From Mountains to Monasteries

Day 0:

• arrival in the Tbilisi airport late evening hours

Day 1: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Sarajishvili factory – Tbilisi sightseeing (60 km)

• arrival in Tbilisi, hotel accommodation, time for rest, breakfast at the hotel
• sightseeing in the old town of Tbilisi, walk along Rustaveli Shota Avenue, Sioni Cathedral and Anchiskhati Basilica, cable car ride to the Narikala Fortress with a wonderful view of the city, walk to the waterfall located in the city center, in the district sulfur baths
• free time, break for an individual meal
• for those interested (optional) visit and tasting at the “Sarajishvili” brandy factory – the first and oldest Georgian brandy from 1884.
• for those interested (optional) a visit to the famous Tbilisi sulfur baths, a visit to private baths with a sauna and hot health waters, massages and peeling
• dinner at a famous restaurant, combined with a show of traditional Georgian dances
• return to the hotel for overnight stay in Tbilisi

 Day 2: Tbilisi – David Gareja – Udabno – Bodbe – Signagi (250 km)

• after breakfast, departure to Kakheti – a land known for its wine production and unique medieval heritage. Drive to the steppes in the south of the country and visit the complex of David Gareja rock monasteries from the 6th century
• break for a snack in Udabno at a local restaurant serving specialties of Swan cuisine.
• transfer to Sighnaghi – a town with a 2.5-kilometer defensive wall, known for the oldest wine festival in Georgia, and on the way visiting the Bodbe Monastery – the burial place of St. Nino, who converted Georgia to Christianity
• dinner in local restaurant
• accomodation in Signagi

Day 4: Signagi – Ananuri – Gudauri/Stepantsminda (260 km)

• after breakfast, departure from Kakheti towards the famous Georgian Military Highway, connecting Tbilisi with Vladikavkaz.
• break for individual lunch.
• along the way, stop at the Ananuri fortress from the 17th century, beautifully located above the Zhinvali reservoir.
• stop at the beautiful viewpoint just before the Cross Pass (2395 m above sea level).
• transfer to Gudauri/Stepantsminda, with local specialties from Khevi and overnight stay.

 Day 5: Gudauri – Truso Valley – Tsminda Sameba – Gudauri/Stepantsminda (40 km)

• after breakfast, departure by off-road vehicles to the Truso Valley, known for its mineral springs, lakes, medieval defensive towers, Abano Monastery, and Zakagori Fortress.
• walk in the valley, tasting mineral waters, and having a picnic outdoors with local shepherds and barbecue.
• transfer to Stepantsminda (formerly Kazbegi) and visit one of the most beautifully located monasteries in Georgia – Tsminda Sameba, located at an altitude of 2170 m at the foot of Mount Kazbek (5033 m).
• return to Gudauri/Stepantsminda, dinner, and overnight stay at the hotel.

 Day 6: Stepantsminda/Gudauri – Rafting – Shatili/Ardoti (200 km)

• after breakfast, departure from Stepantsminda, heading east to Shatili in Khevsureti on the border with Chechnya.
• stops at picturesque viewpoints, crossing the Datvis Jvari Pass (2689 m).
• picnic in nature.
• optional rafting on the mountain river Aragvi.
• arrival in Shatili, accommodation, and sightseeing of the medieval complex of defensive towers and stone houses dating back to the 7th century.
• free time, dinner, and overnight stay in Shatili.

 Day 7: Shatili/Ardoti – Mutso – Anatori – Mtskheta – Tbilisi (200 km)

• after breakfast, departure by off-road vehicles towards Mutso, climbing the rocky hill where the fortress with stone defensive towers is located, offering a beautiful panorama of Khevsureti.
• on the way back to Shatili, visit the crypts of Anatori – the now abandoned village where centuries ago houses turned into a cemetery.
• break for a picnic/lunch.
• return to Tbilisi, passing through the Datvis Jvari Pass near the Zhinvali reservoir.
• along the way, visit the surroundings of Tbilisi – the town of Mtskheta, which until the 5th century BC served as the capital; sightseeing of the legendary Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, the place of coronation and eternal rest of the rulers of Georgia; visit to the Jvari Monastery located on a hilltop.
• free time for souvenir shopping and individual lunch break.
• overnight stay at the hotel in Tbilisi.

Day 8: Transfer to the airport

• transfer to the airport