Gorgeous Georgia: A Taste Of The Caucasus

A land of wine and gold, delightful monasteries, castles and cathedrals and spectacular mountain scenery. From the Gardens of the Romanovs to Stalin’s birth place; from the magical Saro Fortress to the statue of Medea and the Golden fleece in the land of Kolkhis; this will be an epic adventure.

This rich itinerary will introduce you to the vast diversity of this country: from the warm Black Sea, to perpetually snow-covered peaks of the Greater Caucasus; from fertile valleys full of vineyards, to rocky canyons; from vibrant Tbilisi, to barren plateaus; from futuristic skyscrapers, to primeval rock-hewn towns and picturesque monasteries.

Georgia, however, does not consist only of marvellous nature and historical treasures – it is the motherland of wine and delicious cuisine. Georgian feasts, enriched with poetic toasts, are legendary. Our itinerary includes copious dinners, which will allow you to experience the flavours of Caucasian feasts and hospitality.

FOR DETAILED INFORMATION WITH PICTURES OF THE TRIP CLICK HERE

Day 1, June 1st Saturday

Depart London Gatwick for Tbilisi at 21:50.

Day 2, June 2nd Sunday

Arrival in Tbilisi around 7 AM local time. Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Breakfast. Time for a rest after the flight.

In the afternoon we visit the National Museum which has a striking collection of ancient gold treasures. A walking tour of Tbilisi's historical centre with its winding narrow streets, ancient shrines, oriental-style sulphur baths, historical houses with wooden carved balconies. Then we go on a short cable car ride above the old town to the Narikala castle hill. Supper in a local restaurant with live music and an ethnic dance show.

Day 3, June 3rd Monday

GEORGIAN WINE

We visit the valley of Kakheti called the cradle of wine and where the oldest finds of viniculture were found dating back 8000 years! The region produces the majority of Georgian wine and is home to more than 300 endemic species of vine.

KINDZMARAULI WINERY

Wine producers still follow here an ancient technology of aging wine by keeping it in large clay pots dug into the ground called Kvevri. This way of winemaking is listed as an intangible world heritage by UNESCO.

We then proceed to Signagi, a beautifully renovated 17th century town. A stroll around its streets and defensive walls. We then drive to the town of Kvareli, where we’ll visit one of the oldest producers of wine, Kindzmarauli Marani and taste 5 types of wine. At another wine producer, Khareba, we’ll visit a 7-kilometer tunnel where thousands of bottles and barrels are kept.

GEORGIAN FEAST

In the evening a traditional Georgian feast: the Supra, with poetic toasts, live music, copious amounts of food, wine and other drinks awaits us

Day 4, June 4th Tuesday

DAVID GAREJA CAVE & MONASTERY (3 HOUR TREK)

Travel to David Gareja cave complex (6th Century) located in the semi-desert area at the border with Azerbaijan. A rock-hewn David Gareja monastery complex, see amazing frescoes, caves and the convergence of architecture into the semi-desert environment. The monastery exerted significant influence in Georgia, being a centre of fresco painting and manuscript rewriting. Around 3-hour trek around the hill where different parts of the monastery complex are located.

Drive to Tbilisi, supper and overnight in the hotel.

Day 5 June 5th Wednesday

MTSKHETA

SVETITSKHOVELI CATHEDRAL

JVARI MONASTERY

ANANURI CASTLE

GEORGIAN PAMUKKALE

We visit the city of Mtskheta (former capital of the Georgian Kingdom during antiquity and early middle ages. We visit the magnificent Svetitskhoveli cathedral church, a spiritual heart of Georgia, containing a royal necropolis and numerous important Christian relics. It contains the relics of the apostle Andrew, royal tombs and according to folklore Chirst’s robe which is buried underground. After sightseeing in the town, short drive to the 6th-century Jvari monastery built at the top of a nearby hill. Here we can see the old capital from above, lying in the fork of the Kura and Aragvi rivers.

Then a trip through the Georgian Military Road, a mountainous route passing over the top of the Great Caucasus Range. Stopovers on the road include: the 17th century Ananuri castle standing on the shore of the blue Zhinvali reservoir; at the viewing platform just below the Jvari Pass (the Cross Pass, 2395 m a. s. l.) with an astonishing panorama of the High Caucasus. Short walk on the travertine formation, "Georgian Pamukkale". In the afternoon we will reach the town of Stepantsminda, lying at the foot of the glacial mount Kazbek (5047).

