Silk Road in Georgia Tour

Arrive in Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital. You will be met by our driver for drop-off at the hotel, where check-in begins at noon. After a rest, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel for a private city tour to the following:

• Holy Trinity Cathedral, one of the largest houses of worship in the world.
• Drive to Tbilisi’s modern quarter, passing the Parliament Building on Rustaveli Avenue before reaching Freedom Square, complete with a golden statue of St. George and 18th-19th century architecture.
• Metekhi Church (13th century), guarded by a statue of King Vakhtang Gorgasali.
• Bridge of Peace, which leads to the popular Rike Park.
• Cable car ride up to Narikala Fortress (4th century), Georgia’s oldest citadel and the best spot for a panoramic view of the city. Nearby stands the 20-meter-high statue of Kartlis Deda, also known as the Mother of Georgia.
• Old Tbilisi, the city’s largest district, including the famous Jumah Mosque.
• Bridge of Lovers, found near the cooling waters of the 22-meter-high Legvtakhevi Waterfall.
• Historic Abanotubani District, including the Tbilisi Sulfur Baths.
• Jan Shardeni Street (Jean Chardin), an area filled with cozy coffee shops, wine tasting bars and souvenir stores.
• Sioni Cathedral (7th century), with a jaw-dropping interior of gold and turquoise frescoes.
• Leaning Clock Tower of Tbilisi, next to the famous Reza Gabriadze Puppet Theater.
• Anchiskhati Basilica Church (6th century), the oldest house of worship in Tbilisi.

Return to the hotel or continue exploring Old Tbilisi on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Tbilisi.
Tour duration: approximately 6 hours
Meals provided: none

After breakfast, drive to the small town of Mtskheta (25km, 30min), ancient capital of Iberia and a holy pilgrimage site for most Georgians, to explore two UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

• Jvari Orthodox Monastery (6th century), a unique remnant of the early Georgian church built at the top of a hill. The church amazes its visitors with simple yet beautiful facades.
• Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century), where one of the holiest items of the orthodox Christian world - the seamless robe, or chiton, worn by Jesus Christ at crucifixion - is believed to be buried. Admire its stunning architecture and moving frescoes as you learn the various legends connected with the church.

Continue your tour to Uplistsikhe Cave Town (60km, 1hr) to explore a cave fortress built entirely from rock and inhabited from the 1st millennium BC. Trace the various civilizations that inhabited the town as you climb through homes, churches and even a secret tunnel.
Your next stop is Ateni Sioni Church (17km, 30min), a remote 7th century Georgian Orthodox chapel famous for its frescoes.
Complete the drive to Kutaisi (170km, 2hrs 40min). Overnight at the hotel in Kutaisi.
Meals provided: breakfast

In the morning, meet your guide and driver to start your private tour of Kutaisi to the following:

• Colchis Fountain (2011), in Kutaisi’s David Agmashenebeli Square, with more than 30 statues and waterworks that recall the ancient kingdom of Colchis, believed to have been located near Kutaisi.
• Green Bazaar, a lively market with sellers and patrons as colorful as the produce itself. This is a great place to stalk up on fresh local snacks.
• Kutaisi State Historical Museum, easily one of the country’s finest museums that houses a small but unique collection of Georgian artifacts.
• Drive over Rioni River to Bagrati Cathedral (11th century), founded by King Bagrat III and visible from almost any point in the city. Its medieval architecture and detailed inner paintings are sure to impress.
• Gelati Monastery (12th century), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the center of Georgia’s spiritual and scientific life in the Middle Ages. Built by King David the Builder, it holds the tombs of Georgian kings, plus three churches and a bell tower.
• Motsameta Monastery (10th century), a small abbey surrounded by astounding nature which attracts crowds of religious pilgrims and travelers.

Drive to Borjomi (130km, 2hrs 30 min). Upon arrival, take a walk in Borjomi Central Park and taste the famous “BORJOMI” mineral water from the spring itself. Ride the cable cars and enjoy the fresh air of the Borjomi forest. Overnight at the hotel in Borjomi.
Tour duration: approximately 3 hours
Meals provided: breakfast

After breakfast, drive to Akhaltsikhe (55km, 45min) for an excursion to Rabati Castle (dates vary). Climb the walls and watchtowers of the old stone fortress, which stands on a hill along the shore of the Potskhovi River, and tour the castle quarters, houses of worship and gardens.
Visit the Samtskhe-Javakheti History Museum on the premises of Rabati Castle. The museum will walk you through Georgian history, from the BC era to the 19th century, with informative exhibits.
Drive to Vardzia (60km, 1hr), with a short stop along the way at Khertvisi Fortress (10th-13th centuries), a former Silk Road post and one of the oldest citadels in Georgia.
Arrive at Vardzia Cave to wander through the tunnels, stairwells, chambers and temple of the largest cave city in Georgia. Erected in the 12th century by King George III and Queen Tamar, this cave monastery resembles a fantasy kingdom from Lord of the Rings.
Drive to Tbilisi (240km, 3hrs 30min). Overnight at the hotel in Tbilisi.
Meals provided: breakfast

In the morning, drive to the southern region of Georgia (260km, 4hrs).
Visit the functioning Bolnisi Sioni Cathedral (5th century), the oldest standing church in the country which also has the first samples of Georgian writings engraved on its walls.
Continue to the beautiful Tsughrughasheni Church (13th century), a high-domed chapel with traditional Georgian carvings around its windows and arches.
Have a packed lunch before driving to Dmanisi Archeological Site (35km, 40min), a medieval commercial center where two hominid crania were discovered in 1999. The site includes the ruins of Dmanisi town (9th century) and Dmanisi Sioni Church (6th-7th centuries).
Return to Tbilisi (95km, 1hr,45min). Overnight at the hotel in Tbilisi.
Meals provided: breakfast, picnic lunch

In the morning, drive from Tbilisi to Georgia’s wine country, Kakheti Region, via the Gombori Pass (95km, 1hr 30min).
On the way, visit Akhali Shuamta Monastery Complex (5th and 16th centuries), site of two monasteries reflecting distinct architectural styles.
Continue driving to Telavi through picturesque rivers and valleys. Take a short walking tour through Telavi’s charming streets to see the 900-year-old Giant Plane Tree and a monument of the 18th-century king Irakli II.
Drive to Tsinandali to tour the Tsinandali Estate, a historical complex which includes a garden and the House Museum of Prince Alexander Chavchavadze, the 19th century poet and stateman who developed the manor.
Enjoy lunch and wine tasting at the Shumi Georgian Winery and Museum, an ancient winery that boasts of a unique collection of Georgian and European varieties. All wines are made according to traditional winemaking methods in centuries-old qvevri vessels.
Continue to Sighnaghi, a small Silk Road town in east Kakheti surrounded by 23 towers and defensive walls and known locally as The City of Love.
In Sighnaghi, explore Bodbe Monastery Complex (9th century). Also known as St. George’s Monastery, it’s one of Georgia’s most significant religious sites, for St. Nino, credited with converting Georgia to Christianity in the 4th century, is believed to be buried here.
Return to Tbilisi (110km, 1hr 40min). Overnight at the hotel in Tbilisi.
Meals provided: breakfast, lunch with wine tasting

Free morning to pack or continue exploring Old Tbilisi on your own. Check out of the hotel by noon and transfer to Tbilisi International Airport. End of Silk Road in Georgia Tour.
Meals provided: breakfast