Self-Launched Highlights of Armenia & Georgia
14 days · Armenia & Georgia
Exodus charges £3,250
No-markup version: ~£660 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 14-day self-launched Caucasus adventure tracing monasteries, cave towns and mountainscapes from Yerevan to Tbilisi. Do it independently using cheap marshrutka minibuses, shared taxis, the Wings of Tatev cable car, and locally-booked cooking, craft and wine experiences. Expect roughly £950-1,100 per person including guesthouse stays, food, transport and activities — a fraction of the guided operator price.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Yerevan
Yerevan, Armenia
Fly into Zvartnots Airport and take the official airport bus or a Yandex Go taxi (~£4) to a central hostel or guesthouse near Republic Square. Spend the afternoon settling in: wander the Cascade steps, grab a coffee on Saryan Street and pick up a local SIM (Armenian networks are cheap and fast) plus a Metro card. Book in person or via a local operator for the day trips over the coming days — Yerevan has many budget-friendly excursion offices around Republic Square and Abovyan Street.
🚌Airport bus/taxi ~£4
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel in central Yerevan (~£15-20/night double or dorm)
- →Cascade Complex
- →Republic Square at night
- →Saryan Street cafés
- →Buy a local SIM & Metro card
Yerevan highlights & duduk music
Yerevan, Armenia
Explore the city on foot: Republic Square, the Opera and Ballet Theatre, and the Cascade complex with views toward Mount Ararat (on clear days). Make the short trip to Ejmiatsin Cathedral, one of the world's oldest Christian cathedrals, via marshrutka (~£1, 30 min) or shared taxi. In the evening, book a small-group duduk performance or catch a live folk music set at a local venue; many Yerevan cafés host traditional musicians. A good budget route is a self-guided walking day rather than a paid city tour.
🚌Marshrutka/shared taxi around Yerevan ~£3-4
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel in central Yerevan
- →Ejmiatsin Cathedral (marshrutka)
- →Cascade & opera district
- →Duduk/folk music evening
Geghard, Garni & lavash making
Yerevan & Kotayk, Armenia
Hire a shared taxi or join a small-group day trip (widely sold in Yerevan, ~£25-30pp including entrance) to Geghard Monastery, partly rock-carved and UNESCO-listed, then Garni Temple, the only standing pagan temple in the Caucasus, above the Azat Gorge. Walk down to the Symphony of Stones basalt columns. Many guesthouses and food tours in Garni village offer a lavash-baking session with a local family (~£10-15). Return to Yerevan by late afternoon.
🚌Shared taxi or small-group transfer ~£8-10pp
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel in central Yerevan
- →Geghard Monastery
- →Garni Temple
- →Symphony of Stones
- →Lavash baking with a local family
Khor Virap, Areni wine & Noravank
Yerevan to Goris, Armenia
Join a small-group tour or negotiate a shared taxi to Khor Virap, with its famous Ararat backdrop, then head into Vayots Dzor. Visit Areni-1 Cave (one of the world's oldest wineries, ~6,100 years old) and taste at a family-run winery in Areni village (~£5-8). Continue to the red-cliff-set Noravank monastery. From here, take an evening marshrutka or shared taxi onward to Goris (long day, so consider breaking the journey with an overnight in Yeghegnadzor if needed).
🚌Shared taxi/minibus day ~£15-20pp plus Yerevan-Goris marshrutka ~£6
🛏Guesthouse in Goris (~£15-18/night)
- →Khor Virap Monastery
- →Areni-1 Cave
- →Areni wine tasting
- →Noravank Monastery
Khndzoresk caves & Wings of Tatev
Goris & Tatev, Armenia
Start early with a short hike in Khndzoresk village, crossing the long swinging bridge over the gorge to the former cave settlement. Then take a shared taxi (35 min) to Halidzor for the Wings of Tatev cable car (~£6 one-way) soaring above the Vorotan Gorge to the 9th-century Tatev Monastery. In the afternoon back in Goris, join a zhingyalov hats cooking session with a local family (~£10) or visit the carpet-weaving workshop in nearby Verishen (~£5).
🚌Shared taxi Goris-Halidzor & cable car ~£12
🛏Guesthouse in Goris
- →Khndzoresk cave village & swing bridge
- →Wings of Tatev cable car
- →Tatev Monastery
- →Zhingyalov hats cooking or carpet weaving
Karahunj, Selim Pass & Lake Sevan
Goris to Dilijan/Gosh, Armenia
Travel north by shared taxi or marshrutka. Stop at Karahunj, the 7,500-year-old 'Armenian Stonehenge', then cross the Selim Pass to the Selim Caravanserai, a Silk Road relic. Visit Noratus Cemetery with its khachkar collection and join a local family to make gata pastry (~£8). Finish at Sevanavank Monastery on Lake Sevan with sweeping high-altitude views, then continue to Dilijan. Walk the Old Town before bedding down in Gosh village.
🚌Shared taxi/marshrutka north ~£12-15pp
🛏Guesthouse in Dilijan/Gosh (~£15-20/night)
- →Karahunj stone site
- →Selim Caravanserai
- →Noratus khachkars
- →Gata pastry making
- →Sevanavank Monastery
- →Dilijan Old Town
Khachkar carving, Haghpat & cross to Georgia
Vanadzor & Haghpat to Tbilisi
Head to Vanadzor for a khachkar stone-carving workshop (~£15, book locally via guesthouses). Continue to UNESCO-listed Haghpat Monastery above the Debed Gorge. Try a khorovats (kebab) masterclass for lunch, then cross the Sadakhlo border into Georgia — take a shared taxi to the border and a marshrutka or shared taxi onward to Tbilisi (~£8-12 total). In the evening, Tbilisi's Old Town has plenty of traditional restaurants with live folk music.
