Autotour – The essentials

Arrive in Tbilisi - the capital of the country. Our driver welcomes you at the airport. Transfer to the hotel.

Transfer: Private vehicle, around 00h30, 20 km. Overnight in Tbilisi.

In the morning pick up the car near your hotel or from car rental office.

Walking city tour of Tbilisi, explore its old district with paved streets and traditional houses with wooden balconies, at the bank of Mtkvari river. We visit the landmarks of the city: Metekhi church and its plateau which unfolds a superb view of the old city, Narikala Fortress - the ancient symbol of the city, the district of baths (Abanotubani) known for its Sulphur hot springs.

In the afternoon visit the National Museum and its collections of “golden treasure” from the ancient period.

Optional: Instead of visiting the museum, we suggest to go up to Mtatsminda to discover the splendid panorama over the city or visit the recently renovated Marjanishvili district with its Art Nouveau buildings.

Transfer: Private vehicle, around 1h. Walking hours: around 3h. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Departure for Mtskheta – an old capital of Iberia kingdom, visit Jvari (Cross) monastery perched on a hill and overlooking the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral ("Life-giving column") dated back to the 11tcentury. Shopping of Georgian national handmade souvenirs. Possibility of buying national handcrafted souvenirs. On the way of Kazbegi visit Ananuri Fortress offers picturesque views over the Jinvali Reservoir. Cross the legendary Georgian Military Highway, one of the world’s most beautiful roads, through the valleys, ravines and finally over the 2300-meters Cross Pass. Arrive in Stepantsminda, Kazbegi. Transfer: Private vehicle, around 3h, 160km. Walking hours: around 2h. Overnight in Kazbegi.

Early in the morning, it is possible to visit Gergeti Trinity church situated 300 m above the village.

Departure to Gori – soviet city and the central part of Georgia, the hometown of J. Stalin, where you can visit the house-museum of Stalin and its armored car.

Then we discover an abandoned rock-hewn town Uplistsikhe (about 1h30), dug into the rocks dates back to the 2nd century, is overlooking to the river Mtkvari.

Continue to Samtskhe-Javakheti region, the South part of the country. Stop in Borjomi, remarkable with its natural mineral springs.

Transfer: Private vehicle, around 5h10, 300km. Walking hours: around 2h. Overnight in Borjomi.

In the morning visit Borjomi park, take taste of Borjomi sour water.

Departure for Vardzia Cave Town, located in Javakheti region at the left bank of Mtkvari river. The monastery complex caved in a rock, is XII-XIII CC Georgian picturesque monument, high mountains and rock cliffs, special kind of architecture. We visit this site which still requires a good physical shape - the multi-storey caves are connected by narrow tunnels, carved into the rocks.

Return back to Tbilisi via Tsalka, pass the alpine lake Paravani. Arrive in Tbilisi in the evening.

Transfer: Private vehicle, around 6h, 300 km. Walking hours: 2h. Overnight in Tbilisi.

We depart to discover one of the most beautiful sites of Kakheti region, the East part of the country.

Explore the ruins of Ikalto academy where was studied the eminent poet Shota Rustaveli in the 12th century, an author of the great masterpiece of Georgian literature "The Knight in the Panther's Skin “.

The next step allows us to discover the 11th century Alaverdi Cathedral.

Visit Tsinandali - palace and historic winery-estate which once belonged to the 19th-century aristocratic poet Alexander Chavchavadze, the palace combines Georgian architecture with Italian inspiration.

Arrive in the capital and historical city of Kakheti – Telavi.

Transfer: Private vehicle, around 3h, 150 km. Walking hours: 1-2 h. Overnight in Telavi.

We continue our trip to the small and charming village Sighnaghi, stroll through its cobbled streets and along the wall, admire the splendid panorama of Alazani Valley and the Caucasus. Visit remarkable ethnographic museum with the exhibition of Niko Pirosmani - famous Georgian painter.

Visit local wine cellar, where the locals show us their traditional methods of winemaking, very different from European practice. Degustation of wine.

Short break at Bodbe monastery where St Nino stop of rest during spreading the Christianity in Georgia, this visit allows us to learn the history of the holy evangelizer, very important figure of Georgian religion.

Arrive in Tbilisi. Drop off the car at your hotel or at car rental office.

Transfer: Private vehicle, around 3h30, 200 km. Walking hours: 1-2 h. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Transfer to the airport, departure. Transfer: Private vehicle, around 00h30, 20 km.