Day 1: Arrival to Tbilisi the capital of Georgia. Meeting with the guide at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. A walk in the downtown and dinner.
Day 2: Move to Georgia’s ancient capital – eternal town of Mtskheta. The trip takes around 15 minutes. Here you can find Svetitskhoveli Cathedral built in 11th century. They believe that praying in the cathedral three times is equal to one praying in Jerusalem. The sanctuary for all the Christians – Jesus Christ’s chiton, in which he was crucified, is kept in this medieval church. A marvelous sight opens from the yard of Jvari Monastery – one of the oldest Georgian cathedrals built in 6th century on the hilltop. From here one can see the confluence of Aragvi and Mtkvari. 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 Saint Nino (the Enlightener of Georgia). The next stop is Shio-Mgvime medieval monastic complex. Return toTbilisi.
Day 3: Move to Meskheti (South Georgia). Visit to Khertvisi fortress and cave city ofVardzia. Here you will find not only randomly dug cave rooms but a multi-storey complex with streets, tunnels and staircases, which go by monasteries, temples, castles, baths, libraries, residential buildings… Over 600 rooms connected by passages, stretched along the mountains for 800 meters in length, 50 meters in depth and eight storeys in height. In the case of enemy attack, the monastery used to become a refuge for civilians and could accommodate up to 20 000 person. It’s time to return toTbilisi. Next stop is in Borjomi. You will take a walk inBorjomiPark, where you can taste genuine “Borjomi” straight from the spring. After a rest you will climb to Borjomi plateau, have a dinner in a beautiful environment and go for a ride on a Ferris Wheel. Return toTbilisi.
Day 4: Excursion to Sulphur Baths district called Abanotubani. A tourist visitingTbilisishould visit Sulphur Baths for sure. Arabic sages were considering Tbilisi Sulphur Baths among “World Wonders”. Famous Russian writer Alexander Griboedov and Alexander Pushkin as well as Alexander Dumas (the father) loved visiting this place. Pushkin wrote about baths: “I’ve not seen anything more luxury than Tiflis baths neither in Russian nor inTurkey”. Bath-house attendant (mekise) will work wonders with you and the natural sulphury water that heats in the bowels of the earth will rejuvenate you. After the bath you will walk along the Old Tbilisi with its narrow streets and carved balconies. One of those little streets leads to Narikala Fortress. On the way to the fort you cross Tbilisi Shiite mosque. This is a unique mosque – only here Sunnis and Shiites can pray together. From the top of the hill where the fort is you can enjoy marvelous views opening on the ancient city ofTbilisi. Then you will be taken for a walk throughShardeni Street, where you can find lots of cafes and restaurants. Here you will have an opportunity to take photos near the statues of Sergo Parajanov and the toastmaster (tamada). The last one by the way is an enlarged copy of a statuette discovered during the excavations and dated back to 7th century AD. Visit to Sioni Cathedral where you will get a chance to touch the saint relics of Apostle Thomas. Walk along the foot-bridge called “PeaceBridge”. This is the second bridge in the world in its complexity of construction. Visit the pride of the modern Georgia – Holy Trinity Cathedral. This is not only the biggest church in theGeorgiabut also a whole complex including 13 churches. Next stop is Mtatsminda Pantheon of eminent public people ofGeorgia. The evening you will spend in the “World of Wine”. You should think it is a wine shop when you first enter it but there is a small restaurant there. The most interesting awaits you on the ground floor; there is 100 years’ cellar where champagne is produced by traditional bottle method. Here you will learn the technology of producing champagne Cuvée Margot. Have you ever heard that sparkling wine is being produced in the downtown? You will have your supper right here, taste national and European cuisine and dishes prepared on the wine bases.
Day 5: A trip to Stepantsminda village byGeorgian Military Highway. The settlement is stretched out at the foot ofKasbegiMountain. Ananuri Monastery and Jhinvali reservoir are right on your way to Kazbegi. As soon as you pass theCrossPassin every village you will find towers which served as “mobile connection” in medieval period. People were setting fire on the top of the towers to give the alarm of danger. In Stepantsminda you will walk to Gergeti Triniti Monastery situated on the top of hill. The ascent will take you 1.5 hours. For additional fees you will be able to rise there on horseback or by car. Then you will walk through Darial Gorge to Russian-Georgian border. Here you will see Gveleti Waterfall and stop in the forest for a picnic with barbeques, wine fromAlazaniValleyand chacha. Late in the evening you will return toTbilisi.
Day 6: Cultivating grape and wine producing in Georgiastarted eight centuries ago. Recently during the excavations in Kakheti archeologists found in earthenware crockery a vine stone. It’s considered that Kakheti (the land of wine and love) is the cradle of wine in Georgia. This day you will spend in Kakheti. There are over 500 sorts of grapes in Georgia, 70 per cent of it grows in Kakheti. You will pay your first visit to Bodbe Monastery. The first church here was built in 4th century during the life of Saint Nino, who is buried in this church. Then you will walk down to the saint spring; its appearance is linked to the name of Saint Nino as well. They say that if a believer dips into the spring he will relieve of all the illnesses. Next stop is a beautiful city ofSighnaghi – the only city inGeorgia which is surrounded with a fort. You will get a chance to walk along the city and enjoy its marvelous view, especially atAlazaniValley. Move to Gurjaani. Here you will visit “Gurjaani Wine House”. Your master will meet you outside and invite you in where you will get a chance to cook barbeque, Georgian lavash and famous khinkali. You will participate in producing chacha (vine vodka) and churchkhela. After a “culinary class” you will taste Georgian wine and have Kakhetian party with real tamada. For additional fee you can enjoy Georgian polyphony and songs performed by folk ensemble “Gurjaani”. Return toTbilisi.
Day 7: Can you imagine your state after such a night? In the same condition was Alexander Dumas (the father) who visited Georgia couple of centuries ago. But he helped himself by eating Georgian dish called khashi. “Are we worse than Dumas”, you might ask and you will be right. From the early morning you will be taken to a small restaurant “At Zurab’s”. According to the tradition when they eat khashi they take 100 grams of vodka – better if it is chacha. After your unusual breakfast you will have some free time and then return home.
Version I:
340 Euros per person for a group of 10 persons
505 Euros per person for a group of 4 persons
740 Euros per person for a group of 2 persons
The price includes:
• Accommodation inTbilisihotel 3*
• Meals: breakfasts, picnic in Stepantsminda, party in “Gurjaani Wine House” and khashi “At Zurab’s”
• Transfer
• Guide services
• Visit to «Gurjaani Wine House”
• All the entrance fees
• Visit to the “World of Wine” and sparkling wine sampling
Extra charges:
• Air tickets
• Hotel accommodation 4* – 5 *
Version II
280 Euros per person for a group of 10 persons
450 Euros per person for a group of 4 persons
680 Euros per person for a group of 2 persons
The price includes:
• Accommodation inTbilisihotel 2* or guest house
• Meals: breakfasts, picnic in Stepantsminda, party in Gurjaani Wine House” and khashi “At Zurab’s”
• Transfer
• Guide services
• Visit to «Gurjaani Wine House”
• All the entrance fees
• Visit to the “World of Wine” and sparkling wine sampling
Extra charges:
• Air tickets
• Hotel accommodation 3* 4* 5 *
Contact Us – +995 55 78 64 37, +995 95 56 38 56
e-mail – caucasustbilisi@gmail.com
geomoderntour@gmail.com
caucasustbilisi 