Between Two Capitals: A Journey to Cave Towns & Mountain Villages
The warm, green countries of Georgia and Armenia are full of fruitful valleys and saw-toothed mountains. Walk through river-cut canyons, explore magnificent cave towns, enter medieval fortress towers of stacked stone and visit the mountain homes of the Svan people.
13 Day Trip
- Private Journey
Minimum of 2 Travelers - Travels to:
Armenia, Georgia, South Caucasus - Flexible Essential:
Yerevan to Tbilisi
MIR Signature Why end mights on this Tour
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Refresh yourself with Borjomi’s world-famous mineral spring waterRead More
Refresh yourself with a bottle of Borjomi’s world-famous mineral spring water – fresh at the source.... -
Meet local villagers and breathe in the alpine air of Europe’s highest villageRead More
Meet local villagers and breathe in the alpine air of Ushguli, the highest village in Europe, whose stacked stone medieval watchtowers are included in the... -
Marvel at the manuscripts at one of the world’s oldest book depositoriesRead More
Marvel at the reverence for the written word at one of the world’s oldest book depositories ... -
See all the way to Turkey from Khor VirapRead More
Admire the incredible panorama of snow-capped Mt. Ararat looming over the vineyards and the little stone monastery of Khor Virap....
Why Travel with MIR on this Tour

- Over 30 years of South Georgia travel experience
- MIR’s small group tours Eastern Turkey and Georgia: Legacy of Empire and Georgia & Armenia: Mountains & Monasteries were honored as “Tours of a Lifetime,” by National Geographic Traveler
- Travel programs such as Tufts and Harvard have chosen MIR to guide them to Georgia
- Twice named one of National Geographic Adventure’s “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth”
- On-the-ground support and quality you can trust
- Personalized travel planning from start to finish
- Guides and tour managers that clients rave about
Itinerary & Highlights at a Glance
Days 1-4: Yerevan, Garni, Geghard, Echmiadzin, Khor Virap, Bavra
From Armenia’s capital, Yerevan, visit the pagan Temple of Garni and the UNESCO-listed monastery of Geghard. Explore Khor Virap in the shadow of dramatic Mt. Ararat, and Echmiadzin, the country’s religious center. Pay a visit to 10th century Khertvisi Fortress at Bavra with its secret tunnels.
Highlights
- Armenia’s capital city, Yerevan, older than Rome
- The Matenadaran, one of the world’s oldest book depositories
Days 5-6: Vardzia, Akhaltsikhe, Borjomi
Explore the imposing cave town of Vardzia with its frescoes and surviving monastic chambers. Wander Akhaltsikhe's Old Town and imagine life in Silk Road days. Visit the spa town of Borjomi and sample its famous waters.
Highlights
- Vardzia, ancient cave town transformed into a monastery
- 9th century Silk Road town of Akhaltsikhe
Days 7-9: Svaneti Region
Venture to remote Svaneti, known for its massive tower architecture and proud mountain people, with their white and black wool hats dense enough to drink from. Hike and enjoy the hospitality of villagers in Ushguli.
Highlights
- UNESCO-listed Svaneti region with medieval stone watchtowers
- Spectacular views in Enguri River Canyon
Days 10-13: Kutaisi, Tbilisi
Enjoy views of the Imereti region with its spicy foods, crisp wines, and friendly inhabitants. Dine with locals in Kutaisi, home to the UNESCO-listed Gelati Monastery. Explore Georgia's vibrant capital, Tbilisi, and its well-preserved Old Town, architecture, and sulfur baths.
Highlights
- Kutaisi, capital of Georgia from 978 until 1122, and site of Jason’s mythical quest for the Golden Fleece
- Lunch with artists at Art Villa Garikula
See Dates & Prices for more details or to see suggested extensions.
