Grand Caucasus Route - Georgia and Armenia in 18 Days
The ultimate adventure: 18 days exploring Georgia and Armenia. From Kakheti vineyards to Svaneti, Batumi, Vardzia, and Armenia's treasures including Tatev, Garni, and Geghard.
Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival in Tbilisi
Transfer from Tbilisi airport to hotel with guide assistance.
Distance: 18 km | Accommodation: Ibis Styles Tbilisi Center ⭐⭐⭐⭐
DAY 2: Tbilisi - Guided Tour
Cultural immersion on Rustaveli Avenue, admiring Parliament, Opera House, and Kashveti Church. Visit to Metekhi Square, cable car to Narikala Fortress, walk through Abanotubani (sulfur baths), and visit to Anchiskhati Basilica, the city's oldest church.
Accommodation: Ibis Styles Tbilisi Center ⭐⭐⭐⭐
DAY 3: Tbilisi - Kakheti (Alaverdi - Nekresi - Kvareli - Telavi)
Journey to Kakheti, wine region. Visit to Alaverdi Cathedral (11th century), Nekresi Monastery with Alazani Valley views, and wine tasting at Khareba Winery with tunnels carved in rock. Night in Telavi.
Distance: 191 km | Accommodation: Holiday Inn Telavi ⭐⭐⭐⭐
DAY 4: Telavi - Signagi - Bodbe - Tbilisi
Visit to Signagi, the "City of Love," with cobblestone streets and defensive walls. Bodbe Monastery, resting place of Saint Nino, Georgia's evangelizer. Return to Tbilisi.
Distance: 181 km | Accommodation: Ibis Styles Tbilisi Center ⭐⭐⭐⭐
DAY 5: Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Uplistsikhe - Gori - Kutaisi
Visit to Mtskheta: Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (UNESCO). Uplistsikhe rock-hewn city (Iron Age). Stalin Museum in Gori. Arrival in Kutaisi.
Distance: 267 km | Accommodation: Best Western Kutaisi ⭐⭐⭐⭐
DAY 6: Kutaisi - Bagrati - Gelati - Prometheus Cave
Kutaisi Farmers' Market, Bagrati Cathedral, Gelati Academy (UNESCO), and Prometheus Cave with underground river boat ride.
Distance: 63 km | Accommodation: Best Western Kutaisi ⭐⭐⭐⭐
DAY 7: Kutaisi - Okatse Canyon - Martvili Canyon
Okatse Canyon with 700-meter suspended walkway. Martvili Canyon with boat ride among rock walls and waterfalls.
Distance: 128 km | Accommodation: Best Western Kutaisi ⭐⭐⭐⭐
DAY 8: Kutaisi - Ushguli - Mestia (Svaneti)
Ascent to Svaneti. Visit to Ushguli, one of Europe's highest settlements (2,200 m), UNESCO site, with medieval defensive towers beneath Mount Shkhara. Night in Mestia.
Distance: 208 km | Accommodation: Hotel Posta Mestia ⭐⭐⭐⭐
DAY 9: Mestia - Chalaadi Glacier - Hatsvali
Hike to Chalaadi Glacier. Cable car to Hatsvali with views of Mount Ushba and Tetnuldi from Zuruldi viewpoint.
Distance: 34 km | Accommodation: Hotel Posta Mestia ⭐⭐⭐⭐
DAY 10: Mestia - Zugdidi - Dendrological Park - Batumi
Descent from Caucasus through Zugdidi. Shekvetili Dendrological Park with centuries-old trees and exotic fauna. Arrival in Batumi, Black Sea pearl.
Distance: 268 km | Accommodation: Best Western Premier Batumi ⭐⭐⭐⭐
DAY 11: Batumi - Ubisa - Borjomi - Akhaltsikhe
Ubisa Monastery with 14th-century frescoes. Borjomi: Mineral Park and healing volcanic waters. Arrival in Akhaltsikhe.
