Undiscovered Georgia

Itineraries

• Day 1 UK to Tbilisi
• Today you’ll fly to Tbilisi on an overnight flight.
• Day 2 Tbilisi
• You’ll arrive in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi today. After a delicious welcome breakfast with your fellow travellers, we’ll head straight out into the heart of Tbilisi’s beautiful, compact centre, built in the 5^th century. We’ll experience the city’s main attractions and learn about its complicated past on a leisurely walking tour. We’ll start at the Metekhi plateau, from where we’ll take inpanoramic views of the city standing proudly against the striking backdrop of the Greater Caucasus Mountains. Georgia’s famous mountain range stretches between the Taman Peninsula of the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea that separates Europe and Asia.
  We’ll then journey by cable car to the majestic Narikala Fortress ruins, rising high over Tbilisi’s picturesque Old Town and the twisting Mtkvari River. We’ll explore this ancient symbol of defence – partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1827 – by walking along the trail, where the city will unfold beneath you. Discover sulphuric baths with therapeutic waters along the way and botanical gardens.
  Next, we’ll get an insight into the country’s rich culture through an array of dazzling archaeological findings and fascinating artefacts in the National Museum of Georgia. We’ll take a stroll down Shardeni Street, lined with atmospheric cafs, before visiting the Great Synagogue. This significant landmark was built by Georgian Jews in the late 19^th century among a cluster of churches. Decorated with intricate floral designs and Hebrew details, it’s a real feast for the eyes.
  To round off our day in style, we’ll enjoy a traditional meal together at a restaurant, followed by a display of Georgian folklore.
• Day 3 Kakheti
• If you’re a food and wine aficionado, you’ll love today’s excursion to Kakheti. Together, we’ll learn secrets from a Georgian kitchen during culinary masterclasses and sample the local wine in the heart of the famous wine region. The rolling countryside is dotted with vineyards, home to a staggering 400 types of grape.
  Our morning is a tale of two monasteries. We’ll begin at the towering Alaverdi monastery, where local monks made their own wine in the 11^th century. Then, we’ll explore the Gremi monastery, which was the capital of the Kakheti Kingdom from 1466 to 1616. Once a vibrant cultural hub, it was destroyed when Shah Abbas of Persia invaded the town.
  Winding through the Khareba winery tunnel carved into the Great Caucasus Range, we’ll discover how the tunnel was used to age the wine. Here, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch complete with a wine tasting where you’ll learn about the notes and flavours of Georgian wine.
  Foodies are in for a real treat this afternoon. We’ll bake traditional Georgian bread together and prepare one of the national dishes, Khinkali. These dumplings are made from twisted dough, stuffed with meat and fragrant spices and eaten with your hands. We’ll also create Churchkhela, a traditional candle-shaped sweet dish made from two of Georgia’s favourite ingredients grapes and nuts. We’ll thread together a long string of nuts and dip them into concentrated grape juice.
  We’ll spend theevening in Sighnaghi, a beautiful city that has managed to retain its original charming style, featuring open balconies, archways, pastel-shaded houses and imposing towers. The town’s crowning glory is a unique fortress that watches over the city, complete with churches nestled inside. We’ll then drive back to Tbilisi.
• Day 4 Kazbegi
• We’ll gather bright and early for breakfast at the hotel before our scenic drive towards the Kazbegi region, twisting and turning along the historic Georgian Military Highway through the dramatic High Caucasus Mountains. On the way, we’ll reach the colourful Cross Pass that stands at 2,395 metres and cruise along the Tergi River, punctuated with rugged canyons and gorges.
  When we reach Kazbegi the main town of the region we’ll travel in a 4×4 through lush woodland valleys until we reach the lovely 14^th century Gergeti Holy Trinity Church. Perched on a picturesque hilltop, the fairytale church is surrounded by sweeping vistas of snowy peaks including the brooding dormant stratovolcano, Mount Kazbeg.
  After marvelling at nature’s epic wonders, we’ll drive to the spectacular Dariali Gorge along the Tergi River that stretches all the way to the Georgian-Russian border. This famous gorge that straddles the border is known by locals as the most romantic place in the Caucasus Mountains. It has been immortalised in Russian poetry, notably by Lermontov in ‘The Demon’.
