A tour in Georgia that captures the essence of the fabulous Georgian. This tour features the best things to do in wonderful country.
Day 1.
Meeting at the Tbilisi international airport and transfer to the hotel.
The program on this day depends on the arrival time.
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.
The duration of Tbilisi sightseeing tour is 6 hours.
Day 3.
2 Day Tour: Borjomi, Vardzia, Rabati Castle
After breakfast, departure towards Borjomi – a resort town in south-central Georgia. The town is noted for its mineral water industry. Borjomi mineral water is particularly well known in those countries which were part of the former Soviet Union. Borjomi is a balneological and climatic resort. During the Soviet times it had the status of a union resort. The main treatment of the resort is mineral water used for drinking and balneological procedures.
Visiting Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park – the total area occupies 85,083 ha, which is more than 1% of the territory of Georgia. In the park there is probably the most famous place in Borjomi – a place where mineral water comes out of the spring and you can enjoy it from a source absolutely free.
You will have a dinner in Borjomi (at your discretion – approx. $ 10-12 per person).
Hotel accommodation and overnight in Borjomi.
Day 4.
Next day we go to Vardzia and on the way will visit Mtsvane Monastery (Green Monastery) – a medieval church of St. George, located in the country’s south-central Borjomi valley. It is a popular site of tourism and pilgrimage.
Vardzia – a cave monastery site in southern Georgia, excavated from the slopes of the Erusheti Mountain on the left bank of the Kura River. The main period of construction was the second half of the twelfth century. The caves stretch along the cliff for some five hundred meters and in up to nineteen tiers. Now part of a state heritage reserve, the extended area of Vardzia-Khertvisi has been submitted for future inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Vardzia is one of the most interesting and visited tourist attractions of Georgia.
On the way to Rabati Castle, we will visit Khertvisi Castle and have a dinner in the town of Aspindza (at your discretion).
Rabati Castle – a fortress in Akhaltsikhe. Originally established in the 9th century as the Lomisa Castle, it was completely rebuilt by Ottomans. Most of the surviving buildings date from the 17th and 18th centuries.
In the evening we will return to Tbilisi.
Day 5.
Excursion 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 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.
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: 10 hours.
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.
