Georgia Grand Tour
$900 $800
per personOnly 8 days and so many impressions to take! Travel across Georgia: old monuments, historical castles and churches, excellent food and wine, cozy hotels and so hospitable and romantic Georgians.
Only 8 days and so many impressions to take! Travel across Georgia: old monuments, historical castles and churches, excellent food and wine, cozy hotels and so hospitable and romantic Georgians.
Number of travellers |
1-3 |
4-6 |
7+ |
Price per person, USD |
100 |
950 |
900 |
8 Days
1
Day 1: Tbilisi – arrival
Arrive Tbilisi International Airport. Meet your guide and drive to Tbilisi. Check-in to the hotel at noon.
Start sightseeing in the capital of Georgia. Visit the National Museum of Fine Arts. The Museum houses the best-known samples of Georgian artwork. The permanent exhibitions display artworks from medieval times up to 20th century. We continue the tour visiting Metekhi church, cross cupola church, part of the Royal residential complex; Sulfur baths, favourite place of Tbilisi citizens and foreign guests; Sioni Cathedral (7th -19th cc); Anchiskhati Basilica and bell tower (6th -18th cc); Rustaveli Avenue and Freedom Square. Overnight at the hotel.
2
Day 2: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Kutaisi
In the morning, depart Tbilisi and drive to Mtskheta, one of the oldest towns, the cultural and religious center of Georgia. Today, it is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a living museum, with many architectural and historical monuments. Visit Jvari (temple of the “Holy Cross "), built in the 6th century standing on a high hill overlooking the confluence of two majestic rivers Aragvi and Mtkvari. Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (XI century). Continue to Kutaisi, the second biggest city in Georgia, which according to the legend was the ultimate destination of the Jason and Argonauts searching for the Golden Fleece. Visit Bagrati Cathedral (XI c.), Gelati Academy (XII c.) built by King David the Builder. Overnight in Kutaisi.
3
Day 3: Kutaisi – Mestia
In the morning, drive to mysterious Svaneti region through Inguri gorge. The region is home to a special ethnic group of people – heroic and courageous Svans – distinguished by their culture, traditions and customs from the rest of Georgia. Svanetia is also known for its original architecture and is called “the Country of Thousand Towers”, which had layed both economic and defensive function. Mestia still has dozens of such medieval stone houses with the watchtowers and inhabited towers which were used to protect valleys and churches (the 10 th – 14 th centuries). Visit Mestia Ethnographical Museum, Svan original house “machubi” and tower “koshki”. Overnight at the hotel.
4
Day 4: Mestia – Ushguli – Mestia
After breakfast at the hotel drive to Ushguli village, the highest standing settlement in Europe (2,200 m). Spend time in Ushguli strolling old narrow streets. Visit Lamaria Church complex with impressive wall frescos (XII). Locals believe that it was under this church that Queen Tamara was buried. Enjoy picturesque view of Mt. Shkhara. Ushguli architectural complex is a valuable architectural and historical monument listed in the World heritage of UNESCO for its exclusiveness. There are about 70 families living in Ushguli (around 200 people). Return to Mestia. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
5
Day 5: Mestia – Zugdidi – Kutaisi
Drive back to Kutaisi after breakfast. On the way, stop at Dadiani’s (Princes of West Georgia) Palace in Zugdidi. Continue driving to Kutaisi. Overnight in Kutaisi.
6
Day 6: Kutaisi – Gori – Uplistsikhe –Tbilisi
In the morning, depart Kutaisi and drive to the city of Gori. Explore Joseph Stalin museum featuring original house where he was born, and his private armored train carriage. Continue to Uplistsikhe (“Fortress of God”), rock-hewn town dating back to Hellensitic period. Uplistsikhe is located on the left bank of Mtkvari River and is notable for unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures and the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture. Arrive in Tbilisi. Overnight at the hotel.
7
Day 7: Tbilisi – Bodbe – Sighnaghi – Kvareli – Tbilisi
After breakfast depart towards the Kakheti region, the cradle of Georgian wine making. Our first stop will be at Bodbe convent. As the legend says, it is a burial place of St. Nino, who converted Georgia to Christianity in the 4th century. Since 1889 Bodbe complex functions as a nunnery as per the decree of Tsar (ruler) Alexader III of Russia. Continue driving to Sighnaghi, the city of love and the Royal Town. Historically, one of the crossroads of the Great Silk Road is surrounded by defensive walls with 23 towers. Next stop will be at a unique wine cellar Khareba located in the tunnel carved out of the rock. Originally built for military purposes, today the tunnel is used to store Khareba’s finest wines. Wine tour and wine tasting. Return to Tbilisi.
8
Day 8: Tbilisi – departure
Check-out from the hotel at noon. Free time until transfer to Tbilisi International Airport. Departure. End of the tour.
Tour Location
Tbilisi