Georgia – a country of the first Europeans and the Argonauts. It is impossible not to fall in love with its breathtaking sceneries replacing each other: from the steppe grasslands to the majestic mountains covered with snow-capped peaks. Villages and Christian monasteries with millennial traditions, scattered among numerous landscapes would not leave anybody indifferent. Most of them express the spirit of the Georgian Caucasus. National Georgian cuisine will surprise with its range of flavors, well, local wines, tradition which goes back to ancient times and has 8000 years. Throughout the tour, accompanying group guide will acquaint visitors with the local traditions and a long history of this unique corner.
Day 1 - Departures and arrivals in Tbilisi.
Transportation to the capital of Georgia - Tbilisi. Transfer from the airport to the hotel, located in the historical part of the city.
Overnight at the hotel. (breakfast)
Day 2. Tbilisi.
The program of our trip begins with a tour of the historic district of Tbilisi. Taking a walk among the streets, carved balconies hanging over them, we will visit the city's attractions such as the church Metekhi (XII century.), Tbilisi Sioni Cathedral (XIII century.) and the old city fortress Narikala.
Also we will visit the Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia, where a unique exhibition of products belonging to the Iberian and Colchian culture are shown.
Location it the city of Tbilisi at the hotel. (breakfast)
Day 3. Tbilisi - Akhaltsikhe.
Today we head towards South Georgia through the Javakheti Plateau, at an altitude of 1200-1700m. above the sea level. Experiencing the cultural and economic prosperity in the middle Ages, this area has many noteworthy architectural monuments, among which are carved into the rock city of Vardzia, dating back to the XII century. On the same day we will visit the lost among thick woods Sapara monastery dating to the X-XIV centuries, with paintings of the XIV century.
Overnight in the town of Akhaltsikhe at the home accommodation. (dinner, breakfast)
Day 4. Akhaltsikhe - Batumi.
In the morning we head towards the mountains of the Lesser Caucasus. On the Goderdzi Pass (2025m.), which is located on the border region of Adjara, we will visit the picturesque village, rebuilt in a traditional style. The road is through the mountains down to the coast of the Black Sea. There is the oldest fortress in Georgia, Gonio fortress. The first mention of it dates back to the I century. Presumably, there is the tomb of the Apostle Matthew.
Overnight in Batumi at the hotel. (dinner, breakfast)
Day 5. Batumi - Mestia.
The direction of this day - a unique mountainous region of Georgia - Svaneti, located in the northwestern part of the country in the mountains of the Range Caucasus. Along the way, it is scheduled to visit Batumi Botanical Garden, founded in the late nineteenth century on Cape Mtsvane-Kontskhi. There are more than 5,000 species of plants there. Batumi Botanical Garden - one of the largest in the post-Soviet space.
Overnight in the town of Mestia at the hotel. (dinner, breakfast)
Day 6. Mestia – Ushguli – Mestia.
In the morning we will go up to the place with an unmatched panoramic view of the mountain Hatsvali by cable car. It offers a view of the mighty mountain ranges and mountain peaks, such as: Ushba (4700m.), Tetnuldi (4869m.) and others. In the afternoon we will go to the most populated mountainous village in Europe - Ushguli village. It impresses with its medieval towers, the number of which is 37. On the same day it is scheduled to departure to the foot of the highest point of Georgia - Shkhara Mountain (5068m.).
Overnight in city Mestia at the hotel. (dinner, breakfast)
Day 7. Mestia - Kutaisi.
Today, leaving the mountains we descend to another great region of Georgia - Imereti. The road makes it possible to enjoy the magnificent views of the Caucasus Mountains and valleys. Along the way we will visit richly decorated with fanciful stalactites and stalagmites, cave Kumistavi, in the length of 1060m. We will leave the cave on the underground river, feeling like an immortal character of the Iliad.
Overnight in the city of Kutaisi in gites. (dinner, breakfast)
Dey 8. Kutaisi - Ambrolauri.
