THE SOLO DRIFTER: Caucasus (Georgia-Armenia) Travel Guide, Budget and Itinerary

In this #TheSoloDrifter series, I am featuring Georgia and Armenia. Hopefully, on my next update I would be able to include Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, read my travel guide for the two countries:

Georgia

Armenia

You may also watch the highlights of my trip to sum up my journey in Caucasus region.

Georgia

Armenia

TIMEPLACEREMARKSGELSARUSDEURPHP
DAY 1 – Arrival
3:05PMTbilisi International AirportRiyadh-Tbilisi-Riyadh  1,400.00  2,000.00     533.33     448.00    32,000.00
Insurance       57.46       80.44       21.45       18.90      1,287.01
6:00PMCitrus Hotel6 nights  688.10  983.00     262.13     220.19    15,728.00
6:30PMGhumeli       80.00     112.00       29.87       25.60      1,792.00
8:00PMFreedom Square
8:30PMGalleria Tbilisi
DAY 2 – Armenia
07:00Depart from hotelEnglish-speaking driver from Next Travel     600.00     840.00     224.00     192.00    13,440.00
10:45AMDilijan
11:15AMLake Sevan
11:30AMSevanavank Monastery
1:00PMMother ArmeniaVictory Park; views of Yerevan and Mount Ararat
1:30PMCascade Complex
Tamanyan Street
Opera House & Freedom Square
Northern Avenue
Tashir Street Gallery
Republic Square
4:00PMDepart from Yerevan back to Tbilisi
4:45PMArmenian Alphabet MonumentSidetrip
DAY 3 – Tbilisi
6:30AMMorning walk from Rustaveli Avenue / 9 April Street
Nikoloz Baratashvili Bridge
Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba)
Narikala Fortress
Sioni Cathedral
Tbilis History Museum
Bridge of Peace & Rike Park
10:30AMSkaTake a rest       10.00       14.00          3.73          3.20          224.00
1:00PMGeorgian Cooking ClassSt. Bunny c/o Get Your Guide       74.81     106.88       28.50       23.94      1,710.00
4:00PMMtatsminda ParkTwo-way funicular ride       20.00       28.00          7.47          6.40          448.00
7:00PMLuca PaloreIce cream       25.00       35.00          9.33          8.00          560.00
7:30PMShopping at Rustaveli Avenue or Kote Afkhazi Street
10:00PMShatre       35.00       49.00       13.07       11.20          784.00
DAY 4 – Kakheti
7:15AMDepart from hotel
9:00AMBodbe Monastery
9:30AMSighnaghi
11:00AMTsinandali Estate
11:30AMAleksandre Chavchavadze HouseEntrance fee       10.00       14.00          3.73          3.20          224.00
12:30PMTelavi
1:00PMWiniveriaLunch including, wine tasting and tour       65.00       91.00       24.27       20.80      1,456.00
3:00PMDepart from Kakheti back to Tbilisi
6:00PMWalk aroung Davit Aghmashenebeli Avenue and/or Tabidze Street
10:00PMGrafikaDinner       40.00       56.00       14.93       12.80          896.00
DAY 5 – Kazbegi and the Georgian Military Highway
6:30AMDepart from hotel
8:00AMZhinvali Reservoir
8:15AMAnanuri Fortress
9:30AMGudauri
10:30AMGeorgia-Russia Friendship Monument
12:00PMRooms KazbegiLunch     100.00     140.00       37.33       32.00      2,240.00
2:30PMGergeti Trinity Church
3:00PMDepart for Tbilisi
6:30PMORO MarjanishviliDinner       80.00     112.00       29.87       25.60      1,792.00
DAY 6 – Borjomi, Samtskhe–Javakheti, and Mtskheta
6:30AMDepart from hotel
9:00AMBorjomi
Parks
Cable Park
Souvenir shops
11:00AMRabati Castle
11:45AMDepart for Mtskheta
12:30PMPoriaSidetrip to buy khachapuri       30.00       42.00       11.20          9.60          672.00
2:30PMMtskheta
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
Samtavro Monastery
4:00PMJvari Monastery
5:30PMAbanotubaniSulfur bath     100.00     140.00       37.33       32.00      2,240.00
Depart from Tbilisi on Day 6 or Day 7
TOTAL  3,415.37  4,843.31  1,291.55  1,093.43  77,493.01

