Archeological tour in Georgia
DAY 1 Arrival to Tbilisi. Transfer
Arrival to Tbilisi, (optional: Transfer from Kutaisi airport to Tbilisi for extra fee). Driver will meet you at the airport with sign: “Capital Georgia Travel”. Transfer to the hotel of your choice and accommodation.
DAY 2 City tour to Tbilisi
Breakfast in the hotel. Start your personal discovery of Georgia with a city tour of its capital city, Tbilisi. First stop will be at glorious Sameba – the main cathedral and the tallest religious building of the country. Next up is Metekhi Church located in the neighborhood of the same name and gracefully situated on a cliff above Mtkvari river. Your guide will then take you to the new Rike Park to admire the view and perhaps take a few photos in front of The Bridge of Peace, a stunning modern structure designed by Italian architects and one of the new symbols of the city.
One of the highlights of the day is a visit to Narikala – the capital’s ancient fortress, where the stunning views over the city will open out before you. You’ll be whisked to the top in a cable car and after your visit will wander down by foot through the narrow and historic streets of the Old Town, among them the newly renovated Shardeni kucha – the street which never sleeps, and one of Tbilisi’s nighttime hot spots.
Walking to Legvtakhevi gorge, where you’ll see the waterfall. Then under the tunnel Meidanbazar you will have opportunity to buy Georgian sauces and spices.
Transfer to the hotel. Free evening.
DAY 3 Tour to Mtskheta and Dzalisa
Breakfast in the hotel. Today you’ll departure to city Mtskheta – the old, legendary capital of Georgia, just 20km from the city center. The historic capital of Eastern Georgia (Kartli) and set at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi Rivers, Mtskheta has remained at the spiritual heart of Georgia since Christianity was established. You’ll visit Jvari Monastery (Monastery of the Cross), previously a pagan temple and latterly turned into Christian church. Perched on a windblown, rocky promontory, take some time to enjoy the exceptional scenery and take some photos of this amazing UNESCO world heritage listed structure. The Svetitskhoveli cathedral remains at the center of the Orthodox church. Here in Mtskheta you’ll go up to ancient Mtskheta’s suburbs Armaztsikhe Bagineti. Its name is linked to the pagan idol Armazi which was proclaimed the supreme deity by King Parnavaz. Archeological findings on the territory of Armaztsikhe include segments of wall, towers, structures of the royal residence, and the ruins of the burial vault. Locals refer to Armaztsikhe as Bagineti. After drive to Dzalisa. The site has been identified as the City of Dzalisa mentioned in the “Geographic Manual” by the Greek geographer Claudius Ptolemy in the second century CE. The ancient settlement was spread over 70 hectares; a 6-hectare artificial hill on the right bank of the river Narekvavi is considered to be a citadel (Museum is closed on Mondays). Then drive back to Tbilisi. Free evening.
DAY 4 Excursion to Dmanisi and Bolnisi
After breakfast, departure to Dmanisi for half day excursion, which is a town and archaeological site in the Kvemo Kartli region of Georgia, approximately 93 km southwest of the nation’s capital Tbilisi, on the river valley of Mashavera. The hominin site is dated to 1.8 million years ago. First Europeans are coming exactly from Dmanisi. Visiting local museum and cathedral (Museum is closed on Mondays).
Drive back to Tbilisi, on the way you’ll stop to the church Sioni in Bolnisi village. It is one of the oldest Christian churches in Georgia. Arrival to Tbilisi. Free evening.
DAY 5 Tour to Uplistskhe and Borjomi, transfer to Akhaltsikhe
Breakfast in the hotel. Check out. You’ll drive to the resort town of Borjomi. Borjomi is an incredibly beautiful place, located in a lush valley of the Mtkvari River and famous for its spring water and Romanov Summer palace, Likani. On the way you’ll stop to visit Uplistsikhe – an impressive cave-city in Eastern Georgia, which was a significant cultural center before the Christian era. The name Uplistsikhe literally means “The God’s Castle” and the cave complex sits 10 km east of Gori in modern day Georgia. One of the most ancient settlements in the Kingdom of Kartli (Iberia) the town became a major political and religious center for the Kingdom, and its foundations were later ascribed to the mythical Uplos.
