Magnificent landscapes, encounters with a hospitable people, gastronomy, song, the highest mountains in Europe, an eventful history and a varied culture…
On this immersive tour of Georgian soil, you’ll meet Georgians who’ll invite you to their banquets, teach you about their cuisine and culture, while enjoying a remarkable and varied landscape …
You’ll see the most beautiful places in Georgia and meet the Georgian people, with whom you’ll share unforgettable moments: hospitality, gastronomy, music, song, dance, …
Airport transfer; check-in at 3* hotel
Dinner and overnight in a 3* hotel in Tbilisi 1/2h
Breakfast at the hotel
You’ll visit the Narikhala fortress, created in the 4th century and considerably enlarged since then by the Umayyads, King David the Builder, and then destroyed by the Mongols. It overlooks Tbilisi and the Mtkvari River, offering panoramic views of Tbilisi. Then you’ll visit Old Tbilisi, a veritable gem of architecture and layout, with elaborate wooden balconies and winding cobbled streets. Old Tbilisi is both an oriental and a medieval European city.
Lunch in a restaurant on the hill overlooking Tbilisi. Access is by funicular, and from the top you can enjoy another breathtaking view of the city. Afterwards, you’ll stroll along Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi’s main thoroughfare, and visit the Georgian National Museum. Finally, the afternoon ends with a transfer to the Ethnographic Museum. You’ll then enjoy an excellent, typically Georgian dinner in a traditional Georgian wooden house overlooking the town.
Overnight in Tbilisi in 3* hotel 1h30
Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to the troglodyte town of Vardzia, stop and lunch in the village of Poka
Arrive in Vardzia and visit the troglodyte town.
Vardzia is a unique troglodyte town, carved out of the mountains of southern Georgia in the 12th century. It was built during the reign of Queen Tamar, one of Georgia’s most famous queens, and served as both a fortified city and a monastery.
When you arrive in Vardzia, you’ll immediately marvel at the sight of the troglodyte town carved into the cliff. We’ll start our guided tour by climbing the stairs to the top of the cliff, where we’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding area.
Then we’ll explore the troglodyte town itself, visiting churches, prayer halls and residential quarters carved out of the rock. See the magnificent frescoes in the main church, the troglodyte dwellings of the local population and discover the water cistern, dug into the rock to supply the town with drinking water.
Dinner and overnight in a guest house in Vardzia After visiting Vardzia, we’ll head to the guesthouse for dinner and a taste of the local cuisine.
Breakfast in guest house.
Departure for the fortified town of Akhaltsikhé.
We continue our journey to Rabati Castle, located in the town of Akhaltsikhe.
Rabati Castle is an architectural gem set on a hill overlooking the town. Originally built in the 9th century, it has undergone numerous transformations over the centuries, from medieval to Ottoman architecture. You can admire the beauty of the castle, including the watchtowers, administrative buildings, mosques, churches and public baths.
After visiting Rabati Castle, we’ll spend the night in the castle itself, in comfortable rooms equipped with everything you need for a pleasant stay. Enjoy breathtaking views of the town of Akhaltsikhe from your room.
Lunch in the castle grounds
Dinner and overnight in a 4* hotel in the fortress
Breakfast at the hotel
We set off early in the morning from Akhaltsikhe to reach Borjomi by car. The town is famous for its naturally sparkling mineral water springs and its national park, which offers a great opportunity for hiking and relaxing in nature.
On arrival, we’ll visit the Borjomi mineral spring and learn about the history and benefits of this water known for its healing properties. Afterwards, we’ll take a walk in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, one of Europe’s largest national parks, where you can enjoy the natural beauty of the area and views of the surrounding mountains.
After a morning relaxing in nature, we’ll head to a local guste house to enjoy traditional Georgian cuisine for lunch. After lunch, we continue our tour of the city, discovering historic buildings such as the former summer residence of the Georgian kings.
In the late afternoon, we drive to the town of Gori, where we spend the night in a local guest house. Gori is the birthplace of Joseph Stalin, and we can visit Stalin’s birthplace and the museum dedicated to his history.
Dinner and overnight in a guest house in Gori
Breakfast in guest house
We’ll set off early in the morning from your guest house in Gori for the town of Ouplitsikhe, an ancient troglodyte village on the banks of the Mtkvari River. You can explore the ruins of this 3,000-year-old city, which served as Georgia’s cultural and religious center for several centuries. You can also visit churches, temples and public halls carved out of the rock, as well as troglodyte houses that bear witness to the daily life of the city’s inhabitants at the time.
