Discover the Ancient Culture of Georgia

Price upon request

Tour: Georgia tour 4, Request

Cities: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Tbilisi – Ananuri – Gudauri – Kazbegi – Gudauri – Gori – Uplistsikhe – Vardzia - Bakuriani - Tbilisi – Telavi – Tsinandali – Sighnaghi – Tbilisi

Duration: 8 days\ 7 nights
 
Tour Summary:

Day 1. Arrival
Arrive at Tbilisi International Airport. Custom formalities. Meet guide and driver and drive to the hotel (0.25min drive). Check-in. Overnight at the hotel in Tbilisi.

Day 2: Tbilisi & Mtskheta city tours
Highlights: Treasury, Old City, Ancient Capital& UNESCO World Heritage Site
Tbilisi City tour –We start our excursion with the National Museum of Fine Arts. The Museum houses the best-known samples of Georgian artwork. The permanent exhibitions display artworks from medieval times up to twentieth century.  We continue our tour with old city and take a walk through narrow old streets to Metekhi palace, Narikala fortress and Abanotubani. Afterwards, we depart towards ancient capital of Georgia, Mtskheta. Here Georgians adopted  Christianity in the beginning of 4th C. and Mtskheta still remains the Headquarters of Georgian Orthodox Church. Here are a number of very significant archeological and religious monuments, dominated by the Cathedral Svetitskhoveli (11th C.) and the church of Jvari (6th Century). Mtskheta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 3: Ananuri, Gudauri, Kazbegi
Highlights: Old Fortress, Military Highway, Alpine Zone& Ski Resort, Trinity Church
Breakfast and check out from the hotel. Visit Ananuri Fortress - It was a castle and seat of the Eristavis (Dukes) of Aragvi, a feudal dynasty which ruled the area from the 13th C. The castle was the scene of numerous battles. The fortress remained in use until the beginning of the 19th C. In 2007, the complex has been put on the Tentative List for inclusion in to the UNESCO World Heritage Site program. We drive through Georgian military highway – the historic name for a major route through the Caucasus from Georgia to Russia.
The Georgian Military Road runs between Tbilisi (Georgia) and Vladikavkaz (Russia) and follows the traditional route used by invaders and traders throughout the ages. Gudauri- Alpine zone and one of the famous ski resorts in Georgia. We will visit the spot on our way to Kazbeg. Kazbegi – situated in a kind of amphitheatre of mountains, dominated by superb Mount Kazbek (5048m) - one of the six 5000 meter peaks of the Caucasus. The region, with its many valleys and peaks is one of the most popular walking destinations in Georgia.
*We trek to visit Sameba church (around one hour). At additional payment: hire 4x4 cars on the spot in Kazbegi.
Overnight in Gudauri.

Day 4: Gori, Uplistsikhe
Highlights: Joseph Stalin’s Birthplace& Private Coach, Ancient Cave town.
After breakfast at the hotel in Gudauri, we depart towards town Gori, which is Hometown of Josef Stalin. In Gori we may have an excursion to Stalin Museum. From Gori we continue our journey to Uplistsikhe.  Uplistsikhe is a cave town hewn into the living rock, 8kms south-east of Gori. The citadel dates back to the 7th century BC.  It served as a strategic point on the ancient Silk Road from ancient times until the 15th Century AD. It contains a large central hall for pagan rituals, living rooms and a 9th church.
Overnight in Akhaltsikhe.

Day 5: Vardzia, Bakuriani
Highlights: 12th C.Cave Monastery featuring ancient frescoes, Spa Resort
After breakfast in Akhaltsikhe, we depart to the direction of the cave city Vardzia. It is s a cave monastery in southern Georgia. It was founded by Queen Tamar in 1185. The monastery was constructed as protection from the Mongols and consisted of over six thousand apartments in a thirteen story complex. The city included a church, a throne room, and a complex irrigation system watering terraced farmlands. About three hundred apartments and halls remain visitable and in some tunnels the old irrigation pipes still bring drinkable water. Afterwards we continue our way to famous resort Bakuriani.
Bakuriani is a popular skiing resort in the Borjomi district. It is located at 1,700 meters (5,576 feet) above sea level.
The region around Bakuriani is covered by coniferous forests (mainly made up of spruce). The present-day area of the town was built up by the lava flows from the Mukheri volcano.
Overnight in Bakuriani.

Day 6: Telavi
Highlights: Regional centre of Kakheti, homeland of wine
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we depart towards eastern part of Georgia, Kakheti Region.
Georgia is famous with its ancient wine making culture (about 2000 years experience) and over
500 sorts of wine. Kakheti is the place, were wine is mainly produced in Georgia.
Our first stop will be in Telavi, the regional centre of Kakheti.
Check in at the hotel/guesthouse.
Overnight in Telavi.

Day 7: Tsinandali, Sighnaghi
Highlights: Prince’s Residence, Winery, 18th C. Fortified town
After breakfast, we drive towards small town Tsinadali, only few kilometers away from Telavi.
Initially built during the 19th Century, the Tsinandali house, winery and gardens (which retain unique microclimate and were designed by French architects) tell the story of a fascinating family: The Chavchavadzes.
Excursion at Tsinandali Museum, winery and gardens will give you something to remember.  And of course we won’t miss our chance to have the wine tasting at Tsinandali winery, where wines dated from 19th century are stored.
The second half of the day we’ll dedicate to Sighnaghi, the 18th Century fortified town.
Sighnaghi is one of the most beautiful towns of Georgia. Its attractiveness is largely defined both by the age-old architectural sites and its natural characteristics: the Town is located on a hilltop and looks over the boundless area of the Alazani Valley and the snow-covered Caucasian mountains.
At the end of the day we drive back to Tbilisi.
Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 8: Departure
Check out from the hotel and transfer to the airport (depends on the flight schedule).
End of the Tour.

Included:

1. 2 x airport transfers in Tbilisi
2. Transportation as per program by comfortable minibus/bus with A/C.
3. Meals without alcohol beverages
4. All breakfasts at the hotels/guesthouses.
5. 4 x dinners at local’s house on day 3,4, 5, 6 days.
6. Guide Service: 8 x days guide service
7. 1 x 0,5 l mineral non-gas water per person per day
8. Wine tasting on day 7 at Tsinandali Residence (a glass of wine p/p)

Excluded:

1. Meals not described above
2. Travel insurance
3. Alcohol beverages not mentioned in the itinerary
4. Services not described above
5. Concerts
6. Porters

At additional rate to be advised:
Entrance fees to sites and museums from 3-10 Euros p/p per museum               

NOTE: Prices given are estimated and might be subject to slight change due to currency course change.
NOTE: Picnic Lunches to be taken from Gudauri and Akhaltsikhe on the days 4,5.