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8th May 2027 - 18th May 2027
11 days/Armenia /Moderate
Embark on an epic journey through the wild beauty and cultural heartlands of the Caucasus. This 11-day adventure weaves through the mountain trails, ancient cave cities, and spiritual landmarks of Armenia and Georgia — two captivating countries steeped in history and shaped by rugged landscapes. Trek through lush forests and alpine valleys, share tea with remote communities, explore UNESCO-listed monasteries carved into rock, and raise a glass of wine crafted using millennia-old methods. From the blue-eyed beauty of Lake Sevan to the soaring peaks around Stepantsminda, this is a cross-border experience for travellers who crave connection, challenge, and discovery.
As well as visiting many of the highlights of Georgia and Armenia, you will spend four days trekking through the beautiful countryside and experiencing the nature of the Caucasus at first hand.
This Armenia & Georgia: Into the Caucasus tour is rated as ‘moderate’ and is best suited to those with a good general level of fitness. Factors contributing to the difficulty include trekking through often uneven woodland and mountain trails, some elevation gain and descent, distances up to 13km per day, and carrying your backpack each day (weighing approximately 6–7kg). Accommodation and bathroom facilities are also basic in some locations.
Armenia is a small, landlocked country in the South Caucasus, bordered by Georgia, Turkey, Iran, and Azerbaijan. Rich in history and culture, it was the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion in AD 301. This heritage is reflected in its many ancient churches and monasteries scattered across dramatic landscapes of mountains, forests, and high-altitude lakes like Lake Sevan.
The capital, Yerevan, is a lively city known for its Soviet-era architecture, bustling markets, and thriving café culture. Rural Armenia offers a more traditional experience, with warm hospitality and time-honoured customs. The local cuisine is hearty and flavourful, featuring dishes like dolma (stuffed vine leaves) and khorovats (skewered grilled meat), and the country’s winemaking tradition dates back over 6,000 years.
Despite its complex history, Armenia is a proud and resilient nation, offering visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, ancient history, and rich cultural experiences.
Georgia is a diverse and captivating country located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, bordered by Russia, Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. It boasts stunning landscapes, from the towering peaks of the Caucasus Mountains to lush valleys, ancient cave towns, and the Black Sea coast. Georgia has a rich cultural heritage, shaped by centuries of history, and is known for its warm hospitality and proud traditions.
Tbilisi, the capital, is a vibrant city blending old and new, with cobbled streets, colourful balconies, and a growing arts and café scene. Beyond the city, Georgia’s countryside is dotted with medieval churches, fortresses, and vineyards. Georgian cuisine is renowned for its rich flavours—think khachapuri (cheese-filled bread), khinkali (dumplings), and locally produced wines made using the ancient Qvevri method.
A deeply spiritual and welcoming country, Georgia offers a compelling mix of history, nature, and culture that leaves a lasting impression on visitors.
Accommodation throughout the trip is in comfortable, 3-star locally-run hotels and guesthouses, offering a good standard of comfort with en-suite bathrooms. The hotels are selected for their location, character, and hospitality, providing a welcoming place to relax after each day’s activities.
You’ll need to have a good level of general fitness to comfortably enjoy this trip. The 4 trekking days involve walking 7 to 13 km over 3 to 5 hours on uneven terrain, with some ascents and descents. While no technical skills are needed, you should be confident walking on varied ground, including forest trails, mountain paths, and some steeper sections. On sightseeing days, expect to walk a couple of miles on paved streets or country paths. The pace will be steady but this is a busy tour giving you a varied and full overview of these two countries.
You don’t need to be an athlete, but you should be active and comfortable walking for several hours at a time, ideally with some prior experience of hill walking or longer countryside walks. Regular exercise such as hiking, cycling, swimming, or running in the lead-up to the trip will help prepare you.
The climate during this trip in late May to early June is generally mild to warm, making it a pleasant time for trekking. In the lowland areas such as Tbilisi, Yerevan, and Lake Sevan, daytime temperatures typically range from 20 to 28°C, with evenings cooling to around 12 to 18°C. These areas usually enjoy plenty of sunshine with the occasional spring shower. In the mountain regions, including Dilijan and Stepantsminda, temperatures are cooler, ranging from 10 to 20°C during the day and dropping to 2 to 10°C at night.
At higher altitudes, such as Juta and Chaukhi Pass, conditions can be even chillier, and the weather can change quickly. Overall, you can expect comfortable trekking weather, but it’s important to come prepared for a mix of sunshine, rain, and cooler mountain conditions by packing layers and a good waterproof jacket.
This adventure is suitable for anyone with a good level of fitness, in good health, and with a positive, determined mindset.
Proper preparation and training are key, as the fitter you are, the more enjoyable and rewarding the experience will be. Ideal participants include regular hill walkers, those with a sense of adventure, and open-minded individuals seeking a meaningful challenge in a stunning natural setting. Whether you’re looking to push your limits or embrace a life-changing journey, this trek offers the chance to explore the varies and beautiful landscapes of Armenia and Georgia.
You must be at least 18 years old to participate in this trip unaccompanied. It may be possible for you to participate if you are 16 or 17 years old, but you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. There is no upper age limit.
You will be accompanied by first aid trained English-speaking guides who have an excellent knowledge of history, hiking, culture and nature in the region. You will have different guides in Armenia and Georgia. You’ll also be accompanied by a Different Travel Company UK tour manager.
During the trek, you will only need to carry a small daypack containing essential items for that day, such as water, snacks, a basic first aid kit, sun protection, and any personal items you may need. All other luggage will be transported for you to the next accommodation, so you can enjoy the trek without the burden of carrying a heavy pack.
UK – Tbilisi
Depart for Tbilisi (Georgia). On arrival, transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Dinner
*Please note that all arrangements today are subject to flight timings
Tbilisi – Sadakhlo – Fietlotovo – Dilijan
Depart after breakfast and drive to the Armenian–Georgian border at Sadakhlo. We’ll then meet our local Armenian guide and driver, who will accompany us during our journey through Armenia. After lunch, we stop in the village of Fioletovo, which is home to the Molokans—a unique religious minority group that settled in Armenia in the 19th century.
We’ll visit a local Molokan family and join them for a traditional tea gathering, & learn about their customs, lifestyle, and spiritual beliefs. We continue to the picturesque town of Dilijan, located in the lush Tavush region. Surrounded by dense forests and nestled along the banks of the Aghstev River. We participate in a cooking class to prepare Tolma, a traditional Armenian dish, and will visit a local family’s home to enjoy our dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Dilijan – Goshavank – Lake Sevan – Yerevan (trek day 1)
After breakfast, we drive to Lake Parz, nestled in the forests of Dilijan National Park and begin our trek through lush woodland trails toward the Goshavank Monastery. This is one of Armenia’s significant religious and cultural centres, dating back to the 12 centuries. After exploring the monastery, we will continue our walk to Lake Gosh, a peaceful and serene natural spot surrounded by forested hills. We then drive towards Lake Sevan, one of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in the world, situated at 1,900 metres above sea level, often referred to as the “blue-eyed beauty” of Armenia. From the lake, we will return to Yerevan. We’ll have dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trek distance: 10km
Ascent: 150m, descent: 400m – moderate difficulty
Duration: 5 hours
Yerevan – Garni Temple – Symphony of Stones – Geghard – Yerevan (trek day 2)
We drive to the village of Banavan to start our day walking. Heading first towards the Garni Pagan Temple, the only standing Greco-Roman collonaded building in Armenia, our route takes us along the tree-lined Azat River. At the bottom of the gorge, we will find the incredible basalt columns of Armenia, known as the Symphony of the Stones. These are the highest rock formations in Armenia. Our route then takes us up to the 1st Century Hellenistic Sun Temple of Garni, where our day’s trek ends and we rejoin our vehicle to drive to the impressive UNESCO-listed Geghard Monastery. This is a beautiful medieval structure partly carved into the rock overlooking the picturesque Azat valley. We return to our hotel in Yerevan for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trek distance: 9kms
Ascent: 120m, descent 220m, moderate difficulty
Duration: 3 hours
Yerevan – Ejmiatsin – Zvarnots – Gyumri
Today starts with a city tour of Yerevan. We’ll take in Republic Square, the Opera and Ballet Theatre, Cascade Monument from where you may catch a glimpse of Mount Ararat. Visits will be made to the Cafesjian Museum of Modern Art, the Mother Armenia Monument and the Vernissage market. We then drive to the city of Ejmiatsin, once the ancient capital of Armenia. En route, we’ll stop to see the grandiose ruins of the three-tiered Zvartnots Temple (one of Armenia’s most famous temples) and have lunch at a social enterprise arts centre. In Ejmiatsin, we will visit one of the first Christian churches in the world, built in 301-303 AD, now designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. We then drive to Gyumri, the sports and cultural centre of Armenia, where we have dinner and stay overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Bavra – Vardzia – Akhaltsikhe
