Georgia & Armenia: Heartlands Of The Caucasus
Group Tour
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Overview
The Caucasus has always been one of our favourite regions worldwide and this tour offers a superb opportunity to discover the contrasts between the increasingly popular Georgia and its less discovered neighbour, Armenia.
Following in the footsteps of Silk Road traders, Crusader Knights and Ottoman Princes, we’ll start in the Georgian historic capital Tbilisi and journey through the Kakheti wine region before heading up into the spectacular Greater Caucasus mountains. From here we’ll ...
The Caucasus has always been one of our favourite regions worldwide and this tour offers a superb opportunity to discover the contrasts between the increasingly popular Georgia and its less discovered neighbour, Armenia.
Following in the footsteps of Silk Road traders, Crusader Knights and Ottoman Princes, we’ll start in the Georgian historic capital Tbilisi and journey through the Kakheti wine region before heading up into the spectacular Greater Caucasus mountains. From here we’ll then turn south towards Armenia with its UNESCO World Heritage mountaintop churches, high altitude lakes, medieval caravanserais and spectacular views over Mt Ararat, the legendary resting place of Noah’s ark.
Packed with the legends of the Golden Fleece, stunning scenery, great food and a very warm welcome, this is a trip which will be sure to offer memorable experiences each and every day.
HIGHLIGHTS
At a glance
MEALS
TRANSPORT
Coasters and/or minibuses
GROUP SIZE
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
7 nights x Superior
ENTRANCE FEES
FITNESS RATING
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
Wherever possible we aim to use characterful accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience. This can obviously vary greatly across both countries and tours. On this particular trip we will be in comfortable hotels throughout. Please note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a guide only and is always subject to availability.FITNESS RATING
LOW: You should be comfortable walking around towns and cultural sites. May include some optional walks (typically 1-2hrs).LOW/MODERATE: May be of a long duration and/or involve numerous border-crossings. May include easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-3hrs/day). You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle.
MODERATE: May include several easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-5hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle. Previous experience of similar trips helpful.
MODERATE/HIGH: May involve several days of moderate hiking (up to 3-6 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
HIGH: May involve several days of moderate/strenuous trekking (up to 4-7 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a very fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
Map & Itinerary
Individual departures may vary so please refer to the information in the tour specific links in the Dates and Prices section below
Day 1 Tour starts in Tbilisi
Day 1 Tour starts in Tbilisi
Rooms will be available in Tbilisi from this afternoon. Those arriving on the suggested group flights will arrive in the early hours of tomorrow morning.
Day 2 Tbilisi Old Town & café culture
Day 2 Tbilisi Old Town & café culture
Our introductory meeting will take place this morning at the hotel, after which we will have a city tour including all of Old Tbilisi. From the Metekhi Church (13th century) overlooking the river Mtkvari to the Narikala Fortress (4th century), one of the oldest fortifications in the city, we’ll also pay a visit to the Sulphur Baths, the synagogue, the Anchiskhati Church (6th century) and Sioni Cathedral (6/7th century). In this cathedral the cross of St. Nino – the woman who brought Christianity to Georgia – is preserved. All these sights are in close proximity and it’s a pleasant walk. You then have the rest of the day to soak up the café culture of Tbilisi, relax and shop.
Day 3 Tbilisi - Davit Gareja – Telavi: Wine making & Home-cooked lunch
Day 3 Tbilisi - Davit Gareja – Telavi: Wine making & Home-cooked lunch
In the morning we travel to David Gareja cave complex (6th century) located in a stark, semi-desert landscape. Here we will see the Lavra Monastery and dramatic views across to Azerbaijan. On the way to Telavi we will have lunch with a local family, providing the chance to sample some delicious homemade Georgian dishes many of which will have been made using fresh ingredients from our host's garden. We will also visit a traditional Georgian wine cellar to learn more about Georgia's millenia-old love affair with wine-making and have the chance to sample several Kakhetian wines including the distinctive natural Zhghia wine.
Day 4 Telavi – Kazbegi: Alaverdi Monastery and Ananuri Church
Day 4 Telavi – Kazbegi: Alaverdi Monastery and Ananuri Church
This morning we will visit the local market in Telavi before starting our journey towards Kazbegi. Our first stop on the route will be the Alaverdi monastery and cathedral, which has a long and rich history as a place of worship. From here, we drive further into the Khevi region, dominated by alpine meadows and mountain passes. Our next visit is to the two fortified churches at Ananuri, beautifully situated on the Jinvali Reservoir, before following the Georgian Military Highway north to our hotel and taking in the stunning views of the Greater Caucasus Mountains. Approx. 4 hours driving.
