Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia Adventure
Georgia
Loading...
Head off the beaten track on a 20-day adventure through the Caucuses region, where historical Old Towns and monasteries sit alongside towering skyscrapers. With a local leader by your side, you’ll journey from the Black Sea to huge, shimmering lakes, stopping at wineries, small villages, jazzy capitals and the serene countryside. Enjoy a hearty home-cooked lunch with a local Kakheti family and hike to the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church. Seek bezoars with an expert ranger and stay overnight in a lake cottage supporting inclusiveness. This trip shows you all the local bits (and all the highlights) of this gorgeous mountainous area.
Availability
From 21/04/2025 to 30/10/2027
Departure dates & prices
Dates
Availability
Price
What's included
Visit the first café in Armenia to focus on the employment of people living with disabilities, stay by Lake Sevan with a local NGO committed to inclusivity and attend a cooking workshop founded by local women who aim to preserve Armenian culture.
Enjoy the best local hospitality and get to know the people – head to a Kakheti home for a home-cooked lunch, soak up the scenery (and the drops) in Georgia and Armenia during winery visits and do it all with a local leader by your side.
Hike through The Caucasus Mountains to the 14th-century Gergeti Trinity Church, which sits in isolation at 2170 m above sea level.
Then, visit Khor Virap Monastery and Sevanavank Monastery for a view just as impressive as the history.
Join rangers in search of bezoar goats with the country’s first community-managed protected area – the locals here aim to preserve the environment and educate the community about the local flora and fauna.
Veer off the tourist track and explore the lesser visited Georgia – see the Soviet ghost town of Tskhaltubo to wander the abandoned sanatoriums, explore Vardzia’s Cave Town to learn about 12th-century history and walk to Borjomi’s natural mineral springs.
Breakfasts Included: 19.
Lunches Included: 4.
Dinners Included: 4.
Hotel (14 nights),Guesthouse (4 nights),Lake Cottage (1 night).
Private Vehicle,Public Bus,Taxi,Aerial Tramway,Train.
Age: min 15.
Group Size: 1 - 12.
Baku - Leader-led night city walk.
Qobustan - Petroglyphs.
Baku - Old City Walking Tour.
Lahij - Yoghurt Making Demonstration.
Lahij - Copper workshop visit.
Shamakhi - Juma Mosque.
Nij - Udin village and museum visit.
Kish - Albanian Church.
Kish - Village Visit.
Sheki - Shebeke workshop visit.
Sheki - Khan's Palace.
Sheki - Bazaar Visit.
Kakheti - Lunch with a Local Family.
Kakheti- Gremi Complex.
Kakheti - Tsinandali Estate Visit.
Kakheti - Telavi Fresh Produce Market.
Telavi - Alaverdi Cathedral.
Stepantsminda - Gergeti Trinity Church Hike.
Tbilisi - Orientation Walk.
Tbilisi - Dry Bridge.
Kutaisi - Leader-led city walking tour.
Kutaisi - Aerial Tramway.
Tskhaltubo - Soviet sanatoriums visit.
Kutaisi - Winery visit & tasting.
Borjomi - Leader-led walking tour.
Vardzia - Cave Town Visit.
Gyumri - Inclusive bakery visit.
Gyumri - City Tour with Local Guide.
Yerevan - Leader-led Orientation Walk.
Yerevan - City Tour with Local Guide.
Yerevan - Dolma cooking demonstration & dinner.
Yerevan - Khor Virap Monastery.
Areni Village - Winery visit & home-cooked lunch.
Lake Sevan - Noravank Monastery.
Arpa - Hiking with local ranger.
Lake Sevan - Orbelian Caravanserai.
Lake Sevan - Sevanavank Monastery.
.
Itinerary
-
1 - Baku Salam! Welcome to Azerbaijan. Your adventure begins in Baku, with a welcome meeting at 6 pm this evening. If you arrive early, maybe walk around Baku Boulevard, a promenade that stretches along the Caspian Sea - the world's largest inland body of water. After the meeting, join your leader for a night walk around Azerbaijan's capital, where they'll highlight the best spots for dinner. Maybe get your group together for some traditional Azerbaijani dishes, like plov (seasoned rice) or dolma (stuffed vegetables).
