UNCOVER GEORGIA 6 NIGHT
ACCOMMODATION: 2 nights in Kutaisi ,1 night in Akhaltsikhe, 3 Nights in Tbilisi
DATES: 2020-2021 ( All year round)
DAY 1:
TBILISI
- Arrival in Tbilisi.
- Transfer and check-in at the hotel. (Overnight in Tbilisi).
Meals included: No
DAY 2:
TBILISI-MTSKHETA-GORI-UPLISTSIKHE-KUTAISI
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Check out from the hotel.
- Excursion in the former capital city of Mtskheta, being the religious center of Georgia.
- Mtskheta is one of the oldest cities of Georgia (in Kartli province of Eastern Georgia), near Tbilisi. Mtskheta was a capital of the Georgian Kingdom of Iberia during the 3rd century BC - 5th century AD. Here Georgians become converted to Christianity in 317 and Mtskheta still remains the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church.
- Jvari Monastery is a Georgian Orthodox monastery of the 6th century near Mtskheta (World Heritage site), Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, eastern Georgia. The name is translated as the Monastery of the Cross. For another, Jerusalem-located Georgian monastery with the same name.
- Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, built in the 11 th century. Though the site itself is even older dating back to the early 4th century and is surrounded by a number of legends associated primarily with the early Christian traditions. Svetitskhoveli, known as the burial site of Christ's mantle, has long been the principal Georgian church and remains one of the most venerated places of worship to this day. The church counts UNESCO world heritage sites.
- Transfer to the Gori city. This
town is known as the place where Stalin was born and studied.
- There is
also a museum dedicated to this historical figure. The museum collection boasts
many personal belongings of the leader, including his personal railway
carriage.
- Then we’ll
prolong our way to the ancient cave city Uplistsikhe.
- This
mysterious place is called Uplistsikhe. Its history dates back to the II-I
millennium BC.
- In the era
of Late Antiquity, it was a thriving and influential religious, political and
cultural center. We will walk along the streets carved into the rock, pass
magnificent cave temples, halls, dwellings and utility rooms.
- People
finally abandoned this settlement only in the 19th century AD. Ages ago this
amazing city was consisted of more than 700 underground premises, but only 150
have reached our days.
- Drive to Kutaisi - It has a reach history,
which begins from the legend about the Argonauts. Ages ago this city was a gem
of Colchis kingdom, the main town, where the famous King Aeëtes lived, and
Jason was fighting for the Golden Fleece. Kutaisi have a rich history, full of
legends, amazing and sometimes tragic stories.
- We are going to visit one of the main attractions of the city – Gelati Monastry and Academy, built in the 12th century. (Overnight in Kutaisi).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance:
Tbilisi-Gori – 100 km. Gori-Kutaisi 150 km.
DAY 3: KUTAISI–MARTVILI OKATSE CANYON- KUTAISI
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Transfer to Martvili - a small town in region Samegrelo.
- Visit Martvili Canyon.
It is a unique place with its beauty, where the brute flocks of rocks meet with
transparent, turquoise water. The canton is about 2.5-3 km long, but the depth
of this picturesque gorge on some areas can reach 70 meters. Rocks, densely
pigged with emerald greens, are bent by quirky stone vaults over the clear
smooth of water.
- Blue highlights by solar bunnies play on the walls, the quiet hustle of the stream echoed by a brim of birds - the Martville Canyon, it is a surprisingly calm and pacifying place. The only way to see all these beauty is to go on a 20-minute boat trip. At the bottom of the canyon, Dadiani princes once bathed in clear water. King 's baths were set up here.
- At the top of the canyon is
a 7-foot waterfall. Burl and foaming, the water here splashes into thousands,
sowing with shallows of drops covered with emerald moss walls.
- Nothing so awakens appetite
as walk in nature. And after a fascinating adventure, we will go to lunch in a
welcoming Megrelian family. Here we will be introduced to the traditions and
customs of a unique phenomenon in the Georgian culture- Megrelian cuisine.
