Explore Real 10 Days Tour

Georgians are proud of their country, often raising the glass of wine to Glory of their homeland and ancestors, for they are proud to maintain their language, religion, traditions and its turbulent history.

This tour shows Georgia with its glorious past and vibrant modern life. You will visit World Heritage monasteries and Cathedrals, treasuries from pre-Cristian and Christian periods, observe ethnography and explore undiscovered historical land of ancient Georgia – the birthplace of Golden Fleece and wine.

Program Detailed Itinerary

Day 1/ Arrive to Arrive to Tbilisi International Airport. Meet with the guide and driver from Explore Georgia Ltd. Transfer to hotel for overnight. (-/-/-)

Day 2/ Tbilisi Sightseeing Tour Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of Tbilisi. Known as a capital of Georgia from 5th century, the city is extraordinary for its turbulent history, elegant and remarkable architecture, destroyed and restored through centuries but keeping entire style of Georgian orthodox religion and traditions. Walk through old city. Visit to dated 13th century, Sulfur baths, Narikala fortress of 4th century, Sunny Mosque dated to 18th century, Old Synagogue, Sioni cathedral initially built in 7th century, Anchiskhati dated to 6th century. *Optional lunch in local restaurant. After lunch visit to Tbilisi National Museum. Drive to Sameba cathedral (1995- 2004) in historical neighborhood of Avlabari in . Evening walk along Rustaveli Avenue. Welcome dinner in traditional Georgian city restaurant with folk performance. Overnight in hotel. (B/-/D)

Day 3/ Tbilisi – – – Kazbegi Morning drive to Mtskheta – old capital of -Iberia kingdom known as a political and cultural center from 3rd century BC. Drive up to monastery dated 6th century distinguished with harmonious proportions and representing the high achievements of early Georgian Medieval architecture. Visit to and Samtavro Nunnery – architectural monuments. *Optional lunch in local restaurant. Drive to north along the Georgian Military highway to and provinces. This ancient road is still important as a main link connecting all south countries with . Visit to Ananuri architectural complex dated to 16th-17th centuries. Drive farther to Kazbegi – at the height of 2379 m the road is crossing the main Caucasus range that is geographical border of Europe and Asia.

Explore Georgia Ltd Dinner and overnight in tourist class hotel. (B/-/D)

Day 4/ Kazbegi – Bakuriani Morning walk up to dated 14th century located at 2180 m from where you can enjoy amazing view of Mt. Kazbeg. Continue to Dariali Canyon near the Russian border*Optional lunch in local restaurant en-route. Drive to Samtskhe- province to Bakuriani Mountain resort. Dinner and overnight in hotel. (B/-/D)

Day 5/ Bakuriani – – Bakuriani Drive to South-Western of Samtskhe-Javakheti province nearby Turkey border. Drive to Vardzia cave city. This spectacular rock-hewn monastery of mediaeval period contains over six thousand apartments, church, throne room, and a complex of irrigation system watering terraced farmlands created for defense purposes from invaders. Only access to the complex was through some well hidden tunnels near the Mtkvari River. Vardzia is remarkable as well for preserved frescoes of unique importance among which the most exiting is the of famous Queen Tamara (12-13th century) the founder of the complex. *Optional lunch in local family run restaurant. Drive back to Bakuriani. En- route visit to Khertvisi fortress of 10th century. Arrive to Bakuriani. Dinner and overnight in hotel. (B/-/D)

Day 6/ Bakuriani – After breakfast drive to Kutaisi – former capital of western Georgia. Pass Likhi range that divides eastern and western parts of Georgia. Visit to Ubisa basilica dated 9th century, important for its murals dated 14th century. *Optional lunch in local restaurant. Drive to Kutaisi. Visit to of 11th century, Gelati academy and monastery complex dated 12th century, important for its murals and mosaic dated from 12th up to 17th centuries. Dinner and overnight in local guesthouse. (B/-/D)

Day 7/ Kutaisi – Morning drive to Mestia – center of province via . Visit to Dadiani Palace in Zugdidi. *Optional lunch in local family run restaurant in the way to Mestia. Arrive to Mestia. Visit to History and Ethnography Museum. Dinner and overnight in hotel. (B/-/D)

