My 24 days to Central Asia (Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia Oct 16 > Nov 8 2025) Day 16 - Akhaltsikhe, Borjomi , Georgia & Gyumri, Arrmenia

Akhaltsikhe Castle, Armenia

Borjomi Historical Park, Armenia

Georgia / Armenia Border Crossing
via Ninotsminda / Bavra

Independent Square, Gyumri, Armenia

 

Day 16, Friday Oct 31 2025 (Gyumri, Armenia) - a bright sunny day, clear blue sky but misty in the early morning, after our hotel check-out, our group made our first visit to Akhaltsikhe Castle followed by a visit to the Borjomi Historical Park. At noon, we made a Georgia / Armenia border crossing through Ninotsminda / Bavra to start our first leg of travel to Gyumri, Armenia - the 3rd & the last Caucasus country of this 24 days trip ! 

Travel itinerary: Akhaltsikhe > Borjomi, Georgia > Ninotsminda / Bavra border crossing > Gyumri, Armenia (approx. 258km) 

1) My early morning walkabout nearby our hotel before the hotel check-out, Akhaltsikhe Castle is located nearby to our hotel ! 

3) Akhaltsikhe Castle, Georgia - a medieval fortress built in the 9th century under the name of "Lomsia Castle" in the city of Akhaltsikhe in southern Georgia, recently globally reconstructed, one of the main attractions of the Samtskhe Javakheti region along with Vardzia. 

4) A panoramic view of Akhaltsikhe city from the Akhaltsikhe Castle

5) Countryside & mountain forest scenery (simply stunning !) as viewed from our moving rental car from Gyumri city > Central Historical Park, Borjomi Kharagauli National Park. 

6) Central Historical Park, Borjomi, Georgia - a resort town in central Georgia, known for its mineral water & springs in Borjomi Central Park, defined by its striking exterior, the Romanov Palace contains ornate furniture & a billiards room; nearby, trails wind through the vast wilderness of Borjomi Kharagauli National Park, in the park, the centuries-old Mtsvane Monastery (Green Monastery) is made of green-tinged stones.

7) Exiting the Borjomi Historical Park & the start of our drive towards the Georgian & Armenian border crossing - our 2nd border crossing for this trip, the first was Azerbaijan > Georgia via Sheki, one of the oldest towns in Azerbaijan famous for its carpet making ! 

8) A long drive from Borjomi > Gyumri (approx 210km, 3hr 45 mins) but countryside scenery is scenic & breath-taking ! Just relax, admire & enjoy the beautiful nature scenery appearing your sights ! 

9) Border crossing Ninotsminda / Bavra - arriving & exiting Georgia Immigration Customs Check Point - passport stamping etc, not much hassle, pretty straight forward & smooth sailing ! 

10) Entering Armenia Immigration Customs Check Point ie luggage security check & passport stamping, stringent check on personal medicine / drugs etc at the Armenian Customs Border Check Point, Malaysians entering Armenia requires an online E-visa applied in advance (US$10) visa fee. Short & smooth sailing provided all documents are in order ! 

11) Exiting the Armenian border crossing (Ninotsminda / Bavra) & another run of driving from the Armenian border > Gyumri, this time getting closer & looking forward to see & explore Armenia in greater depth, my 1st time visit !   

12) Changing of landscape as our car heading towards the border town of Gyumri, Armenia for an overnight stay, this stretch of main trunk road to Gyumri is straight & flat, you could see Armenian snowy mountain from far greeting you & the weather in early November in Armenia had turned colder & night temperature in mountainous resort area could drop to -3c to -4c ! 

13) Arriving in Gyumri town, Armenia 

14) Hotel accommodation (1 night): Vanand Guesthouse, Gyumri, Armenia, room tariff Rm94 (US$22), 2 single beds + kitchen facilities, owner was hospitable & invited oue group for a hot coffee drink & a treat of his home grown cherries  + free picking of fresh apples from his own fruit tree !

15) After the guest house check-in, my travel buddy, KF Wong & myself made a visit to a nearby bank to change some local Armenian currencies to pay for our hotel bills & sundry expenses, sim card etc.  

16) Walkabout in downtown Gyumri 

17) Mini market shopping for food & groceries ie bread, smoked sausages - replenishing our stock of food & groceries for coming days in Armenia.

18) My simple owned cooked dinner ie steamed rice with canned black bean sauce fish & fruit dessert marinated  with roasted sesame sauce !