  We’ll rest our heads in the ski resort of Gudauri tonight and enjoy a delicious meal at our hotel as we look forward to tomorrow’s adventures.
• Day 5 The Silk Road & Uplistsikhe
• We’ve got an exciting day ahead of us, starting with a drive along the ancient Silk Road that famously connected the East and the West. We’re heading to perennially-invaded Gori, the birthplace of the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. En route, we’ll visit the Ananuri architectural complex – the site of multiple dynasty uprisings that overlooks a reservoir on the Aragvi River.
  Next, we’ll explore the UNESCO-listed, expansive cave town of Uplistsikhe known as the Lord’s Fortress – one of the first rock-carved towns in Georgia. Before Georgia became a Christian country, this was the site of pagan rituals in the 1^st millennium BC.
  After exploring this cave town that once housed 20,000 people for ourselves, we’ll make a photo stop at the remarkable statue outside the Museum of Stalin. We’ll then drive to the spa resort of Tskaltubo, which will be our base for the next two nights.
• Day 6 Martvili Canyon
• Today, we’re going to visit Martvili Canyon, an excellent place for an adventure. The area, located in the Samegrelo region, boasts dazzling blue-green waters and incredible cascading waterfalls. Once a bathing spot for Georgia’s Dadiani aristocracy, today locals flock here to admire the breathtaking scenery and take boat trips on the glittering, crystal-clear water.
  Next, we’ll drive to Kutaisi and soak up the UNESCO-listed 12^th century Gelati Monastery Complex and Academy. Inspired by the gold details in paintings, the monastery was built by King David IV of Georgia nicknamed David the Builder.
  The monastery personifies the flourishing medieval architecture of the Golden Age. Marvel at ornate ceilings and admire King David’s tomb that he wanted visitors to step onto. The academy once housed famous scientists, philosophers and theologians.
  Tonight, we’ll gather for a superb feast back at our hotel. Afterwards, you can enjoy the thermal baths in the spa.
• Day 7 Caves of Prometheus
• We’re going to soak up even more of Georgia’s magnificent sights today. Millions of years old and bathed in colourful lights, the Prometheus Caves are the pinnacle of Georgia’s Imereti region. A myriad of sublime natural wonders, the illuminated caves are bursting with breathtaking stalactites, stalagmites, petrified waterfalls, cave pearls, underground rivers and lakes.
  When we’re finished gasping with awe, we’ll travel to the holy city of Mtskheta. Placed at the top of a mountain at the confluence of the Mtkvaria and Aragvi Rivers, we’ll find an enchanting monastery. The Georgian Orthodox Jvari Monastery has religious and cultural significance and dates back to the 6^th century. According to folklore, Jvari’s cross of miracles drew Pilgrims from across the Caucausus.
  Later, we’ll visit the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, famous as the location where Jesus’ robe is said to be buried. One of the most sacred places in Georgia, it is decorated both inside and outside with fantastic stone carvings and faded frescoes.
  When we’ve finished admiring the cathedral in all its glory, we’ll head to Mtskheta’s narrow, winding streets for a snack and some souvenir shopping. Maybe you’ll pick up a decorative plate or a patterned scarf, before we head back to our hotel in Tbilisi.
• Day 8 Saguramo & Georgian wine. Tbilisi to UK
• On the final day of the tour, we’ll have a leisurely breakfast before checking out. We’ll squeeze in one last excursion to the outstanding Guramishvili Winery in Saguramo, where we’ll discover a historical wine cellar. Enjoy a final taste of Georgian wine and a wonderful farewell lunch together before we return to Tbilisi and transfer to the airport for your flight home.Please note that the itinerary for 2020 will differ slightly from that shown here and we have removed Sighnaghi from our full-day tour of Kakheti region on Day 3, arriving earlier in Tbilisi with more time to explore independently. On Day 7 dinner will take place in Guramishvili Winery in Saguramo and Day 8 will be at leisure with time to explore, lunch will be at a local restaurant in Tbilisi.