-
2 - Qobustan This morning, drive to Qobustan - also known as Gobustan National Park - a UNESCO World Heritage site that's famous for its ancient rock carvings and mud volcanoes. Stop on the way to check out these geological formations as they spew mud and gas. Azerbaijan has more clay craters than anywhere else in the world, so you're in the right place for spotting them! The rock carvings in Qobustan date back to the Stone Age, giving humans today an insight into daily life all those years ago. With over 6000 petroglyphs on display, Qobustan is often referred to as one of the largest open-air museums in the world. Return to Baku in the afternoon and visit the walled Old Town with your leader, who'll bring its legends and history to life. Enjoy a free evening to explore the city at your own pace. Maybe eat at a restaurant on Nizami Street - a busy boulevard with lots of authentic Azerbaijani cuisine.
-
3 - Caucasus Mountains Leave Baku this morning and enjoy the change of scenery as the dry landscape giving way to the densely forested mountains along the way. Stop en route in Shamakhi and check out one of the oldest moquests of Azerbaijan - Juma (Friday) Mosque, then onto your final destination for today - the stunning traditional village of Lahij for Tats people. Explore its cobbled streets, stone houses, visit a copper workshop and get to know some local folk over a cup of tea.Then try your hand at yogurt making in the traditional way, an important part of Azerbaijan cuisine. Your accommodation tonight is at a local guesthouse.
-
4 - Sheki After breakfast, head to Nij village, a settlement of the Udi people who are the direct descendants of ancient Caucasian Albanians. Most the world's surviving Udi people call Nij home, giving the community a unique culture. Visit the unassuming site of a significant church and a local museum of Udi Culture. The Albanian Church (as it's known colloquially) is a source of pride and heritage for the local Udi community. Continue to Sheki afterwards and enjoy a free evening.
-
5 - Sheki Visit the Palace of Sheki Khans first in the morning. The walls of the palace are painted with scenes of hunting and war and it features impressive stained glass. Afterwards check out a workshop where shebeke - stained glass windows made with no glue or nails - are produced by local masters witih skills past down through generations of practices. Then get on a local public bus to Kish to visit the pointed spires of a church that is among the oldest in Christendom, believed to be around 1700 years old. Try Azerbaijan's national dish - Piti for lunch - a stew made of lamb, sheep fat, chickpeas, onions, chestnuts, saffron and spices, and is guaranteed to be full of exciting flavors. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to discover Sheki. Why not explore the impressive traditional architecture on foot. Maybe stop for tea and some local halva (made with sugar, hazelnuts, coriander and rice flour grinned in a watermill).
-
6 - Telavi After breakfast, take a walk with your leader through the Sheki market. It's a great opportunity to stock up on snacks for the journey ahead, so maybe grab some halva, nuts and dried fruit. Continue to Lagodekhi on the Azerbaijan-Georgia border. Travel through the beautiful green valleys of the Kakheti region to Gremi - a complex that includes a castle and church from the 16th century. Spend some time here before hitting the road again, stopping at a traditional Georgian wine producer that still employs the ancient, UNESCO-listed qvevri method. Enjoy lunch here and then finish your journey in Telavi, where you'll stay in a local hotel for the evening.
-
7 - Gudauri In the morning, wander through the vibrant local farmers market in Telavi, where butchers carve up fresh meat and vendors offload piles of spices, then visit Tsinandalia, a historic estate and winery once owned by noted Georgian poet Alexander Chavchavadze. In 1814, aristocrat Chavchavadze was the first to bottle wine produced using the qvevri method. Tour the complex, which consists of a memorial house, European-style landscaped garden, a traditional winery, wine cellar, hotel and cafe. Continue to UNESCO listed Alaverdi Cathedral that dates back to 6th century. Afterwards, drive into the mountains up the renowned Georgian Military Highway. Enjoy a dinner together and spend the night in lofty Gudauri.
-
8 - Gudauri Follow the Tergi River on a drive to Stepantsminda, formerly known as Kazbegi. Explore this mountain village then hike through beautiful valleys and woodlands to the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church. This 14th-century church sits at the base of the second-highest volcanic summit in the Caucasus - Mt Kazbegi - and, weather permitting, you may catch a glimpse. The image of the pointed spires of the isolated church against the mountains is truly breathtaking, and a great place for a photo. Drive back to Gudauri for a dinner with your group.
-
9 - Tbilisi Make the drive to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, located along the banks of the Kura River. Get into the swing of things with an orientation walk with your leader. Spend the rest of the day as you wish, perhaps grabbing a khachapuri (bread stuffed with salty cheese) to snack on. In the evening, regroup and head out for dinner with your fellow travellers and leader. This is a good chance to sample some khinkali (Georgia's famous soup-filled dumplings). Make sure to ask your leader about the polite way to eat them - it involves sipping the broth and leaving the pinched bit of dough where the edges of the delicious parcel have joined on the plate.
