Active and Medieval Georgia

Day 1: Arrival in Kutaisi

Reception at Kutaisi airport and transfer to the hotel. Free afternoon to stroll through the center of this historic city, former capital of the Kingdom of Colchis and later of the Kingdom of Georgia. You can discover Bagrati Cathedral, visible from all over the city, the picturesque green market, and the streets of the historic quarter with its 18th and 19th-century buildings. Accommodation in Kutaisi.

Day 2: Kutaisi - Gelati - Motsameta - Prometheus Cave

Day dedicated to Kutaisi's treasures and surroundings. We start by visiting Gelati Monastery (UNESCO), founded in the 12th century by King David the Builder. It was the main spiritual, cultural, and scientific center of medieval Georgia, with an academy that rivaled Europe's best. We'll admire its impressive original mosaics and frescoes. A few kilometers away, Motsameta Monastery surprises us with its spectacular location on a cliff overlooking a river meander. In the afternoon, we descend into Prometheus Cave to explore its fascinating stalactite and stalagmite formations, with the option of a boat ride on the underground river. Accommodation in Kutaisi.

Day 3: Kutaisi - Martvili Canyon - Okatse Canyon - Kutaisi

Adventure day in the Imereti region's canyons. At Martvili Canyon, we take a magical boat ride through turquoise waters between 40-meter rock walls covered in lush vegetation and moss. Waterfalls cascading from above complete a dreamlike landscape. We continue to Okatse Canyon, where the adrenaline rises as we walk along metal walkways suspended over the void at 50 meters height. The views of the gorge and the river winding below are spectacular. Return to Kutaisi in the afternoon. Accommodation in Kutaisi.

Day 4: Kutaisi - Borjomi - Akhaltsikhe (200 km)

We head to southern Georgia. First stop in Borjomi, famous for its mineral waters and natural park. We'll enjoy a walk through the Central Park, where you can taste the mineral water directly from the spring and breathe the pure air of the surrounding forests. We continue to Akhaltsikhe, whose name means "New Fortress." In the afternoon, we visit the impressive Rabati Fortress, a monumental complex that reflects the region's multicultural history with its mosques, churches, synagogues, and Turkish baths coexisting in harmony. Accommodation in Akhaltsikhe.

Day 5: Akhaltsikhe - Vardzia - Khertvisi - Akhaltsikhe (100 km)

Day dedicated to southern Georgia's jewel: Vardzia. This spectacular cave city was built in the 12th-13th centuries during the reign of King George III and his daughter, the legendary Queen Tamar. Carved into the vertical wall of Mount Erusheti, Vardzia housed over 2,000 monks in a 13-story complex with more than 6,000 rooms, including churches, libraries, wine cellars, and a sophisticated irrigation system. We'll explore its tunnels, stairs, and rooms, admiring the 12th-century frescoes in the main church. On the way, stop at Khertvisi Fortress, one of Georgia's oldest, strategically located above the confluence of two rivers. Return to Akhaltsikhe. Accommodation in Akhaltsikhe.

Day 6: Akhaltsikhe - Uplistsikhe - Kutaisi (220 km)

We return north with a stop at another rock-hewn city: Uplistsikhe. Inhabited from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages, it was an important Silk Road center and had up to 20,000 inhabitants. We'll walk through its streets, squares, temples, and theaters carved into stone, discovering a fascinating mix of pagan and Christian architecture. The views from above over the Mtkvari River valley are impressive. We continue to Kutaisi with a brief stop in Gori, Stalin's birthplace, to see the exterior of the museum dedicated to the Soviet leader. Arrival in Kutaisi in the afternoon. Farewell dinner with Imereti region specialties. Accommodation in Kutaisi.

Day 7: Kutaisi - Departure

Free time until transfer to Kutaisi airport for your return flight. End of our services.