5 Day jeep tour to South-West Georgia
Starts from: BATUMI
Type: Private Jeep tour
Available: from June to October
Distance: 823km
Duration: 5 DAYS
This 5-day self-drive private jeep tour is spectacular as the route includes two mountain passes on the Lesser Caucasus range: Goderdzi pass (2025m) and Zekari pass (2182 m). The tour starts in Batumi and covers Adjara Highlands, Javakheti and Borjomi National Park, Ktsia-Tabatskuri Managed Reserve, rural, natural, and cultural landmarks in 4 regions of Georgia: Adjara, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Imereti, and Guria. Observe beautiful scenery around and exercise homemade tea preparation in the Ialoni tea. Finish the trip in Batumi with an evening walking by the seaside boulevard.
Happy Travel!
Pick up rental car.
To get introduction of ordinary lifestyle of the mountain locals, make first stop at ethnographic al museum Borjgalo. The museum was established by Kemal Turmanidze – the master of wood carving and his family. This heart warming museum exhibits the working environment and process of: weaving, pottery making, processing of metal, stone and trees; the models, weapons and inventory are shown separately according to the fields they belong to and all this is accompanied by the folkloric music. Excursion will take about 30 minutes and then follow Adjaristskali river valley towards Keda municipality at Makhuntseti Waterfall.
Continue to the mountain regions of Adjara – to Shuakhevi and Khulo. Stop at Soviet-era cable car which offers exciting ride to a tiny charming village Tago over the river valley.
Next stop is Beshumi Resort - climatic and spa resort, located at an altitude of 1,850 - 2,000 meters.
Goderdzi pass is merging Adjara and Samtskhe-Javakheti, the highest point on the road is at an elevation of 2.025m above sea level.
One more hidden beauty that shouldn’t be missed on the way is Zarzma - a medieval monastery (since 8th c) nested in the forested river valley, Adigeni municipality.
After a memorable day arrive in Akhaltsikhe town and check in to the hotel for overnight.
Breakfast at the hotel. Explore Akhaltsikhe - a historical town and administrative center of Samtskhe-Javakheti region. Visit Rabati district, castle and museum located inside the fort. The castle occupies about 7 hectares and is divided in two parts: modern and historical. In the modern part there is a restaurant, hotel, and shops. In the western part, there are several churches, the Akhmedie Mosque, synagogue, the family castle of Jakeli and a historical museum, which houses different manuscript, book, photo, archaeological and numismatic collections. Excursion will take about 40 minutes
Drive to the south, along the Mtkvari river valley and stop at Khertvisi Fortress (10 th -11 th cc), The fort comprises a powerful well-preserved citadel, small basilica church and a tunnel leading to the river. In 2007 Vardzia-Khertvisi were inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Next visit Sapara Monastery hidden in the woods.
Optional* Easy hike through small village Apnia. Distance from Apnia to Vardzia – 3 km.
Finally, arrive to Vardzia Caves, unique monument of mediaeval architecture. The rock-hewn town of Vardzia is spread on 13 levels, approximately 600 rooms, which includes prayers, churches, residential and public areas, stables, barracks, bakeries, wine presses and stores. Vardzia is best known for the 12thc mural paintings of the main church. There are old stony steps upgoing and downwards going in the tunnels. Excursion will take about 1 hour.
Overnight in Valodia’s cottage farm in Vardzia.
After breakfast at the farm hotel head to Ktsia Tabatskuri Managed Reserve.
* Please keep your ID/Passport with you. Border guards will meet on the way and may ask to register.
The reserve protects unique flora and fauna of the Lesser Caucasus. After walk in the subalpine belt drive towards Tabatskuri Lake. The route runs over the Tskratskaro pass (2454m). Make stops along the way to observe most interesting habitats and plants within the area.
There is a small village on the lake shore. You can choose a spot for picnic at the artificial forest near the lake, however it’s always possible to stay with locals and try their cheese.
Continue to Borjomi passing Bakuriani resort.
