Georgia Explorer

Georgia

Culture

Unadorned monasteries, lofty peaks, ancient vineyards, and faultless hospitality.

9 days £1,295 pp This is the per person group tour price, based on 2 sharing. The price is subject to change with exchange rate and flight cost fluctuations.
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Intro, Dates & Prices

Intro

Let Georgia unveil her charms on this comprehensive tour of the country. Explore its stunning landscapes, its spectacularly set churches, sprawling medieval fortresses as well as its UNESCO heritage sites, and above all its great cuisine and hospitality.

See pretty Sighnaghi on a bluff over the sweeping Alazani Valley. Stand before the unadorned beauty of medieval houses of worship at Jvari and Svetitstkhoveli in the de facto capital of early Christianity at Mtskheta. Shrink before the magnitude of the high Caucasus at the Kazbegi frontier. While there, hike to the world-famous, panoramic Gergeti church. Paddle the winding waterway under the overarching walls of the Martvili canyon. End on a high sipping Saporavi wine in one of the Tbilisi's old town squares.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Old Tbilisi's magical warren of period streets and Oda-style balconies.
  • Travel back in time while visiting the well-preserved “town museum” of Sighnaghi
  • Visit Tsinandali, famous for its historic winery that belonged to aristocratic poet Alexander Chavchavadze in the 19th century.
  • Telavi, one of Georgia's most ancient cities.
  • Intricate Georgian architecture of the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
  • Soviet history displayed at the Stalin Museum
  • Panoramic views of Mount Kazbek just south of the Russian border
  • Iconic mountaintop Gergeti Trinity Church

Places Visited

Tbilisi - Sighnaghi - Tsinandali - Telavi - Mtskheta - Uplistsikhe - Kutaisi - Martvili - Gori - Kazbegi

What's Included

Arrival & departure transfers
Ground transport with driver
Accommodation
Meals (refer to itinerary for meal plan)
English-speaking guides
Entrance fees to sites & parks

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Itinerary & Map
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Day 1 : Arrival in Tbilisi

Arrive into Tbilisi airport where you will be met by a Travel The Unknown representative and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day and evening is free to enjoy the sights and sounds of old Tbilisi.

Overnight in Strofi Boutique Hotel, Tbilisi

Meal plan: n/a

Tbilisi, formerly known as 'Tiflis', is Georgia's capital and the largest city of Georgia. It lays on the banks of the Mtkvari River and has a population of roughly 1.5 million people. Founded in the 5th century by the monarch of Georgia's ancient precursor, the Kingdom of Iberia, over the centuries the city was taken by successive invaders. Historically diverse, an increase in the Armenian population was noticed in the 19th century. Tbilisi has many narrow streets and a mixture of religious and secular architecture. The old city features many churches, synagogues, mosques and 19th-century houses with multi-coloured wooden balconies. For outright weirdness Tbilisi also has a street named in honour of ex-president, George W Bush.

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Day 2 : Tbilisi

After breakfast take a walking tour of the old city, including Narikala Fortress and the Mother of Georgia statue, the Peace Bridge, Metekhi Church, Synagogue, and Rike Park. Later, take a stroll along the famous Rustaveli Avenue.

Return at length to your hotel to plan ahead for the evening.

Overnight in Strofi Boutique Hotel, Tbilisi

Meal plan: Breakfast

Tbilisi’s old town stands in the shadow of Mother Georgia’s silvery statue, perched on a hill overlooking a mosaic of multi-coloured houses constructed in the 19th century. Nestled together on narrow streets, the homes feature wooden balconies that allow residents to revel in the fresh air. Established in the 4th century and fortified over hundreds of years, the ruins of Narikala Fortress also tower over Georgia’s capital, offering visitors spectacular panoramic views.

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Day 3 : Tbilisi

Enjoy a free day in Tbilisi to explore more of its bountiful offerings on your own. Why not wonder around Sololaki, admiring its beautiful fin-de-siècle architecture, the Academy of Arts and its magnificent halls, the National Museum of History with its golden treasury, or why not the National Gallery. At the end of your wanderings, consider soaking in Sulphur Baths, followed by an invigorating Kisa scrub.