-
10 - Tbilisi Today is a free day in Tsibili to explore at your own pace. Maybe head to one of the local cafes or wine bars around the downtown area or just take the chance to rest and recharge. You'll have another welcome meeting tonight at 6 pm to meet the new travellers joining your group. After your meeting, why not head out for dinner - your leader will always have some great recommendations.
-
11 - Kutaisi Today, you'll head to Kutaisi by train. The third largest city in the country, Kutaisi is more than 3000 years old and connected to the legend of Jason and the Argonauts, with his mythical Golden Fleece. When you arrive, follow your leader for an orientation walk around the city, passing City Hall, the Opera House, Mon Plesier Arch and Mtsvane Bazari (a local market) known for its fresh vegetables, fruits, natural dairy products and variety of spices. Later, jump on the Soviet Aerial tramway for some great views of the city. You'll have a free afternoon and evening to maybe visit another significant historical site - the Gelati Cathedral. Or, explore the cobbled streets as you make your way up to the ruins of Bagrati Palace and Citadel.
-
12 - Tskhaltubo This morning, you'll travel like the locals and hop on a public bus to Tskhaltubo - the Soviet ghost town home to some abandoned sanatoriums. Wander some of the empty halls and rooms that seem straight out of an apocalyptic movie, featuring decorated ceilings, grand pillars, huge staircases and lots of graffiti. This atmosphere also makes for some great photos! After, you'll visit a family winery to learn about the traditional way of making Georgian wine - one of the oldest wine-making countries in the world and enjoy a wine tasting. This afternoon, return to Kutaisi for some free time. Your dinner tonight will be at your family-owned hotel to enjoy some fantastic local flavors.
-
13 - Borjomi Drive to Akhaltsikhe today, stopping along the way in Borjomi - famous for its naturally fizzy mineral water. Take a short walk with your leader to the mineral springs and maybe grab some lunch while you're here. Continue the journey to Akhaltsikhe, arriving in the mid-afternoon. When you arrive, you'll get your bearings with your local leader on an orientation walk. Then, you have a free afternoon to explore at your own pace. Maybe see the Rabati Fortress and Castle - the massive 9th-century fortification gives the surrounding settlement ('New Castle' in Georgian) its name.
-
14 - Vardzia Take a private transfer to the once mighty cave city of Vardzia, which stretches over half a kilometre along the Mtkvari River and has 19 tiers of winding cobbled streets. Within the complex, there's a rock-hewn church with 12th-century frescos, dwelling quarters, small, hall-type churches, refectories and wine cellars. You'll explore the site with your leader who will give some historical context and explain the rise and fall of the city, which now serves as a working monastery. Then, continue across the border into Armenia, arriving in Gyumri around lunchtime. Head out for a walking tour of the city with a local guide and visit a local bakery - the first inclusive caf? in Armenia to employ young adults living with disabilities and mothers with special needs children. Maybe grab some lunch here before a free afternoon and evening.
-
15 - Yerevan After a relaxing morning, take a train to Yerevan - Armenia's capital, Yerevan is known for its grand Soviet-era architecture and mountainous backdrop. After check-in this afternoon, you'll head out on an orientation walk with your leader. The rest of the day is free for your own discoveries.You may like to head out to notable Armenian Opera and Ballet Theatre for a perfornance or try local brandy at a famous brandy factory - ask your leader for recommendations.
-
16 - Yerevan This morning, meet with a local guide who will introduce you to the sights and sounds of Yerevan on a tour of the city. Established in 782 BC, Armenia's capital is one of the oldest cities in the world. Nowadays, the city's liveliness comes from its ancient culture mixed with a modern lifestyle. Later visit the ethnographic house that showcases Armenian traditions and culture, founded by local women who aim to preserve and educate. Meet your hosts and take part in a cooking demonstration to learn how the signature dish of Dolma (stuffed vegetables) is made, with the Armenian twist! After learning the tricks of the trade from local masters, you'll sit down to enjoy the dish for lunch. Soak up the local flavours, get to know the local women and toast to a great adventure!The rest of the day is free. Maybe visit Matenadaran - The Museum of Ancient Manuscripts - or wander around Vernissage Market.
