Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Kazbegi – David Gareja – Kakheti
Day 1
Arrival to Tbilisi, transfer to the hotel, check- in and a rest for a while .
City tour. Georgia is the a country of myths. Romantic country full of fairy tales and legends. Tbilisi is amazing city with its tortuous streets in the old part of town. You can see a perfect mixture of all kinds of cultures. Near the Orthodox Churches coexist Armenian church, mosque and synagogue. Metekhi Church (XII c) – Tradition holds that it was also a site where the 5th-century martyr lady Saint Shushanik was buried. King Tamar – Tamar the Great- often prayed in this church.
Abanotubani – a small quarter in old Tbilisi, the famous complex of baths, standing on natural sulfur springs, a favorite place of Alexander Pushkin and Alexander Duma. Narikala fortress (IV century) – the soul of Tbilisi. The whole city is in full view. In the territory of citadel was recently restored church of St. Nicholas.
Sioni Cathedral (VI-XII century), one of the most famous monuments of the old town, named in honor Mount Zion in Jerusalem, founded by Vakhtang Gorgasal and consecrated in honor of Dormition of the Mother of God , which keeps the Saint Cross Enlightener of Georgia St. Nino. (You can worship to a cross once a year on a holiday of St. Nino-27 of January). Anchiskhati- was built in the VI century, which was later completely destroyed. In the XVII century it was rebuilt in its original form. The Icon of Ancha the Savior was transferred to this church.
Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi -The unique structure of the century.
Visiting The Kashveti Church of St. George.
To rise by the tram or by cable car on Funicular Mtatsminda(the sacred mountain)
Visiting The Kashveti – The Church of St. George. The rise to the tram by cable car on Mtatsminda(the sacred mountain).
Visit the church of the St. David constructed by one of the Assyrian fathers St. David. There is a pantheon of writers and public figures of Georgia, a grave of Alexander Griboyedov a Russian diplomat, playwright, poet and composer and his beautiful wife Nino Chavchavadze.
To continue the way to the funicular. To survey the panoramic view of the city.
In the evening the free time and a dinner in city restaurant with the Georgian regale .
Overnight in Tbilisi
Meal – Dinner.
Day 2
After breakfast visiting the sight of Tbilisi – ancient historical part of the city and the modern city, Gold Fund in the Georgian Fine Arts Museum. The collection preserves unique samples of Georgian art: unique gold items and icons of the ancient period well known around the world. The Museum has a very rich and valuable collection of enamel jewelry.
Free time for the lunch on your own.
Depart to the ancient capital city of Georgia Mtskheta (25 km) , Jvari (VI century)- On this location in the early 4th century Saint Nino, a female evangelist credited with converting King Mirian III of Iberia to Christianity, erected a large wooden cross on the site of a pagan temple. The cross was reportedly able to work miracles and therefore drew pilgrims from all over the Caucasus. From the slopes of the hill on which was erected monastery Jvari, you can see merging steams of two rivers: Aragvi and Kura. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral – center of Orthodoxy Georgia (1010-1029), is known as the burial site of Christ’s mantle. Samtavro Transfiguration Orthodox Church and Nunnery of St. Nino in Mtskheta, church was built in the IV century and was reconstructed in the 11th century, where are buried King Mirian and Queen Nana, they the first accepted holy Baptism. Also there are sacred relics of the Venerable confessor and fool-for-Christ father Gabriel, which you can concern.
Return to Tbilisi. Free time.
Dinner at city restaurant with the Georgian regale.
Overnight in Tbilisi
Meal- Half board
Day 3
After breakfast by the Georgian Military road towards Kazbegi(150 km). Ananuri Fortress (XVI century). Not far from it there is a small church of XVI-XVII century, which people name “Mkurnali” (the treating (medicare) and cathedral Mleta- church Lomisi is dated from XVII century. According to legend, Lomisi – saint who was riding the bull rescued 7000 slaves in Horasmi, then was settled on the mountain of Mleta.
Through the world-famous winter ski resort Gudauri, arrival to Kazbegi – nowadays Stepantsminda (passing through Cross pass from sea level 2395 m).
Rise by jeep on Gergeti Trinity, situated in region of Stepantsminda – among all the churches of Europe, located in the alpine zone, Gergeti Trinity is located on the highest point of-2400 m at the foot of mount Mkinvartsveri – 5047 m above sea level.
Dinner on the way with primordially mountain cuisine.
Return to Tbilisi
Overnight in Tbilisi
Meal – Half board
Day 4
After breakfast depart to David Gareja (110 km), monastery complex , which was founded by one of 13 Assyrian Fathers – David in VI c. and later this place became a Lavra. They say that the prayer pronounced three times in David Gareja, it is equal to one prayer in Jerusalem.
In the evening return to Tbilisi, dinner and overnight in Tbilisi
Meal – Half board.
Day 5
After breakfast trip to Bodbe Monastery (100km ) – was founded in IV c.. Here is the grave of St. Nino – the Enlightener of Georgia. The monastery now functions as a nunnery and is one of the major pilgrimage sites in Georgia, due to its association with St. Nino, the 4th-century female evangelist of Georgians, whose relics are shrined there. Also there is a Holly Spring named by St.Nino. Because of its healing power at any time of the year you can plunge in it and be cured of various ailments.
Arrival to Signagi-city of love (10km). City impresses with its magnificent history. Its enclosed by double fortified wall with 28 towers. Climbing on any of them, it seems that you can touch the sky.
The dinner at the restaurant in Signagi with view of the Alazani valley.
Overnight in Signagi.
Meal – Half board.
Day 6
After breakfast, visit the monuments Nekresi (first building is the IV c, and later the XVI c), and Gremy (XV c) (50 km).
Departure to Alaverdi (XI c) – the cathedral, historical and architectural complex- is located on the river bank of Alazani which is founded in the VI century by one of the Assyrian father Josef. There is the grave of the queen of Kakheti , the great martyr Ketevan. The temple is differs of unusual internal space. Frescoes of a later period were preserved.
Dinner in Kakheti .
Return to Tbilisi (100 km) and Meal – Half board .
Day 7
After a breakfast the free time for walking across Tbilisi.
On this day you can visit the historic monastery which is constructed with the donation of Georgian government, worshippers and Georgian immigrants residing abroad – the temple complex on Makhata mountain – Makhata’s Virgin Mariam Iverion Icon Monastery (Iberian Holly Mother Monastery).
Transfer to airport .
NOTE: The company reserves the right to make some minimal changes to the tour routes. There may be changes in the schedule of trips on public, religious Christian holidays. The company is not responsible for any damage caused in the event of force majeure, natural disasters, unexpected delays on the roads and like as well as for loss of documents or money during the tour.
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Arrival: Tbilisi International Airport
Departure: Tbilisi International Airport.