Evening at leisure to enjoy Tbilisi.

Overnight in Strofi Boutique Hotel, Tbilisi

Meal plan: Breakfast

40 million years of sweeping history all under one roof. 
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Day 4 : Tbilisi - Sighnaghi - Tsinandali - Telavi - Tbilisi

In the morning, begin your explorations of Georgia's scenic Kakheti region, enjoying superb views of the Great Caucasus Mountains and valleys. Let Sighnaghi wow you with its pretty charms. Drop into the Tsinandali estate. Visit a local farmer’s wine cellar and learn how Georgian wine-making differs from that of other parts. Enjoy the cream with a spot of degustation of these home-made wines. Travel onward to Telavi to participate in a short walking tour in the central part of the town, and through its colourful agricultural market.

Later in the day, return to Tbilisi to prepare for a pleasant evening at complete leisure.

Overnight in Strofi Boutique Hotel, Tbilisi

Meal plan: Breakfast

Sighnaghi was once the cultural centre of Eastern Georgia and, following extensive renovation, has reclaimed its heritage as a hub of workmanship and trade. This town is famous for wine and carpet-making. Known as a 'town museum', its unique architecture has been either preserved or recreated. Enjoy walking through Sighnaghi's narrow streets in the shade of balconies richly decorated with lacey-carved ornamentation. Sighnaghi was instrumental in defending King Erekle II from the Lekis in the 18th century due to its geographic location and its city wall, whose 23 towers span nearly 5 kilometres. A short climb up the restored portion of the wall provides a sweeping panorama of the Alazani Valley and the Caucasus Mountains.

The Tsinandali family estate and wine cellar once belonged to the 19th-century aristocratic poet Alexandre Chavchavadze (1786-1846), who was one of the most important figures of his time. He dedicated his life to promoting and developing Georgian culture, and was the first nobleman to produce and bottle Georgian wine. Chavchavadze's residence consists of a summer home, garden and winery, and now operates as a House-Museum. It has been welcoming visitors since 1947 and periodically hosts exhibitions by prominent Georgian and foreign artists.

Telavi is a historical city in Kakheti, an eastern region of Georgia and is considered to be one of Georgia’s most ancient cities. With fascinating museums, well-preserved religious buildings and a castle, Telavi offers visitors a unique insight into Georgian history and culture. 

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Day 5 : Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Uplistsikhe - Kutaisi

After breakfast drive to Mtskheta and visit Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral - both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Later we drive to Uplistsikhe for a visit and transfer to Kutaisi. Evening relaxing an considering dinner options in Kutaisi. 

Overnight in Solomon, Kutaisi

Meal plan: Breakfast

Mtskheta is one of Georgia’s oldest cities, located roughly 20 km north of Tbilisi at the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. Within the city (which is itself a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, one of Georgia’s largest places of worship. The site, surrounded by a defensive wall, has housed churches since the 4th century, but the standing building was constructed in the early 11th century and artfully restored in the 1970s. According to Biblical canon, Christ’s robe was carried to Mtskheka after his crucifixion and buried beneath the cathedral. Inside, a painting illustrates the buried garment and the miracle of a pillar rising into the air during the church’s construction.  

Uplistsikhe (meaning 'Fortress of the Ruler') is a rock-hewn town that dates back to 1000 BC and covers an area of approximately 8 hectares. The town is divided over three levels that are connected by a series of narrow tunnels. Uplistsikhe used to be a main point on the Silk Road, but was abandoned in the 17th century.

 Kutaisi is Georgia’s second largest city and has a history that dates back to 2000 BC, when it served as the capital city of the Kingdom of Colchis. Ottoman forces conquered the city in the early 16th century, but it was reclaimed by the Georgian king in 1770. The city possesses two UNESCO World Heritage sites and sits on the banks of the Rioni river. 

