August 7-19, 2021

Trip Overview

This adventure takes us to the Republic of Georgia, a small country located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, unspoiled by modern tourism and still retaining its authentic character. Georgia is characterized by the majestic Caucasus Mountains towering up to 17,037 feet and shrouded in massive glaciers. Charming medieval villages with ancient castles, historic monasteries and ornate cathedrals occur amid the idyllic countryside south of the mountains. Wine has been produced in Georgia for over 6,000 years and it is considered the cradle of wine. Georgia’s excellent wines are complimented by a rich cuisine which encompasses Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences.

On this tour which starts in Tbilisi, the capitol, we explore the country’s rich cultural heritage as well as the awesome Caucasus Mountains. We visit wineries and learn about the art of wine making; have a traditional Georgian dinner with a local family; visit ancient walled towns; and explore historic castles, monasteries and cathedrals. We also visit remote villages in the Svaneti region of the Caucasus Mountains where traditional lifestyles and hospitality survive. We experience the splendor of the mountains with short day hikes in some of Georgia’s most beautiful mountainous areas.

Highlights

• Explore the 4th century Narikala Fortress in Tbilisi
• Visit the beautiful 18th century walled city of Sighnaghi
• Lunch with a local family to have traditional Georgian cuisine and learn about their traditions
• Visit a winery to learn about winemaking and then have lunch with traditional Georgian wines
• Hike to the historic 14th Century Gregeti Trinity Church isolated on a ridge with awesome views of the Caucasus Mountains including the 16,512 foot tall Mount Kazbergi
• Visit the mountainous region of Svaneti to learn about traditional lifestyles and hike amid alpine meadows brilliant with wildflowers and with views to the 17,037 foot tall Mount Shkhara and its massive glaciers
• Relax with a hot sulphur bath in the ornate Orbeliani Bathhouse in Tbilisi
• Visits to numerous historic medieval monasteries, cathedrals, churches and castles.

Itinerary

Day 1. Saturday August 7. Arrive in Tbilisi
Arrive in Tbilisi, clear customs and be escorted to the Vinotel, a small boutique hotel with 13 unique rooms located in a historical building in picturesque old town with cobble-stone streets. The Vinotel, designed as an affluent Georgian home, has beauty and comfort. In the restaurant, we will discover the rich world of Georgian wine and sample the unique tastes of Georgia as prepared by their world-class chef. We enjoy live piano music and entertainment during dinner. Our hotel also has a lounge, terrace, winery and free WiFi.

Some international flights from Europe arrive very early in the morning. Therefore, if you arrive early in the morning your hotel room will be available for an early check-in. During the afternoon, we will visit the stunningly ornate Orbeliani Bath for a sulphur bath experience. This historic bathhouse has pools of hot, sulphur-rich water with public and private rooms. It is easily the prettiest façade of all the bathhouses in Tbilisi and was popular with famous people of the past; the most noteworthy guest was Russian poet Alexander Pushkin in 1829 and French author Alexandre Dumas. Tonight, we have a get acquainted dinner at the Vinotel Hotel. (D) www.vinotel.ge

Day 2. Sunday, August 8. Tbilisi Tour
In the morning, we tour Tbilisi, the capitol of Georgia, with our local guide. Its cobble-stoned old town reflects a long, complicated history, with periods under Persian and Russian rule. Its diverse architecture encompasses Eastern Orthodox churches, ornate art nouveau buildings and Soviet Modernist structures. With our guide we wander the old districts of the city which are like terraces, and walk the narrow alleys with colorful houses with patterned balconies. We visit Narikala, a reconstructed 4th-century fortress which looms over the city. The fortress was originally built as a Persian citadel. The towers and most of the walls were built in the 8th century by the Arab emirs who had a palace in the fortress. Next, we visit Metekhi, a 13th century Georgian Orthodox church located on the left bank of the Mtkvari River. After the tour we have the afternoon free to explore Tbilisi. Lodge at the Vinotel Hotel and have dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 3. Monday, August 9. Visit Walled Town, Winery, Local Farmer, Wine Tasting & Lunch with a Local Family In the morning we drive east to visit Sighnaghi, an 18th Century walled town located in the heart of the Georgian wine region. Sighnaghi, perhaps Georgia’s most attractive town, is perched on a lofty hilltop facing the snowcapped Caucasus Mountains. Sighnaghi is endowed with significant historic and cultural heritage sites. Its charming cobblestone streets and alleys, restored original nouveau woodwork, and detailed façades give the town a romantic mystique. Sighnaghi is known as the City of Love and it was also one of Georgia’s many stops along the ancient Silk Road. After visiting the town, we have lunch with a local family and enjoy delicious homemade dishes and learn about rural life and feast traditions.

