Round Trip through Legendary Places

DAY 0: Arrival.
Arrive at Kutaisi International Airport. Meet your guide and drive to Kutaisi. Check-in to the hotel upon arrival.

Day 1: Kutaisi – Borjomi – Akhaltsikhe
After breakfast start sightseeing in Kutaisi. Visit Bagrati Cathedral (11th century), one of the best samples of late medieval architecture, towering over Kutaisi and visible from almost any point of the city. Next stop is the Gelati Academy (12th century), built by King David the Builder. Gelati was the center of spiritual and scientific life during the Middle Ages, the tomb of Georgian kings and a cult place for pilgrims. It is under UNESCO protection as an object of cultural and historical legacy. Later in the evening arrive in Akhaltsikhe for overnight.

Day 2: Akhaltsikhe – Vardzia – Rabati – Tbilisi
In the morning drive to Vardzia erected in the 12-13th centuries during the rule of George III and his daughter Queen Tamara to protect southern boundaries of Georgia. Vardzia is not just a set of random rooms cut in rocks. It is a multi-storied complex with streets, tunnels and stairs leading to monasteries, temples, fortresses, baths, libraries, dwelling houses and so forth. Return to Akhaltsikhe to explore the Rabati fortress. The old stone Rabati fortress, the main sight of the Akhaltsikhe town, is standing on the small hill on the very shores of the Potskhovi River. Its name means “fortified place” from Arabic. Drive back to Tbilisi for overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Tbilisi city tour and half day free
After breakfast start exploring the capital of Georgia. Start at Holy Trinity Cathedral, one of the largest orthodox cathedrals in the world. Continue to Metekhi Church and monument to Vakhtang Gorgasali, the legendary founder of Tbilisi. Take cable car to Narikala Fortress to enjoy stunning panoramic view of the city. Walk down to the district of Sulphur bath houses passing by the only mosque in Tbilisi. Stroll through the Sharden area full of narrow streets with cozy cafés, wine tasting bars, souvenir shops, and breathe in the living past. Visit Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica, and the clock tower of famous Rezo Gabriadze Theatre. Transfer to the hotel or guests can stay in a city and enjoy free time.

Day 4: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Ananuri – Kazbegi- Tbilisi
After breakfast, drive to Mtskheta, one of the oldest towns and the cultural and religious center of Georgia. You will enjoy the views of the confluence of Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. Visit Svetitskhoveli, the main cathedral of Mtskheta and a sacred place where the robe of Christ is being kept. Continue to Ananuri architectural complex, a former residence of Argveti Dukes, beautifully overlooking the Jinvali reservoir. Continue driving on Georgian Military Highway and arrive at Kazbegi, a small town with the views of Mount Kazbek. Drive to Gergeti Holy Trinity Church (2170 m) on 4×4 type vehicle. You will enjoy inspiring views of the Mount Kazbegi. Drive back to Tbilisi.

Day 5: Tbilisi – Gori – Uplistsikhe – Kutaisi
After breakfast we will go to the ancient cave city Uplistsikhe. Even from distance, this quaint rocky city fascinates with its unusual appearance. Once it had huge majestic halls, temples, dwellings connected by winding streets and corridors. Uplistsikhe was a cult city, a major pagan center before the adoption of Christianity by Georgia. Even nowadays, the secrets of this ancient city are not fully revealed. On the way, we will take a look at the Stalin Museum, located in Gori, that was his childhood home, where the great leader was born and grew up. Settlement in the hotel Kutaisi.

Day 6: Kutaisi – departure
Check-out from the hotel and transfer to Kutaisi International Airport.