Central Asia and the Caucasus is a fascinating and diverse, yet relatively unexplored, region. Rather than limit yourself to exploring a single country, discover the contrasts and similarities between two countries on this 17-day small group tour of Uzbekistan and Georgia. Experience two different religions as you journey from Uzbekistan’s Islamic mosques and madrassahs to Georgia’s Orthodox Christian monasteries and churches, and two different types of scenery as you admire Uzbekistan’s deserts and Georgia’s mountain villages and canyons. At the same time, appreciate the two countries’ shared history as part of the Soviet Union, and the common pride of the local people in their rich cultures.
Tour itinerary:
Arrival in Tashkent. Meet your driver and transfer to the hotel. Check in from 14:00. Free day.
After breakfast start guided sightseeing tour in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia. You will start with exploring the Old City. Visit Khast-Imam Complex, where the world famous Quran, holy book that belonged to Caliph Uthman, has been preserved. The complex consists of Barak-Khan Madrasah, Tillya Sheykh Mosque, Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari. Continue to Chorsu Bazaar. Then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to the city center to visit Applied Arts Museum and walk through Navoi Theater to Amir Timur Square where you will end Tashkent city tour.
Transfer to domestic airport, evening flight to Urgench departing at 20:25 (1093 km, 1 h 30 min). Arrival in Urgench at 21:55, transfer to the hotel in Khiva (30 km, 35 min).
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Transfer to domestic airport, evening flight to Urgench departing at 20:25 (1093 km, 1 h 30 min). Arrival in Urgench at 21:55, transfer to the hotel in Khiva (30 km, 35 min).
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
After breakfast sightseeing tour in Khiva. Visit Ichan-Qala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In Ichan-Qala Fortress visit Sayeed Alauddin Mausoleum, Arab-Mukhamadkhan Madrasah, Oq-Masjid Mosque, Madrasah of Hodjan Berdi-biya, Shirgazikhan Madrasah, Abdullakhan Madrasah, Juma Mosque, Allakulikhan Madrasah, Tosh-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islom-Khoja. At 19:00 transfer to domestic airport flight to Bukhara at 21:00 arriving in Bukhara at 22:00. Arrival in Bukhara, transfer to the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
*subject to availability and maybe substituted to transfer by train or by mini van
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
*subject to availability and maybe substituted to transfer by train or by mini van
After breakfast start walking sightseeing tour in Bukhara.
Visit Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasah, trade domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrasahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. In the evening enjoy a National Show at Nadir Divan-begi Madrasah and a delicious dinner at the National house.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Visit Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasah, trade domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrasahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. In the evening enjoy a National Show at Nadir Divan-begi Madrasah and a delicious dinner at the National house.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Breakfast. Start the second day with a visit to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa – the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir, unique site combining Oriental and Russian architecture. Continue to the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi and Chor-Bakr Necropolis. In the afternoon depart Bukhara and drive to Samarkand (470 km, 4-5 hrs.). Upon arrival at Samarkand check in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
After breakfast, Samarkand sightseeing tour. Visit spectacular Registan Square, Gur Emir Mausoleum – the mausoleum of Amir Timur, remains of Bibi Khanum Mosque, Siab Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory. Free time in the afternoon.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Breakfast. Continue sightseeing tour in Samarkand. You will visit Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, Afrasiab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then drive to Konigil village to explore traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. Farewell lunch in Samarkand.
At 16:30 transfer to the railway station to take the high-speed Afrosiyob train departing at 17:30 (300 km, 2 h 10 m) and arriving in Tashkent at 19:40. Pick-up and transfer to the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
At 16:30 transfer to the railway station to take the high-speed Afrosiyob train departing at 17:30 (300 km, 2 h 10 m) and arriving in Tashkent at 19:40. Pick-up and transfer to the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Transfer to the Tashkent international airport at 05:30. Take flight to Tbilisi at 08:00. Arrival in Tbilisi at 10:40. You will be met by Advantour driver and transferred to the hotel. Check-in at 14:00. Overnight at the hotel.
Meet our driver in your hotel at 7:30 to start the tour to Kakheti. Join your guide and the group to visit the Tsinandali Estate, the residence of the dukes of Georgia. It has a beautiful English garden, a museum, and a wine cellar that belonged to Prince Chavchavadze, a public figure and poet of the 19th century. For lunch, we will be hosted by a local family, where we can enjoy a traditional feast and hear the best Georgian toasts. A truly local experience awaits you!
