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Dates for Guaranteed Departures:
April-October, 2012
Start date 6st of each month
End date 16th of each month |
| Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct |
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Day 1 |
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Arrival in Tbilisi. Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Tbilisi. |
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Day 2 |
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Tbilisi/Gori/ Uplistsikhe/ Kutaisi (300 KM)
After breakfast drive to Gori. The city was founded by one of the greatest kings of Georgia, David the Builder (1089–1125). On the way visit Samtavisi, an 11th century Georgian Orthodox cathedral. The first monastery on this place was founded by the Assyrian missionary Isidore in 572 and later rebuilt in the 10th century. Visit The Joseph Stalin Museum in Gori (entrance fee: USD 6). Afterwards visit Uplistsikhe (entrance fee: USD 1, 70), "the lord's fortress", which is an ancient rock-hewn town in eastern Georgia. Built on a high rocky left bank of Mtkvari River, it contains various structures dating from the 2nd ML BC to the Late Middle Ages, and is notable for the unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures. Drive to Kutaisi. Visit Gelati monastery and walk in Kutaisi city.
Overnight in Kutaisi. |
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Day 3 |
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Kutaisi/Sataplia/Zugdidi/Mestia (250 KM)
After breakfast drive to visit Sataplia caves (entrance fee: USD 4). Sataplia State Reserve is a most multifarious and very rare monument. It is of complex character and contains geologic, paleontological, speleological and botanical monuments. The Sataplia Mountain is famous by its rarest and the most beautiful caves. This cave was firstly noticed by Kutaisi museum employee, pedagogues P. Chabukiani who was able to make organization of this valuable monument protection by the local government, and in 1933, there was found a dinosaur trace. Sataplia State Nature Reserve was created in 1935 to protect geological, paleontological, speleological and botanical monuments. The reserve is located in Tskaltubo region in 260 km. from Tbilisi, and in 9 km. from the resort Tskaltubo. Sataplia Nature Reserve represents the south-west edge of Racha gorge, total area of the Nature Reserve is 354 ha., 209 ha from here is covered by forest. Relief: Sataplia Nature reserve is mountainous, it's great area is covered by most beautiful and multifarious wood strain Colchian type mixed forests. Mountainous Sataplia is located at 500 m. above sea level. Here we meet 5 carts caves which are famous for their beauty, size and from the scientists' points of view were taken great consideration. One of these karst cavern length is 600 m., the beauty of this cavern is a cupola-shaped hall, located in 100 m. from the entrance, where the size and beauty of stalactites and stalagmites in the centre astonishes visitors. At the end of the cavern flows the spring which flows into the well, after that the water goes on in narrow impassable clefts and finds its way out in the south slope of the Sataplia Mountain as Oghaskura. There is an extinct volcano crater in the Nature Reserve. The highest top is at 520 m. above sea level. Drive to Zugdidi. Visit Dadiani Palace there (entrance fee: USD 1, 70) . The representatives of Dadiani Dynasty were acquainted with world history, culture latest technical achievements. They were tightly involved in the social events. The Palace keeps 41 000 museum objects. Most of them are unique and invaluable examples of Georgian and foreign art. En route we visit Enguri Dam with the height of 271 meters (the highest dam of this type in the world). The Dam makes a water-storage reservoir in the picturesque gorges of Samegrelo and Svaneti mountains. It's time to get ready for the most exciting part of the trip - a journey to Svaneti, the region of the highest mountains and glaciers and the most abiding ancient traditions
Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse in Mestia. |
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Day 4 |
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Mestia/Ushguli/Mestia (90 KM)
After breakfast drive to Ushguli by Jeeps. Visit Laghami Saint George's church (7th-12th c.c.) and Svan dwelling complex. Visits to: The church of St. George in Nakipari (1130 AD) and Ethnographic Museums in Ushguli. Ushguli is considered to be the highest populated place in Europe (2200 m above sea level). (NOTE: please note that in Svaneti region you may need approximately USD 6 for each sight, this is stated not by government, but by the local people who are taking care of each sightseeing place).
Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse in Mestia. |
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Day 5 |
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Mestia/Batumi (280 KM)
After breakfast visit Latali and Lenjeri single-nave basilicas of the 8th-9th-14th c.c., built by stones without ornamentation, with the interior richly decorated with murals. Afterwards drive to Batumi the most beautiful city of Georgia. Have a free time in Batumi to take a walk across the beach in a famous Batumi boulevard.
Overnight in Batumi.
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Day 6 |
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Batumi/Mtskheta/Tbilisi (400 Km)
After breakfast Batumi sightseeing. Visit Gonio Fortress (entrance fee: USD 1, 70), Petra castle and Batumi botanical garden (entrance fee: USD 4, 50). Drive to Mtskheta (UNESCO Heritage Site), an ancient capital of the Georgian Kingdom from the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD. Jvari Monastery (6th c.); Svetitskhoveli Cathedral built in the 11th century. Drive back to Tbilisi.
Overnight in Tbilisi.