An evening meal and overnight in a hotel in the Great Caucasus.

Day 6, June 6th Thursday

TSMINDASAMEBA MONASTERY

TREK AT FOOT OF MT. KAZBEK (5 HOUR TREK)

Excursion to the Tsminda Sameba (Holy Trinity) monastery (2200). The spectacular view from the monastery which is one the most renowned in the whole of Georgia – a crown of rocky peaks of the Dariali Gorge, snowy Kazbek green gentle alpine meadows below. Around 5-hour trekking through the alpine meadows to the height of approximately (2900)

Travel back to Tbilisi, supper and overnight in the hotel.

Day 7, June 7th Friday

GORI

IMERETI

PROMETHEUS CAVE

Visit the city of Gori (Stalin’s birthplace) and the museum dedicated to the life of the great dictator.

The we visit region of Imereti. sightseeing in the Prometheus cave: a kilometre-long walk inside the cave among impressive chambers, one of each exceeds height of 20 meters. Supper and overnight in hotel.

Day 8 June 8th Saturday

BATUMI

BOTANICAL GARDEN

DOLPHINARIUM

Travel to Batumi, a coastal resort on the shore of the Black Sea. Visit the 100-year-old botanical garden situated picturesquely at the subtropical Green Cape. It’s impressive collection contains thousands of species of plants, i.e. bamboos, palms, great sequoias or thorny succulents. Walk around the city centre with its newly built skyscrapers and coastal promenade. Dolphins' acrobatics show at the local dolphinarium. Supper in a local restaurant. Transfer to Kutaisi, overnight in a hotel.

Day 9, June 9th Sunday

ROCKY CANYON OF KURA RIVER

RABAT CASTLE

CAVE CITY OF VARDZIA

We drive to the south of Georgia, to the rocky canyon of the Kura river. We’ll visit the Georgian-Turkish castle of Rabat with recently renovated gardens, walls, and golden-domed mosque, then to the medieval cave city of Vardzia (500 chambers carved into the vertical wall of the canyon).

An afternoon trip then to prehistoric fortress of Saro (2nd Century millennium BC). A fortress as old as legendary Troy or Mycenae, and the time when Georgian tribes were forming their first states. Built directly at the top of the Kura canyon, it allows visitors to admire the spectacular 500-meter deep gorge. We then travel to the city of Akhaltsikhe, supper and overnight in a hotel.

Day 10, June 10th Monday

MEDEA & THE GOLDEN FLEECE

PARK OF THE ROMANOVS

HEALING SPRINGS

We visit the resort of Borjomi famous for its sulphur springs. It developed during 19th century as a residence of the House of the Romanovs. We then visit the statue of Medea holding the Golden Fleece. This part of Georgia in ancient times was known as Kolkhis – the land of the golden fleece.

A short walk in the spa park, a chance to try healing waters directly from its springs. Transfer to Tbilisi. Meal in the restaurant.

Transfer to the airport. Departure to London at 19:30

Cost: £795 (For payment before end of January 2019)

£895 (For payment before April 28th 2019)

£995 (For payment after April 28th 2019)

Once the deposit of £100 + PayPal fees has been paid, you can transfer the remainder at your convenience but no later than a month before the trip.

If it`s more convenient for you, we also accept bank transfers. Our bank details are:

Kat`s Adventures Limited

account number: 41764527

sort code: 40-09-25

Recommended flights:

Saturday June 1st, Georgian Airways , London Gatwick – Tbilisi 22.50 – 06.40+1

Monday June 10th, Georgian Airways, Tbilisi – London Gatwick 19.00 – 21.20

Includes:

• 9 nights stay in hotels twin share room

Single room supplement: £175

• Transport (air-conditioned minibus or bus) across Georgia
• 9 breakfasts and 9 dinners
• With each dinner at least 0.5 litres of table wine per person
• Entry tickets for all visited sites including at least two wine tastings, a dolphinarium show, cave ropeway and 4x4 drive and other attractions
• English-speaking tour guide

Excludes:

• Airfare
• Any other meals except those stated above
• Insurance
• Any other items not listed above

Cancellations:

Please note that unless the trip is cancelled the payments are non-refundable as the costs need to be paid in advance. However, you may be able to sell your place to your friends or other group members.