Tour Around 16 days / 15 nights

Greek calls it Kaukasos, Scythian calls it Kroy-Khasis, and the world calls it Caucasus and the heart of Caucasus is Georgia, country of wonders. Nature that will keeps you speechless, untouched northern slope of Caucasus Mountains, ancient fortresses and towers of south, breathtaking views of green valleys, hidden monasteries in the woods.

Day 1

Few words about Even if you only have a short time in Georgia, you have to spend at least a half-day exploring Tbilisi’s Old Town. The architecture in the city’s historic district is a beautiful mixture of Georgian, Byzantine, Oriental and Neo-Classical European styles. It dates back more than 1,500 years and was founded by Vakhtang Gorgasali, King of Georgia (known as Iberia at the time) in the second half of the 5th-Century AD. The name derives from the Georgian word for warm, “T'pili.” Sliced by the River Mtkvari, which divides the city west and east, the lovely setting is ripe for exploring.

Arrival in Tbilisi. Accommodation in hotel Free time Overnight in Tbilisi

Day 2

Breakfast in the hotel At 11:00 am. Drive to region. Svaneti -Beautiful, wild and mysterious - Situated on the southern slopes of the central Caucasus Mountains and surrounded by 3,000–5,000 meter peaks, Svaneti is the highest inhabited area in the Caucasus, so remote that it was never tamed by any ruler. Four of the 10 highest peaks of the Caucasus are located in the region. The highest mountain in Georgia, Mount Shkhara at 5,201 meters (17,059 feet), is located in the province. Svaneti is known for their architectural treasures and picturesque landscapes. The botany of Svanetia is legendary among travelers. The famous Svanetian towers erected mainly in the 9th-12th centuries, make the region’s villages more attractive. Typically bilingual, they use both Georgian and their own .In the province are dozens of Georgian orthodox churches and various fortified buildings. Architectural monuments of Upper Svaneti are included in a list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

On the way visit En route visit and Dadiani’s Palace (XIX century); The way proceeds to Zemo (upper) Svaneti; EngurHES ( Dam).

Overnight in

Day 3

Breakfastat the hotel After breakfast in the hotel drive to Ushguli village, the highest standing settlement in Europe (2,200 m). Ushguli has been "saved" by its particularly inaccessible location, which helped preserve the villages' timeless feel. Spend time in Ushguli strolling old narrow streets. Visit Lamaria Church complex with impressive wall frescos (XII). Locals believe that it was under this church that Queen Tamara was buried. Enjoy picturesque view of Mt. Shkhara. Ushguli architectural complex is a valuable architectural and historical monument listed in the World heritage of UNESCO for its exclusiveness. There are about 70 families living in Ushguli (around 200 people). Ethnography Museum of Ushguli - Museum has a superb collection of gold, silver and wooden icons and crosses dating back to the 12th century from Ushguli’s seven churches.

Return to Mestia. Overnight in Mestia

Day 4

Breakfast at the hotel After breakfast visit Historical and Ethnographic Museum of Mestia which houses manuscripts from the 10th and 12th centuries; Also we visit the museum houses materials belonging to famous Georgian alpinist Mikheil Khergiani (1932-1969) There are: alpinist’s memorial things and different exhibits of life Svaneti.

Visit Hatsvali–mountain ski resort which is situated 8 km from Mestia. The road goes through the pine forest and there is a spectacular views of Mt.Ushba and white slopes of Mt. Tetnuldi.

Overnight in Mestia

Day 5

Breakfast at the hotel Drive to - the second largest city of Georgia, located on the coast of the Black Sea in the country's southwest. Situated in a subtropical zone near the foot of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains, Batumi is a popular tourist destination known for its varying weather–it is a bustling seaside resort during warm seasons, but can get entirely covered in snow during winter.

Overnight in Batumi

Day 6

Breakfast at the hotel Batumi Botanical Gardens- the world second largest Botanical Gardens, which is located on the territory of 111 ha 9 km from Batumi. It is divided into 9 phyto- geographical sections: Transcaucasia Humid Subtropics, New Zealand Section,South American Section, Australian Section,Himalayan Section, Mexican Section,East Asian Section, North American Section, Mediterranean Section. The collection of the Garden consists over 2000 arboreal and the same number of herbaceous taxonomic units. Petra - “Charmed Fortress” (VI c.AD.) Historically this territory was the settlement place of one of the Kartvelian tribes - Lazes. The Byzantine Emperor Justinian built a city here because of the unique military-strategic and trade-economical location. The city was crossed by the essential road connecting Western Georgia, Byzantine provinces, Iran and Armenia. Old Batumi (Neptune’s square, amazing Piazza Square with St Nicholas Church, Chacha Fountain,St. Mary Cathedral,Batumi Port, Seaside Park…) Overnight in Batumi

