Short Cultural Tour in Georgia

Itinerary
Duration: 9 days   
Season: Spring, Summer, Autumn
Price: 1350 Euro per person 

Tbilisi, Capital of Georgia lies in the centre of eastern Georgia, in the foothills of the Trialeti mountain range. According to Georgian legends it was founded in the 5th century by King Vakhtang Gorgasali who while hunting shot a pheasant which fell into a warm spring and was either boiled or healed, depending on which version you hear. Either way, the king was inspired to found a city on the site, and the name of the city derives from the Georgian word ‘tbili’ meaning warm. Although the city has been destroyed and rebuilt some 29 times, the layout of the Old Town is largely intact with narrow alleys and big crooked houses built around courtyards.

 Batumi is a seaside city on the Black Sea coast and capital of Adjara. Batumi, with its large port and commercial center, is also the last stop of the Transcaucasian railroad and the Baku oil pipeline. It is situated some 20 km (12 mi) from the Turkish border, in a subtropical zone, rich in citrus fruit and tea. Industries included shipbuilding, food processing, and light manufacturing.

 Kutaisi (Imereti Region), one of the oldest cities in the whole world, according to ancient Greek mythology and historians it belongs to the “Era of Minos” (XVII-XV centuries BC). Two great divine kings – Minos on Crete and Ayeti in Kutaisi (Kutaia) were considered relatives and companions by ancient Greeks. 

Zugdidi (Samegrelo Region), one of the historic provinces in the western part of Georgia. Samegrelo region was  formerly  known as Odishi. Samegrelo is bordered by the secessionist region of Abkhazia to the north-west, Svaneti to the north, Imereti to the east, Guria to the south and the Black Sea to the west.

 Ozurgeti (Guria Region), one of the historic provinces in the western part of Georgia. It is is bordered by Samegrelo to the north-west, Imereti to the north, Samtskhe-Javakheti to the east, Ajaria to the south, and the Black Sea to the west. The province has an area of 2,003 km². 

Day 1:  Arrival to Tbilisi Airport, where you will be met by the representatives of EcoTour-Ge, transfer to the hotel, traditional dinner at a restaurant, overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 2: Visit of Sameba - Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba is the greatest Orthodox Cathedral in Georgia and Caucasus. It represents the synthesis of cross–domed and central-domed churches. It is 100 meters in height), Sulphuric Baths (foundation of Tbilisi and origin of the word itself is related with these sulphuric baths. According to a legend, King Vakhtang Gorgasali stumbled upon warm sulphuric spring while hunting. “Tbilisi” is derived from the word “tbili” that means “warm”), Anchiskhati Church (built in the 5^th -6^th centuries and is a triple-nave basilica), Ruins of Prince Mukhran-Batoni palace 1860s (The palace was an impressive residential building. It stool until the 1880s near Anchiskhati (Anchi - Icon's) Basilica), Jvarismama Church (built in the XVI century), walking in Shardeni St./Shopping (This spot features the best galleries and souvenir shops, where something interesting is always found for everybody and especially for the visitors. You can buy Georgian National Souvenirs, Carpets and Painters’ Works, traditional clothes), overnight in Tbilisi.

 Day 3: Trip in Mtskheta (the ancient capital of eastern Georgia. Georgia’s conversion to Christianity occurred in Mtskheta in 337 AD ), the Jvari Monastery (6-7th century), perched on a cliff overlooking Mtskheta and the Svetitskhoveli cathedral (11th century), trip to the Ananuri Fort along the Aragvi river, Trip to Kutasi, overnight in Kutaisi.

Day 4: Visit of Bagrati Temple (11th century cathedral, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site), Gelati Monastery (lies eleven kilometers to the north-east of Kutaisi. Its construction was started in 1106 by the Georgian king David the Builder and completed by his son Dmitri (1125—1156), Motsameta (built in XI century), overnight in Kutaisi.

Day 5: Visit of Kutaisi State Historical Museum (it houses more then 150 thousand items of cultural heritage of the country, from IX-VII c.c. B.C. up to late medieval times), Ukimmerioni Hill (the ruins of one the ancient citadels), the Main Square (or Davit Aghmashenebelis Moedani in Georgian), State Drama Theatre of Kutaisi, walk over the Riverside (The area around the Rioni river is a place full of flavours, like a trip back in medieval times), overnight in Kutaisi.

Day 6: Trip to Zugdidi (the centre of Samegrelo region, located on 30 km from the Black Sea near the border with Abkhazia. Zugdidi is one of the five largest cities of Georgia, visit of Palace of Dadiani (The treasury of west Georgia located in the centre of Zugdidi), Museum (here you will find exhibits from ancient times: Stone, Palaeolithic and Neolithic ages), Dadiani’s Garden (The garden has extraordinary collection of trees and plants brought from France, Italy, America and Asian countries. Alleys of the park are mainly made from willows), Historical-ethnographic museum, overnight in Zugdidi.

Day 7: Visit of Papantskvili Lake (It is believed that the lake is very deep and people avoid it. The lake has its legend), trip to Guria Region, visit of Likhauri Church (15^th c.), Shemokmedi Monastery complex (16^th-18^thcc.), Gurieli palace (18^thc), trip to Batumi, overnight in Batumi.

Day 8: Visit of Batumi Museum of Archaeology, Mtirala National Park (established in 2006 through initiative of the Government of Adjara Autonomous Republic and the Agency of Protected areas of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources with WWF’s assistance and financial support provided by the Norwegian Government), Gonio Fortress (dates from 8th-7th centuries BC. You can follow the ancient tradition, the rise of Apsarus as a settlement is related to the expedition of the Argonauts to Aeaea-Colchis which in the view of the scholars), Batumi Sea Port (the main purpose of port is the uninterrupted cargo handling and passenger service), overtime in Batumi.

Day 9: Free day. Day 8: Check-out the hotel, departure from Batumi airport.

Note: Duration of the tour will be fit to your arrival and departure Flights. You can arrive in Tbilisi or Batumi airports. Arrival place should be negotiated with us as EcoTour-Ge takes responsibility to meet you at the airport. You have alternative choice: you can arrive in Georgia via Turkey! Our representatives can meet you at the border of Turkey- right at the custom offices in Sarpi.

Price includes: Transfer from and to Batumi (or Tbilisi) Airport, Inland transportation, Interpreter, Tour guide, Georgian wine and beer, Hotel accommodation (In the cities), Guest house accommodation (in the villages), 3 times meal a day, Souvenir, Museums entrance fees.

Price excludes: Flight expense, Travel insurance.

We reserve the right to make changes in the given itinerary if necessary!

For more information please refer to:  info@tour-hunting-georgia.ge

Copyright © 2009, Zurab Siradze. All rights reserved