Cultural Landscapes of Georgia

Today depart the UK on your indirect flight to Tbilisi.

Arrive at Tbilisi airport where you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Tbilisi's Old Town. Enjoy a morning at leisure before heading out with your guide for an introductory tour of Tbilisi, including a welcome lunch. Pass the Sulfur Bathhouse and walk through the old town before heading along Rustaveli Avenue, the capital's main thoroughfare and home to a number of landmark buildings. Beyond Rustaveli, enjoy a trip on the Metro to Rike Park before catching the cable car to the Narikala Fortress for incredible views over the city. (B,L)

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Today enjoy the full day free to explore Tbilisi at leisure. Perhaps tour some of the museums (NB: typically closed on Mondays), head up into Mtatsminda Park, tour the Vake area of the city or visit the central market - there is plenty to keep you busy!

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Transfer to Mtskheta, the religious capital of Georgia. Visit the city's three spectacular UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Cathedral of Svetitskhoveli, Samtarvo Monastery and Jvari Church. From Mtskheta, head north along the Georgian Military Highway into the Caucasus Mountains. Stop for lunch in Ananuri, with its amazing complex of 16th-17th century churches and towers. Press on to Kazbegi where you will check into your hotel and enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure to relax or explore. (B,L)

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Taking a morning tour of the small town of Kazbegi, and then head up either by 4WD or on foot (a challenging hike) to Gergeti Holy Trinity Church, perched at an elevation of 2170m. Have lunch with a local family and then drive towards the Russian border for dramatic views of the Dariali gorge and the chance to hike to Gveleti waterfall. (B,L)

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Descend from the high Caucasus to the award-winning vineyard of Chateau Mukhrani, near Mtskheta. Stop here for lunch and wine-tasting, and then head west to Gori, the birthplace of Stalin. Visit the Stalin museum and then move on the the cave-city of Uplistsikhe. This astonishing site was inhabited for nearly 2000 years before the Mongolians arrived in the 14th century, and was a major trading point on the Silk Road. Explore and then head onwards to Kutaisi, Georgia's third most populous city, where you will spend the next two nights. (B,L)

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Undertake a morning walking tour of central Kutaisi, with a stop at the Green Bazaar where you can browse the stalls. In the late morning, you will be driven to Gelati Monastery in the hills north-east of the city. From Gelati, head to Tskhaltubo for lunch and then press on to Kumistavi ("Prometheus") Cave. This is the largest cave in Georgia, and you can delve underground and walk a 1600m route that comprises a mere 10% of the entire cave system! After resurfacing, head back to Kutaisi and enjoy the rest of the afternoon and the evening at leisure. (B,L)

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Make your way back to Tbilisi with several stops along the way, starting with Kutaisi's Bagrati Cathedral, which offers spectacular views over the city. Leaving the city drive to Chiatura, a working mining town that provides a fantastic contrast to the earlier sights you will have seen. Enjoy lunch and a brief walk here, followed perhaps with a quick ride in one of  the town's famed cable cars. Return to Tbilisi and check into your hotel for a final night. Enjoy the evening at leisure. (B,L)

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This morning transfer back to the airport for the flight back to the UK.