Unforgettable Georgia

9 Days

Dates for Guaranteed Departures:

Day 1           Arrival in Tbilisi. Transfer to the hotel. (25 KM)

Overnight in Tbilisi.           

                   

Day 2           Tbilisi/Gori/Kutaisi (300 KM)

After breakfast drive to Gori. The city was founded by one of the greatest kings of Georgia, David the Builder (1089–1125). On the way visit Samtavisi, an 11th century Georgian Orthodox cathedral. The first monastery on this place was founded by the Assyrian missionary Isidore in 572 and later rebuilt in the 10th century. Visit The Joseph Stalin Museum in Gori (entrance fee: USD 6). Afterwards drive to Kutaisi. On the way stop at ceramic market and visit place where tourist will be available to see how locals make different house hold things by ceramic. Kutaisi is the second largest city of Georgia in its west part founded about 40 centuries ago, former capital of the west Georgian Kingdom Colchis, to which is related the myth of Golden Fleece and Argonauts. Visiting Bagrati Temple (11th c. UNESCO heritage). Visit Gelati Monastery (12th c. UNESCO heritage). Visit smaller monastery of Motsameta, spectacularly sited on a cliff-edge.

Dinner and overnight in Kutaisi.           

                   

Day 3           Kutaisi/Vardzia/Bakuriani (450 KM)

After breakfast drive to Vardzia (entrance fee: USD 1, 70). On the way visit Khertvisi Castle (9th-10th c.c.); Vardzia, a rock-hewn complex on the left bank of the river Mtkvari was founded in the 12th -13th c.c., during the reign of Giorgi III and Queen Tamar. Initially planned as a town-fortress, the complex became a well fortified monastery, which had a significant role in political, cultural, educational and spiritual life of the country. In the middle of the complex there is a Church of Assumption, richly decorated with mural painting. Afterwards drive to famous Georgian ski resort Bakuriani.

Dinner at the hotel and overnight in Bakuriani.           

             

Day 4           Bakuriani/Borjomi/Uplistsikhe/Gudauri (350 KM)

After breakfast drive to Borjomi. Have a stop to taste the Borjomi natural mineral water. Have free time to take a walk in Borjomi Park (entrance fee: USD 0, 90). Taste natural mineral water “Borjomi”. Drive to another Georgian ski resort Gudauri. On the way visit Uplistsikhe (entrance fee: USD 1, 70), "the lord's fortress", which is an ancient rock-hewn town in eastern Georgia. Built on a high rocky left bank of Mtkvari River, it contains various structures dating from the 2nd ML BC to the Late Middle Ages, and is notable for the unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures. Afterwards drive up the famous Georgian Military Highway (leading to the Georgian-Russian border) to famouse Geogrian ski resort Gudauri. On the way visit Ananuri architectural complex (17th century), the two churches and the fortress overlook the Zhinvali water reservoir. The drive is very scenic through high Caucasus Mountains.

Dinner at the hotel and overnight in Gudauri.           

             

Day 5           Gudauri/Kazbegi/Tbilisi (200 KM)

After breakfast drive to Kazbegi. A stunning drive from Gudauri along the Tergi River will bring us to Kazbegi – the main town in the region. From Kazbegi a leisurely 1.5 hour walk up through beautiful valleys and woodland leads us to Gergeti Trinity Church located at 2170m. Weather permitting you may catch a glimpse of one of the highest glaciers in the Caucasus – Mt Kazbegi (5047m). We walk back to the town and before returning to Gudauri drive to Dariali Gorge. (NOTE: to drive to Dariali Gorge or Trinity Church we need 4X4 cars, and in case of the group travel, when group is travelling by bus, we can rent 4X4 cars on the spot and price is USD 15 per person to drive both sights). From Gudauri we drive to Tbilisi. En route visit village and see how locals make different hand made things (thick felt, embroidery, iconographic painting). Drive back to Tbilisi.

Overnight in Tbilisi.           

