A Trip to Kakheti

Day 1: Arrival in the capital of Georgia. At Tbilisi International Airport you will be met by your guide. Move to Telavi city which is 80 kilometers far from Tbilisi. Check in a cozy home-like hotel. Dinner.

Day 2: In the morning you will go to Alaverdi Cathedral, which was considered to be the highest church in Georgia before the construction of Holy Trinity Cathedral was completed in Tbilisi. Now the church serves as a monastery. Next visit you will pay to George White Cathedral. If you’re lucky, you’ll see pilgrims living in tents around the cathedral. Move to a monastery and academy Ikalto. Here the greatest Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli, the author of the poem “The Knight in Panther’s Skin”, studied. It is impossible not to visit the winery once you came to Kakheti Region. So, you will be taken to “Schumi” Winery, where you will find a fascinating tour in the Museum of Wine. Here you will taste real Georgian wine. Going back to Telavi. Lunch at a local restaurant. Next you will visit the Palace of Georgian King Irakli II. Dinner at the guesthouse.

Alaverdi Cathedral

Day 3: Move to Gramy Fortress. You will be taken to the foot of the Caucasus Ridge by cars and then you’ll climb to Nekrisi Monastery. The rise will take you about 20 minutes. On holidays they slaughter pigs in the monastery. For lunch you will have kebabs, Georgian bread called lavashi, wine and chacha (grape vodka). Going back to Telavi. On the way you will visit the GWS Winery. Here you will be able to visit an old cellar where wine was prepared and stored in antiquity. You will see kvevri (clay pot buried in the ground) and satsnaheli (a vessel carved from pear wood, where the grapes are being pressed by feet). Walk through the garden with rare plants, an amazing carved gazebo with a beautiful view of the Caucasus Mountains. They will show you the winery and laboratory, where the quality of the wine is being checked. In the tasting room you will have wine and chacha with light snacks. Return to the guesthouse. Free time. Dinner.

 

Gremi Fortress

Day 4: In the morning you will go to the Palace of Prince Chavchavadze, the poet of the XIX century. Wander through the palace and the garden; visit the prince’s cellar, where wine is stored. There you can taste seven types of wine. Then you will visit Gurjaani Kovladtsminda Church. It attracts attention with its unique architecture: it is the only church in Georgia with two domes. The next stop is Bodbe Monastery. The first church here was built in the IV century, during the life of St. Nino – Enlightener of Georgia. She is buried right here. If you go down you will find a sacred spring; its appearance is also associated with the name of St. Nino. They say that if one plunges into this spring three times, he will be cured of all diseases.

Bodbe Monastery

After leaving the monastery you will be taken to the city of Sighnaghi.

Sighnaghi

Sighnaghi

It was reconstructed recently. Here you will find beautiful old streets, carved balconies, small churches, museums, monuments and restaurants. Lunch at the restaurant “Sarajishvili”. After it you will visit John Woodman, an American who settled in Kakheti 16 years ago, bought a vineyard, opened winery “Tears of a pheasant”. He receives foreign guests at his home. Here you will see the paintings created by John (he is a professional artist) and learn how grape seeds in a vessel were found during excavations in Kakheti. It was scientifically proved that the vessel was created 8000 years ago. This fact shows that even then Georgians were making wine. In Sighnaghi you can also find a large collection of antique rugs. In the evening you will drive back to Telavi and dine there.

 

Day 5: Early in the morning you will go to Dedoplistskaro town. You will head for the Visitors’ Center of Vashlovani Reserve, register and move to Eagle Valley, which is a natural monument. Here begins a 1.5-mile route that passes under the cliffs.

Vashlovani Reserve

Vashlovani Reserve

Next stop will be at Khornabudji Fortress (V century). You will have your lunch near the castle and move to the reserve.

Khornabudji Fortress

This night you will spend in comfortable bungalows, which are located in the deciduous forest on the banks of the Alazani River. Before dinner you will have time to go fishing or get acquainted with local flora and fauna. Dine outdoors or in a bungalow.

Day 6: After breakfast you will go to explore the reserve. Believe me, there’s a lot to be seen! Lunch outdoors – at Bear Canyon. After it you will continue your way in the reserve. Return to Tbilisi. Walk through the city and dinner. Check in guesthouse (or hotel).

Day 7: This day you’ll dedicate to two capitals. Introduction to the 1500-year-old city of Tbilisi will start from the visit to Holy Trinity Cathedral.

Trinity Cathedral

It’s not just the largest cathedral in Georgia – it is a whole complex consisting of 13 churches. Walk through the old town, visit Metekhi Cathedral. Near the monument to the founder of Tbilisi King Vakhtang Gorgasali you will learn the legend about the foundation of the city. Go down to the sulfur baths district called Abanotubani. Next you will visit Tbilisi Mosque. This is the only mosque in the world, where Sunnis and Shiites pray together. Then you will climb to Narikala Fortress, walk along Chardin Street and visit Sioni Cathedral. Here you can touch the holy relics of St. Thomas.

Tbilisi

Drive to the ancient capital of Georgia – Mtskheta, where you will have your lunch at the Public Restaurant. Visit Jvari Monastery (V century), which is located on the hilltop. From here you can see the confluence of two rivers: the Aragvi and the Mtkvari. They believe that praying in Mtskheta is equal to praying in Jerusalem. Next visit you will pay to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (XII century). The sanctuary for all the Christians – Jesus Christ’s chiton, in which he was crucified, is kept in this medieval church. In Samtavro Nunnery you will find a lot to surprise you. Behind the fortress wall you can see a little church and a bush of blackberry planted at the times of St. Nino. There you also will find the tomb of St. Gabriel, canonized by Holy Synod of Georgian Orthodox Church. You will dine in the ancient capital of Georgia and return to Tbilisi.

Tbilisi

Day 8: Free time. Lunch. Transfer to the airport. Departure.

TOUR FEES:

370 euros per person for groups of 15 people;

400 euros per person for groups of 10 people.

625 euros per person for groups of 4 people;

790 euros per person for groups of 2 people;

The price includes:

• Accommodation in the guesthouse in Telavi and in Dedoplistskaro or in a bungalow in Vashlovani Reserve; accommodation in guesthouse or 2* hotel in Tbilisi;

• Three meals a day, a picnic, friendly dinner and wine from Alazani Valley;

• Transfer along the route;

• All entrance fees;

• Visits to wineries, the Palace of Prince Chavchavadze, John Woodman’s house and wine tasting;

• Guide service on the route.

Extra charges:

• Airline tickets;

• Accommodation in 3*, 4* and 5* hotels.

Contact Us

+995 55 78 64 37      ,             +995 95 56 38 56

e-mail – caucasustbilisi@gmail.com
geomoderntour@gmail.com