11 DAYS GEORGIA CULTURAL TOUR ITINERARY:
Day 1 - Tbilisi - Arrival Day
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Upon arrive Tbilisi, meet with our local representative and you will be escorted
to your hotel room which is protected for immediate occupancy and rest up for
your first day of adventure. After a short break, we shall start our tour.
Georgian Art Museum - The Museum houses the best-known samples of Georgian
artwork. Different collections of the Museum preserve approximately sixty
thousand objects. The Museum is distinguished for its Georgian goldsmith pieces
dated back to the VIII-XIX Centuries. The most significant exhibits are the icon
of Zarzma Monastery, the Chalice of Bedia, Anchistkhati and Khakhuli Triptychs,
Processional Liturgical Crosses etc.
Overview of the city, excursions in the old part of Tbilisi; the 4th century
Narikala Fortress, an ancient citadel on a steep hill overlooking the city;
Metekhi Church (13th c.) - the grave of St. Shushanik the Christian martyr is
within the church. Sioni - the cathedral of the 6th-7th cc; sulphur baths - a
favorite place of Tbilisi citizens and foreign guests
At the end of the tour, transfer back to your hotel. If you want, you can try
sulphur bath with massage.
Day 2 - Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Kazbegi - Gudauri
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
After breakfast, pick up from your hotel and we shall start our tour today.
Firstly we will visit to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (XI c.) where is the largest
ecclesiastical construction extant in the country; Jvari Monastery (VI c) is a
symbol of Mtskheta; And we will visit to Ananuri Fortress. Through Military
Highway arrival to Kazbegi. Walk up (1.30 hour trekking) Gergeti Sameba (Trynity)
Church, enjoy a pleasant view of Mount Kazbeg (5000). For those who don't wish
to trek there will be waiting a car (4X4) to drive up the hill.
At last we will drive to Gudauri. Overnight in Gudauri.
Day 3 - Gudauri - Gori - Uplistsikhe - Borjomi - Bakuriani
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Today the first stop for our tour is Gori where is Stalin's native city to visit
the Stalin Museum. The museum has three sections, all located in the town's
central square. It was officially dedicated to Stalin in 1957. With the downfall
of the Soviet Union and independence movement of Georgia, the museum closed in
1989, but has since been reopened, and is a popular tourist attraction.
On our way to Bakuriani, we will have a stop in Uplistsikhe, it is the cave town
is situated seven km (4.3 miles) southeast of Gori on the left bank of river
Mtkvari and still amazes the visitors by its dimensions, extraordinary position,
refined forms and the beauty of decors. You will find huge echoing halls, long
meandering corridor-streets, chambers for pagan worship and even the remains of
Georgia's oldest theatre there, and will be impressed by the skill, knowledge,
experience and physical and spiritual power of all those, who created this
unique monument.
Then we will have a stop in Borjomi to visit Kharagauli National Park. It is a
protected area in central Georgia. It also is one of the largest national parks
in Europe, it includes six administrative districts stretching from the resort
of Borjomi to the town of Kharagauli. Its particular uniqueness is diversity of
geographical and ecological zones, landscapes, historical monuments and rich
flora and fauna. The park has rapidly developing tourist infrastructure.
Afterwards, we will head to drive to Bakuriani where is a popular winter and
summer resort in the Borjomi district located on the northern slope of the
Trialeti Range at 1 700 meters above the sea level. The region is covered by
coniferous forests. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and you will be given
your room key. Overnight in Bakuriani.
Day 4 - Bakuriani - Varzia - Kutaisi
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Early in the morning Murti's Tour will have an excursion to Vardzia with you.
Vardzia is a cave monastery where founded by Queen Tamar in 1185. The monastery
was constructed as protection from the Mongols. and consisted of over six
thousand apartments in a thirteen story complex. The city included a church, a
throne room, and a complex irrigation system watering terraced farmlands. Also
we will have a visit to Khertvisi fortress, it is one of the oldest fortresses
in Georgia and was functional throughout the Georgian feudal period. It is
situated inThe fortress was first build in the 2nd century BC.
Then we continue to drive to Kutaisi where is Georgia's second largest city and
the capital of the western region of Imereti. Upon arrival, check in to your
hotel. Overnight in Kutaisi Guest House.
Day 5 - Kutaisi - Mestia
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Early in the morning we will pick you up from your hotel and drive to Svaneti
region - Mestia, provincial center. Svaneti, one of the marvellous provinces of
Georgia with its awe-inspiring mountains is situated at the mouth of the river
Enguri. The most isolated village Ushguli is the highest populated place in
Europe (at 2200m. above sea level).
Amazing and strong towers, which were used to protect local people from invadors
still surprise guests with their dignity and pride.
Some sacred treasures, valuable Georgian manuscript of the Bible, embossed
icons, relief crosses are preserved in Svanetian museums.
Patriarchal mode of life continues in Svaneti even today. Christianity has some
pagan quality to this day. Svan people have many semi-pagan rituals which they
observe with great care.
Mountains in Svaneti: Ushba, Tetnuldi, Shkhara, Shkhelda are extremely
challenging to climb and they must be attempted by experienced guides. One must
be capable of climbing IV-V UIAA or French TD/D with experience of mixed or ice
routes.
One, who sets foot on the summit of mount Ushguli, gains instant respect and
admiration of the local people.
