Final Up to date on September 18, 2023 by Nellie Huang
Planning a visit to the Caucasus? It is a detailed Caucasus journey information together with one of the best locations to see in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Lodged between Asia and Europe, the Caucasus is really within the confluence of East and West. It stands on the crossroads of the 2 continents and thus is a compelling mix of European and Asian cultures and heritage, packed filled with gorgeous, pure landscapes that may rival that of neighboring Central Asia (the Stans). After spending a number of weeks touring the area, I’ve compiled an in depth Caucasus journey information that will help you plan your individual journey there.
This area is comparatively secure, low-cost and straightforward to succeed in (from each Europe and Asia), and but, it’s nonetheless just about off the overwhelmed path. Once I talked about to my buddies that I used to be going to Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, most individuals didn’t know the place these international locations are; some have by no means even heard of them. Granted, the Caucasus has been suffering from battle for the reason that collapse of the Soviet Union (in 1991), however for many components, they’re secure to journey to and might provide rewarding experiences to curious vacationers.
Caucasus Journey Information
The Caucasus is made up of six international locations: Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran and Russia. On this information, I’ll be overlaying solely three of them — Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan — based mostly on my latest journey there.
Every nation has its personal draw and I extremely suggest you go to the area earlier than it will get found by mass tourism. I visited in the course of the off-season, so your complete area was just about void of vacationers (museums/sights have been empty and no lengthy traces at border crossings). Even throughout peak season, this area doesn’t get fairly as many vacationers as Europe does. For individuals who like touring off the overwhelmed path (like myself), the Caucasus is certainly a worthwhile place to journey and discover.
1. Issues to Do in Georgia
Most individuals who’ve traveled the Caucasus like Georgia greatest, out of the three, and I can see why. On the whole, Georgia is extra historic and numerous. It has retained its historic heritage slightly properly, and the nation has a bigger number of landscapes. There are such a lot of issues to do in Tbilisi, and much more past the capital metropolis.
Even in case you’re quick on time, you possibly can simply pack in mountain hikes in your Georgia itinerary. As a mountainous nation, it’s bought the pristine and rugged slopes that many out of doors lovers search. I completely liked Kazbegi Nationwide Park within the north. The Nice Caucasus Mountain Vary are extraordinarily dramatic there. The drive by means of the winding valleys and steep slopes is simply gorgeous and the backcountry simply makes me wish to keep and discover extra.
Georgia additionally has a bounty of fascinating structure and Orthodox church buildings for tradition buffs, and wonderful meals and wineries for many who like to indulge (it’s stated to have invented wine). Of all of the church buildings and monasteries we visited, my favourite has bought to be the 14th century Ananuri Fortress. It overlooks the Aragvi River and backed by the Nice Caucasus Mountain Vary.
2. Issues to Do in Armenia
Armenia isn’t normally an prompt hit with vacationers. However unusually, I appreciated Armenia immediately and it’s my favourite nation of the three. Maybe due to my propensity for unconventional locations or my curiosity for locations with a tragic previous. Regardless, Armenia received my coronary heart regardless of the quick period of time we spent there.
Compared to its Caucasus neighbors, Armenia is really distinctive in its tradition and historical past. The nation has bought its personal alphabets and language household, personal ethnicity, and cultural identification. At instances it appears like Asia and at instances it’s very a lot European. The charming mix of East and West could be very evident right here, on this intriguing nation.
For me, the primary draw of Armenia is its historical past — over 1.5 million Armenians have been killed or displaced by the Turks in the course of the genocide (dubbed the primary genocide in historical past). Talking to younger Armenians I met, evidently they’ve put the previous behind them and moved forward. You possibly can see this forward-thinking attribute in Yerevan, the capital metropolis, because it’s very trendy and vibrant.
3. Issues to Do in Azerbaijan
Probably the most completely different of the three is Azerbaijan, which is extraordinarily trendy and has a well-developed tourism infrastructure (you’ll see English indicators all over the place pointing to vacationer points of interest). In contrast to in Georgia and Armenia, most individuals in Azerbaijan are Muslims, which explains the distinction when it comes to structure and traditions. Its language and roots are nearer to that of Turkey’s, so there are undoubtedly some similarities between Azerbaijan and Turkey.
