Best Georgia Tour

After breakfast, your private driver-guide will accompany you on today’s Tbilisi city tour. Our first stop is the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, situated at the city’s highest point. Built in 2004, this young cathedral witnessed Georgia’s rebirth after the collapse of the Soviet Union. It stands about 105 meters tall (345 ft.) and is visible from everywhere in the city. Walking along the cypress-lined avenue towards the cathedral, you can be awestruck by its solemnity. Inside, you can see the glorious statue of the Virgin and Child. Their eyes are gazing in different directions, symbolizing the universal mercy.

Afterward, let’s go to Metekhi Old Town, dating back to the 12th century AD. We’ll visit Metekhi Church overlooking the flowing Mtkvari River, which was the religious center since the 5th century AD. In the 19th century AD, the church was converted into a prison, and even the great writer Maxim Gorky (1868-1936 AD) was held here. Following this, let’s take a cable car to Narikala Fortress, and enjoy views of the Old Town and the famous Mother of Georgia statue. Considered the last line of defense for Tbilisi, it is also known as the “Mother’s Fortress.”

After descending, we’ll proceed to Meidani Square. It has been a trading center of the entire Caucasus region since the 4th century AD. In one corner of the square, a hidden entrance will lead you into Meidani Bazaar, an old-fashioned underground market looking like the Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. Here, you can find all kinds of specialty goods like handmade jams, aromatherapy products and vintage Georgian-style artworks from the shelves to the ceiling.

Keep going, we’ll get to the Sulphur Baths area dotted with circular brick baths. Hot springs were people’s first impression of the city in ancient times, and thus it was named “Tbilisi”, the word for “warm” in Georgian. Then, we’ll make a brief stop on Shardeni Street before visiting the 5th-century Sioni Cathedral, which houses St. Nino’s Cross, the most important relic of the Georgian Orthodox Church. After the tour, your driver-guide will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Astoria Tbilisi (3 stars) or similar

Today, your driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel and escort you to explore the renowned Kazbegi region. We’ll drive along the Georgian Military Highway, the only cross-border road connecting Tbilisi and Russia, and also a scenic corridor of the Caucasus Mountains.

After 1.5 hours’ drive, we’ll arrive at our first stop, the 13th-century Ananuri Fortress. It’s a church complex surrounded by ancient walls, and you can enjoy the striking color contrast of the lush greenery and the beige brick architecture. Next, we’ll enjoy natural scenery at Gudauri Ski Resort, the largest ski resort in Georgia. 

Then, after a short rest at the mineral-rich Vedza Sour Waters, get ready for today’s highlight: Gergeti Trinity Church! Climb the rugged mountain to an altitude of 2,170 meters (7,120 ft.), and you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of a classic Lonely Planet cover image. You can see the dark grey holy church standing alone against the backdrop of the 5,054-meter-high (16,581 ft.) Mount Kazbek. Since the church is secluded and difficult to access, it served as a refuge during wartime, providing shelter for locals and precious relics. Hiking along the mountain ridges, you can be enveloped by lush alpine meadows and clouds, and enjoy the healing power of nature.

Last, let’s visit Dariali Gorge, known as the “Caucasian Gates”, to admire its ancient fortresses and splendid valley. After the tour, your driver-guide will escort you back to your hotel in Tbilisi in about 4 hours.

► Warm Tips:
1. Due to the high altitude, it may even snow in May and temperatures can drop below 10 °C (50 °F) from June to September. It is recommended to bring warm clothing depending on the local weather.
2. The mountain roads can be winding and bumpy, so please take motion sickness medication if you need.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Astoria Tbilisi (3 stars) or similar

This morning, your driver-guide will meet you at your hotel for your 40-minute private ride to Mtskheta, a UNESCO World Heritage town. It was the capital of Georgia from the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD, contributing a lot to Georgian script and Christianity.

First, follow your guide to visit Jvari Monastery, Mtskheta’s oldest church with a history of nearly 1,500 years. You can see its ancient architectural styles like the Romanesque Corinthian columns and Byzantine flat dome. Also, enjoy views of the entire town and the confluence of two rivers. We’ll then visit the sacred Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and learn about the magical story behind it. Legend has it that, after Jesus’ crucifixion, a Georgian merchant brought his robe home. Upon touching the robe, his sister immediately died of grief. She was buried with the relic. Later, a towering tree grew from her grave, and the wooden pillars of the cathedral are said to be taken from this holy tree.

Afterward, let’s head to Gori to visit Stalin Museum. The town is the birthplace of the controversial Soviet dictator, Joseph Stalin (1878-1953 AD). The museum itself is Stalin’s childhood home. Exploring his personal belongings, you can get a glimpse into how he rose from his humble beginning to a supreme ruler. Most notably, there is an 80-ton bulletproof train carriage! You can walk inside and see the bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom of that era, and imagine how Stalin commanded in the conference room. 

