Explore Georgia

Tour starts after breakfast at the hotel. Check out and meet your guide in the hotel lobby.

Today leave Tbilisi for Akhaltsike for two nights.

Drive through Kartli region and start Mtskheta sightseeing – the capital of the former Kartli (Iberia) Kingdom. In Mtskheta we visit to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.

Tour continues to Gori – a small town at the center of Kartli. Make a short Gori tour, visit Gori Fortress – a medieval citadel situated on a hill, that offers panoramic views on Gori. Stalin house-museum is located nearby. Museum visit is optional.

Head to the ancient cave complex of Uplistsikhe. This oldest urban settlement is dated back to the 1st millennium BC, and is located in 15 km from Gori. Covering an area of approximately 8 hectares, Uplistsikhe served as an important religious, political and economic center in pre-Christian Kartli kingdom. Today visitors can find streets, chambers, tunnels and theater hall in the ruins of Uplistsikhe.

Drive to Samtskhe-Javakheti region, in the evening arrive in Akhaltsikhe – the major town located in the ravine of the river Potskhovi.

Overnight in Akhaltsikhe.

Optional: Museum of Joseph Stalin in Gori. Optional: On day 2 we can also visit the museum of Joseph Stalin in Gori.

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the major attraction of Akhaltsikhe town – Rabati Castle. Rabati is the historical district on the hilltop, where 9th century fortress was rebuilt several times in middle ages. Here, Duke Jakeli family palace, fortress, orthodox church, mosque, synagogue, catholic church, and a museum are located in few minutes of the walking distance. Excursion will take about 45 minutes.

Drive along the Mtkvari river to the town Aspindza, Khertvisi and Tmogvi Fortresses and Vardzia cave monastery. Vardzia is a medieval rock-hewn cave complex, carved into the volcanic rocks on 13 levels, with numerous internal corridors, secret tunnels, chapels and dwellings. The main hall is covered with beautiful murals of 12th c. The Vardzia tour will take about 1 h.

In the evening we come back to Akhaltsikhe.

Overnight in Akhaltsikhe.

On day 4 after breakfast, check out and depart for Borjomi resort. Visit Borjomi National Park, taste local sparkling mineral water ‘Borjomi’, and take a walk in the park.

After tour in Borjomi, continue to the west Georgia via Rikoti pass (paved 130 km 2 h 20 min drive) through tunnel connecting East and West Georgia. On the way stop at Ubisa Monastery (9th c) beautifully painted by artist Damiane (14th c frescoes), a few spots where local farmers sell various pottery and other handmade ethnographical souvenirs.

Arrive in Gelati Monastery and Academy, the brilliant example of 12th c Georgian Golden Era. Wall painting, mosaic and architecture represents the real masterpiece of middle ages and is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

In the evening arrive in Kutaisi – the administrative center of Imereti region. Enjoy Kutaisi evening walking tour, visit Bagrati Cathedral, main square around the fountain, central park and check in the hotel.

Overnight in Kutaisi.

Today, explore natural wonders of Imereti protected areas and small part of Samegrelo region. First, visit Okatse Canyon and Martvili Canyon. On the second part of the day come to the Prometheus Cave – a deep karst cave near Tskaltubo town, that has a 1.8 km trail with stalactites, stalagmites, underground rivers and lakes open for visitors.

In the evening drive back to Kutaisi.

Overnight in Kutaisi.

After breakfast, depart for Gudauri skiing resort. Today we drive to the north and next two days are dedicated to observe the Great Caucasus mountains. On the way make a photo stop at the Zhinvali Reservoir, visit Ananuri Architectural Complex located in the gorge of the river Aragvi.

Children playground is nicely set nearby Ananuri Fortress. Take time to swim in fresh mountain water of Zhinvali.

Continue the way to the north, towards the Greater Caucasus mountain, and arrive in Gudauri ski resort, situated at an elevation of 2196 meters above the sea level.

*Optional: Paragliding and rafting are available to arrange nearby.

*Optional: wine tasting at Chateau Mukhrani winery

Overnight in Gudauri hotel.

After breakfast, start full-day adventure of Khevi province and Caucasus mountains. From Gudauri we depart for Kazbegi – major town and administrative center of mountainous Khevi. The road reaches 2395 m above sea level on the Jvari Pass, the watershed of Aragvi and Tergi rivers. Stops for observation platform, and enjoy Snowy peaks of the Caucasus mountains.

Afterwards, we arrive in Kazbegi municipality town Stephantsminda. The Mount Gergeti is an excellent place for short hiking and for panoramic views from the Gergeti Trinity Church, (14th c). The Church is beautifully set on the top and overlooks villages of Kazbegi area. It is part of Kazbegi National Park. In clear weather, the Kazbegi Glacier (5054 m) is visible from here.

Continue to Dariali Gorge, a narrow canyon along Tergi river. Walk to Gveleti waterfalls, visit Dariali St. Michael and Gabriel monastery and see Georgia-Russian border (14 km from Stephantsminda).

From Dariali, return back to Gudauri. Near the Kobi village, take a moment and don’t skip Kobi-Gudauri cable car – unbelievable experience!

Overnight in Gudauri.

Breakfast at the hotel; check out and drive to Tbilisi.

First, visit ChrOnicles of Georgia – late Soviet monument located near Tbilisi Sea. The monument is called as a “modern Georgian Stonehenge”. It was erected in 1980 and depicts various historical and religious events that took place in the country. From this point we can enjoy panoramic views of Tbilisi city.

Next we head to the Georgian National Museum. Museum houses numerous archaeological and ethnographic collections from different historical periods and eras.

Afterwards, walk along the Rustaveli Avenue, take a look at the buildings of the Parliament of Georgia, Rustaveli National Theatre, and Georgian National Opera and Ballet Theater of Tbilisi. It is also possible to go for a shopping to Tbilisi Mall – located on the Rustaveli avenue offering numbers of well-known brand shops, banking facilities, multi-screen cinema, a family entertainment center etc.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

After breakfast, continue Tbilisi City tour. Drive to the David Agmashenebeli Avenue and take a walk in the renovated “New Tiflis” area. Here, we can make a stop at the Tbilisi Flea Market on Dry Bridge, where you will find vast assortment of antique, such as hand-made jewelry, old military medals from World War II, Soviet style cutlery, old enamel, vintage cameras and many more.

From Dry Bridge we drive to the Tbilisi Old Town. We are going to visit Anchiskhati basilica – the oldest church (built in the 6th century) in the city, the Residence of the Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church – the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, which is also one of the tallest orthodox churches in the world.

Move towards the Rike park, cross the glass Bridge of Peace, and take a cable car from the car that takes us to the Narikala Fortress, a medieval fortress situated on the mountain overlooking Tbilisi. Finally, we stroll down from Narikala back to the old districts, visit LegvtaKhevi canyon and waterfall and continue to Sulfur Bathhouse District (Abanotubani), Meidan square and Shardeni street. There are lots of outdoor cafes, bars, restaurants, art galleries and souvenir shops in these areas.

In the evening go up to the Mtatsminda mountain by a funicular tram, where we can visit the Mtatsminda Pantheon of Writers and Public Figures – largest necropolis in Tbilisi, where some of the prominent writers, artists, scientists and other public figures are buried.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

After breakfast check-out from the hotel and transfer to Tbilisi International airport for departure.

We hope to be your host again.

Have a nice flight!