Free time to visit Borjomi park, where you may drink famous Borjomi water.
Arrival to Akhaltsikhe. Accommodation. Free evening.
DAY 6 Excursion to Rabati castle and Vardzia, transfer to Kutaisi
After breakfast, check out. Here in Akhaltsikhe you’ll visit Rabati castle. Built in the 13th century, Rabati castle developed under the influence of different cultures over subsequent centuries and this is reflected in its architecture. Within the 7 hectares castle complex there is a Church, a Mosque, a Minaret and a Synagogue. After departure to cave city Vardzia. The main period of construction was the second half of the twelfth century. The caves stretch along the cliff for some five hundred meters and in up to nineteen tiers. After excursion drive to Kutaisi, accommodation.
DAY 7 Tour to Kutaisi sights, transfer to Batumi
After breakfast, check out. Visit cave Prometheus, one of Georgia’s natural wonders. The cave was discovered in 1984 and includes stalactites and stalagmites as well as many rivers. Lit with lovely illuminations visitors can enjoy petrified waterfalls and beautiful rock formations in the 6 cave complex. You will walk along a well laid path for about 1000m to the sound of quiet classical music which adds to the magical atmosphere in this beautiful place.
Visit Cathedral Bagrati, is an 11th-century cathedral masterpiece of the medieval Georgian architecture. Then excursion to monasteries Motsameta and Gelati.
Proceed to Batumi, which is the capital of seaside province of Ajara. For several centuries it was conquered by the Ottoman Empire, hence the significant amount of population was converted to Islam. Nowadays it preserves a status of autonomous republic in Georgia.
Hotel accommodation, free evening.
DAY 8 Batumi city tour
After breakfast, you will meet your guide at the hotel lobby and start the city tour of Batumi.
You will start the discovery of the city from the seaside boulevard. Seeing the exteriors of House of Justice, Statue of Love and brand new buildings of the world known hotels. Take a walk on the famous Batumi Piazza – the square which was built as a replica of Italian city square.
Proceed to Sarpi. Enjoying beautiful views near Turkish border. On the way back stop near Gonio fortress – Apsar. Free evening.
DAY 9 Train transfer to Tbilisi
Lunch boxes, early check out. Transfer to railway station to take train Batumi-Tbilisi. (Optional transfer to Kutaisi airport without extra fee).
13:00 Arrival to Tbilisi, transfer to the hotel. Free day.
DAY 10 Departure
Breakfast in a hotel. Check-out. Transfer to the airport of Tbilisi.
Completion of service.
PRICE OF TOUR PER PERSON IN USD
Accommodation |
3* hotel |
4* hotel |
2 pax |
795 |
900 |
4 pax |
630 |
820 |
6 pax |
530 |
640 |
– Payment can be also made in Euro according to currency exchange rate as of the date of booking.
– Program can be updated as per individual request and budget.
– The tour can be recalculated with a guide/driver as one person and the price of the program will be lower. (Note: Guide/driver isn’t professional certified guide)
► Accommodation in the hotel of
chosen category:
In Tbilisi 5 nights with breakfast,
In Akhaltsikhe1 night with breakfast,
In Batumi 2 nights with breakfast,
In Kutaisi 1 night with breakfast.
► Tours according to the itinerary,
► English-speaking guide 7 days,
► Transportation,
► Museum fees,
► Cable car ride during the City Tour,
► Railway ticket Batumi-Tbilisi 2 class,
► 24/7 Customer Support Line.
► Airfare, Insurance, personal expenses,
Tips for the guide and driver
If you would like to have a tour on the half/full board basis, we gladly will arrange the lunches and dinners in the best local restaurants which were hand-picked by our travel experts.
YOUR DEDICATED TRAVEL EXPERT:
Lana Ramishvili
E-mail: geo@capitaltravel.ge
Mob., Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram: + (995 571) 11 18 18
Skype: capitaltravel1