TOURISM AND VISA

Georgia Travel
Website | Facebook | Instagram | X

Georgia Visa
Website

Armenia Travel
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Visit Yerevan
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Armenia Visa
Website

TRANSPORTATION

flynas
Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Tiktok

Georgia Next Travel
Website | Instagram

ACCOMMODATION

Booking.com

RECREATION AND ADVENTURE

Rooms Kazbegi
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Tsinandali Estate
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Mtatsminda Park
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Akhaltsikhe (Rabati) Castle
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Borjomi Historical Park
Facebook | Instagram

SHOPPING AND FASHION

CHATSMA Georgian Designers’ Primeworks
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Maroma Collection
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Zook’s Georgia
Instagram | Facebook

Ellekrisi 
Facebook | Instagram

Shavdia
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Cosmo
Website | Facebook | Instagram

RESTAURANTS AND CAFE

Ghumeli Restaurant
Instagram | Facebook

ORO Marjanishvili
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Luca Polare
Website | Facebook | Instagram

St. Bunny
Website | Facebook | Instagram

SKA
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Grafika Tbilisi
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Shatre
Facebook

Winiveria
Website | Facebook | Instagram

About the Author

Paul Michael Jaramillo
Paul Michael JaramilloChief Executive Editor
PJ is a Certified Public Accountant, writer, storyteller, and an advocate for youth empowerment and environmental protection. His passion for storytelling and social impact has taken many forms—from writing thought-provoking articles on national development, featured in a Spanish newspaper and Rappler, to producing documentaries on mining and environmental issues that aired on ABS-CBN News and GMA News.

A proud Ilocano and graduate of Northwestern University, PJ earned his degree in Accountancy then passed the CPA licensure exam in 2015. That same year, he began his professional career at KPMG in the Philippines. As an external auditor, he handled a diverse portfolio of clients, including a global workspace provider (the largest audit engagement of KPMG Philippines), a global bank, a major FMCG player, and several shared service centers.

His commitment to innovation was evident early in his career. PJ and his team won the KPMG Asia-Pacific Data & Analytics Challenge and later coached the Philippine team to a top-three finish at the KPMG GlobalRunner Cup. He went on to lead KPMG Philippines' Network of Audit Innovators and Data & Analytics Champions, as well as its academic arm. He was an active contributor to the Asia-Pacific Audit Digital Transformation Workstream and a member of both the Audit Methodology Group and the Root Cause Analysis Team. Beyond technical excellence, PJ is deeply committed to learning and leadership. He was a regular training facilitator on audit methodology, professional standards, and emerging tools in data and analytics. He also served as the Firm’s System of Quality Management (SoQM) Implementation Manager and one of its Workforce of the Future Champions.

In 2019, he contributed to the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) as a member of its Technical Working Group on Audit Methodology. His role in shaping audit quality and innovation has left a meaningful imprint on the profession.

PJ defines success by the people he uplifts. As a mentor and coach, he invests in the growth of emerging professionals and previously served as a member of the KPMG Philippines People Committee.

He leads various community-centered advocacy projects and shares inspiring stories through his vlog, PJspirations, a platform that celebrates individuals and their journeys. As a volunteer, he serves as Academic Master and Head Coach of PREMIER International Learning and Development Center, an organization devoted to providing coaching, mentoring, and training programs that help people grow personally and professionally.

Today, PJ brings his passion and expertise to the Middle East, South Asia, and Caspian regions as part of KPMG’s Professional Practice and Audit Learning & Development team. In this role, he contributes to audit methodology advancement and learning strategy across the Middle East Cluster.

He is also a certified #IAmRemarkable facilitator, leading sessions of the global Google initiative that empowers women and underrepresented groups to celebrate their achievements.

Tiktok: PJspirations
Snapchat: pgb_088
Personal Website: http://lnk.bio/pjspirations