Sacred Georgia - Monasteries and Fortresses of the West

DAY 1: Transfer from Tbilisi Airport to the capital

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

Accommodation: Ibis Styles Tbilisi Center 4*

18 km | 00:25 by car

DAY 2: 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 3: Tbilisi - Gori - Uplistsikhe - Akhaltsikhe

We will leave Tbilisi behind to travel west and enter the Kartli region. Our first stop will be in the city of Gori, where we will visit the Stalin Museum. In this historical complex, we will delve into the life of the controversial Soviet leader, observing his original birthplace and his impressive personal armored train carriage. A few kilometers away, we will step back in time by visiting Uplistsikhe, a fascinating rock-hewn city carved into sandstone. We will walk through its ancient streets, exploring theaters, pharmacies and pagan temples dating from the Iron Age, all with privileged views of the Mtkvari River. After this archaeological immersion, we will continue our journey south, crossing changing landscapes until we reach Akhaltsikhe. This city, a crossroads of cultures, will welcome us with the imposing silhouette of the restored Rabati Fortress, where we will end the day and stay.

Accommodation: Hotel Gino Wellness Rabath 4*

248 km | 04:12 by car

DAY 4: Akhaltsikhe - Vardzia - Khertvisi - Rabati - Kutaisi

After breakfast at the hotel, our day will begin exploring the majestic Vardzia, an impressive 12th-century rock-hewn monastery city, where we will enter its tunnels to admire unique medieval frescoes. Next, we will make a scenic stop in front of the historic Khertvisi Fortress, one of the oldest fortifications in Georgia. At this site, we will stop to learn about the fascinating history surrounding its walls and take panoramic photographs of the surroundings. A highlight will be our crossing of a picturesque suspension bridge over the Kura River; from this privileged location, we will get the best and most spectacular view of the fortress, ideal for capturing its grandeur. To end a day full of contrasts, we will head to the extraordinary Akhaltsikhe Fortress (Rabat). In this complex, which blends medieval architecture with multicultural influences, we will tour its imposing walls, relaxing gardens and museum, thus closing an itinerary designed to appreciate the deep cultural and visual richness of the region.

Accommodation: Best Western Kutaisi 4*

299 km | 05:45 by car

DAY 5: Kutaisi - Bagrati - Gelati - Prometheus - Batumi

We will start our day exploring the authenticity of the Kutaisi Agricultural Market, a vibrant place where the aromas and colors of local products will surround us. After this immersion in daily life, we will climb Ukimerioni Hill to admire Bagrati Cathedral, an imposing medieval structure that offers the best panoramic views of the city. We will continue the historical tour at the Gelati Academy, a UNESCO Heritage Site, a sacred precinct that will dazzle us with its ancient frescoes and its importance in the Georgian Golden Age. Later, we will venture into the depths of the earth in Prometheus Cave, a magical natural system adorned with impressive illuminated stalactites and stalagmites. There, we will have the opportunity to navigate its mysterious underground river, provided water level conditions permit at the time of the visit. To end this day full of emotions and geographical contrasts, we will leave the inland landscapes behind to head towards the Black Sea coast, concluding our journey in the dynamic city of Batumi.

Accommodation: Best Western Premier Batumi 4*

197 km | 03:55 by car

DAY 6: 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 7: Transfer from Batumi to Batumi 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.

6 km | 00:15 by car