Group size: 1 - 16 persons
Please note that itinerary and price on 2019 tour are subject to change due to airline and train schedule changes, currency fluctuations and other unforeseeable events.
Dive deep into the heart of Georgian traditional winemaking, see the country's fascinating natural sceneries ranging from magical valleys to gorgeous mountain ranges, experience the past coming to live and listen to history told by fortresses, monasteries and towns built-in into the rocks. Touring Georgia is compared to a theme park visit, where every day there are new impressions and new emotions. Our small group Georgia tour will prove you that legends and myths surrounding this Caucasian country are all true. Well... almost.
Participants need to be in good health, be able to walk for 4-6 hours every day at moderate speed, climb stairs and hills, and be able to carry their own luggage for up to 1 km across borders.
Tour itinerary:
Arrival in Tbilisi. Transfer to the hotel. Check-in at noon. Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast depart towards the Kakheti region of Georgia, the cradle of Georgian wine. Beautiful road lies through Gombori pass. Our first stop will be in Telavi, the administrative and historic center of the region. Have a short walk in old Telavi and have a photo stop at the monument to Erekli II. Visit local bazaar with fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses and dry fruits. Drive to Gremi architectural complex, 16th century royal residence and the capital of Kakheti Kingdom. Gloomy and monumental, the Gremi castle is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Georgia. We will then pass through the beautiful landscapes of vineyards and wine-producing villages. First stop will be at the Winery Khareba, standing out with its unusual location in the tunnel carved out of the rock. Originally built for military purposes, today the tunnel is used to store Kakheti’s finest wines. Wine tour and wine tasting. Reach your hotel for overnight.
Continue exploring Kakheti region and Alazani valley. Check-out from the hotel and drive to Tsinandali, the residence of dukes of Georgia with beautiful English garden, a museum and the wine cellar, which belonged to prince Chavchavadze, 19th century public figure and poet.
Continue to Sighnaghi, the city of love and the Royal Town, one of the crossroads of the Great Silk Road surrounded by defensive walls with 23 towers. After short excursion, depart to Tbilisi, making en-route stop at Bodbe Convent. As the legend says, it is a burial place of St. Nino, who converted Georgia to Christianity in the 4th century. Since 1889 Bodbe complex functions as a nunnery as per the decree of Tsar Alexader III of Russia. Continue driving to Tbilisi for overnight at the hotel.
Continue to Sighnaghi, the city of love and the Royal Town, one of the crossroads of the Great Silk Road surrounded by defensive walls with 23 towers. After short excursion, depart to Tbilisi, making en-route stop at Bodbe Convent. As the legend says, it is a burial place of St. Nino, who converted Georgia to Christianity in the 4th century. Since 1889 Bodbe complex functions as a nunnery as per the decree of Tsar Alexader III of Russia. Continue driving to Tbilisi for overnight at the hotel.
In the morning, start a sightseeing tour in Tbilisi. Visit Metekhi church and the monument to Vakhtang Gorgasali, the legendary founder of Tbilisi. Visit Narikala Fortress to enjoy breathtaking panoramic view of the city. Walk down to the district of Sulphur bath houses passing by the only mosque in Tbilisi. Stroll through the Sharden area full of narrow streets with cozy cafés, wine tasting bars, souvenir shops, and breathe in the living past. Visit Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica, the clock tower of famous Rezo Gabriadze Theatre, and Bridge of Peace leading to Rike Park. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Today you will explore the north of Georgia. First stop will be at Jvari Church, a true architectural masterpiece of the early Medieval Period built on a hilltop. You will enjoy the views of the confluence of Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. Continue to Ananuri complex, a former residence of Argveti Dukes. The complex features churches and towers dating back to the 16-17th centuries, beautifully overlooking the Jinvali reservoir. Drive further to see the conjunction of two small mountain rivers famous for keeping different colors even after they merge. We will then drive over the Cross Pass and make a short stop at the Soviet-era “People’s Friendship” mountain view point overlooking a deep gorge of Caucasus mountain range. In Kazbegi, we will change our vehicle to a four-wheel drive car to reach Gergeti Holy Trinity Church located at an altitude of 2170 m and enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Kazbegi. Drive to Gudauri. Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, drive to Gori and visit the Stalin Museum. The museum includes more than 60,000 artifacts, the tiny house where Stalin was born and an impressive bulletproof train Stalin used to travel to Yalta and Potsdam. Explore the cave town Uplistsikhe, dating back to Hellenistic Period and notable for unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures and the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture. Continue to Mtskheta, one of the oldest towns and the cultural and religious centre of Georgia. Mtskheta was the capital of the Eastern Georgian Kingdom of Iberia from the third century BC. Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral which may be translated as "The Life-giving pillar". Svetitskhoveli is the main cathedral of Mtskheta and a sacred place where the robe of Christ is being kept. Reach Tbilisi for overnight at the hotel.
- All transfers;
- Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
- Sightseeing tour program with local English-speaking guides;
- Entrance tickets to sights as per itinerary;
- Welcome dinner;
- Two wine tastings in Kakheti region, Georgia.
- Full board (lunch and dinner);
- Hotel charges for additional services;
- Personal travel insurance.
Accommodation:
| Tbilisi - 4 nights |
| River Side, Citrus or similar |
| Telavi - 1 night |
| Château Mere, Erekle II or similar |
| Gudauri - 1 night |
| Marco Polo, Carpe Diem or similar |
