Off-road Vashlovani and Shatili

Day 1: Kutaisi Airport – Tbilisi (250 km)

• arrival in Kutaisi.
• a short stop for a snack after the flight.
• transfer to Tbilisi and hotel accommodation.
• welcome dinner in the old town.
• optional night tour of the old town.
• overnight stay at a hotel in Tbilisi.

Day 2: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Tbilisi Sightseeing (60 km)

• after breakfast, visit the surroundings of Tbilisi – the city of Mtskheta, which served as the capital until the 5th century AD; visiting the legendary Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, the coronation and eternal resting place of the rulers of Georgia; transfer to the Jvari Monastery located on top of the hill.
• free time, break for an individual meal.
• sightseeing in the capital, walk along Shota Rustaveli Avenue and the old town, visit to the Sioni Cathedral and the Anchiskhati Basilica, cable car ride to Narikala Fortress with a wonderful view of the city, walk to the waterfall in the city center in the sulfur baths district.

Day 3: Tbilisi – Davit Gareja – Supra – Bodbe – Signagi (235 km)

• after breakfast, drive to the steppe in the south of the country and visit the complex of rock monasteries of Davit Gareja, carved as early as the 6th century, near the border with Azerbaijan.
• lunch break in Udabno serving specialties of Swan cuisine.
• drive to Signagi – a town with a 2.5-kilometer defensive wall, known for the oldest wine festival in Georgia, and on the way, visit the Bodbe Monastery – the burial place of St. Nino, who converted Georgia to Christianity.
• organization of supra – a traditional Georgian feast at a friendly host’s winery, combined with wine tasting, local food, Georgian cuisine workshops (bread baking, making churchkhela or khinkali), and live music.
• overnight stay in a hotel.

Day 4: Signagi – Vashlovani National Park – Pantishara – Mijniskure (110 km)

• departure to the southeast towards Vashlovani National Park on the border with Azerbaijan.
• registration at the park office in Dedoplistskaro, shopping before the further journey.
• safari in Vashlovani National Park with a unique semi-desert climate and African landscape; drive through the Pantishara canyon.
• picnic break.
• arrival at the Mijniskure campsite, setting up tents, making a campfire, and preparing dinner.
• overnight stay in bungalows.

Day 5: Mijniskure – Vashlovani – Shiraki – Dedoplistskaro – Sighnaghi (120 km)

• breakfast at the campsite.
• off-road through canyons, dried riverbeds, stops at viewpoints.
• drive towards the highest point in Vashlovani Park – Shavi Mta.
• drive through the abandoned Shiraki military base and airport.
• Georgian evening: organization of supra – a traditional Georgian feast at a friendly host’s winery, combined with wine tasting, local food, Georgian cuisine workshops, and barbecue.
• accommodation in a hotel, overnight stay.

Day 6: Sighnaghi – Ananuri – Rafting – Stepantsminda (260 km)

• after breakfast, departure from Kakheti towards the famous Georgian Military Highway, connecting Tbilisi with Vladikavkaz.
• stop at the Ananuri Fortress from the 17th century, beautifully located above the Zhinvali reservoir.
• optional rafting on the Aragvi River, picnic by the river.
• lunch break.
• stop at the beautiful viewpoint just before the Cross Pass (2395 m above sea level).
• accommodation in Stepantsminda, free time, dinner, overnight stay.

Day 7: Stepantsminda – Truso Valley – Tsminda Sameba – Stepantsminda (70 km)

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

Day 8: Stepantsminda – Mutso – Shatili/Ardoti (225 km)

• after breakfast, departure from Stepantsminda, heading east towards Shatili in Khevsureti, near the border with Chechnya, with stops at scenic viewpoints and a drive through the Datvis Jvari Pass (2689 m).
• picnic in the lap of nature.
• arrival in Shatili, a medieval complex of defensive towers and stone houses dating back to the 7th century.
• drive towards Mutso – hike to the rocky hill where the fortress with stone defensive towers is located, offering a beautiful panorama of Khevsureti.
• accommodation, free time, dinner, and overnight stay.

Day 9: Shatili/Ardoti – Anatori – Kutaisi (350 km)

• after breakfast, departure by jeeps towards Mutso – hike to the rocky hill where the fortress with stone defensive towers is located, offering a beautiful panorama of Khevsureti.
• en route, visit the crypts of Anatori – a now abandoned village where centuries ago houses turned into a cemetery.
• lunch along the way.
• return to Kutaisi, free time, farewell dinner in the old town.
• overnight stay in a hotel.

Day 10: Transfer to the airport (25 km)

• transfer to the airport