OFF-ROAD LESSER CAUCASUS

Day 0:

• departure to Tbilisi in the late evening.

Day 1: Tbilisi Airport – Exploring Tbilisi (20 km)

• arrival at Tbilisi Airport, check-in at the hotel, time to rest, breakfast.
• sightseeing in the capital, a stroll along Shota Rustaveli Avenue and through the old town, visiting Sioni Cathedral and Anchiskhati Basilica, taking a cable car ride to Narikala Fortress for a magnificent city view, walking to the waterfall located in the city center, in the district of sulfur baths.
• free time, break for an individual meal.
• optionally, for those interested, a visit to the famous sulfur baths of Tbilisi with sauna and hot therapeutic waters, massages, and peeling.
• dinner at a renowned restaurant, combined with a display of traditional Georgian dances.
• return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 2: Tbilisi – Rainbow Mountains – David Gareja – Iori River – Signagi (100km off-road)

• after breakfast, drive to the southern steppe region of the country, with off-road driving training.
• drive and brief stop at the Rainbow Mountains, off-road exploration and visit to the rock monastery complex of David Gareja, founded in the 6th century near the Azerbaijan border.
• outdoor picnic with local delicacies.
• off-road journey through expansive steppes and semi-desert landscapes, short stop at the ruins of the Sabereebi and Kolagiri monasteries, crossing the Iori River.
• drive to Signagi, dinner with wine and local dishes.
• overnight stay at a local guesthouse.

Day 3: Signagi – Vashlovani National Park – Pantishara – Mijniskure (60km off-road, 6h)

• breakfast at the hotel/guesthouse.
• departure southeast to Vashlovani National Park on the border with Azerbaijan.
• eegistration at the park office in Dedoplistskaro, shopping before continuing.
• safari in Vashlovani National Park with a unique semi-desert climate and African landscape; drive through the Pantishara Canyon.
• picnic/lunch break.
• off-road through the seasonal river canyon, passing through the Usakhelo viewpoint.
• drive to the Mijniskure campsite, bonfire and dinner preparation.
• overnight stay in bungalows.

Day 4: Mijniskure – Vashlovani – Shiraki – Dedoplistskaro – Signagi (60km off-road, 6h)

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

Day 5: Signagi – Dashbashi – Tsalka (220 km)

• after breakfast, head to the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, visit Dashbashi Canyon – remarkable features include the glass bridge suspended high above the canyon and other attractions on-site. (Additional fee for a bicycle ride over the canyon and a swing.)
• drive to Tsalka, a town away from tourist routes, where time stopped in the 90s, located by one of the largest lakes in Georgia.
• dinner at a local diner, overnight stay in a local motel reminiscent of Stalin’s era.

Day 6: Tsalka – Paravani – Javakheti Plateau – Vardzia – Akhaltsikhe (60km off-road)

• breakfast at the motel.
• departure towards Lake Paravani.
• drive through the vast Javakheti Plateau, visit the largest lake in Georgia, Lake Paravani, surrounded by volcanoes.
• drive to the monumental rock city of Vardzia, founded during the reign of Queen Tamar (12th-13th centuries), with a lunch break.
• stop at Khertvisi Fortress, construction of which began in the 2nd century BCE.
• drive to Akhaltsikhe, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7: Akhaltsikhe – Abastumani – Zekari – Sairme – Kutaisi (60km off-road)

• breakfast at the hotel, shopping at the local market for picnic supplies.
• departure towards Abastumani, an old spa resort from imperial times, with an optional short dip in the thermal springs.
• off-road through Zekari Pass (2182m), picnic at the pass (in case of closure due to weather conditions, the route from Akhaltsikhe to Borjomi to Kutaisi will be taken).
• drive towards Kutaisi, check-in at the hotel.
• farewell dinner at a local winery, featuring Imeretian cuisine delicacies, local wine, and toasts.
• overnight stay.

Day 8: Kutaisi – Okace Canyon – Kinchkcha – Lomina – Martvili canyon – Kutaisi (135 km)

• after breakfast, drive to Okace Canyon – characterized by impressive cliffs and a deep gorge. Its main attraction is a hanging path at a height of 140 m and a panoramic observation deck. A short off road through Dadiani Park
• off-road vehicle tour to visit the Kinchkha Falls Cascades (English: Kinchkha), flowing in three steps at 843 m above sea level. on-site visits with two waterfalls with a height of 70 and 35 m. Platforms and paths offer wonderful views of the entire surroundings
• about 2 km from the waterfall there is the Lomina lake/waterfall – a small waterfall that flows over the lake and creates a special atmosphere for relaxation and swimming
• free time for an individual meal
• drive to the picturesque Martvili Canyon and a short pontoon cruise
• arrival in Kutaisi, dinner at a restaurant with Imereti cuisine specialties
• overnight stay at a hotel in Kutaisi

Day 9: Kutaisi – Prometheus Cave – Mtskheta – Tbilisi (265 km)

• after breakfast, visit the largest Prometheus Cave in Georgia, the length of the underground route is almost 1.5 km, the entrance is at an altitude of about 100 m above sea level, and the lowest point in the cave is 40 m below sea level, a light show takes place in one of the six chambers to Georgian music
• departure towards Tbilisi, visiting the surroundings of Tbilisi – the city of Mtskheta, which until the 5th century AD served as the capital; visiting the legendary temple of Svetitskhoveli, the coronation and final resting place of the rulers of Georgia; transfer to the Jvari Monastery located on the top of the hill
• free time for shopping for souvenirs and a break for an individual meal
• farewell dinner at a local restaurant
• overnight stay at a hotel in Tbilisi

Day 10: Transfer to the airport

transfer to the airport and departure