Having enjoyed the hospitality of our hosts, we will drive to the royal town of Sighnaghi, which is surrounded by defensive walls with 23 towers and was an important point on the Great Silk Road. We will also visit the Bodbe Convent – according to legend, this is the burial place of St. Nino, who converted Georgia to Christianity in the 4th century. We will arrive in the capital of Georgia at about 18:30–19:30. Overnight at the hotel.
Driving distance: 270 km
Meals: lunch
Having enjoyed the hospitality of our hosts, we will drive to the royal town of Sighnaghi, which is surrounded by defensive walls with 23 towers and was an important point on the Great Silk Road. We will also visit the Bodbe Convent – according to legend, this is the burial place of St. Nino, who converted Georgia to Christianity in the 4th century. We will arrive in the capital of Georgia at about 18:30–19:30. Overnight at the hotel.
Driving distance: 270 km
Meals: lunch
After breakfast, we will embark on Tbilisi sightseeing tour. Start at Metekhi Сhurch and the monument to Vakhtang Gorgasali, the legendary founder of Tbilisi. Visit Narikala Fortress to enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. Walk down to the district of sulphur bath houses and pass by the only mosque in Tbilisi. Stroll through the Sharden area, full of narrow streets with cozy cafés, wine tasting bars, and souvenir shops, and breathe in the history of Old Tbilisi. Also visit Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica, and the famous Rezo Gabriadze Theatre’s clock tower, before crossing the Bridge of Peace to Rike Park. After a couple of hours at your leisure, join the group to proceed to welcome dinner (departing from the hotel by bus at 19:00). Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Driving distance: 5 km
Meals: dinner
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Driving distance: 5 km
Meals: dinner
Breakfast. Today we will explore the North of Georgia. The first stop will be at Jvari Monastery, a true architectural masterpiece of the Early Middle Ages, which is picturesquely perched above the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari Rivers.
Continue to Mtskheta, one of the oldest towns in Georgia and the country’s cultural and religious center. Mtskheta was the capital of the Eastern Georgian Kingdom of Iberia from the 3rd century BC. Visit Svetitskhoveli, the main cathedral of Mtskheta and a sacred place where the robe of Christ is kept. Next, drive over the Cross Pass and make a short stop at the Soviet-era “People’s Friendship” mountain view point, which overlooks a deep gorge of the Caucasus Mountains. In Kazbegi, switch to a four-wheel drive vehicle to reach Gergeti Holy Trinity Church (located at an altitude of 2,170 m) and enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Kazbegi. Reach Gudauri at about 19:00 for overnight at the hotel.
Driving distance: 210 km
Meals: lunch and dinner
Continue to Mtskheta, one of the oldest towns in Georgia and the country’s cultural and religious center. Mtskheta was the capital of the Eastern Georgian Kingdom of Iberia from the 3rd century BC. Visit Svetitskhoveli, the main cathedral of Mtskheta and a sacred place where the robe of Christ is kept. Next, drive over the Cross Pass and make a short stop at the Soviet-era “People’s Friendship” mountain view point, which overlooks a deep gorge of the Caucasus Mountains. In Kazbegi, switch to a four-wheel drive vehicle to reach Gergeti Holy Trinity Church (located at an altitude of 2,170 m) and enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Kazbegi. Reach Gudauri at about 19:00 for overnight at the hotel.
