Day 1. Kutaisi
Meeting at Kutaisi International Airport, transfer to the hotel. After breakfast we will go on an excursion to the sights of Kutaisi. Kutaisi is the second largest city in Georgia. Here locates the Parliament building of Georgia.
Places of visit: the monastic complex of Gelati, one of the most important cultural center, it was founded in year 1106. The monument is included in the UNESCO world heritage site;
Motsameta, monastery from the 8th century. Impressed with the medieval culture of Kutaisi.
Lunch time.
Cave of Prometheus, where we are expected to walk in the dungeon. Against the backdrop of classical music we will see 6 halls with stalactites and stalagmites.
In the evening we will have dinner of delicacies Imeretian cuisine.
Overnight stay in Kutaisi.
Day 2. Kutaisi – Mestia
After breakfast the day begins with the 11th century monument, the symbol of the united Georgia, the Bagrat Temple, being entered into the UNESCO world heritage site.
Our path lies in Svaneti, the mountainous corner of Georgia, which is located in the north-western part of the Caucasus Mountains. On the way to Mestia, we will see the Inguri hydroelectric station, which impresses with its size and power. We will see beautiful views, waterfalls, mountains with snowy peaks, gorges of shallow mountain rivers will lead us to the municipal center of Svaneti – Mestia. We will take accommodation in a local guesthouse, and we`ll go on a sightseeing tour to the Historical Museum of Mestia. After the field of vivid impressions taken from the museum, towers and other sights we are expecting dinner and spending the night in Mestia.
Day 3. Mestia – Ushguli – Mestia
After breakfast , we continue our journey by jeeps, as we are going to Ushguli, to the highest populated point in Europe (2200 m above sea level). The village of Ushguli is located at the foot of Shkhara. In this village there are about 200 people who, due to natural conditions, cannot often reach Mestia. There are a lot of Svan towers in here, which performed defensive function. In Ushguli you can see a small 12th century church, combining both Christian and pagan traditions.
“If you have any love for Georgia, you must go to Svaneti,” advised Georgian writer Ilia Chavchavadze to his contemporaries. At that time it was not an easy task to visit the impassable Svaneti, but still got there, in addition to the amazing nature, got acquainted with the brave mountaineers, rich in soul, with the elderly people, similar to the biblical prophets, with unique specimens of national art guarded by the inhabitants of Svaneti. The Svan communities are extremely impressive (villagers).
For centuries this unusual, poetic land has been a symbol of proud love and freedom. Nowadays every guest of Georgia dreams of visiting the “Edge of a thousand towers”. This journey can be accomplished only by exploring this site oneself.
Dinner and overnight stay in Mestia.
Day 4. Mestia – Batumi
After breakfast we leave the province of a thousand towers and head towards Batumi. Along the way, beautiful landscapes await us.
By noon at lunch time we will get acquainted with Megrelian cuisine. You have not tried any dish like this before!
After arrival in Batumi and getting accommodation in the hotel, we will go to the Batumi Botanical Garden. The park consists of nine dendrology gardens, there are more than 5000 plant species and overlooks Black Sea coast.
On the same day we will visit the fortress from the first century of Gonio.
The remaining free time can be spent walking along Batumi Boulevard.
Dinner and overnight stay in Batumi.
Day 5 . Batumi – Tbilisi
After breakfast we will leave Batumi.
And have ahead of the ancient city carved into the rock and two capitals of Georgia: the ancient Mtskheta and the present – Tbilisi.
Our first stop is the village of Surami. We’ll try and make Georgian delicacy of Nazaki.
We will have our lunch in the city of Gori.
Not far from Gori is the ancient city Uplistsikhe, which was founded in the 10th century BC. The name of the city can be translated as the fortress of the lord. The city had an important strategic purpose. Here you can see the ruins of pagan temples, a pharmacy, a theater, wards for the nobility and shelter for the low strata of society, a wine cellar and a secret passage leading to the river.
After the trip to Uplistsikhe we will go to Tbilisi, although Mtskheta and the monastery of the 6th century Jvari will be visited on our way. Jvari monastery overlooks at the two rivers Mtkvari and Aragvi flowing and joining each other.
Our tour will be continued in Tbilisi – the capital of Georgia! See a number of attractions, such as the Cathedral of Sameba (Holy Trinity), the holy Metekhi temple, the Narikala Fortress – the soul of Tbilisi (4th century), Abanotubani – the district in the center of Tbilisi, famous for its complex of sulfur baths, standing on natural sulfur sources , Sioni Cathedral – built 6th-7th centuries. Then you can stroll along the street Sharden – this street is famous for its cozy cafes, restaurants, art galleries and you will visit Anchiskhati from 6th century.
Transfer and departure after dinner.
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The First Day Route:
Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Jvari Monastery – Uplistsikhe – Borjomi – Bakuriani – Vardzia – Rabati Fortress – Tbilisi
You arrived and you have a little time for to rest and excursions?
20 minutes later after we meet at the airport, we will begin our tour around Tbilisi.
The history of the city will flash in front of us suddenly. Tbilisi is 2 000 years old. Let us rise to the ancient castle Narikala, which has been a part of Tbilisi’s defensive system from the 4th century. We will see a surprising picture from the castle, that overlooks the river Mtkvari and the entire old town.
Let’s get acquainted with the central part of Tbilisi, starting with Rustaveli Avenue.
After Tbilisi our way goes to the city of Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia, where the mantle of the Jesus Christ is buried in the patriarchal cathedral of Svetitskhoveli.
Not far from Mtskheta on a small mountain we will see the monastery of Jvari and the place where the streams of Aragvi and Mtkvari can be seen.
Dinner in Mtskheta.
After we will visit Uplistsikhe, that is a fortified city carved into a rock that originated in the 2nd millennium BC, which had an important defensive function for the whole of Georgia until the end of the Middle Ages. During this time the city experienced several ups and downs, was finally abandoned in the 19th century. It is one of the he most important monuments of Georgian culture. The uniqueness of the monument is that thanks to its arrangement it could preserve the remains of architectural and religious buildings built over several millennia.
After an event full of impressions, we stay in Borjomi. After supper and having drunk some Borjomi water from the spring, we go to the hotel to rest and get ready for new adventures.
Overnight stay in Borjomi.
The Second Day Route:
We will have breakfast in the hotel.
Departure to Vardzia.
Vardzia is a cave monastery complex of the 12th-13th centuries in the south of Georgia, in Javakheti region. It represents an outstanding monument of medieval Georgian architecture. It is located in Aspindza district of Samtskhe-Javakheti province, in the valley of the river Mtkvari, 70 km south of Borjomi.
The mineral springs of Borjomi were known more than a thousand years ago. Evidence of this is the 7 stone baths that were found at the beginning of the 20th century. The discovery dates from the beginning of the first millennium AD. Most likely, then this water was used just for bathing, not for drinking. Then they forgot about the sources for a long time, and the places where they were located were abandoned. Sources acquired the second life thanks to the military. Since 1904, the bottling of water has become mechanical. Borjomi is a resort where you can treat both gastrointestinal diseases, and problems of the respiratory tract and immunity.
We keep our way back to Tbilisi or Kutaisi, depending on your flight.
In case having bought this tour, you will see the capital of Georgia Tbilisi, the ancient capital Mtskheta, the ancient city in the cliff of Uplitsikhe, the famous Borjomi resort, three UNESCO monuments, several fortresses, the medieval fortress town of Vardzia in just two days.
Enjoy the beautiful views, taste delicious Georgian dish and Georgian wine!
This short tour will stay in your memory for a life time!
Buy Tour: http://gdtour.org/en/tours_post/weekend-in-georgia