12 days Grand Georgian tour

HIGHLIGHTS

• Bagrati cathedral
• Gelati & Motsameta monasteries
• Walking tour in Royal district of Kutaisi
• Wine tasting and Georgian dinner at family winery
• Hiking to Tskhrajvari mountain
• Picnic at Shaori lake
• Visiting Nikortsminda church
• Tkhmori waterfall
• Mestia
• Ushguli
• Old Batumi
• Mtirala National Park Hike
• Makhuntseti & mirveti waterfalls
• Dinner with folklore show
• Martvili canyon
• Okatse canyon
• Prometheus cave
• Tasting “Nazuki” – Georgian sweet bread
• Hiking in Borjom-Kharagauli national park
• Borjomi central park
• Rabati castle
• Vardzia
• ​Jvari monastery
• Walking in Old Tbilisi
• Ananuri castle
• Gudauri viewpoint
• Holy trinity church of Gergeti
• Viewpoint to the river Vere valley
• Tsalka (Dashbashi) Canyon Sky Bridge
• Hiking in Dashbashi canyon
• Day 1st - Kutaisi, Wine & Dine
• Tour starts at 09:00 from our office in Kutaisi. Firstly we drive up to Bagrati cathedral that overlooks the city. It was built in 11th century as a symbol of united Georgia. Afterwards we move to Gelati monastery of 12th century. There are 3 big churches, an academy, grave of David the Builder, bell tower and houses of monks in the complex. It was built by the greatest Georgian King David The Builder. Then we move to Motsameta monastery that is related to story of tortured brother lords David and Constantine Mkheidze. It’s built on the cliff and is surrounded by the river from 3 sides. The nature and colors around monastery are amazing. The next thing we do is a walking tour in the downtown. Here guide tells about history of Georgia and Kutaisi. After taking pictures at fountain group continues down to central park where are located statue of sister “Ishkhnelebi” and memorial of “9 April”. Afterwards we pass by Kutaisi city hall, Opera house and visit “Mon Plasir” arch. Then we pass by the first gymnasium and visit white bridge, then go through park of love and visit Golden marquee palace. Then we go to central grocery market called “Mtsvane Bazari”. For lunch time we visit family winery “Baia’s wine” located in Bagdati municipality, village Obcha. Firstly, Baia and Gvantsa (Baia’s sister) show us vineyard that is just behind their house. Then we move to wine cellar to taste several types of wines they have. They produce “Tsolikouri”, “Krakhuna”, “Aladasturi”, “Ojaleshi”, “Otskhanuri Sapere” and of course “Chacha”. Afterwards we sit around big table full of Georgian food. Their mom makes the most delicious Imerian food you’ll ever try. After satisfying lunch we return back to Kutaisi by 17:00.
• Overnight in Kutaisi
• Day 2nd - Tskhrajvari & Racha
• The tour starts at 10:00 from our office in Kutaisi. The first stop is the highlight of the tour - Tskhrajvari mountain. We hike up to the summit (1590 M) to the church of st. George. From the peak we can see entire Western Georgia and Kutaisi. Once the great hike is finished we drive to Racha region. On the way we stop at Nakerala Pass that is a border between Imereti and Racha. There are magnificent view from the pass to the both regions. Crossing the pass we arrive at the shore of Shaori lake. Here we have picnic at the lakeside, in the wildness. We provide hot tea, coffee and a mat for sitting on the ground. Everyone should bring their own food for the picnic. Fishing and swimming is available in the lake. Once the lunch is over we visit Nikortsminda church that was build in 11th century. The last point is Tskhmori waterfall, with the freezing cold water and a fresh air. Then we come back to Kutaisi and finish the tour at 18:00 at our office.
• Overnight in Kutaisi
• Day 3rd – Mestia
• The tour starts at 08:00 from our office in Kutaisi. The first stop is Enguri water dam. After visiting dam we are heading to Mestia. On the way we stop several times for taking pictures and to enjoy with waterfalls and amazing views on Caucasus mountain range. We arrive in Mestia by 14:00 and have a lunch break. In Mestia we visit Margiani family house-museum. The tour finishes at 16:00 at Credo Bank.
• Overnight in Mestia
• Day 4th – Ushguli
• On this day we have off-road tour to Ushguli – the highest settlement in Europe. We start at 10 a.m. from Credo Bank - #38 Tamar Mefe st., Mestia. Our first stop is tower of love that represents story of prohibited love. Afterwards we keep off-roading to Ushguli. Once we achieve Ushguli our vehicles are parked in the center. Guests have 3 hours to explore the ancient towers and churches. We return in Mestia at 15:00. Here we change vehicle and heading back to Batumi.
• Overnight in Batumi
• Day 5th - Batumi & Mtirala N.P.
• Tour starts at 10:30 form our office in Batumi. The first stop is Europe square and statue of Medea. Then we move to Piazza square and to Church of St. Nicholas. From here we go to Batumi port. Afterwards group visits moving statue of Ali & Nino. The next stop is alphabet tower of Batumi. Then we walk down boulevard and through dancing fountains park. The last stop of our excursion is The Drama Theatre of Batumi and statue of Neptune. Here we have a lunch break and afterwards we drive to Mtirala National Park. Once we get there we cross the river by the handmade cable-car and hike for 3 km to the waterfalls. People who like cold water can swim in waterfalls. There is a rope attraction in the park that is children's favorite spot. Once we're exhausted and full with emotions we get in the van and drive back to Batumi. The tour finishes at 18:00 at our office.