We next visit a wine factory to sample native Georgian wines. We continue to Vardisubani, a typical village surrounded by vineyards. We visit a local farmer who produces clay jars called Qvevri, in which Georgian wine was made for centuries. This method of wine making is inscribed by UNESCO. We sample the wines and the chacha, a brandy that the family makes.

We continue to the village of Telavi located on a hilltop in the center of the traditional wine making region in Georgia. We lodge at the Chateau Mere, a stone mansion in the countryside with awesome views of the Alazani Valley and the snow-covered peaks of the Caucasus Mountains. The Chateau has 44 rooms, three restaurants, two outdoor pools, a winery and free WiFi. We lodge here for two nights. (B,L,D) www.mere.ge

Day 4. Tuesday, August 10. Farmer’s Market, Monastery/Cathedral, Winery, Estate
In the morning we visit the local famer’s market in Telavi. Next, we visit the Alaverdi Cathedral which is part of the Alaverdi Monastery complex initially built in the 6th century and rebuilt in the 11th. The monastery is surrounded by an impressive wall and the grounds are immaculate. We continue to the village of Kisikhevi where we visit the Schuchmann winery where we have lunch and enjoy Georgian wines. After lunch we continue to the village of Tsinandali to visit the Duke Alexander Chavchavadze estate and gardens. The house is set in a 30 acre ornamental garden with rare trees including umbrella pines, cedars, magnolias, lime trees, as well as bamboo and palms. The estate was the gathering place for poets and artists of the 19th century. Next, we visit Gremi, a pleasant village which was the capital of the Kingdom of Kakheti in the 16th and 17th centuries. We visit the church and museum. We return to the charming Chateau Mere for the evening and dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 5. Wednesday, August 11. Monastery, Castle & Scenic Drive to Mountains
We travel to the village of Ikalto to visit the monastery which was founded by Saint Zenon, one of the 13 Syrian Fathers, in the late 6th century. It has three churches and was known as one of the most significant cultural-scholastic centers of Georgia. Next, we visit the 17th century Ananuri castle complex which was built on the right bank of Aragvi River in the 16th-17th centuries. It has two churches and great views of the surrounding countryside. We drive through the scenic mountains to Stepantsmida, one of the most beautiful destinations in Georgia. It’s a small village located at an elevation of 5,710 feet and surrounded by huge mountains including the 16,512 foot tall Mount Kazbergi, a dormant volcano and one of the major mountains of the Caucasus located on the border with Russia. It is the third-highest peak in Georgia and the seventh-highest summit in the Caucasus Mountains. We lodge at the Chemodann Hotel, a cozy place with excellent food, awesome views of the mountains and free WiFi. (B,D)

Day 6. Thursday, August 12. Gergeti Trinity Church & Sno Valley Hikes
Today, we experience some of the most awesome hikes in Georgia. In the morning we walk through a beautiful valley and woodland to the 14th century Gergeti Trinity Church located at an elevation of about 7,120 feet. The Church is perched on a hilltop that affords views of the 16,512 foot tall Mount Kazbergi and its massive glacier. Next, we drive to the village of Juta located in the spectacular Sno Valley located at an elevation of 7,103 feet. We hike in a valley for about three hours through lush alpine meadows to the foot of Mount Chaukhebi. After the hike we return to the comfortable Chemodann Hotel. Today we hike for about 4-5 hours and ascend/descend for about 1,600 feet. (B,D)

