East Georgia Vashlovani

Day 1: Kutaisi Airport – Tbilisi (250 km)

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

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

• after breakfast, sightseeing around Tbilisi – visit to the town of Mtskheta, which served as the capital until the 5th century; tour of the legendary Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, the site of the coronations and eternal rest of Georgian rulers; drive to the hilltop monastery of Jvari
• free time for souvenir shopping and individual meals
• tour of the old town and main landmarks of the capital: Sioni Cathedral and Anchiskhati Basilica – the oldest church in Tbilisi, ride by cable car to Narikala Fortress for a magnificent view of the city, walk to the waterfall in the sulfur bath district
• optional visit to the famous Tbilisi sulfur baths for relaxation, massage, and peeling
• dinner at a renowned restaurant, featuring traditional Georgian dances; return to the hotel for overnight stay in Tbilisi

Day 3: Tbilisi – David Gareja – Signagi – Bodbe – Signagi (250 km)

• after breakfast, drive to the southern part of the country for a visit to the David Gareja complex of rock monasteries, carved as early as the 6th century, near the border with Azerbaijan
• snack break in Udabno at a local restaurant serving Swan cuisine specialties
• transfer to Signagi – a town with a 2.5-kilometer defensive wall, known for the oldest wine festival in Georgia, and the birthplace of painter Niko Pirosmani and singer Hamlet Gonashvili
• en route, visit Bodbe Monastery – the burial place of St. Nino, who converted Georgia to Christianity
• dinner at a local restaurant
• Overnight stay in Signagi

Day 4: Signagi – Vashlovani National Park/Lagodekhi National Park/Eagle Canyon and Khornabuji Fortress – Signagi

• after breakfast, choose one of four optional tours:

1. Vashlovani National Park

• travel southeast towards Vashlovani National Park on the border with Azerbaijan
• registration at the Dedoplistskaro park office, shopping before continuing your journey
• safari in the Vashlovani National Park with a unique semi-desert climate and African landscape, drive through the Pantischara canyon
• picnic break
• off-road canyons, dried riverbeds, stops at viewpoints

2. Lagodechi National Park

• transfer to Lagodechi National Park located on the border with Russia and Azerbaijan
• shopping at a market full of local specialties
• about 5-6 hours trekking to the Gurgeniani waterfall
• picnic in nature with previously purchased products

3. Eagle Canyon and Khornabuji Fortress

• a trip to the Eagle Canyon to a viewpoint from which you can admire the area,
• transfer to Dedoplistskaro and shopping at the market full of local specialties
• transfer and walk to the Khornabuji fortress
• picnic in nature with previously purchased products

4. Wine tour

• visit to the vineyard and museum in Numisi, Kindzmarauli wine factory, Khareba vineyard – a tunnel converted into a wine warehouse – tastings
• visiting the Gremi fortress, which was the capital of the kingdom of Kakheti until the 16th century
• organization of supra – a traditional Georgian feast at a friendly host’s vineyard, combined with tasting wines and local dishes, Georgian cuisine workshops (baking bread or making churchkhela) and live music
• return to Signagi, overnight stay

Day 5: Signagi – Ananuri – Gudauri/Stepantsminda (260 km)

• after breakfast, depart from Kakheti towards the famous Georgian Military Highway, connecting Tbilisi to Vladikavkaz
• individual meal break en route
• stop at Ananuri Fortress from the 17th century, beautifully located above the Zhinvali reservoir
• pause at a scenic viewpoint just before the Cross Pass (2395 m above sea level)
• transfer to Gudauri/Stepantsminda for dinner and overnight stay

 Day 6: Gudauri/Stepantsminda – Truso Valley – Tsminda Sameba – Gudauri/Stepantsminda (40 km)

• after breakfast, off-road trip to Truso Valley, known for its mineral springs, lakes, medieval watchtowers, Abano Monastery, and Zakagori Fortress
• walk in the valley, tasting mineral waters, and having a picnic with local shepherds while barbecuing
• visit Stepantsminda (formerly Kazbegi) and ascend 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)
• return to Gudauri/Stepantsminda for dinner and overnight stay

Day 7: Stepantsminda/Gudauri – Uplistsikhe – Kutaisi (350 km)

• after breakfast, drive to Uplistsikhe, the oldest rock-hewn town in Georgia, dating back to the 2nd millennium BC
• lunch break on your own
• transfer to Kutaisi, the historic capital of Colchis and currently the third-largest city in Georgia and the capital of the Imereti region
• supra (Georgian feast) at an agrotourism venue with workshops on Georgian cuisine and live music
• overnight stay in a hotel

Day 8: Transfer to the airport (25 km)

• transfer to the airport for departure.