Georgia Train 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.

Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Tbilisi.
Tour duration: approximately 6 hours
Meals provided: none

In the morning, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel in Tbilisi to continue your tour.
Drive to the small town of Mtskheta (25km, 30min) to explore three UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

• Jvari Orthodox Monastery (6th century), a unique remnant of the early Georgian church which overlooks the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi Rivers and amazes 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.
• Samtavro Monastery (11th century), former center of the Georgian Orthodox Church and burial site of Queen Nana and King Mirian, who founded the monastery. The complex attracts many religious pilgrims and includes several churches, bell towers, frescoes and an active convent.

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.
Finish your tour in Gori (12km, 25min), a town built by King David the Builder in 1089-1125 and placed on the map by Joseph Stalin, who was born here in 1920. Learn about the Soviet leader at the Stalin Museum, which includes the house in which he was born, while enjoying a panoramic view of Gori.
Return to Tbilisi (100km, 1hr 30min). Overnight at the hotel in Tbilisi.
Meals provided: breakfast.

In the morning, transfer to the train station and take the train to Kutaisi, departing from Tbilisi at 09:00 and arriving in Kutaisi at 14:30 (230km). A driver will meet you at the train station for transfer to the hotel.
Your guide and driver will take you on a Kutaisi city tour 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.

Overnight at the hotel in Kutaisi.
Tour duration: approximately 3 hours
Meals provided: breakfast

In the morning, your driver and guide will meet you at your hotel in Kutaisi to drive to Martvili Canyon (48km, 55min).
Take a boat ride through the beautiful rock crevices of Martvili Canyon, which tower up to 40 meters. Walk through the canyon to discover waterfalls, bridges and observation areas.
Drive to nearby Martvili Monastery (7th century). Also known as Chkondidi Monastery, its distinctive windows and colorful murals speak of its rich history, while the site provides a magnificent view of the town.
Depart Martvilli and drive to Okatse Canyon (25km, 30min). Experience the canyon’s magnificent nature, a stretch of ravines up to 100 meters deep, as you walk an 800-meter-long suspension bridge to reach an observation deck dangling above the canyon depths.
Head for Prometheus Cave (45km, 1hr) in Tskaltubo. Also called Kumistavi Cave, it’s the largest cave in Georgia with six caverns open for exploration. Walk through a 1400-meter-long tunnel, enjoying the stalactite formations accentuated by colored lights and music.
Drive back to Kutaisi (20km, 30min). Overnight at the hotel in Kutaisi.
Meals provided: breakfast, picnic lunch
Note: The canyons and Prometheus Cave are closed on Mondays.

In the morning, a private guide and driver will meet you at your Kutaisi hotel and drive to Katskhi Pillar (65km, 1hr 15min).
Discover Katskhi Pillar (8th century), a monastery perched on a 40-meter-high rock where Monk Maxime has been living in solitude for 25 years. Soak in the breathtaking views that surround the isolated hermitage.
Continue driving to Chiatura (12km, 20min) via Katskhi Monastery (11th century), whose unique architecture and intricate hexagonal form are found nowhere else in Georgia.
Arrive to Chiatura, a small town which has managed to retain a distinct Soviet aura. Have a look around the city and ride the famous Chiatura Cable Cars.
Visit Mghvimevi Monastery (13th century), an active nunnery partially embedded in rock and notable for its wood carvings and frescoes.
Return to Kutaisi for drop-off at the train station. Train departs from Kutaisi at 17:50 and arrives in Batumi at 21:50 (150 km).
You’ll be met at the train station for transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Batumi.
Meals provided: breakfast

In the morning, your driver and guide will meet you at the hotel for your Batumi city tour to the following:

• Batumi Botanical Garden, one of the largest botanic gardens in the Caucasus from which you’ll have an amazing view of the Black Sea.
• A driving tour of the House of Justice, Batumi Mall, Dolphinarium, Rustaveli University, Museum of Art, Batumi Port and Orta Mosque.
• Gonio Fortress, the oldest fortress in Georgia (1st century AD) which spans 4.5 hectares and two millennia of buried history.
• Europe Square with its famous Medea Statue and nearby Italian Piazza Square.
• Batumi Boulevard, including a dancing fountain and the famous Ali and Nino Monument.
• Seaside Miracle Park, a delightful promenade featuring the Panoramic Wheel, Chacha Tower, Alphabetic Tower, Batumi Lighthouse and Nurigeli Lake.
• Church of St. Nicolas (1871), one of Batumi’s key historical monuments built by the Greek community.
• Holy Mother Virgins Nativity Cathedral (1897), a gothic-style church with large stained-glass windows.
• Argo Cable Car, which you’ll ride up to the city’s peak to enjoy a panoramic view of the area.

Transfer to the train station and take the Batumi-Tbilisi train, departing from Batumi at 18:00 and arriving in Tbilisi at 23:00 (390km).
You’ll be met at the train station for transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Tbilisi.
Meals provided: breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a free morning. Check out of the hotel by noon and transfer to Tbilisi International Airport. End of Georgia Train Tour.
Meals provided: breakfast