🚌Shared taxi + border transfer + marshrutka to Tbilisi ~£12
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Old Tbilisi (~£15-20/night)
- →Khachkar carving lesson
- →Haghpat Monastery
- →Khorovats lunch
- →Border crossing to Georgia
- →Tbilisi folk dinner
Tbilisi Old Town on foot
Tbilisi, Georgia
Explore the atmospheric Old Town independently: the sulphur baths district (Abanotubani), Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica and the Metekhi area, with Narikala Fortress looming above — reach it on foot or by the cheap cable car (~£1). Stroll Rustaveli Avenue and the National Museum of Georgia. In the afternoon, treat yourself to a traditional sulphur bath (~£15-25 for a private room) — a signature Tbilisi experience best booked directly.
🚌Metro & walking ~£2
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Old Tbilisi
- →Abanotubani sulphur baths district
- →Narikala Fortress & cable car
- →Sioni Cathedral & Anchiskhati
- →Rustaveli Avenue
- →National Museum
- →Sulphur bath
Gori, Uplistsikhe & Borjomi
Tbilisi to Akhaltsikhe, Georgia
Take a marshrutka from Tbilisi to Gori (~£2, 1.5 hrs) and visit the Stalin Museum. Continue by local bus/shared taxi to Uplistsikhe, the ancient rock-hewn town above the Mtkvari River (~£3). Then head to Borjomi, the spa town known for its mineral water, and walk Borjomi Central Park. Finish with a shared taxi or bus to Akhaltsikhe (~£4) for the night.
🚌Marshrutka & shared taxis ~£10-12 total
🛏Guesthouse in Akhaltsikhe (~£18-22/night)
- →Stalin Museum, Gori
- →Uplistsikhe rock town
- →Borjomi Central Park & mineral springs
Rabati Castle & Vardzia cave town
Akhaltsikhe & Vardzia, Georgia
Explore Rabati Castle, where church, mosque, minaret and synagogue reflect the region's multicultural past (~£4 entry). Then take a shared taxi (1hr 20min, ~£8pp return split) toward Vardzia, passing 10th-century Khertvisi Castle. Vardzia was a vast medieval cave town and monastery linked to Queen Tamar — wander its passageways and see the preserved frescoes (~£5 entry). Return to Akhaltsikhe.
🚌Shared taxi return to Vardzia ~£8-10pp
🛏Guesthouse in Akhaltsikhe
- →Rabati Castle
- →Khertvisi Castle viewpoint
- →Vardzia cave monastery
Georgian Military Highway to Gudauri
Akhaltsikhe to Gudauri, Georgia
Return to Tbilisi by bus/marshrutka (~£6), then head north along the Georgian Military Highway. Stop at Ananuri fortress complex above the Zhinvali reservoir (easy to reach by marshrutka from Tbilisi, ~£1.50). Continue on to Gudauri, a mountain resort surrounded by high peaks, for two nights — plenty of budget guesthouses and ski-lodge-style stays offer cheap summer rates (~£20-25/night with breakfast).
🚌Marshrutka/bus to Tbilisi then shared taxi to Gudauri ~£10-12
🛏Guesthouse in Gudauri (~£20-25/night)
- →Ananuri Fortress
- →Zhinvali Reservoir
- →Georgian Military Highway scenery
Mount Kazbek & Gergeti Trinity Church
Gudauri & Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
Continue north through dramatic mountain scenery to Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) and Dariali Gorge. Marvel at snow-capped Mount Kazbek (5,047m). Reach Gergeti Trinity Church either on foot (a steep 1.5-hour hike from town) or by local 4x4 taxi (~£8-10 return). Return to Gudauri in the evening. Note the Russia border crossing at Verkhny Lars is nearby, but stick to the Georgia side.
🚌Shared taxi to Kazbegi & 4x4 to Gergeti ~£12-15
🛏Guesthouse in Gudauri
- →Dariali Gorge
- →Mount Kazbek views
- →Gergeti Trinity Church (hike or 4x4)
- →Stepantsminda village
Mtskheta & back to Tbilisi
Mtskheta to Tbilisi, Georgia
Descend from the mountains to Mtskheta, ancient capital of eastern Georgia. Visit Jvari Church, perched on a cliff overlooking the city, and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral — both central to Georgia's Christian heritage (marshrutka from Tbilisi ~£1). Continue to Tbilisi (~30 min), with the afternoon free for a final wander through the old streets, a last sulphur bath or some souvenir shopping.
🚌Marshrutka Gudauri-Tbilisi then Mtskheta ~£8
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Old Tbilisi
- →Jvari Church
- →Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
- →Mtskheta old town
- →Free time in Tbilisi
Depart Tbilisi
Tbilisi, Georgia
Your self-launched Caucasus adventure ends in Tbilisi. Take the airport bus or a Yandex Go taxi to the airport (~£3-5). If your flight is late, squeeze in a final breakfast at a Tbilisi café or a quick wander through the Old Town before heading out.
🚌Airport bus/taxi ~£4
🛏None (departure day)
- →Airport transfer
- →Optional final Old Town wander
Self-launched vs. Exodus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£660 | £3,250 |
| Duration | 14 days | 14 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,590 per person (80%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus-style trips? Check them out here.~£660
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Highlights of Armenia & Georgia cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £660 per person for 14 days in Armenia & Georgia. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus?+
Yes — Exodus charges around £3,250 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £660 — a saving of roughly £2,590 (80%) per person.
How long is the Armenia & Georgia trip?+
This itinerary runs 14 days, covering 14 day-by-day stops through Armenia & Georgia.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, adventure, hiking trip through Armenia & Georgia, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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