Georgia & Armenia: Heartlands Of The Caucasus
Georgia & Armenia: Heartlands Of The Caucasus
12 Days
Visiting: Armenia, Georgia
From:
$3456 (USD)Tour 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 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
Itinerary
Day 1: Tour Starts In Tbilisi
Accommodation: Taberne Boutique Hotel
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
Accommodation: Taberne Boutique Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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
Accommodation: Kviria Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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
Accommodation: Intourist Kazbegi or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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
Accommodation: Intourist Kazbegi or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
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
Accommodation: Gori Inn or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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
Accommodation: Taberne Boutique Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
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
Accommodation: Tufenkian Old Dilijan Complex or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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
Accommodation: Mirhav Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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
Accommodation: Opera Suite Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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
Accommodation: Opera Suite Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour ends this morning at the hotel. Rooms will be available until midday.
What's Included
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MEALS
11 x Breakfasts10 x Lunches8 x Dinners
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TRANSPORT
Coasters and/or minibuses
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GROUP SIZE
Maximum: 12
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CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS
Contributions to climate and community projects for all bookings
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EXPERT TEAM
The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate
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ENTRANCE FEES
All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary
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ACCOMMODATION
4 nights x Premium
7 nights x Superior -
FITNESS RATING
Low / Moderate
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
ationality 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
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.
Visas
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.
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.
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.
Check out our Q&As
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2002
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Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?
In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Dates & Availability
Wednesday - Sunday
Oct 01, 2025 - Oct 12, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Wild Frontiers allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 90 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Wild Frontiers requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of wild frontiers charges.
Up to 71 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 51 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Wild Frontiers' COVID Promise
You will have the right to transfer without any transfer fee, from any of our trips at ANY time if your trip is not Covid Viable (see below).*
We will not ask you to pay your final balance if your trip is not yet Covid Viable.
If your trip is not Covid Viable, by 30 days prior to departure at the latest, we will cancel your holiday and you can either transfer your funds to another departure or have a refund.**
We will only consider a trip Covid Viable*** if pre-departure it meets all of the following criteria:
There is no national lockdown or ban on foreign travel for the period when your trip is due to depart.
Destinations on the tour must not be on the UK’s Red List. ****
No destinations visited on the tour have in place any significant COVID-19 restrictions for travellers.
Tourist visas (if required) are available.
There is reliable airline access to/from the start/end of the trip.
Following an assessment by both Wild Frontiers and our local partners we are confident that your trip is able to run in both a safe and enjoyable manner.*****
** If you were originally booked to travel before 30 April 2020 and transferred to a later date, or if you have a tailor-made booking, there may be some irrecoverable costs which we cannot refund. Please speak to us and we will be able to advise you if this is the case for your booking.
***Since our HQ is in London, Covid Viable status for our Group Tours will be assessed on UK-based travellers. However we are fully aware that many of our clients live in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and beyond. As such, when we deem a trip to now be Covid Viable, everyone booked will have a chance to review their own personal situation before deciding whether or not to remain booked on the trip. Anyone wishing to, will have the option to transfer without fees to another trip at this time. For tailor made bookings, we may also able to consider additional countries’ travel advice when deciding if a trip is Viable. Please discuss this with us at the time of booking.
**** This relates to bookings from UK clients only. We may operate trips to destinations which the British FCDO advise against travel for Covid reasons. If this is the case, anyone wishing to will have the option to cancel with a refund or transfer to another trip. In some cases we may choose to offer a tour to a Red destination but these will be at both clients’ and Wild Frontiers’ discretion and will be subject to alternative conditions to be discussed on an ad hoc basis.
*****If a destination, that we have deemed to be Covid Viable, subsequently fails any aspect of the criteria for two consecutive weeks, you will have the right under our Covid Promise to transfer without any fees.