From Tbilisi to Yerevan - The Caucasus in Depth in 17 Days
A 17-day cross-border odyssey linking Tbilisi and Yerevan. Explore Georgia in depth: wine tastings in Kakheti, glaciers in Kazbegi, Svaneti towers, Batumi and Vardzia. Cross into Armenia to discover Gyumri, Lake Sevan, Dilijan, Echmiadzin, Garni, Geghard, Khor Virap and Noravank.
Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival in Tbilisi
Transfer from Tbilisi airport to hotel. Reception with guide assistance.
Accommodation: Ibis Styles Tbilisi Center ⭐⭐⭐⭐
18 km | 25 min by car
DAY 2: Tbilisi - Guided Tour
Cultural immersion on Rustaveli Avenue: Parliament, Opera House, Rustaveli Theatre and Kashveti Church. Metekhi Square with views over the Mtkvari River. Cable car to Narikala Fortress. Walk through Abanotubani with historic sulfur baths. Visit to Anchiskhati Basilica, the city's oldest church.
Accommodation: Ibis Styles Tbilisi Center ⭐⭐⭐⭐
DAY 3: Tbilisi - Kakheti - Telavi
Route to Kakheti crossing Gombori Pass. 11th-century Alaverdi Cathedral. Nekresi Monastery with panoramic views of Alazani Valley. Khareba Winery in Kvareli: wine tasting in rock-carved tunnels. Night in Telavi.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Telavi ⭐⭐⭐⭐
191 km | 3h 43 min by car
DAY 4: Telavi - Ananuri - Kazbegi - Gudauri
Georgian Military Highway to Ananuri fortress complex reflected in Jinvali reservoir. Ascent to Gergeti Trinity Church under Mount Kazbek. Night at Gudauri ski resort.
Accommodation: Marco Polo ⭐⭐⭐⭐
198 km | 4h 35 min by car
DAY 5: Gudauri - Uplistsikhe - Gori - Kutaisi
Stalin Museum in Gori: birthplace and personal armored train car. Uplistsikhe cave city carved in rock over three millennia ago. Transfer to Kutaisi.
Accommodation: Best Western Kutaisi ⭐⭐⭐⭐
335 km | 5h 20 min by car
DAY 6: Kutaisi - Bagrati - Gelati - Prometheus Cave
Kutaisi Agricultural Market. Bagrati Cathedral with panoramic views. Gelati Academy, UNESCO World Heritage. Prometheus Cave: underground world of stalactites with possible boat ride on hidden river.
Accommodation: Best Western Kutaisi ⭐⭐⭐⭐
63 km | 1h 44 min by car
DAY 7: Kutaisi - Okatse Canyon - Martvili Canyon
Okatse Canyon: 700-meter hanging walkway with gorge views. Martvili Canyon: emerald waters, boat ride between rock walls and waterfalls (water level permitting).
Accommodation: Best Western Kutaisi ⭐⭐⭐⭐
128 km | 2h 40 min by car
DAY 8: Kutaisi - Ushguli - Mestia
Ascent to Svaneti reaching Ushguli (2,200 m), one of Europe's highest settlements, UNESCO Heritage. Medieval defensive towers under Mount Shkhara. Hike toward glacier base. Night in Mestia.
Accommodation: Hotel Posta Mestia ⭐⭐⭐⭐
208 km | 5h 20 min by car
DAY 9: Mestia - Chalaadi Glacier - Hatsvali
Hike to Chalaadi Glacier crossing bridge over Mestiachala River. Cable car to Hatsvali station up to Zuruldi ridge with views of Mount Ushba and Tetnuldi.
Accommodation: Hotel Posta Mestia ⭐⭐⭐⭐
34 km | 1h 11 min by car
DAY 10: Mestia - Zugdidi - Dendrological Park - Batumi
Descent from the Greater Caucasus via Zugdidi. Shekvetili Dendrological Park: century-old trees, bamboo forests, lemurs and flamingos. Arrival in Batumi, the Black Sea pearl.
Accommodation: Best Western Premier Batumi ⭐⭐⭐⭐
268 km | 5h 08 min by car
DAY 11: Batumi - Ubisa - Borjomi - Akhaltsikhe
9th-century Ubisa Monastery with 14th-century frescoes. Borjomi: walk through Mineral Park and volcanic healing waters tasting. Arrival in Akhaltsikhe beside its fortress.