Day 7

Breakfast at the hotel Drive to City Tour and visit Sataplia Cave - is famous for fine speleothems and the nearby dinosaur footprints. The cave tour enters the through-cave on one hillside, crosses the hill underground and returns on the surface where the dinosaur footprints can be seen. The name Sataplia is based on the Georgian word tapli (honey), the place was well known for its bees and the locals came here to colect honey. Overnight in Kutaisi

Day 8

Breakfast at the hotel

Visit Bagrati Cathedral - named after Bagrat III, the first king of united Georgia, the beautiful Cathedral is a well- preserved complex, with wonderful mosaics and wall paintings. The cathedral and monastery represent the flowering of medieval architecture in Georgia.

Gelati - the greatest monastery cathedral of Georgian culture “Golden Age” (XII c.); here at the main entrance is the grave of David the Builder. The king wanted to be buried in a place where all people coming to the monastery would step on his grave.

Motsameta Monastery – a small and very beautiful monastery with round turrets crowned with peaked tent-shaped domes. The monastery is standing above the rough Rioni river and is buried in coastal vegetation. According to the legend the monastery was constructed on the place where Muslim aggressors executed David and Konstantin Mkheidze, Georgian princes, who refused to accept Islam. In a small monastery hall on an eminence there is a big rectangular ark with the hallows of the pious princes canonized by Georgian Church . Motsameta attracts crowds of tourists with an ancient superstition: if one crawls three times under the ark and makes a wish while touching the hallows, the princes David and Konstantin will grant it.

Visit “Prometheus Cave” is one of the richest caves of Europe. It is characterised by the variety of underground rivers and beautiful landscapes. Walking route for tourists is 1060 m. near the main entrance about 60 meters long there is a lake. The cave itself is very breathtaking with its 16 specious architectural halls and each one is distinct by scales and unsurpassed shape. Prometheus cave is one of the richest with it’s with its space, variety and underground rivers and landscape. Overnight in Kutaisi

Day 9

Breakfast at the hotel Drive to

On the way visit - famous for its mineral water industry (which is the number one export of Georgia). Archaeological excavations have revealed the existence of stone baths in the area, proving that these mineral waters have been utilized by people for thousands of years. Because of the supposed restorative and healing powers of the area's mineral springs, it is a frequent destination for people with health problems. Borjomi is also home to the most extensive ecologically-themed amusement park in the Caucasus.

Visit a medieval castle complex –Rabati . The fortress was built in the 13th century and was completely reconstructed in 2011-2012. Rabati castle developed under the influence of the different cultures over subsequent centuries and this is reflected in its architecture. Within the 7 hectares castle complex there is a Church, a Mosque, a Minaret and a Synagogue.

Drive to - a cave monastery site in southern Georgia, excavated from the slopes of the Erusheti Mountain on the left bank of the Kura River, thirty kilometres from . The main period of construction was the second half of the twelfth century. The caves stretch along the cliff for some five hundred metres and in up to nineteen tiers. The Church of the Dormition, dating to the 1180s during the golden age of Tamar and Rustaveli, has an important series of wall paintings.

Drive to Overnight in Bakuriani

Day 10

Breakfast at the hotel Bakuriani is a daba and a skiing resort in the Borjomi district of Georgia. The region around Bakuriani is covered by coniferous forests (mainly made up of spruce). The resort lies 30 km from Borjomi and is located within the so-called Bakuriani Depression/caldera. The resort is connected with Borjomi by an electrified narrow-gauge railway. The present-day area of the town was built up by the lava flows from the Mukheri volcano.

Overnight in Bakuriani

Day 11

Breakfast at the hotel Start our drive to Gori - a city in eastern Georgia, which serves as the regional capital of Shida Kartli and the centre of the homonymous administrative district. The name is from Georgian gora , that is, "heap", or "hill". Gori was an important military stronghold in the Middle Ages and maintains a strategic importance due to its location on the principal highway connecting eastern and western parts of Georgia. In the course of its history, Gori is also known as the birthplace of the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. Gori Fortress is a 13th century castle in Georgia, situated on a hill above the city of Gori

