9 days/ 8 nights

Price:

Day 1/Arrival

Arrive in Tbilisi, meet in the airport and transfer to a hotel. Overnight in Tbilisi in a hotel.

Day 2/Tbilisi Sightseeing Tour

After breakfast at the hotel we will explore the capital city of Georgia, Tbilisi, wonder in the old districts of the city which are structured like terraces, as well as take a walk in the narrow streets to enjoy colorful houses, patterned balconies and wonderful samples of modern architecture. We will start the tour from Metekhi church (13th century) facing the magnificent views over old Tbilisi. Strolling along winding little streets we get to the main sights of the city. Here in Tbilisi we can see the interesting coexistence of different religions: Armenian Church, Jewish Synagogue and Muslim Mosque. Afterwards we enjoy the panoramic views of the whole town and through the ancient Narikala fortress (4th century), find ourselves in the historical domed sulphur bath area – connected with the name of our city. Overnight in Tbilisi in a hotel.

Day 3/Tbilisi – Paravani Lake – St Nino Monastery – Vardzia – Akhaltsikhe (Rabati Fortress)

After breakfast at the hotel we drive to the largest lake in Georgia: Paravani lake. This is a volcanic lake located 2073 m above sea level. The territory is blessed with some of the most outstanding natural charms in the Caucasus. Here we pay a visit to the monastery of St. Nino. In the local small grocery store enjoy the ultimate mix of indigenous types of cheese, sun and culture. Our next stop is Vardzia. This is a cave-palace-monastery complex dating back to the XII century. Here we find unique natural conditions contributing to the specific microclimate and landscape, historical context and diversity of cultural heritage. Continuing our tour, we drive to Akhaltsikhe. In Akhaltsikhe we visit Rabati Fortress with a powerful fortress wall, four towers with spiral staircases, an observation deck and buildings. Overnight in Akhaltsikhe in a hotel.

Day 4/ Akhaltsikhe – Borjomi – Kutaisi (Monastery Complex Gelati, Motsameta Monastery Complex)

After breakfast at the hotel we drive to Borjomi. In the famous resort of Borjomi the visitors can walk in the Park and taste mineral water Borjomi from the spring. Also, you can go up by the cableway and enjoy amazing view to Borjomi Canyon. Our next stop is Kutaisi, one of the ancient Colchis cities. In Kutaisi there is a wealth of cultural and historical attractions to explore. We will visit 2 most famous architectural marvels the city boasts.  The first one is Monastery Complex Gelati (UNESCO). A masterpiece of the Georgian Golden Age, Gelati was founded in 1106 by King David IV of Georgia. The monastery if full of cultural charms boasting murals and an abundance amount imagery surrounding the interior of the church. The second one is Motsameta Monastery Complex (IX c.), the monastery of Martyr St. David and Konstantin. The monastery is picturesquely located on the cliff of a promontory in the curve of the Ckalcitela river, a tributary of the Rioni river. Overnight in Kutaisi in a hotel.

Day 5/Kutaisi – Zugdidi (Dadiani Palaces) – Svaneti (Enduri Dam) – Mestia

After breakfast at the hotel we drive to Upper Svaneti trough Zudgig town. Here we visit famous Dadiani Palaces History and Architecture Museum, which is considered to be one of the most eminent palaces in Caucasus. Built in the 19th century, the palace houses many interesting pieces of art linked with Napoleon’s family and France. Taking an energizing ride through the Caucasus Mountains we have a unique opportunity to enjoy the view of the world’s second highest concrete arch dam with a height of 271.5 m- Enguri Dam. Continuing the tour, we get to Mestia. Here we pay a visit to the History and Ethnographic Museum of Svaneti discovering local history. Overnight in Mestia in a hotel.

 

Day 6/Mestia – Ushguli Village (Lamaria Church) – Chazhashi Village – Mestia

After breakfast at the hotel we drive to Ushguli village (UNESCO). Located at an altitude of 2,100m Ushguli is one of the highest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe. Typical Svaneti defensive tower houses are found throughout the village. The Ushguli Chapel located on a hilltop near the village dates back to the 12th century. We visit a medieval Georgian Orthodox Lamaria church of Ushguli. The interior contains two layers of medieval frescoes, in a state of deterioration. From here we enjoy the breathtaking view of the Mount Shkhara (5,193 m) – the highest mountain in Georgia. After visiting Chazhashi – the small village with a special layout and beautiful towers, we drive back to Mestia. Overnight in Mestia in a hotel.

Day 7/ Mestia – Kutaisi (Bagrati Cathedral, Sataplia Nature Reserve)

After breakfast at the hotel we drive to Kutaisi. Here our first stop is Bagrati Cathedral (UNESCO)․ The
masterpiece of the medieval Georgian architecture was built in the 11th century. We continue to Sataplia Nature Reserve known for its impressing Karst Caves and ancient Colchis woods of unique beauty. The Natural Park Sataplia was founded in 1935 to protect recently discovered karst cave with exotic stalactites and stalagmites as well Colchian forest, geological and archaeological sites.  Overnight in Kutaisi in a hotel.

Day 8/ Kutaisi – Uplistsikhe – Mtskheta – Jvari Monastery – Svetitskhoveli Cathedral– Tbilisi

After breakfast at the hotel we drive to Tbilisi.  On our way we visit ancient rock-hewn town Uplistsikhe. Built on a high rocky left bank of the Mtkvari River, it contains various structures dating from the Early Iron Age to the Late Middle Ages, and is notable for the unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures from Anatolia and Iran, as well as the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture. Our next stop is Mtskheta, where we go up the mountains to the monastery Jvari. Here the visitors are given an unrepeated opportunity to enjoy the magnificently panoramic view to the Mtkvari and the Aragvi rivers flowing together. We will visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (UNESCO), the second largest church building in Georgia where the robe of Jesus Christ is buried. Overnight in Tbilisi in a hotel.

Day 9/Departure

Breakfast and check out from the hotel. Transfer to the airport and departure.