Day 1.
Meeting at the Tbilisi international airport and transfer to the hotel.
The program on this day depends on the arrival time.
We will begin Your tour in Georgia with the acquaintance of Tbilisi.
Day 2.
Tbilisi sightseeing tour
Metekhi Plateau – the historic district of Tbilisi on a high cliff overhanging the banks of the Kura River (Mtkvari), overlooking the old city.
The Bridge of Peace – a pedestrian bridge over the Kura River, connects Irakli II Street and Rike Park.
Abanotubani (bath district) is a historical district in the center of Tbilisi, famous for its complex of baths, standing on natural sulfur springs. Baths form a separate quarter of the city, which is a popular place with many tourists.
The area of 3 churches – a place, where the Orthodox church, Synagogue and Mosque coexist nearby.
Narikala Fortress – the most famous and ancient monument of Tbilisi antiquity, since the date of the construction of the fortress is called the 4th century.
Sioni Cathedral (VI-XII century) – historically the main temple of Tbilisi, built in the name of the Assumption of Our Lady – one of the most famous monuments of the old city, named after the Mount Zion of Jerusalem.
Tbilisi State Puppet Theater named after Rezo Gabriadze – in the Old Town on Shavteli Street there is a small Puppet Theater (one of the sights of Tbilisi).
Mount Mtatsminda (Holy Mountain), where the Pantheon of Georgian writers and public figures is located. We ascent by funicular to the Mtatsminda Park, from where the whole city is visible in full view.
Tbilisi sightseeing tour will give you an unforgettable experience.
The length of the tour is 6 hours.
Day 3.
Day trip to the ancient rock-hewn town Uplistsikhe and holy city of Mtskheta.
We will visit Jvari Monastery (VI c.), which is located on top of a mountain, from the slopes of which you can see how the jets of two rivers merge – the Kura and Aragvi.
Arrival in the city of Gori and, in case of your interest, visiting Joseph Stalin’s house-museum. The museum has three departments. There are many things on display that actually or presumably belonged to Stalin, including some of the furniture from his offices, and gifts. A large number of illustrations, paintings, documents, photographs and newspaper articles are also presented. In front of the main museum is the house in which Stalin was born and spent the first four years of his life. The museum features a personal railway carriage of Stalin. The railway carriage was used by him since 1941, including for trips to the Tehran and Yalta conferences.
Uplistsikhe – one of the rarest monuments in the world, the oldest cave city, one of the first cities in Georgia. Uplistsikhe is carved into the rock located 12 km east of the city of Gori, on the left bank of the Mtkvari River. The city arose at the end of II – at the beginning of the first millennium BC and contains various structures dating from the Early Iron Age to the Late Middle Ages.
Dinner in Uplistsikhe (at your discretion).
Next, we will visit the ancient capital of Georgia, now the holy city of Mtskheta.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral – the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church, in honor of the Twelve Apostles, built in 1010-1029, on the site of the first Christian church in Georgia, built over the grave of St. Sidonia. Known as the burial site of the claimed Christ’s mantle, Svetitskhoveli has long been one of the principal Georgian Orthodox churches and is among the most venerated places of worship in the region. Svetitskhoveli is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Samtavro Transfiguration Orthodox Church and Nunnery of St. Nino is located at the confluence of the Mtkvari (Kura) and Aragvi rivers.
Day trip to Uplistsikhe and Mtskheta will give you a sea of impressions and an unforgettable experience.
In the evening we will return to Tbilisi.
Duration of the tour: 9 hours 30 minutes.
Day 4.
2 day trip to Imereti region
After breakfast, departure towards Kutaisi.
Kutaisi is the third-most populous city in Georgia, traditionally, second in importance, after the capital city of Tbilisi. Kutaisi was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Colchis.
Bagrati Cathedral – the Cathedral of the Dormition – an 11th-century cathedral in the city of Kutaisi. Bagrati Cathedral was built in the early years of the 11th century, during the reign of King Bagrat III.
Gelati Monastery – a medieval monastic complex near Kutaisi. A masterpiece of the Georgian Golden Age, Gelati was founded in 1106 by King David IV of Georgia and is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Gelati Monastery signifies the value of the Georgian Christian orthodox religion. It was built to show how Christianity encompassed all of this land and that Georgia was filled with Christian gospel all around even high up in the mountains. Historically, Gelati was one of the main cultural and intellectual centers in Georgia. It had an Academy that employed some of the most celebrated Georgian scientists, theologians and philosophers, many of whom had previously been active at various orthodox monasteries abroad, such as the Mangana Monastery in Constantinople. Due to the extensive work carried out by the Gelati Academy, people of the time called it “a new Hellas” and “a second Athos”.