Day 7. Friday, August 13. Drive to Kutaisi in Central Georgia
Today we drive south and then west for about five hours through the picturesque Georgian countryside to Kutaisi, Georgia’s second largest city. Kutaisi, a city of monasteries and cathedrals, has elegant tree lined streets with 19th century houses stretching down to the banks of the Rioni River and amid attractive parks. We stop along the way to have lunch and arrive in Kutaisi in the early afternoon. After checking into the Solomoni Hotel which has a restaurant, winery and free WiFi, we have the afternoon free to relax or explore the town before dinner. (B,D)

Day 8. Saturday, August 14. Drive to Mestia in Northwest Georgia
Today we have a 4.5 hour drive north to the village of Mestia located in the Svaneti region of northwest Georgia along the Russian border. This region is characterized by awesome mountains which extend up to 17,059 feet, huge glaciers and lush green valleys. It is one of the most beautiful areas in the country and a region where abiding ancient traditions, a traditional lifestyle and hospitality survive. Mestia, located at an elevation of 4,900 feet, is a sprawling town of 10 hamlets dotted with picturesque stone Svan Towers, defensive dwellings some of which were built in the 9th century. Enroute we visit the 12th century Gelati, a medieval monastic complex and masterpiece of the Georgian Golden Age. Gelati was founded in 1106 by King David IV of Georgia and is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. We lodge at a Family Hotel for two nights. (B,D)

Day 9. Sunday, August 15. Hike for View of Chalaadi Glacier.
We drive to the village of Mulakhi and then hike to a beautiful valley radiant with wildflowers where we have a view of the Chalaadi Glacier and enjoy a picnic lunch. We hike 4-5 hours and ascend about 1,080 feet and descend 1,640 feet. We return to our comfortable hotel in Mestia. (B,L,D)

Day 10. Monday, August 16. Visit Village of Ushguli & Hike to Queen Tamaras Tower
Today we have a 4WD drive through deciduous forest to the small village of Ushguli located at an elevation of 7,874 feet. Ushguli has dozens of dark brown Svan Towers which create a mystical silhouette that looks like a picture from the Middle Ages. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the highest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe. From the village we have magnificent views of Mount Shkhara which at 17,037 feet is the tallest mountain in Georgia. From the village we hike to Queen Tamar’s tower perched on a ridge that has awesome views of Mount Shkhara and its glaciers. After a picnic lunch amid the mountain splendor we hike back to Ushguli and drive back to Mestia. We hike for about 3 hours and ascend and descend for about 820 feet. (B,L,D)

Day 11. Tuesday, August 17. Drive to Kutaisi
Today we have a 4.5 hour drive to Kutaisi and back to the Solomoni Hotel. We have the afternoon free to relax and explore Kutaisi. (B,D)

Day 12. Wednesday, 18. Drive to Tbilisi & Afternoon Free
Today we have a 3.5 hour drive to Tbilisi where we check into the Vinotel Hotel. We have the afternoon free to go the Sulphur bath, relax or explore the city. We have a farewell dinner at a local restaurant in town. (B,D)

Day 13. Thursday, August 19, Depart for USA
In the morning we will be transferred to the airport for our departing flights. (B)

COSTS

Land Cost: $3,200 for 4-5; $3,000 for 6-9; $2,800 for 10, per person based on double room occupancy. Single Supplement $480.

Cost Includes: Lodging; all breakfasts, lunch and dinner where noted in itinerary; airport transfers; transportation through the tour; Georgian and American guides; entrance free to museum; wine tastings; and one bottle of water per day.

Cost Does Not Include: Airfares, insurance, drinks and alcoholic beverages not noted in the itinerary.

GRADE

We have three hikes all on well-maintained trails. Hike 3-5 hours and ascents/descents of up to 1600 feet. The hiking is rated as moderate as the elevation of our hikes is generally 7,000 to 8,000 feet.

REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION
If you would like additional information, e-mail us at info@adventureboundmen.com, or call us locally at 303-449-0990 or toll free at 1-877-440-0990. Our office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) Monday through Friday.

You may also download our trip registration form, and mail it in to us.

Tbilisi Old Town, Georgria