Türkiye and Georgia by train

Arrival in Istanbul

transfer to hotel in Sultan Ahmet quarter.

Overnight: Istanbul ***

Istanbul-Ankara ( Train & Transfer )
Embark on the high speed train from Istanbul to Ankara. The morning train departs from Halkalı or Söğütlüçeşme train station.The journey takes ca 4, 5 hrs.

After arrival in Ankara, transfer to hotel in the center. Nearby are Ankara castle , museum of Anatolian civilisations, which displays may pieces from the stone age to present day, Roman bath, Atatürk’s Mausoleum  and other highlights.

Overnight Ankara: **** hotel (BB)

Visit to Gordion- sleeper train to Erzincan ( excursion & Train)

Start the day with a ride to Yassıhöyük village ( ca 95 km) for a visit to
to Gordion.  Gordion was the capital of Ancient Phrygia and it is here that Alexander de Great cut the proverbial knot and opened the way to Asia. Explore the site with a guide( 2-3 hrs)

On return in Ankara check in on the Doğu Express train to Erzincan. ( Dept 17.55 hrs) Sleeping places in the couchettes have been arranged for you.

Overnight in train. Bed in couchettes ( 2 pax)

Erzincan- transfer to Erzurum – Train to Kars. ( Bus & Train)

Make yourself comfortable with snacks and drinks, and prepare for the night, as the landscape passes by and changes from day to night and to day again, as the estimated arrival time in Erzincan is 11.17 hrs, the next morning.

Upon arrival,the bus awaits you at the station and takes you to Erzurum.( 207 km/ 3 hrs)  During a beautiful drive along the Euphrates river  there will be time to visit the twelfth century Mama Hatun caravanserai and  tomb and the remarkable Seljuk buildings in Erzurum. Then take your pullman seats on the train for the last scenic part on the train to Kars ( end station of the train) where you arrive at approx 20.20 hrs.

Overnight in Kars: *** hotel( BB)

Kars-Anı ruins-Kars. ( Excursion)

After breakfast you are collected for a guided excusion  to Anı, (45 km) the capital of Bagratid Armenia, and UNESCO world heritage site.  The site is bounded by one side by the gorge of the Arpaça ( Akhurian river) which forms Turkey’s border with the Armenian republic. Impressive fortified walls still encircle the ruins of numerous churches, mosques and carvansaries.

In the afternoon explore Kars on your own. The city was under Russian rule for about 40 years and the Russian legacy can still be seen in much of the town’s architecture.

Overnight Kars: *** hotel (BB)

Kars – Vardzia – Borjomi 

Private transfer from Kars to Aktaş for border crossing.with Georgia. Then visit Vadzia, a spectecular monastery in a cave before you are dropped at your hotel in Borjomi . Borjomi was already a popular spa resort in times of the Romanovs. They called the city  ‘ the pearl of the Caucasus.

Distance : 297 km / ca 6  hrs

Overnight: Borjomi *** (BB)

Borjomi 

stroll through the park and sip the famous Borjomi mineral water, or take a ride in the cable car and visit the salfur pools or museums .

Overnight : Borjomi *** hotel (BB)

Borjomi-Tbilisi 

The train from Borjomi to Tbilisi is slow and scentic ,one of the most beauiful trainrides in Georgia. Departure is 16.35 hrs. Arrival is ca 21.00 hrs at the trainstation in Tbilisi. Transfer to your hotel

Overnight: Tbilisi *** hotel (BB)

(free day)

Tbilisi city tour or your own.

Located in the gorge of Mtkvari River Tbilisi is shaped out in accordance with the terrain and forms a very beautiful city with Mt. Mtatsminda embracing the entire town, Narikala Fortress topping up the oldest quarter of Tbilisi and Metekhi Church overlooking Mtkvari River from a rocky plateau.

Highlights of Tbilisi are beautiful Orthodox Christian churches, Mosque, Synagogue, famous Sulphur Baths, narrow cobbled streets with hanging wooden carved multi-colored balconies, 19^th century houses following the architectural styles of 19^th century Europe, cable car up to Narikala Fortress, the glass Bridge of Peace, Freedom Square and Rustaveli Avenue.

