Georgia Svaneti - From the Sea to the Towers

DAY 1: Transfer from Batumi airport to Batumi

We will transfer from the airport to the hotel with the assistance of our guide, who will accompany you throughout the journey.

Accommodation: Best Western Premier Batumi 4*

6 km | 00:15 by car

DAY 2: Batumi - its surroundings

After enjoying a relaxing breakfast at the hotel, we will dedicate the morning to connecting with the cultural roots of the region at the Batumi Ethnographic Museum. This unique space, the work of sculptor Kemal Turmanidze, will captivate us with its impressive wood carvings and recreations that celebrate the soul and traditional customs of Georgia in a visual and artistic way. Later, we will move south to explore the historic Gonio Fortress. In this ancient 1st-century Roman bastion, we will stroll among ruins that whisper stories of the Silk Road and sacred legends, such as the supposed location of the tomb of the Apostle Matthias, all with the Black Sea breeze in the background. To close the day with a cosmopolitan touch, we will return to the heart of the city to tour the center of Batumi. We will lose ourselves in the charming streets of the old town and stroll along its iconic coastal Boulevard, absorbing the vibrant atmosphere and eclectic architecture of this Caucasus gem.

Accommodation: Best Western Premier Batumi 4*

30 km | 01:10 by car

DAY 3: Batumi - Dendrological Park - Mestia

After breakfast and bidding farewell to the sea breeze of Batumi, we will begin our route along the coast until we reach the fascinating Shekvetili Dendrological Park. This oasis of biodiversity will surprise us with its impressive collection of centuries-old giant trees and exotic species, offering us a relaxing walk in an environment where nature has been curated with mastery. Next, our adventure will take a spectacular turn as we leave the sea behind to enter the untamed mountains of the Greater Caucasus. The journey to the mysterious Svaneti region will be a memorable experience in itself, traveling winding roads bordered by deep gorges, virgin forests and wild waterfalls. As we gain altitude, the landscape will become more dramatic until we reach Mestia, the historic heart of the region. There, we will be greeted by a movie-like setting: a valley guarded by imposing snow-capped peaks and dotted with legendary medieval defensive towers, stone witnesses of an ancient culture that has survived isolated among the clouds.

Accommodation: Hotel Posta Mestia 4*

271 km | 05:21 by car

DAY 4: Mestia - Ushguli - Kutaisi

We will start the day with one of the most memorable experiences of the trip: the expedition to Ushguli. Located at 2,200 meters altitude, this remote settlement is recognized by UNESCO and considered one of the highest inhabited villages in Europe. Upon arrival, we will feel transported to the Middle Ages, surrounded by dozens of ancient stone defensive towers silhouetted against the impressive backdrop of Mount Shkhara, Georgia's highest peak. We will explore its narrow alleys, visit the Lamaria church and enjoy the views towards the glacier, breathing the pure air of the high mountains. After this deep immersion in Svan culture and wild nature, we will bid farewell to the snowy peaks. We will undertake the long but scenic descent through the Caucasus gorges, watching as the alpine landscape gives way to subtropical vegetation, until finally reaching the historic city of Kutaisi to rest.

Accommodation: Best Western Kutaisi 4*

208 km | 05:20 by car

DAY 5: Kutaisi - Gori - Uplistsikhe - Mtskheta - Tbilisi

We will leave Kutaisi behind to take a fascinating chronological journey through Georgia's history. Our first stop will be in Gori, where we will visit the Stalin Museum. In this complex, we will explore the Soviet leader's birthplace, his famous armored train carriage and a collection of personal objects that will help us understand the complexity of his legacy. Next, we will go back millennia in time upon reaching Uplistsikhe, an impressive ancient city carved into rock. We will walk through its streets, pagan temples and tunnels dating from the first millennium BC, silent witnesses to pre-Christian history. The route continues to the spiritual heart of the country: Mtskheta. There we will admire the majestic Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, an 11th-century architectural jewel loaded with symbolism. To end the day with an unforgettable view, we will climb to Jvari Monastery, perched on a hill. From there, we will contemplate the iconic confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers before completing our journey to the capital, Tbilisi.

Accommodation: Ibis Styles Tbilisi Center 4*

267 km | 04:44 by car

DAY 6: Tbilisi - Guided tour

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we will begin our cultural immersion on the vibrant Rustaveli Avenue, the beating heart of Tbilisi. On this elegant boulevard, we will admire architectural gems such as the imposing Parliament and the neo-Moorish Opera Theatre, as well as the distinctive Rustaveli Theatre and the beautiful Kashveti Church. Our tour will then take us to Metekhi Square, where the historic church and the equestrian statue of King Vakhtang Gorgasali will give us privileged views over the Mtkvari River. The experience will reach new heights as we take the cable car up to Narikala Fortress, the ancient 4th-century defensive citadel offering the best panoramic views of the capital. Later, we will enter the picturesque Abanotubani district, world-famous for its historic sulfur baths and charming medieval streets. Finally, we will culminate this unforgettable day by visiting the Anchiskhati Basilica, the oldest church in the city, where time seems to stand still among its walls and secular frescoes.

Accommodation: Ibis Styles Tbilisi Center 4*

2 km | 00:26 by car

DAY 7: Transfer from Tbilisi to Tbilisi Airport

We will transfer from the hotel to the airport according to the scheduled flight time, with the assistance of our guide, who will accompany you throughout the journey.

18 km | 00:25 by car