My unforgettable journey through Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan with Arara

The Caucasus sits quietly between Europe and Asia, tucked between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. For such a small region, it encompasses an extraordinary mix of cultures, languages, and landscapes. I’d wanted to see what it was really like to stand among the mountains and monasteries that most travellers still scroll past on their way to Europe. When I discovered the Classical Tour to Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan with Arara, it seemed like the perfect way to do it. A guided, small-group trip through three countries I knew little about, with all the transport, hotels and logistics handled.

If you’re short on time but want a deep dive into the heart of the Caucasus, THIS is the trip. For those who want to go further, Arara also offers the Silk Road Tour, which extends the journey into five Central Asian countries.

Planning your trip?
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Hotels, I use Agoda
Insurance: Cover-More
Rentals: Discover Cars
RVs: Motorhome Republic
Transfers: Welcome Pickups
Travel eSIM: Saily

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Why choose a Caucasus tour

Independent travel in this part of the world can be tricky. Borders, language barriers and long drives through remote valleys can test even seasoned travellers. That’s what makes a guided tour here so valuable. Everything is handled for you including transport, border crossings, comfortable hotels and knowledgeable guides who can translate both the language and the culture.

Arara run their trips from May to October when the weather is at its best. The 13-day itinerary crosses three borders, includes all major sights and still leaves time to wander alone in the early mornings and evenings. Every hotel came with breakfast, Wi-Fi and hot showers. For the price—around AUD 3,500 / USD 2,300 / SGD 3,000 / GBP 1,800—it’s excellent value for what’s covered.

Days 1–3: Discovering Baku and the Caspian coast

Flying into Baku with Qatar Airways set the tone. Excellent food, great service and a spare seat beside me was rare economy luxury. Doha International Airport felt like Singapore’s Changi on steroids, sleek and new. A quick word of advice: gates can be far apart, so take advantage of the free internal train system unless you enjoy getting long walks between gates.

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is the definition of a surprise city. Modern, clean and buzzing with energy, yet grounded in deep history. After a long trip from Brisbane, I checked into the three-star Port Rivoli Hotel that felt more like four, ate room service and caught up on the replay of the NRL Grand Final. Bliss.

The next morning we met our guide, Afgan, and headed out toward Gobustan National Park. Standing among the mud volcanoes and ancient petroglyphs felt like being on another planet. By afternoon, I’d realised October is the perfect month to visit—warm days without the furnace heat of summer.

Back in the city, the blend of futuristic architecture and old-world charm made every walk an adventure. Baku reminded me of Paris, but much cleaner and safer. The Heydar Aliyev Centre, designed by Zaha Hadid, is reason enough to visit Baku. The Carpet Museum was less my thing, so I peeled off and wandered the boulevards, chatting to locals. Later that night, I joined a local running club along the waterfront, lit by the glow of the increible Flame Towers. It was one of those unexpected travel moments that remind you the world is full of friends you’ve yet to meet.

Day 4: Through Shamakhi and Gabala to Sheki

Leaving Baku, the landscape turns quickly from futuristic skyline to desert plains. It’s here I started noticing the Ladas—old, new, polished, rusted, police versions, racing versions. They’re icons on wheels. The drive wound through Shamakhi and Gabala to the mountain town of Sheki, one of Azerbaijan’s oldest settlements.

We stopped for local food by a lake and visited workshops where artisans still make Shebeke stained-glass windows and the sweet, nut-filled pakhlava the town is known for. It was also the day I realised that my carefully maintained body-building meal plan didn’t stand a chance. Too much good food. Too many carbs. No regrets.

By evening, I’d checked into the Macara Sheki City Hotel, far nicer than the “three-star” rating suggested. That night, walking the quiet streets under the mountain air, I started to feel the anonymity I love about travel—the sense that you can be anyone, anywhere.

Days 5–8: Georgia’s vineyards and mountains

Crossing the Azerbaijan–Georgia border on foot was a slow but fascinating experience. I said goodbye to Afgan, our guide, and hello to Nini, whose humour and warmth matched the Georgian hospitality everyone talks about. The first stop, Sighnaghi, is called the “City of Love.” Cobblestone streets, terracotta rooftops and vineyard views stretch in every direction. We tried local wines, and by lunchtime, we were laughing like old friends on the punching machine in the town square.

Tbilisi, the Georgian capital, has a gritty charm that contrasts perfectly with polished Baku. The Old Town spills down hillsides of pastel houses and winding laneways. Highlights include the Bridge of Peace, the cable car up to Narikala Fortress and the sulphur baths that have soothed travellers for centuries. I broke away from the group for lunch at a quiet restaurant overlooking the city—a perfect moment of solitude and reflection, with wine ice cream for dessert.