We then head for the town of Mtskheta, about an hour’s drive from Ouplitsikhe. This city is the ancient capital of Georgia and is considered the spiritual center of the country. We’ll visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, one of Georgia’s most important Orthodox places of worship and home to the tombs of Georgian kings. We can also stroll through the narrow, picturesque streets of the old town and visit other historic monuments such as the Jvari monastery, which offers a breathtaking view of the town and surrounding valley.
We end this beautiful day by heading for the city of Tbilisi to spend the night in a 3* hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to a world-renowned Georgian vineyard. You’ll visit this vineyard and taste a variety of wines from unknown grape varieties. Then lunch in the vineyard park (or in their new restaurant).
Then off to Gori, Stalin’s birthplace, for a visit to his museum.
Then transfer to the historic troglodyte town of Uplitsikhe. Visit the Uplistsikhe (Ouplistsiré) site, one of the oldest human settlements in the Caucasus. Numerous caves have been carved out here. The town has withstood numerous invasions.
Back to Tbilisi.
Free dinner in Tbilisi
Overnight in a 3* hotel in Tbilisi 3h30
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure from Tbilisi. Visit Djvari, a 6th-century Georgian Orthodox monastery overlooking 3 arms of the rivers that meet. Then discover the ancient capital of Mtskheta. The spiritual heart of Georgia, a Unesco World Heritage site.
Lunch in Mtskheta in a restaurant in the middle of the forest along the river – impressive!
Stop at the fortified ecclesiastical complex of Ananouri, with its churches and defensive tower enclosed in a fortress overlooking Lake Jinvali. Great view! Stop off at the Russo-Georgian Friendship Monument, where you can take in the breathtaking scenery. Then transfer to the Caucasus mountains and the town of Stepantsminda.
Dinner and overnight in a charming 4* hotel in Stepantsminda overlooking the valley and mountains.
Overnight in 4* hotel with pscine and Spa. (Hotel rooms) 4h
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure for Gergeti church. This church, with Mount Kazbek (5200m) in the background, is one of Georgia’s most famous viewpoints. You’ll take some great photos and enjoy this memorable vantage point.
Lunch at hotel
Transfer to Alaverdi. Visit the Alaverdi monastery, built in the 6th century and again in the 11th century. Located in the world’s oldest wine-growing region, the monks still make their wine here.
Transfer to Telavi
Dinner and overnight in 3* hotel 4h30
Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to tsinandali.
Visit the house of Prince Alexander Chavchavadze, founder of Georgian Romanticism. He turned the estate in the village of Tsinandali, which he inherited from his father, into the country’s cultural and intellectual center, which it remains to this day. Then on to the fortified church of Grémi, an iconographic symbol of Georgia perched on a citadel at the foot of the Daguestan mountains. After this enriching visit, you’ll head off to a typical Georgian vineyard.
Lunch in the vineyard and Georgian cooking lesson with the Georgians. You’ll learn how to make Georgian bread, churchrela (Georgian dessert), khinkali (Georgian ravioli), …
Transfer to Sighnaghi, visit Bodbé monastery, with views over the Alazani valley. Then visit the town of Sighnaghi, perched on a 750-metre-high hill, with its immense wall, churches and balconied lanes.
Transfer to a Georgian soupra: you’ll take part in a banquet at a local’s house: feasting, singing, homemade Georgian wines, exchanges with Georgians. An evening of joy and emotion!
Transfer to Karchreti to reach the 4* Ambassadori Karchreti resort hotel with pool and Spa
Dinner and overnight at the Karchreti Resort Hotel 3h30
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to visit the monastery of David GAREDJI
This monastery lies on the border with Azerbaijan, on a slope of Mount Gareja. This is an Orthodox troglodyte monastery founded in the 5th century by the monk David Gareji.
Twelve troglodyte dwellings are home to the monks who still live there. As in any self-respecting Georgian Orthodox church, you’ll find religious frescoes and icons. The site is superb, overlooking a valley.
The David Garego monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lunch on the road (roots!) in the countryside: half-restaurant-half-home atmosphere
Return transfer to Tbilisi
Free time and dinner in Tbilisi
Overnight at 3* hotel in Tbilisi
4h
Breakfast at the hotel.
Airport transfer
Tbilisi Airport
1 jour
Excursion sighnaghi et vignoble
Age minimum : 10 ans
Départ de Tbilissi
Niveau facile
9 days 8 nights Majestic landscapes Cave city Fortified city Caucasus Mountains