Day 5 Around Kazbegi: Trinity Church, Dariali Gorge and Felt Making
Day 5 Around Kazbegi: Trinity Church, Dariali Gorge and Felt Making
Today we set out on foot from Kazbegi for a three-hour walk up through beautiful valleys and woodland to Gergeti Trinity Church (14th century) located at 2170m. Weather permitting, you may catch a glimpse of one of the highest glaciers in the Caucasus on Mt Kazbegi (5047m). If you prefer to skip the hike, local taxis are available. After lunch in Kazbegi we visit a local master and learn about Georgian 'Teka' - felt-making and have an opportunity to taste some local teas. This afternoon we drive through the Dariali gorge, taking some time to stop at viewpoints to and admire the impressive mountain views before visiting the spectacular Sno valley and the Giant Stone Head Sculptures, created by local artist Merab Piranishvili to help immortalise Georgia's great poets.
Day 6 Kazbegi - Mtskheta – Gori: via Uplistsikhe Cave Town
Day 6 Kazbegi - Mtskheta – Gori: via Uplistsikhe Cave Town
Today we will drive to the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia, Mtskheta, where we will visit Jvari Monastery (6th century) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century), both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After spending some time here we will then visit the nearby Uplistsikhe Cave Town (1st millennium BC), once one of the main points along the Great Silk Road. Our final stop for the day will be the town of Gori, located in the heart of the Kartli region and the birthplace of the most famous Georgian of all time – Josef Stalin. This evening we will have dinner in a local restaurant. Approx 3.5 hours driving.
Day 7 Gori – Tbilisi: Stalin Museum & Free Afternoon in Tbilisi
Day 7 Gori – Tbilisi: Stalin Museum & Free Afternoon in Tbilisi
This morning we will visit the surreal Stalin Museum, his house and private carriage. Afterwards we will return to Tbilisi to allow you a free afternoon and evening to discover at your own pace the many museums, markets and hidden corners of the enchanting Georgian capital.
Day 8 Tbilisi – Dilijan (Armenia): Debed Canyon & Haghpat Monastery
Day 8 Tbilisi – Dilijan (Armenia): Debed Canyon & Haghpat Monastery
After an early breakfast we will drive to the border and cross into Armenia. We will then drive via the stunning Debed Canyon to the Haghpat monastery, built between the 10th and 13th century, before reaching the alpine town of Dilijan.
Day 9 Dilijan – Goris: Lake Sevan, Sevanavank Monastery & Karahunj
Day 9 Dilijan – Goris: Lake Sevan, Sevanavank Monastery & Karahunj
Travelling further into this ancient land, we will take a spectacular drive via Lake Sevan, one of the world’s largest high altitude lakes (1900m) to the medevial Sevanavank Monastery. En route we will visit the Selim Caravanserai, dating from 1332 and reputed to be the best preserved of its type in the country. Finally we will stop off at the prehistoric site of Karahunj, described as the ‘Armenian Stonehenge’, before arriving in Goris.
Day 10 Goris – Yerevan: Tatev Monastery, Noravank Monastery
Day 10 Goris – Yerevan: Tatev Monastery, Noravank Monastery
This morning we will head to one of the highlights of Armenia – the 9th century Tatev monastery - which is reached by the longest cable car in the world, known as the Wings of Tatev. This is Armenia’s most sacred site, and the clifftop location of this still-operating church is breathtaking. On our way to Yerevan we will stop at Noravank Monastery, which was founded in the 13th Century.
Day 11 Yerevan: City sightseeing & afternoon free time
Day 11 Yerevan: City sightseeing & afternoon free time
Today we will enjoy the morning sightseeing around the Armenian capital, Yerevan. We will head to the Matenadaran Manuscript museum and also visit the Memorial to the 1915 Genocide, before heading to the Cascades, a giant stairway made of limestone, which houses a contemporary art gallery hosting local and international exhibits. After lunch we will have some free time to explore this pleasant city at our own pace, before heading out for our farewell dinner.
Day 12 Tour ends in Yerevan
Day 12 Tour ends in Yerevan
The tour ends this morning at the hotel. Rooms will be available until midday.
