Sunday

We organize pick up service from centrally located hotel and start city sightseeing from Tbilisi Historic District.

Tour starts at 09:00. Local Guide will lead you to Holy Trinity Cathedral – gorgeous golden cupola orthodox church of 20th c. We observe city panorama from here, walk around and inside, and after 45 minutes come back to the car.

Next stop is Metekhi plateau - this rocky cliff wall overlooks the Mtkvari River bed, mediaeval part of the city and Mtstsminda Mount. Nice setting, once, here was the first residence of Riyal family (5th -7th cc). In front of 13th c Metekhi St. Virgin Church we see the equestrian statue of King Vakhtang Gorgasali - the king, who moved capital city from Mtskheta to Tbilisi in the second half of fifth century.

After enjoying the setting, continue to Europe square and Rike Park. Areal cable car lifts up us to the 4th c fortress on the opposite side of the river. Narikala fort served as the main hold force in Kala district, the second residence of Royal Family (12th c-13th cc)

From Narikala Fortress we start walking down past Botanical Garden Street and Tbilisi Mosque. Follow the Iron spiral staircase, walk out the castle wall to the LeghvtaKhevi (Fig ravine) waterfall and the Sulfur Bathhouse district – the meeting point of two continents - Europe and Asia.

Now here we are! The taste of multicultural amalgam, smells of sulfur, coffee and bread, mix of ornamented wooden residential architectural styles and countless churches, sounds of different worships, colorful carpets, artworks, galleries and outdoor cafés. Take time, wander around and continue to Maidan square, Shardeni and the King Erekle II Streets. On the way don’t skip short visit to SiOni Cathedral, the former seat of the patriarch and continue to the modern glass pedestrian Bridge of Peace. All pictures you see here look like a postcard. Walking takes about an hour and half.

Continue to Anchiskhati basilica, the oldest church in Tbilisi and Gabriadze theater. This is the end of the city wall and modern town starts across the street.

We finish the first day plan in National Museum located next to Freedom Square on Rustaveli Avenue. Visit Golden treasury in the National Museum, halls of Russian Occupation, unique collection of Qajar Dynasty portraits. The museum houses various archaeological, numismatic and ethnographic collections as well.

Overnight in Tbilisi hotel Brigitte or ZP.

Monday.

Total driving time today is 4 hr 48 min (287 km)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we start 09:00 for Gori and Kutaisi. Drive to the west passing through the Kartli region. First stop is town Gori – 88 km from Tbilisi. Here we visit two sites: Gori medieval fortress and Joseph Stalin house-museum. Each will take approximately 30-45 minutes.

Next site is cave-town Uplistsikhe, 14 km away from Gori. Uplistsikhe is one of the oldest rock-hewn urban settlements in Georgia dated back to the 1st millennium BC.

Our next stop is a place, from where we can see the very nice sunset - Gelati Academy of 12th c. To reach the place, we drive Rikoti Pass, the natural watershed of East and West rivers: Eastern waters flow down to the Caspian Sea, the western- to the Black sea. The pass is picturesque, several tunnels make our drive shorter, the oldest one is the longest - 1.800 m, it was built in 19th c.

After the tunnel, we are already in Imereti, West Georgia. Head to Gelati Academy and Monastery. The site served as a cultural center in middle ages and preserved 12th c mosaic, spectacular murals, and manuscripts from the 12th-17th cc. The sightseeing will take about 30 minutes. Drive to Kutaisi for free evening and overnight.

Overnight in Kutaisi hotel Bagrati 1003 or similar.

Tuesday.

Total driving time today is 1 hr 54 min (87.0 km)

Today we have a relaxing day: Kutaisi city tour and Vani Archaeological Museum-Reserve, only 41 km away from Kutaisi. This means, we can start a bit late – at 09:30.

After breakfast, visit Bagrati Cathedral 11th c. a former residence of the King Bagrat III, the first King of the United Kingdom of Georgia and pre-ancestor of the BagratiOni dynasty. The site overlooks Kutaisi, RiOni River valley and Kvamli mountains on the north.

Continue city sightseeing. Walk to Kutaisi Historic district, Opera house, Agmashenebeli Square and drama theater, visit Kutaisi State Historical Museum and Botanical Garden.

After finishing the city tour, take one free hour for lunch.

Second half of the day we dedicate to exploring Vani archaeology. 50 minutes’ drive on narrow backroad to Sulori River. The complex is located near a small town and includes archaeological site, an expedition base, and the museum itself. Guided excursion will take 50 minutes.

The permanent exhibition displays cultural development of the unearthed city between 800 BC and 100 AD. Highlights of the exhibition include spectacular collection of jewelry of local goldsmiths.

Optional* It is possible to visit Geiser sulfur pools in nature.

Evening drive back to Kutaisi. Overnight in hotel Bagrati 1003 or similar.

Wednesday

Total driving time today is 4 hr 35 min (276 km)

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and drive 22 km to the North to Prometheus Caves. Discovered in 1984, these karst caves are one of the biggest natural caves in Georgia -1.2 km long underground trail is open for public. The one-hour tour is accompanied by light enhancements and classical music. If the water level permits, we can experience a boat trip for 300 m at the end of the caves.

Now head towards East, former capital town of ancient kingdom of Iberia, holy town Mtskheta. The place is included in UNESCO list for the high artistic value of unique mediaeval architecture and represents the main pilgrimage site, as it is believed, the Robe of Savior is buried under a 17th century ciborium. Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, walk in a town, find some souvenirs and evening return back to Tbilisi.

Check-in the hotel. Leisure evening. Overnight in Tbilisi hotel Brigitte or ZP.

Thursday, Total driving time today is about 3 hr 40 min (222 km)

Today we drive to Kakheti – a region that is known for its organic wine-making traditions. In 60 km to the East, we are in Giuaani winery. Here we listen to our host, learn about Qvevry wine production and taste 3 varieties of premium local wines (2 red, and 1 white).

Continue our trip to Sighnaghi – a small mediaeval town, surrounded by 18th c. defensive wall and marvelous, cozy museum of archaeology, ethnography and arts. On the second floor there is permanent exhibition of genius naïve artist Niko Pirosmani and fantastic view from the balcony overlooking Alazani River Valley.

Continue to Bodbe Monastery – a functioning nunnery, a place where relics of Georgian enlightener St. Nino are preserved. She was a female apostle who preached Christianity in the 4th c.

Drive back to Tbilisi. 

Overnight in Tbilisi.

Note: Those taking extension trips to Georgia will start their tour next morning after breakfast.

In case you want to travel longer, please see the extensions or contact us at trips[at]georgianholidays.com

Friday

Check out time is 12:00. This is the end of our 6-day tour. We organize one group transfer to/from Tbilisi airport at the beginning and at the end of the tour. For Private transfers, please, inform us in advance.

We are looking forward to greet you again on optional tours from Tbilisi the next morning.