Travel outline Day 1. Tbilisi – arrival Arrive Tbilisi International Airport. Meet your guide and drive to Tbilisi. Check-in to hotel at noon. Wonders of Georgia 15 days tour Georgia’s Touristic Potential – Travel outline for Mr. Saro Di Bartole Duration – 15 days & 14 nights Travel season – July – August Map Day 2. Tbilisi sightseeing tour After breakfast start Tbilisi sightseeing tour – the Old Town and the New City. The city offers a wide variety of sights, most of them very ancient. We begin our visit from the church of Metekhi, we walk to the brick domes of sulfur baths and then visit Narikala’s fortress by cable car – one of the oldest fortresses in Georgia, overlooking Mtkvari river gorge. Scenography of Petre Otskheli Option: Air Balloon Tbilisi You can enjoy the beautiful and panoramic views of the city at a height of 150 meters from the air balloon gondola during the day or night. Air Balloon Tbilisi is eco-friendly and completely silent attraction. Its main flying part is a large helium balloon, and the second part is a gondola that can accommodate up to 30 people. (20$ per person) Overnight at hotel. After that, we visit the synagogue, and the Sioni and Anchiskhati churches, which mark the end of the Old Town. After we visit the treasury of the National Museum of Georgia, walking along Rustaveli Avenue – the main street in Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the third biggest Orthodox Church in the world. Sergo Kobuladze Day 3: Tbilisi – Mtsketa – Ananuri – Gudauri - Stefantsminda – Tbilisi After breakfast at first, we will travel to ancient capital city Mtskheta and visit UNESCO world heritage sites: Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in a city and Jvari monastery on the top of the hill from where you can enjoy the panorama view on the city Mtskheta and beautiful landscape. After continue travel to north part of Georgia. On the way visit Ananuri fortress – 17th century defensive building with amazing view on the Jinvali water reservoir, our way to Gudauri we will see a picturesque Friendship arch, which is one of the most amazing and wonderful view of this area. An exciting drive from Gudauri along the Terek River will take us to Kazbegi – the main town in the region. From Kazbegi drive through beautiful valleys and woods brings us to Gergeti Trinity church located at 2100m. in good weather possible to see the second highest glaciers in the Caucasus – the mountain Kazbegi (5054m). Overnight in Stepantsminda. Ananuri Day 4: Kazbegi – Dariali Gorge – Juta village – Tbilisi After breakfast, visit Dariali Gorge – is Tergi river gorge at the east base of Mount Kazbegi on the border between Russia and Georgia. In 2005, construction work began on a new monastery complex in the Dariali Gorge and in September 2011 the Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II conducted the sole. At both ends of the forked valley, lies a couple of nice waterfalls known as Gveleti. To reach them, one doesn’t have to walk far; it’s a pretty easy stroll. After we drive to Juta village. beautiful place for rest a couple of hours. The village of Juta is one of the highest settlements (2200 m) in the municipality of Kazbegi, and is located 24 km from Stepantsminda (8 km of paved road, and the remainder is a dirt road). The Chaukhi mountain range, located near the village, is situated on the main ridge of the Caucasus Mountain range, at the source of the river Bakurkhevi. After incredible day we drive back to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi Day 5: Tbilisi – Sighnaghi – Velistsikhe – Kvareli – Tbilisi In the morning, depart Tbilisi and drive to Kakheti region. Kakheti is located in eastern Georgia and is known as the cradle of Georgian Wine. Here, in Alazani Valley some unique grape varieties, such as Kindzmarauli, Manavi, Saperavi are cultivated. Visit Bodbe Nunnery, where Saint Nino was buried and Sighnaghi, a beautiful town founded in the 18th century that overlooks amazing Alazani Valley and spectacular Great Caucasus Mountains. The best wines of the Kakheti region have been stored and aged here for decades. Continue tour to Wine Yard N1, traditional local winery, where you will enjoy the soul of Georgian hospitality. Day 6: Tbilisi - Dashbashi Canyon - Javakheti lakes – Vardzia Drive to South Georgia, Samtskhe-javakheti region. On the way we will visit incredible Dashbashi Canyon. (1110-1448 