Accommodation: Hotel Gino Wellness Rabath ⭐⭐⭐⭐
324 km | 5h 43 min by car
DAY 12: Akhaltsikhe - Vardzia - Border - Gyumri
12th-century Vardzia rock-hewn monastery city: tunnels, cells and Queen Tamar frescoes. Border crossing at Bavra into Armenia. Vehicle and guide change. Arrival in Gyumri.
Accommodation: 21 Rooms Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐
193 km | 3h 55 min by car
DAY 13: Gyumri - Dilijan - Lake Sevan - Yerevan
Walk through Gyumri, Armenia's cultural capital, with 19th-century volcanic tuff architecture. Dilijan old town, the "Little Switzerland", with Sharambeyan Street. Lake Sevan, the high-altitude "sea". Arrival in Yerevan.
Accommodation: Hotel Ani Plaza ⭐⭐⭐⭐
DAY 14: Yerevan - Garni - Geghard
Yerevan city tour: Republic Square and Cascade complex. Garni Temple, 1st-century Hellenistic monument beside "Symphony of Stones". Geghard Monastery, UNESCO Heritage carved into rock.
Accommodation: Hotel Ani Plaza ⭐⭐⭐⭐
62 km | 1h 33 min by car
DAY 15: Yerevan - Tsitsernakaberd - Echmiadzin - Zvartnots
Armenian Genocide Memorial Tsitsernakaberd with eternal flame. Victory Park. Echmiadzin: cathedral considered the world's oldest Christian church. Zvartnots ruins, UNESCO Heritage, with Mount Ararat views.
Accommodation: Hotel Ani Plaza ⭐⭐⭐⭐
53 km | 1h 20 min by car
DAY 16: Yerevan - Khor Virap - Noravank - Areni Cave
Khor Virap Monastery with the most spectacular Mount Ararat view. 13th-century Noravank Monastery among red cliffs. Areni Cave: world's oldest winery (6,000 years).
Accommodation: Hotel Ani Plaza ⭐⭐⭐⭐
240 km | 4h 08 min by car
DAY 17: Departure from Yerevan
Transfer from hotel to Zvartnots airport according to flight time.
13 km | 25 min by car
Experience a cross-border odyssey with "The Caucasus in Depth", a linear and comprehensive 17-day journey connecting the capitals of Tbilisi and Yerevan through a path full of wonders. Unlike circular tours, this trip traces a narrative line from the banks of the Kura River in Georgia to the foothills of Mount Ararat in Armenia, thoroughly exploring each region along the way.
The Complete Georgian Experience
We begin in Tbilisi, immersing ourselves in its vibrant culture. The Georgian route is exhaustive: wine tastings in Kakheti, light hiking facing glaciers in Kazbegi, cave exploration in Kutaisi, and cultural immersion in the high mountains of Svaneti (Mestia and Ushguli). The inclusion of Batumi offers a modern coastal respite before delving into the ancient history of southern Georgia, visiting Rabati fortress and Vardzia caves.
The Soul of Armenia
Upon crossing into Armenia, the journey takes on a more spiritual and solemn tone. From the city of Gyumri, we advance toward Yerevan. This itinerary stands out for including enough time to explore the country in depth, including Lake Sevan, the forests of Dilijan, and the pillars of Armenian faith at Echmiadzin, Garni, and Geghard, plus Khor Virap with views of Mount Ararat and the spectacular Noravank.
This is a journey for those with time who wish to understand the complex and fascinating cultural, linguistic, and natural tapestry that forms the Caucasus, enjoying each stop without rushing and with unparalleled depth.
Included
- Accommodation: 16 nights in selected hotels
- Meals: Bed and breakfast
- Transport: Private vehicle with A/C and fuel
- Guide: Professional English-speaking guide
- Logistics: Staff expenses (guide/driver)
- Water: 1 bottle per person/day
- Taxes: Local taxes
- Entrance fees: Monuments according to itinerary
Not Included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Lunches and dinners (unless indicated)
- Alcoholic beverages and tips
- Personal expenses