It took everything in me to draw myself out of the blissful state; you know when you’re on a plane or in a car and you look out and just blank out and start playing non-existent scenario in your head? That’s a me thing? Oh well. I’ll be here when you’re ready to admit that you do it too.
Backstory- for new readers, yes, I don’t just jump into the blog- I take you through the whole process. Anyway, I booked this trip for two reasons, well three, i)it was on my travel roadmap for 2026, ii)I prebooked it as a celebration for getting my license before my test so I manifest passing(yes, it worked!), and iii)there was a week long Eid holiday and as someone with a strict leave budget courtesy of all the world I gotta see with the time I have, I had to book something.
The original plan was Armenia only but I ended up going back(yes, it was my second time in Georgia) to Georgia because I saw a four day solo trek that seemed doable and fun, and the flights into and out of Tbilisi airport were close to 300 dollars cheaper.
And now to the juicy parts, what I did, how much it cost me, VISA logistics, how I got to places– all the good stuff
Georgia:
How to get from the airport to the city:
You can get from the airport to the city for very cheap using the buses that you will find right outside the airport.
Immediately you step out, turn right and walk straight and you will see the green and white buses to the city. You can either get a bus card from inside the airport or you can use your bank card to pay. I used my HSBC card and didn’t face any difficulties during my entire trip. Just enter, tap your card, and go on your way. The bus charges 1 GEL for all stops- yes, you heard me right. I used two buses to get to my hostel and ended up using 2 GEL as compared to the 20+ GEL I would have paid for a taxi- I was only traveling with my 40L hiking bag though for context. You will find that generally, transport in Georgia is cheap.
Where to stay:
I stayed in three places: 2 hostels and one guest house.
The guest house cost me 30 GEL per night. Maria’s Homestay is the name. I loved it because they just had four spots making it nice and cozy enough to work freely and without distraction for the two days I was still working. Also, I changed my plans last minute and they were very okay with the change and refunded me the extra. Also, this comes with the most amazing breakfast. Snag your spot early though- the two other times I tried booking but couldn’t find availability.
I stayed at At Funicular hostel. The cost per night for this was 22 GEL. The location is in Old Tbilisi which has amazing restaurants and is in itself an attraction in Tbilisi. This hostel was at a very high part of the old city though, be ready for the uphill walk.
Finally I stayed at Cozy Coala hostel. I would also recommend this one. I paid 25 GEL per night. The hosts were amazing, the space is clean and the beds comfortable. Again also located in Old Tbilisi.
My advice: stay in Old Tbilisi. It’s close to the town center, easily accessible by bus and it’s a beautiful place to walk in.
Sim card and internet
I got a sim card at the airport just because traveling alone and needing directions to get to my hostel, I needed internet. I got a Cellfire sim card at the airport for 55 GEL which came with 160 GB. I was working for a few days so I went for a higher internet package. They have lots more options though. Advice on the internet is to get a sim card from the city so if this is a comfort you can afford, I’d suggest you go with this option.
Connection was okay in Tbilisi but sketchy outside. I would suggest you go for Magti. It’s a bit more expensive but according to Google reviews, the connectivity is good in most places in Georgia.
As mentioned before, this was my second time in Georgia and I had already done most of the to do things in Tbilisi like visit the Narikala fortress and all other must do activities in Tbilisi- read more here.
My main goal for Georgia specifically was doing the famous Mestia to Ushguli hike.
To get to Mestia, I took a train and then a marshrutka.
I got the train from the Tbilisi Central Railway Station for 15 Gel. The train will get you from Tbilisi to Zugdidi.
Once you alight from the train, you will find marshrutkas to Mestia right outside the train station. I paid 35 Gel to Mestia.
In Mestia I stayed at Jeiran Jarapidze’s Guesthouse, and paid 22 GEL per night. One thing I appreciated about this guesthouse is that you can leave some of your luggage here as you go on the Mestia-Ushguli trek.
There’s a nice restaurant- Qoruldi restaurant, .less than five minutes walk away with amazing Georgian food- give it a try
The Hike
Day One: Mestia to Zhabeshi
The hike from Mestia to Zhabeshi is relatively easy. I hiked for about 7 hours but this is because I had the wild idea to hike all the way to Adishi and cover two days worth of hiking in one. I absolutely don’t recommend it- especially in spring as the snow is not fully melted and it tends to rain, as it did twice that day.
The hike will take you roughly five hours- The extra 2 hours was what I took to realize that if I don’t go back I may die after my two guides(some two stray dogs that were showing me the way) turned back.
Hiking this part the next day made me realize I wouldn’t have made it.
