Taste of Georgia

After breakfast, guide will meet you at the hotel and help for check out.

Suggested time to start a day is 09:00.

Drive to the capital of former Kingdom of Iberia – Mtskheta town. Visit UNESCO Sites: Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, built in the 11th c., and Jvari Monastery, built in the 6th c.

Text stop is small town Gori, prominent for Judo Club "Golden Gori", agriculture production and apple gardening, and a birthplace of Soviet dictator, Stalin. Visit Soviet-era museum of Joseph Stalin, which consists of Stalin’s memorial house, train and exhibition halls displaying his personal belongings.

Drive towards Uplistsikhe, an ancient temple-town carved in a sandstone rocks. This cave complex is considered as the oldest urban settlement discovered on the territory of present-day Georgia. Sightseeing will take about 45 minutes.

Tour continues to the western Georgia. After driving through 1.8 km long tunnel on Rikoti Pass, arrive in Kutaisi (population 147,500 people), the third largest city of Georgia country. Before entering Kutaisi, visit Gelati Academy and Monastery, the 12th c masterpiece, built during the Golden Age. The western window of the academy building is a good place to watch the sunset.

In the evening arrive to Kutaisi and walk around the central park.

Overnight in Kutaisi.

After breakfast at the hotel, visit Bagrati Cathedral, near the ruins of the residential palace of Great King Bagrat III. Built in early 11th c., the cathedral proudly overlooks Kutaisi from the hill and is considered as a symbol of the city.

Today visit two more highlights of Imeteri Protected areas - Prometheus Caves and Okatse Canyon leading to Kinchkha Waterfall.

First drive to Prometheus Caves – one of the longest and beautiful karst caves in the region; various types of stalactites, stalagmites, cave pearls, underground rivers and lakes will amaze you. The boat trip is possible to book separately, as availability depends of the river level inside the caves.

After visiting Prometheus karst caves, let’s head to the Okatse Canyon. The canyon runs roughly for 14 kilometers, with width from 3-6 to 15-20 meters, while its depth is between 20-100 meters. Walk in nature and enjoy the scenery.

In the evening drive back to Kutaisi.

Overnight in Kutaisi.

In the morning drive to Borjomi spa-resort. Surrounded by evergreen forested mountains, town lies on the banks of Mtkvari and small river Borjomula. Take a nice walk either in a central park or in the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, taste famous bobbling mineral spring water and have relaxing day in the nature.

In the evening continues to another town of Samtskhe-Javakheti area, Akhaltsikhe, administrative center of the region. Here, visit Akhaltsikhe Castle, in Rabati district dating back to the 14th century. The Castel includes public area, administrative building, amphitheater, hotel, restaurant, museum, church, mosque and remains of residential palace of duke Jakheli.

Overnight in Akhaltsikhe.

Today, follow the up-stream of the river Mtkvari and explore Javakheti region. Picturesque valley! Visit Europa Nostra winner of 2021 - Vardzia cave monastery. On the way, there are ruined mediaeval fortresses of Borjomi, Atskuri, Khertvisi and Tmogvi, as bigger, as closer to the border of Ottomans. Make as much stops as you wish. Vulcanic mountains are striped with terraced vineyards. Amazing valley!

The rock-hewn cave-monastery Vardzia was built in 12th c as a stronghold, and consists of approximately 600 rooms located in five, six, seven and sometimes twelve tiers. There are residential caves, prayers, spring, churches, refectories, bakeries, wine presses, stables, barracks and stores, secret tunnels, internal corridors and chapels. Complex flourished under the rule of the lady king Tamar the Great of Georgia (1184 to 1213). Her portrayal can be observed on the southern wall of the main church.

In the evening drive back to Tbilisi.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

Tbilisi private sightseeing by foot and car.

After breakfast, head to the highest point of the city - Mtatsminda Park. It is possible to get on the top by car or by the funicular cable tram. Two main panoramas shell be depicted on the tour’s final day: view of Tbilisi historical district (opera house, Rustaveli avenue, Metekhi Church, golden domed Sameba trinity cathedral, Naricala fortress and e.s) and another, view of Soviet Tbilisi (Stadium, Tbilisi central railway, residential blocks of Saburtalo district, Sport palace and e.s).

Take a moment under the TV tower, walk in a park and don’t skip good portion of ice-cream in Funicular restaurant - the best place to enjoy the day.

Walk to the city by foot, visit Mtatsminda Pantheon, Rustaveli Avenue and the Georgian National Museum. It’s unique collections features gold and silver artifacts from the pre-Christian period.

After visiting museum, continue to the old city to visit the main cathedral - Holy Trinity of Tbilisi and Metekhi Church , Rike park Cable car, the ancient Fortress Narikala, the LegvtaKhevi canyon and natural waterfall, the Sulfur bathhouse district and historical streets of Shardeni and King Erekle II, visit outdoor cafes, souvenir shops, art-galleries, walk on the glass Bridge of Peace and Dry Bridge flee market over the river Mtkvari and feel the crossroads of two great continents: here Europe meets Asia. You will fall in love with his eclectic city. Have a great evening!

Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Tbilisi International Airport. Departure. End of service.