OVERVIEW:
8 days tour: Classic cultural tour involves four main regions of the South, West North and East Georgia – you will visit Caucasus mountains and lowlands, rocks and caves, taste Georgian wines and discover the country’s peculiar culture. The trip is designed for travelers’ who like to enjoy the professional guided and chauffeured traveling. Our experienced team will make your trip enjoyable, knowledgeable, comfortable and pleasant.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL
Transfer from TBS airport to the hotel in Tbilisi. Welcome dinner and folklore Show at traditional Georgian restaurant. Overnight in Tbilisi.
DAY 2: TBILISI-GORI-BAKURIANI
Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Drive to Mtskheta -the old capital of Iberia Kingdom to visit two UNESCO world heritage sites: Jvari Monastery 6th c and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral 11th c . Afterwards we can have a coffee break at a small local restaurant; Drive to Gori – a small city where we will visit Stalin’s house-museum and explore Uplistsikhe caves 1st mill BC. Drive to the Spa city Borjomi, visit the national park, where we can taste famous mineral spring water Borjomi. For overnight drive to the Ski resort Bakuriani. Overnight in Bakuriani. Note: Bakuriani is located up in the mountains, 1650 m above sea level.
DAY 3: BAKURIANI-AKHALTSIKHE-VARDZIA-BAKURIANI
The buffet breakfast at the hotel. Today you will enjoy full day exploration of Javakheti region. Day offer is exploration of 12th c cave city Vardzia, carved into the volcanic rocks on 13 levels, linked inside by internal corridors, secrete tunnels, painted chapels. All day we will drive along different medieval fortresses by Kura riverside and have the picnic lunch on our way. Evening drive back to Akhaltsikhe and visit Rabati fort, museum and old citadel, Akhaltsikhe Sinagogue.Overnight in Bakuriani.
DAY 4: BAKURIANI-KUTAISI
Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Drive to the western Georgia via Rikoti pass on the west of the second largest city in Georgia – Kutaisi. We can make several stops on our way: there are pottery markets, farmers selling baskets, honey, mushrooms and fruits. We will visit two UNESCO world heritage sites: Bagrati cathedral 11th c., located in central part of the city on the top of the hill, Gelati Academy 12th c. with beautiful mosaics inside and of course-KutaisiSinagogue 19th century, Jewish Cemetery and Jewish Quarter. Stop by local fruit market in Kutaisi (Optional); Overnight in Kutaisi.
DAY 5: KUTAISI-GUDAURI
Breakfast at the hotel. First visit Sataplia-Nature reserve with Dinosaur footprints and karst caves; Drive to the East, passing back Rikoti Pass and then to the North via Georgian Military Highway to Gudauri Ski resort.On the way we will visit Ananuri complex-the Aragvi duke’s residence. Overnight in Gudauri .Note: Gudauri is located on the altitude of 2000 m above sea level;
DAY 6: GUDAURI-STEPANTSMINDA-GERGETI-DARIALI-GUDAURI
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day exploration of high Caucasus mountains; We will reach 2395 m level on the Cross Pass, where we can make several stops to taste mineral waters as well as observe snowy peaks of the mountains and waterfalls, the birthplace of Aragvi River. Two hours easy hiking to the top of Mount Gergeti, to visit Holy Trinity church 14th c. located above Stephantminda town and on the same time under the magnificent peak Kazbegi glacier 5033m. Overnight in Gudauri.
DAY 7: GUDAURI-TELAVI-SIGHNAGHI
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to south-east to Kakheti-wine region to explore its beauties and taste famous Georgian wines. First stop in Telavi-administrative center of the region; then continue to Tsinandali -famous estate of noble family and winery of 19th c to taste Kakhetian wine. Drive for overnight to Sighnaghi -old trading town with 17th c. defensive wall around; free evening. Overnight in Sighnagi hotel.
DAY 8: SIGHNAGHI-TBILISI
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast drive to Tbilisi: Visit old and new districts of Tbilisi, Narikala Fortress 4th c, Sulfur bathes, Sharden Street neighborhood, Metekhi church 13th c, Old Synagogue, Bridge of Peace-modern glass bridge for pedestrians and Rustaveli Avenue. Transfer to TBS airport for departure.