Tour Dates & Prices
Land Tour Price, Per Person
based on double occupancy
- 2 Traveler Minimum $5,395
- Single Supplement $875
2019 Dates
Your Choice of Dates
Start on a Thursday
Recommended months of travel:
- April,
- May,
- June,
- July,
- August,
- September,
- October,
- FROM
- $5,395
- Min 2 Travelers
Group Size
Pricing is based on a minimum of 2 travelers on this trip. Call for solo trip pricing.
Private trip prices vary by season and are subject to hotel availability for your travel dates. Hotel upgrades, additional nights and solo traveler prices are available on request.
What’s Included
On Your Tour
- Shared accommodations in well-located four star hotels in Yerevan, Borjomi and Tbilisi, and guesthouses in Kutaisi and Mestia.
- 12 breakfasts, 10 lunches, and 9 dinners. A few lunches or dinners are not included so that you may enjoy a chance to dine on your own.
- Restaurant tips for included meals.
- Services of experienced, English-speaking local guides, drivers and other staff.
- One arrival and one departure transfer. (Additional arrival and departure transfers available at additional cost.) MIR will arrange for travelers to be met upon arrival and seen off on departure, whether we make your air arrangements or not.
- Ground transportation throughout itinerary by private vehicle (size of vehicle depends on group size).
- Guided sightseeing tours and entrance fees as outlined in itinerary.
Before Your Tour
- Personalized pre-departure support from one of our knowledgeable Tour Specialists.
- Complete pre-departure information including detailed packing list, reading list, insurance information.
- Touring with MIR handbook with country-specific information, maps, and travel tips.
- Assistance booking your custom flight arrangements (on request; please note that international airfare is not included in the land tour cost).
- Final document packet including a travel journal, luggage tags, final updates, and more.
Prepare for Your Trip

International Airfare
MIR's in-house, full-service air department will gladly assist with your air travel needs.
More Info
Reading List
MIR recommends reading up before you leave home. So settle back in your armchair with some of our favorite books about our favorite places.
More Info
Visas
Most MIR programs require one or more visas, and each visa requires a completely blank page in your passport. Visa information for this particular tour is listed in the Detailed Descriptive Itinerary.
More InfoTravel Insurance
Stay a Little Longer…
You may wish to extend your travels by adding another program before or after this tour. MIR can arrange for a pre-tour extension to Shoushi, Armenia, or a post-tour extension to Baku in Azerbaijan, Moscow or St. Petersburg in Russia, or elsewhere in Europe at the conclusion of your tour. All of MIR’s destinations are open to you, and all can be attached to this program. Please contact MIR for more details about exciting options for extended travel.
Or, choose from one of these suggested itineraries:
Is this Trip Right for You?
This Flexible Essential program is designed to be adventurous, but also comfortable for travel in this region. Accommodations will vary from four star hotels to basic guesthouses. Services are improving in the region; however, you may encounter problems with plumbing, bureaucratic service, road conditions, unpaved sidewalks, uneven surfaces and steps, and availability of public restrooms.
A full list of details about the rigors of this tour are explained in the Detailed Descriptive Itinerary.
Read our Travel Journals
MIR's Travel Journals offer first hand accounts of MIR's fascinating destinations.
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Treasures of the South Caucasus: Through Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan
Follow along with MIR Corporation Tour Manager Devin Mitchell as she accompanies MIR clients on MIR's Treasures of the South-Caucasus small group tour.... Read More
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Ancient Persia, Modern Iran: A Tour Leader’s Blog
Follow along with seasoned MIR Tour Manager, Michel Behar, as he blogs his way through MIR's Ancient Persia - Modern Iran small group tour. Spend each day with him as he recounts his favorite traditional Persian foods, his discoveries at the outdoor markets, and his impressions of the gardens, art and architecture of Iran.... Read More
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Travel and food writer Carla Capalbo has published the first of a planned series of lightweight, small, pocket-style guides on Georgian food and wine. Perfect for carrying in a pocket or daypack, these little guides are avail... Read More