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Day 6 : Kutaisi - Gelati - Martvili - Kutaisi

Explore West Georgia (Imereti and Samegrelo provinces) today. Morning tour to Kutaisi agricultural market and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gelati
Monastery. Travel to Martvili to enjoy the canyon (closed on Mondays) named after the local royal family, Dadiani. Weather permitting take a boat tour along the canyon. Transfer to Kutaisi.

Overnight in Solomon, Kutaisi

Meal plan: Breakfast

The Gelati Monastery, founded by beloved Georgian ruler David IV (also referred to as ‘’David the Builder’’), consists of the main Church of the Virgin, the Church of St. George, the Church of St. Nicholas and a bell tower. The Academy building recalls the monastery’s history as a cultural centre of ancient Georgia, attracting great scientific and philosophical minds. Murals and mosaics, some of which date back to the 12th century, cover the spacious interior of the buildings, arching over windows, pressing backwards into alcoves and reaching the highest stretches of the vaulted ceiling. Despite damage from invasion and feuds, visitors can still admire detailed enamel and metal work from a bygone era.

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Day 7 : Kutaisi - Gori - Kazbegi

After breakfast drive East to stop at the Stalin Museum in Gori. Afterwards continue along the Georgian Military Highway, stopping to visit Ananuri Fort and enjoying breathtaking views of the Great Caucasus Mountains up to Mount Kazbegi, and beyond that the Russian frontier. 

Overnight in Hotel Stancia Kazbegi, Kazbegi

Meal plan: Breakfast

The city of Gori is famously known as the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. The city’s Stalin Museum was originally built in 1951 as a local history museum, later, following his death in 1953, becoming a memorial museum to the Soviet dictator. Visitors to the museum can delve into the life of the young Josef Djugashvili, seeing the house where he spent the first few years of his life.  On display, are also artefacts of his later life as the cruel, indomitable Stalin: his personal armoured train carriage and many items that once belonged to him - including hand-written texts, office furniture and a bronze cast of his death mask.

Kazbegi, officially known as ''Stepantsminda", is a small town located just 10 kilometres south of the Russian border. The town is 1,750 metres above sea level and owns outstanding mountain views, including Georgia’s third highest peak, the 5,000mt Mount Kazbek (or 'Glacier Mountain'). Interestingly, Kazbek is associated with the myth of Prometheus, who is said to have been chained to the mountain as punishment for stealing fire from the gods and giving it to mortals.

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Day 8 : Kazbegi - Gergeti - Tbilisi

In the morning hike up to Gergeti Church for superb views over the settlement (a vehicle is available for those who prefer not to walk). Enjoy a visual masterpiece of a road trip back to Georgia's capital for a final evening strolling through the old town, dining in one of many great little eateries, and café bars, where you can also enjoy a carafe or two of the country's greatest export.

Overnight in Strofi Boutique Hotel, Tbilisi

Meal plan: Breakfast

Facing Mt. Kazbek is the isolated Gergeti Trinity Church. Constructed in the 14th century, it sits at a elevation of 2,170m over the Chkheri riverbank. The church holds important religious relics which were brought from Mtskheta during the 18th-century Persian invasion. Even when religious services were outlawed during the Soviet era, tourists were still drawn to the church to admire the small town of Kazbegi.

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Day 9 : Departure

Transfer to airport at the appropriate time for your return flight home. 
You can also extend your stay in Georgia, or elsewhere in the Caucasus and neighbouring Turkey.

Meal plan: Breakfast

Accommodation

Accommodation

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Strofi Boutique Hotel

Tbilisi (5 nights)

Hotel Strofi is nestled in the heart of Tbilisi. Our hotel is a beautiful heritage building from the 19th century that has been carefully restored to preserve its original charm and character.
Located on the same street where Georgian poet Lado Asatiani once lived, our hotel is steeped in history and culture. From the moment you step through our doors, you will be transported back in time to a bygone era of elegance and sophistication.
 

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Solomon

Kutaisi (2 nights)

A new hotel in the heart of Kutaisi, Solomon offers a comfortable stay within close proximity of Kutaisi's key attractions. All rooms boast a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, air conditioning, a table and chair, and a private bathroom. Some rooms in the Deluxe category feature a terrace so you can take advantage of the mountain views. A continental breakfast is served daily in the hotel's on-site restaurant.

