So you really want to get off the beaten track?

Fancy exploring countries that are just names on the nightly news for most of us.

Georgia and Armenia are intriguing destinations appealing to adventurous travellers.

With 2025 marking 10 years since the Transcaucasian Trail began taking shape, World Expeditions has unveiled an intriguing sounding experience in the Caucasus mountains.

When completed the Transcaucasian Trail will extend over 3,000km connecting more than 20 National Parks and protected areas along what has been widely touted as "the next big thing in trekking".

World Expeditions was the first operator to offer the option to trek selected sections of the long-distance trail in both Armenia and Georgia.

“Armenia and Georgia are the only two countries on the trail that have been adequately mapped so far, and this occurred back in 2019," says Sue Badyari, CEO of World Expeditions.

"Since then the trail has captured the imagination of active travellers around the world, in spite of - or perhaps due to the fact that it ranks as one of the most inaccessible mountains in the world.

“The inaccessibility of the trail is due to a lack of reliable and detailed data. The best available topographic maps are thought to be decades-old Soviet military maps, while public domain aerial imagery is often of low quality and inconsistent.

"The fact that the region remains relatively unchartered and has subsequently received less media attention only heightens its allure for adventurous travellers.”

The region has preserved a distinct identity and cultural heritage: the earliest evidence of wine-making, more than 8,000 years ago, has been found in Georgia, while Armenia is considered as the first nation to adopt Christianity as its officially religion.

The trek route is home to a number of ethnic groups, with more than 40 indigenous languages spoken across the region it is one of the most linguistically diverse places in the world.

In addition, the Caucasus is a biodiversity hotspot: a quarter of the approximately 6,500 plant species that have been found in the mountains are estimated to exist nowhere else on earth, while the varied native fauna includes the rare Caucasian leopard.

Although the two sections of the Transcaucasian Trail are offered by World Expeditions as separate itineraries, the dates have been especially chosen so keen hikers wishing to tick off both countries in one trip can complete the Armenia segment first and then continue the trail in Georgia.

Transcaucasian Trail Hike features high-altitude grasslands, permanently snow-capped peaks, thick forests and shrubby plateaus.

Armenia - 8 days, departures from May 26; from $3190 per person, including all meals. Flights not included.

Georgia - 10 days, departures from June 19; from $3690 per person, including all meals. Flights not included.

Accommodation ranges from hotels to village guest houses. 

In addition, World Expeditions also offers a two-week Armenia to Georgia by Bike adventure (14 days, $6890 per person, departures from May 14 with an itinerary that starts in Yerevan and finishes in Tbilisi.

For more information and bookings visit worldexpeditions.com

Image: Hiking in Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains (Shutterstock)