Due to its oil-generated wealth, the capital metropolis Baku could be very developed, and has an odd mixture of outdated and new. The one a part of the town I actually appreciated was the outdated city of Baku is surprisingly well-preserved – but in addition artificially restored in some components – and jogs my memory of historical cities like Khiva in Uzbekistan and Urgup in Turkey with sandstone buildings and cobblestoned streets. If I had come right here throughout my Silk Street journey, I’d have welcomed the primary world comforts right here after roughing it in harsher components of Central Asia.
Caucasus Journey Information – Highlights of the Caucasus
- Kazbegi — My absolute favourite second of this Caucasus journey was going as much as the Gergeti Church, constructed 2,200m above sea degree atop a peak within the Kazbegi Mountains. To stand up right here, we employed a jeep that took half-hour to climb up the slender, muddy trails (in any other case it takes three hours on foot to hike up). The view from the Gergeti Church right down to the city of Kazbeg (domestically referred to as Stepantsminda) is simply spectacular.
- Ananuri Fortress — One of the crucial scenic buildings in Georgia is the Ananuri Fortress, a fort complicated on the Aragvi River simply 45 miles (72 kilometres) from Tbilisi. We arrived on a depressing morning, with the clouds hanging low. The water was so nonetheless and calm and the fortress stood regal and imposing over it — it felt like a fairy story setting.
- Mtskheta — One of many oldest cities of Georgia, Mtskheta is the traditional capital of the nation and is positioned roughly 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of Tbilisi on the confluence of the Aragvi river. Because the birthplace and one of the vibrant facilities of Christianity in Georgia, Mtskheta was declared because the “Holy Metropolis” by the Georgian Orthodox Church.
- Tbilisi — Tbilisi Previous City is a labyrinth of slender streets the place picket balconies look down from outdated brick-build houses. Doorways result in hidden courtyards and historical vines climb to the skies utilizing something vertical for help. Components of it have been comprehensively renovated, arguably a little bit too enthusiastically. Listed here are some advisable issues to do in Tbilisi.
- Lake Sevan — Located at 1,900m above sea degree, that is the most important high-altitude lake in Armenia and the Caucasus area. It covers nearly 5,000 sq. kilometres in space — an space so huge that makes it look extra like a sea than lake. It’s additionally dwelling to one of the well-known points of interest in Armenia: the Sevanavank, a monastic complicated based in 874.
- Debed Canyon — Situated in northern Armenia’s well-known Lori area, Debed Canyon is dotted with outdated world villages, obscure Soviet-era buildings, and two World Heritage–listed monasteries, Haghpat and Sanahin, in addition to gorgeous mountain landscapes.
- Yerevan — It comes as a shock to many (together with myself) that the Armenian capital metropolis of Yerevan is definitely very trendy and vibrant. Few traces of the town’s historical previous stay, with a lot of the town constructed from scratch in the course of the Soviet period. Fortuitously, there’s a community of gardens and parks all around the metropolis.
Security and Ease of Journey within the Caucasus
Journey within the Caucasus is usually very simple, as all three international locations are comparatively developed and have good tourism infrastructure. Armenia journey is barely tougher as roads and public transport aren’t as nice as within the neighbouring international locations. Most individuals within the Caucasus solely converse their native language and Russian, with little or no English spoken. However so long as you decide up a number of native phrases and use physique language, you shouldn’t face an excessive amount of issues speaking with locals right here.
Security clever, there’s nothing to fret about. I felt completely secure my complete time within the three international locations. I used to be touring with my greatest pal (feminine) in Georgia and Armenia, and solo in Azerbaijan. There was no subject in any respect whether or not I used to be alone or with my pal. The conflicted areas are primarily alongside the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan, however so long as you keep away from the world, you can be fantastic. You’ll not really feel any rigidity within the cities, small cities or vacationer sights in any respect.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Armenia and Azerbaijan are nonetheless presently at warfare. The 2 international locations have been combating for political authority of the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh for years. Nagorno Karabakh is inhabited by largely ethnic Armenians but it surely was given to Azerbaijan by the Russians in the course of the Soviet period. For the reason that ceasefire in 1994, it’s thought of a de facto unbiased state. As we speak, journey just isn’t allowed between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan. When you’ve got the passport stamp for Nagorno Karabakh, you’ll not be allowed entry into Azerbaijan.
