Highlights of Caucasus Region

The Caucasus region is in fact between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. The main countries making up of the region includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia. In other words, one can say it is often been considered as a natural barrier between Eastern Europe and West Asia. Just like its neighbouring country, Türkiye, it is torn between trying to identify itself either closer to Europe or Asia. Thus, visiting the Caucasus region become an exotic destination often considered by many from Asia. In theory, it is considered as part of the European continent. Yet at the same time, these countries are not formally accepted into European Union (EU) and is not part of EU. Although from my personal observations, Georgia citizens seems to crave so much to be part of EU family from the numerous EU flags that were seen in almost every corner of  the country and the airport immigration, extending a special queue only for EU passport holders.

Historically, Armenia, Azerbaijan & Georgia were part of the former soviet union. It was then recognized as independence from all the former Soviet republics by the end of  Year 1991. An interesting fact thou is Mount Elbrus in Russia, considered to be Europe’s highest mountain, is situated in the Western Caucasus. Since it was once under the rule of soviet union, one can see traces of it in these countries simply by noticing the following:
#1) People do not usually smile

#2) People looks at you suspiciously

#3) Metro tunnel are deep and well designed

#4) Many underground tunnels which act as bunker at the same time in war time

#5) Many gardens & human sculptures

How to Explore the Caucasus Region? 

There is in fact a sequence to explore these countries. Do take note as due to political situations between these 3 countries, so it is important to travel in a certain pattern in order to visit the 3 countries on a single trip. For foreign nationals, it is essential to enter the region via in following order:

Step 1: Azerbaijan

Step 2: Georgia

Step 3: Armenia

As Azerbaijan and Armenia are technically at war with various battles over disputed territory even in recent times, foreigner are not welcome if you visit the other country before. In particular, Azerbaijan may even and likely according to sources, to ban visitors from stepping into the country if they see you have Armenia stamp in your passport. On the contrary, Armenia will allow visitors into the country even if they spot Azerbaijan stamp in your passport, thou I and a few foreign friends experienced first hand on the questioning coming from Armenia custom officers. Questions such as: “What are you doing in Azerbaijan,? How long were you there? Show me proof of your hotel stay in Azerbaijan”. These are common questions pose to visitors and just replied that you are purely on leisure holiday, travel in the region, that will often give you grant to enter Armenia.

Step 1: Fly into Azerbaijan from your country

Usually, Turkish Airlines have good connections as they have up to more than 3 flights daily between Istanbul and Baku, capital of Azerbaijan. Other than that, fly via Emirates and then connect to Fly Dubai is another alternative budget flight option. Getting to Azerbaijan requires one to apply for E-Visa which I did mine easily online on this website:  https://azerbaijan-e-visa.com/    After which, make the  online payment of USD 26 (correct at time of writing in Jun 2024). One will receive the E visa fairly quickly, the next day in my case via email. Print that out and present to custom officers when entering the country. E-visa has a single entry status and valid for the period of 90 days with 30 days permission to stay in Azerbaijan. Do take note there are many other travel agent website who claims they will do it for you but at a higher rate. It is fairly simple to do it by yourself, so you may refer to above official website.

Step 2:  Travel from Azerbaijan into Georgia

I researched there were night trains from Baku to Tbilisi, capital of Georgia. However, it also state that the trains frequency and operating schedule depends on the existing political situations.  True to be told, when I was there in May 2024 period, the train stops operating. I had no choice but to do a last minute booking of flight to get from Baku into Tbilisi (Georgia). I was told that one could take small minivan to the border town in Azerbaijan and then take a taxi from the town to cross the land border. Once you cross into Georgia, take another taxi to the next town in Georgia and then a minivan to Tbilisi. However, doing via this way mean you are at the mercy of taxi driver cut throat pricing strategy. It may turn out spending more time travelling and more money. By the way, my last minute flight which was booked just a day before, cost me USD 100. Trust it was worth taking a flight and I flew on Azerbaijan Airlines.

Step 3:  Travel from Georgia into Armenia 

Getting from Tbilisi, firstly head to  Avlabari metro station. There will be minivan which usually provides transport from 7am-5pm daily. It takes 5 hours to go by van to Yerevan, capital of Armenia. Either you purchase tickets on the spot (save around USD 3 per ticket as compare online price) , simply by giving it to the van driver or pay online via travel agency to secure seats. What I did was to contact << AR comfort tours>>  via Facebook messenger, they reply very fast to your messages. Have them reserve one seat under your name and arrive at the office at least 20 minutes before the schedule van departure timing. Do note there are fix timings (refer below, timings subject to change**)  and /or minivan will leave when they are full.

Day Tours in Caucasus countries

-Recommend to either book the tours in your home country, using mobile applications such as Viator, GetYourGuide etc. During Summer / Peak holiday season, tours might be fully booked on the day you want. Otherwise, if you are travelling in May period like in my case, you may do the booking when you arrive into the city. Many drivers sell private tours too. However, people may also approach you to book for group tours. It will be slightly cheaper by 30% if you book in the city, depending on your bargain tactics.

-Very often, late lunch is the norm during tour. Lunch usually is at around 2.30pm. Hence, do remember to have a breakfast before tour starts, usually around 9am. Do note that food is not inclusive in the day tours. Either you bring your own sandwich to save costs or mingle with your fellow new friends in your tour group over lunch.

-Tours are conducted in both Russian and English languages. Hence, your tour guide can be seen speaking these languages. There will be Russian commentary and then follow by English commentary, vice versa.

-No tips required to be given for guide/driver. However, they will gladly appreciate if you could leave them a positive review. For instance, my day tours in Armenia was with Hyur Services: https://hyurservice.com/en , which they do offer great tour services with well maintained buses and free flow of mineral water during trip.

Categories: Europe Region