Georgia Explorer

Upon arrival in Tbilisi, you'll be transferred to Tbilisi’s Old Town, where your room at the Kisi Hotel will be ready for you with early check-in included. After your overnight flight, you can enjoy the morning at your leisure, with breakfast available.

At 12:30, meet your guide at the hotel reception to begin an introductory tour of Tbilisi. Explore the Old Town on foot, passing the Sulfur Bathhouse and a currency exchange office (ideal for purchasing Georgian Lari) before reaching Maspindzelo Restaurant for a welcome lunch. After lunch, continue your walking tour through Old Town, heading northwest past key landmarks until you reach Liberty Square. Next, stroll along Rustaveli Avenue, where you'll see the Georgian National Museum, the Parliament of Georgia, Kshueti Church, and the Opera & Ballet Theatre, before arriving at Rustaveli Metro Station.

From here, take the metro with your guide to two stops at Avlabari Station. Then walk through Rike Park to the Aerial Tramway and take the cable car to Narikala Fortress for panoramic views of Tbilisi’s Old Town. Descend on foot from the fortress and return to the Kisi Hotel, where your introductory tour will conclude. (B,L)

• Hotel Description

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! Speak with your local guide on day 2 for ideas and suggestions. (B)

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Check out and transfer to Mtskheta, the religious capital of Georgia and ancient capital of Kartli. In Mtskehta visit three spectacular UNESCO World Heritage sites, namely the Cathedral of Svetitskhoveli, Samtarvo Monastery and Jvari Church. From Mtskheta head north and ascend the Georgian Military Highway, entering the Caucasus Mountains as you slowly drive towards the Russian border. En-route visit Ananauri and its amazing complex of churches and towers and enjoy lunch in the Ananuri Restaurant before pressing further north to Kazbegi and the Rooms Hotel. After checking in for a 2 night stay enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure. (B,L)

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This morning enjoy a tour of the small town of Kazbegi before visiting the Gergeti Holy Trinity Church, located at an elevation of 2170m. While the church is accessible by car, you can choose to hike if you prefer. Lunch will be at a family-run restaurant.

In the afternoon, drive towards the Russian border for stunning views of the Dariali Gorge, and take a hike to the picturesque Gveleti Waterfall. As this is a private excursion, there is flexibility in the itinerary to accommodate weather conditions and your personal preferences. (B,L)

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Today descend from the high Caucasus to Chateau Mukhrani near Mtskheta to enjoy lunch followed by wine-tasting in this award winning estate. Head west to Gori, the birthplace of Stalin and visit the Stalin Museum, which includes in its ground the small house in which he was born and his personal railway carriage. Visit the cave-city of Uplistsikhe. Established as a major Silk-Road trading centre by the 5th century this site was settled for almost 2000 years before the Mongolians arrived in the 14th century. From Uplistsikhe drive west to Kutaisi, Georgia’s 3rd most populous city and capital of the western region of Imereti. On arrival check into the centrally located Best Western Kutaisi Hotel for a 2 night stay. (B,L)

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This morning, enjoy a brief walking tour of central Kutaisi. Start by crossing Tetri Bridge and head to the Tourism Information Centre, then explore the Green Bazaar, a small yet fascinating market. Continue your stroll past the Meskhisvili Theatre and a nearby fountain, then through Kutaisi Park, where you can see Soviet-era monuments in the park’s southwest corner. Pause for a coffee or refreshment at a café near the Opera Theatre (at your own expense) before continuing to Gelati Monastery, situated in the hills northeast of the city.

From Gelati, travel to Kumistavi (Prometheus) Cave, the largest cave in Georgia. En route, stop in Tskhaltubo for lunch at the Stalaktida Restaurant. At Kumistavi Cave, explore a 1,600-meter section of this extensive cave system. After your visit, return to Kutaisi and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. (B,L)

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Check out of your hotel and spend the day travelling to Mestia, the main town in Svaneti, the highest inhabited region in the Caucasus. Depart Kutaisi and head northwest towards the Abkhazia border, reaching Zugdidi after about two hours. Visit the Dadiani Palaces History and Architectural Museum and take a short walk in central Zugdidi.

