Arrival at Tbilisi International Airport. Transfer to the hotel. Free time.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

After breakfast at the hotel we start a full-day Tbilisi city sightseeing tour. First site is the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba) – major cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church and one of the tallest Orthodox Christian churches in the world. From Sameba we continue Tbilisi sightseeing tour to Narikala Fortress. We can take an aerial cable car from Rike Park and ride up to the fortress that is situated on the mountain overlooking Tbilisi. Narikala is an ancient fortification that was established in the 4th century and served as a main defensive construction of the city throughout history. From Narikala we stroll down towards the old Tbilisi and visit various interesting areas, such as Legvtakhevi canyon and waterfall, and Sulfur bathhouse district.

Our tour continues to the Georgian National Museum on Rustaveli avenue. Museum unifies several leading Georgian museums and houses numerous unique collections and exhibitions that represent history, culture and art of the country. Next we drive to Gardenia Shevardnadze, flower garden and plant nursery with a little café inside, where we can taste home-made cakes and lemonade.

Afterwards we are going to ride up to Mount Mtatsminda (770 m) and Mtatsminda Park by the funicular, which is located on top of the mountain overlooking the city.

The final activity of the day is the dinner at a Georgian restaurant accompanied by folk show.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

After breakfast at the hotel we head to Mtskheta, a small town near Tbilisi. Mtskheta is a historical capital of eastern Georgian kingdoms where we are going to visit two major attractions: Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Jvari Monastery built in 586-605 AD, stands on a mountain above the confluence of the rivers Mtkvari and Aragvi, overlooking Mtskheta and its surroundings. On the other hand, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral that was built in the 11th century and is still second largest church in the country, is situated on the lowland in Mtskheta town. Both of the monuments represent Georgian church architecture style and are recognized by the UNESCO as world heritage sites.

From Mtskheta we drive to Borjomi town. Borjomi is a resort famous for its Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park and natural sparkling mineral water ‘Borjomi’. On a short Borjomi tour we can take walk in Borjomi Park and taste mineral waters from the spring.

Overnight in Borjomi.

On day 4 after breakfast at the hotel we drive to Akhaltsikhe, administrative center of Samtskhe-Javakheti, southern region of Georgia. First stop is at Rabati Castle. Rabati Castle is a medieval complex that comprises of fortress and an area inside the curtain walls with several churches, mosque, museum and synagogue. Fortress was originally established in the 9th century, however, it was rebuilt and restructured during the Ottoman Empire in 18th century.

We are going to visit Valodia Zazadze’s Cottages and Farm and have a lunch with fresh trout barbeque.

Afterwards we continue exploration of Samtskhe-Javakheti and drive to Vardzia Cave Monastery passing through the picturesque scenery of Mtkvari gorge. Vardzia is a medieval monastery complex carved in rocks of the Erusheti mountain range. It was built during the Georgian Golden Age by the Queen Tamar of Georgia, in the 12th-13th centuries. Vardzia consists of numerous different cave dwellings, chambers, tunnels, churches and chapels.

In the evening drive back to Borjomi.

Overnight in Borjomi.

After breakfast at the hotel we drive to the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park and get registered as a visitor. Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the region with We can have a short hike through the National Park Information trail that starts from the administration building (850 m). The highest peak of the 1.5-hour route is 950 meters above the sea level.

Enjoy hiking and head back to your hotel. Free time.

Overnight in Borjomi.

After breakfast at the hotel we continue our journey to the Imereti region. We are heading to the Prometheus Cave – one of the largest karst caves in Georgia and one of the popular attractions of Imereti. Prometheus Cave has 1.5 km long trail open for visitors that are willing to observe various underground karst forms, rivers, lakes, cave pearls etc.

From Prometheus we drive to Kutaisi – the major city of Imereti and third largest city of the country. Next, we are going to visit Bagrati Cathedral. Built in the 11th century, cathedral represents medieval Georgian church architecture style and is situated in the middle of the city on Ukimerioni Hill. Bagrati Cathedral is recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Sites and it is considered as a symbol of Kutaisi city.

Overnight in Kutaisi.

On day 7 we continue sightseeing of the Imereti region. After breakfast we move to the Gelati Academy and Monastery located near Kutaisi. Gelati complex was built in the 12th century by the most prominent king of Georgian history David IV the Builder. The interior of the main church has well-preserved unique frescos and mosaics. The site is included in UNESCO World Heritage list as well.

From Gelati we drive to Martvili Canyon Natural Monument. Martvili Canyon is a gorge created in limestone rock by the waters of river Abasha, which goes as deep as 40 meters. Visitors can take a boat trip on river Abasha in the canyon.

Drive back to Kutaisi for overnight.

After breakfast at the hotel we depart for Tbilisi. On our way we stop at Uplistsikhe Cave Complex located on the left bank of river Mtkvari. Dating back to 1st millennium BC, Uplistsikhe is a rock-hewn ancient city that served as an important political, cultural and religious center, especially in the pre-Christian period. Uplistsikhe has numerous caves, chambers, tunnels, streets and walls, covering an area of approximately 8 hectares.

After excursion at Uplistsikhe we continue to a small village Chardakhi located near Mtskheta. Have a home-made wine-tasting session in the local house and find out about Qvevry wine-making – the traditional way of winemaking in underground clay Wessel.

Take a lunch break in the local house with home-made dishes. Complex we leave for Tbilisi.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

On day 9 we head for an exploration of Kakheti region in the eastern part of Georgia. Kakheti is one of the major traditional winemaking region of the country.

First, we are going to visit village Tsinandali, famous for its Tsinandali Museum of Alexander Chavchavadze. Chavchavadze was a 19th century Georgian aristocrat, Romanticist poet, and a military figure under the Russian Empire. Nowadays aristocrat’s estate is turned into a museum that consists of Chavchavadze’s memorial house, landscape garden, historical winery and wine cellar, hotel and a café.

We continue our journey to village Shumi located in 1.5 kilometers from Tsinandali. Shumi Winery and museum Vazioni houses a fine collection of wine related exhibits, an ethnography department and a wine-tasting area, with the collection of 294 varieties of wine from different regions of Georgia, as well as 92 varieties of foreign wines. Here, visitors can have a wine-testing with light snacks.

From Shumi we move to the Gremi Royal Citadel and Church – a 16th century architectural monument that consists of a citadel and the Church of the Archangels. These buildings are remains of a medieval town that served as a capital of the Kingdom of Kakheti in the 16th-17th centuries.

Evening drive back to Tbilisi.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

After breakfast transfer to the airport and departure.