Tour Discover Georgia

Cultural Tour (11 days/10 nights)

Although Georgia is rich in fortresses, towers, churches and monasteries the cave towns still remain the highlight of the country. Georgia boasts three big cave complexes: Uplistsikhe, David Gareja and Vardzia. They are all located in different parts of the country, thus giving you the opportunity to see different landscapes, and they are all different too, as they were carved out in different times. The oldest - Uplistsikhe - dates to the 1st millennium BC and was one of the points along the Silk Road; parts of the road where caravans used to pass are still visible today. Then comes David Gareja - a religious cave complex founded in the 6th century. It is located in a semi-desert, consists of 19 monasteries and boasts wonderful mural paintings. Vardzia cave town is the last but not least! Founded in the 12th century as both a religious and secular town it represents the best picture of Georgia in the Golden Age offering cave churches with well-preserved frescoes, wine cellars, refectories and hundreds of dwellings.
This tour also gives you time in the capital Tbilisi and takes in several other places of interest that lie on our route and should not be missed.

Sample itinerary:
Day 1
Arrival to Tbilisi Airport. Transfer to the Hotel.
Day 2
Sightseeing tour of Tbilisi
Trinity Cathedral (the second Millennium), Metekhi Church (XIII century), Old Tbilisi, Sulphur Baths, Narikala Fortress (V-IV centuries), Sioni (XIII c.) and Anchiskhati churches (VI century).
Days 3 - 4 - 5
Trip to Wine growing region of Kakheti
Visit: Bodbe Monastery. Grave of Saint Nino (enlightener of Georgia), Alexander Chavchavadze's (Kakhetian Prince) Palace in Tsinandali, Museum and wine cellar. Wine tasting. Alaverdy Cathedral. Gremi, New and Old Shuamta, Ikalto monasteries.
Days 6 - 7
Trip to Mountain region of Khevi. Enrote visit of old capital of Georgia - Mtskheta, town museum, Jvari monastery, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Ananuri fortress.
Trip to town Kazbegi, visiting trinity church on the cliff of a hill with splendid view to Kazbegi glassier summit. Driving to Sno gorge, rich of natural mineral water springs and old towers.
Day 8
Gori - Borjomi
Driving to Gori.
Visiting Joseph Stalin's House Museum. Trip to Uplistsikhe cave city (11-9th century BC).
Driving to Borjomi.
Day 9
Borjomi – Vardzia - Kutaisi
Trip to picturesque Borjomi valley rich of diverse nature and mineral waters. Visit of King Romanov's Palace (later, summer residence of Joseph Stalin). Trip to 12-th century cave complex of Vardzia.
Trip to Kutaisi (west part of Georgia)
Day 10
Kutaisi
Second largest city of Georgia founded about 40 centuries ago, former capital of the west Georgian Kingdom Colkhics, to which is related the myth of Golden Fleece and Argonauts. Visiting Bagrati Temple (11th century A.D.) and Gelati Monastery (12th century). Sataplia Grotto, where the prints of dinosaurs are found.
Day 11
Back to Tbilisi.
Free time (half day). You can wander through the streets of Tbilisi, to enjoy the city life, take pictures, spend the evening in a bar or restaurant of your choice.
Transfer to the Airport of Tbilisi for departure.

Other details available upon request

See also Tour:  The Best of Georgia   Visit Georgia