Driving distance: 210 km
Meals: lunch and dinner
Breakfast. Drive to the Ananuri Complex, a former residence of Argveti Dukes, which features churches and towers dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries and beautifully overlooks Jinvali Reservoir. Explore the cave town of Uplistsikhe, which dates back to the Hellenistic Period and is notable for its unique combination of various styles of rock-cut architecture, including both pagan and Christian. Continue to Stalin’s hometown of Gori. Visit the Stalin Museum, which includes more than 60,000 artifacts, the tiny house where Stalin was born, and an impressive bulletproof train that Stalin used to travel to Yalta and Potsdam. After visiting the museum, we will bid farewell to our group and guide. We will then meet a new guide and driver to embark on the second part of our journey, beginning with a drive to Kutaisi. Reach Kutaisi in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 11-12 hours
Driving distance: 320 km
Meals: lunch
Duration of sightseeing tour: 11-12 hours
Driving distance: 320 km
Meals: lunch
After breakfast, visit the Prometheus Cave and see its numerous stalactites and stalagmites. We will then pay a quick visit to the grandiose Enguri Dam, one of Georgia's most distinguished cultural heritage sights and the world's second-highest concrete arch dam. Our way will continue through the Enguri Gorge to the mysterious Svaneti region. Svaneti is the home of a unique ethnic group – the heroic and courageous Svans – who are distinguished from other Georgians by their culture, traditions, and customs. The region is also famous for its original architecture and is called “the Country of a Thousand Towers”. These towers historically played both economic and defensive functions. Mestia still has dozens of medieval stone houses with the watchtowers and inhabited towers that were used to protect valleys and churches between the 10th and 14th centuries. Visit an original Svan house (“machubi”) and tower (“koshki”). Overnight at the hotel in Mestia.
Duration of the sightseeing: 8-9 hours
Driving distance: 280 km
Duration of the sightseeing: 8-9 hours
Driving distance: 280 km
After breakfast, take a scenic drive by 4x4 vehicle to Ushguli village, one of Europe’s highest continually-inhabited settlements (2,200m). In recognition of its outstanding cultural value to humanity, the Ushguli architectural complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll along Ushguli’s old, narrow, streets and visit the Lamaria Church complex with its impressive 12th century wall frescoes. Locals believe that Queen Tamara was buried under this church. Enjoy a picturesque view of Mount Shkhara before returning to Mestia. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Driving distance: 110 km
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Driving distance: 110 km
After breakfast we will check out of the hotel and visit Mestia Ethnographic Museum. The Museum hosts a beautiful collection of Svaneti culture items, including icons, jewelry, weaponry, houseware, etc. After saying goodbye to Svaneti we will head to Martvili Canyon. As we near our destination, we will pass local villages with charming yards which are unique to Georgia’s Samegrelo Region. Upon arrival, we will take a short boat ride through Martvili Canyon to one of nature's most marvelous creations, a steep and beautiful waterfall. Afterward we will enter the gorge from the other side on foot to admire the canyon waters from special viewing platforms and bridges, watching the water change color at every turn. This is the perfect place for selfies! Reach Kutaisi for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Driving distance: 225 km
Duration of sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Driving distance: 225 km
Check out of the hotel to explore Kutaisi, capital of Imereti and one of the oldest cities in Georgia. Our tour will include visit to Bagrati Cathedral, a reconstructed monument of 11th century which is seated on top of a hill overlooking the entire town. We will walk through old and new streets of Kutaisi center stopping by shady Kutaisi Park with numerous sculptures, Colchis Fountain, Drama Theater, historical Green Bazaar where you can find dried and fresh fruits, nuts, spices, homemade jams and many more. We will stop by Okros Chardakhi, a residence of Imereti kings featured by a centuries old plane tree, Kutaisi Holy Annunciation temple, and by Synagogue, if you are interested.
We will then depart to Tbilisi (3 hours 30 min). Free evening in the city. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Driving distance: 220 km
We will then depart to Tbilisi (3 hours 30 min). Free evening in the city. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Driving distance: 220 km
Price includes:
- All transfers;
- Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
- Sightseeing tour program in each country with local English-speaking guides;
- Entrance tickets to sights as per itinerary;
- Economy class tickets for flights Tashkent-Urgench, Urgench-Bukhara, Tashkent-Tbilisi;
- Economy class ticket for train Samarkand-Tashkent (on rare occasions when the high-speed train is unavailable, we will replace this with the most-comfortable class of regular train);
- Folklore show program at Nadir Divan-begi Madrasah and dinner at National house in Bukhara, farewell lunch in Samarkand; three lunches, including a lunch in a Georgian family, two dinners, including welcome dinner with folklore show in Georgia;
- Wine tasting at Tsinandali;
- Bottled water during the tour.
Price doesn't include:
- Full board (lunches and dinners, unless otherwise stated);
- Hotel charges for additional services;
- International flight tickets before and after the tour;
- Personal travel insurance.
Dates & Prices, per person
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Single supplement: US$ 450
100% guaranteed departures – even if there is only 1 traveler.
Group size: 1-16 persons
Please note that itinerary and prices are subject to change due to airline and train schedule changes, currency fluctuations and other unforeseeable events.
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