Search

Ffestiniog Travel · Escorted tour

Springtime in Georgia and Armenia

Escorted 12-day spring tour of Georgia and Armenia by train, coach, and flight

Illustration of Springtime in Georgia and Armenia

Ffestiniog Travel's 12-day Springtime in Georgia and Armenia tour departs Tbilisi and concludes in Gyumri, combining Georgia's mountain terrain, canyons, and wine regions with Armenia's ancient monasteries and highland lakes. An escorted itinerary led by a London-based tour leader and local guides takes you by Georgian rail to Kutaisi, coach through Okatse and Martvili Canyons (which require walking down steep terrain), and then across the Armenian border to Lake Sevan and the UNESCO-listed Geghard Monastery. On Day 10 you board the Armenian express train to Gyumri for the final leg. Hotels include the Qarvasia in Tbilisi (3 nights), Grand Opera Boutique in Kutaisi (2 nights), and smaller properties in Dilijan, Yerevan, and Gyumri. The included package offers flights from London, rail travel, coach transport, most meals, entrance fees to churches and museums, and expert local guidance throughout. Springtime meadows and snow-capped peaks define the season. The tour suits history enthusiasts, wine and food explorers, and those preferring structured group travel with professional guides.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure date confirmed in the pack (April 2027); confirm current availability with Ffestiniog Travel before booking.
  • The tour includes only 3 lunches and 3 evening meals; other meals are at your own cost.
  • Day 5 involves descending approximately 1000 steps into Okatse Canyon; those with mobility or knee concerns should discuss with the operator.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Tbilisi

    London to Tbilisi

    Afternoon flight from Heathrow via Athens to Tbilisi, arriving early next morning. Transfer to our centrally located hotel for a 3-night stay.

  2. Day 2overnight: Tbilisi

    Tbilisi

    Morning guided walk in the old city including Rustavelli Avenue, Parliament House, Viceroy Palace and Freedom Square. After lunch (included), we take the cable car to the Narikala Fortress for panoramic views.

  3. Day 3overnight: Tbilisi

    Georgia’s Wine Lands

    Explore the small old towns of the Kakheti region, try national dishes and homemade wine, and bake local bread.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Kutaisi

    Kutaisi & Prometheus Grotto

    Morning train to Kutaisi, then drive to Tskaltubo to visit the underground grotto. On return to Kutaisi, explore the city at leisure.

  5. Day 5overnight: Kutaisi

    Okatse & Martvili Canyons

    Walk down into the Okatse Canyon (about 1000 steps down, return by 4WD). After homemade lunch at a family run winery, drive to Martvili Canyon for a tour by boat, then Bagrati Cathedral.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Dilijan (Armenia)

    Gori & Uplistsikhe Cave City

    Drive to Gori, Stalin’s birthplace, and visit his private rail carriage. Short drive to Uplistsikhe cave city, dating from Old Silk Road days.

  7. Day 7overnight: Dilijan

    Cross the Border into Armenia

    Travel by private coach to the Armenian border at Sadakhlo and continue to Dilijan, whose old town has been tastefully restored with artisan workshops.

  8. Day 8overnight: Yerevan

    Lake Sevan, Garni Gorge & Geghard Monastery

    Visit Sevanavank Monastery on Lake Sevan, the Pagan temple at Garni, then Garni Gorge by Soviet 4WD before Geghard Monastery, a cave monastery from the 13th Century. Continue to Yerevan for a 2-night stay.

  9. Day 9overnight: Yerevan

    Yerevan

    City tour including Republic Square and the Cascade complex, plus the Genocide Museum and Memorial in memory of the 1915 atrocities.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Gyumri

    Gyumri

    Armenia’s second city, 130km from Yerevan. We take the morning train followed by a walking tour of the old city.

  11. Day 11overnight: Yerevan

    Etchmiadzin Cathedral & Zvartnots Temple

    Both UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Etchmiadzin founded in 303 AD is the official residence of the Armenian Catholicos, Zvartnots was built in the 7th Century. Return to Yerevan for our final night.

  12. Day 12

    Yerevan to London

    Early morning flight from Yerevan via Athens to London Heathrow, arriving late morning.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Morning guided walk through Tbilisi's old city includes Rustavelli Avenue and the Viceroy Palace; the day ends at Narikala Fortress via cable car for panoramic views.
  • Day 4Morning train on Georgian rail to Kutaisi, followed by a visit to the Prometheus Grotto underground cave system near Tskaltubo.
  • Day 5Walk down into Okatse Canyon (about 1000 steps); after lunch at a family winery, tour Martvili Canyon by boat and visit Bagrati Cathedral.
  • Day 8Sevanavank Monastery sits on Lake Sevan; later visit the pagan temple at Garni and Geghard Monastery, a 13th-century cave monastery carved into the rock.
  • Day 10Take the morning Armenian express train from Yerevan to Gyumri, Armenia's second city 130 kilometers away, followed by a walking tour of the restored old city.

Included

  • Flights in Economy Class by scheduled airline
  • Rail travel as specified
  • Other travel by private mini coach (4WD vehicle where appropriate)
  • Hotel accommodation or good quality guest houses with en-suite facilities
  • All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 evening meals
  • Entrance fees to churches and museums where applicable and to the cave dwellings
  • Airport and other transfers
  • Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour plus local professional Georgian and Armenian guides

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Georgian rail from Tbilisi to Kutaisi and the Armenian express train from Yerevan to Gyumri. Other travel is by scheduled flight, private coach, and 4WD vehicle where appropriate.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Ffestiniog Travel provides a tour leader from London throughout the 12 days, plus local professional Georgian and Armenian guides at each destination.
What is the group size?
Maximum 15 people.
What meals are included?
All breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 evening meals. Many are sourced from local organic produce. Other meals are not included.
What is the physical activity level?
Moderate. Day 5 involves walking down approximately 1000 steps into Okatse Canyon (return is by 4WD). Most days include guided city walks and village exploration. Day 2 features a cable car to Narikala Fortress.
When does this tour depart?
Currently one departure is listed: April 2027 at GBP 3,550 per person.

Similar journeys