Today, we go to another great mountainous region of Georgia - Racha. On the way we visit Gelati Monastery dated XII-XIII centuries. This brilliant complex in the XII century was founded as one of the first academies in the Caucasus at the monastery. The monument is listed World Heritage UNESCO. In Racha we will visit Nikortsminda Cathedral (XI century.), It is richly decorated with carvings. On this day, we will have the opportunity to taste famous Georgian wines.
Overnight in the city of Ambrolauri in home hotel. (dinner, breakfast)
Dey 9. Ambrolauri - Tbilisi.
Leaving Racha through the pass Nakerala we are on our way to the capital. In the afternoon, we will visit one of the most outstanding monuments of Georgian architecture - town Uplistsikhe carved into the rock, founded in the first millennium BC. We will have the opportunity to taste the wine of the central part of Georgia.
Location in a hotel in Tbilisi. (breakfast)
Day 10. Tbilisi - Stepantsminda.
The direction of the day - Stepantsminda village, which is located at the foot of the Mount Kazbek (5047m.). Along the way we will visit the ancient capital of Kingdom of Iberia (Eastern Georgia), Mtskheta, which has one of the most important churches in Georgia - Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (XII century.). The monument is listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Overcoming the Big Caucasian Ridge on Jvari Pass (2379m.), Arrival in Stepantsminda, and climbing to the Gergeti Trinity Church (XIV century.), located at height (2170m.).
Overnight in Stepantsminda village in the home accommodation. (breakfast and dinner)
Day 11. Stepantsminda - Telavi.
This day is to travel to Kakheti - the eastern region of Georgia. On the way back from Stepantsminda will drive back along the Georgian Military Road, visit the Ananuri complex dating from XV-XVIII centuries. In the second part of the way we will visit the fortress city Kvetara - the first information about it dates back to the beginning of the XI century. In the evening - a walk through the city of Telavi.
Overnight in Telavi in a hotel. (dinner, breakfast)
Dey 12. Telavi - Sighnaghi.
The route of this day lies along the river valley Alazani - the heart of Georgian wine. Here you will be able taste several types of wines and get to know tradition and technology of local wine. It is also scheduled to visit the monastery Nekresi founded in the VI century. By the end of the day we are going to go to the picturesque town of Sighnaghi. It offers unique views of the mountains of the Great Caucasus.
Overnight in the city of Sighnaghi in the hotel. (dinner, breakfast)
Day 13. Sighnaghi - Tbilisi.
In the morning we head to the monastery of David Gareja monastery complex, situated on the southern border with Azerbaijan. Approaching the border, the landscape is changing, gradually transformed into the steppe, changing shape and color. The program is scheduled to visit David Gareji monastery complex (founded in VI.), frescos of which do not leave visitors indifferent to these amazing places. After returning to Tbilisi and accommodation in a hotel, the evening dinner is planned for guests at a restaurant in a traditional Georgian spirit.
Overnight at hotel. (dinner, breakfast)
Day 14. Flight.
Transfer from the hotel to the airport and flight.
If requested - professional and competent modification programs for specific days and conditions.
Participants do not need any mountaineering skills. All that is needed - the experience of hiking in the middle distance and sense of adventure.
For the citizens of the EU, the CIS and some other countries there is visa-free regime.
Participants have to buy a ticket and come to Georgia individually.
Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel can be planned at the request of participants. The cost of the airport - hotel, hotel - airport - 40 euros.
Total budget is not provided.
The price does not include daily lunch.
Some unpaved roads are crossing through the pretty difficult comprehensive terrain which gives visitors the chance to experience intense feelings.
Extreme weather conditions, road conditions, etc., oblige participants to change to schedule of the tour.
Participants of the tour must have international insurance
Cost of the tour can be paid either by the bank transfer or cash amount.
The relatively low cost of tours is due to the lack of intermediary link between a visitor and the agency.
Because of this, between a visitor and the agency there is a maximum mobile communication, making it possible to react quickly in case of emergencies.
The guides and drivers of vehicles are experienced and qualified.
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