Distance: 324 km | Accommodation: Hotel Gino Wellness Rabath ⭐⭐⭐⭐
DAY 12: Akhaltsikhe - Vardzia - Border - Gyumri (Armenia)
Vardzia, 12th-century rock-hewn monastery-city with Queen Tamar frescoes. Border crossing at Bavra into Armenia. Arrival in Gyumri.
Distance: 193 km | Accommodation: 21 Rooms Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐
DAY 13: Gyumri - Dilijan - Lake Sevan - Yerevan
Walking tour of Gyumri, Armenia's cultural capital. Dilijan, "Little Switzerland," with Sharambeyan Street. Lake Sevan, high-altitude "sea." Arrival in Yerevan.
Accommodation: Ani Plaza Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐
DAY 14: Yerevan - Garni - Geghard
City tour of Yerevan: Republic Square and Cascade complex. Garni Temple, 1st-century Hellenistic monument, and "Symphony of Stones." Geghard Monastery, UNESCO site carved into rock.
Distance: 62 km | Accommodation: Ani Plaza Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐
DAY 15: Yerevan - Tsitsernakaberd - Echmiadzin - Zvartnots
Tsitsernakaberd Memorial of Armenian Genocide and Victory Park. Echmiadzin, Holy See of Armenian Apostolic Church, world's oldest cathedral. Zvartnots Temple, UNESCO site.
Distance: 53 km | Accommodation: Ani Plaza Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐
DAY 16: Yerevan - Khor Virap - Noravank - Areni Cave
Khor Virap Monastery with closest view of Mount Ararat. Noravank Monastery from 13th century in red canyon. Areni Cave, where world's oldest winery was discovered (6,000 years).
Distance: 240 km | Accommodation: Ani Plaza Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐
DAY 17: Departure from Yerevan
Transfer to Zvartnots Airport according to flight schedule.
Distance: 13 km
Embark on the ultimate adventure with the "Grand Caucasus Route," an epic 18-day journey that encompasses absolutely everything. This itinerary is our most ambitious proposal, designed for the tireless traveler seeking total immersion in the diversity of the South Caucasus, leaving no important corner unexplored.
Deep Georgia: From Vineyards to Glaciers
Starting in Georgia, we will make a grand circuit. We'll explore the east in Kakheti, birthplace of wine, and head north along the Military Highway to Kazbegi. We'll cross west to historic Kutaisi and venture into the untamed region of Svaneti. There, among the medieval towers of Mestia and Ushguli, we'll experience high mountain life. We'll relax our senses on the Black Sea coast in Batumi before traveling south to the cave city of Vardzia.
Complete Armenia: From North to South
The second half of the journey takes us to Armenia. Entering from the north through Gyumri, the city of arts, we'll descend toward Yerevan. We won't limit ourselves to the capital's surroundings; this trip includes an expedition to the deep south to visit Tatev monastery (with the world's longest cable car) and the Areni wine region. Of course, we'll visit must-sees like Garni, Geghard, Echmiadzin, and Lake Sevan.
Over 18 days, you'll experience the contrast between Georgia's green exuberance and Armenia's volcanic and arid landscapes, between Svaneti's defensive architecture and the religious architecture of Armenian monasteries. It's a journey of contrasts, flavors, languages, and traditions that will make you an expert on this fascinating region.
Included
- Accommodation: 16 nights in selected 4-star hotels
- Meals: Bed and Breakfast
- Transport: Private vehicle with A/C and fuel
- Guide: Professional Spanish-speaking guide (one in Georgia, another in Armenia)
- Logistics: Staff expenses (guide/driver)
- Water: 1 bottle per person/day
- Taxes: Local fees
- Entrances: Monuments according to itinerary
- Cable car in Tbilisi (Narikala)
- Cable car in Hatsvali
- Wine tasting at Khareba Winery
- Boat ride in Prometheus Cave and Martvili Canyon (subject to conditions)
Not Included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Lunches and Dinners (unless indicated)
- Alcoholic beverages and tips
- Personal expenses