meters above sea level) It is a natural monument on volcanic height of the river, Ktsia (Khrami). It is a rare gorge of canyon, characterized with biodiversity. The Dashbashi waterfall hidden in the green attracts many visitors with its perfect atmosphere, like a paradise beauty After you will pass amazing, very different nature in Georgia, Javakheti volcanic plateau, up to 2 000meter. The difference from the other part of Georgia is that here landscape is almost empty, here you can’t find forest, that is why climate here is one of the most cold and harsh in Georgia. Here you will see several beautiful lakes: Paravani and Sagamo lakes. Lake Sagamo – literally the name means Evening. Close to the lake located village Sagamo. The lake is tectonic origin, in winter completely frozen. Pharavani lake, altitude 2 080m. The lake is biggest in the country. Drive to Vardzia. Overnight in Vardzia Resort Day 7: Vardzia Cave - Rabathi castle – Borjomi - Kutaisi After breakfast visit Vardzia Cave town, very impressive historical-cultural monument, founded in 12th century, 13 floors and hundreds of rooms, halls and churches, huge complex made in rocks. There once were about 3,000 caves and 50,000 people lived there. You visit the church carved into the rock with amazing frescoes of the 12th century. Now we drive to fortress of Rabat. Rabati Castle is a medieval structure in Akhaltsikhe, Georgia, which dates back to the 13th century The castle complex is comprised of a mosque, a minaret, a synagogue, a Christian church, a palace, a citadel, as well as landscaped gardens, vineyards on terraces, outdoor pools with fountains, a history museum, a hotel, a restaurant, souvenir and wine shops. We visit resort Borjomi. Borjomi is famous for its mineral water industry (which is the number one export of Georgia). You will be able to taste mineral water in the Borjomi Park. Drive to Kutaisi the second biggest city in Georgia. Overnight in Kutaisi Gelati Rabati Castle Day 8: Kutaisi city tour – Prometheus cave – Sataplia Nature Reserve Kutaisi is the second biggest city in Georgia which, according to the legend was the ultimate destination of the Jason and Argonauts searching for the Golden Fleece. Visit Bagrati Cathedral (XI c.), Gelati Academy (XII c.) built by King David the Builder. After Kutaisi we will visit Prometheus cave – one of Georgia’s natural wonders providing visitors with breathtaking examples of stalactites, stalagmites, curtains, petrified waterfalls, cave pearls, underground rivers, and lakes. Now we will explore The Sataplia Nature Reserve – a place where you can see very interesting natural sights, walk in nature and enjoy with magnificent views. The guests can find footprints of ancient animals – Dinosaurs. This is the place where the footprints of Herbivorous and Raptor dinosaurs of different epochs are found. Sataplia dinosaurs are called “Satapliazaurus” and are different from European dinosaurs. Overnight in Kutaisi Sataplia Day 9. Kutaisi – Martvili canyon- Mestia (Svaneti) After breakfast drive to mysterious Svaneti region through Enguri gorge. On the way visit Martvili canyon, amazing place where we can walk on the small trail in a natural canyon of the river Abasha, we can see unique Kolkheti forests flora with impressive waterfalls. The canyon trail is very small and we will walk about 40 minutes. Continue drive to Svaneti Svaneti is known for its original architecture and is called “the Country of Thousand Towers. Mestia still has dozens of such medieval stone houses with the watchtowers and inhabited towers which were used to protect valleys and churches (the 10 th – 14 th centuries). Visit Mestia Ethnographical Museum, Svan original house “machubi” and tower “koshki”. Overnight at hotel. Borjomi Day 10. Mestia – Ushguli – Mestia After breakfast at hotel drive to Ushguli village, the highest standing settlement in Europe (2,200 m). Spend time in Ushguli strolling old narrow streets. Visit Lamaria Church complex with impressive wall frescos (XII). Locals believe that it was under this church that Queen Tamara was buried. Enjoy picturesque view of Mt. Shkhara. Ushguli architectural complex is a valuable architectural and historical monument listed in the World heritage of UNESCO for its exclusiveness. There are about 70 families living in Ushguli (around 200 people). Return to Mestia. and overnight at hotel. Day 11. Mestia – Zugdidi – Kolkheti National Park – Kutaisi Drive back to Kutaisi after breakfast. On the way, stop at Dadiani’s (Princes of West Georgia) Palace in Zugdidi. Dadiani Palace was the home of the final ruling family of the Principality of Samegrelo, whose reign ended in 1857 when Russian Imperial rule began. Russian architect Leonid Vassilyev built the complex. It includes the palace of Ekaterine Chavchavadze-Dadiani, the last queen of Samegrelo, a residence for her son Niko Dadiani, a monastery, and a large garden, which is now the Zugdidi Botanical Gardens. Drive to “Georgian Amazon“ – Kolkheti National Park you will have unforgettable day in Kolkheti National Park. Park is located in west Georgia and includes Samegrelo – Zemo Svaneti and Guria Regions. Paliastomi Lake, the Black Sea east border zone, unique swamps and Colchic forests are especially interesting there. We will have a boat trip including both the lake and Pichori river, it is a nice way to relax, observe the nature of Kolkheti lowlands, Paliastomi Lake and birds if it’s relevant season in any period except hot days of summer. (Boat trip will be impossible in case of windy weather). Continue driving to Batumi. Overnight in Batumi. You can benefit with various types of boat tours and you can pay for the boat trip on site: * Pontoon 3hr (18km) 10-15$ per person * Rowing boat Anaklia 3 persons –$ 5-10 per person * Tour by motorboat, riv. Churia: 1-3 persons/2 hr – 50$ * Tour by kayak, riv. Churia: 1 seat/1 hr OR 2 seats (500m) 5-10$ per person Day 12. Gonio - Makhuntseti waterfall - Queen Tamar bridge - Batumi In the morning you will set off to South where in 15 km away from Batumi is located the Gonio castle. It was built in I century A.D. and became a well-formed Roman city within one century. Still the archeological excavations are being held in the castle. According to tales Saint Apostle Mathew is buried in this place. After that you will go on East up to the mountains. Here you can visit the most popular Adjarian winery – Adjarian Wine House where they will offer you to taste special Adjarian wines. After you will continue your way up to the mountains where you will enjoy the unique nature, see the Makhuntseti waterfalls and bridge of Queen Tamar. Meet local inhabitants and take a bench of photos with great breathtaking view on the background. Drive back to Batumi Day 13. Batumi Botanical Garden - Argo Cable Car – black Sea beach After breakfast in the morning Exploring Batumi Botanical Garden which is unique as it contains flora from nine Phyto-geographic areas: East Asia, North America, New Zealand, South America, the Himalayas, Mexico, Australia, the Mediterranean, and the Caucasian humid subtropics. Garden was established in 1912 by the prominent botanist and geographer Andrey Krasnov. The garden collection includes 2037 taxonomic units of plants, including 104 of Caucasian origin. Argo Cable Car is a sightseeing attraction located on Anuria Mountain in Batumi, 250 meters high from the sea level. The complex offers spectacular views of the town, The Black Sea and the surrounding mountains. The center comprises in itself restaurants, Gift shops, Wine House, open air halls and podium. The line is 2 586 meters long, with 20 Cabins. There are 8 seats in each Cabins. One-way trip duration is 10 minutes. Batumi city tour – Ali and Nino statue; Area of the Piazza; Area of Europe; Having some rest on the black sea beach. Overnight in Batumi Day 14. Batumi – Park “Georgia in Miniatures’’ – Music Park – Tbilisi After breakfast you can enjoy free morning on the black sea beach and after drive to Tbilisi. On the way we will explore the unique park “Georgia in Miniatures’’ which is located in Shekvetili, Black Sea Coast. It reflects Georgian cultural heritage monuments and architecture sightseeing in miniatures. After incredible miniatures park you will see also unique Music Park- At the park territory there are squares, where Georgian and foreign musicians’ statues are situated. Visitors have an opportunity to listen their beloved musicians’ songs and melodies. Everyone will have a chance to find musician statue that satisfices his/her tasty. It is very nice place and must go destination. Drive to Tbilisi with full of Impressions and memories. Overnight in Tbilisi Day 15. Tbilisi Share on Facebook Share Share on TwitterTweet Share on Pinterest Share Share on LinkedIn Share Share on Digg Share