Deep Georgia - From Medieval Towers to the Black Sea
An 8-day journey combining Tbilisi, the mountains of Kazbegi, the untamed Svaneti region with its medieval towers and Ushguli, to the subtropical coast of Batumi.
Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival in Tbilisi
Transfer from Tbilisi airport to hotel with guide assistance. 18 km
DAY 2: Tbilisi - Guided Tour
Tour of Rustaveli Avenue, Metekhi Square, cable car ride to Narikala Fortress, Abanotubani district with its sulfur baths and Anchiskhati Basilica. 2 km
DAY 3: Tbilisi - Jvari - Svetitskhoveli - Kazbegi - Gudauri
6th-century Jvari Monastery with views of the river confluence. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta (UNESCO). Georgian Military Highway to Kazbegi. Gergeti Trinity Church beneath Mount Kazbek. Night in Gudauri. 216 km
DAY 4: Gudauri - Uplistsikhe - Gori - Kutaisi
Stalin Museum in Gori. Rock-hewn city of Uplistsikhe with over 3,000 years of history, pagan temples and Christian basilicas. Arrival in Kutaisi. 335 km
DAY 5: Kutaisi - Ushguli - Mestia
Ascent to the Svaneti region. Visit to Ushguli (UNESCO), one of the highest inhabited settlements in Europe at 2,200 meters, with medieval defensive towers beneath Mount Shkhara. Night in Mestia. 208 km
DAY 6: Mestia - Zugdidi - Dendrological Park - Batumi
Descent from Svaneti along panoramic roads. Passing through Zugdidi. Shekvetili Dendrological Park with centuries-old trees and exotic fauna. Arrival in Batumi. 268 km
DAY 7: Batumi and surroundings
Batumi Ethnographic Museum, 1st-century Roman Gonio Fortress, walk through the old town and the coastal Boulevard. 30 km
DAY 8: Departure from Batumi
Transfer from hotel to Batumi airport. 6 km
About this trip
Immerse yourself in "Deep Georgia" with this 8-day itinerary that combines ancient history with the wildest nature. We will begin in Tbilisi, exploring the capital with its sulfur baths and old town before climbing to the peaks of Kazbegi. But what distinguishes this trip is its incursion into the untamed region of Svaneti.
The Mysterious Svaneti
We will travel northwest to enter a world of medieval towers and eternal glaciers. We will visit Mestia, the heart of the region, and climb to the village of Ushguli, one of the highest inhabited settlements in Europe, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, time seems to have stopped, and ancestral traditions are kept alive under the shadow of the Shkhara peak.
Coastal Contrasts
After the alpine adventure, we will descend to the Black Sea coast in Batumi. Along the way, we will visit the impressive Dadiani Palace in Zugdidi and the Dendrological Garden, an oasis of biodiversity. The trip ends on the coast, offering an extreme contrast between perpetual snow and subtropical climate. It is a unique opportunity to discover one of the most authentic and isolated cultures of the Caucasus.
Included
- Accommodation: 7 nights in selected 4-star hotels
- Meals: Bed and breakfast
- Transport: Private vehicle with A/C and fuel
- Guide: Professional English-speaking guide throughout the tour
- Logistics: Staff expenses (guide/driver)
- Water: 1 bottle per person/day
- Taxes: Local taxes included
- Entrances: Monuments according to itinerary
Not Included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Lunches and dinners (unless indicated)
- Alcoholic beverages and tips
- Personal expenses