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Heroes and Heroines Monasteries of Yerevan
Yerevan has a backdrop of mountains and monasteries, with Khor Virap Monastery being the most scenic.
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Our Team Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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Our Tour Experts We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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Heroes and Heroines The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
The Beauty of Armenia and Georgia
The bordering countries of Armenia and Georgia are easily combined to create a fascinating trip. Full of ancient temples and hillside monasteries, soaring mountains, picturesque wine regions and incredibly friendly people this relatively unknown part of the world makes for a truly fascinating holiday.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
1
2Old Town of Tbilisi
Stroll the atmospheric streets of Tbilisi, listen closely and hear the whispers of 1,500 years of history.
3Caucasus Mountains
The Caucasus rise to heights of over 5,000 metres, home to hiking trails and monasteries.
4Cave Towns of Georgia
Vardzia and Uplistsikhe are superb pre-Christian cave towns, with ancient temples and incredible archaeology.
Why we like it
There is an old-world charm to Armenia that is immediately inviting. Simple restaurants serve delicious food washed down by the surprisingly good local wine. The landscape is dotted with beautiful old churches and monasteries, many of which pre-date the 10th century. We love the natural hospitality of the people that more than compensates for the limited hotel choices.
We can help you get the most out of your holiday by guiding you through the essential pre-holiday planning. Armenia is relatively small in size and lends itself to being combined with Georgia. Whilst only divided by a land border the contrast between Armenia and Georgia can feel a world apart. Tbilisi and Borjomi exude an Italian atmosphere with a great choice of hotels and restaurants serving delicious, cosmopolitan food. The summers are hot, there are huge vineyards, isolated rural communities and yet everywhere there is a sense of history and culture. We recommend going to Georgia and Armenia now before it is discovered by the rest of the world.
Day 1
Kiev - Yerevan
Day 2 -3
Yerevan
Day 4
Dzoraget
Day 5
Dzoraget - Vardzia
Day 6
Vardzia - Borjomi
Day 7
Borjomi - Kazbegi
Day 8
Kazbegi
Day 9
Kazbegi - Tbilisi
Days 10-11
Tbilisi
Day 12
Tbilisi
Day 1
Kiev - Yerevan
Day 2 -3
Yerevan
Explore Yerevan with its backdrop of mountains and monasteries.
Day 4
Dzoraget
Day 5
Dzoraget - Vardzia
Visit the pre-Christian cave towns of Vardzia and Uplistsikhe.
Day 6
Vardzia - Borjomi
Day 7
Borjomi - Kazbegi
Day 8
Kazbegi
Spend days hiking and exploring hilltop monasteries amidst the Caucasus mountains rising to heights of over 5,000 metres.
Day 9
Kazbegi - Tbilisi
Days 10-11
Tbilisi
Stroll the atmospheric streets of Tbilisi.
Day 12
Tbilisi
More details
Monasteries of Yerevan
Whilst in Yerevan, take time out from the cafe culture and art galleries, to visit some of the fascinating monastery complexes close by. The Geghard Monastery, a World Heritage Site, is in a dramatic location, surrounded by cliffs and partially carved out of the mountainside. The Khor Virap Monastery looks out to the summit of Mount Ararat, with far-reaching views across the border to Turkey. This monastery is a pilgrimage site and thought to be built on the pit in which St Gregory spent 13 years imprisoned.
Kazbegi - The Highway to the Caucasus
To reach the village of Kazbegi is an adventure. The journey takes you through Gori, which is a must-visit, not so much for cultural wonders but for the museum that is dedicated to the town’s most infamous resident, Josef Stalin. Follow the Georgian Military Highway, with a stunning backdrop form the Jvari Pass before descending 700 metres into Kazbegi town itself. Kazbegi is surrounded by peaks, overlooked by Mount Kazbek, sitting pretty at over 5,000 metres.
Accompanied by your mountain guide drive a short distance to a local village to the road head of the trekking routes. We can arrange an easy amble to the base of the Chaukhi Mountains, renowned for its birds of prey. The Gveleti Waterfall is close to the Russian border, and again an easy walk to the end of Gveleti valley. We can create walks in the Caucasus to suit all levels of fitness. For avid walkers, we recommend extending your time in Kazbegi to fully appreciate this region.