The way to Get to the Caucasus
Most individuals touring the Caucasus will fly into Tbilisi, the capital metropolis of Georgia first. It’s simple to seek out low-cost flights to Tbilisi from many main cities in Europe. My flight from Madrid to Tbilisi on Pegasus Airline was solely 150 euros return. I met an Austrian man who paid 70 euros for his return flights on Wizz Air. Examine for airfares to Tbilisi right here.
From Georgia to Armenia
It’s simple to journey overland from Georgia into Armenia both by prepare, automotive or non-public tour. I traveled on a day journey from Tbilisi to Yerevan with Envoy Excursions and extremely suggest it. It’s a straightforward option to cross from one nation to the opposite and expertise northern Armenia on the similar time. It price round 155 GEL = US$60, but it surely’s a full-day journey that goes from 9 am to 8pm and features a barbecue lunch in addition to the immigration. A preferred option to do the identical route is by taking the night time prepare that’s fairly priced however onerous to guide on-line. You’ll must guide it prematurely on the prepare station itself.
In the event you intend to journey independently by public bus, your greatest guess is to make use of the Sadakhlo-Bagratashen border crossing, which is simply an hour’s drive from Tbilisi. Primarily based on analysis, it’s comparatively simple to get a mini-bus from Tbilisi to Ortachala Bus Station after which taxi to the border.The border crossing could be very trendy, clear and arranged. It took our group of round 15 individuals to cross from one nation to a different in lower than an hour.
From Armenia to Azerbaijan
To go from Armenia to Azerbaijan or the opposite means spherical, you’ll want to return to Georgia (as defined earlier, they’re at warfare.) Some individuals say that it’s higher to go to Azerbaijan earlier than Armenia (slightly than after), as customized officers on the Azerbaijan borders can refuse you entry in the event that they see an Armenian passport stamp.
I didn’t have an issue going to Azerbaijan after Armenia regardless of having a stamp, and there have been no questions requested in any respect. Understand that I flew into Baku, and typically airport arrivals will be simpler than overland border crossings. In the event you go to Nagorno Karabakh, you’ll undoubtedly be refused entry into Azerbaijan. A return ticket from Tbilisi to Baku is round US$100.
Visa Necessities for the Caucasus
Most nationalities can enter Georgia and not using a visa, together with travellers from United States, Canada, Australia and members of the European Union. Those that want a visa can simply apply for an e-visa on-line.
To enter Armenia, vacationers from the USA, European Union members, and the Schengen Acquis states don’t want a visa. In the event you want a visa (like I do), you possibly can simply get it on-line on the Armenia’s Ministry of Overseas Affairs web site. It’s low-cost (solely US$6) and can also be processed in a short time; you’ll normally get it inside 24 hours of software.
Touring to Azerbaijan might be probably the most troublesome for many of us. Some nationalities can get a visa on arrival, together with residents of China, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea and Singapore. Most nationalities have to get their visas prematurely. For individuals who can get it on arrival, observe that the costs differ for every nationality (my visa price US$20) and also you’ll have to pay in money (USD or Azerbaijan Manat). There’s an ATM on the airport the place you possibly can withdraw each USD and Manat.
The way to Get Across the Caucasus
In all three international locations, public transport is inexpensive and easy to navigate. Inside the capital cities, you possibly can simply hop on a mashrutka (Russian van) — they’re all over the place. In Tbilisi, bus stops even have digital boards that point out what time the subsequent bus will come. You possibly can normally pay with cash within the public bus or metro system, besides in Baku the place you’ll have to get a transit card from one of many subway stations.
