The Best 9 Days in Georgia

(Cultural Tour in Tbilisi, Telavi and Sighnaghi)

Itinerary
Duration: 9 days   
Season: Spring, Summer, Autumn
Price: 1710 Euro per person

Tbilisi, Capital of Georgia lies in the centre of eastern Georgia, in the foothills of the Trialeti mountain range. According to Georgian legends it was founded in the 5th century by King Vakhtang Gorgasali who while hunting shot a pheasant which fell into a warm spring and was either boiled or healed, depending on which version you hear. Either way, the king was inspired to found a city on the site, and the name of the city derives from the Georgian word ‘tbili’ meaning warm. Although the city has been destroyed and rebuilt some 29 times, the layout of the Old Town is largely intact with narrow alleys and big crooked houses built around courtyards.

 Kakheti is one of the magnificent regions of Georgia. It is located in the east part of the country and occupies the biggest territory among the other regions of Georgia with approximately 11 342 square km. The number of population exceeds some 400 000. It is divided in two by the Tsiv-Gombori Mountains shaping Iori Valley on the west and the Alazani Valley on the east. Snowy Mountains, beautiful plains and fields of corn and vineyards lay side by side and are organically integrated with the unique Georgian architectural monuments.  

Telavi is the main city and administrative center of Georgia's eastern province of Kakheti. The city is located on foot-hills of Tsiv-Gombori Range at 490 meters above the sea level.

 Sighnaghi is a town in Georgia's easternmost region of Kakheti and the administrative center of the Sighnaghi District. Sighnaghi's economy is dominated by production of wine and traditional carpets. The town and its environs are also known for their landscapes and historical monuments. Sighnaghi has recently undergone a fundamental reconstruction program and has become an important centre of Georgia's tourist industry.

Day 1: Arrival to Tbilisi Airport, where you will be met by the representatives of GeoTour-Ge Company, orientation, transfer to the hotel, traditional dinner at a restaurant, overnight in Tbilisi. 

Day 2: Visit of Sameba - Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba is the greatest Orthodox Cathedral in Georgia and Caucasus. It represents the synthesis of cross–domed and central-domed churches. It is 100 meters in height), Sulphuric Baths (foundation of Tbilisi and origin of the word itself is related with these sulphuric baths. According to a legend, King Vakhtang Gorgasali stumbled upon warm sulphuric spring while hunting. “Tbilisi” is derived from the word “tbili” that means “warm”), Anchiskhati Church (built in the 5^th -6^th centuries and is a triple-nave basilica), Ruins of Prince Mukhran-Batoni Palace 1860s (The palace was an impressive residential building. It stool until the 1880s near Anchiskhati (Anchi - Icon's) Basilica), Jvarismama Church (built in the XVI century), walking - Shardeni St./Shopping (This spot features the best galleries and souvenir shops, where something interesting is always found for everybody and especially for the visitors. You can buy Georgian National Souvenirs, Carpets and Painters’ Works, traditional clothes), overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 3: Excursion on Rustaveli Avenue: Tbilisi State Museum named after Simon Janashia (Georgia’s cultural treasure is exhibited here), Ethnographic Museum, Rustaveli Movie Theatre (the main movie theatre of a city, the place of premieres of glorious Georgian cinematography), The Government House (the building is the sample of monumental architecture), Georgian Fine Arts Museum (with the rich collection including the Gold Fund with valuable masterpieces of medieval chasing), St .George Temple –Kashueti (the masterpiece of Georgian medieval architecture, The temple is famous for the masterly altar paintings as well as the carved stone laces and beautiful frescos), Blue Monastery (St. Andria church was built by the  former Arch episcope Basil in 1180), St. Marine church (This church was constructed with the will of the Metropolite Isidore. The hall type church is constructed with the European brick), Kldisubani St. George Church (one of the oldest districts of Tbilisi in lower Kala, constructed in 1753), overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 4: Visit of Mount Mtatsminda (from where you can see the panorama of entire Tbilisi which seems to fit your palm.), St. David Church (built in the 19^th c.), The Pantheon of Mtatsminda (the cemetery of famous people), Narikala Fortress (exists since the middle of the 4^th  century), Metekhi Church of Holy Virgin (built in the 5^th  c..), Betania Monastery (built in the 12^th-13^th c.), St. Barbara's Church, Kari St. George Church (the first St. Archangels  church on this place was built  by Vakhtang  Gorgasali and it was destroyed during the Mongols attack  at the end of the XIV century), overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 5: Trip to Kakheti region, visit of Sagarejo Local Museum (houses archaeological discoveries in Kakheti region, representing time period from Late Bronze Age up to medieval times), Khasmis Sameba (Holy Trinity  Church of Sameba), lunch, visit of Ninotsminda Nunnery, Gurjaani Local Museum (houses collection of archaeological discoveries of the Gurjaani area, objects of Stone Age open type of the workshop, Late Bronze Age tomb, I-II c.c. pagan sanctuary), overnight in Telavi.

Day 6: Visit of the Palace of Erekle II (the last King of Georgia), Park Nadikvari (in the city of Telavi, offers a spectacular view of Telavi and a chance to ride in bumper cars), Telavi State Ethnographic Museum of Giorgi Chubinashvili, trip to Sighnaghi (one of the smallest towns with a population of 2,146. Sighnaghi's economy is dominated by production of wine and traditional carpets), excursion of The Town of Sighnaghi (The picturesque scenery stands out when first approaching Sighnagh, the Town with the outlines of towers, fortress, churches, belfries, historic houses with the carved balconies is located on a hilltop and overlooks the Alazani Valley), overnight in Sighnaghi.

Day 7: Visit of Fortress (The circuit wall largely defines the beauty of the Town and is part of its historic and artistic fabric.), St. Stephen Church (built within the biggest tower of the defence wall called “The King’s Tower”. The location of the church within the perimeter of the tower is a unique architectural accomplishment), walk in Dadiani St. (The unique architectural appearance of houses is largely determined by the function the buildings used to have), shopping  (traditional souvenirs, carpet, knitted woollen clothes, paintings), trip to Tbilisi, overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 8: Visit of Sioni Cathedral (built in 6^th -7^th c.), Tbilisi Botanical Garden (with blooming plants of unusual beauty, the 40 m waterfall and a little bridge across the river grown with amazing flowers), Museum of Georgian Folk Architecture (located in the open air and looks like a huge village with houses, yards and manors from different ethnic regions of Georgia), free time, farewell dinner, overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 9: Check-out the hotel, departure from Tbilisi airport.

Note: Duration of the tour will be fit to your arrival and departure Flights. You can arrive in Tbilisi or Batumi airports. Arrival place should be negotiated with us as EcoTour-Ge takes responsibility to meet you at the airport. You have alternative choice: you can arrive in Georgia via Turkey! Our representatives can meet you at the border of Turkey- right at the custom offices in Sarpi.

Price includes: Transfer from and to Batumi (or Tbilisi) Airport, Inland transportation, Interpreter, Tour guide, Georgian wine and beer, Hotel accommodation (In the cities), Guest house accommodation (in the villages), 3 times meal a day, Souvenir, Museums entrance fees.

Price excludes: Flight expense, Travel insurance.

We reserve the right to make changes in the given itinerary if necessary!

 For more information please refer to:  info@tour-hunting-georgia.ge

Copyright © 2009, Zurab Siradze. All rights reserved