Ffestiniog Travel · Escorted tour

Springtime in Georgia and Armenia

Springtime in Georgia and Armenia, a rail journey with Ffestiniog Travel

Stunning snow-clad mountains, meadows teeming with wild flowers and a rich and interesting history are brought to you in this tour to Georgia and Armenia.

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.

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

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