DESTINATION GEORGIA 9 DAYS/ 8 NIGHTS REGULAR TOUR PACKAGE FOR 2017
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN TBILISI
Meeting at Tbilisi International Airport with a guide. Transfer to the hotel. Hotel check-in and short rest.
DAY 2: TBILISI CITY TOUR
Breakfast in the hotel. Explore Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia founded in the 5th c by King Vakhtang Gorgasali. First visit to Metekhi church (13th cc.) a cross – cupola church, part of the Royal residential complex. Continue the tour going down to Sioni Cathedral (7– 19th cc.), considered the symbol of Tbilisi. A short glimpse Anchiskhati basilica and bell tower (6th -18th cc). Lunch at the restaurant. After lunch visit to Narikala Fortress (4th c.) – main citadel of the city, which overlooks the oldest part of Tbilisi. During centuries Narikala was considered the best strategic point of the city. Ascending by funicular road, descending by foot. After the getting panoramic view we visit Sulphur bath houses. Walk through the old town, the ancient streets where the souvenir shops are located. Next visit to National Museum of Georgia that contains an exhibition of gold work. These are extraordinary specimens of gold filigree and reposes work discovered at important archaeological sites. Dinner at a local traditional restaurant. Overnight in Tbilisi.
DAY 3: TBILISI – ALAVERDI – GREMI – VELISTSIKHE – TBILISI
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Kakheti region via Gombori Pass (1620 m). First we will visit Alaverdi Monastery – the greatest temple of the mediaeval Georgia. Earliest parts of it date back to 6th century. The present day cathedral dates to the 11th c. The monastery as well as other cathedrals in Kakheti is almost deprived of all decors however, it still makes a strong impression thanks to its immense sizes and harmony and the stretched high in the sky accentuated dome. Next stop – Gremi –16th century architectural monument. The complex is what has survived from the once flourishing town of kingdom of Kakheti in the 16th and 17th centuries. It functioned as a lively trading town on the Silk Road and royal residence until being razed to the ground by the arms of Shah Abbas I of Persia in 1615. Lunch at the local restaurant. On the way to Tbilisi we will visit 300 year-old wine cellar (marani) in Velistsikhe. Tasting georgian red and white wines will give you opportunity to join the Georgian culture and traditions. Return to Tbilisi. Dinner at a local traditional restaurant. Overnight in Tbilisi.
DAY 4: TBILISI – MTSKHETA – GORI – AKHALTSIKHE
Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Mtskheta – the ancient capital of Georgia. You will have the opportunity to visit: Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th c.) – one of the sacred places of Georgia, the burial place of the Holy Mantle of Christ and Jvari Church (6– 7th cc.) – church of the Holy Cross, masterpiece of the early Medieval Period. Next drive to Shida Kartli region. Lunch at the restaurant. After lunch drive to town Gori, birthplace of Joseph Stalin and visit the House-museum. Departure for Akhaltsikhe. Hotel check-in. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Akhaltsikhe.
DAY 5: AKHALTSIKHE – VARDZIA –TSKALTUBO
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Vardzia. En route photo – stop near Khertvisi fortress – one of the oldest fortresses in Georgia and was functional throughout the Georgian feudal period. As the legend says, Khertvisi was destroyed by Alexander the Great. Arrival in Vardzia and visit to cave monastery complex. In the mountain carved about 600 rooms: churches, chapels, living cells, store-rooms, baths, refectories, treasuries and libraries, with the unique mural paintings. Lunch at the restaurant. After lunch departure for Imereti region. Arrival in Tskaltubo. Hotel check in. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Tskaltubo – famous spa resort.
DAY 6: TSKALTUBO – KUTAISI – TSKALTUBO
Breakfast in the hotel. Kutaisi – one of the oldest cities of Georgia, located in the valley of the river Rioni, which is mentioned in the myth about the Argonauts and the Golden Rune. The ancient capital of kingdoms of Kolkhi and Imereti. Visit Bagrati Temple (10-11th cc.) – ruins of a temple built during the reign of King Bagrat III. Next visit to Gelati – monastery complex (12th c.) – Churches of the Virgin, St George and St Nicholas., on the walls of which were preserved the unique frescoes. Lunch at the restaurant. After lunch visit Prometheus cave. First visit to Prometheus Cave, full of stalagmites and stalactites. The total length of thetunnels is 20 000 meters, the tourist passerby route is 1420 meters in length and the internal temperature reaches 14 – 17 degrees. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Tskaltubo – famous spa resort.
DAY 7: TSKALTUBO –UBISA- UPLISTSIKHE – TBILISI
Breakfast in the hotel. Drive to Shida Kartli Region. First visit Ubisa church (9th c.) unique with its wall paintings. En route stop at Shrosha ceramics fair. Lunch at the restaurant. After lunch visit to cave-town Uplistsikhe (end of 2 – beginning 1BB BC) – “God’s Fortress”, the ancient cave town hewn into the rock. Departure for Tbilisi. Hotel check-in. Dinner at a local traditional restaurant. Overnight in Tbilisi.
DAY 8: TBILISI – STEPANTSMINDA (KAZBEGI) – ANANURI – TBILISI
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure from Tbilisi for Mtianeti region. drive along the Georgian Military Highway and cross Jvari pass (2395m) with stunning ponoramic views. Arrival in Stepantsminda (formerly Kazbegi) – a small town located in 15 km from the Russian- Georgian border. Hiking on the terrain and visiting Gergeti Ttrinity Church – located at an altitude of 2170 m, offering beautiful views of Mount Kazbek (5047m). Lunch at the local restaurant. Drive to Tbilisi and visit Ananuri architectural complex (16-17th cc.) – one of the best monuments of the Georgian architecture of the later period. In the later middle ages Ananuri served as the residence palace of Aragvi Eristavis (rulers) and hub of the Saeristavo – land ruled by an eristavi. Arrival in Tbilisi. Dinner at the local restaurant. Overnight in Tbilisi.
DAY 9: DEPARTURE DAY