Visit Georgia for five days – recharge yourself with positive emotions during excursions from Tbilisi, taste the famous Georgian dishes and the best wine, while admiring the impressive landscapes.
Day 1.
Meeting at Tbilisi International Airport and transfer to the hotel.
Sightseeing tour in the historical part of Tbilisi
Metekhi Plateau is a historical district of Tbilisi, located on a cliff overlooking the Mtkvari (Kura) River.
The monument “Georgian Mother” – which has become one of the symbols of Tbilisi. The statue symbolizes the Georgian national character: a female figure holds a cup of wine in her left hand to greet those who came as a friend, and in her right hand a sword for those who came as an enemy.
The Narikala Fortress is the most famous and ancient monument of Tbilisi antiquity, since the fourth century is called the date of construction of the fortress. The original name of the fortress was Shuris Tsikhe (Enviable Fortress), and the modern name was given by the Mongols, having captured Tbilisi – “narin kala” in Mongolian means “small fortress”.
Tbilisi Mosque – Juma Mosque, built nearby the Narikala fortress.
Abanotubani (Bath Quarter) 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 for many tourists.
Maidan is one of the most popular places in Tbilisi. An interesting journey through the exhibition tunnels of the Maidan Bazaar awaits you.
Sioni Cathedral (VI-XII centuries) – historically the main temple of Tbilisi, built in the name of the Assumption of the Mother of God – one of the most famous monuments of the old city, named after the Jerusalem Zion Mountain. Among the relics kept in the temple is the ancient cross of St. Nina, woven from vines, which, according to legend, the Mother of God handed over to St. Nina before sending her to Georgia.
Anchiskhati – a 6th century church dedicated to the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. The oldest surviving church in Tbilisi.
Tbilisi State Puppet Theater named after Rezo Gabriadze – in the Old Town on Shavteli Street there is a small Puppet Theater (one of the attractions of Tbilisi), with only 80 seats. It was built by Rezo Gabriadze in 1981 and is adjacent to the oldest building in the city – the 6th century Anchiskhati Basilica.
The Bridge of Peace – a pedestrian bridge across the Kura River, connecting Heraclius II Street and Rike Park. The bridge offers stunning views of the city.
Duration of the tour is 3-4 hours.
Day 2.
Mtskheta, Stalin Museum, Uplistsikhe, Jvari Monastery
Svetitskhoveli is the cathedral patriarchal temple 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, erected over the grave of St. Sidonia, buried with the chiton of Jesus Christ taken out of Jerusalem. Svetitskhoveli has been the main cathedral of all Georgia for a millennium. One of the foundations of the temple was the sacred trunk (cedar) that stood at the burial place of the robe of Christ, after which the temple was named. (From Georgian: sveti – a pillar, tskhoveli – life-giving).
Arrival in Gori and (in case of your interest) visiting Joseph Stalin’s house-museum. The museum has three departments, all located in the central district of Gori. 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. The uniqueness of the monument lies in the fact that, thanks to its structure, it retained the remains of architectural and religious buildings built over several millennia. In its heyday, Uplistsikhe included more than 700 caves and cave structures, of which only 150 have survived to date.
There are archaeological data on the Uplistsikhe trade relations of this period with Urartu and Medes. The settlement was called Uplistsikhe already in the ancient period. Mention of medieval Georgian historians connect the foundation of the settlement with the mythological “Uplos, the son of Mtskhetos”. Based on this, the name “Uplistsikhe” is associated with Uplos. Nevertheless, in most popular sources, another interpretation of the name has been fixed, made on the basis of the modern Georgian language, in which “Uplos” is associated with the common noun “lord”: Uplistsikhe – “Fortress of the Lord”.
Lunch at a restaurant near Uplistsikhe at your discretion (about $15 per person).
Jvari Monastery (VI century) is located on the top of a mountain at the confluence of the Kura and Aragvi rivers near Mtskheta. From the mountain there is a stunning view of Mtskheta and you can see how the streams of two rivers – the Kura and Aragvi – merge. By 545, a small temple already stood on the “cross” mountain; it is now in ruins. A larger church in the form of a tetraconch, consecrated in honor of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, was erected between 586 and 604.
In the evening we return to Tbilisi.
Day 3.
Excursion to Kakheti – KTW, Bodbe, Sighnaghi
Visiting the wine factory KTW (Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking), tasting of several varieties of wine. On the way to Sighnaghi, stop in the village of Badiauri, where we will see how the Kakhetian “mother’s bread” (Dedas Puri) is baked; at the stop you can buy spices, churchkhela – a traditional Georgian national delicacy.
On the way to Sighnaghi we will stop in the village of Badiauri, where you will see how the Kakhetian “Mother’s Bread” (Dedas Puri) is baked in Tone and taste locally produced cheese; At the stop you can buy various spices, Churchkhela – a traditional Georgian national delicacy.
Arrival at the Bodbe Monastery – the nunnery of the Bodbinsky diocese of the Georgian Orthodox Church. The Georgian Orthodox monastery complex, originally built in the 9th century, was extensively rebuilt, especially in the 17th century. Currently, the monastery functions as a convent and is one of the main places of pilgrimage in Georgia due to its association with St. Nino, a 4th-century Georgian evangelist whose relics are kept here. This is a beautiful place indeed – from here there is a wonderful view of Alazani valley.
Next we will visit Sighnaghi – the city of love, located on terraces connected by winding steep streets. Despite being one of Georgia’s smallest towns, Sighnaghi is a popular tourist destination thanks to its location in the heart of Georgia’s wine regions, as well as its picturesque landscapes, pastel-colored houses and narrow cobbled streets. Situated on a steep hill, Sighnaghi overlooks the vast Alazani Valley, with the Caucasus Mountains visible in the distance.
Lunch in Sighnaghi at your discretion (about $15 per person).
In the evening we return to Tbilisi.
Day 4.
Free day to explore Tbilisi on your own
You can spend this day in Tbilisi or book an additional excursion, for example, visit the Gergeti Trinity in Kazbegi.
Day 5.
Transfer to Tbilisi International Airport.
Tour price:
EXCLUDING hotel accommodation:
for 2 persons: $1220 ($610 per person)
for 4 persons: $1660 ($415 per person)
for 6 persons: $1740 ($290 per person)
for 10 persons: $2800 ($280 per person)
with accommodation in a 4* hotel in the center of Tbilisi:
for 2 persons:: $1520 ($760 per person)
for 4 persons:: $2260 ($565 per person)
for 6 persons:: $2640 ($440 per person)
for 10 persons:: $4300 ($430 per person)
with accommodation in a 3* hotel in the center of Tbilisi:
for 2 persons: $1380 ($690 per person)
for 4 persons: $1980 ($495 per person)
for 6 persons: $2220 ($370 per person)
for 10 persons: $3600 ($360 per person)
The price includes: hotel accommodation with breakfast in the center of Tbilisi, private guide services throughout the tour, driver services and all transfers according to the program, entrance tickets to Uplistsikhe and local guide services, entrance tickets to the Stalin Museum and local guide services, tasting of kakhetian bread and cheese, wine tasting.
Visit Georgia for five days and enjoy amazing trips from Tbilisi!
