10 DAY EXPLORE 10 days/ 9 nights

Starts from: Best Time: APR-OCT Distance: 1462 KM Duration: 10 DAYS

Explore Georgia with a 10-day tailored tour: enjoy the highlights of the high Mountains, natural wonders of Martvili Canyons and Karst Caves, visit ancient rock-hewn cave towns, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and experience authentic lifestyle of the Georgian people. Our staff will make the trip pleasantly memorable.

MAIN HIGHLIGHTS & SITES: : Monastery of 6th c. , of 11th c. region: Gori town, Stalin’s house-museum, Uplistskhe caves – 1st millennium BC Samtskhe-Javakheti region: spa-resort, Borjomi- National Park, Rabati Fortress in , Vardziacave town Imereti region: city, Gelati Academy and Monastery , (11th c.), Prometheus caves, Martvili Canyon Khevi region: Gudauri ski resort , fortress 16th-17th cc. , Kazbegi () town – administrative center of Khevi province , Gergeti Holy Trinity of 14th c. , Dariali gorge, Gveleti waterfalls Tbilisi: Tbilisi city, Holy Trinity Cathedral (“Sameba”), church of 13th c., Narikala Fortress 4th century AD, Legvtakhevi (“Fig Ravine”), Sulfur bathhouses, Shardeni street and its neighborhood, Meidan square, Caravanserai – Tbilisi History Museum, Bridge of Peace, National Museum of Georgia, Rustavel Avenue

ITINERARY DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN TBILISI Meet at the National airport. Transfer to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.

DAY 2: TBILISI-MTSKHETA-GORI-UPLISTSIKHE-AKHALTSIKHE Breakfast at the hotel. We drive to Mtskheta-the old capital of the Iberia Kingdom to visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 6th c and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral 11th c . Continue to Gori-a small city where you can visit Stalin's house-museum and next, explore Uplistsikhe, situated seven km Southeast of Gori town on the left bank of the River Mtkvari. The history of Uplistsikhe goes back to the 2nd-1st millenniums B.C. In antiquity, the city was one of the most important centers of Kartli and in the middle Ages it stood on an important trade route that linked Byzantium with India and China. You will find huge echoing halls, long meandering corridor-streets, chambers for pagan worship and even the remains of Georgia’s oldest theatre there. Archaeologists claim that the people of Uplistsikhe had close ties with the centers of Urartu, , Asia Minor and Greek-Roman countries.

We then travel to Akhaltsikhe for overnight stay.

DAY 3: AKHALTSIKHE-RABBATH CASTLE- CAVES-AKHALTSIKHE After breakfast at the hotel, we first visit Rabati Complex, a 14th c. castle which consists of a mosque, several churches and a museum. Then we continue to Vardzia cave town along Mtkvari River. Vardzia is an ancient 12th c. rock-hewn cave city carved into the volcanic rocks on 13 levels, linked inside by internal corridors, secrete tunnels, painted chapels. The route by the riverside is picturesque and pleasant. Overnight in Akhaltsikhe.

DAY 4: AKHALTSIKHE- BORJOMI-KUTAISI After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Borjomi Spa and visit Borjomi National Park, taste sparkling mineral water from the spring and take a pleasant stroll in the park. We then continue to the western Georgia via the Rikoti pass. On the way we can stop at pottery market and fruit market and see farmers selling baskets, honey, mushrooms and fruits. We arrive in Kutaisi and visit 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – & Academy and Bagrati Cathedral. Overnight in Kutaisi.

DAY 5: KUTAISI-TSKALTUBO CAVES-MARTVILI CANYON-KUTAISI Breakfast at the hotel. Today we explore a natural karst cave Prometheus, where you find different types of stalactites, stalagmites, underground rivers, waterfalls, cave pearls, and lakes. Next, we drive to the Martvili Canyon, a natural attraction with canyons, caves and waterfalls. You will take a boat trip see the powerful waterfall. Drive back to Kutaisi for overnight stay.

DAY 6: KUTAISI-ANANURI-GUDAURI Breakfast at the hotel. We start with a drive to the Caucasus Mountains, ski resort Gudauri. On the way, we visit Ananuri complex-the former duke’s residence. We then arrive at the ski resort Gudauri at an elevation of 2196 m. above sea level. Overnight in Gudauri.

DAY 7: GUDAURI-KAZBEGI-GERGETI-DARIALI-GWELETI-GUDAURI Breakfast at the hotel. Then we have a full day exploration of the high Caucasus mountains. We Reach 2395 m on the Cross Pass and make several stops to taste the mineral waters and observe waterfalls and snowy peaks of the mountains. There is an uphill walk of approximately 2.5 hours to the Mount Gergeti where we can enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, visit the Holy Trinity church 14th c. located under the magnificent Kazbegi glacier 5033m. We then continue to Dariali Gorge, an important crossing point of the Caucasus range. Here we can take a walk along the river to Gweleti waterfalls and enjoy the surroundings of green valleys and picturesque landscapes. Overnight in Gudauri.