To journey round every nation, it’s potential to go by yourself to most areas on public transport. It’s simple in Georgia and Azerbaijan, whereas barely trickier in Armenia as a lot of the rural areas aren’t serviced by public transport. We took fairly a number of day journeys as that was the simplest option to discover extra inside a restricted time-frame, they usually have been all very inexpensive. As an illustration, our day journey to Lake Sevan from Yerevan was simply 24 euros and it lasted six hours.
It’s additionally simple to journey from one nation to a different, as talked about earlier. We used a shared taxi service to get again from Yerevan to Tbilisi, as a substitute of the night time prepare, because it was a lot sooner and versatile (solely six hours and price round US$15 every), and flew from Tbilsi to Baku, which took an hour as a substitute of 18 hours on the prepare (and price round US$120 return).
Beneficial Day Excursions:
The place to Keep within the Caucasus
There’s a big selection of lodging obtainable in all the three international locations for various kinds of finances. You possibly can simply discover low-cost lodging (ranging from US$15 per particular person) which are of fairly excessive requirements. We based mostly ourselves largely within the capital cities and explored the environment from there. You’ll normally discover extra selection and higher costs in lodging within the capitals.
The place to Keep in Georgia
Motels in Tbilisi are low-cost and plentiful — anticipate to pay round US$25 to $50 for a personal double room in a finances resort. You could find nice offers in case you don’t thoughts staying exterior of the Previous City of Tbilisi. The perfect place to seek out good inexpensive lodging is the Avlabari district, which might really feel like a residential space, however is definitely only a 10-minute stroll to the Previous City.
7 Rooms Lodge — We stayed on the 7 Rooms Lodge ($25/night time for a room) — one of many least expensive motels with one of the best opinions on Reserving.com. It’s positioned within the Avlabari district, which might really feel like a residential space, however is definitely only a 10-minute stroll to the Previous City. We actually loved staying there because it was low-cost however nonetheless actually comfy and properly positioned. E book right here.
Lodge Rasta — In the event you’d slightly keep in Previous City Tbilisi, I like to recommend Lodge Rasta, which isn’t too costly (at $75/night time for a room) and it’s simply 850m from Liberty Sq., the center of the town. It’s additionally very trendy and cozy, nice for these in search of a bit extra luxurious. You received’t want to make use of any taxi to get across the points of interest due to its superior location. Discover the most recent costs right here.
Rooms Lodge Tbilisi — For these trying to splurge, one of the best place to remain in Tbilisi (for my part) is Rooms Lodge Tbilisi ($150/night time for a room). The boutique resort is stylish and hip, however has an old-world allure about it, due to classic decor and brown suede sofas. It’s a 5-minute stroll from Rustaveli metro station and you may simply discover the town by metro from right here. I believe it’s probably the most trendy and funky resort within the metropolis. Discover one of the best costs.
The place to Keep in Armenia
On the whole, Armenia is the most cost effective nation of the three. You possibly can simply discover resort rooms for US$20 to $40 an evening in Yerevan’s metropolis centre.
Elysium Gallery Lodge – We stayed at Elysium Gallery Lodge ($40/night time for 2), a finances resort that could be very centrally positioned however its rooms are on the small finish. Though it was a bit tight for us, we appreciated the way it was within the coronary heart of the town and we might simply stroll to the eating places and bars close by. E book right here.
Park Residences on Mashtots Avenue – It’s very spacious and has an important location, simply 300m from the Armenian Opera Home. You possibly can stroll to the Cascades from there and there are many eating places and cafes within the space. Discover out extra right here.
Paris Lodge Yerevan – For prime-end choices, I’d go for Paris Lodge Yerevan, a four-star resort with unbelievable costs contemplating the standard of lodging and its location simply 100m from the Republic Sq.. Examine the most recent costs right here.
The place to Keep in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is costlier than the opposite two international locations, so anticipate to finances extra on your lodging right here. As I used to be touring solo right here, I opted for the most cost effective hostel in Baku which turned out to be an important place to remain.
Baku Previous Metropolis Hostel – A non-public double room (with shared lavatory) within the solely prices $21/night time. It’s positioned proper contained in the partitions of the outdated city, inside the labyrinth of stone-walled outdated homes. E book right here.
