Splendors of the Caucasus - From Tbilisi to Yerevan in 11 Days
Optimized 11-day journey through Georgia and Armenia. Explore Tbilisi, Kakheti vineyards, Kazbegi mountains, Kutaisi with Gelati and Prometheus Cave, the rock-hewn city of Vardzia. Cross into Armenia to discover Gyumri, Dilijan, Lake Sevan, Yerevan, Garni, Geghard and Echmiadzin.
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 the 4th-century 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, the wine region par excellence, crossing Gombori Pass. 11th-century Alaverdi Cathedral standing 50 meters tall. Nekresi Monastery with panoramic views of the Alazani Valley. Khareba Winery in Kvareli: wine tasting in rock-carved tunnels. Night in Telavi, the region's historic capital.
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 the imposing Mount Kazbek, one of the country's most famous views. 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, open-air museum with pagan temples and Christian basilicas. Transfer to Kutaisi.
Accommodation: Best Western Kutaisi ⭐⭐⭐⭐
335 km | 5h 20 min by car
DAY 6: Kutaisi - Bagrati - Gelati - Prometheus Cave - Borjomi - Akhaltsikhe
Bagrati Cathedral with panoramic views from Ukimerioni hill. Gelati Monastery, 12th-century UNESCO Heritage with valuable frescoes. Prometheus Cave: millennial formations and underground river navigation (conditions permitting). Borjomi: volcanic springs and healing mineral waters. Arrival in Akhaltsikhe.
Accommodation: Hotel Gino Wellness Rabath ⭐⭐⭐⭐
239 km | 4h 57 min by car
DAY 7: Akhaltsikhe - Vardzia - Border - Gyumri
12th-century Vardzia rock-hewn monastery city: tunnels, cells, sanctuaries and medieval frescoes of Queen Tamar. Border crossing at Bavra into Armenia with vehicle and guide change. Arrival in Gyumri.
Accommodation: 21 Rooms Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐
193 km | 3h 55 min by car
DAY 8: 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 of artisan workshops. Lake Sevan, the high-altitude "sea" with intense blue color. Arrival in Yerevan.
Accommodation: Hotel Ani Plaza ⭐⭐⭐⭐
DAY 9: Yerevan - Garni - Geghard
Yerevan city tour: Republic Square and Cascade art complex. Garni Temple, 1st-century Hellenistic monument beside the "Symphony of Stones". Geghard Monastery, UNESCO Heritage partially carved into rock with stunning acoustics.
Accommodation: Hotel Ani Plaza ⭐⭐⭐⭐
62 km | 1h 33 min by car
DAY 10: Yerevan - Tsitsernakaberd - Echmiadzin - Zvartnots
Armenian Genocide Memorial Tsitsernakaberd with eternal flame and Avenue of Trees of Memory. Victory Park. Echmiadzin: Holy See of the Armenian Apostolic Church with the cathedral considered the world's oldest Christian church. 7th-century Zvartnots ruins, UNESCO Heritage, with views of Mount Ararat.
Accommodation: Hotel Ani Plaza ⭐⭐⭐⭐
53 km | 1h 20 min by car
DAY 11: Departure from Yerevan
Transfer from hotel to Zvartnots airport according to flight time.
13 km | 25 min by car
Capture the "Splendors of the Caucasus" in an optimized and dynamic 11-day journey. This program is specifically designed for travelers who want to see the essentials and more of both countries, maintaining an active pace and focusing on central regions to maximize visiting time and minimize extreme transfers.
Journey Through Georgia
In Georgia, we will enjoy a complete transversal route. We will start in the east, exploring the wine region of Telavi and its surroundings. We will visit the capital, Tbilisi, and climb to the accessible mountains of Gudauri and Kazbegi for the necessary dose of alpine landscapes. We will travel west to visit historic Kutaisi, with its UNESCO monasteries and Prometheus Cave, and then south to the restored Rabati fortress in Akhaltsikhe and the impressive cave city of Vardzia.
The Armenian Charm
After crossing the southern border, Armenia welcomes us with its rich heritage. We will discover Gyumri before heading to the majestic Lake Sevan and the forests of Dilijan. In Yerevan and its surroundings, we will visit the country's icons: Garni temple, Geghard monastery and the spiritual seat of Echmiadzin. This itinerary is the ideal option for obtaining a panoramic, deep and varied vision of the cultural diversity of the Caucasus in just over a week and a half, touching on history, nature, wine and religion.
Included
- Accommodation: 10 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