DAY 8: GUDAURI-TBILISI TOUR Breakfast at the hotel. We will then make the journey by road to Tbilisi. In Tiblisis, we will start with an evening Tbilisi tour. The tram will take you to Mtatsminda Hill, where you can visit the Pantheon of writers and public figures and the National Museum of Georgia. We then take a walk down Rustaveli Avenue, see the Parliament of Georgia, Rustaveli Drama Theatre plus an Opera and Ballet Theatre.

You may also go shopping in the Tbilisi Mall- the biggest shopping center in Caucasus. Tbilisi Mall offers a broad range of high street and internationally famous brands and is an exciting family destination experience for tourists. Within the building there is a fruit & vegetable market, banking facilities, a multi-screen cinema and a family entertainment center. Overnight in Tbilisi.

DAY 9: TBILISI FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING Breakfast at the hotel. We start with a visit to the Georgian Kings Memorial. The monument was created in 1980 and depicts various historical and religious events that took place in the country. From here you can enjoy panoramic views of Tbilisi city and learn the history of the Georgian Kings, Queens and public figures. We then continue to the Gardenia Shevardnadze, an amazing little flower garden and nursery. You can relax in the cozy little café located inside the garden, enjoy the beauty and scent of blooming plants around and taste delicious home-made cakes and lemonade. Next, we drive to Aghmashenebeli Avenue for a walking tour in the renovated “New Tiflis” area. We can stop at the Tbilisi Flea Market, where you will find a vast assortment of antique and hand-made jewelry, old military medals from World War II, Soviet style cutlery, vintage cameras and many more items of interest to collectors. We then drive to Baratashvili Bridge. From here you’ll start exploring Tbilisi Old Town by foot. We pass Gabriadze Theatre on the way to Anchiskhati -the oldest church (6th century) in the city and the Residence of the Patriarch of the . Next, we cross the Bridge of Peace, a modern tech-style bridge leading to Rikhe Park. We ride the cable car to Narikhala Fortress and enjoy the attractive views of the Old Town from the top, explore the fortress and stroll down to Legvtakhevi area with its small waterfall. We then continue to Abanotubani (Sulfur Bathhouse district) and arrive at Meidan square. There will then be free time on Shardeni Street with its outdoor cafes, galleries and souvenir shops. Overnight in Tbilisi.

DAY 10: TBILISI-AIRPORT After breakfast check-out from the hotel and transfer to Tbilisi International airport.

SHORT ITINERARY DAY EXPLORE GEORGIA 10 DAYS /9 NIGHTS OVERNIGHT MEALS 1 Arrival. Pick Up From Tbilisi Airport Tbilisi -/-/- 2 Tbilisi-Mtskheta-Gori-Uplistsikhe -Akhaltsikhe Akhaltsikhe B/-/- 3 Akhaltsikhe-Vardzia-Akhaltsikhe Akhaltsikhe B/-/- 4 Akhaltsikhe- Borjomi-Kutaisi- Kutaisi Kutaisi B/-/D 5 Kutaisi-Tskaltubo Caves - Martvili Canyon- Kutaisi Kutaisi B/-/D 6 Kutaisi-Ananuri-Gudauri Gudauri B/-/D 7 Gudauri-Kazbegi-Gergeti-Dariali-Gveleti-Gudauri Gudauri B/-/D 8 Gudauri-Tbilisi City Tour Tbilisi B/-/- 9 Tbilisi City Tour Tbilisi B/-/- 10 Tbilisi-Transfer - B/-/- B-breakfast; D-dinner;

PRICES in GBP: No. of Guests 1 2 4 6 8 10+1 SS 3* hotels/Meals BB 1425 885 700 615 540 535 100 4* hotels/Meals BB 1885 1260 1040 940 885 880 240 Note: price is given in GBP per person and is based on double/twin room accommodation SS – additional price for Single room accommodation In case of 10+people-1 person from the group will be FREE.

CHILD POLICY: 0-4 years - Free 5-6 years - 50 % deduction 7-9 years - 30 % deduction 10 years and over - Adult price

PRICES INCLUDE: PRICES EXCLUDE: Staff: • Visa Fees • Professional English speaking guide service • Insurance during the tour • Flight tickets • Professional driver service during the tour • Early Check Ins/Late Check outs Transport: • 4 x 4WD Jeep service to Gergeti-25 GBP per car • 2 x APT-HTL transfers by a comfortable Climate (5 seats) Controlled car, minibus or bus • Alcoholic beverages • Transportation with a comfortable Climate • Extra personal fees Controlled car, minibus or bus • Services not mentioned in the program Accommodation in the hotels: • 3 x nights-Tbilisi • 2 x night-Akhaltsikhe • 2 x nights-Kutaisi • 2 x nights-Gudauri Meals: • 9 x Breakfasts-on days 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 • 4 x Dinners-on days 4, 5, 6, 7

Entertainment and other: • Water (2 x bottles per person daily) • Excursions in accordance with the program • Entrance fees in accordance with the program • All taxes