Arrive in Borjomi town, one of the most popular resorts in the country, famous for its mineral waters, unique nature, and historical monuments. A pleasant walk in Borjomi Central Park - a beautiful place with lots of plants, stylish verandas, green pavilion with a transparent dome and mineral water fountain, the Prometheus monument, and a hiking path, which leads to an open-air natural hot sulfur springs pool, about two and half kilometers up the trail. A small stream of Borjomula river flows through the park and there are several bridges across the stream. Each bridge has its own unique handrail and construction including an Eiffel bridge with a handrail similar in design to the Eiffel tower and a Lover's bridge. The park is entirely covered in dense forests, there are many hiking trails in the park as well.
Check In to the Borjomi hotel for overnight.
Breakfast at the hotel.
On the roads again! Morning visit Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory - the first mountainous “classical” observatory in Soviet Union, founded in 1932 on Mount Kanobili, near resort Abastumani. (an ex-soviet mountain resort or rather sanatorium area). Visitors can observe night sky through a unique telescope, converse with astronomers, and familiarize themselves with unique collection in the museum.
The road linking two towns Abastumani and Sairme is winding through wonderful mountain areas, however it is gravel, rocky, tippy and bumpy at times. Off roader's usually love this route and the terrain.
Crossing Zekari Pass on elevation of 2.174m above the sea level.
Next stop at health resort Sairme. Taste mineral spring water. The resort is located in a subtropical mountainous area, 950 meters above sea level. Its unique location offers healing springs, an ecologically clean environment and beautiful nature.
Arrive in Kutaisi at evening time and check in the hotel for overnight.
Breakfast. Morning city tour in Kutaisi - the third largest city in Georgia and a main cultural and educational center of the region. Visit Bagrati Cathedral, Farmer’s market, main square and Colchis Fountain, History Museum, cross the white bridge, connecting 2 banks of Rioni River, make some pictures and leave Kutaisi for Batumi.
Drive through Guria region. On the way, make a stop in Ozurgeti Bakhvi village to taste Georgian tea. Ialoni Chai is a tea plantation located in the beautiful region of Guria in Georgia. It is known for producing high-quality tea leaves that are grown organically and processed using traditional methods.
You can tour the plantation and learn about the different varieties of tea that are grown there, including black tea, green tea, and herbal teas. The plantation also offers a tea degustation experience, where visitors can sample different types of tea and learn about the proper brewing techniques.
After tour drive to Batumi. This is suggested Batumi walking tour: see Piazza & Europe squares, visit kinetic sculptures of Ali and Nino at the seaside.
Leisure evening in Batumi Boulevard, The Miracles Park - you can get to the top of the Georgian Alphabet tower, from where you see all of Batumi, take a ride on the colorful Panorama Wheel, see Lighthouse, Chacha Tower with a big clock or just walk along the seashore, taking in the beauty of the sunset.
Drop off at your preferences or Batumi international airport for departure.
Transport:
Accommodation in the hotels:
Entertainment, equipment and other:
Group size | Price per adult |
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Solo | 1357 $ |
2 - 3 people | 826 $ |
4 - 5 people | 561 $ |
6 - 15 people | 486 $ |
The above prices (except for solo) are based on two people sharing a twin/double room accommodation.
There is additional fee for single room accomodation that you can select at checkout.
Child Policy |
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0-6 years - Free |
7-12 years - 50% |
12 years and above - Adult |
*Online booking deposit will be deducted from the total tour price.
The balance can be paid in one of the following ways:
For a larger group or custom itinerary please contact us at info[at]georgianholidays.com
Tips for booking procedure:
How to know which “Operator” to select?
You only need to select the Operator name if you have previously communicated with one of our sales agents via phone or email, otherwise please leave it at default.
To arrange airport transfers and additional hotel overnights, contact us at info[at]georgianholidays.com
1 person from the group will be FREE of charge if 10 and more adults are traveling together
Optional services:
Akhaltsikhe castle and museum per person price entrance 18 GEL+ guide 20GEL
Khertvisi Fortress per person price 10GEL
Vardzia cave per person price 15GEL+ 2 GEL CAR
Cancellation is free of charge prior 7 days of the starting day.
If Tourist cancels the booked tour for some reasons not depending on Tour Operator, the following sums are kept back as a fine: