Crossroads of Adventure—Georgia & Armenia” (June 9–16: Azerbaijan)

Silk Road wonders, monasteries, wines and wild landscapes, where history breathes!

June 15–26, 2027

Step off the typical tourist path into three distinct lands shrouded in mystery and legend. Wedged between Europe and Asia, Georgia and Armenia feel like places the planet forgot to tell you about. Now they are bucket-list destinations for travelers seeking breathtaking mountains with snow-capped peaks, active monasteries, UNESCO sites, and sixth-century wonders along the routes of Silk Road merchants. Over 11 days, we explore the most magical regions of the Caucasus and delve into rich tapestries of history and culture.

Our main tour begins with “Georgia on Our Mind” as we wander the streets of Tbilisi’s Old Town. Photograph iconic churches, visit active monasteries, soak in historic baths, and taste wines in the birthplace of the oldest winemaking traditions on Earth.

In the Greater Caucasus Mountains, we hike around cave cities, raft the Aragvi River beneath Mount Kazbek, and enjoy the freshest cuisine at tables that have a habit of filling up faster than we can eat.

We then cross into Armenia through sacred landscapes with alpine lakes and forested mountains to discover traditions that have endured for centuries. Together, we enjoy Jeep safaris, horseback rides, walks through the ethereal Symphony of Stones, a choir performance in a rock-carved monastery, and lessons in the art of baking lavash, accompanied by Armenian music and wines. The journey ends in colorful Yerevan, with its lively café culture and markets beneath the gaze of Mount Ararat.

We worked hard to make this journey special with cultural immersion—not just about staring out a bus window. We walk, hike, cook, ride, soak, and explore two remarkable countries!

Flights from the USA are easy, no visas are required, and our trip price is unbeatable. If you want more adventure, add our pre-trip extension to Azerbaijan. See below. Deanna is thrilled to lead you alongside our expert guides.

Just bring an appetite and a sense of adventure for a feast for the senses; we’ll handle the rest!

Deposit: $800 per person

Land Package: $3,785 per person, based on double occupancy and a minimum of 20 participants

Prepaid Gratuities: An additional $95 will be added to your invoice

Single Supplement: Four single-occupancy spaces are available for an additional $1,160 per person

INCLUDED IN COST OF TOUR:

• All transportation (including airport transfers the day trip starts

• Border crossing assistance between Georgia/Armenia (clients will be responsible for

rolling/carrying their luggage across the borders, between bus drop-off & pick-up)

• 9 full days of touring Georgia and Armenia with an English-speaking guide(s)

• All excursion and entrance fees

• All Breakfasts

• Various lunches & dinners included, one per day

• Unlimited drinking water

• Lodging - 10 nights in hotels

• Private monastery choir experience in Armenia

• Horse-riding in Armenia

• Boat tour of Lake Sevan in Armenia & Jeep Safari Dilijan

• Wine-tasting in Georgia & Armenia

• National folklore dinner in Georgia

• Cooking masterclass in Armenia (lavash, sharots (Armenian Snickers), and gata (pastries)

• Off-road vehicle transport to/from Gergeti Church in Georgia

• Visit to Joseph Stalin Museum built in 1950s

• National Musical Instrument Experience in Armenia

• National folklore dinner in Armenia

• Off-road vehicle transport to/from Garni Gorge/Symphony of Stones in Armenia

• And more experiences as described in itinerary

• Customer service with local tour manager

NOT INCLUDED IN COST OF TOUR:

• International airfare

• Health & Accident Insurance (required by the Republic of Georgia, around $16; we will help you prepare for this)

• Optional Pre-Trip Azerbaijan + Western Georgia Extension (7 days/6 nights), Price TBD

• Optional white-water rafting in Georgia (Class 2 rapids: $60/person)

• Tips for guides, drivers & meals ($120 will be added to invoice for your convenience and ease of distribution.

NOT INCLUDED IN COST OF TOUR:

• International airfare

• Health & Accident Insurance (required by the Republic of Georgia around $16- we will help you prepare for this)

• Optional Pre-Trip Azerbaijan + Western Georgia Extension (7 days/6 nights), Price TBD

• Optional white-water rafting in Georgia (Class 2 rapids: $60/person)

• Tips for guides, drivers & meals ($120 will be added to invoice for your convenience and ease of distribution.

Accommodations:

Days 1-3: Tbilisi, GE - Hotel Mercure Old Town (or something similar)

Day 4: Stepantsminda, GE - Memoir Hotel (or something similar)

Days 5-6: Tbilisi, GE - Hotel Mercure Old Town (or something similar)

Day 7: Dilijan, AR - Best Western Plus Paradise Hotel Dilijan (or something similar)

Days 8-10: Yerevan, AR - Tufenkian Historic Yerevan Hotel (or something similar)

Our Glorious Itinerary

June 15: Fly from the USA

Depart the United States for Tbilisi, returning home from Yerevan. Convenient flight options include Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, Lufthansa via Frankfurt, Air France via Paris, Qatar Airways via Doha, KLM via Amsterdam, Austrian Airlines via Vienna, and more.

June 16: Arrival in Tbilisi

Welcome to Georgia! If you arrive on June 16, you’ll be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

If you still have some energy, head out for your first look at the Georgian capital. Tbilisi rewards wandering, with crooked lanes, colorful balconies, ancient churches, and cozy cafés tucked into unexpected corners.

Or settle in and get some rest. Over the next ten days, we’ll travel through two countries, cross mountain passes, explore ancient monasteries, and take in some of the Caucasus region’s most dramatic scenery.

Hotel: Mercure Tbilisi Old Town
Meals: Dinner

June 17: Tbilisi Old Town, Sulfur Baths, and Georgian Cuisine

Our Caucasus adventure begins with a guided walking tour through the heart of Tbilisi. We’ll explore the Old Town, visit churches dating as far back as the fifth century, and see the historic bathhouses that helped shape the city’s identity.

After lunch, we’ll continue to some of Tbilisi’s best-known landmarks, including the Mother of Georgia statue, Rustaveli Avenue, and Liberty Square. Along the way, we’ll get our first real taste of the city’s personality: old stone, creative energy, and just the right amount of beautiful chaos. We’ll also visit the famous Dry Bridge Market, known for its eclectic collection of handicrafts, antiques, and curiosities.

We’ll end the day with a soak in Tbilisi’s historic sulfur baths, complete with a traditional soap scrub. People have enjoyed this ritual here for centuries, and it’s a pretty great way to recover after a day of walking. Please note that the baths may be moved to Day 6 to allow for better timing.

This is also our introduction to Georgian food. Expect khachapuri cheese bread, khinkali dumplings, hearty kharcho soup, and plenty more in the days ahead. Come hungry.

Hotel: Mercure Tbilisi Old Town
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Included Activity: Sulfur baths

June 18: Mtskheta, Wine Country, Uplistsikhe, and Gori

Today, we leave Tbilisi and head west into Georgia’s long and complicated history.

Our first stop is Mtskheta, the country’s ancient capital and spiritual center. We’ll visit UNESCO-listed landmarks such as Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery, both central to the story of Christianity in Georgia.

From there, we’ll continue to the small town of Kaspi for a tour and tasting at Merebashvili Winery. Georgia has been making wine for thousands of years, often in clay vessels called qvevri, so this is more than a tasting. It’s a crash course in one of the country’s oldest traditions.

After lunch, we’ll hike through Uplistsikhe, a remarkable cave city carved into the rock. Dating back more than 2,000 years, it once stood along important trade routes connecting East and West.

Our final stop is Gori, the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. We’ll visit the museum dedicated to his life and step aboard his private railway carriage before returning to Tbilisi.

Hotel: Mercure Tbilisi Old Town
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Included Activities: Wine tasting and hike through Uplistsikhe

June 19: The Silk Road Route—Georgian Military Highway, Zhinvali Lake, Gudauri, and Mount Kazbek

Today, we travel along one of the most spectacular roads in the Caucasus: the Georgian Military Highway.

Our first stop is Ananuri Fortress, a centuries-old complex overlooking the bright blue waters of Zhinvali Reservoir. From there, we’ll follow the historic mountain route north, passing through terrain once crossed by Silk Road merchants, imperial armies, and generations of Georgian villagers.

We’ll stop for lunch along the way before reaching Gudauri, Georgia’s best-known ski resort. The road then climbs to Jvari Pass, the literal high point of today’s journey at 7,857 feet above sea level.

Near Stepantsminda, we’ll switch to jeeps for the climb to Gergeti Trinity Church. Set high above the village, with Mount Kazbek and the Greater Caucasus rising around it, this is one of those places you may remember long after the trip is over.

Tonight, take it easy and give your body some time to adjust to the elevation.

Hotel: Memoir
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Included Activity: Jeep ride to Gergeti Trinity Church

June 20: Kazbegi, Barbecue Lunch, and an Aragvi River Adventure

Wake up to the sight of Mount Kazbek, a 16,581-foot giant towering above the surrounding peaks. Not a bad way to start the day.

After breakfast, we’ll begin our return journey to Tbilisi. Along the way, we’ll stop at the Soviet-era Georgian–Russian Friendship Monument, a colorful panoramic structure built high above the mountain valley.

Later, we’ll enjoy a barbecue lunch in the foothills of the Caucasus. Those craving a little more action can go whitewater rafting or ziplining along the Aragvi River. Both activities are optional, so you can choose your own level of adventure.

Back in Tbilisi, we’ll finish the day with dinner and a performance of Georgian music, dance, and folklore.

Hotel: Mercure Tbilisi Old Town
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Optional Activities: Whitewater rafting and ziplining

June 21: The Tuscany of the East—Davit Gareja, Bodbe Monastery, and Sighnaghi

Our final excursion from Tbilisi takes us east into Kakheti, Georgia’s famous wine region. With its vineyard-covered hills and peaceful villages, it’s easy to see why this part of the country is sometimes called the “Tuscany of the East.”

The day begins at the Davit Gareja monastery complex near the Azerbaijani border. Its dry, desert-like surroundings could hardly feel more different from the high mountains we visited yesterday. We’ll hike through this rugged setting and explore a place shaped by centuries of religious life.

We’ll also visit Bodbe Monastery, where St. Nino—the woman credited with bringing Christianity to Georgia in the fourth century—is buried.

Later, we’ll continue to Sighnaghi, a small hilltop town with cobblestone streets, old defensive walls, and sweeping views toward the Caucasus Mountains. We’ll have lunch here before returning to Tbilisi for our final evening in Georgia’s capital.

Hotel: Mercure Tbilisi Old Town
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Included Activity: Hike around Davit Gareja

June 22: Transfer to Armenia, Haghpat Monastery, and an Off-Road Adventure

We say goodbye to Georgia this morning and travel south to the Armenian border, where we’ll meet our local guide and begin the next part of the journey.

Our first major stop is Haghpat Monastery, one of northern Armenia’s most celebrated historic sites. Its stone churches and courtyards sit above a deep green valley, offering our first introduction to Armenia’s distinct architecture and mountain scenery.

We’ll continue by jeep to Dilijan, a peaceful resort town surrounded by thick forests and alpine scenery. Locals sometimes call it the “Armenian Switzerland,” and today we’ll venture beyond the main roads on an off-road trip through the surrounding mountains.

As we travel, keep an eye on the road signs. Armenian and Georgian each have their own alphabet, and both look unlike anything most visitors have seen before.

Hotel: Best Western Plus Paradise Hotel Dilijan
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Included Activity: Off-road jeep excursion

June 23: Lake Sevan, Noratus, Horseback Riding, and a Boat Trip

Today, we cross the Armenian countryside toward Lake Sevan, one of the region’s largest high-altitude freshwater lakes.

We’ll travel along the lake’s southern shore and visit Noratus Cemetery, home to hundreds of carved khachkars. These distinctive Armenian cross-stones are covered with detailed patterns and symbols, and the tradition behind them has been recognized by UNESCO.

There will also be an opportunity for horseback riding before we continue to Sevanavank Monastery. Perched above the lake, the monastery offers broad views across the water and surrounding mountains.

We’ll trade the road for the water during a boat ride on Lake Sevan, then continue to Yerevan. Armenia’s capital will be our home for the final three nights of the trip.

Hotel: Tufenkian Historic Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Included Activities: Horseback riding and boat ride

June 24: Yerevan, Armenian Cooking, Geghard, Garni, and the Symphony of Stones

Welcome to Yerevan! We’ll begin with a guided tour of Armenia’s capital, a city known for its pink volcanic-stone buildings, lively public squares, and café culture.

At lunch, we’ll get hands-on with Armenian cuisine. We’ll learn how to make lavash, the country’s traditional flatbread; sharots, a walnut confection sometimes called “Armenian Snickers”; and gata, a sweet Armenian pastry.

In the afternoon, we’ll leave the city for Geghard Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site partly carved into the surrounding cliffs. While there, we’ll hear a choir perform inside the monastery, where the stone chambers create unforgettable acoustics.

Nearby, we’ll visit Garni Temple, Armenia’s only surviving Greco-Roman colonnaded building and one of the few major pre-Christian structures left in the country.

We’ll also descend into Garni Gorge by off-road vehicle to see the Symphony of Stones. These towering basalt columns resemble the pipes of a giant organ and rank among Armenia’s strangest and most beautiful natural sights.

While we’re in Yerevan, be sure to make time for Vernissage, the city’s popular open-air market.

Hotel: Tufenkian Historic Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Included Activities: Armenian cooking class and off-road excursion to the Symphony of Stones

June 25: Ejmiatsin Cathedral, Armenian Genocide Memorial, and Traditional Music

Can you believe it’s already our final full day in the Caucasus?

We’ll stay close to Yerevan today, beginning with Ejmiatsin Cathedral, the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Traditionally dated to the early fourth century, it is often described as the oldest cathedral in the world.

We’ll also visit the Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum. This important and deeply moving site tells the story of one of the darkest chapters in Armenian history.

Later, we’ll meet an Armenian musician and learn about several traditional instruments. If the skies cooperate, we may catch a clear view of Mount Ararat rising beyond Yerevan—an unforgettable sight with enormous meaning for Armenians.

Tonight, we’ll gather for one final meal and an Armenian wine tasting. After everything we’ve seen, eaten, climbed, and experienced, there should be plenty to toast.

Hotel: Tufenkian Historic Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Included Activity: Wine tasting

June 26: Departure from Armenia

Our journey comes to an end this morning with a transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Over the past eleven days, we’ve wandered through ancient streets, crossed mountain passes, explored monasteries, and experienced the rich cultures of Georgia and Armenia. Many travelers leave eager to return and discover even more of these remarkable countries.

Nakhvamdis—goodbye for now!