Discover Georgia

Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrival - Kutaisi - Gelati - Motsameta - Kutaisi city center - Bagrati - Kutaisi (60 km.)
Start exploring Kutaisi – Land of legendary Golden Fleece. Elegant, tree lined streets with 19th century houses, along with several attractive parks, make Kutaisi a very beautiful place to stroll around and take in the many sights. Visit Kutaisi city centre and the local market. Afterwards proceed to Gelati Monastery Complex and Academy (12th century) once a major centre of enlightenment in Georgia, founded by King David the Builder in 1106 that represents the flourishing mediaeval architecture in Georgia. The complex is UNESCO World Heritage site. Afterwards drive to Motsameta Monastery which has a spectacular setting on a cliff-top promontory above a bend of the Tskhaltsitela River. Extremely isolated and seldom visited by tourists, this place will give you an unadulterated taste of the monastic life. Visit Bagrati cathedral (11th cen.). The Cathedral holds special importance in the history of Georgia as an architectural and cultural monument. Hotel accommodation, dinner and overnight in Kutaisi. (-/-/D)

Day 2. Kutaisi - Mtskheta - Tbilisi (240 km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Mtskheta – an ancient capital of Georgia, important religious centre and city-museum which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Along the way, we will stop to visit Jvari Monastery (6th century). This well-known monastery is located on the top of the mountain, at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers. Then head to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) which is known as a place where Christ’s robe was buried. Walk along the narrow streets of Mtskheta with souvenir shopping possibility. Proceed to Saguramo village and discover the oldest item of the Georgian wine cellar. Taste some delicious Georgian wine. Hotel accommodation and overnight in Tbilisi. (B/-/-)

Day 3. Tbilisi city tour
After breakfast start a few unforgettable hours of familiarization with the capital. A charming town built in the 5th century along the twisting valley of Mtkvari River. All the places of interest are very close to each other, within a few minutes’ walk. Start our excursion from Metekhi (13th century) plateau before reaching Narikala Fortress (4th century) which dominates the skyline of the Old Town. Continue to explore brick-domed underground sulphur baths (17th century) – the district of naturally hot mineral waters, cafe street Shardeni, Synagogue, Sioni Cathedral and the most ancient Basilica in Tbilisi Anchiskhati (6th century). Free time. Hotel accommodation and overnight in Tbilisi. (B/-/-)

Day 4. Tbilisi - Uplistsikhe - Gori - Kutaisi (260 km.)
After breakfast at the hotel. Then proceed along the famous Silk Road towards Gori – the birthplace of the Soviet leader Stalin. Photo stop at the museum of Stalin and proceed to the cave town Uplistsikhe (1st millennium BC) – one of the first cities in Georgia carved into the rock. The caves were the site of pagan rituals, before Georgia became a Christian country. Head to Kutaisi. Hotel accommodation, dinner and overnight in Kutaisi. (B/-/D)

Day 5. Departure
Transfer to Kutaisi International airport and departure. (-/-/-)