საქართველო

Georgia is located in the South Caucasus, at the strategically important crossroads where Europe meets Asia. Georgia is an amazing cluster of cultures, religions, fascinating landscapes and ancient history; The country where everyone can find something to his liking – from snow peaks to subtropical shores, from deserts to lush forests, from cities to enchanting villages;

Georgia contains immense cultural and historical heritage, being host to 150 museums and 12,000 historical landmarks, 3 of which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Georgian traditional cuisine is one of the richest in the entire world.

Duration: 11 days

PRICE INCLUDES:

• Full services of a IRC Tour Leader with local guides and drivers
• Meal plan / HB / Drinking water
• All transport as outlined in the itinerary
• All accommodation 4 *

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Tbilisi

Arrive in Tbilisi and transfer to your hotel. Today enjoy a city tour of Tbilisi at the 13^th century Metekhi Church, and visit the 4^th century Narikala Fortress. Afterwards continue to the Synagogue, Siony Cathedral and Anchiskhati Church. After lunch visit the stunning treasury of the Georgian State Museum and Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi’s main street.

Day 2:Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Gori – Tbilisi

This morning drive to the area of Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia and the center of Christianity in the country. It was here that St Nino converted the troyal family to Christianity in the 4^th century, visit the hill top Jvari church dating from the 4^th century and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral from the 12^th century. Drive on to the town of Gori in the heart of Kartli region. Gori is the birthplace of Stalin and there is a museum about his life to visit. Drive on to Uplistsikhe Cave Town (from the 6^th century BC) – lying on the route of the Great Silk Road. Back to Tbilisi. Dinner and overnight

Day 3: Tbilisi- Kazbegi-Tbilisi  

Travelling along the Georgian Military Highway. During this travel we’ll see the Zhinvali reservoir. Further travel to the Georgian Military Highway – is a town of Stepantsminda situated at the foot of the Mount Kazbegi – the most famous and picturesque mountain of Georgia. Above the town like a fairy castle, rises Gergeti Trinity Church / Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 4: Tbilisi- Kakheti Region- Tbilisi

Kakheti is the largest wine producing region of Georgia and it is just a couple of hours away from the capital, Tbilisi.

We take a walk in the fortified town of Sighnaghi and taste local wines at a winery. Continue to visit the estate of Georgian dukes from the 19^th century in Tsinandali. Visiting to Alaverdi cathedral where we can take a tour of monastery winery and taste very special wines made by monks. We’ll enjoy our lunch at a farmer’s house with home-made dishes. We will see how Georgian sweet „Churchkhela“ (walnuts coated in grape juice and flour) is made and Georgian bread “Shoti” is baked.

Back to Tbilisi.

Day 5: Tbilisi- Kutaisi

In the morning after breakfast departure to Imereti Region.

Imereti – is a part of Georgia, known to the ancient world as Colchis – the land of the Golden Fleece – with Kutaisi as its capital. In this region of Georgia you will visit to: Sataplia State Nature Reserve – the reserve became well-known for its big karst caves and dinosaur footprints.

Explore the cave of Promtheus , dinner and overnight at the guest house.

Day 6 : Kutaisi – Zugdidi – Becho

In the morning head north towards Svaneti, make a stop in the city of Zugdidi, home to the Dadiani Palace, home to the 19^th century Royal family of the region and set in the botanical gardens. There will also be time to look around the large market and have some lunch in a local restaurant before continuing on to Svaneti, the region of the highest mountains and glaciers and ancient traditions. After lunch, walk through the woods to the foot of Mt. Ushba (4700m). This spectacular walk passes a waterfall on the way up to Ushba glacier. In late afternoon drive on to Mestia, the centre of Upper Svaneti.

Day 7: Mestia – Ushguli – Mestia

A morning drive takes you up to the highest permanent village in Europe – Ushguli (2200m). Ushguli and generally the whole Upper Svaneti region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is famous for its abundance of watchtowers. Visit the 12^th century complex of Lamaria and wander these twisting ancient alleys between houses.

Day 8: Mestia – Zugdidi – Akhaltsikhe

Today you will leave the mountains and transfer back to Zugdidi.

After lunch head towards Akhaltsikhe, a small town with the impressive fortress of Rabat, one of the few Ottoman buildings in the country. The fortress has been completely renovated and houses an interesting museum showing the archaeological finds from the area.

Day 9: Akhaltsikhe – Vardzia – Tbilisi

Drive to the small fortress of Khertvisi set on a hill top by the road, this fortress has not been restored and you can scramble around the walls and turrets. Move on to the cave city of Vardzia, once an important area to Queen Tamar, a complex of around 500 caves where once there were 3000, the rock hewn church still exists along with the frescoes. Take the pathways to see the ancient dwelling places and tunnels. Back to Tbilisi.  

Day 10: Tbilisi

Transfer to the airport for your return flight.