'll let you know as soon as possible. 2. If the online itinerary differs from the final trip details sent before departure, the final trip details take precedence. [Optional activities at your own expense] Under the Tourism Law provisions prohibiting travel agencies from arranging optional paid activities, please contact the provider directly for details, charges and bookings if you wish to take part. If you need language assistance from a guide or tour leader, any help is provided in a personal capacity, whether paid or unpaid. It is not provided on behalf of the organizing team or the local tour operator. The organizing team is not involved in the payments, transactions or service standards for activities during free time. You are responsible for the outcome of those arrangements. The images above were supplied by the local instructor. They will be removed if we are notified of copyright infringement. -
Entry arrangements
Entry requirements depend on your travel documents. Arrangements for all three countries are still to be confirmed.
Itinerary notes
Photography locations, accommodations and transportation are subject to final confirmation before departure. Weather and local conditions may affect the itinerary.
Itinerary dates use Asia/Tbilisi. Flight, transfer and other times follow the time zone stated for each location. Please confirm any time without a stated time zone before departure.