Overnight: Tbilisi *** hotel (BB)

Tbilisi-Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Tbilisi ( Excursion)

Guided tour

The guide will pick you up from your hotel at 09:00 am.

Today we continue our way to discover more about the history of Mtskheta and see UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Jvari Monastery (6^th century) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral(11^th century). Svetitskhoveli is known as the church where the part of Jesus’ Robe is buried and is the holiest church in Georgia. Travel along Georgian Military Highway. Continue the way to Stepantsminda.

Then continue over the Cross Pass so named by Russian Emperor Catherine II. The Cross Pass is also the watershed and rivers on the other side of the Cross Pass flow to Russia. You descend from 2395m – the highest point of the Cross Pass to 1700m, Kazbegi.

Then we  drive up to Gergeti Trinity Church and enjoy crystal clear air.

In the evening arrive back in Tbilisi.

Overnight: Tbilisi*** hotel (BB)

Tbilisi- Gori-Tbilisi ( train & Excursion)

Except the Stalin museum there is plenty to do and see in Gori.  Cave town Uplislistsike consists of several hundred chambers and rooms excavated from a relatively flat cliff face.
Gori is easily visited by train. Upon arrival 10.00 hrs. at Gori train station, there is a bus ride  to Uplistsikhe, which you can explore on your own. The driver will wait 2 hrs, and drive you back to Gori to explore the other highlights before you take the train back to Tbilisi. Dept 16.00 hrs / or 22.18 hrs.

Overnight: Tbilisi *** hotel (BB)

(Train)

Take morning or evening train to Batumi (5hrs8 min)
Batumi—the “Pearl of the Black Sea,” as it is often called—is located in the autonomous republic of Adjara. It’s history date back to the 4^thcentury BC and was it was ruled by the Ottoman approximately 300 years. European architects undertook numerous projects in Batumi at the beginning of the 20th century, and today it remains a hub of architectural innovation.

Overnight: Batumi *** hotel (BB)

Batumi (Free day)

Stroll around  the old town of Batumi , visit the statue of Ali and Nino, which symbolizes the love of two young people who cannot meet. Visit Batumi theatre and square, the church of virgin Mary, Batumi botanical garden, the lighthouse and harbour or enjoy the beach and take a dip in the sea.

Overnight: Batumi *** hotel (BB)

Onward travel. ( Transfer)

After breakfast your arrangement ends with a transfer to Batumi airport.

***We are happy to help you with a Doğu ekspresi ( eastern express)  trainticket only
or
extra nights in Istanbul and other places ***
**** Since we have to buy traintickets one month before departue, this program cannot be booked later than 5 weeks before arrival.

• 12 Nights in ***/**** hotel based on BB.
  1 Night in 2 Pax couchette in Doğu express train
  All train tickets
  Transfers according to program
  excursions according to program

Lunches
Dinners
Personal expenses.
Tips

important note concerning health insurance in Georgia

We remind you that, in accordance with the Law of Georgia “On Tourism,” as in other tourist countries, it will become mandatory for tourists entering Georgia to have a health and accident insurance policy.

Starting from January 1, 2026, when entering the territory of Georgia, a tourist is required to carry an insurance policy:

• in paper or electronic form;
• in Georgian or English.

➤ The insured amount under the policy must be no less than 30,000 GEL.( € 9.390 )
➤ The policy may be issued by either a Georgian or a foreign insurance company.

The insurance policy must include the following information: the parties to the insurance, the covered territory, the subject of insurance, the start and end dates of the insurance coverage, insured risks, the amount of insurance coverage (limits), the amount of the insurance premium, as well as the place and deadline for its payment.

In addition to the above, it should be taken into account that the tourist’s health and accident insurance must cover the entire period of stay in Georgia, starting from the date of entry.

We also inform you that the date for the adoption and entry into force of the Resolution of the Government of Georgia “On Approval of the Rules and Conditions of Mandatory Health and Accident Insurance for Tourists Entering Georgia” is set as January 1, 2026.