You will have a dinner in Kutaisi (at your discretion).
Hotel accommodation and overnight in Kutaisi.
Day 5.
Cave, canyon and amazing nature
Prometheus Cave Natural Monument is located in Imereti region. The length is 1, 8 km and it is located 40 meters below sea level. An hour tourist route of the Prometheus cave passes through Argonauts Hall, Kolkheti Hall, Medea Hall, Love Hall, Prometheus Hall and Iberia Hall. The trail finishes by pedestrian or boating tour on an underground flow of river Kumi. It takes 15 minutes.
Martvili Canyon Natural Monument – located in Martvili municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region. 700 m long stone paved circular route starts from Martvili Canyon visitor center and crosses the Dadiani historical trail. There are 2 bridges, 3 platform views and historical 30 steps stair constructed by large limestone boulders. Visitors can enjoy 300 meter boat tour on river Abasha and beautiful views of mountain river canyon.
You will have a dinner in Martvili (at your discretion).
In the evening we will return to Tbilisi.
Day 6.
Day trip to Kakheti
Early in the morning we will leave for Kakheti – the birthplace of wine!
Arrival at the Bodbe Monastery (100 km. from Tbilisi), where rests the relics of the enlightener of Georgia – St. Nino, who died there in 347. The monastery was founded in the IV century, and later transformed into a convent. Here is the copy of miraculous icon of Our Lady of Iveron (that was written in 1905 on Mount Athos) and the spring of St. Nino, where at any time of the year you can swim for the purpose of healing.
Arrival in Signagi – the “City of Love”, located on the terraces, connecting winding steep streets. The city is impressive with its magnificent history. It is surrounded by a double fortified wall with 28 towers. Climbing on any of them, it will seem to you that you touch the sky with your hand…
From Signagi we will go to the wine cellar, where you will have a master class in making Churchkhela (a traditional Georgian cuisine candle-shaped candy), Kakhetian Shoti (bread) and Khinkali.
Dinner you will have at the wine cellar with traditional cuisine and Kakhetian wine.
The Nekresi monastery complex is a unique place for several reasons – it was from here that Christianity began to spread throughout Georgia; in Nekresi is the country’s oldest church; from the top of the mountain, on which the monastery stands, offers stunning views of the Alazani Valley.
Gremi – an architectural monument of the 16th century, a royal fortress in the historical region of Kakheti. The city of Gremi was the capital of the Kakheti kingdom in the XVI-XVII centuries.
Telavi – the capital of the region of Kakheti. Telavi has been known since the 1st century, was an important trading center on the caravan route from the Middle East to Europe. In the XI and from the XVII to XVIII centuries it was the capital of the Kakheti kingdom.
The Castle of Batonis Tsikhe is still preserved in the center of Telavi. “Batonis Tsikhe” is translated as “Castle of the Lord“. In the XVII-XVIII centuries this castle was the residence of the Kakhetian kings. The castle complex includes the castle fence, the royal palace, two court churches, a bathhouse and a tunnel. The fence of the castle of Batonis-tsikhe is a 5 meter high battlement with towers erected from limestone and performed a defensive function. Nearby there is a giant 900 year old Plane Tree as a visit card of Telavi and attracts every tourist.
A one-day excursion to Kakheti is an unforgettable experience, excellent mood and a sea of positive emotions.
In the evening we will return to Tbilisi.
Duration of the tour: 11-12 hours.
Day 7.
Transfer to the Tbilisi international airport.
NOTE:
In case you will arrive in Tbilisi in the morning, we can start your tour in that day and you will have one more day for an additional excursion – You will have a trip to Gergeti Trinity Church.
After breakfast, departure along the Georgian military road towards Kazbegi (Stepantsminda is an urban-type settlement, 160 km from Tbilisi).
On the way, visit the Ananuri fortress (XVI century). Ananuri fortress is located in the village of the same name, on the Georgian Military Highway, 70 km from Tbilisi. Ananuri fortress played a significant role in numerous wars and has never been taken by storm in its history. Today it is one of the main points of tourist routes in Georgia. Near the village Pasanauri there is an amazing place that attracts thousands of tourists. This is the confluence of two rivers – the White and Black Aragvi rivers.
Next stop at the viewing platform in Gudauri.
Arrival to Kazbegi through the Gudauri ski resort – passing through the Jvari Pass 2379 m above sea level. Ascent to Gergeti Trinity – among all the churches of Europe located in the alpine zone, Gergeti Trinity is located at the highest point – 2200 m. The church is located at the foot of the peak of Mkinvartsveri (from Georgian: “Ice peak”).
Lunch is available at Stepantsminda (at your discretion).
In the evening, we will return to Tbilisi.
Duration of the tour: 9 hours.
