Short description of the tour: the route of this grand tour starts from Kutaisi, this trip will allow you to experience the country by moving from the west to the east part of Georgia. During this tour tourists will be able to visit the main historical sights, compare the natural features of different regions, explore the culture of the Georgians. You will have some free time on the Black Sea coast to spend on walking and swimming by yourselves. Especially this tour will be interesting for people who love nature, the program includes visiting the high mountain regions (Svaneti, South Georgia, Kazbegi) and natural attractions (Martvili Canyon, Prometheus cave, Batumi botanical garden). During this trip you will face the active tourism as well such as short rafting experience on boats in the canyon, climbing to the cave city of Vardzia in the rock. According to this program you will visit all the objects which are included in the list of world Cultural Heritage of UNESCO.
Transfer is carried out by comfortable and well equipped transport with air conditioning. Grand tour in Georgia is an appropriate trip for tourists of different ages (except of children under 8 years old).
Total duration: 13 days / 12 nights
Total route: 2370 km
The main attractions:
Temple of Bagrat, Gelati monastery*, Prometheus cave, Martvili canyon, Upper Svaneti*, Batumi seaside resort, Batumi botanical garden, Roman fortress Gonio, Borjomi resort, cave city-monastery Vardzia, Ottoman fortress Rabat, capital of Tbilisi, the ancient capital of Mtskheta and the monastery of Jvari*, Tsinandali estate, Sighnaghi city of love, Georgian Military Road, Joseph Stalin Museum in Gori, Cave city of Uplistsikhe
*UNESCO World Heritage Site
Duration of the excursion day: ~3 hours
Route length: ~40 km
Arrival in Kutaisi, meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Excursion to the temple of Bagrat, which is a symbol of the Golden Age of the country.
A visit to the Gelati Monastery, where the great Georgian king David the Builder is buried. Inspection of the frescoes of the monastery, which are considered the best in the Caucasus.
Return to Kutaisi.
Duration of the excursion day: ~6 hours
Route length: ~270 km
The first half of the day will remain free, on-site it will be possible to book additional excursions: horseback riding, trekking with an escort, a trip by ropeway, etc.
In the afternoon - transfer to the sea region of Adjara, accommodation in Batumi at the hotel.
Duration of the excursion day: ~6 hours
Route length: ~50 km
Sightseeing tour of Batumi by transport and on foot with a tour of Batumi embankment, the Old Town, the Tower of the Georgian alphabet, moving figures of lovers Ali and Nino, etc.
A visit to the Batumi Botanical Garden, located on an area of 113 hectares, is a true paradise, in which more than 5 thousand plants from around the world. For more than 100 years it has been simultaneously a place for tourists to rest and serious research by scientists.
Return to Batumi.
Duration of the excursion day: ~5 hours
Route length: ~80 km
Excursion to the fortress of Gonio, which in ancient times was a Roman outpost.
A visit to the medieval bridge built during the reign of the great Georgian queen Tamar (end of the 12th century).
Inspection of the beautiful Makhuntsi waterfall 30 meters high.
Visiting Adjara wine house, located in a picturesque area, wine tasting.
Return to Batumi.
Duration of the excursion day: ~8 hours
Route length: ~330 km
Moving from Western Georgia to South Georgia.
On the way stop at the resort of Borjomi. Here tourists will take a walk in the city park and will be able to taste the famous Borjomi mineral water from the source.
Transfer to the city of Akhaltsikhe, hotel accommodation.
Duration of the excursion day: ~9 hours
Route length: ~330 km
A visit to the cave city of Vardzia, which was carved into the rock under the great Georgian Queen Tamar and today is a functioning monastery.
Inspection of the Rabat fortress, acquaintance with the culture of the period of the Ottoman occupation (XVI-XVIII centuries).
Transfer to Tbilisi, hotel accommodation.
Duration of the excursion day: ~8 hours
Route length: ~80 km
A tour of Tbilisi by transport and on foot with a tour of the main attractions: the Old City, the quarter of sulfur baths of Abanotubani, Metekhi temple, Freedom Square, Rustaveli Avenue, etc.
A visit to the ancient capital of Georgia - the city of Mtskheta. Inspection of the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, erected over the tunic of Jesus Christ.
Excursion to the Jvari monastery, from where a magnificent view of the confluence of the Kura and Aragvi rivers opens.
Return to Tbilisi.
Dinner in a national restaurant with a folklore program (Georgian cuisine).
Duration of the excursion day: ~10 hours
Route length: ~280 km
Excursion to the wine region of Kakheti, which is considered the birthplace of wine.
Guided walk through the capital of the region - the city of Telavi, external inspection of the fortress wall of Batonistsikhe.
Visit to the estate of a significant Georgian person of the XIX century - Alexander Chavchavadze, familiarity with the methods of making Georgian wine. Wine tasting.
Excursion to the Bodbe Monastery, on the territory of which the baptist of Georgia, St. Nino, was buried in the 4th century.
Guided walk through the city of Sighnaghi (Signagi) with a view of the mountains of the Greater Caucasus.
Return to Tbilisi.
Duration of the excursion day: ~10 hours
Route length: ~310 km
Excursion along the Georgian Military Road, the opportunity to see the majestic Caucasian mountains.
A visit to the medieval fortress Ananuri on the beautiful Zhinvali reservoir.
Stop at the Cross Pass at an altitude of 2395 meters.
Moving to the village of Stepantsminda (formerly Kazbegi), climbing off-road vehicles to the Holy Trinity Church (XIV century), the opportunity to see one of the highest mountains in Georgia - Kazbek.
Return to Tbilisi.
Duration of the excursion day: ~8 hours
Route length: ~270 km
A visit to one of the oldest cities in the country - the cave city Uplistsikhe (age over 3 thousand years).
Excursion to the house-museum of the head of the USSR Joseph Stalin in the city of Gori.
Transfer to Kutaisi, hotel accommodation.
Transfer to Kutaisi Airport.
Departure.
The route may be adjusted depending on weather conditions
Included:
- group transfers according to the program
- DBL / TWIN accommodation in hotels in Kutaisi (2 nights), in Mestia (2 nights), in Batumi (3 nights), in Akhaltsikhe (1 night), in Tbilisi (4 nights)
- Meals: breakfast in hotels, 1 dinner in a national restaurant (alcoholic drinks for an additional fee)
- transport-escort
- guide services
- entrance tickets to objects
- tastings according to the program
- boat rental in Martvili
- rental of SUVs for the rise to the church in Gergeti
Not included:
- flight
- food in addition to the above
- excursions in Svaneti on a free day
- medical insurance
- visa fees
Additionally organized meals are possible: 15 USD p/per for each lunch, 30 USD p/per for each dinner