North of Tbilisi, the drive into the Caucasus Mountains is breathtaking. The Ananuri Fortress sits above the turquoise Zhinvali Reservoir, while Gudauri and Stepantsminda deliver the alpine drama. The 4WD climb to Gergeti Trinity Church, perched 2,170 metres high beneath Mount Kazbek, is unforgettable. I could have stayed longer, staring at those endless peaks.

Later that day, we reached the Dariali Gorge near the Russian border. The sheer cliffs and roaring river made me feel very small in the best way possible.

Georgia is wine country through and through. In Kakheti, we visited the Tsinandali Estate and Khareba Winery for tastings and a bread-baking class. There’s something special about pulling warm bread from a clay oven after sipping your third glass of Saperavi. The Georgian diet is not built for restraint, and that’s fine by me.

Days 9–13: Crossing into Armenia

Light rain welcomed us at the Georgian–Armenian border, but it only made the mountains moodier and more beautiful. The road wound past deep valleys and ancient monasteries until we reached Lake Sevan, one of the world’s highest freshwater lakes.

Yerevan, the Armenian capital, won me over immediately. The city is clean, safe and full of life, and the view of Mount Ararat at sunset from the Cascade was jaw-dropping. The breakfast view from the top floor of the Felinger Hotel was no less spectacular. The buffet breakfast also surprised with endless supplies of hot dishes, apricots dipped in chocolate, stringy cheese, nuts, seeds and coffee.

The Yerevan city tour covered the Cascade, Opera House, Republic Square and the sobering Armenian Genocide Memorial. It’s an essential visit; confronting but deeply moving. That night I joined a local running group, weaving through the streets with headlamps. Cars yield to pedestrians here, and strangers cheer you on. It’s one of the friendliest cities I’ve run in.

Beyond Yerevan, Armenia is pure scenery. The Khor Virap Monastery sits across from Mount Ararat, an image so perfect it barely seems real. Noravank, hidden in red cliffs, feels like stepping into a medieval painting. Geghard Monastery, carved directly into rock, and Garni Temple, a slice of ancient Greece overlooking a deep canyon, both stopped me in my tracks. Every turn revealed something older, grander and more spiritual than the last.

By the final day, I didn’t want to leave. Armenia had stolen my heart—the food, the people, the sense of peace. The tour wrapped up back in Yerevan, where I spent my last evening eating with the tour group before walking back to the hotel through the lit-up streets, feeling lucky to have seen this part of the world before it inevitably becomes everyone’s next destination.

Accommodation and food highlights

Every hotel on the route surprised me… all were clean, comfortable, had reliable Wi-Fi and friendly staff who went out of their way to help. If you’re expecting “budget” standards, think again.

Food across the Caucasus is a dream for anyone who loves to eat. Armenian and Georgian dishes steal the show: khachapuri (cheese-filled bread), khinkali (soup dumplings), barbecued meats, salads, and apricots that taste like sunshine. Azerbaijani food is simpler but still hearty and good value. Vegetarians will manage easily; fresh produce is everywhere.

Wine lovers will be spoiled… Georgia claims the world’s oldest wine culture. And yes, wine ice cream is real, and you should try it.

What to pack and what to wear

May to October brings warm days and cool nights, but conditions shift quickly with altitude. Pack light layers—T-shirts, a jumper, a light jacket and a waterproof shell for the mountains. Jeans work fine for most days, but hiking pants are better for long drives and monastery visits. Women should carry a scarf to cover shoulders or hair inside churches. Comfortable shoes are essential; many sites involve steps and cobblestones. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for open landscapes. If travelling early or late in the season, add a warm jacket for the higher regions.

Cultural tips and practical advice

• Gestures: Use your whole hand, not a finger, to point.
• Dress: Modest attire is expected inside churches and monasteries.
• Connectivity: Local SIMs are inexpensive, but eSIMs work really well and are more convenient.
• Transport: Taxis are cheap. In Armenia, Yandex Go is the main rideshare app.
• Money: Cash is still common. ATMs are widespread, and I paid for most meals with a card.
• Safety: The region ranks among the world’s top 50 safest. Locals are direct but friendly.
• Travel insurance is mandatory for peace of mind.

Who this tour is for

This trip suits travellers who want the comfort of a planned itinerary with the freedom to explore independently in the evenings. It’s ideal for solo travellers, couples or anyone who enjoys history, scenery and good food without handling logistics. You’ll cover a huge amount of ground but still have time for spontaneous experiences—like that run club in Baku or a late-night coffee in Yerevan. Arara runs both small-group and private versions of this itinerary, with the same level of support and attention to detail.

Traveling through the Caucasus on this tour reminded me why I started exploring in the first place. Every border crossing revealed a new rhythm of life, from Baku’s modern skyline to Tbilisi’s mountain air and Yerevan’s warmth. The landscapes are raw, the people proud, the food unforgettable.

If you’ve ever wanted a trip that feels adventurous yet seamless, this is it. Three countries, one unforgettable journey, set among some of the most incredible landscapes in a region still flying under the radar.

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