Previous East Lodge – Additionally within the Previous City Baku, this guesthouse (round $38/night time for a room) is without doubt one of the prime picks in Baku on reserving.com. It’s bought a cool old-world allure, fairly easy however classic rooms and a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views. I had dinner at its rooftop restaurant and liked the view and environment there. I undoubtedly suggest staying right here in case you’re a flashpacker and in search of one thing comfy and never too costly. Examine for one of the best costs right here.
Shah Palace Lodge – To expertise residing like an Azeri royalty, the Shah Palace Lodge (round $80/night time for a room) has the opulence of an historical Arabian palace. It’s a beautiful heritage resort designed for royalty – in all probability one of the best resort within the outdated city. In the event you like sleeping on a gold-crusted mattress, then this resort will probably be good for you. Examine for the most recent costs right here.
What to Eat within the Caucasus
Georgian meals is a essential draw of the nation, with the melting concoction of japanese and oriental heritage leading to very robust and distinctive flavors. It’s typically thought of to be the world’s authentic fusion delicacies, with culinary influences from the Mongols, Ottomans and Persians. Considered Georgia’s unofficial nationwide dish, khachapuri (recent baked bread with cheese) is a neighborhood favorite, discovered all over the place from road facet stalls to conventional taverns. Every area of Georgia has its personal model of the khachapuri, however the preferred one is the khachapuri acharuli (topped with an egg) from the nation’s west.
One other conventional Georgian staple is the khinkali, massive steamed dumplings crammed with meat, cheese or greens which are much like the Chinese language dumplings. Rustic khinkali eateries are discovered all through Tbilisi – however our favorite is Pasanauri off bustling Rustaveli Avenue, a easy place the place locals come for consolation meals and slush all of them down with vodka. Take a look at this information on the place to eat in Tbilisi.
Armenian meals can also be simply as excellent, but it surely has nearer ties with Turkish and Persian delicacies. You’ll in all probability discover some Armenian staples fairly acquainted as they’re generally discovered within the neighboring international locations — they embody dolma (stuffed vine leaves), lamb kebab (meat skewers), beef kofta (meatballs) and pilaf rice. In Yerevan, you possibly can simply discover a vary of quick meals eating places or taverns that serve up lahmacun (Armenian pizza) or kebab meat. The perfect meal we had was on the well-known restaurant chain Tavern Yerevan, that has a number of branches across the metropolis.
In distinction, Azerbaijan doesn’t have a particular culinary tradition as in comparison with the opposite two international locations. Azerbaijani delicacies is much like that of Armenia, with conventional dishes like pilaf with aromatic saffron, juicy kebab and dolma. One other common dish right here is the kutab, a palm-sized, skinny patty full of meat filling.
There aren’t as many conventional eating places round. You’ll discover extra kebab and shawarma outlets in addition to international cafe and restaurant chains in Baku. In the event you’ve been touring within the area for a number of months and craving some meals from dwelling, you’ll discover it in Baku.
Price of Journey within the Caucasus
The entire area is affordable to journey in, particularly when in comparison with Russia or continental Europe. Of the three, Armenia is the most cost effective. Costs for a meal are round US$5, and a three-star resort room within the metropolis centre for US$20. Georgia continues to be low-cost, with taxi fares wherever within the metropolis for simply US$3 and meals for US$7.
Azerbaijan is the most costly, however nonetheless cheaper than most European cities. Lodging is affordable however all the pieces else is fairly expensive. There aren’t as many tour operators that provide day excursions. I signed up for a day tour with Baku Previous Metropolis Hostel and since solely two of us signed up, the day journey turned out slightly costly, at US$30 per particular person.
For your complete two-week journey within the Caucasus, I spent round US$1050 for all my meals, transport, day journeys, lodging and bills. That’s actually good, contemplating I wasn’t on a very tight finances and didn’t watch my spending that fastidiously.
Planning a visit to the Caucasus? I hope this Caucasus journey information will assist you to plan your journey. Let me know you probably have any questions under!