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Georgia's 12th Century Skyscrapers
The remote location of Vardzia dates back to 1186. Over thirteen storeys high this striking complex of caves were built for Queen Tamar, with more than 3,000 cave rooms. Similarly dramatic is the prehistoric cave town of Uplistsikhe, just outside Gori high up on the banks of the Mtkvari River. In times of siege, dead bodies were temporarily buried in jars until they could be peacefully re-buried. Ancient temples and theatres can still be identified and from the sandstone steps, you will be rewarded with a view across the river and plains.
The Wine Growers of Kaheti
Kakheti is in the heart of Georgia’s wine-growing region. Not a known fact, but Georgia is one of the best wine-producing regions in the world, so naturally, you are going to spend some time visiting wineries. East of Tbilisi, the royal fortified hill town of Signagi offers views of the Kakheti region and the eastern Caucasus mountains. Take a stroll through the old town with its pretty cobbled streets and typical houses with wooden balconies and shutters.
This is a great location to sample some Georgian wine at local cellar doors. Our favourite of our local team is “Pheasant’s Tears”-it offers some of the region’s best wine along with an amazing restaurant. Stop by for a tasting with their knowledgeable sommelier and then hang around for the delicious Chef’s Selection menu for dinner. A little pricey but worth the splurge.
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The Land of Fire - Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan in itself is probably too small to warrant a holiday on its own, however, it combines well with Georgia and Armenia. Five days allows time to discover Sheki, one of Azerbaijan’s most beautiful mountain towns. Heading to Baku, on the shores of the Caspian Sea, the narrow alleyways are best explored on foot. The new city has transformed itself into a glittering city of glamorous hotels and interesting museums.
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A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
This Itinerary
Price
From £2,800 Per person
When to travel
Georgia in January
December to February is low season across the country. Inland mountainous areas can be very cold, but with good skiing opportunities. On the coast, it is milder but wetter, with the driest weather in the east of the country.
Georgia in February
December to February is low season across the country. Inland mountainous areas can be very cold, but with good skiing opportunities. On the coast, it is milder but wetter, with the driest weather in the east of the country.
Georgia in March
March to May sees snow on the ground start to melt, as freezing temperatures abate. As temperatures rise, so does rainfall in the east though. Rainfall peaks around Tbilisi in May. Generally it is mild across the country, with wildflowers carpeting the landscape.
Georgia in April
March to May sees snow on the ground start to melt, as freezing temperatures abate. As temperatures rise, so does rainfall in the east though. Rainfall peaks around Tbilisi in May. Generally it is mild across the country, with wildflowers carpeting the landscape.
Georgia in May
March to May sees snow on the ground start to melt, as freezing temperatures abate. As temperatures rise, so does rainfall in the east though. Rainfall peaks around Tbilisi in May. Generally it is mild across the country, with wildflowers carpeting the landscape.
Georgia in June
June to August is high season across the country. It is the ideal time to explore the Caucasus mountains in the north, as it is likely to be free of snow and generally dry. The central lowlands can get very hot and humid, but it’s also a good time to enjoy the Black Sea coast.
Georgia in July
June to August is high season across the country. It is the ideal time to explore the Caucasus mountains in the north, as it is likely to be free of snow and generally dry. The central lowlands can get very hot and humid, but it’s also a good time to enjoy the Black Sea coast.
Georgia in August
June to August is high season across the country. It is the ideal time to explore the Caucasus mountains in the north, as it is likely to be free of snow and generally dry. The central lowlands can get very hot and humid, but it’s also a good time to enjoy the Black Sea coast.
Georgia in September
September to November is autumn across the country, with the festive wine harvest in Kakheti taking place and some mountains remaining snow-free and dry until the end of October. Also, a great time to visit the lowlands around Tbilisi, with pleasant and relatively dry conditions.
Georgia in October
September to November is autumn across the country, with the festive wine harvest in Kakheti taking place and some mountains remaining snow-free and dry until the end of October. Also, a great time to visit the lowlands around Tbilisi, with pleasant and relatively dry conditions.
Georgia in November
September to November is autumn across the country, with the festive wine harvest in Kakheti taking place and some mountains remaining snow-free and dry until the end of October. Also, a great time to visit the lowlands around Tbilisi, with pleasant and relatively dry conditions.
Georgia in December
December to February is low season across the country. Inland mountainous areas can be very cold, but with good skiing opportunities. On the coast it is milder but wetter, with the driest weather in the east of the country.
Holiday Inspiration
Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?
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