After breakfast, we drive to the Armenian-Georgian border at Bavra, where we meet our Georgian guide and continue to Vardzia, one of the most memorable places on the trip. Vardzia is a stunning cave town dating from the 12th century. Carved into the cliffs along the Mtkvari River, the caves are spread over 19 levels and stretch for over half a kilometre. At its peak, the site had over 3,000 caves. It still includes a beautiful church carved into the rock, decorated with original 12th-century frescoes. Built into the stone, you`ll see old living quarters, small churches, dining areas, wine cellars, and even a pharmacy. Lunch will be with a local Georgian family, and we’ll be introduced to some homemade Georgian food. We then continue to the town of Akhaltsikhe.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Uplistshikhe – Ananuri – Stepantsminda
This morning, we`ll visit Uplistsikhe, an ancient cave town dating back to the first millennium BC. Once a lively trading hub, you can still see well-preserved caves and halls that date back over thousands of years. We’ll continue along the famous Georgian Military Road, making our way toward the beautiful mountain town of Stepantsminda. On the way, we`ll stop at the impressive Ananuri architectural complex from the 17th century, which overlooks the scenic Zhinvali Reservoir. You’ll see detailed stone carvings on the churches, which are considered some of the finest examples of Georgian art. Our overnight stay is in Stepantsminda, nestled among towering peaks, which offers breathtaking views and dramatic mountain landscapes.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Stepantsminda – Juta – Stepantsminda (trek day 3)
In the morning, we`ll head into the beautiful Sno Valley, driving along a narrow mountain road to reach the village of Juta, surrounded by mountain peaks and located at 2,160 metres above sea level. This tiny, remote village has retained its traditional way of life, and for half the year, it`s completely cut off by snow. From the village, we`ll begin a scenic hike toward the base of Mt. Chaukhebi (2,580m), walking through stunning alpine landscapes. If you`re up for it, you can continue the hike up to Chaukhi Pass at 3,341 meters, where you`ll be rewarded with breathtaking views over the surrounding mountains. We then return to our hotel in Stephantsminda.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trek distance: 13km
Ascent: 680m, descent: 680m – moderate difficulty
Duration: 5 hours
Gergeti Church – Mtskheta – Tbilisi (trek day 4)
To complete our visit to Stephantsminda, we’ll visit the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church. Perched at 2,170 meters, this ancient church is one of Georgia’s most recognisable landmarks, surrounded by green slopes and wildflowers, with the towering Caucasus Mountains in the background. We`ll walk up through scenic valleys and forest paths to reach the church and then have a traditional lunch with a local family on the way back. We continue to Mtskheta, the ancient capital and spiritual heart of Georgia and visit the beautiful Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the 11th century. Our tour ends in Tbilisi, where we check into our hotel and have dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trek distance: 7 km
Ascent: 435m, descent: 435m – easy
Duration: 3 hours
Sighnaghi – Sagaredjo – Tbilisi
Today, we`ll visit the charming 18th-century town of Sighnaghi, known for its narrow cobblestone streets, colourful balconies, and well-preserved city walls. This small hilltop town offers stunning views over the Alazani Valley and the towering peaks of the Greater Caucasus. After lunch with a local family, we`ll visit a traditional Georgian wine cellar; you`ll taste wine made using the ancient Qvevri method, where wine is fermented and aged in large clay vessels buried underground — a tradition recognised by UNESCO as part of the world`s intangible cultural heritage. In the late afternoon, we`ll drive back to Tbilisi and have dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Tbilisi – UK
Today, we will explore the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi. Wander in the old districts of the city, structured like terraces, and walk through the narrow streets with its colourful houses, patterned balconies and wonderful samples of modern architecture. Afterwards, take in the panoramic views of the whole town and pass by the ancient Narikala fortress to find ourselves in the historical domed sulphur bath area. This evening we’ll drive to the airport for the flight back to the UK.
Meals: Breakfast
*Please note that all arrangements today are subject to flight timings
Total trip cost: £2,650
Please contact us at accounts@different-travel.com for details on how to pay your deposit or trip costs by instalments.
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