Country information Armenia & Georgia
The Caucasus has many faces. It is a gathering place for peoples, religions and traditions; it is wild and natural. The mountains of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus overlook natural and cultural landscapes of exquisite splendor – the ideal terrain for easy day hikes. The Caucasus is a Eurasian mountain range. It separates and connects. The mountain tribes there couldn’t be more different. And yet there are many similarities. Churches, monasteries and cross stones bear witness to the first empires of Christianity. In both countries a lot revolves around wine. The cuisine, the humor and above all the hospitality are legendary.
Visa
Citizens of EU countries and Switzerland are exempt from the visa requirement if they enter Georgia and Armenia and stay there for a maximum of 360 days. To enter Georgia, German, Austrian and Swiss citizens need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after leaving the country.
Insurance
We highly recommend the conclusion of travel cancellation insurance. In the case of bargain price flights in particular, changes or cancellations generally can’t be made free of charge.
We have requested ERGO (Reiseversicherung AG) to create various service packages for you. You can book travel cancellation insurance at www.reiseversicherung.de.
Please note:
ERGO insurance can be booked by residents of Germany and Austria. Those living in other countries are requested to book their travel insurance through an insurance provider in their own country.
It should be noted that geoDiscovery Tours advises its customers to book their travel insurance via ERGO as a recommendation only, and accepts no responsibility for the contractual content between the customer and the travel insurance provider. Customers can book their travel insurance via ERGO or another provider at their own discretion.
Vaccinations
No special vaccinations are required. Every traveler to Georgia and Armenia should have the standard vaccinations generally recommended for Germany, in particular a current vaccination against tetanus (tetanus), diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), measles and a basic vaccination against poliomyelitis/polio. Depending on age and health status, further recommendations may be added. See the recommendations from the Foreign Office for Georgia and Armenia.
In addition, sufficient protection against hepatitis A (jaundice) should be available for many travel destinations. Anyone who has close contact with the local population should also be vaccinated against hepatitis B. For example, hepatitis B can be transmitted through blood, saliva and sexual contact.
Local time
Central European Time (CET) + 3 hours. There is no daylight saving time in Georgia and Armenia.
Money and payments in Georgia and Armenia
In Georgia, payment is made with Lari (GEL). ATMs are common in cities. In order to withdraw money you need a credit card or an EC card with the “Maestro” symbol.
In Armenia, payments are made with Armenian Dram (AMD). The Euro and other foreign currencies are not accepted. ATMs are common in Yerevan. In order to withdraw money you need a credit card or an EC card with the “Maestro” symbol.
Georgia and Armenia are not cheap travel countries. The prices are similar to Europe. In Georgia, for example, you can get a bottle of mineral water for 1 lari, a coffee for 7-8 lari, and a taxi for 10 lari. Local products, such as cheese, vegetables and fruit, are quite cheap, while Western products are usually more expensive than in the country of origin.
Main travel and hiking season
Due to the different altitudes, the climate in Armenia and Georgia is very diverse. In general, the higher you go, the cooler it is and the more precipitation there is. Most of both countries have a continental climate, although the countries are actually in the subtropical zone. The winters are cold, the summers are hot and dry. Most precipitation falls in spring. The maximum daily temperatures in summer can reach up to 30 °C in low-lying areas. In winter between December and March the thermometer drops below freezing point. At higher altitudes, winter can last up to five months with heavy snowfall. The best time to travel to Armenia and Georgia is May, June, from the end of August to the beginning of October. July and August are good for those who can cope well with high temperatures.