After that, let’s leave Gori and drive 2 hours to Kutaisi. Your driver-guide will assist you with hotel check-in.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Terrace Kutaisi (3 stars) or similar

After breakfast, your driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel and accompany you on a Kutaisi sightseeing. Kutaisi is one of the oldest cities in the world, even 1,400 years earlier than the birth of Jesus! We’ll first head to Bagrati Cathedral, built in the 11th century AD. As you approach the cathedral, the refreshing Tiffany blue of the dome can immediately catch your eye. However, it was precisely because of the modern dome and elevator added during the restoration, this ancient site was unfortunately removed from the UNESCO World Heritage List. Still, we can feel its weight of history in the details inside the cathedral, such as the relief depicting Jacob wrestling with an angel, which is the only surviving medieval Georgian sculpture.

Next, let’s go to the Prometheus Cave Natural Monument to explore stunning karst landscape. In Greek mythology, Prometheus stole fire, and thus angered Zeus and was chained to a rock in the Caucasus Mountains. Georgians believe this cave is where Prometheus suffered his torment. Inside the cave, you can see flowing underground rivers and stalactites reaching up to 15 meters (50 ft.) in height. We suggest you wear a jacket and non-slip shoes to better enjoy the scenery inside.

Later, let’s go to Motsameta and visit its two famous medieval monasteries. The Gelati Monastery, founded in 1106 AD, was a center of science and education during Georgia’s Golden Age (11th-13th centuries). Entering it, you can find that almost no wall or dome is blank! Everywhere you look there are frescoes and decorations dating from the 12th to 17th centuries AD. Most stunning is a 12th-century vivid mosaic, depicting the Virgin Mary, wearing a blue robe and cradling the Christ Child. The next stop is the clifftop Motsameta Monastery, which is dedicated to two martyred princes who paid the ultimate price for their faith. Your guide will reveal their tragic stories for you. 

After the tour, your driver-guide will escort you back to your hotel in Tbilisi, a journey of about 3 hours.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Astoria Tbilisi (3 stars) or similar

This morning, your driver-guide will pick you up at your hotel for your private 2-hour ride to Kakheti, Georgia’s major wine-producing region, where 70% of the country’s wine is produced.

Upon arrival, we’ll first visit the Monastery of St. Nino at Bodbe. It’s built on a hillside, and is a significant pilgrimage site for the Georgian Orthodox Church. It is said that St. Nino, the patron saint who guided Georgia’s conversion to Christianity, is buried here.

Afterward, let’s continue to Sighnaghi town. Strolling through the cobblestone streets, you can admire the red-tiled rooftops and the Caucasus Mountains in the distance. Sighnaghi is the most beautiful and romantic town in Kakheti. According to a local legend, a seriously ill husband jumped off a cliff in order not to burden his wife during a war. While looking for his body, his wife discovered a grapevine sprouting in a crevice. Later, under her careful care, the vine bore sweet fruit. Therefore, wine is taken as a part of the local spirit, and people believe that only with love can they grow fine grapes on this land.

After the tour, we’ll drive 1.5 hours to your hotel in Telavi and stay overnight. Tomorrow, we’ll delve deeper into the fascinating Georgian wine culture!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel New Telavi or similar

This morning, follow your driver-guide to explore the valley city of Telavi. First, let’s see a 900-year-old sacred plane tree. Standing 46 meters tall (151 ft.), it has a trunk circumference of 12 meters (40 ft.), with an enormous hollow that can accommodate about 20 people!

★ Special Inclusion: Wine Tasting & Local Baking Experience

Next, let’s go to Tsinandali Village, known for its vineyards and wineries, and visit Khareba Winery. Considered as the birthplace of wine, Telavi’s Qvevri clay vessel winemaking can date back to 6000 BC, more than 5,000 years earlier than the earliest wine production in France! And the techniques have been listed as a UNESCO Intangible World Heritage. In the cellars of Khareba Winery, you can see thousands of stacked wine bottles, and sample different flavors of wine. After that, get ready to experience making traditional Georgian Shoti bread! The crescent-shaped thin bread is a staple food in every Georgian family, known as “mother’s bread.”

Next, let’s return to Telavi and visit the landmark, Batonis Tsikhe Fortress of Erekle II. Approaching it, the first thing you can see is a majestic bronze statue of King Erekle II (1720-1798 AD), holding a giant sword in his hand. The king was deeply loved by the Georgian people, and every year on November 7th, a lively festival is held to celebrate his birthday. Behind the statue is the 17th-century Persian-style Batonis Tsikhe Fortress. Inside the king’s former palace, you can see the throne and sword, as well as medieval weapons and armor. 

After that, your driver-guide will escort you back to your hotel in Tbilisi in about 2 hours.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Astoria Tbilisi (3 stars) or similar

Today, your driver-guide will escort you to Tbilisi Airport on time according to your flight schedule, handle your luggage and see you off there. Bon voyage!

Meals: Breakfast

► Suggested Activities for Late Departure (at your own expense)
You may visit the Dry Bridge Market, about a 20-minute walk from your hotel. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, locals began to sell off their unused items here, and now it has become one of the most vibrant flea markets in the Caucasus. You can find a variety of Soviet-era items, such as old badges, medals, vintage cameras, and vinyl records. There are also hand-woven carpets, ceramics, wood carvings, and other traditional handicrafts. Tip: Prices in the market are 5-10 GEL cheaper at midday than in the morning, and there’s a currency exchange with a good rate under the bridge.