Cultural Roots of Georgia 8 Days

Arrive in Tbilisi after your flight, where we will greet and escort you to your hotel

The city offers a wide variety of sights, most of them very ancient. Starting at the church of Metekhi, we walk to the brick domes of sulfur baths and then on to spectacularly located Narikala’s fortress – one of the oldest fortresses in Georgia, overlooking the Mtkvari river gorge.

Visit Metekhi Church located in the ancient historical district of Metekhi, on the left bank of the Mtkvari River, in old Tbilisi. Metekhi Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is one of the oldest churches built in Tbilisi.

Sulfur baths - Chreli Abano located at the eastern bank of the Mtkvari River at the foot of Narikala fort across Metekhisubani, Abanotubani is an important historic part of the city — the place, where according to a legend the King of Iberia, Vakhtang Gorgasali’s falcon fell, leading to a discovery of the hot springs and, subsequently, to the founding of new capital.

Narikala’s fortress - is nowadays the leading sighting among the most visited places in Tbilisi by tourists. Narikala Fortress draws your attention from all sides of Tbilisi, you can notice it from almost every part of Tbilisi. In Georgian sources, it is called “Mother Fortress”. Narikala offers you some of the best panoramas of the city. This is an ancient symbol of Tbilisi’s defensive brilliance. You will get there by cable car.

Walk on Meidan Square which was an active marketplace in the Great Silk Road period. Jean Chardin Street -the street was named after the famous French traveler and now it is the most popular place for citizens and tourists where they can rest in bars and restaurants.

After that, we visit the synagogue, and the Sioni and Anchiskhati churches, which mark the end of the Old Town. After we visit the treasury of the National Museum of Georgia (Georgian Archaeology from the 8th millennium B.C.), Visit the holy trinity cathedral, the third biggest church in the world. End of the tour. Spend the night in Tbilisi

After breakfast in the hotel, we visit the ancient capital– Mtskheta and see its historical sites: Jvari monastery (6th century) and Svetitskhoveli cathedral (11th century). Both are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

 Jvari Monastery- VI century church and monastery, located in the east of Mtskheta, at the mouth of the river Mtkvari and Aragvi, on the rocky mountain peak. Jvari Monastery is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here there is kept the Robe of Jesus Christ which had been brought from Jerusalem in I c. A true architectural masterpiece of the Early Middle Ages. Built on a hilltop, the views it affords of Mtskheta and the Aragvi and Mtkvari Rivers are breathtaking and great for selfies!

You will drive north towards the Northern Caucasus along the well-known Georgian Military Road

The first stop will be at the Ananuri complex, a former residence of Argveti Dukes. The complex features churches and towers dating back to the 16-17th centuries, beautifully overlooking the Jinvali reservoir. The buildings included in the complex are: upper and lower fortress, fence, towers, Church of the mother of God, Church of the Deity, “Mkurnali” Church, bell tower, octagonal cell, and reservoirs;

Continue our drive to see the conjunction of two small mountain rivers famous for the fact that being different in color they still keep their own colors even after merging.

Continue our incredible tour and now visit the Gudauri Friendship monument, also known as Gudauri Panorama- located 120 KM from Tbilisi, on the Georgian Military Highway connecting to Russia. The monument is very vivid and colorful, however, most of its beauty is thanks to the location. Georgia-Russia Friendship monument is a circular balcony hanging off of a 600-meter cliff with amazing views of the Caucasus Mountains.

Our last stop and the main attraction of the tour is Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) and its amazing Mount Kazbegi, where the Gergeti Trinity Church is built - located at an altitude of 2170 m.

From Kazbegi ride in 4 WD vehicles through beautiful valleys and woods reaching the Gergeti Trinity church. In good weather, you can see one of the highest glaciers in the Caucasus – the mountain Kazbegi at 5047m. Enjoy breathtaking views, take pictures breathe fresh air, and collect lots of emotions. Drive back to Tbilisi

Overnight in Tbilisi

After breakfast in the hotel, we visit the resort Borjomi. 

Borjomi is famous for its mineral water industry (which is the number one export of Georgia). You will be able to taste mineral water in the Borjomi Park. The most famous and incredible thing about Borjomi is its unique mineral waters that are at least the equal of the world’s best. Its natural high purity and healthy chemical components make it not only pleasant to drink but also a perfect preventive and curative against a number of diseases. The water is rich in the most important and necessary micro-elements for life and each spring in the region is characterized by the effect these various properties have on the wildlife. There are hundreds of different springs and each one has its own unique taste and temperature. The water’s curative effects were well known to the locals since ancient times and a stone bathing tub dating back to the 1st century BC was recently found here.

