Caucasus

13 stops through Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan. Follow them in order, or choose a shorter stretch.

Tbilisi → Kutaisi → Batumi → Mestia → … (+9 stops)

Tbilisi · Kutaisi · Batumi · Mestia · Ushguli · Kazbegi · Yerevan · Dilijan · Goris · Gyumri · Baku · Sheki · Quba1. Tbilisi2. Kutaisi3. Batumi4. Mestia5. Ushguli6. Kazbegi7. Yerevan8. Dilijan9. Goris10. Gyumri11. Baku12. Sheki13. Quba
Dots follow the stops below. The dotted line shows travel order, not roads.

~ marks an estimate. Budgets are per day in US dollars. Check services and fares before setting out.

  1. A view of Tbilisi
    Plate 1514 · Tbilisi · 41.72°N 44.78°E · 575 mPhoto: Alexey Komarov · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Tbilisi

    Georgia · Daily budget ~$38

    Georgia’s capital stretches along the Mtkvari River, with warm springs, crooked Old Town houses, and a history of repeated rebuilding. Narrow lanes, baths, fortress views, and a strong food-and-wine culture make it an easy base for exploring the country.

    Tbilisi to Kutaisi

    Transport details are not recorded.

  2. Kutaisi

    Georgia · Daily budget ~$36

    A walkable western Georgian base for restored streets, major churches, and easy mountain day trips. Use it for Gelati and Bagrati, then add caves, canyons, spas, or a short hop along the Rioni.

    Kutaisi to Batumi

    Transport details are not recorded.

  3. Batumi

    Georgia · Daily budget ~$50

    A Black Sea resort with a subtropical waterfront, lively clubs, and a mix of modern and older architecture. Pair beach time with botanical gardens, religious buildings, markets, and Ajarian food.

    Batumi to Mestia

    Transport details are not recorded.

  4. Mestia

    Georgia · Daily budget ~$76

    A highland base for Svan defensive towers, glacier walks, and access to ski areas. Plan around mountain weather and use the town's guesthouses as a launch point for marked trails and longer valley outings.

    Mestia to Ushguli

    Transport details are not recorded.

  5. Ushguli

    Georgia · Daily budget ~$90

    This remote Upper Svaneti community gathers four villages beneath Shkhara and within a UNESCO World Heritage site. Medieval defensive towers, family guesthouses, and highland trails make the visit feel deeply local.

    Ushguli to Kazbegi

    Transport details are not recorded.

  6. Kazbegi

    Georgia · Daily budget ~$95

    A high mountain town for Gergeti Church, Mount Kazbeg views, and hikes into the glacier and Sno Valley. Expect steeper prices and changeable conditions, but the dramatic setting rewards a few unhurried days.

    Kazbegi to Yerevan

    Transport details are not recorded.

  7. Yerevan

    Armenia · Daily budget ~$49

    Armenia’s capital is known as the Pink City for its tufa stone architecture. Its distinctive stonework gives the center a strong visual identity for an architecture-focused city break.

    Yerevan to Dilijan

    Bus~1 h 30 min~$5.98

  8. Dilijan

    Armenia · Daily budget ~$49

    Forested valleys, fresh air, and a mild climate give this resort town its “Armenian Switzerland” nickname. It works well as a hiking base for exploring Tavush Marz and the Georgian borderlands.

    Dilijan to Goris

    Transport details are not recorded.

  9. Goris

    Armenia · Daily budget ~$40

    Unique stone pyramids of Old Kores and traditional architecture give this southern city a distinctive face. It is also a necessary transit point for reaching Kapan, Meghri, and onward travel toward Iran.

    Goris to Gyumri

    Transport details are not recorded.

  10. Gyumri

    Armenia · Daily budget ~$45

    This cultural hub is known for 19th-century Russian architecture in dark stone with pink-orange accents. Galleries, museums, a lively town square, and visible earthquake aftermath give it a slower, more local feel than Yerevan.

    Gyumri to Baku

    Transport details are not recorded.

  11. Baku

    Azerbaijan · Daily budget ~$42

    Azerbaijan’s capital pairs a UNESCO-listed walled Old Town with Turkish-Islamic, Western European, and Russian influences. Its low-lying, breezy setting and dense urban attractions make it a strong base for city exploration.

    Baku to Sheki

    Bus~5 h 30 min~$7.50

  12. Sheki

    Azerbaijan · Daily budget ~$33

    A small city in the forested Greater Caucasus foothills, Sheki combines Silk Road history with living Azerbaijani culture. Compact sights, tea houses, piti, and nearby mountain villages make it a relaxed heritage base.

    Sheki to Quba

    Transport details are not recorded.

  13. Quba

    Azerbaijan · Daily budget ~$42

    This historic mountain city is known for apple-growing country and cooler summer scenery. Across the river, Red Settlement adds a distinctive Mountain Jewish cultural dimension, while nearby valleys open into the Caucasus.

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