• Overnight in Batumi
• Day 6th - Waterfalls, Lunch with Folklore show
• Tour starts at 10:00 form our office in Batumi. We’re heading to Makhuntseti where we try to escape from heat of Batumi. The first stop is water reservoir of river Adjaristskali. Then we are heading to Makhuntsety waterfall that is one of the highest waterfalls in Georgia. Afterwards we go down to King Tamar’s bridge that was built in 14th century. The next stop is Mirveti waterfall to achieve it we have to cross hanged bridge and walk through village. For the lunch we visit a local family restaurant in the mountains of Matchakhela valley. They provide wide variety of the local food and homemade wine. Also, they perform a folklore show for us. The tour finishes at 17:00 at our office in Batumi.
• Overnight in Kutaisi
• Day 8th - Canyons & Cave
• Tour starts at 06:45 from our office in Batumi. The first stop is Martvili canyon where we take a boat tour through the canyon and explore depth of it along waterfalls. The next attraction is Okatse canyon. This is the deepest canyon in Georgia with hanged bridges and sky walks. There are 2 ways to achieve bridge: trekking on 6 km route and taking off-roading taxi. Off-roading is pretty impressive experience. Hiking makes us starving, so we stop in the local restaurant for a lunch break. The last spot of the tour is Prometheus cave, that is 1,4 km long and is located 80 meters below surface level. In the cave there is a hall of love where people even get married. Here you can enjoy with underground boating. It’s cool, isn’t? Finally, when we are exhausted and full with emotions we go to Kutaisi. The tour finishes at 19:00 in our office in Kutaisi.
• Overnight in Kutaisi
• Day 8th - Hiking in Borjom-Kharagauli National Park
• The tour starts at 08:00 from our office in Kutaisi. The first stop is in Surami where we taste Georgian sweet bread “Nazuki”. They show us how it’s made and give us some to test. Afterwards we visit Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park Visitor center to get permission of the hike. As usual we visit hike on Footprints trail, but if its not available we visit other tracks that are more or less the same. For lunch everyone brings their own meal. Once the trail is finishes we are picked up by the van and drive back to Borjomi.
• Overnight in Borjomi
• Day 9th - Borjomi, Rabati & Vardzia
• The tour starts at 10:30 at Borjomi central park. Here we are able to taste mineral water from springs. After walking in the park we are heading to Rabati castle. We explore medieval castle with local guide who tells us about history and structure of it. For lunch we stop at local restaurant. The last destination is Vardzia – City of caves. When all rooms of the complex are explored we drive to Tbilisi.
• Overnight in Tbilisi
• Day 10th - Tbilisi, Jvari and Mtskheta
• Tour starts at 09:00 from our office in Tbilisi. The first spot is Svetitskhoveli cathedral in Mtskheta. Mtskheta is considered religious center of Georgia. Next stop is Jvari monastery. From There is amazing view on Mtskheta, Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers. After Jvari we have lunch break at local restaurant with delicious food. When lunch is finished we walk in old part of Tbilisi. We cover: Metekhi church, Europe square, Bridge of peace, Cable way ride to Narikala fortress, Legvatkhevi waterfall and Sulphur bathes of Tbilisi. The excursion finishes at 18:00 in our office in Tbilisi
• Overnight in Tbilisi
• Day 11th - Kazbegi
• Tour starts at 09:00 from our office in Tbilisi. Our first stop is Zhinvali water dam for photo shooting. Here is a open Bazar of souvenirs. Driving few kilometers we stop at Ananuri castle. After excursion in complex we are heading to the north. On the way we stop at place were 2 rivers (Black and White "Aragvi" mix). The next stop is Viewpoint of Gudauri. There is a wonderful view on Caucasus mountain range from the viewpoint. Then we visit Holy Trinity Church of Gergeti. The tour finishes at 19:00 at our office in Tbilisi.
• Overnight in Tbilisi
• Day 12th - Tsalka (Dashbashi) canyon
• The tour starts at 10:00 from our office in Tbilisi. The first stop is a viewpoint to the river Vere valley. After a 5 mins break we continue driving to Tsalka (Dashbashi) canyon. Firstly, we walk over a 240 m long sky bridge that is hanged on the top of 280 m deep canyon. Here are options for bicycle ride over the canyon and swing that are one in the lifetime experiences. Afterwards part of the group that is not afraid of challenging 1.8 km hike walks down to the canyon where we get close to the waterfall over the cliff. The spot is cool and relaxing, but coming back to the visitor center isn’t that easy. We hike up to the parking and have a well needed lunch break. After that lunch we drive back to Tbilisi, change the vehicle and drive to Kutaisi. By 22:00 we arrive in the city.
• Overnight in Kutaisi
• Price
• Group tour - 1490 GEL per person
• Private tour - Starting from 5980 GEL