Georgia & Armenia Explorer

11 days
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Small Group Tour
With this eleven-day adventure, you’ll travel overland from Georgia to Armenia to experience off-the-beaten-track highlights, natural landscapes and welcoming, local people. Wander the streets of 3000-year-old Kutaisi, see some iconic monasteries like Khor Virap and Sevanavank and veer off the tourist trail to explore an old Soviet spa town, abandoned and atm...
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$3,202
From$2,372
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • 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.
    • 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.
    • Hike with 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.
    • Learn about Georgia’s proud wine traditions with a visit to a local family winery and sit down to a hearty home-cooked lunch with a paired wine tasting. Then, enjoy another wine tasting on a farm visit in Armenia.
    • Take in the stunning views of Khor Virap Monastery and Sevanavank Monastery – the ancient buildings set against the natural backdrops of mountains and blue lakes are just as impressive as the layered histories!

What's this trip about?

    With this eleven-day adventure, you’ll travel overland from Georgia to Armenia to experience off-the-beaten-track highlights, natural landscapes and welcoming, local people. Wander the streets of 3000-year-old Kutaisi, see some iconic monasteries like Khor Virap and Sevanavank and veer off the tourist trail to explore an old Soviet spa town, abandoned and atmospheric. Go on a hike in search of bezoar goats in a protected wildlife area, meet local wine makers with two wine tastings in both Georgia and Armenia and try your hand at Dolma making with a local cooking demonstration. With a night on the shores of gorgeous Lake Sevan and a range of diverse experiences and destinations, why not take an adventure that will surprise, delight and inspire?

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 12 people
Age range15 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityTbilisi
End CityYerevan

Travel Themes

  • High Adventure

Destinations

Attractions

  • Georgia
  • Yerevan

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 12

Trip includes

    • Kutaisi - Leader-led city walking tour
    • Kutaisi - Aerial Tramway
    • Tskhaltubo - Soviet sanatoriums visit
    • Kutaisi - Winery visit & home-cooked lunch
    • Borjomi - Leader-led walking tour
    • Vardzia - Cave Town Visit with Local Guide
    • Gyumri - Inclusive bakery visit
    • Yerevan - Dolma cooking demonstration & dinner
    • Yerevan - City Tour with Local Guide
    • 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

Travel Map

Day 1 Tbilisi

Gamarjoba! Welcome to Georgia. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, explore Tbilisi at your own pace. With its picturesque architecture, inviting cafes and wine bars dotted around the downtown area, there’s plenty to keep ...

Day 2 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 arou...

Day 3 Tskhaltubo/ Kutaisi

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 p...

Day 4 Borjomi/ Akhaltsikhe

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 mi...

Day 5 Vardzia/ Gyumri

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, sma...

Day 6 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. Visit the ethnographic house...

Day 7 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 mi...

Day 8 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. Legen...

Day 9 Lake Sevan

Drive 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 ...

Day 10 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...

Day 11 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.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,372
Price per day$216
Last Updated: 11/20/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
30 Apr 2025
10 May 2025
$2,372
14 May 2025
24 May 2025
$2,372
11 Jun 2025
21 Jun 2025
$2,372
09 Jul 2025
19 Jul 2025
$2,372
23 Jul 2025
02 Aug 2025
$2,372
06 Aug 2025
16 Aug 2025
$2,372
20 Aug 2025
30 Aug 2025
$2,372
03 Sep 2025
13 Sep 2025
$2,372
24 Sep 2025
04 Oct 2025
$2,372
08 Oct 2025
18 Oct 2025
$2,372

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

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The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
  •   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

History

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
  • Responsible – Think global, act local
  • Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
  • Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for all types of travelers at a range of different price points and trips to off-the-beaten-path destinations.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Hotel (8 nights),Guest House (1 night),Lake Cottage (1 night)

Transportation & Flights

Private vehicle,Public bus,Taxi,Train,

Transportation & flights

Private vehicle,Public bus,Taxi,Train
Guides
All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements
Health & Safety
Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your group leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your group leader or local representative will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Intrepid's operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips. https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines
Age Requirements
15 years and up
Additional Information

Finish point

  • Mandarin Hotel
  • 9a Tumanyan street
  • Yerevan
  • ARMENIA
Trip ID
intrepid-KFSE

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