After Borjomi Park, you will visit beautiful forest of pine, hornbeam and beech in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. The Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park is one of the largest in Europe and covers more than 76,000 hectares of native forest and sub-alpine and alpine meadows.

Explore one of the easiest trekking routes – “National Park Information Tail”. The route starts from the administration building (850 m). It is about 1.5 hr.to go through the trail, while after a 600 m hard ascent the trail straightens and turns to the left where the circle is done and goes back to the same section. The highest peak of the trail is 950 m above sea level.

Explore Rabati Castle is a medieval structure in Akhaltsikhe, Georgia, which dates back to the 13th century. The castle complex is comprised of a mosque, a minaret, a synagogue, a Christian church, a palace, a citadel, as well as landscaped gardens, vineyards on terraces, outdoor pools with fountains, a history museum, a hotel, a restaurant, souvenir and wine shops. Overnight in Akhaltsikhe.

In the morning, you begin to explore the cave city Vardzia (12th century), which is one of the highlights of the trip. 

Vardzia Cave town, very impressive historical-cultural monument, founded in 12th century, 13 floors and hundreds of rooms, halls and churches, huge complex made in rocks. There once were about 3,000 caves and 50,000 people lived there. You visit the church carved into the rock with amazing frescoes of the 12th century. The monastery has never been restored since then, but in the second half of XIX c every now and then several monks lived there. Some traces of revival of the monastery live are noticeable even nowadays. 

Visit Khertvisi Fortress, once destroyed by Alexander the Great. Khertvisi fortress – Middle age castle is located on a tall rocky mountain. Khertvisi was an active fortress during feudal ages. Khertvisi was reconstructed several times, early middle age building layer is noticeable. The fortress consists of the citadel and a wall. Citadel stands on a narrow, rocky edge of the mountain, it is not approachable from the northeastern side. Water was supplied by a tunnel on a northwestern side. Drive to Kutaisi

Night: at the hotel in Kutaisi.

After breakfast Sightseeing tour of Kutaisi it is the capital of the western region of Imereti. Visit Bagrat Cathedral - this majestic cathedral is towering over Kutaisi and visible from any point of the city. This greatest culture and architecture monument of Georgia, was constructed in the 10 th – 11 th centuries. Gelati Monastery - is a masterpiece of the Golden Age of medieval Georgia, a period of political strength and economic growth between the 11th and 13th centuries. Visit the amazing caves Sataplia. The Sataplia Nature Reserve is a place where you can see very interesting natural sights, walk in nature and enjoy with magnificant views. Also the guests can find footprints of ancient animals – Dinosaurs. This is the place where the footprints of Herbivorous and Raptor dinosaurs of different epochs are found. Sataplia dinosaurs are called “Satapliazaurus” and are different from Europian dinosaurs. Evening arrival back to Tbilisi

Overnight in Tbilisi

Today, you will explore centuries-long history of Kakheti wine culture. Now drive to Kakheti region through the beautiful Gombori pass. Firstly, you will visit Alaverdi monastery - founded in the VI century by Joseph Alaverdeli, one of the 12 Assyrian fathers. Afterward, you will visit Matsoni House. Matsoni is a pure Georgian traditional type of yogurt. You will taste different kinds of yogurt, which will surprice you with its different and marvelous taste. Here you will have degustation of different kind of wines.

Nekresi is an ancient monastic complex located on the top of a mountain in the Alazani Valley in Kakheti. Many centuries ago there was once the eponymous city of Nekresi, the ruins of which can be seen from the height of the monastery.

After you will visit a unique winery of Khareba – the wine tunnel in the rock, where you will have wine degustation. The unique wine cellar and tourist complex "Kvareli Wine Cave" is built on the edge of Alazani Valley. This is a place that attracts Georgian and foreign tourists alike and awakens unforgettable emotions in them. The cave, carved into the Caucasus rock massif, was opened in 1962 specifically for the World Congress of Vine and Wine. Throughout the year, the cave temperature ranges from 12-16 ° C, which creates an ideal environment for wine storage and aging. The wine bottles in the cave are positioned horizontally or upright to ensure that the cork is constantly wet during the aging period.

On the way to Tbilisi visit Bodbe Monastery, holy place for Orthodox Georgian, this is a place where you will enjoy beautiful garden made by local nuns and breathtaking view around the landscape. Close to the monastery we will visit Sighnaghi city.

The city of Sighnaghi is beautiful with its architectural form and excellent views of the Alazani Valley and the Caucasus Mountains. It is also called the city-museum. Walk in the main streets and on the famous wall of Sighnaghi, enjoy magnificent views around. Finish tour and back to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi

Enjoy this free morning before we escort you to the airport