Georgia & Armenia Adventure
Price- $2,436
11 Days | Check out the Caucasus neighbours of Armenia and Georgia
Head deep in the Caucasus on an 11-day extravaganza around the sights of Georgia and Armenia. Discover the religious significance of Yerevan and the ancient stone-carved monasteries dotted around the countryside, visit the historic and cultural hub of Tbilisi, head to the highlands in Gudauri, dabble in Georgia’s acclaimed wine scene in Telavi and learn how to make traditional cuisine. With home-cooked meals, local guided walks and free time aplenty, you’d be hard pressed to find a pair of countries so rich with things to see, yet so far from the usual tourist map.
Trip overview
StartYerevan, Armenia
EndTbilisi, Georgia
DestinationsGeorgia, Armenia
StyleComfort
AgesMin 15
Group SizeMin 1 - Max 12
ThemeExplorer
Trip CodeKFKE
Itinerary
Barheev! Welcome to Armenia. This evening, there will be an important welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your group leader and fellow travellers. After the meeting, why not ask your leader where you can find some traditional Armenian food, like khoravat (Armenian barbecue) or basturma (cured beef).
Accommodation
Meals
Included activities
Today, join a local guide for an insightful city tour of Yerevan. Armenia’s vibrant capital has a great mix of ancient culture and tradition with a contemporary feel. Begin at Republic Square, and then head to the Cafesjian Center – an open-air museum of modern art. Continue on to Freedom Square – a lively city hub with its ornate Opera House sitting at the centre. You’ll have lunch at a traditional museum-café built by Lusik Aguleci – a lover of Armenian antiques and all things local and handmade. Here you’ll have the chance to try some local favourites, like tomatoes with goats cheese and gata (Armenian coffee cake). Take a look around to see exhibits of national costumes, carpets and rugs and other traditional Armenian wares, then enjoy an afternoon at leisure. You may like to head out for a local brandy tasting – ask your leader for recommendations.
Accommodation
Meals
Included activities
Add on activities
After breakfast, meet a local guide for a tour of the Kond neighbourhood, one of the oldest quarters of Yerevan. Kond is often overlooked by tourists, but offers up a wealth of history and character. Explore the labyrinth of narrow alleys as your local guide shares the stories of the neighbourhood. Lunch today is extra special – be welcomed into the home of a local family, living in a 300-year-old house, making it one of the oldest in Yerevan. As you dine with the family you’ll hear how they’ve lived in Kond for three generations, and try some of Armenia’s famous lavash bread. After lunch, check out a handmade rug factory – the designs are beautifully intricate. The rest of the day is free for your own discoveries. You may like to pay a visit to the Khor Virap and Zvartnots religious sites.
Accommodation
Meals
Included activities
Add on activities
This morning, head to the Geghard Monastery, a magnificent and unique structure partially carved out of rock. Interestingly, Armenia was the first to adopt Christianity as a state religion, and these medieval churches and monasteries have stood the test of time to show the country’s deep religious history. Today, you will also visit the Hellenistic Garni Temple and the medieval Sevanavank Monastery, set on the banks of the pristine Lake Sevan. From here, travel to Fioletovo, a village that’s home to the Molokan religious sect. Join a Molokan family for lunch to learn about their beliefs and traditions and taste their Russian-influenced cuisine, including borscht, pirozhki (pie) and tea from a samovar. Then, travel to the picturesque town of Dilijan, where you will be spending the night. On arrival, join your leader for an orientation walk to take in the town’s charming buildings and traditional craft workshops. Your accommodation tonight is a restored 19th century building filled with antique furniture and original architecture.
Accommodation
Meals
Included activities
Say goodbye to Armenia this morning as you board a public bus to Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia. On arrival, you’ll have time for your own discoveries of this vibrant city. You may like to wander the old districts, which are structured like terraces, take a walk along the river, visit the Tbilisi Concert Hall and Public Service Hall, or grab a great coffee and check out the artist pop ups at Fabrika.
Accommodation
Meals
Stock up on brekky and embark on a sightseeing tour of Tbilisi with a local guide. Tbilisi is a city of colour, of old and new, and your tour this morning will give you a glance at its history from the early centuries AD to now, through its sites and diverse architecture. You’ll also pass by the renowned 19th century houses of multicoloured balconies, synonymous with the Tbilisian skyline. Take a panoramic cable car ride from Rike Park up to the Narikala Fortress, then wander down to the sulfur baths, which are set on the thermal springs that give the Georgian capital its name. After your guided tour, have a free afternoon to relax, perhaps with a spa treatment!
