Cultural tour to Georgia 8 days

Departure to Mtskheta – the oldest capital of Georgia

Excursion to Jvari monastery

Towering high above Mtskheta, the ancient Jvari (Holy Cross) Monastery has a beautiful setting located on the top of the hill overlooking the former capital of Georgia at the confluence of Aragvi and Mtkvari Rivers. A wooden cross used to stand on this site, which explains the name given to the church. A minor church of the Holy Cross was built in the second half of the 6th century, and a bigger church was constructed over the wooden cross between 586 and 605 by Erismtavari (Lord) Stepanoz I.

Excursion to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral

The impressive Svetitskhoveli (“The Vivifying Pillar”) Cathedral was built at the site of the first Christian Georgian church, where it is said, a local Jew, Sidonia, was buried with the Christ?s robe in her hands. In the 5th century, King Vakhtang Gorgasali built a large basilica with a projecting apse. In the 11th century, Catholicos Melchisedec built a cross-domed church and a porch in place of the old damaged basilica. This is the largest church preserved in Georgia. The lavishly adorned inner space and facades are impressive. The drum and part of the facade masonry date from the 15th century. The magnificent building, which has been used for centuries for the coronation and burial of Georgian monarchs, is enclosed by a wall.

Departure to Uplistsikhe                                                      

Excursion in medieval cave town Uplistsikhe

A large ancient complex of natural caves of Uplistsikhe city is located 10km away from Gori, on the right bank of Mtkvari river. Rooms of various sizes and functions, including dwelling halls are carved in the rock. Espacially impressive are the pagan temples and Christian churches, the theatre, dungeons and wine cellars of the complex.

Excursion to Stalin Museum in Gori.

Besides the exposition of the museum, you will have the opportunity to visit a small wooden house, where the Russian politician Joseph Stalin spent his childhood, for that time being a little Georgian boy Soso Jugashvili, son of a laundress.

A large ancient complex of natural caves of Uplistsikhe city is located 10km away from Gori, on the right bank of Mtkvari river. Rooms of various sizes and functions, including dwelling halls are carved in the rock. Especially impressive are the pagan temples and Christian churches, the theatre, dungeons and wine cellars of the complex.

Departure to Gudauri, overnight

Sightseeing Gudauri Ski Resort

Transfer to Kazbegi

Visiting Kazbegi and sightseeing Gergeti Trinity Church

The complex of Gergeti Trinity church, beautifully situated on the top of the hill nearby the township of Kazbegi, overlooking the area, is the main chapel of the Khevi region. The bell-tower standing nearby is contemporary with the cross-domed Church of the Mother of God and creates a uniform complex together with it. Its impressive location, set before the stunning backdrop of the snow capped, 5033m high Mt. Kazbek (Mkinvartsveri), makes it a unique place to experience.

Visiting to Darial Gorge.return to Gudauri, overnight

Visiting Ananuri fortress

Ananuri ensemble, dating back to 17th century, is situated on the left bank of the Aragvi River, along the famous original Georgian military highway, 66km from Tbilisi. It incorporates a circuit wall with turrets, a porch, a large church, a minor Church of Gvtaeba (Divinity), a tower with a stepped pyramidal roof of Svanetian type, a single-nave Church Mkurnali (Healer), Tower Sheupovari (Indomitable), a bell-tower, a spring and a reservoir. The facade is richly adorned with the fine relief carvings featuring human, animal and floral images.

Transfer to Kakheti region, visiting Signagi

Signagi – Signagi town in Kakheti is enclosed by a large defensive wall built by King Erekle II in the second half of the 18th century replacing the ruins of an old fortress. Each of the 23 towers within the wall were named after nearby villages and respective families and served as a refuge in case of danger. The town, which also has preserved urban-type dwellings of the 19th century, is located on the top of the hill and presents splendid views to the Alazani Valley and the Kakhetian Caucasus.

Visiting Bodbe Monastery

Overnight in Signagi

Gremi Monastry

Gremi, built by Levan, King of Kakhetians, in the 16th century, is the old capital of Kakheti. Gremi, cross-domed church of the Archangel and a royal tower, erected on a high hill, presented picturesque views of the Great Caucasus. The church is adorned with paintings contemporary to the building. Like other churches in Kakheti, Gremi Church of the Archangel is characterized by simplicity and light proportions. The complex includes the Archangel?s Church, a three-storey palace, bell-tower and domestic structures which used to be enclosed by a wall.

Alaverdi cathedral

This impressive cross-domed church of St. George in Alazani Valley was founded in the 6th century by Ioseb Alaverdeli (one of the Assyrian Fathers). The existing church was built in the first half of the 11th century. Within the circuit wall of the church, there are other buildings – Peikar Khan’s Palace (12th c), a barrack, a refectory and a wine-cellar.

Lunch and Wine testing badagoni wine cellar

Arrival in Telavi, free evening, overnight

Ikhalto Academy

The medieval monastic ensemble of Ikalto is most notable for the ruins of the old academy, a religious and educational center during the middle ages. The building dates from the 8th-9th centuries with its most noteworthy Church of the Transfiguration (8th-9th centuries). The prominent Georgian philosopher Arsen Ikaltoeli worked at the Academy in the period between the 11th and the 12th centuries. According to legend, the famous Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli, author of the 12th century epic Knight in the Panther Skin, studied here. It is said, that every pupil kept a jug of wine under his desk, called a “doqi”. When comprehension flagged, a cup was used to brighten the senses and re-stoke inspiration.

Shuamta monastery

The medieval monastic ensemble of Ikalto is most notable for the ruins of the old academy, a religious and educational center of the middle ages. The building dates back to the 8th-9th centuries. According to the legend, the most prominent Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli, and the author of the 12th century epic ”Knight in the Panther Skin”, studied here. It is said, that every pupil kept a jug of wine under his desk, called a “doqi”. When comprehension flagged, a cup was used to brighten the senses and re-stoke inspiration.

Free time, Overnight in Telavi