Visit ancient city-museum is one of the oldest cities of Georgia, it is located approximately 20 kilometres north of Tbilisi at the confluence of the Aragvi river. Mtskheta was founded in the 5th century BC. It was capital of the early Georgian Kingdom of Iberia (Kartli) from the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD. It was a site of early Christian activity, and the location where Christianity was proclaimed the state religion of Kartli in 337. It remains the headquarters of the . Due to its historical significance and several cultural monuments, the "Historical Monuments of Mtskheta" became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) and Monastery (6th century) in Mtskheta are amongst the most significant monuments of Georgian Christian architecture, and are historically significant in the development of medieval architecture throughout the Caucasus. Jvari - the unique paragon of Architecture and landscape mixture – the church of VI-VII cc; stands on the rocky mountaintop at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, overlooking the town of Mtskheta. The importance of Jvari complex increased over time and attracted many pilgrims. In the late Middle Ages, the complex was fortified by a stone wall and gate, remnants of which still survive. During the Soviet period, the church was preserved as a national monument, but access was rendered difficult by tight security at a nearby military base. After the independence of Georgia, the building was restored to active religious use. Jvari was listed together with other monuments of Mtskheta in 1994 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Svetitskhoveli - the greatest church in Georgia and the unique masterpiece of Architectural art; The original church was built in 4th century A.D. during the reign of Mirian III of Kartli (Iberia). St. Nino is said to have chosen the confluence of the Mtkvari (Kura) and Aragvi rivers as the place of the first Georgian Church. According to Georgian hagiography, in the 1st century AD a Georgian Jew from Mtskheta named Elias was in Jerusalem when Jesus was crucified. Elias bought Jesus’ robe from a Roman soldier at Golgotha and brought it back to Georgia. Returning to his native city, he was met by his sister Sidonia who upon touching the robe immediately died from the emotions engendered by the sacred object. The robe could not be removed from her grasp, so she was buried with it.[4] The place where Sidonia is buried with Christ's robe is preserved in the Cathedral. Later, from her grave grew an enormous cedar tree. Ordering the cedar chopped down to build the church, St. Nino had seven columns made from it for the church’s foundation. The seventh column, however, had magical properties and rose by itself into the air. It returned to earth after St. Nino prayed the whole night. It was further said that from the magical seventh column a sacred liquid flowed that cured people of all diseases. The present structure was completed in 1029 by the medieval Georgian architect Arsakisdze.

Also possible travel by powerboat

Return to Tbilisi Overnight in Tbilisi

Day 12

Breakfast at the hotel meeting with a guide at the hotel and we start a city tour. Sameba - The cathedral of XX c. The church of XIII c. located on the bank of the river Mtkvari in the old city; , Straddling the Mtkvari River is an arresting new pedestrian bridge “Bridge of Peace” courtesy of Italian architect Michel De Lucchi- the structure composed of glass and iron with a 150 m canopy roof connecting Old Tbilisi with a new recreational park on Rike. Abanotubani (Baths` district) - The Asian-type coloring baths built on the hot sulfur springs-all the bath are below the ground level and are overlapped by semicircular domes and are naturally lit via glass lantern over the cupola Walk along Chardin Street a very narrow and short, it is named after a French explorer Jan Chardin who visited Tbilisi in 1663. It’s a great way to wander around the local art galleries and souvenir shops with a chance to refuel in one of the area’s many cafes. Sioni – The former Cathedral of VI-XIII cc. with the wall painting of XIX-XX cc; Anchiskhati - The ancient basilica of the VI c. in the old city; Art museum of Georgia - is one of the leading museums in the country of Georgia. Falling under the umbrella of the , AMG is located near Freedom Square, Tbilisi and possesses around 140,000 items of Georgian, Oriental, Russian, and other European art. By cableway visit Narikala – An ancient fortress overlooking Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, and the Kura River. The fortress consists of two walled sections on a steep hill between the sulphur baths and the botanical gardens of Tbilisi. Newly built in 1996–1997, it replaces the original 13th-century church that was destroyed in a fire. By Funicular Railway we go up in Mtatsminda (holy land)- free time to walk in a park, near the park you can have a dinner at Funicular Restaurant by additional price.

Return to Tbilisi Overnight in Tbilisi

Day 13

Breakfast at the hotel On the way visit Ananuri architectural complex (16-17th century), the two churches and the fortress overlook the water reservoir. Visit Gergeti Trinity Sameba - the church of XIV c. erected on the mountain in front of the Mkinvartsveri in the gorge of the river Tergi (by 4X4 car). Drive to Picturesque Dariali gorge, also visit Sno Castle – Medieval Watch Tower in village Sno.

