The heart of the Caucasus: Georgia 5-Day Tour

Day 1: Tbilisi

Arrive in Tbilisi. You will be met by driver and transferred to the hotel. Check in to the hotel at noon. Meet your guide to start a sightseeing tour in the capital of Georgia. Visit the National Museum of Fine Arts. The permanent exhibitions display artworks from medieval times up to 20th century. We continue our tour with visiting Metekhi church (12th-13th centuries), cross cupola church, part of the Royal residential complex; Sulfur baths, favorite place of Tbilisi citizens and foreign guests; Sioni Cathedral (7th -19th centuries)

Day 2: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Ananuri – Kazbekhi – Gudauri

After breakfast, drive to Mtskheta, one of the oldest towns and the cultural and religious center of Georgia. Mtskheta was the capital of the Eastern Georgian Kingdom of Iberia from the third century BC. Visit Jvari Church, a true architectural masterpiece of the early Medieval Period built on a hilltop. You will enjoy the views of the confluence of Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, the main cathedral of Mtskheta .Continue to Ananuri architectural complex, a former residence of Argveti Dukes. The complex features churches and towers dating back to the 16-17th centuries, beautifully overlooking the Jinvali reservoir. Continue driving on Georgian Military Highway passing through the highest point of it at 2379 m above sea level. En-route, make a stop at the mineral water spring flowing down from a hilltop. Arrive in Kazbekhi, a small town with the views of Mt. Kazbekhi (or Mkinvari) 5033 m, the seventh highest peak in the Caucasus Mountains. Visit Gergeti Holy Trinity Church located at an altitude of 2170 m and enjoy breathtaking views to Mt Kazbegi. Return to Gudauri for overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Gudauri – Gori – Uplistsikhe – Borjomi

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Gori and visit the Stalin Museum. The museum includes the tiny house where Stalin was born. Explore the cave town Uplistsikhe dating back to Hellenistic Period. The unique sight combines various styles of rock-cut cultures where pagan and Christian architecture co-exists. Continue to Borjomi. Take a walk in National Park famous for its mineral water reserves. overnight in Borjomi.

Day 4: Akhaltsikhe – Vardzia – Tbilisi

In the morning, visit Rabat fortress. The old stone Rabat fortress, the main sight of the Akhaltsikhe town. Continue to Vardzia erected in the 12-13th centuries during the rule of George III and his daughter Tamara. Vardzia is not just a set of random rooms cut in rocks. It is a multi-storied complex with streets, tunnels and stairs leading to monasteries, temples, fortresses, baths, libraries, and dwelling houses. Return to Tbilisi for overnight.

Day 5: Tbilisi - Depart

Check-out from the hotel till noon. Free time till transfer to the airport.