The trail is marked with little sign posts form time to time but it’s not a proper hiking trail so my advice is to exercise caution- A LOT! At some point I hiked two hours without meeting anyone. Point is, there isn’t a lot of people on the trail depending on the time you hike so exercise caution.
On arrival in Zhabeshi, I walked around and found a guest house and thankfully it was a very good one. I paid 100 GEL to stay at Victor’s guest house and this covered my bed and two meals(dinner and breakfast). The food is amazing, plenty and Georgian. If you miss Georgian food anywhere, you’ll definitely get it here. The room also had a heater which was much appreciated given how cold it was.
Seeing how hard day one was, I was ready to throw in the towel and give up till I met Shosh, O’Fere, Neomi and Havne and one post dinner conversation later, I attached myself to their hiking group and we agreed to meet for breakfast at 7:30am the next day- the hike continued.
Day Two: Zhabeshi to Adishi
Bright and early, post a very filling breakfast, we set out. The day was spent hiking in snow for majority of the day. Carry a thermal jacket. I got one that also doubled as a rain jacket which was helpful as it drizzled a bit. A rain jacket or a poncho is not optional- It tends to rain at random in the mountains.
In Adishi we stayed at a guesthouse and paid 80GEL per night for the dinner, breakfast and a room. The village is quite small and some of the houses seemed to have been damaged by harsh weather.
Day two ended up being our last hiking day as it rained all night and given day three(Adishi to Iprali) is supposed to be the toughest day, we opted out of the hike for our safety.
If you don’t want to hike Mestia to Ushguli, you can take a shared taxi from Mestia. It costs 200 for the car for the roundtrip. You can find other people traveling and split the costs. Ushguli is a nice little town. It is said to be the earliest European settlement
For the hike, some sisterly advice:
- Get the hiking poles- this is not a good to have- I would say it’s a must have- especially late May as there is still snow in the mountains.
- The trail is doable alone but if you find other people doing it and don’t mind you tagging alone, do it; attach yourself to a group. I realized this on day two trekking in snow for more than four hours and not feeling my toes. It helped knowing that everyone else but Neomi who had waterproof boots couldn’t feel their toes. Jokes aside, the company is good; that snow is treacherous.
- Speaking of shoes, get waterproof hiking boots.
- Carry only what you need. Stay in a guest house that allows you to leave your luggage for free like the one I stayed at. Try keep your bag below 10kg.
- Eat enough at the guesthouses in between the hikes. The days are spent out walking and snacking on bread and snacks and you need to fuel your body right.
- Download the Georgian language offline on Google translate because in the villages you find less and less people that speak English and the offline part is because internet also tends to get sketchy.
ARMENIA
In Armenia I only had four days so I had to be very strategic in terms of how I saw the country. I knew I wanted to explore Yerevan, understand the history and culture, the food and the wine seeing as I was in a wine region in general.
My itinerary involved two tours:
- The first tour took me to Khor Virap, Garni, Geghard, Symphony of the stones and a lavash making and tasting.
- The second tour was to Tatev monastery which we got to through the cable car(which is a must try if possible- totally recommend), Khndzoresk cave village, Shaki waterfall, Areni winery and a wine tasting. This tour was a day long one, starting at 7am till 10pm.
(use my links above to book the activities :)- that way I get a little something :)- It costs the exact same price as it would if you booked on GetYourGuide- check and verify 🙂)
I took a free walking tour on my second day which I would have preferred taking at the start of my trip in Yerevan. It was three hours and gave a great history of the country, showed some nice spots of the city, and the guide was quite engaging for the three hours. It’s from this visit that I got the suggestion to go to the
Noy wine factory– there are three different packages to pick from 5000DRAMS to 15000 DRAMS. This covers the tour and wine and brandy tasting, a history of the country and wine (mini spoiler- Noah and the ark is involved), and walking into 100+ year old tunnels. Don’t skip this one.
Getting to and from Armenia:
To get to Armenia from Georgia, I took a marshrutka from Ortachala bus station. You don’t need to pre-book. There are multiple shared cars leaving roughly every hour.
The cost back was the same- 50 GEL. From Yerevan, I took a marshrutka from Kilikia bus station. You also don’t need to prebook. Just get there and ask for the next departing car, pay and be on your way.
For UAE residents:
This is especially for those that don’t already have VISA free access to Armenia- you can now visit Armenia VISA free till 1st July 2026. It is for specific passport holders so make sure to check on the Armenian foreign affairs website for eligibility- Visa — mfa.am
That dear reader, sums up my experience in Georgia and Armenia- till next time. And oh, make sure to have a cognac in Armenia- they’re to die for😊
lifewithfelly 
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