East Georgia in 3 days
route: Tbilisi - Gori - Upliscikhe - Borjomi - Sapara - Rabati - Telavi - Alaverdi - Tbilisi
meeting at the airport
hotel accommodation
First Day: route:Tbilisi-Gori-Upliscikhe-Ateni (150 km)
breakfast at the hotel
Drive to Inner Kartli for visiting Sioni at Ateni - is an early 7th-century Georgian Orthodox church in the village of Ateni, It stands in a setting of the Tana River valley known not only for its historical monuments but also for its picturesque landscapes and wine. The name "Sioni" derives from Mount Zion at Jerusalem. It stands in a setting of the Tana River valley known not only for its historical monuments but also for its picturesque landscapes and wine. The name "Sioni" derives from Mount Zion at Jerusalem;
Upliscikhe - carved into rocky plateau we find huge echoing halls, long meandering corridor-streets, chambers for pagan worship and even the remains of Georgia's oldest theatre, complete with auditorium, stage and orchestra pit. Like the other cave-towns of Georgia, it is akin to the similar rock structures of Urardhu and the Hittites, which are rooted in the prehistoric traditions of the peoples of the Near East.
dinner and overnight in Gori.
Second Day: route:Gori-Sapara-Rabati-Tbilisi (450 km)
breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to Samckhe region to visit Chitakhevi (Green) monastery in Borjomi. This monastery is from the 9-10th centuries and was built by Christophore and Tevdore – the apprentices of the outstanding religious figure in Georgia – St. Grigol of Khancta.
The church consists of three basilicas and a bell-tower, where one can still see typical ornaments of Georgian stone-carving. The monastery has experienced numerous attacks by various enemies, the trace of which is still visible as a marvelous miracle – there still exist spots of blood of the martyred monks on the stones in the brook that flows by the church. Time and the current of water have not had the power to remove the spots. These are the most sacred aspect of the cloister.
Then you will go up to Sapara - monastery complex, perched on the edge of a cliff, already existed in 9th century, but was expanded by the Akhaltsikhe governors Sargis and Beka Jakeli. The complex consists of churches of St.Saba, St. Stefane and The Assumption of Godmother.
From beautiful nature you will be able to see the centre of Samckhe city Akhalcikhe with it' s impressive new constructed fortress Rabati - with its multicultural architecture, is well worthwhile. This district is on a hill on the north side of the Potskhovi, just west of the bridge. Rare examples of darbazebi (traditional Georgian houses) cluster around the castle, which was built in the 12th century and houses a mosque from 1752 and the ruins of a medrese (Islamic school). The rabati also has a synagogue, an Armenian church and a Catholic church, shops,restaurant, main tower, small pools, fountains and fantastic views for taking photos.
dinner and overnight in Akhalcikhe at the guest house.
Third Day: route:Tbilisi-Tsinandali-Telavi-Alaverdi-Ikalto-Tbilisi (330 km)
breakfast at the guest house
Day starts with driving to Kakheti region, you will visit city Telavi - is the crossroads of Kakheti and a hub for culture, home to several of the region’s world-famous wineries, art museums, castles, and a theatre highlighting folk singing and dancing. The first records of town trace back to the Common Era. It served as capital of Kakheti in the 10-11th and later in 17-18th centuries. The town is famous for its picturesque sights, a museum of local history, university, drama theatre, art gallery and other cultural and educational centers.
then you will drive to Tsinandali - Museum and Gardens, formerly owned by Aleksandre Chavchavadze, a poet, general, translator, diplomat and a remarkable Georgian public figure of his age. Aleksandre Chavchavadze was the first to try European methods of winemaking in Georgia, making Georgian wine transportable to Europe. Visitors can enjoy a tour in his wine cellar that is still functioning. Here you can see the Saperavi of the 1839 harvest and 16,500 bottles of various wines.
Visitors will enjoy a tour around the gorgeous palace gardens. Their owner was first in Georgia to invite experts of decorative gardening from Europe to develop the estate park. Occupying around 18 hectares, the park stands out for its planning – a harmonious synthesis of wilderness and decorative landscapes. The garden is a rich collection of occidental, oriental and American plant species. In 1887 the park was redesigned by an outstanding master of landscape gardening Arnold Regel invited from St. Petersburg.
Also you will visit Alaverdi and Ikalto monasteries.
at the end you will enjoy with having dinner with traditional Kakhetian supra.
end of tour
arrival to Tbilisi.
dinner and overnight in Akhalcikhe at the guest house.
Third Day: route:Tbilisi-Tsinandali-Telavi-Alaverdi-Ikalto-Tbilisi (330 km)
breakfast at the guest house
Day starts with driving to Kakheti region, you will visit city Telavi - is the crossroads of Kakheti and a hub for culture, home to several of the region’s world-famous wineries, art museums, castles, and a theatre highlighting folk singing and dancing. The first records of town trace back to the Common Era. It served as capital of Kakheti in the 10-11th and later in 17-18th centuries. The town is famous for its picturesque sights, a museum of local history, university, drama theatre, art gallery and other cultural and educational centers.
then you will drive to Tsinandali - Museum and Gardens, formerly owned by Aleksandre Chavchavadze, a poet, general, translator, diplomat and a remarkable Georgian public figure of his age. Aleksandre Chavchavadze was the first to try European methods of winemaking in Georgia, making Georgian wine transportable to Europe. Visitors can enjoy a tour in his wine cellar that is still functioning. Here you can see the Saperavi of the 1839 harvest and 16,500 bottles of various wines.
Visitors will enjoy a tour around the gorgeous palace gardens. Their owner was first in Georgia to invite experts of decorative gardening from Europe to develop the estate park. Occupying around 18 hectares, the park stands out for its planning – a harmonious synthesis of wilderness and decorative landscapes. The garden is a rich collection of occidental, oriental and American plant species. In 1887 the park was redesigned by an outstanding master of landscape gardening Arnold Regel invited from St. Petersburg.
Also you will visit Alaverdi and Ikalto monasteries.
at the end you will enjoy with having dinner with traditional Kakhetian supra.
end of tour
arrival to Tbilisi.
