Historical Monuments of Georgia (UNESCO sites)

Meeting with driver and transfer to the hotel

After breakfast we will see Tbilisi Historic District. Tbilisi is a grand sample of Georgian urban heritage, in which the traditional influences and adaptation to the traditional Georgian dwelling and its planning structure is still alive. A balcony and a courtyard - characteristic elements of the traditional southern habitats - are turned into indivisible components of Tbilisi dwelling houses, in which the possibilities of homogeneous building material - wood and brick - are fully revealed. Interesting "Tbilisian" model of "open dwelling" is elaborated by means of well thought off the courts and balconies with the street.

After we will explore a capital and religious center of Georgia – Mtskheta (3000 years), one of the oldest and most beautiful cities of Georgia. We will visit the Temple Djvari (6th century) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century), where Christ’s apparel was buried. The World Heritage property of the Historical Monuments of Mtskheta was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1994 and on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2009.

Today we will also visit Uplistsikhe Cave Town-Fortress is situated on a rocky massif in 15 km eastwards to town Gori on the left bank of the river Mtkvari. The fortress is mentioned in chronicles from earliest times. Its history begins in the I-II millennium B.C. Uplistsikhe was an important religious, political and cultural centre in the Hellenistic and the late Antique periods (IV c. B.C. - IV c. A.D.). The town was in its heyday as far back as the 9th - 11th centuries. In 13th century, it was ravaged by Mongols. 

Coming back to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi

In the morning we go to the cave complex David Gareji „David Gareji Monasteries and Hermitage“ located in the semi-desert landscape. This monastery was founded in the 6th century by the Desert Father David. Later it grew and consisted of 19 monasteries. It was one of the main spiritual and cultural centers of Georgia. After we will visit the fortified town Sighnaghi (17th century) and enjoy the magnificent views of the Caucasus Mountains. Bodbe Monastery- This 9th century monastery houses the grave and relics of St. Nino, who converted Georgia to Christianity in the 4th century. A few km from the main complex, at the site of St. Zebulon’s Chapel, is St. Nino’s Spring, famous for its healing powers. Arrive to Tbilisi.

Night: at the hotel in Tbilisi

After breakfast in the hotel, we visit 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. After we go to Akhaltsikhe where you will visit the fortress of Rabat. 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.

Evening arrival in Varzia. Night: at the hotel in Vardzia or Akhaltsikhe

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

Rock-cut complexes forms integrate part of the landscape. Rock-cut structures of the nominated site have preserved interiors and planning type, which have not reached us in the samples of built architecture. This is especially vivid in the samples of vernacular architecture, monk cells, subsidiary and public structures. Rock-cut monuments preserved in Vardzia-Khertvisi gorge comprise quite vast chronological limits - from the 8th-9th cc. up to 15th-16th cc. They make to possible to trace development of the type from simple caves up to grand, multi-tiered complexes. This gorge has preserved rock-cut villages with the unique samples of dwellings, minor and great monastic complexes, with the masterpieces of the medieval mural painting, as well as epigraphical monuments containing important historical records.

Also that we can visit Vanis Kvabebi which was a monastery in the 7th century. The monastery complex provides spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.(the way is difficult - 2km by walk, we will see this amazing monastery by your wish). 

Arrival in Tbilisi. Night: at the hotel in Tbilisi

Transfer to the Airport