 |
|---|
Georgia - Heart of the Caucasus
This is the quintessential sojourn of Georgia as we take you to the very heart and pulse of this great historic country on a journey filled with experiential elements, take a step back in time to the early and Medieval Ages, the origins of wine production and uncovering some of the most amazing landscapes.
HIGHLIGHTS
Uncover the best of Georgia's most iconic sites
Stay in boutique and charming hotels and guesthouses
Sample the most palettable traditional Georgian cuisines and wine
ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVE TBILISI
Arrive Tbilisi - capital of Georgia as we begin a historic tour of the city that dates back to the 5th Century. Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, one of the largest orthodox cathedrals in the world. Take a walk on the unique bow-shaped Bridge of Peace - perhaps one of the most visually-stunning contemporary bridges anywhere in Europe and an unmistakable icon of Tbilisi. We then continue over the Mtkvavi River to the historic Abanotubani area, adorned with the many domes of Tbilisi's famous sulphur baths set against the backdrop of the Narikala Fortress before arriving and checking in to the boutique and charming Rooms Hotel Tbilisi.
Overnight: Stamba Hotel, Tbilisi
Meals: NIL
DAY 2: TBILISI / NATAKHTARI / MESTIA
After an early breakfast, be transferred to Natakhtari (35mins drive from Tbilisi) where you will hop on a small aircraft on a short but scenic flight journey to Mestia in the beautiful Svaneti region. Upon arrival at Mestia Queen Tamar Airport, be met by your driver as we check in at the Hotel Posta for bag drop before taking a drive to the starting point of the hiking trail to the magnificent and stunning Chaladi Glacier. On a guided walk, we explore the valley of the Mestiachala River surrounded by awe-inspiring high peaks and enjoy a picnic-styled lunch in the stunning surroundings of nature before marvelling at the glacier. Return back to Mestia thereafter where you will be warmly welcome for a wonderful and authentic home-styled dinner.
Overnight: Hotel Posta, Mestia
Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner
DAY 3: MESTIA (EXCURSION TO USHGULI)
A spectacular day and adventure beckons! Hop onto your powerful 4WD vehicle today as we take the road less travelled to the remote UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ushguli village, Europe's highest inhabited village at an altitude of more than 2,100m above sea level nestled at the foot of Mount Shkhara, the highest peak of the Greater Caucasus Mountains in Georgia. We will journey through breathtaking sights of medieval towers, stunning ravines, running rivers and timeless settlements before arriving at Ushguli where fantasy scenes comes alive with grazing cattles, charming stone and wood houses seemingly from centuries beyond. Enjoy a lovely traditional home made lunch in a local guesthouse and enjoy moments to savour before our return back to Mestia.
Overnight: Hotel Posta, Mestia
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 4: MESTIA / KUTAISI / BORJOMI
We say farewell to Mestia today and transfer to Mestia Queen Tamar Airport for a small aircraft short flight to Kutaisi where on arrival, we will embark on a historic tour of Kutaisi - Georgia's second-largest city with a significant history and importance. Visit the UNESCO-listed Bagrati Cathedral, built between the 10th and 11th Centuries and named after Bagrat III, the first king of Georgia. We will also visit the impressive Gelati Monastery, also a UNESCO site and built in the 12th Century and only completed in the 17th Century. The Gelati Monastery had witnessed the most glorious era of Georgia and decorated with fine mosaics and relics and is renowned for one of Georgia's most celebrated king, King David The Builder's legacy. Finally, we drive to the opposite hill to visit the cliff-perched Motsameda Monastery which dates back to the 11th Century with stunning views of the gorge and bend of the Tskhaltsitela River. Thereafter, we continue our journey to Borjomi, a historical area renowned for its rich mineral springs and exceptional pre-alpine setting.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza, Borjomi
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5: BORJOMI (EXCURSION TO VARDZIA)
After breakfast, consider a stroll nearby to the Mineral Water Park which dates back to the 1850s and nestled amongst a stretch of wooded forest along the Borjomula River. Spend some relaxing moments here admiring the iconic Glass Pavilion housing the mineral water tap and the beautiful nature before taking a drive through changing sceneries and spectacular mountain passes to the spectacular cave city of Vardzia where we witness the splendours of this tiered cave city with hundreds of dwellings, transitions, ladders, churches, libraries, workshops and is still currently home to monks. On our return, we visit the Khertvisi Fortress, set atop a high rocky outcrop and is one of the most stunning fortresses in Georgia.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza, Borjomi
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6: BORJOMI / GORI / UPLISTSIKHE / KAZBEGI
Leave Borjomi today and drive eastwards towards the city of Gori where we will visit the Joseph Stalin Museum, showcasing fascinating exhibits documenting the former Soviet leader's life. The museum includes the memorial house where Stalin was believed to have been born, an exhibition building, and Stalin's personal train car, in which he travelled to Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam. Thereafter, we continue to the stunning ancient cave city of Uplistsikhe, one of the earliest cities in Georgia which went through some of the most storied invasions in the ancient world. Finally, we will drive northwards along the Georgian Military Highway to Kazbegi, travelling on some of the most stunning drives in the world past astonishing landscapes against the backdrop of the Greater Caucasus Mountains. En route, we will visit the Ananuri Fortress, built in the 13th Century and was the seat of the Dukes of Aragyi spanning over 600 years of history. Two churches comprise part of the complex, with the larger Church of Assumption boasting elaborate facades, a large carved grapevine cross and remnants of stunning frescoes. We then arrive into the Rooms Hotel Kazbegi, a remarkable hotel with probably the most beautiful setting in all of Georgia directly facing Mount Kazbegi.