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Hotel Stancia Kazbegi

Kazbegi (1 night)

Hotel Stancia Kazbegi is a homely property in the centre of Kazbegi, surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. The hotel offers 20 guest rooms, each with wooden floors, stylish décor and a balcony. Facilities at the hotel include an on-site restaurant serving Georgian and international cuisine, a ski storage room and an outdoor terrace with magnificent views. There is complimentary Wi-Fi available throughout the property and a 24-hour reception desk.

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Extensions

Hills and Mountain Villages of Georgia (1-10 days)

Hike the hills and mountain regions of Georgia

Mix and match Georgia (1-5 days)

Discover more of Georgia's quirks and hidden corners

Hiking in Svaneti (12 days)

Explore Georgia's stunning mountains on foot

Best of the Caucasus (15 days)

Charms & contradictions of Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia

Eastern Turkey & Georgia Explorer (14 days)

From Ancient Anatolia to the Heart of Georgia.

Armenia & Georgia Explorer (12 days)

Journey through the rich history of Armenia & Georgia

Around the South Caucasus (12 days)

Three small countries. All neighbours. All totally different.

Ancient World of the Caucasus (12 days)

Archaeology laid bare on Europe's balcony.

Hidden Treasures of Georgia (12 days)

Led by Bradt author Sophie Ibbotson

Georgia Explorer (9 days)

Unadorned monasteries, lofty peaks, ancient vineyards, and faultless hospitality.

Rural Georgia (9 days)

Experience local village hospitality in rugged backcountry

Six Days in Georgia (6 days)

Visit Tbilisi and the Khaketi wine region.

Three Days in Georgia (3 days)

Visit Tbilisi and the Khaketi wine region.

Reviews

We asked Travel the Unknown to come up with an unusual trip to 6 counties of the Caucasus and the ex-Soviet Union countries. They did so in a tour that flowed seamlessly the whole 38 days. The most impressive part was when Ukrainian Airlines cancelled our connecting flights from Kiev to Minsk, for 2 consecutive days. We contacted Travel The Unknown that morning and asked them to arrange an overnight train with a sleeping compartment. When arrived in Kiev, we were met at the airport, driven to the train station where tickets where waiting for us. They arranged for our pickup at the station in Minsk, as we left the train, and we went on our planned tours without losing a minute. That is what I call great service!

Irwin Drangel & Linda Schain , Tailor-made Caucasus and Soviet Fringes

We had a fantastic time on our Best of the Caucasus tour. We loved eating with the families in Georgia and visiting the Molovan family in Armenia, definitely highlights of the trip. Our Georgian guide in particular was the best you could possibly have, giving a true insight into the country. He should be recommended for an award!

Pam Bowers & John Simpson , Best of the Caucasus

We are a fairly fussy bunch of travellers, but this was one of our best trips. We were were impressed with the overall organisation, and our young and very capable guide was an excellent ambassador for her beautiful country.

Valerie Newberry , Tailormade Georgia

Loved the Caucasus with Travel the Unknown. I learnt of their ancient history and the current geopolitical significance of the cross roads between West and East. Another first class trip from Travel the Unknown with extremely knowledgeable guides and great hotels.

Margaret Small , Best of the Caucasus

The trip to the Caucasus was both illuminating and fun. It was particularly interesting to visit all three countries, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia, to try to understand the area and the problems they face from each country's very different perspective. The scenery in the whole area is breathtaking. The tour introduced us to many local people who were all very hospitable and generous. They welcomed us warmly and joined in our enjoyment of "having a go" at various crafts, eg bread making, felt-making, learning a bit of Georgian script, etc. In each of the three countries, religion is fundamental to their lives and visits to mosques, temples, churches, monasteries and cathedrals were a large feature in the tour. I would highly recommend the tour to anyone who likes an activity-packed holiday in places that are off the beaten track.

Doreen , Best of the Caucasus
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