Svaneti Insomnia

It is impossible to imagine Georgia without mountains. Snow-white peaks, clean air and ancient Svan towers. They say who has not been to Svaneti –– has not seen Georgia.

DAY 1: TBILISI – ZUGDIDI – MESTIA

Early morning at 07:00, pick up from the hotel in Tbilisi and departure to Svaneti. Way to Svaneti is long, so we will make a few stops on our way. Arrive in Zugdidi – administrative center of Samegrelo region. Visit Dadiani Palace History and Architectural Museum – the former residence of Megrelian Kings and Queens. In 1839, David Dadiani founded his family's museum. The museum is one of the oldest in the Caucasus region, and currently houses more than 41,000 items, ranging from the second millennium BC to the end of the 19th century AD. Some of the most interesting items include Napoleon’s death mask dated 1833, a Napoleonic library of several hundred volumes, private letters, and Napoleonic silver and chinaware.

Have lunch in Zugdidi. Tasting Megrelian incredible dishes in a most famous restaurant.

After Samegrelo, we start driving up to the Caucasus Mountains. On our way, we will stop near Enguri Dam. The Enguri Dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Enguri River in Georgia. Currently it is the world's second highest concrete arch dam with a height of 271.5 metres. It is located north of the town Jvari. It is part of the Enguri hydroelectric power station, which is partially located in Abkhazia. In the evening, arrive to Mestia.

Dinner and overnight in Mestia.

DAY 2: MESTIA – USHGULI – MESTIA

After Breakfast at the hotel, we’ll explore Upper Svaneti and drive with 4x4 vehicles to Ushguli village – the highest continually inhabited places in Europe. Ushguli is a community of four villages located at the head of the Enguri gorge in Svaneti, Georgia. Recognized as the Upper Svaneti UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ushguli is one of the highest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe. Compared to somewhat more developed towns like Mestia, Ushguli isn't in an accessible location, which has preserved many of the villages' characteristics.

Have picnic lunch en-route.

Stop by Lamaria church in the outskirts of Ushguli on a lonely hill. Local residents believe that it was under this church that Queen Tamara, who was a central figure in Svans history, was buried. Take a walk towards Shkhara glacier – the highest peak in Georgia (5068 m).

In the evening, return back to Mestia. Dinner and overnight in Mestia.

DAY 3: MESTIA AND ITS SURROUNDINGS

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography, which houses old Georgian manuscripts, ethnographic and archaeological items, Georgian Orthodox icons painted in Svanetian style, etc.

Walk up to the tower and house museum of Margiani (12th c.) to see how the locals were living. Have lunch in one of the local restaurants.

After lunch visit villages: Latali and Lemjeri located near Mestia town containing churches decorated with medieval frescos and murals. Locals say Latali has more churches than private houses. Either way, Latali’s architecture proves its historical importance.

Lenjeri is located between Mestia and Latali. It is very picturesque, but tourists don’t often visit, and life is just as it has been for hundreds of years before.

Dinner and overnight in Mestia.

DAY 4: MESTIA – ZUGDIDI – TBILISI

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive back to Tbilisi. Have lunch in Kutaisi and tasting Imeretian cuisine.

Evening arrival in Tbilisi.

 

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Three cities in three days

If you are at home and don’t know what to do on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, where to go, how to relax, then get ready for Sakartvelo, during three days you will learn how Tbilisi was born, how they make the most delicious wine in Kakheti and how it watches the Aragvi merge with Kura, Jvari Monastery - towering over Mtskheta.

Day 1. Tbilisi

Arrival in Tbilisi. Meeting with company representatives. Transfer to the hotel. This day you will have a sightseeing tour of Tbilisi. You will visit the sulfur baths area, take a walk along the narrow and ancient streets of this area, which have still retained their color, where on one piece of land there are a Christian church, a Muslim mosque and a Jewish synagogue. Climb the cable car to Narikala Fortress, which offers the closest view of the city.

Dinner. After lunch, take a walk on Peace Bridge, which is one of the thirteen most unusual bridges in the world, and which is the link between the old and new parts of the city. You will also visit Anchiskhati Church, one of the oldest churches in the country. You will learn stories, myths and legends about the creation of the city of Tbilisi. After a city tour, return to the hotel and relax.

Day 2. Tbilisi-Kakheti-Tbilisi (270 km in both directions)

After breakfast at the hotel, we leave for the eastern region of Sakartvelo-Kakheti, which is the center of winemaking. Guests will visit Bodbe Convent, where the relics of Georgia’s enlightener St. Nino are buried, the pacified atmosphere of this place does not leave guests indifferent.

A trip to the city of love-Sighnaghi, a small romantic town with stunning views of the Alazani Valley. The city was founded in the 18th century. This is the only city in Georgia that has completely preserved the walls. Here you will have lunch and a tasting of Kakheti wines.