ACCOMMODATION USED ON THIS TOUR
Taberne Boutique Hotel, Tbilisi
Offering a great location within walking distance of central Tbilisi, the Taberne Boutique Hotel is a comfortable and stylish addition to the capital. With just 43 rooms, the hotel maintains an intimate feel which is felt throughout the different social areas and private rooms. The restaurant is light and airy, with a great selection of both local and international cuisine, whilst the rooms are spacious and beautifully designed, some with private balconies and great views of the city.
Kviria Hotel, Telavi
With just 14 rooms, Hotel Kviria prides itself on its contemporary style, using old Georgian brick on the building exterior & in its wine-cellar and soft colours throughout the hotel’s interior.
All rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels as well as complimentary tea, coffee and water. The hotel has rooftop solar panels, an outdoor heated pool and makes its own wines under the name “Matisi”, which guests can enjoy in the wine bar.
Intourist Kazbegi, Stepantsminda
Located in Stepantsminda, the 4-star Intourist Kazbegi provides accommodation with a garden, two bars, a restaurant, a terrace, a library and wi-fi throughout. The hotel is of historical importance, first operating 60 years ago as part of the “Intourist” chain before closing in the 1990s due to the political situation in the country. In 2021, the hotel was given a new lease of life, upgrading all facilities for the modern traveller, whilst keeping its a historical name and appearance. The wooden facade blends flawlessly with the beautiful forest scenery, and the rooms offer a beautiful panoramic view overlooking the Kazbegi mountains. Rooms are well-equipped with a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen and towels, as well as a safety deposit box, and some offer a balcony whilst others come with garden views.
Gori Inn, Gori
Gori Inn is an excellent mid-range hotel recently added to Gori's collection, offering extensive facilities and modern amenities. There are a range of rooms and suites which are spacious and comfortable, some with balconies. The restaurant also offers a diverse menu of Georgian and international cuisine for lunch and dinner and there is a generous breakfast. Guests can also enjoy a well-equipped fitness room and there is a well-sized indoor swimming pool, as well as a spa with multiple treatments available and a sauna and hammam. Wine lovers can also enjoy some on-site tasting from their collection.
Tufenkian Old Dilijan Complex, Dilijan
Close to the centre of Dilijan, the Tufenkian is a renovated stone complex located directly on historical Sharambeyan Street. The eight rooms are simple and modern but with very traditional features, natural colours and extra comforts such as kettles and satellite television. Breakfast is served in the attached Haykanoush restaurant which also specialises in rich Western Armenian cuisine for lunches and dinner. The complex around the hotel has a number of small workshops which specialise in traditional Armenian crafts such as carpets, wood carvings, ceramics and furniture, as well as a bakery and delightful souvenir shops all promoting local handicrafts. The English speaking staff are helpful and welcoming.
Mirhav Hotel, Goris
Mirhav Hotel is a centrally located, newly built hotel designed according to Goris' traditional architectural style. Its nineteen rooms are simply but stylishly furnished with local carpets and furniture. All are a good size with an en-suite shower room, and some have balconies overlooking the tree lined streets of Goris. The hotel has its own restaurant with a large pleasant garden overlooking the river and it is centrally located for nearby amenities. It comes recommended as one of the best hotels in the region.
Opera Suite Hotel, Yerevan
Opera Suite Hotel is a four-star hotel situated in the heart of Yerevan, ideal for sightseeing. The hotel has 106 Suites with high-quality service and a signature Italian style. The hotel is divided into Deluxe Suite, Suite, Executive Suite and Royal Suite separated into smoking and non-smoking suites. Floor to ceiling glass windows provide excellent panoramic views in the Sinatra Restaurant, serving a mixture of local and international dishes. Other food facilities include the Giardino Terrace Cafe, Lobby Bar or Forty Four Sky Bar. Head to the rooftop and find the outdoor and indoor pools with a retractable roof or relax on the sunbathing terrace before enjoying a traditional Thai massage in the Thai Penthouse Wellness Centre and Spa. There is also a fitness centre on the second floor.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. *Please refer to the Detailed Itinerary of your individual departure for more information.
PRIVATE HOLIDAYS: DATES DON’T FIT?
All group tours can be taken on a private basis.
Additional Details
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Reducing Single Use Plastic
We recognise the environmental issues and challenges around single-use plastic in many countries we visit and are actively working with our partners on the ground to reduce plastic waste on our tours and within the hotels and restaurants we visit. You can help to reduce your personal plastic waste by taking a refillable, filtered water bottle with you on your trip. Filtered water bottles can be refilled from water sources including your hotel room and restaurant taps, drinking fountains and refill stations. Every time you refill your bottle without the use of single-use plastic, you will be helping to reduce waste and protect the environment. Filtered Water Bottles | Wild Frontiers (wildfrontierstravel.com)
Getting There
If you would like us to send you a quote for the suggested tour flights or on any alternative flight that may suit you better, please let us know, noting that for our US clients, we will most likely refer you to one of our preferred partners. For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are shown below.