Return to Tbilisi Overnight in Tbilisi

Day 14

Breakfast at the hotel; Drive to Region Visit - the main city and administrative center of Georgia's eastern province of Kakheti. Telavi and its surroundings are rich in historical, architectural and natural monuments. The first archaeological findings from Telavi date back to the Bronze Age. One of the earliest surviving accounts of Telavi is from the 2nd century AD, by Greek geographer Claudius Ptolemaeus, who mentions the name Teleda (a reference to Telavi). The reign of King Erekle II -is still called affectionately "Patara Kakhi" (Little Kakhetian), who was born and died in this city, was a special epoch in the history of Telavi. During this period (1744–1798) it grew into a strategic and cultural centre. Erakle II established there a theological seminary and founded a theatre. Erekle II's reforms touched upon all aspects of life in the country. They changed fundamentally the political, economical and cultural orientation of Kartli-Kakheti and, subsequently of the whole Georgia. His name became a symbol of freedom and national independence of the Georgian people. Visit “Chateau Mere” opened in September 2011 near Telavi. “Chateau Mere” entertains its guests and visitors with a wide range of activities: picking and crashing grapes, learning about wines and cheese making, baking bread, making churchkhelas (fruit leather coated walnuts), riding horses, hiking, shopping for local produce, products and hand-crafted gifts.

Visit Tsinandali - The village in Kakheti, noted for the estate and its historic winery which once belonged to the 19th-century aristocratic poet Alexander Chavchavadze (1786–1846). Tsinandali Estate is the cradle of classical winemaking of Georgia, the place where Georgian wine was first bottled. Saperavi of 1841 and other 19th century historical vintages are still preserved at Princely Oenotheque. Alaverdi Monastery is a Georgian Eastern Orthodox monastery which was founded by the Assyrian monk Joseph (Yoseb) Alaverdeli in the 6th century, who came from Antioch and settled in Alaverdi, then a small village and former pagan religious center dedicated to the Moon. Overnight in Telavi

Day 15

Breakfast at the hotel Drive to Sighnagi Visit - 16th-century architectural Gremi was the capital of the in the 16th and 17th centuries. Founded by Levan of Kakhetnument – the royal citadel and the Church of the Archangels – in Kakheti, Georgia. Since 2007, the monuments of Gremi have been proposed for inclusion into the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Nekresi - Monastery is one of the largest monastery complexes in the Kakheti region of Georgia and was founded by St. Abibos Nekreseli, one of the famous thirteen Syrian fathers. Situated on top of a steep hill overlooking the Alazani valley, the complex contains various ecclesiastical buildings built at different times, including: the Blessed Virgin Church (VI-VII century); a basilica-type church that dates to the IV century (one of the earliest surviving Christian churches); a two-storey bishop’s palace (IX century); a four-storey tower (XVI century); and a wine cellar (marani).

Visit Tunnel Winery Khareba - near in Khaketi region, is Georgia’s largest wine cellar – 7.7 km of tunnels and galleries that maintain a constant temperature of 12-14 degrees C and 70% relative humidity all year round – perfect storage conditions for wine. Originally built for military purposes during the Cold War, the tunnels (gvirabi) were purchased by the Winery Khareba who restored them and use them to store and age about 25,000 bottles of its wine. The complex consists of two main tunnels linked by 13 smaller galleries 500 meters long.

Sighnagi - is one of Georgia's smallest towns, City of wine and love, as it is being called in recent years, is very much appealing to those who are tired of rush and hustle, and like everything lovely, cute and small. Located on a steep hill, overlooks the vast Alazani Valley, with the Caucasus Mountains visible at a distance. Visit the Museum of Sighnaghi Learn more about the history of the city, the region, and look at the rare works by and . - Originally built in the 9th century, it has been significantly remodeled, especially in the 17th century.Located two kilometers far from the Sighnaghi, this beautiful monastery is one of the most important places for Georgians, because St. Nino, who brought Christianity to Georgia, is buried there. Her grave can be visited – people say that the saint helps fulfill your cherished wishes.Strolling through the magnificent monastery garden makes you feel calmed down and relaxed... You can also go down to the holy spring of St. Nino, and plunge into healing cold water.

Return to Tbilisi Overnight in Tbilisi

Day 16

Breakfast at the hotel Departure to the Airport

Have a safe flight!

PRICE INCLUDES (PER PERSON):

1. Hotel accommodation: hotel in Tbilisi ( 5 nights), hotel in Svaneti (3 nights), hotel in Batumi ( 2 nights), hotel in Kutaisi ( 2nights), hotel in Bakuriani(2nights), hotel in Kakheti (1 night) 2. A bottle of water 3. Full transportation and transfers in Georgia as specified in itinerary. 4. All European speaking guide-interpreter service. 5. Entrance fees to museums and sightseeing destinations.

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

1. Air-ticket. 2. Board meal plan. 3. Visa for Georgia entry. 4. Personal expenses (telephone, mini-bar, laundry, etc.) 5. Alcoholic drinks. 6. Additional tours and transfers not included in the itinerary.