                   

Day 6           Mtskheta/Tbilisi tour (100 KM)

After breakfast drive to Mtskheta. We visit the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia – Mtskheta (3000 years old) and see its historical places: Jvari church (6th century) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) where the Robe of Christ is buried. Both Jvari and Svetitskhoveli are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Drive back to Tbilisi. Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia. The city covers an area of 372 km² (144 square miles) and has 1,093,000 inhabitants. Founded in the 5th century AD by Vakhtang Gorgasali, the Georgian King of Kartli (Iberia) and made into a capital in the 6th century, Tbilisi is a significant industrial, social, and cultural center. Visit Metechi Church of Holy Virgin - built in 5th c and rebuilt in 13th c. Visit old city with bath district and Narikala castle. Walk wonderful Shardeni Street with cafes and restaurants. Afterwards visit Sioni and Anchiskhati Churches and Sameba - Holy Trinity Cathedral, called as “Millennium Building”. Sameba is the greatest Orthodox Cathedral in Georgia and Caucasus. It represents the synthesis of cross–domed and central-domed churches. Drive to Open Air Ethnographic Museum, place, where are built all kinds of Georgian national old country-houses and castles (entrance fee: USD 1, 70) passing through famous Rustaveli Avenue.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

                   

Day 7           Tbilisi/Telavi (200 KM)

After breakfast drive to east Georgia. Today we make Wine tasting Tour in Kakheti region. We’ll visit Tsinandali Wine cellar and Al. Chavchavadze house museum (entrance fee: from USD 3 (without wine testing) to USD 12 (with 6 sorts of wine tasting)). Sightseeing tour of Telavi. It’s the main city and administrative center of Kakheti. First archaeological findings from Telavi date back to Bronze Age. Excursion to the residence of the King Erekle the II. (entrance fee: USD 1, 70) Shuamta Monasteries (5th -17th c.c.). Shuamta - a complex made up of three churches of different periods. The churches at this complex are built in different centuries; Ikalto Monastery founded in the 5th century, the largest centre of culture and education at that time. (OPTIONAL: farewell dinner with ethno elements in Telavi restaurant “Kakhuri Ezo”, with the traditions of Georgian bread baking Churchkhela making, Mtsvadi (Shashlik) roasting and Khinkali making, where we can taste 3 different sorts of wine and compare with each other in preparing of most famous National Georgian dishes. (USD 40 per person, including dinner, wine and “master classes” in Georgian cuisine).

Overnight in Telavi.           

                   

Day 8           Telavi/Sighnaghi/ Tbilisi (200 KM)

After breakfast visit Bodbe monastery, where is buried St. Nino from Cappadocia. Her tomb is still shown at the Bodbe Monastery in Kakheti region. St. Nino has become one of the most venerated saints of the Georgian Orthodox Church and her attribute, a Grapevine cross, is a symbol of Georgian Christianity. Afterwards drive to Sighnaghi, Love town. Sighnaghi town-museum is one of the smallest ones in Georgia. Sighnaghi is famous of wine and traditional carpets. Drive to Tbilisi. Free time in Tbilisi.

Overnight in Tbilisi.           

                   

Day 9           Transfer to the airport.





Rates in Euro in 3* hotel (city center) per person in DBL/Twin room occupancy for: 710 Euro

Single Supplement: 145 Euro

 

The rates include:

       

    4 x overnights in hotel in Tbilisi

    1 x overnights in hotel in Kutaisi

    1 x overnights in hotel in Bakuriani

    1 x overnights in hotel in Gudauri

    1 x overnights in hotel in Telavi

    Transfers airport / hotel / airport

    Transportation as per program

    English/Russian speaking Cultural tour guide

    Catering BB: (breakfast at the hotel)

    Dinners in Kutaisi, Bakuriani and Gudauri

    1 bottle of mineral water per day/per person

    

The rates do not include:

       

    Flight

    Travel insurance

    Lunches and dinners except dinners in Kutaisi, Bakuriani and Gudauri

    Alcoholic beverages

    Entrance fees

    Jeeps in Kazbegi

    Portage at the hotels



Additional Supplements:



Hotel:

4* hotel supplement per person in DBL/ Twin occupancy – 80 Euro

4* hotel sgl supplement – 285 Euro



Catering:

HB supplement 70 Euro

FB supplement 140 Euro



Guide service:

Guide supplement (German, Italian, French, Spanish) for up to 6 pax – 240 Euro per group

More Information...