If you wish to arrange your own flights you are completely free to do so and in this case we can arrange any transfers or supplementary accommodation that you may require. However please note that if you are planning on making your own flight arrangements, we recommend that you first check with us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We then suggest that you purchase flights that are flexible and ideally refundable as due to the nature of adventure travel, itineraries and destination accessibility can change at any time. For more information, please refer to our booking conditions.
| Flight Code | Departing | Arriving |
|---|---|---|
| LO 280 | London Heathrow (LHR) 18:10 | Warsaw (WAW) 21:45 |
| LO 725 | Warsaw (WAW) 22:45 | Tbilisi Airport (TBS) 04:25 |
| LO 728 | Yerevan Airport (EVN) 04:20 | Warsaw (WAW) 06:15 |
| LO 281 | Warsaw (WAW) 07:35 | London Heathrow (LHR) 09:25 |
Visas & Vaccinations
VISAS
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Georgia or Armenia.
Passports should ideally be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the end of your tour.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
VACCINATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for travellers to Armenia or Georgia.
For all destinations, please make sure you are up-to-date with any standard vaccinations (e.g. MMR, Hepatitis A, Tetanus) as recommended by your local health care provider.
For the most up-to-date information on all vaccination requirements and the most suitable anti-malarial tablets, we strongly suggest that you seek advice from your local travel centre or consult an official travel health website such as www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
Covid Testing: No mandatory testing is currently required for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers.
If necessary further details will be sent out to you upon booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas & vaccinations are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Extensions
If you have more time available, why not arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts? Alternatively, you might choose to allow a few extra days after the tour to relax or to undertake some further exploration.
The choice is completely yours and we can usually arrange anything from simply additional accommodation and transfers to full tailor-made itineraries*. Please contact the office for more details and to discuss your requirements.
*Please note bespoke, tailor-made itineraries need to be a minimum of 7 days and we can only offer them in countries where we have a tailor-made expert
Governmental Travel Advice
Many governments issue advice which highlights potential hazards their citizens might experience when travelling abroad. We strongly suggest you refer to your country’s particular advisory site before booking and contact us if you have any queries or concerns. Click to follow links to the advice of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or the US State Department.
Non-UK citizens should consult the travel advice of their respective governments.
Key Information
CLIMATE
The weather conditions can be extremely varied (even within the course of a day!). Most roads are open year-round but some will close in the middle of winter due to heavy snowfall. Summers are typically hot (with temperatures in low-lying areas often reaching 35 oC) leaving spring and autumn as the most popular times to visit the region.
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
It may sound obvious but Wild Frontiers tours are not always for everyone and it is important to us that the tour you choose is the most suitable. All our tours have a fitness rating as a guideline but you should check the day-by-day itinerary carefully. In certain instances we may ask you to complete a travel questionnaire before confirming your booking in order to ensure your suitability. Should you have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour then please contact the office.
KEY ASPECTS TO CONSIDER
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour. On Day 5, anyone wishing to opt out of the 3hr walk to Gergeti Trinity Church will be able to hire a local taxi instead. Please be advised that on this trip vegetarians can be catered for but the selection and variety at times may be limited.
NEW TOURS
Never complacent, here at Wild Frontiers we are continually on the look-out for new tour ideas. Each year we aim to put on a selection of new tours in order to continually provide our clients with a fresh and varied choice of some of the best journeys on the planet. Although a lot of fun, these tours will often involve a greater element of unpredictability than our better-established tours, so please come prepared.
TRAVELLING SOLO AND SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip. On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
INSURANCE
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
General Information
TOUR PRICE
All our tours are priced on a land-only basis, giving you maximum flexibility when deciding how to get to and from your tour.
DEPOSIT
A 10% deposit is required to confirm your booking.
PROTECTION FOR YOUR MONEY
For further details please see our travelling with peace of mind page
WILD MILES
This tour will earn you 4406 Wild Miles
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
WILD FRONTIERS COMMUNITY
If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or just want to see get some different perspectives, then why not have a look at the wide variety of resources we have on our website? Browse our community section to read our blogs, watch videos and find out about our events.
WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Visit our Why Wild Frontiers page to find out.