After lunch at the Host Restaurant, continue northeast on the scenic mountain road to Mestia. Make a brief stop to view the Enguri Dam, the world’s second-highest concrete arch dam at 271.5 meters. Continue the drive to Mestia, located at 1,500 meters above sea level. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and enjoy a brief walking tour of the town. (B,L,D)

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Today, explore Mestia and its surroundings. Continue your walking tour from the previous afternoon, then visit the Margiani House Museum and the Historical-Ethnographic Museum of Mestia to learn about the local culture. Have lunch with a local family in Mestia.

Afterwards, drive to the Hatsvali Mountain Ski Resort and take a ski lift to the Zuruldi Restaurant, located at 2,340 meters above sea level, for great mountain views. You can purchase drinks or snacks here (at your own expense). Spend the afternoon as you prefer with your guide: you can explore the mountaintop, hike back to Mestia, or simply relax and enjoy the view. (B,L,D)

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Today's focus is a day trip to Ushguli, located 55 km from Mestia via a rough road with scenic alpine views. Ushguli, at 2,100 meters altitude, is one of the highest inhabited settlements in Europe. The village, with a population of around 200 people, is divided into four small UNESCO World Heritage Site settlements and has a timeless feel due to its inaccessibility.

The day will be flexible to match your interests, including a visit to the Ethnography Museum and time to explore the area on foot. There is also the option to climb a defensive tower if you are comfortable with heights. Lunch will be with a local family, and you may choose to take a light walk towards Mt. Shkhara, the highest peak in Georgia. Return to Mestia and enjoy the evening at your leisure. (B,L,D)

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Departing Mestia descend from the high Caucasus to the Black Sea Coast, arriving in the port city of Poti after a long morning of driving. Enjoy lunch in a basic restaurant before pressing on south along the coast towards Batumi. En route visit the Batumi Botanical Gardens, one of Batumi's most interesting attractions. After checking into the World Palace Hotel (or similar) for a two night stay, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (B,L)

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This morning enjoy an introductory walking tour of Batumi. The route will depend on your own inclination but will almost certainly include a stroll along the promenade and Gogobashvili. Head out of Batumi and visit the Gonio Fortress located 15km to the south. This Roman fortification dates back to the 4th century BC and lies just 4km from the Turkish border. After touring this pleasant spot return to Batumi late morning. After over 10 days of busy travels enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Your guide will be able to make suggestions and recommendations on what to do in this pleasant city. (B)

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This morning spend the full day slowly making your way back to Tbilisi. Part of the journey will be along already travelled roads but to create an interesting diversion, branch northeast at Zestafoni and drive to Chiatura, a mining town that boomed during the Soviet era. This town is well off the conventional tourist trail but is a fascinating contrast to the sights you will have seen already. Situated in a steep river valley, an extensive network of ageing cable cars transport workers around the valley. If working, and if inclined, enjoy time to ride a couple of these cars (at your own expense) before enjoying a basic local lunch and brief walk in the town. From Chiatura head southwest via Korbouli and Ali before joining the main Kutaisi-Tbilisi highway. Back in the capital return to the Kisi Hotel and check-in for a two night stay. Enjoy the evening at leisure. (B,L)

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Head out from Tbilisi for a day trip east to explore the Kakheti Region - Georgia's wine country. Drive to Telavi, the main city in the region and visit the local farmers market where you can see a large selection of fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses for sale. From here visit the Tsinandali Palace, the historic estate and winery belonging to the 19th-century aristocratic poet Alexander Chavchadze. Continue to the walled city of Sighnaghi and enjoy lunch and wine tasting.

This afternoon spend time exploring Sighnaghi, a pleasant place to stroll the back streets and watch the world go by. From Sighnaghi enjoy an excursion to the Monastery of St. Nino at Bodbe, a nunnery just a couple of kilometres from Sighnaghi. Return to Tbilisi via Manavi and Sagarejo, completing a circuitous route of the highlights of Kakheti. Return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (B,L)

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Check out of your hotel (and if you need to store luggage please ask at reception) and enjoy your last few hours in Tbilisi. In the late afternoon transfer back from your hotel to the airport and check-in for your flight back home. (B)