Georgia at glance | 8-day small group tour

• Breakfast at the Hotel
• Tbilisi city tour
• Lunch break
• Tbilisi city tour continues
• Return to the Hotel

Our guide will meet you in your hotel’s lobby at 9:30 am to have a Tbilisi city tour with you. Georgian capital city for many centuries of its existence was a place where people of all faiths, cultural and national backgrounds used to live together, making Tbilisi a contemporary metropolis filled with history and atmosphere of the rich and great past. Your Georgia tour will commence this day with the tour of old Tbilisi: at the Metekhi church and King Vakhtang monument you will listen to the Tbilisi founding legend, continue by cable car to ancient Narikala fortress, walk down to the “Legvtakhevi” (fig) gorge and Tbilisi waterfall, passing by the church and mosque. Tbilisi flea market experience will be followed by stroll through the renovated pedestrian alley and part of the “New Tiflis” major renovation project of Georgian capital. And to make this day special – traditional Georgian welcome dinner will be attended. Transfer to hotel after dinner.

• Breakfast at the Hotel
• Depart towards Kakheti region
• Telavi (administrative center of Kakheti)
• Alaverdi Cathedral
• Napareuli village (wine tour, wine tasting, lunch)
• Tsinandali village (Chavchavadze house museum visit, wine tasting)
• Telavi (overnight in the Hotel)

After breakfast at your hotel embark for a 2-day trip to Eastern region of Georgia – Kakheti. The heart of Alazani valley famous for its ancient winemaking traditions. Numerous vineyards as well as both big and small wine producing facilities are biggest landmarks of the region. In about two hours of journey following beautiful rural road and picturesque mountain Gombori Pass you will arrive in Telavi – historical and administrative center of the region. This small town is the best place for visiting local farmer market. Next stop will be the Alaverdi monastery, the 6th century Orthodox monastery that is still in service. Continue to one of the highlights of the day – private winery in Napareuli village. A vineyard, winery, and wine cellar located in arguably the most beautiful place in the region – the footsteps of Greater Caucasus mountain range. This family-run winery produces four types of traditional Georgian wine on 11 hectares of their own vineyards: Saperavi, Kisi, Mtsvane and Rkatsiteli. You will have a detailed wine tour, followed by delicious lunch and wine tasting. Your next destination this day will be the “Hyde park on Alazani” – picturesque garden inside the Chavchavadze house-museum in the village of Tsinandali. Museum tour and delicious wine tasting will add up to the whole atmosphere. Return to Telavi for overnight.

• Breakfast at the Hotel
• Gremi Fortress
• Khareba winery (wine tour, wine tasting)
• Sighnaghi town (known as “City of Love”)
• Nino monastery in Bodbe
• Return to Tbilisi (overnight in the Hotel)

Second day of the trip to Kakheti will start with a journey to Gremi architectural complex –  16th century Royal citadel of Kakhetian kings. The ambience of the place, right after you pass its threshold, still retains the Middle Age aura. Visit the “Winery Khareba”, one of the biggest wine producing company in Georgia, and its unique wine cellar, which is located inside the tunnel excavated deep into the mountain gorge – total length of the wine tunnel lanes is 7.7 km long. The location gave a name to the wine cellar – “Gvirabi” (tunnel). Have a tour of the premises and wine tasting of four types of beverage made by both local Georgian, and traditional European methods of winemaking. Drive to the town of Sighnaghi, also known as a “city of love” (mostly for the fact that one can register a marriage there 24/7). Previously a royal residence, this small Kakhetian town is surrounded by an ancient city walls with watchtowers. Return from Kakheti to Tbilisi (about 2 hours drive). Check-in to hotel, and overnight.

• Breakfast at the Hotel
• Jvari monastery
• Ananuri Fortress
• Pasanauri village
• Gudauri
• Gergety Trinity Church (requires change of vehicle to AWD)
• Overnight in Kazbegi

Tour to Georgia would not be complete without a journey to Kazbegi, a small town close to the border with Russia. The tour itinerary for this day will start with the Jvari monastery, architectural gem of the Caucasus, located on top of the hill overlooking major Georgian highlights – its old capital town Mtskheta; famous two rivers merging point where Mtkvari river meets river Aragvi; and transport highway entering Tbilisi. Another site worth making a stop on the way is Ananuri fortress – established in XVI century as a residence for local Dukes of Aragvi the complex is still a place that impresses all those passing by with its nobility and greatness. Other attractions en route include exciting view of two small mountain rivers making one, and flowing side by side without mixing their colors for quite a distance; also a picturesque mountain landscape viewpoint followed by the “Cross” pass. Arrive in Kazbegi, change a vehicle for 4-wheel-drive cars to get to Gergeti Holy Trinity church, nestled on top of one of the highest hills at 2170 meters above sea level. Drive to local hotel for dinner and overnight.

• Breakfast at the Hotel
• Uplistsikhe
• Mtskheta
• Return to Tbilisi (overnight in the Hotel)

​First site to visit this day is called Uplistsikhe (2 hours drive from Kazbegi) – centuries old “cave town” that still houses up to 150 big and small caves (out of 700 that used to comprise this ancient settlement), remains of old pagan altars, wine cellars and up to date operating Church. Next stop is Mtskheta town, Georgia’s ancient capital city, and its major site – Svetitskhoveli Church.

Return to Tbilisi.

• Rest or self-exploration in Tbilisi

This day of the tour is for you to spend on your own agenda. Please kindly note that no guide and transport will be provided for this day. Our suggestions for the day would be as follows:

• • Visit the Museum of Ethnography of Georgia – geographical, cultural and traditional replica of the country; the biggest open-air museum in Caucasus;
  • Visit one of the famous Sulphur Bath houses – legend has it that Tbilisi was founded at the sulphur water source and springs in the area;
  • Depending on specific areas of your interests we could suggest relevant site and/or activity for the day;
  • Check our Tbilisi Travel Guide for other options;
  • You can also choose one of our day tours in Georgia itineraries, which are not covered by this tour.

• • Breakfast at the Hotel
  • Check-out before 12:00 pm
  • Transfer to Tbilisi International Airport