Day
1 -
Tbilisi
TBILISI ARRIVAL
Welcome to Tbilisi. Upon your arrival, check-in to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure.
Overnight: Tbilisi
Day
2 -
Tbilisi
TBILISI: CITYTOUR (B, D)
During the morning, discover the great city of Tbilisi. Your CityTour includes the Metekhi Church, a good example of cross-domed Georgian Orthodox churches. Resting upon the top of the hill, the church overlooks the oldest part of Tbilisi, offering wonderful views of famous Narikala fortress. The fortress was established in the 4th century as Shuris-tsikhe. Next, visit Abanotubani at the foot of Narikala fortress. This place is where king Vakhtang Gorgasali discovered warm springs and subsequently found a new capital ‘Tbilisi’. Last on your tour is the Anchiskhati Basilica – the oldest surviving Basilica in the city. The afternoon is free at leisure. We recommend a visit of the National Museum of Georgia or the Open Air Ethnographic Museum. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner.
Overnight: Tbilisi
Day
3 -
Tbilisi
TBILISI: ROUNDTRIP TO WINE REGION KAKHETI (B, L)
Your first stop today is the Bodbe Nunnery, one of the major pilgrimage sites in Georgia and the place where St. Nino, the 4th.c female enlightener of Georgians is buried. Continue to Sighnaghi. The town is famous for its wine and carpet making culture. Enjoy breathtaking views of Kizikhi area and unusual charm of Sighnaghi – so called ‘City of Love’ which is surrounded by 18th c. fortified town wall. Discover the special storehouse for harvested grapes and for making wine. Wine is pressed in a ‘satsnakheli’, a huge wooden vat, in which the family crushes the grapes. After learning so much about wine, visit the Tsinandali Family Estate and wine cellar, which once belonged to the 19th century aristocratic poet Alexander Chavchavadze. After Lunch and your wine tasting, travel back to Tbilisi.
Overnight: Tbilisi
Day
4 -
Gudauri
TBILISI – GUDAURI (B, D)
On your way to the Khevi Province, visit Jvari, the 6th century cross-shaped monastery built on the top of a cliff, overlooking the confluence of Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. At this place St. Nino, enlightener of Georgia, erected a large wooden cross on the site of a pagan temple. Next, visit Svetitskhoveli, the fortified cathedral dating from11th century. Svetitskhoveli is a sacred place, where the Robe of Christ is buried. Continue your journey along the Georgian Military Highway towards the Ananuri Architectural complex. The former residence of Dukes of Aragvi region, beautifully overlooking Jinvali reservoir includes churches and towers dating back to the 15-17th cc.
Overnight: Gudauri
Day
5 -
Gudauri
GUDAURI: EXPLORE THE GREATER CAUCASUS MOUNTAINS (B, D)
After a short drive to Stepantsminda, start your half day hiking tour to the Gergeti Trinity Church. the 14th c. altar and bell tower, situated on the slopes of Mt. Kazbek at 2170 m. is the most important church of Khevi province. The stone decorations represented on the facade of the church help us to understand the ancient rituals and beliefs. The afternoon is free at leisure.
Overnight: Gudauri
Day
6 -
Akhaltsikhe
GUDAURI – AKHALTSIKHE (B, L)
Today's trip is to the oldest urban settlement in the Georgia. Uplistsikhe rock-hewn town (1st Millennium BC), which is notable for unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures and the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture. Here you can see ancient wine presses carved in stone. Continue after lunch to Stalin's Museum and the house, where Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, was born. Before you reach your final destination for today, visit the Borjomi Park and taste the famous Borjomi mineral water.
Overnight: Akhaltsikhe
Day
7 -
Tbilisi
AKHALTSIKHE – VARDZIA – TBILISI (B, D)
Discover the Vardzia Cave Complex in the morning. It was founded in the 12th-13th cc. during the reign of Giorgi III and Queen Tamar. The complex became a well fortified monastery, which had a significant role in the political, cultural, educational and spiritual life of Georgia. Continue with a photo stop at the Khertvisi Fortress, before you visit the Rabati Castle. The historical centre of Akhaltsikhe was mainly built in the 13th c. and developed under the influence of different cultures. On the territory of the complex there is a Church, Mosque, Minaret and a Synagogue. The renovated Samtskhe-Javakheti museum is also a part of the complex. Finish your tour with a farewell dinner at a traditional Georgian restaurant and enjoy folk music and dance with it.
Overnight: Tbilisi
Day
8 -
Tbilisi
TBILISI DEPARTURE (B)
Depending on your flight time, you are transferred to the airport for your flight home or onward flight.
