Discover the rich flavours and centuries-old Caucasian classics of Yerevan, Tbilisi and beyond
Discover the punchy, herbaceous flavours of Armenia and Georgia on this food adventure. Sitting on the cusp of the Middle East and Eastern Europe, these two countries bring a knowledge, pride and tradition to their cuisine that stretches back centuries. Begin the journey in Yerevan, contrasting traditional Armenian barbecue, grilled trout and tolma with the many spicy aromas of the local market – and of course a drop or two of fine Armenian brandy. Continue the adventure in Georgia, where the charming facades of Tbilisi and the snow-dusted peaks of the Caucasus are the backdrop for culinary adventures, both hands-on and leisurely. Enjoy Adjarian-style khachapuri (cheese pie), hearty chaqafuli (beef or lamb in plum sauce), mtsvadi (meat skewers in marinated in spices and pomegranate), churchkhela (nutty Georgian candy), khinkali (Georgian dumplings) – all washed down with a delicious array of Georgia’s famous local wines.
Prepare your own tolma (vine-wrapped rice, herbs and lentils), feast on succulent khorovats (Armenian pork barbecue) and visit a distillery to taste legendary Armenian brandy at the source.
Stay overnight in a local guesthouse in Gudauri, sitting down to a traditional meal with the family who run it.
Familiarise yourself with the local life in Telavi and make 'mtsvadi' (grilled pork skewers) then indulge in 'churchkhela', a delicious Georgian sweet!
Discover the World Heritage-listed church and cathedral in Mtskheta, Georgia’s spiritual heart since Christianity was established in 301.
Finish your food adventure in Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital, awash with culture, colour and beautiful architecture. A bonus at the end of your city tour is a 'chaqafuli' (beef or lamb in a fresh plum sauce) feast.
This trip aims to give you an exciting, diverse and well-rounded experience of a country’s cuisine. While we endeavour to cater for specific dietary requirements, some meals and food activities are set in advance and may be difficult to adjust. In many countries, dietary restrictions are not common or well understood. If you have dietary requirements, please advise your agent at time of booking to receive information on how this may impact on your ability to take part in included activities and meals. Come with an open mind and open mouth, and you won’t be disappointed.
You will reach a significant altitude on this trip (2200 metres at the highest point), so a good level of fitness is required for the hiking in Gudauri. That said, alternative activities can often be arranged for those who would prefer not to hike.
Photography of sensitive sites such as military bases and power installations is prohibited. You may be charged a photo fee at some tourist sites. It’s important to be aware of cultural sensitivities when photographing churches and other religious sites.
As we don't want you to miss anything, the itinerary is densely packed, so you'll be busy squeezing in as many sights and activities as you can. Take the downtime when you can for relaxing or independent exploration.
On some days there’s a lot of walking between sites and around towns and cities. While it can be tiring to be on your feet, this is the best way to see a destination. Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes will be your best friend.
You will have two different leaders for this trip – one for Armenia and one for Georgia. They’ll change over at the border crossing on day 4.
There is a chance of potential changes to the itinerary due to heavy rain, flooding and snow at higher altitudes, which often affect roads and bridges, making travel difficult or impossible (particularly in remote areas).
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. While we endeavour to cater for specific dietary requirements, some meals and food activities are set in advance and may be difficult to adjust. Please advise us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking so that we can ensure you’ll enjoy this trip.
3. Due to current border crossing restrictions for different Caucasus nationalities, your Trip Leader will be from a neighbouring region. Your leader will have in-depth knowledge and extensive travel experience throughout the Caucasus. Local guides representing their own country are used throughout the itinerary to ensure you receive a diverse and uniquely local range of perspectives.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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