Monasteries of Yerevan
Visit Khor Virap Monastery with its spectacular mountainous backdrop.
The bordering countries of Armenia and Georgia are easily combined in this holiday idea to create a fascinating trip full of ancient temples and hillside monasteries, soaring mountains, picturesque wine regions and incredibly friendly people.
Whilst only divided by a land border, Armenia and Georgia can feel a world apart. The old-world charm of Armenia is immediately inviting; simple restaurants serve delicious food and good local wine and the landscape is dotted with beautiful churches and monasteries, many of which pre-date the 10th century. In Georgia, vineyards sit alongside rural communities and the cities of Tbilisi and Borjomi exude an Italian atmosphere with a great choice of hotels and restaurants serving cosmopolitan cuisine.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Old Town of Tbilisi
Stroll the atmospheric streets of Tbilisi, listen closely and hear the whispers of 1,500 years of history.
Caucasus Mountains
The Caucasus rise to heights of over 5,000 metres, home to hiking trails and monasteries.
Cave Towns of Georgia
Vardzia and Uplistsikhe are superb pre-Christian cave towns, with ancient temples and incredible archaeology.
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Day 1
Yerevan
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Day 2 -3
Yerevan
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Day 4
Yerevan to Dzoraget
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Day 5
Dzoraget to Vardzia
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Day 6
Vardzia to Borjomi
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Day 7
Borjomi to Kazbegi
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Day 8
Kazbegi
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Day 9
Kazbegi to Tbilisi
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Days 10 - 11
Tbilisi
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Day 12
Tbilisi
Day 1
Yerevan
Arrive into Yerevan and transfer to your accommodation.
Day 2 -3
Yerevan
Spend two days exploring Yerevan with its backdrop of mountains and monasteries. The Geghard Monastery, a World Heritage Site, is partially carved out of the mountainside. The Khor Virap Monastery is a pilgrimage site and overlooks Mount Ararat, with far-reaching views to Turkey.
Day 4
Yerevan to Dzoraget
Travel overland to Dzoraget, a journey of approximately two and a half hours.
Day 5
Dzoraget to Vardzia
Travel overland to Vardzia, a journey of around four hours. Visit the pre-Christian cave towns of Vardzia and Uplistsikhe.
Day 6
Vardzia to Borjomi
Travel overland to Borjomi, a journey of approximately two hours.
Day 7
Borjomi to Kazbegi
A scenic four hour drive today to reach the mountain village of Kazbegi. Stop in the village of Gori, home to a fascinating museum, dedicated to the town’s most infamous resident, Josef Stalin. Continue along the Georgian Military Highway through stunning mountain scenery.
Day 8
Kazbegi
Spend the day hiking and exploring hilltop monasteries amidst the Caucasus mountains, rising to heights of over 5,000 metres. There are walks to suit all levels of fitness.
Day 9
Kazbegi to Tbilisi
Travel overland for around four hours to reach Georgia’s capital city of Tbilisi.
Days 10 - 11
Tbilisi
Spend two days exploring the atmospheric streets of Tbilisi. 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 sample some Georgian wine.
Day 12
Tbilisi
Transfer to the airport for onward travel.
More Details
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 Kakheti
Kakheti is in the heart of Georgia’s wine-growing region. Georgia is one of the best wine-producing regions in the world and the royal fortified hill town of Signagi to the east of Tbilisi is a great place to sample some at local cellar doors. Pheasant’s Tears offers some of the region’s best wine along with an amazing restaurant – enjoy tasting with their knowledgeable sommelier followed by a delicious Chef’s Selection menu for dinner. A little pricey but worth the splurge.
Suggested Extension
Azerbaijan Highlights
A visit to Azerbaijan combines well with Georgia and Armenia. Cross overland from Georgia and spend time exploring Sheki, one of Azerbaijan’s most beautiful mountain towns before heading on to the mud volcanoes and ancient petroglyphs of Gobustan. Baku, on the shores of the Caspian Sea has transformed itself into a glittering city of glamorous hotels and interesting museums and its narrow alleyways are best explored on foot.
5 days from $1,258 pp
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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 $4,638 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.
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