Arrival in Kutaisi Airport. Transfer to the hotel. Check in time 14:00.

Overnight in Kutaisi.

Driving distance: 179 km (3h 19 min)

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and drive to Borjomi spa-town, located on the other side of Rikoti Pass, Samtskhe-Javakheti region. Rikoti Pass is a watershed of East and West rivers falling into the Black and Caspian Seas. The longest tunnel (1772 m length) was constructed in 19th c. which makes the driveway easy and short.

After the tunnel you are on the East Georgia.

Borjomi mineral waters are famous for pleasant taste, curative effect and is used for thermal treatment as well. Take a relaxing walk in the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park and drink Borjomi waters coming right from the springs.

Continue the trip to Akhaltsikhe, Samtskhe-Javakheti municipality town. Visit Akhaltsikhe fortress in Rabati district. History Museum is located inside the fortress and has unique collection of manuscripts, archaeological, numismatic and ethnographic artifacts.

Overnight in Akhaltsikhe.

Driving distance: 286 km (5 h 15 min)

Breakfast. Check out and continue exploration of Samtskhe-Javakheti. The picturesque road goes along the river Mtkvari. The ruined medieval fortresses control the area, the largest of which, Tmogvi, is the best example of how architecture and landscape can interact harmoniously.

Stop at the Khertvisi fortress - an important stronghold that protected the southern borders during feudal times (10-16 centuries) and is well preserved to this day.

Continue on to Vardzia, a 13-storey cave monastery complex from the 12th century. An image of Queen Tamara at her early age, together with King George III of Georgia, Bagrationy Dynasty, her father, is depicted on the north wall of the Holy Mother cave church. The frescoes are a little dark, but well preserved. The caves are connected by narrow corridors and staircases that links the various hidden parts of the complex. The tour will take about an hour.

After the tour of Vardzia, drive to Tbilisi across the Javakheti plateau. Enjoy the view of the high mountain lakes ParaVani, Sagamo and Tsalka reservoir. The area is a favorite spot for bird watchers.

Don't miss the small shop of handcrafted chocolates and cheeses produced by local nuns at St. Nino Phoka Monastery.

Arrival in the capital in the evening.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

Driving distance: 141 km (3h 10 min)

Today drive towards the Greater Caucasus mountains for two overnights stay in alpine village Gudauri.

Before leaving Tbilisi, visit the Chronicles of Georgia on the Tbilisi Sea (artificial reserve). This huge bronze memorial complex of Georgian kings was created by Zurab Tsereteli in very late Soviet times. The place overlooks the Temka district and despite the unfinished parts of the complex (due to the collapsed USSR system), the monument is very impressive.

The next place to visit is the Jvari Monastery (6th century). A fantastic panoramic view of the confluence of two rivers, Aragvi and Mtkvari valley opens from here. On the left side, Mount Armazi, known as the place of paganism worship up to 4th c and in front of it, the city of Mtskheta, the capital of Iberia up to 5th c, the former Georgian kingdom. Today Mtskheta represents the UNESCO site for its unique architectural and historical value.

Drive to Mtskheta, walk in the historical district, visit Antiokhia (5th c), and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th c).

Take time for lunch and continue the journey north; Make a stop at the Zhinvali Reservoir, visit the Ananuri castle (16-17 centuries) - the residence of Aragvi Eristavi (princes of Aragvi). Behind the curtain walls there is a simple five store residential tower, churches and other fortifications. The tour will take about 30 minutes.

Follow Georgian Military road to the north and arrive in Gudauri ski resort, located at an altitude of 2196 meters for overnight.

Dinner and overnight in Gudauri.

Driving distance: 100 km

After breakfast drive towards the Khevi region, part of Kazbegi Protected areas. The administrative center of the municipality is named as Stepantsminda and represents the base camp for trekkers and nature lovers. Along the way make a few stops: at the Jvari Pass (2395 m), observation platform, bobbling mineral spring and travertine hill.

Walk up to the Mount Gergeti, visit the 14th century Holy Trinity Church of Gergeti situated on top of the mountain 2120 meters above the sea level. If the weather is clear, the Kazbegi glacier (5054 m) will show up its beauty.

*Optional: visit Stepantsminda History museum (20-30 minutes)

Continue the trip to the gorge of the river Terek – Dariali is the name of this canyon and the St. Michael and St. Gabriel monastery, which is located nearby the Georgia-Russian border.

Easy trek towards Gveleti waterfalls.

Evening drive back to Gudauri.

Overnight in Gudauri.

Driving distance: 117 km (2h 26 min)

After breakfast in Gudauri, check out and drive back to Tbilisi.

Check in time at Tbilisi hotel is 14:00

Start Tbilisi City sightseeing tour, visit Historical district, the Holy Trinity Cathedral , Metekhi Plateau & Church ( 13th c.), Rike park, an aerial cable car, Narikala Fortress (4th c), LegvtaKhevi canyon (Fig Canyon) and natural waterfall, Sulfur bathhouses, Shardeni and King Erekle II streets, Maidan square, a glass modern Bridge of Peace, and Rustaveli Avenue. The mix of medieval architecture and modern outdoor restaurants, art galleries, handicraft and souvenir shops attract visitors. Tbilisi City Mall Galleria is located nearby the Freedom Square, at the very beginning of Rustaveli Avenue.

Leisure evening.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

Driving distance: 271 km (4h 29 min)

After breakfast at the hotel depart for Kutaisi. The town Gori - the center of the Kartli region is one hour drive from Tbilisi, western highway. Visit medieval fortress Tskhrakara (Nine Gated) and bronze sculptures of Eight Warriors sitting around the memorial of unknown soldiers of World War II (sculptor Giorgi Ochiauri 1985).

Gori is the birthplace of Joseph Stalin, the Soviet dictator. His house - museum will be turned in future to the Stalinism museum. Visit memorial house, exhibition building with tower, and Stalin’s personal train.

After Gori drive to Uplistsikhe Caves. Located on the crossroads of the Great Silk Road, the carved in rocks on the left bank of the river Mtkvari, town had citadel, escape tunnels, places for worship, stables, storage and residential quarters and markets. The wide ancient roads are dating back to 1st millennium BC and goes from the urban settlement to the antique theater. The tour will take approximately 45 minutes.

Moving to the west of Georgia through the Rikoti pass (996 m). Stop at Ubisa Village. The 9th century basilica is hidden in the courtyard of the Ubisa Monastery behind the bell tower. The place is cozy, built of rough field stones, with a naive appearance of early feudal times, but with a brilliant interior, painted by the local artist Damian in the 14th century. These frescoes retain the influence of the Palaeologus style.

Along the pass local farmers sell various food, fruit, honey and handmade pottery.

Arrival in Kutaisi, the center of Imereti region, and former capital of medieval George. Evening sightseeing tour of the city and its surroundings. Visit two well-known monuments from the Georgian Golden Era that are listed as World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO. Bagrati cathedral, ( 11th c.) and Gelati Academy and Monastery ( 12th c.) by the most prominent king in Georgian history David IV - David the Builder Bagrationy Dynasty.

Overnight in Kutaisi.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the Kutaisi Airport. Departure.