You can enjoy a view of the Caucasus - Ushba (4710m) and Tetnuldi (4975m) and
explore Mestia and surroundings by yourself. Overnight in Mestia Guest House.
Day 6 - Mestia - Ushguli - Mestia
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
After enjoy your breakfast in your hotel, we will dirve to Ushguli, medieval
towers and enjoy wonderful views of Mt. Shkhara (5201m). Afterwards we shall
back to Mestia and enjoy your free day in Mestia. Overnight in Mestia Guest
House.
Day 7 - Mestia - Kutaisi - Tbilisi
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Today we will drive back to Tbilisi, so our tour will start in early morning. On
the way we will stoppage in Kutaisi to visit the Monastery of the Virgin-Gelati
built by King David the Builder in 1106. For a long time it was one of the main
cultural and intellectual centers in Georgia. It had an Academy which employed
some of the most celebrated Georgian scientists, theologians and philosophers,
many of whom had previously been active at various orthodox monasteries abroad
or at the Mangan Academy in Constantinople.
Also, we will visit to Bagrati Cathedral (1003) which is the 11th-century
cathedral church in Kutaisi. Afterwards we will trip to Sataplia, small carst
cave, it is famous by its rarest and the most beautiful caves, also for fine
speleothems and the dinosaur footprints (optional);
Afterwards, we will drive to Tbilisi and transfer to your hotel and check in.
The rest of the day is free for you, walk along the city or do little shopping.
Enjoy your last night in Georgia. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 8 - Tbilisi - David Gareja - Signagi
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
After enjoy your breakfast at hotel, TravelShop Turkey will pick you up and we
proceed to visit David Gareja Monastery, the cave town complex (the cradle of
Georgian Christian activity of early and medieval period), where monks live and
work. It is situated deep in semi-desert about 75 km south-east of Tbilisi. The
Monasteries were founded in the 6th century by the Christian Father St. David.
Walk up to Udabno to explore some of the fine frescos of the 8th-13th c. and
cave architecture. The complex includes hundreds of cells, churches, chapels,
refectories and living quarters hollowed out of the rock face. The area is also
home to protected animal species and evidence of some of the oldest human
habitations in the region.
Then we will head to visit Ikalto Academy (XII - XIII cc) and Tsinandali. A
visit to Chavchvadze's Palace, the residence of the poet and public figure,
Kakhetian prince of the 18th c. A. Chavchavadze, English park and the wine
cellar (XIXc.) where you will taste wines.
Afterwards, we will depart for Signagi. It is one of the country's smallest
towns with a population of 2,146 as of the 2002 census. Sighnaghi's economy is
dominated by production of wine and traditional carpets. The town and its
environs are also known for their landscapes and historical monuments. Sighnaghi
has recently undergone a fundamental reconstruction program and has become an
important centre of Georgia's tourist industry.
In Signagi you are invited to have a dinner and taste Georgian wines, learn
about old Georgian wine making traditions and listen to Georgian folk songs.
Overnight in Signagi.
Day 9 - Signagi - Dmanisi - Tbilisi
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Today we wIll drive back Tbilisi. On our way back, we will visit Dmanisi where
is a townlet and archaeological site in Kvemo Kartli region of Georgia. This
park is interesting from many points of view. One is the area where Dmanisi
Hominids, the fossil hominid skulls and jaws (the first Europeans) dated for
one million and eight thousand years were found.
Afterwards, we will continue drive back to Tbilisi. Upon arrival, we will
transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the evening is leisure. Overnight in
Tbilisi.
Day 10 - Tbilisi
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
After your breakfast in hotel, we will pick you up and visit Tbilisi Open Air
Museum where exposes 14 ethnographic zones. Each of them presents the particular
historic-ethnographic area of Georgia. Together with the architectural monuments
the museum exposes ethnographic materials - different kinds of tools, textile
and ceramics. The museum also exposes the V-VI c. basilica of Sioni, as well as
a rich collection of the gravestones in relief.
Afterwards, transfer you back to your hotel and check in. The rest of the day is
free for you, walk along the city or do little shopping. Enjoy your last night
in Georgia. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 11 - Tbilisi - End of the Tour
(Breakfast included)
Today is the end of the tour, it's time to say goodbye with you. Regarding your
flight departure time, we will arrange your transfer to airport for your
international flight back home. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we
would like to see you in future in one of our tours again. Have a nice trip back
home and thanks for choosing TravelShop Turkey.
11 DAYS GEORGIA CULTURAL TOUR INCLUDES:
- Arrival airport transfer from airport in Tbilisi
- 4 nights accommodation in Tbilis
- 1 night accommodation in Gudauri
- 1 night accommodation in Bakuriani
- 1 night accommodation in Kutaisi Guest House
- 2 nights accommodation in Mestia Guest House
- 1 night accommodation in Signagi
- All breakfasts, lunches and dinners during the tour
- 1 bottle of water per day per person
- All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
- Professional English / German / French speaking guide
- Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach
- Return airport transfer to airport in Tbilisi
11 DAYS GEORGIA CULTURAL TOUR PRICES IN EURO:
Per Person |
Shared Double |
Single |
|
€ 1539.00 |
€ 1795.00 |
|
€ 1835.00 |
€ 2185.00 |
|
€ 2185.00 |
€ 2635.00 |
Please click on the calendar icon to see our guaranteed departure dates (green).
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