Accommodation
Meals
Included activities
Add on activities
This morning, pay a visit to the ancient capital and religious centre of Mtskheta. Here you’ll be joined by a local guide to explore Mtskheta’s historical sites, including the sixth century Jvari Monastery 11th-century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Continue on to the town of Gori in the heart of Kartli region. With your local guide by your side, visit the ancient Uplistsikhe Cave Town – a rock-hewn dwelling where the Great Silk Road used to pass. You’ll spend the night at the ski resort town of Gudauri.
Accommodation
Meals
Included activities
Add on activities
Embark on a stunning drive from Gudauri along the Tergi River to Stepantsminda. Here you’ll take a two-hour hike through the beautiful valleys and woodlands to the Gergeti Trinity Church. Depending on the weather, you may even catch a glimpse of one of the highest glaciers in the Caucasus – Mt Kazbegi. Head back down to Gudauri where you’ll enjoy a cooking class with a local family, learning to make khinkali, a popular Georgian dumpling. Enjoy a night to relax and catch up with your travel friends with an included dinner.
Accommodation
Meals
Included activities
Add on activities
Travel on to the Kakheti region, renowned for its wine-making and welcoming hospitality. Your drive today is quite scenic, so soak up all of the Georgian countryside and its myriad of greens, reds and browns. Arrive in the regional centre of Telavi, where you’ll take a visit to the historic Tsinandali – an old estate and vineyard-turned-museum welcoming guests to walk in the gardens and see the quaint house. Afterwards, it's time to sample some of the local drops - visit a small private winery where our host will tell you all about the Georgian wine-making process and you'll be able to sample their best wines. Tonight, you’ll stay nearby in a hotel run by another wine-making family. Enjoy a delicious traditional dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation
Meals
Included activities
Add on activities
This morning, meet up with a local guide who will join you for the day’s explorations. Check out the local farmers market in Telavi before driving to the hilltop fortified town of Sighnaghi, which has been preserved to its original image and now offers visitors stunning views of the surrounding Caucasus Mountains. Visit the fourth century Bodbe Monastery, before making your way back to Tbilisi for some free time this afternoon. As you didn’t have much time previously, perhaps you’d like to book yourself in for a visit to the sulfur baths in town and learn what all the fuss is about with this ancient ritual. Tonight, why not get your travel crew together for a celebratory dinner – your group leader will know of some good spots to head to.
Accommodation
Meals
Included activities
With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave the accommodation at any time.
Meals
Inclusions
Meals
Meals 10 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinnersTransport
Transport Private vehicle, Public bus, TaxiAccommodation
Accommodation Hotel (10 nights)
Activities
- Complimentary airport arrival transfer
- Yerevan - City Tour with Local Guide
- Yerevan - Ethnographic House Tour with Lunch
- Yerevan - Carpet Educational
- Yerevan - Kond walking tour with a local guide
- Garni - Temple of Garni
- Lake Sevan - Sevanavank Monastery
- Geghard - Geghard Monastery
- Fioletovo - Molokan Village
- Tbilisi - Old Town Walking Tour with Local Guide
- Tbilisi - Aerial Cable Car
- Mtskheta - Jvari Church & Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
- Uplistsikhe - Cave Complex Visit with Local Guide
- Stepantsminda - Gergeti Trinity Church Hike
- Stepantsminda - Khinkali home-cooking class
- Kakheti - Tsinandali Estate Visit
- Kakheti - Wine tasting
- Kakheti - Telavi Fresh Produce Market
- Kakheti - Sighnaghi Walking Tour
- Kakheti - Bodbe Monastery
Add On Activities
- Yerevan - Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex - Free
- Yerevan - Museum of Armenian History - AMD2500
- Yerevan - Brandy Factory visit & Tasting - AMD4500
- Yerevan - Sergei Parajanov Museum - AMD2500
- Private half-day tour to Zvartnots Temple - USD70
- Private half-day tour to Khor Virap Monastery - USD70
- Tbilisi - Open Air Museum of Ethnography - GEL20
- Tbilisi - Georgian National Museum - GEL30
- Tbilisi - The National Gallery - GEL25
- Tbilisi - Thermal Bath House Visit - from - GEL70
- Gori - Museum of Stalin - GEL15
- Stepantsminda – 4WD to Gergeti Cathedral – from (per car) - GEL60
- Telavi – Batonis Castle - GEL2
- Telavi - Telavi Historical Museum - GEL5
.jpg)
.jpg)