-
17 - Areni Head to Khor Virap Monastery - over 1000 years old, this is the most sacred monastery in Armenia and makes for a stunning view, backdropped by the towering Mt Ararat. Wander the monastery with your leader, which has been repeatedly rebuilt since the 5th century. Legend says King Trdat III imprisoned St Gregory the Illuminator here for 12 years and these days, pilgrims climb down a metal ladder into the well where the saint was incarcerated. Continue to Areni - this old village on the banks of the Arpa River is probably the most important region for winemaking in Armenia. Believed to have been founded by Noah and his sons, who planted the first grapes here, excavations have revealed several findings from the Bronze and Iron Ages, including large clay jars used in winemaking and a 6100-year-old winery! When you arrive, you'll visit a modern winery and learn about life in the countryside from the locals. See the Armenian way of making wine and what makes it different from Georgian wines, then enjoy a delicious traditional lunch with some paired wines. Head back to this village this afternoon for a free evening.
-
18 - Lake Sevan Early in the morning, drive to the Arpa Protected Landscape. This is Armenia's first community-managed protected area, run by a foundation representing the Khachik and Areni villages. Learn how the locals protect the flora and fauna, including the rare Caucasian leopard, Armenian mouflon, European lynx, brown bears, and bezoar goats. You'll head out on a hike with the rangers to find some friendly goats. Later head to the northeast shore of Lake Sevan today, stopping along the way at Noravank Monastery - a 13th-century complex and once a spiritual and educational center. After driving through Gnishik Canyon, you'll arrive at the monastery and maybe even see a few birds of prey soaring above! After wandering the complex, continue to visit Orbelian Caravanserai before getting to tonight's accommodation. Your accommodation is a lodge set up by a local NGO, whose mission is to encourage inclusivity and accessibility for people living with disabilities to experience and enjoy nature. When you arrive, you might want to kayak out the scenic lake or simply relax outside and enjoy the view.
-
19 - Yerevan Say goodbye to the glittering blue of Lake Sevan and take your private transfer back to Yerevan, stopping to visit the Sevanavank Monastery along the way. Explore the monastery with your leader and learn about how this ancient monastery complex was transformed from an island to a peninsula, when the lake was partially drained. Hear about the local legends tied to this site, then carry on to Yerevan. You'll arrive at around midday, and have a free afternoon to explore at your own pace. Tonight, maybe head out for a farewell dinner with your group and toast to an amazing adventure.
-
20 - Yerevan With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end this morning after breakfast. If you'd like to extend your adventure, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
- The following product terms and conditions apply in addition to our Booking Terms and Conditions (available on our website) and terms and conditions of the relevant travel service provider.
- Prices quoted valid for sale until 26 April 2025 for travel during the period specified (if applicable) unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
- All prices are per person (unless otherwise stated), subject to availability and may be withdrawn or varied without notice. Accommodation (if included) is based on twin share unless otherwise stated.
- Advertised price includes bonus nights and/or stated saving (if applicable).
- Additional supplier conditions and travel restrictions may apply. Please enquire for further details.
- Airfare (including internal flights) is not included unless otherwise stated and, if included, is economy class unless otherwise stated.
- Components of the total price including local payments, "resort fees", "national park fees", "trip kitties" and food funds (if applicable) may be payable direct to the supplier on arrival or to your travel consultant prior to your departure. Where applicable, these payments are included in the total price quoted.
- Gratuities are not included unless otherwise stated.
- Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes, levies and government charges current at the time of publication.
- Additional levies, government charges & other applicable fees, including additional taxes, surcharges and visa fees specific to your departure date or flight routing, may apply and are beyond our control.
- Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply depending on date of travel.
- Prices shown are for payments made by cash in store or by BPAY.
- Payments made in store by credit card will incur a surcharge (see Booking Terms and Conditions for further details).
- These prices are a guide to the best price and are subject to change without notice, due to matters outside our control, such as adverse currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, taxes and airfare increases. Please enquire for further details..
- We receive payment from third party travel service providers when you use us to book travel and travel-related products and services with them on your behalf.
- Our liability to you is limited in certain situations, and we may charge you a cancellation fee(s) in certain circumstances. See our booking terms and conditions for further details.
- We may provide your personal information to third parties, including travel service providers with whom you make a booking. See our privacy policy for further details.
Tell us about your travel plans
Loading...
Why choose Flight Centre?
Not only do we have an incredible, worldwide team with decades of experience and a genuine passion for travel, we also have the widest choice of travel options covering tours, cruises, holiday packages and more. Flight Centre gives you free holiday planning and personalised service, Interest Free* Holiday Finance so you can book now, pay later, and 24/7 worldwide customer care on 133 133.