Day 8/ Mestia – – Mestia Drive east of Mestia to the village of Ushguli the highest inhabited village in Europe at 2200 m. Passing Urgviri Pass at 1922 m. - an excellent view of the twin peaks of Mt. Ushba. On the way, visit Kala and Ipari villages. Picnic lunch en-route. Ushguli is the highest village in Europe and an architecturally unique Middle Age fortification, surrounded by the 5,000m giants of the Caucasus mountain range. Visit 12th century La Maria Church complex. Dinner and overnight at local family house in Mestia. (B/L/D)

Day 9/ Mestia – Tbilisi After breakfast drive to Tbilisi via Zugdidi. *Optional lunch in local restaurant en-route. Evening arrival to Tbilisi. Farewell dinner in city restaurant with folk performance. Overnight in hotel. (B/-/D)

Day 10/ Departure Transfer to Tbilisi International Airport 2 hours before departure flight. (-/-/-)

Explore Georgia Ltd Special Highlights: Tbilisi – capital of Georgia from 5th century dated 13th century Sulfur Bathes Narikala fortress of 4th century Sunny Mosque Old Synagogue Sioni cathedral initially built in 7th century dated to 6th century Tbilisi National Museum Sameba cathedral (1995-2004) Rustaveli Avenue Mtskheta – old capital of Kartli-Iberia kingdom dated to 6th century Svetitskhoveli cathedral of 11th century Samtavro Nunnery dated 11th century Georgian Military Highway Ananuri architectural complex dated 16th-17th centuries Kazbegi Gergeti Trinity church dated 14th century Dariali Canyon Bakuriani Mountain resort Vardzia cave city of 12th century Khertvisi fortress dated 10th century Town of Gori Stalin’s museum and house of birth Uplistiskhe rock hewn known from 1st millennium BC Kutaisi – former capital of western Georgia Bagrati cathedral of 11th century Gelati cathedral of 12th century Mestia – center of Svaneti province Ushguli – the highest inhabited village in Europe La Maria church complex dated 12th century;

Package Includes: Transportation: Comfortable car or minibus, depending on a group size, will be provided Accommodation: Tbilisi – (3 nights) / at the best available 3* hotel ‘’ or 4* hotel ‘Holiday Inn’; Kazbegi – (1 night) / at the best available tourist class hotel Bakuriani – (2 nights) / at the best available 4* hotel ‘Didveli’; Kutaisi – (1 night) / at local guesthouse. Clean and nice rooms with shared facilities Mestia – (2 nights) / at the best available 4* hotel ‘Tetnuldi’; Meals: As listed per day by day program B-breakfast X 8; D-dinner X 8; Explore Leader: Spanish speaking guide from Explore Georgia Ltd Entrance fees & local guides where necessary All transfers as per itinerary

Package Excludes: Airfares, alcoholic beverages, single room supplement, meals not on the menu, items not in the program.

Practical Information: Season: The best season for this tour is from May until the end of October Visa Information: NO VISA is required for travelers from European countries. Food and Drink: There are plenty of pubs and restaurants in Tbilisi with traditional and European cuisine in some of the remoter places in countryside meals can be provided at simple local restaurants – though these often provide the best food. Clothing: Pack essentially for hot conditions. Weather is changeable in the north and mountains; it may be cool especially at night. Bring warmer jacket/fleece. Raingear is essential all the times. For visiting churches it is recommended to wear long skirts and trousers.

Explore Georgia Ltd Footwear: Comfortable shoes for visiting sites and hilly towns; Sandals, lightweight walking/trail boots for day walks. Equipment: Torch, sunhat, sunglasses, sun cream. Tap water: Safe to drink in most of the areas, spring water in mountains is even safer. Bottled mineral or carbonated or still water is a good alternative to tap water which is obtainable in the cities; Personal Expenses: You’ll also need some extra money to cover the meals not included in the tour price. Optional sightseeing, souvenirs, and items of a personal nature as a laundry. Cash is the preferred method of payment in Georgia. Visa, Master card is not much expectable outside Tbilisi.

For more information and/or booking the trip, please contact us at: [email protected] www.exploregeorgia.com

Explore Georgia Ltd