During the lunch, which will turn into a real dinner we will be battered by
such delicious dishes as Gebjalia, chvishtari, mamalyga and other exquisite
tastes. Having fallen into blissful satiety, we will try our forces in culinary
skill. We will have an exciting master class on the preparation of Elarji (corn
porridge with cheese) and royal khachapuri. In the course of training the
welcoming mistress will open us secrets of preparation of various dishes, as
well as tell us what varieties of khachapuri exist in Georgia and how these
delicious glorified dishes differ from each other.
- During lunch we will be
lucky to taste a unique variety of wine - Ojaleshi!
- After lunch drive to Okatse
Canyon. Near the village of Gordi,
there is the Okatse Canyon with its wild nature and amazing views.
- Transfer to Kutaisi. (Overnight in Kutaisi)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch with wine
degustation and culinary master-classes
Distance:
Kutaisi-Martvili 50 km., Martvili-Okatse Canyon 25 km. Okatse Canyon-Kutaisi –
50 km.
DAY 4:
KUTAISI-BORJOMI-AKHAlTSIKHE
- Breaksfast at the hotel.
- Check out from the hotel.
- Transfer to Borjomi. This is popular health resort, famous for its mineral water springs, mild climate and fresh air. Small cozy town lies on the banks of Kura river. The ancient stone baths were discovered in Borjomi, which means that even many centuries ago the inhabitants knew about the healing properties of Borjomi natural water.
- Next we are going to the
city of Akhaltsikhe. A small town in Samtskhe-Javakheti province. Here, we are
going to visit Rabati Castle,
built by the Ottomans around a mosque, and St. Marine's Church
- The castle was rebuilt and renovated not so long ago, and boast its picturesque city views. From the castle wall you can enjoy the view of amazing mountain landscapes. (Overnight in Akhaltsikhe).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance:
Kutaisi-Borjomi 150 km. Borjomi-Akhaltsikhe 50 km.
DAY 5:
AKHATSIKHE-VARDZIA-TBILISI
- Breakfast
at the hotel.
- Check out from the hotel
- Today the first stop we have in Vardzia Cave city.
- The fortress was built to protect the Borjomi gorge from
enemies who tried to conquer these territories from the south. First the rocks
covered the inside part of the building from the enemy’s eyes. The monastery by
itself was connected to the surface by several secret passages — tunnels. The
whole settlement was hiding behind a huge rock. That time Vardzia consisted of
about 600 rooms.
- There were temples, living cells, food warehouses, and
a library. And once even the little Queen Tamar was lost (and successfully
found) in that labyrinth.
- The fortress was designed in such a way that it was
completely invisible from the outside. However, the earthquake that shook the
area in the 13th century, exposed the fortress-monastery, dropping a large
block of rock down to the gorge.
- From that moment Vardzia lost her defensive
assignment. But its story did not end there. And the details of this amazing
legend you will learn during the tour.
- Transfer to Tbilisi. (Overnight in Tbilisi)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance: Akhaltsikhe-Vardzia 60 km.
Vardzia-Tbilisi 260 km.
DAY 5: TBILISI
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Explore the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi and wander
the old districts of the city with its narrow streets, patterned balconies and
colorful houses.
- Walking tour in the old part of Tbilisi.
- Take in the
views from the funicular of Tbilisi. From here there is an incredible view
of the whole Tbilisi.
- Welcome dinner at the restaurant with show program of national dances. (Overnight in Tbilisi).
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 7: TBILISI
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Transfer to Airport.
Meal
plan: Breakfast
THE PRICES INCLUDE:
- Professional Guide Service
- Transportation during the whole tour
- Narikala cable tickets
- All lunches and dinners according to the program
- Accommodation at the hotel of chosen category with Breakfast
- Entrance tickets at the museums
THE PRICES EXCLUDE:
- Early check-in or late check-out
- Flight tickets
- Visa fee
*Prices can be changed
according to dollar exchange at the time of booking.
*The hotels can be replaced
with similar ones.
* Company has the right to
change excursion days and sequence of tourist sites, according to the weather
and/or other force-majeure situations.
For more information with prices, please contact the staff of our company. You can find our contacts in the "Contacts" section.