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PTG Tours · Escorted tour

Gorgeous Georgia and Armenia

Escorted rail journey across Georgia's network, mountains, castles, and coast

Illustration of Gorgeous Georgia and Armenia

PTG Tours operates Gorgeous Georgia and Armenia, a 14-day escorted journey across almost every operating line of the Georgian railway network. The tour begins in Tbilisi and moves south through the Caucasus mountains, visiting world heritage monasteries at Gelati and Mtskheta, the Stalin Museum in Gori, and the 6th-century cave city of Uplistsikhe. Highlights include a ride on the narrow-gauge Borjomi-Bakuriani mountain train crossing Gustave Eiffel's bridge, a charter train along the Mtkvari river valley to Rabati Castle and Vardzia, and a fast modern Stadler train back to Tbilisi. The itinerary also features cable cars, a funicular railway, and a coastal town visit to Batumi. Most meals showcase Georgian cuisine and wine. The pace is balanced, with two or three nights in each city. An optional 4-night Armenia extension offers further rail and cultural exploration. This tour suits repeat rail travellers, history lovers, food-focused visitors, and those who prefer guided travel with structured accommodation and included transport.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure is currently listed: June 2026. Confirm availability and dates with PTG Tours before booking.
  • The Borjomi-Bakuriani narrow-gauge train is marked TBC (to be confirmed); verify this ride is operating when you book.
  • The tour from-price (GBP 3150) covers the Georgia package and rail fares; UK flights are priced separately starting from GBP 3550 depending on departure airport.
  • The itinerary includes several days with coach journeys as well as rail; this is not a train-only trip despite its railway emphasis.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    UK - Tbilisi (flight day)

    Indirect daytime flights from London Gatwick and other UK airports, or a direct BA overnight flight arriving Tbilisi the next morning (Sundays only).

  2. Day 2overnight: Tbilisi (3 nights)

    Arrival - Tbilisi

    Morning flight arrivals, transfer to Tbilisi hotel. Free day to recover from overnight flights.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Tbilisi

    Tbilisi

    Funicular railway up Mt. Mtatsminda for city views, time in the Old City, visit to Mushtaidi Garden for a preserved diesel train ride, optional evening train to Gardabani on the Azerbaijan border.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Tbilisi

    Tbilisi - Mtskheta

    Cable car to Narikala Fortress, transfer to Mtskheta to see Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Javari Church, return by the tea-time train to Sadakhlo on the Armenian border.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Gori

    Tbilisi - Gori - Uplistsikhe

    Train to Gori to visit the Stalin Museum and War Museum, free time at the 17th-century citadel, afternoon visit to the 6th-century cave city of Uplistsikhe. Optional evening train along the Nikozi branch.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Borjomi

    Gori - Borjomi - Bakuriani

    Slow train to Borjomi, transfer to the narrow-gauge mountain train to Bakuriani, crossing the Eiffel Bridge and Daba station; follow by road back down the mountain.

  7. Day 7rail

    Akhaltsikhe - Vardzia

    Special charter train along the Mtkvari river valley on a normally freight-only line to Akhaltsikhe to visit Rabati Castle, continuing upstream to the Cave City of Vardzia and Khertvisi Fortress.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Tskaltubo (2 nights)

    Sachkhere - Kutaisi - Tskaltubo

    Train from Sachkhere via Zestafoni and Rioni to Kutaisi, Georgia's second city, then a branch train to the spa town of Tskaltubo.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Tskaltubo

    Kutaisi - Tkibuli - Gelati

    Charter train on the scenic branch line to the old coal-mining town of Tkibuli, then visits to Gelati and Motsameta monasteries and Kutaisi's Cathedral and Citadel.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Zugdidi

    Kutaisi - Poti - Zugdidi

    Free time in Kutaisi, cable car ride, then a fast train via Rioni to the seaport of Poti before transferring to Zugdidi on the border with Abkhazia; late afternoon visit to the Dadiani Palace.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Batumi (2 nights)

    Zugdidi - Samtredia - Batumi

    Train from Zugdidi via Samtredia Junction, then an afternoon train along the coast via the Ozurgeti branch to the resort of Batumi.

  12. Day 12overnight: Batumi

    Batumi - Khulo

    Inland mountain road journey to Khulo, lunch, optional cable car over the valley to Tago, return to Batumi for a seafront promenade and a cable-car ride to Anuria Hill.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Tbilisi

    Batumi - Tbilisi

    Fast Stadler train (first class, 5 hours) from Batumi to Tbilisi, late lunch, visit to the Folklore Centre, farewell dinner.

  14. Day 14

    Tbilisi - UK (or continue to Armenia)

    Free time before an afternoon transfer to the airport for the flight home, or begin the optional Armenia add-on.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Ride the funicular railway up Mt. Mtatsminda for city views, then board a preserved diesel train at Mushtaidi Garden.
  • Day 6Travel the narrow-gauge Borjomi-Bakuriani mountain train, crossing Gustave Eiffel's dramatic bridge and Daba station.
  • Day 7Board a special charter train along the Mtkvari river valley on a normally freight-only line to visit Rabati Castle and the Cave City of Vardzia.
  • Day 13Return to Tbilisi on the fast Stadler train in first class, a 5-hour coastal and mountain journey.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of GBP 3150 covers all rail travel in Georgia. UK flights are additional and vary by departure airport (from GBP 3550 with Easyjet from Luton; other airports via Riga or Istanbul from GBP 3550 to GBP 3675). Joining in Tbilisi costs GBP 3150.
Which trains are used?
PTG Tours operates on almost every Georgian railway line, including the narrow-gauge Borjomi-Bakuriani mountain line (crossing the Eiffel Bridge), chartered trains on normally freight-only lines (Akhaltsikhe and Tkibuli branches), regular service trains, and a modern Stadler first-class train for the fast 5-hour return from Batumi to Tbilisi.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes, PTG Tours operates this as an escorted tour with group transport, guided visits, and included accommodation.
What is included in the price?
Accommodation, most meals based on Georgian cuisine, all train travel, cable cars, the funicular, and guided visits to monasteries, castles, and museums. Flights are booked separately.
When does the tour run?
One departure is listed: June 2026.
Can I add Armenia?
Yes, a 4-night extension in Armenia is available, visiting Dilijan, Lake Sevan, Yerevan, and Gyumri via the Debed Canyon, with a deposit of GBP 300 for the add-on.

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