ARRIVE TBILISI, GEORGIA
Arrive Tbilisi International Airport under your own arrangements today.
On arrival at Tbilisi International Airport follow the signs for Passport Control and Baggage Collection.
Complete the immigration formalities, collect your checked luggage, and clear customs. A representative from Laterallife will waiting for you in the Arrivals Hall and holding a board with your names on it. A private transfer into Tbilisi will take about twenty five minutes.
Note on Georgia Entry Requirements: British Citizens do not require a visa to enter Georgia. All passports must have a minimum of 6 months validity from the date of entry into Armenia and at least two blank pages for the visa stamps.
TBILISI
Meet your English speaking guide for the next six days in the lobby of your hotel, then set off for a full day tour of Georgia’s most eclectic city, Tbilisi. Beginning on the east bank of the Mtkvari River, the first stop is the city’s largest place of worship, the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Dominating the city skyline, this modern church was constructed between 1995 and 2004 and is one of the tallest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world. In contrast, Metekhi Church, which is elegantly perched on an elevated cliff overlooking the Mtkvari River, is much smaller and dates back several hundred years to the 13th century. The church’s terrace provides one of the finest views of the medieval Narikala Fortress and Tbilisi’s old town, known locally as the Kala, that sits below it. For a different perspective of this area, and a close-up view of the fortress, the exhilarating cable car ride from nearby Rikhe Park is one of the city’s must-do experiences. David the Builder (1089–1125), one of Georgia’s most revered ancient kings, had a hand in expanding the fortress seen today, while the 20m high aluminium statue of Mother Georgia (Kartlis Deda) was erected during Soviet times when the country was officially known as the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. After taking in the magnificent 360-degree vista from above, it’s time to delve into the labyrinth of narrow streets that make up the old town. A fusion of Asian, Arabic and European influences, this part of the city is full of hidden courtyards, and brightlypainted but somewhat ramshackle, multi-storied houses and twisted alleyways that lead to yet more ancient and revered places of worship. There are also parts of the Kala, Shardani Street for example, that have been spruced up and pedestrianised and it’s here that you will find some excellent dining options and amiable places to sit and have a drink. Departing the old town, it’s time to head along nearby Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi’s main thoroughfare. Stopping to admire Liberty Square, with its great pillar topped by a gilded statue of St. George, a journey along stately Rustaveli Avenue reveals some of the city’s most elegant 19th and 20th century architecture, including the National Opera Theatre, the former Parliament of Georgia building, and National Academy of Sciences. The final stop on today’s itinerary is the National Museum, which is packed with archaeological treasures ranging from as far back as the 2nd century BC up until the times of the Soviet Union and beyond. After visiting the museum, the rest of the day is at leisure.
BODBE, SIGHNAGHI
Today’s full-day excursion discovers the eastern region of Kakheti, a land of rugged scenery, endless vineyards and some of the country’s finest churches. The destination is the hillside town of Sighnaghi, an attractive settlement perched above the Alazani Valley that is often likened to an Italian hill town. Upon arrival, there will ample time to explore the charming town of Sighnaghi, including a visit to the 9th century Monastery of St. Nino at nearby Bodbe. Finally, Georgians regard their country, and in particular Kakheti, as the motherland of wine and, before returning to Tbilisi, there will be a chance to learn about local viticulture at one of the area’s renowned wine estates.
MTSKHETA, ANANURI, ARRIVE STEPANTSMINDA
Travelling from Tbilisi to the mountainous region of Kazbegi via the historic Georgian Military Highway is one of the Caucasus’ most spectacular journeys. Engineered in the 19th century to connect Georgia withneighbouring Russia, the highway twists and snakes its way along the same route used by both merchants and invaders since antiquity. En route to the mountains, a stop will be made at Mtskheta, a charming town on the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, where the historical churches, including the majestic Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and the lovely Jvari Monastery, have collectively been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. Connecting with the Georgian Military Highway proper and journeying north, you soon reach the eyecatching Ananuri Fortress, before eventually arriving at the highest point on the road, the Jvari Pass (2,379 metres). Just before the pass, the Soviet-era Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument stands in splendid isolation and provides incredible vistas (weather-permitting) in all directions. Snow-capped mountains are the norm on the next section of the highway, which passes directly through Stepantsminda (1,740 metres), the area’s main village and base for discovering further afield, and which sits in the shadow of Mt. Kazbek and is a mere 15km from the Russian border.
