Georgian Wine and Mountains 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 meet you at the 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.
• 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 or continue exploring Old Tbilisi on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Tbilisi.
Tour duration: approximately 6 hours
Meals provided: none

In the morning, your guide and driver will pick you up from your Tbilisi hotel. Depart the capital and drive through picturesque landscapes to Kakheti Region (95km, 1hr 30min), wine capital of Eastern Georgia.
On the way visit Chailuri Fortress (16th century), a forlorn military outpost whose origins remain a mystery.
Continue to Sighnaghi, a small Silk Road town surrounded by 23 towers and defensive walls and known locally as The City of Love.
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.
Visit Gurjaani Kvelatsminda Church (9th-17th centuries), a unique monument of medieval Georgian architecture and the only church in Georgia bearing two cupolas.
Drive to Tsinandali to 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.
Tour 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.
Check in to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Tsinandali.
Meals provided: breakfast, lunch and wine tasting

In the morning, drive through picturesque valleys to Telavi, capital of Kakheti Region.
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.
Visit Batonis Tsikhe Castle (17th-18th centuries), one of Georgia’s most well-preserved examples of medieval architecture that includes fortress walls, a tunnel, bathhouse and churches.
Tour Ikalto Monastery (6th century) an ancient academy famous for the fact that Shota Rustaveli, the outstanding Georgian poet of the 12th century, used to study here.
Drive to Lekso’s Marani Winery to tour a traditional Georgian wine cellar and taste various wines produced according to the traditional qvevri method.
Head to Alaverdi Monastery (11th century), located at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains.
Tour Akhali Shuamta Monastery Complex (5th-16th centuries), site of two monasteries reflecting distinct architectural styles. The newer monastery now serves as an active nunnery.
Drive to Tbilisi via Gombori Pass (95km, 1hr 30min), enjoying fantastic views of the countryside. On the way, visit Ujarma Fortress (3rd century), which King Vakhtang Gorgasali once used for his private living quarters.
Arrive in Tbilisi. Overnight at the hotel in Tbilisi.
Meals provided: breakfast, lunch and wine tasting

A driver and guide will meet you at the hotel to begin your day trip to Mount Kazbek in Georgia’s northern Kazbegi Region. Drive to Stepantsminda in Kazbegi (160km, 3hrs).
On the way, visit Ananuri Castle Complex (16th-17th centuries). Explore the fortresses, churches and medieval tower and stand before a sweeping view of the Caucasus Mountains and Zhinvali Reservoir.
Stop at the People’s Friendship Arch (1983). Also known as the Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument, the mural commemorates solidarity between the nations.
Arrive in Stepantsminda and drive up 2170 meters to Gergeti Holy Trinity Church (14th century), with Mount Kazbek looming before you at 5030 meters. Walk about the mountain, church and bell tower, which represent Georgian history and tenacity in full grandeur.
Drive back to Tbilisi by way of Jvari Monastery (6th century), a unique remnant of the early Georgian church overlooking the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi Rivers and known for its simple yet beautiful facades.
Arrive in Tbilisi. Overnight at the hotel in Tbilisi.
Meals provided: breakfast

After breakfast, drive to Gori (90km, 1hr 30min), 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 more about the Soviet leader at the Stalin Museum, which includes the house in which Stalin was born, while enjoying the panoramic view of Gori.
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.
Drive to Borjomi (90km, 1hr 30min). Upon arrival, begin your private tour in Borjomi Central Park, where you can taste the famous “BORJOMI” mineral water from the spring itself. Ride the cable cars and enjoy the fresh air of the Borjomi forest.
Drive to Akhaltsikhe (50km, 45min). Overnight at the hotel in Akhaltsikhe.
Meals provided: breakfast

In the morning, begin with 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, where informative exhibits will walk you through Georgian history from the BC era up to the 19th century.
Drive to Vardzia (60km, 1hr), stopping along the way at Khertvisi Fortress (10th-13th centuries), a 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 Kutaisi (220km, 3hr 40min). Overnight at the hotel in Kutaisi.
Meals provided: breakfast

In the morning, your driver and guide will meet you at the hotel to begin your tour.
Drive to Martvili Canyon (48km, 55min) to take a boat ride through its beautiful rock crevices, 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.). Admire its 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 (40km, 50min) 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 cave are closed to visitors on Mondays.

In the morning, visit Bagrati Cathedral (11th century), visible from almost any point in Kutaisi, whose medieval architecture and detailed paintings are sure to impress.
Continue to Gelati Monastery (12th century), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the center of Georgia’s spiritual and scientific life in the Middle Ages.
Depart Kutaisi for Batumi (150km, 2hrs 30min). Stop at Petra Fortress (6th century), built by Justinian I and offering a great view of the Black Sea.
On the way, visit Batumi Botanical Garden, one of the largest botanical gardens in the Caucasus from which you’ll have an amazing view of the Black Sea as you discover rare vegetation from all over the world.
Arrive in Batumi and check in to the hotel, followed by free time. Overnight at the hotel in Batumi.
Meals provided: breakfast, picnic lunch

In the morning, begin your Batumi city tour, which will take you to the following sights:

• 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.

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 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 from the hotel by noon. Transfer to Tbilisi International Airport. End of Georgia Wine and Mountains Tour.
Meals provided: breakfast