Transfer to Tbilisi. Free time.

Day 3. Tbilisi-Mtskheta-Tbilisi (100 km in both directions)

After breakfast at the hotel we will go to the ancient capital Sakartvelo-Mtskheta. The city, which is considered the cradle of Georgian Christianity, where Svetitskhoveli is still the same majestic, powerful and calm stands the tenth century. We will also visit the Jvari monastery - towering above Mtskheta, whitch has been watching the merger of Aragvi with Kura for fourteen centuries. Dinner.

Transfer to Tbilisi Airport.

The tour price includes:

2 nights in a boutique hotel;
3 excursion days;
Comfortable transport throughout the tour;
English-speaking qualified guide for 3 days;
Roundtrip transfer;
One bottle of water per person each day;
HB meal (breakfast, lunch);
Wine tasting;

The tour price does not include:

Air tickets;
Insurance;

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Beyond the mountains - Vineyards!

“I am not a tree born to always stand in one place and not know what is behind the nearest mountain” - Jack London

1 DAY. ARRIVAL IN TBILISI - KAKHETI

Meeting at the airport and departure to sunny Kakheti, to the kingdom of endless vineyards and picturesque Tusheti mountains.

We begin our journey with a visit to the city of Sighnaghi. We will walk through the streets of the city, admire the beautiful examples of carving and enjoy the views of the mountains of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range and the Alazani Valley. Then visit the Bodbe monastery complex, where the tomb of St. Nino is located, which introduced Christianity to Georgia.

Visiting an ancient peasant wine cellar and tasting red and white Kakheti wine from kvevri buried in the ground.

Transfer to the administrative center of the Kakheti region - Telavi. Hotel accommodation. At the end of the day, hospitable hosts will offer us dinner according to the old Kakheti tradition.

At the end of dinner, check in at the hotel.

2 DAY. KAKHETI

09:00 Breakfast at the hotel
Further our path lies in Tsinandali - Manor Museum in Tsinandali - the brainchild of the godson of Empress Catherine II Prince Alexander Chavchavadze, an outstanding romantic poet and public figure. Inspection of the house museum and a walk in the lovely garden.

Then continue the journey to the city of Telavi. In Telavi we will visit the fortress which is still preserved in the center of Telavi. "Batonis-tsikhe" is translated as "Fortress of the Lord." In the XVII - XVIII centuries, this fortress was the residence of the Kakhetian kings.

Next, we will go to the village of Napareuli winery, where we will taste the best Georgian wines and chacha and plunge into the life of the Kakheti peasant family, where we will knead the dough with our own hands and bake delicious Georgian bread (shoti) in a traditional oven (tone). Next, we will have a master class on the preparation of one of the Georgian sweets of Churchkhela.

At the end of the day Kakheti-style barbecue on walnut-skewers, wine and chacha from the home cellar and a hearty feast with toasts full of philosophical meaning to the accompaniment of melodic songs.

At the end of dinner, check-in at the hotel.

3 DAY. KAKHETI - TBILISI

09:00 Breakfast at the hotel

Check out from the hotel.

Visiting the historic Gremi complex - museum and fortress. Gremi Castle, one of the symbols of the rich Georgian history, was built in the 16th century. Dive into the atmosphere of stone fortress with Gremi tours where you will walk up the stairs to the tower with a breathtaking panorama, see the medieval royal lavatory, even attempt to find a secret passage leading to the river.

Transfer to Tbilisi.

We begin our tour of the Old City with the Metekhi Church (13th c.), From where we can tell the history of Tbilisi begins, and offers a beautiful view of the old city. On our route you will also visit: the oldest urban area of Abanotubani (sulfur baths district), the Tbilisi Cathedral Synagogue, the Tbilisi Cathedral Mosque (XIX century), the Narikala city fortress (IV-VIII century), the Bethlehem street-staircase, the oldest Tbilisi church Anchiskhati (5th c.), Peace Bridge, Zion Cathedral (VIII-XI c.).


18:00 check-in at a hotel in Tbilisi. Free time

20:00 dinner in a traditional Georgian cuisine restaurant, where you will find an abundance of dishes, Georgian wines and enchanting performance of the Georgian dance group.

4 DAY. 

Breakfast in the hotel.

Transfer to the airport.

The tour price includes:

3 nights in the best boutique hotels;
HB meal (4 breakfasts and 3 dinners);
3 excursion days;
Comfortable transport throughout the tour;
English-speaking qualified guide for 3 days;
Roundtrip transfer;
One bottle of water per person each day;
Entrance ticket to the house - Alexander Chavchavadze Museum;
Tasting Georgian wines;
Master classes in the preparation of Georgian dishes;

The tour price does not include:

Air flight;
Insurance;

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