GERGETI (Hike), GEORGIAN COOKERY DEMO
There are some wonderful off-road and hiking possibilities in the Kazbegi region of Georgia and this morning you will depart the valley-town of Stepantsminda on foot for Tsminda Sameba, more commonly known as Gergeti Trinity Church. Located high in the Caucasus Mountains (2150m), this wonderfully weathered house of prayer is one of Georgia’s most recognisable landmarks and a symbol of its picturesqueness. The scenic hike up follows a path and is fairly easy going. Along the way you’ll follow a stream, walk through meadows and forest, and see several ruined medieval towers. The ascent should take about 1 hour, 15 minutes.
Gergeti Trinity Church Hike:
Journey Time: 3 hours (up and back with visit).
Distance: 4km up & 4km down.
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate (depending on ability). ↑400/↓400m
Note on Hike: A well defined path leads you to the top. Hiking boots are recommended but you could do the walk in trainers. Take a backpack with water, snacks and a jumper or fleece.
The trek back down to Stepantsminda (40 min) affords the opportunity to appreciate the magnificence of the scenery that this part of the country has to offer. Georgian cuisine is unique and dates back thousands of years and lunch today is a hands-on affair that teaches a little about some of the country’s more traditional dishes such as khachapuri, a rich cheese-filled bread, and khinkali, which are tasty, meat-filled dumplings that are forever popular countrywide. Return to Rooms Hotel after your meal where the remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure to relax, use the hotel’s facilities, and enjoy the wonderful mountain views from the terrace (or your room).
SNO VALLEY, JUTA, CHAUKHI MOUNTAINS (Hike)
A drive through the pristine Sno Valley this morning will bring you to Juta. This tiny village is the starting point for today’s hike up through a magnificent U-shaped glacial valley towards the multi-pinnacled peaks of Mt. Chaukhi (3842m) the Caucasus’ answer to the Dolomites. A packed lunch will be provided.
Chaukhi Mountain Hike:
Journey Time: 5 hours
Distance: 10km
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate (depending on ability). ↑450/↓450m
The Chaukhi Mountain hike starts with a short, steep climb of about 20 minutes up to a viewpoint with a fine panorama looking towards the seven peaks of the Chaukhi massif. From here an easy path follows the Chaukhi River through grassy plateaus, before climbing gently towards the great crags of striking bare rock. On reaching the foot of Mt. Chaukhi (2600m) admire the magnificent views, then retrace your steps back to Juta and return by car to Stepantsminda.
Note on Hike: Hiking boots are recommended. Take a backpack with water, snacks, a jumper or fleece and waterproof proof top incase of rain. Should you wish to shorten the walk it is possible to turn back at any point along the way.
CHATEAU MUKRANI, GORI, UPLISTSIKHE, ARRIVE TBILISI
Leaving Stepantsminda, descend from the hills towards Kartli province in central Georgia. Visit the Chateau Mukhrani winery which has played a leading role in establishing Europeanstyle winemaking in Georgia. Originally built as a palace for Prince Ivane Bagration of Mukhrani at the end of the 1900s, the extensive grounds were designed by a gardener from the Palace of Versailles and, in its heyday, Mukhrani Palace hosted members of the Georgian elite. Learn about the traditions of Georgian wine-making, alongside stories about the Georgian royal family, and enjoy a wine tasting session sampling some of Chateau Mukhrani’s signature wines. Then, continue to Gori, the birthplace of the notorious Iosif Dzhugashvili - better known as Stalin - and home to a controversial museum dedicated to the dictator’s memory. After a guided visit of the museum, drive the short distance to Uplistsikhe - an ancient religious and trading centre that has been carved into the rock and which commands stunning views as far as the eye can see.
Following your visit a journey of about 1 hour and 30 minutes will return you to Tbilisi and say ‘good-bye’ to your Georgian guide.
FAREWELL TO GEORGIA
This morning you will be met in the lobby of your hotel by a Corinthian Travel representative and transferred to Tblisi International Airport, a journey time of about twenty five minutes. On arrival check-in for your onward flight.
