Viamigo

DAY 01

Arrival in Tbilisi. Transfer to hotel.

PM - Half-day City-tour:

Metekhi church (XIIIc); Abanot-ubani (natural sulphur springs); Narikala church (There is a great view of old district of Tbilisi from this church).

Drive to Mtskheta. In the ancient times it was the capital of Georgia & is most important religious centre. Lunch in a Georgian restaurant . Visit to Jvari church (VI c), Svetitskhoveli cathedral (XI c) and Dedata/Mothers’ Monastery.

DAY 02

Full day trip to Kakheti region with Lunch:

Kakheti is synonymous with wine. Visit to Tsinandali-village. Tour to Teliani Valley wine factory with wine tasting. Visit to Alaverdi Cathedral (VI c). Return to Tbilisi, visiting Batonistsikhe Castle en route, which was the residence of the Kakhetian Kings in the 17th cc.

DAY 03

Full day trip to Kazbegi town:

Kazbegi is located 157km from Tbilisi (1740m above sea level) on the south slops of Caucasus main range. Drive along the Georgian military highway. On the way, all sightseeing including Ananuri fortified monastery. Visit to Holy trinity monastery on the top of a mount by 4x4 vehicles (optional, for extra cost).

DAY 04

Full day tour to Davit Gareja cave town (Kakheti region)

Remarkable complex of cave monasteries, covering a large area of almost desert-like wilderness. The monastery was founded by Davit, one of the 13 Syrian Fathers in the 6th c. Udabno Monastery consists of many caves. In X-XIII cc an excellent fresco school flourished here.

DAY 05

Proceed to Shio Mghvime Monastery:

This monastery is one of the oldest monasteries still functioning in Georgia.

Proceed to Uplistsikhe cave town, which is one of the oldest places of settlement in the Caucasus. It was founded in the late Bronze Age, but developed mainly from the 5th century to the 1st centuries BC. Before Georgia became a Christian country, this was a special site for pagan rituals. The main caravan road from Asia to Europe used to run just 2km northern of the city, which became a very important trade centre. Proceed to Gori – an ancient city. Visit to Stalin museum.

DAY 06

Proceed for F/D Bolnisi Sioni and Dmanisi Sioni tour:

Bolnisi Sioni, a V c. basilica, it has interesting ornamentation inside, and on the façade were found the earliest examples of Georgian writing known in the country itself.

The ruins cover a large area divided into two parts, 13 hectares on the hill above the Mashaveri River to the north, and 12 hectares of suburbs by the Pinezauri River to the south.

DAY 07

Full-day city tour:

Visits to Sameba church (built in 2004) the biggest church in Georgia, and Golden Fund at the State history museum; A walking tour in a downtown; Proceed to “Turtle lake” Lunch in a city restaurant; Free time for leisure.

DAY 08

Early transfer to Tbilisi airport, departure.