Culinary Masterclass
TBILISI, KAKHETI, MTSKHETA-MTIANETI, PANKISI GORGE
Tbilisi, Mccheta, Stepantsminda, Dolina Truso, Pankisi
8-10 Days
Kutaisi
Change Airport- Adventure
- Bespoke
Program
Day 1: Kopitnari Airport – Tbilisi (250 km)
- arrival in Kutaisi airport.
- pickup of vehicles, drive for lunch in the Kutaisi area.
- transfer to Tbilisi via the Rikoti Pass and check-in at the hotel.
- welcome dinner in the old town.
- optional night tour of the old town.
- overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2: Tbilisi Exploration – Sarajishvili Factory (20 km)
- after breakfast at the hotel, explore the old town, stroll along Shota Rustaveli Avenue, visit Sioni Cathedral and Anchiskhati Basilica, take a cable car ride to Narikala Fortress for a magnificent city view, walk to the waterfall located in the city center, in the sulfur bath district.
- lunch on your own, free time in the city.
- optionally, drive to a local agrotourism farm for workshops on making natural Georgian cheese, cheese production demonstration, and workshops (approximately 2-3 hours) ending with a traditional Georgian dinner – supra with local wine and homemade Georgian dishes.
- optionally, visit private baths with sauna and hot mineral waters, massages, and peeling.
- visit the oldest Georgian brandy factory, Sarajishvili, and enjoy a tasting of XO VIP brandy.
- dinner at a well-known restaurant, combined with a traditional Georgian dance show.
- return to the hotel for overnight stay in Tbilisi.
Day 3: Tbilisi – David Gareja – Supra – Gurjaani (210 km)
- after breakfast, depart for Kakheti – the wine-producing region known for its medieval fortresses, charming towns, and impressive monasteries.
- drive to the steppes in the south of the country, traditional Georgian lunch consisting of Swan cuisine delicacies.
- explore the David Gareja complex of rock monasteries, carved in the 6th century right on the border with Azerbaijan.
- traditional Georgian lunch consisting of Swan cuisine delicacies.
- drive to a local agrotourism farm in the steppes for workshops on Swan cuisine or cheese-making workshops from the remote mountainous region of Svaneti (Kubdari, chzhinti, nadhugi, and sulguni with mint).
- organize a supra – a traditional Georgian feast at a friend’s winery, combined with wine tasting and local food, Georgian cuisine workshops (bread baking or making churchkhela) with live music.
- drive to a winery in Gurjaani, accommodation.
- overnight stay in Gurjaani.
Day 4: Gurjaani – Pankisi – Gurjaani (160 km)
- breakfast at the winery.
- after breakfast, depart for the Pankisi Gorge – a valley near the border with Chechnya and Dagestan, inhabited by Chechens and Kists.
- performance by local musicians outdoors and presentation of Chechen songs.
- culinary workshops on preparing traditional Chechen dishes, mainly featuring beef and mutton.
- return to Gurjaani.
- dinner and overnight stay at the winery.
Day 5: Gurjaani – Ananuri – Stepantsminda/Gudauri (220 km)
- after breakfast departure towards the famous Georgian Military Road, connecting Tbilisi with Vladikavkaz, with a stop at Ananuri Fortress from the 17th century, beautifully located above the Zhinvali reservoir.
- stop at a beautiful viewpoint just before the Cross Pass (2395 m above sea level).
- visit a local in Stepantsminda – tea and jam tasting.
- dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 6: Stepantsminda/Gudauri – Truso Valley – Tsminda Sameba – Stepantsminda/Gudauri (100 km)
- breakfast at the hotel.
- off-road trip to the Truso Valley, known for its mineral springs, lakes, medieval watchtowers, Abano Monastery, and Zakagori Fortress.
- hike through the valley, tasting mineral waters, and a picnic with local shepherds and barbecue.
- drive to Stepantsminda.
- jeep ride to 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).
- dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Gudauri/Stepantsminda.
Day 7: Stepantsminda/Gudauri – Mtskheta – Kutaisi (320 km)
- breakfast at the hotel, departure towards Kutaisi.
- sightseeing around Tbilisi – drive to the Jvari Monastery located on top of a hill, then to the town of Mtskheta, which served as the capital until the 5th century AD, visiting the legendary Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, the coronation and burial place of Georgian rulers.
- free time in the city, souvenir shopping opportunity.
- cooking workshop with the chef: Adzhapsandali or Lobio and Khachapuri.
- departure towards Kutaisi, the historical capital of legendary Colchis, and currently the third-largest city in Georgia and the capital of the Imereti region.
- farewell dinner at a well-known restaurant.
- accommodation in a hotel, overnight stay.
Day 8: Transfer to the Airport (20 km)
- transfer from the hotel to the airport
Information
The provided offer can be adjusted to meet the requirements of each client. We can suggest the appropriate standard of hotels, enrich the program with additional attractions, start from any airport in Georgia, and extend it for any number of days.
*PRICES MAY VARY DEPENDING ON THE DATE OR NUMBER OF PERSONS
*OFFER VALID FOR 14/30 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF DISPATCH
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We would be happy to help you organize your dream trip!
In Short
- Tbilisi – the capital of Georgia, the largest and one of the most beautiful cities located in the valley of the Mtkvari River (Kura), surrounded by hills. Explore the old town, Narikala Fortress, dating back to the 4th century, and the district of sulfur baths.
- Kutaisi – The third-largest city in Georgia, known for its mythology and the story of the Argonauts searching for the Golden Fleece. The capital of the Imereti region with a charming old town and the majestic Bagrati Cathedral from 1003 towering over the city.
- Kakheti – the heart of Georgia and the homeland of wine, known for the most famous vineyards in the Caucasus, appellations, and endemic grape varieties. A region of delicious dishes, charming towns, and historic monasteries.
- Signagi – the pearl of Kakheti with a beautiful view of the Alazani Valley and the High Caucasus Mountains. Picturesque “town of love” with a well-preserved defensive wall spanning 2.5 kilometers.
- Telavi – the capital of Kakheti, full of historical landmarks and attractions with a breathtaking view of the Alazani Valley and the Greater Caucasus Mountains.
- Mtskheta – the ancient capital of Georgia listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where Georgia adopted Christianity in 326 AD, often referred to as “little Jerusalem” with the majestic Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and the Jvari Monastery – built in the 6th century, offering a beautiful view of Mtskheta and the intersecting rivers Mtkvari (Kura) and Aragvi.
- Visit to the Sarajishvili brandy factory – the first and oldest Georgian brandy established in 1884, offering tastings of selected VSOP and XO spirits.
Price includes
- preparation and development of a detailed program, supervision over its implementation
- transportation by air-conditioned minibus/coach, airport transfers
- mineral water in the bus 0.5L/person per day
- guarantee of providing a replacement minibus/coach in case of breakdown
- hotel or guesthouse/private vineyard reservations and check-ins
- organization of a supra at a private vineyard, with a Tamada and Georgian toasts and local wine
- welcome dinner combined with a show of traditional Georgian dances
- off-road vehicles on the tour route
- meals: two meals a day (breakfasts, hearty Georgian dinners)
- drinks: mineral water, coffee and tea, wine for dinner at restaurants
- English-speaking guide, pilot services
- telephone consultations for tour members [for small groups]
Price does not include
- airfare
- personal expenses
- additional meals during the day (lunch)
- entrance tickets, wine tastings at wineries