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Day 7 |
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Tbilisi tour (100km)
We will visit the Old Tbilisi Sulfur Baths, Georgian Orthodox and Armenian Gregorian churches, and a Jewish synagogue and a Turkish mosque side by side, reflecting Tbilisi's acceptance and tolerance of different religions. We can also see a recent monument, the Tbilisi Sameba Cathedral, the largest cathedral in the Caucasus. Tour includes following sights: Metekhi Church is erected on the cliff, overlooking the Mtkvari River. There is a statue of King Vakhtang Gorgaslani, founder of Tbilisi, in front of the church. The church dates back to the 12th century and has a diverse history, connected with Mongol invasions and political repressions of the Soviet Empire. The colorful Darejani Palace is also situated on the cliff, like the nest of a swallow. The Sulfur Baths are located in Old Tbilisi, on the other side of the river, opposite Darejani Palace. Tbilisi was named after the natural Sulfur springs. Have lunch in Georgian restaurant. The Orthodox Narikala St. Nikolas Church is in the same district. The church is furnished with frescoed portraits of martyrs and scenes from the Bible. It is wrapped in a defensive Narikala fortress, established in the fourth century. We can walk up the stairs of the fortress and overlook Tbilisi. Walk down the path from the hill and on cobbled Leselidze Street, we come across the 13th century Armenian St. George Church and a Jewish synagogue with an elegant facade. On the opposite side of the street is Sioni Church, leading to the bank of the Mtkvari. Here you discover Shardeni Street with its fashionable cozy cafes and art galleries. Walking we will come across the Anchiskhati church, the oldest church in Tbilisi keeping the miraculous icon of Jesus Christ. Finally the tour takes you to Rustaveli Avenue, where attractions such as the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Parliament, Rustaveli Theatre, different art galleries and cafes will draw your attention and provide a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Drive to Open Air Ethnographic Museum, place, where are built all kinds of Georgian national old country-houses and castles (entrance fee: USD 1, 70).
Overnight in Tbilisi. |
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Day 8 |
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Free day in Tbilisi without guide and transportation service.
Overnight in Tbilisi. |
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Day 9 |
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Tbilisi/Telavi
Today we make Wine tasting Tour in Kakheti region. We drive to Telavi. Visit residence of the King Erekle the II (entrance fee: EURO 2; working hours 10:00 – 18:00, every day accept Monday). Afterwards visit Tsinandali Wine cellar and Al. Chavchavadze house museum (entrance fee: from EURO 3 to EURO 10, with 6 sorts of wine tasting; working hours 10:00 – 19:00, every day). The next spot is Gremi Monastery the 16th century architectural monument – the royal citadel and the Church of the Archangels – in Kakheti. Afterwards we drive to Nekresi Monastery complex, located in an amazing nature and finally drive to local Restaurant in Telavi to taste most delicious local dishes and wines.
Overnight in Telavi. |
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Day 10 |
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Telavi/Gurjaani/Sighnaghi/David Gareji/Tbilisi
After breakfast drive to Gurjaani wine cellar and also visit Gurjaani All Saints Church, which is the only two domed church in Georgia. Drive to Sighnaghi Love town, visiting on the way Bodbe monastery of Saint Nino. After lunch in Sighnaghi the part of the group should be delivered to Azerbaijan border near Lagodekhi, guide and driver will accompany this part of the group, the rest of the group will be offered different activities with the local guide and driver: 1) free time in Sighnaghi; 2) trip to David Gareji desert Monastery; 3) traditional dinner with the local peasant's family. David Gareji is one of the most important landmarks of Georgia. This site is characterized by a unique combination of historic architecture, prehistoric archaeological sites, rich paleontological fields and important bio-geographical features widely spread within the arid and semiarid landscape of the river Iori plateau. The dozens of cave monasteries decorated with unique frescoes are the best examples of harmonious interaction of man-made structures with the dramatic landscape. They bear the traditional principles of sustainable living and are considered as the masterpieces of Georgian Medieval art. In the evening driver and guide will pick you up in Sighnaghi and deliver back to Tbilisi.
Overnight in Tbilisi. |
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| Day 11 |
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Transfer to the airport.
Departure |
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From 5 pax:
Rates in Euro in 3* hotel (city center) per person in DBL/Twin room occupancy for: 860 Euro
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| Number of Persons |
Price per person |
| 1 Person |
€ 2,575 |
| 2 Persons |
€ 1,476 |
| 3 Persons |
€ 1,142 |
| 4 Persons |
€ 972 |
| From 5 Persons |
€ 860 |
| Sup SNGL |
€ 195 |
| Sup HB |
€ 130 |
| Sup FB |
€ 260 |
| Sup 4*/pp in DBL/TWIN |
€ 210 |
| Sup 4*/SNGL |
€ 300 |
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5 overnights in Tbilisi |
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1 overnight in Kutaisi |
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2 overnights in Mestia
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1 overnight in Batumi |
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1 overnight in Telavi |
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Transfers airport / hotel / airport |
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Transportation as per program |
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English speaking Cultural tour guide |
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Catering BB: (breakfast at the hotel) |
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1 bottle of mineral water per day/per person |
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