Overnight: Rooms Hotel Kazbegi, Kazbegi
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7: KAZBEGI
After breakfast, we will take advantage of the early morning air to embark on a hike through the villages to the iconic Gergeti Tsminda Sameba Trinity Church, built in the 14th Century and situated nearly 7,000 feet up on the hill. From this spot, you will have unforgettable views of Mount Kazbegi, rising over 16,500 feet and covered with glaciers and permafrost. As we return down, enjoy a late lunch in a guesthouse with authentic Kazbegi-styled cuisine. Then spend the rest of the day rejuvenating from the hike.
Remarks:
The hike each way takes about 2 hours and we strongly discourage the hiring of vehicle due to extremely bad road conditions as well as horrendous traffic. Hiking allows you to see the villages, sceneries in greater depth and perspective
Overnight: Rooms Hotel Kazbegi, Kazbegi
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 8: KAZBEGI / MTSKHETA / TELAVI
We bid farewell to Kazbegi today as we once again return on the drive on the Georgian Military Highway. En route, we make a stop at the amazing Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument, built in 1983 to celebrate the bicentennial of the Treaty of Georgievsk. Later, we continue our drive to Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia and a UNESCO World Heritage site where Georgia's conversion to Christianity started here in 337AD and is considered one of Georgia's most important religious centers. Visit the Jvari Monastery perched on a cliff overlooking Mtskheta before continuing next to the Svetiskhoveli Cathedral, renowned as the burial site of Christ's mantle, has long been the principal Georgian church and remains one of the most venerated places of worship to this day. We spend some time in the historic quarter of Mtskheta before continuing our journey into the Kakheti region to arrive into the beautiful surroundings of the unusual, boutique and charming Chateau Mere.
Overnight: Chateau Mere, Telavi
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9: TELAVI (WINE COUNTRY OF KAKHETI)
We spend an amazing day out sampling the superb wines of the Kakheti region - undoubtedly Georgia's wine country. Begin with a visit to the splendid Khareba Winery where the wines are produced and stored in 15 connected tunnels lined with thousands of bottles of Khareba wines. We will also have the opportunity to participate in traditional "grape crushing" (in harvest season) and sample wine from a drinking horn that have been passed down for generations from the early days for centuries. Thereafter, continue to the beautiful town of Sighnaghi, surrounded by a city wall, cobblestoned streets and alleys and colourful houses that gave it its character and charm. Visit Pheasant's Tears, a boutique winery and restaurant showcasing some of the best kept secrets of Georgia - an amazing array of artisanal wines and we enjoy over a sumptuous "Omakase-styled" lunch with amazing flavours in a cute, comfortable and charming setting. Later, visit the Bodbe Monastery of St Nino - one of the most beautiful monasteries built in the 12th Century with amazing panorama of the mountains and villages in the heart of Kakheti.
Overnight: Chateau Mere, Telavi
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 10: TELAVI / DEPARTURE TBILISI
An unforgettable journey comes to an end as we transfer to Tbilisi Intl Airport for your onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast
HOTELS
Housed within historic atriums, passages and courtyards of what was once Georgia’s most important printing house, Stamba Hotel is a celebration of Tbilisi’s ever-evolving identity as a hotbed of talent and originality. The design of Stamba Hotel was conceived to highlight the industrial splendor of the 20th century publishing house in which it is situated. while fresh new touches lend the hotel a distinctly contemporary edge.
.jpg)
Situated in Mestia within 800 metres of Museum of History and Ethnography and 1.6 km of Mikhail Khergiani House Museum, Hotel Posta features rooms with free WiFi. At the hotel, each room includes a wardrobe and a flat-screen TV. All rooms have a private bathroom with a bath or shower and free toiletries, while selected rooms include a balcony.
Crowne Plaza Borjomi is located in the heart of Borjomi, a picturesque Georgian spa resort town set within minutes of the Mineral Water Park. Rooms features contemporary design with a hint of nostalgia and elegance to complement its luxurious furnishings.
Rooms Hotel Kazbegi is nestled at the foot of the dramatic Greater Caucasus Mountains with peaks reaching over 5,000m. Comprising 156 guestrooms, each offers remarkable views out to Mount Kazbegi with amazing aesthetics, comfort.
Chateau Mere opened in Sep 2011 near Telavi, the main city of the Kakheti region in Georgia's wine-producing area. Featuring a 1,500 square metres stone castle with 4 pointed towers, rooms offers a sense of nostalgia, design and comfort as well as a winery, restaurant and a pool with tremedous views.
