History and Culture of Georgia
At the Sources of Wine and Christianity, Between Cliff Monasteries and Ancient Vineyards of the Caucasus
Duration
9 days
From
€596/pers.
Ideal seasons
Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
classique
Travelers
Couple, Solo, With friends, senior
The spirit of travel
Georgia is a country with a long history, one of the oldest centers of civilization in Europe, the cradle of Christianity and, it is said, the birthplace of wine.
Here, countless churches, monasteries and fortresses stand alongside cave dwellings and vineyards dating back thousands of years!
This 9-day itinerary aims to provide a gentle discovery of this complex history, of the country's most beautiful historical sites, its ancestral wine-making processes, its many living traditions, while admiring beautiful and generous nature dominated by the imposing Caucasus mountain range to the north.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Discovering Georgia's Capital
Breakfast.
The day is dedicated to exploring the Georgian capital and more particularly its Old Town, whose limited expanse on either side of the Mtkvari river makes its discovery on foot very pleasant. We visit in particular the Church of Metekhi, which dates from the 13th century and offers a magnificent panorama over the river, the synagogue, the Sioni Cathedral, built in the 12th century and a strong symbol of Georgian identity, and the city's last mosque. We don't forget of course the ancient Narikala fortress, built in the 4th century on a hill overlooking the city.
We then head towards the Abanotubani sulfurous baths before strolling through the charming streets of the Chardin district with its many cafés and restaurants.
In the afternoon, we visit the National Museum and its collections of archaeological findings from the ancient period.
Stroll along Rustaveli Street and Liberty Square, visit to the opera and ballet house (from the outside), the parliament building, visit of XIX-XX century architecture, art nouveau buildings.
Wine Traditions in Kakheti
Tbilissi → Ikalto Monastery
Breakfast.
We leave Tbilisi this morning and head east towards the city of Telavi. This city is the capital of the historic region of Kakheti, which is the cradle of wine and home to the oldest uninterrupted tradition of using Qvevri, these large terracotta amphoras in which delicious organic unfiltered wines are produced. Several hundreds of grape varieties are still cultivated in this terroir with very vibrant traditions. We visit two exceptional historic sites: the magnificent Alaverdi Cathedral, built in the 11th century, and the great Ikalto Monastery, founded in the 6th century, as well as its academy, where scholars came from all over the country in the Middle Ages to study disciplines as varied as theology, astronomy, geography and pharmacology
Ikalto Monastery → Alaverdi Monastery
We make a short stop at a Georgian house with an ancient cellar, where the locals present their traditional winemaking methods, very different from French practice. Wine tasting.
Alaverdi Monastery → Tsinandali
Next, we head to our last visit of the day: the village of Tsinandali, about ten kilometers east of Telavi, land of a vineyard and historic winery, as well as a museum.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites to the Mountains of the Greater Caucasus
Breakfast.
This morning we set off on the road to Mtskheta, capital of the ancient Kingdom of Iberia which ruled for 9 centuries (from -300 to 600) over the southern and eastern regions of present-day Géorgie. We visit the Jvari Monastery, one of the most beautiful in the country, built in the 6th-7th centuries on a hill overlooking the meeting point of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers, as well as the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral constructed in the 11th century.
Mtskheta → Ananouri
We continue our journey northwards and make a stop at Ananouri to admire its fortress dating from the 16th-17th centuries, which overlooks the artificial lake of Jinvali, offering a panoramic view of the entire beautiful landscape of the region's rugged terrain.
Ananouri → Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
We continue our journey along the legendary Georgian military road, one of the most beautiful roads in the world running alongside gorges and valleys and crossing the Cross Pass at nearly 2400m altitude. Arrival in Kazbegi.
Mountains of the Greater Caucasus
We are starting this morning a hike to the Trinity Church of Guergueti.
6 km - 3 hours of walking - moderate difficulty
(possibility to avoid the hike by renting a 4x4 for an additional charge of €27/vehicle for 6 people)
Soviet City and Uplistsikhe Caves
Departure to the central part of Géorgie. Our first destination is the Soviet city of Gori, it is the birthplace of J. Stalin, where you can visit the house-museum and his armored train…
Gori → Uplistsikhe
About ten kilometers from the city, we set out to discover the remains of Uplistsikhe, an incredible troglodyte city built in the 1st millennium BC, making it one of the oldest human settlements in the Caucasus.
Kutaisi, UNESCO sites and a seaside town
Breakfast.
Kutaisi was several times the capital of Georgia when Tbilisi was occupied, and housed the country's parliament until recently. This city, some of whose archaeological remains date back 3500 years, is full of churches and other historic buildings.
We visit the remarkable sites of the city, notably the Bagrati Cathedral, a marvel of Georgian medieval architecture and the city's pride, and the Gelati Monastery, inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage list.
Arrival in the afternoon in Bordjomi, a small town nestled in a gorge of the Koura at over 800m altitude, and renowned for its numerous thermal springs and lush nature.
Bordjomi → Saro
Departure to the Saro village to visit a very specific house in the region, called "Mitsuri" or "Meskheti house," built underground. Meeting with a local family who will explain the local lifestyle from ancient times.
Saro → Vardzia
Arrival at Vardzia .
Troglodytic City of Vardzia and Lake Paravani
Discovery this morning of the Vardzia monastic troglodytic city, carved into the slopes of Mt Erusheti in the 12th century and overlooking the Koura river. 2 hours of walking allow you to discover this incredible network of tunnels and cliff-side fortresses.
Vardzia → Tsalka
Tsalka → Tbilissi
We then continue on the road to Tbilisi via the Phoka Monastery, which offers breathtaking views of Lake Paravani (weather permitting).
Have a great trip!
Tbilissi → Tbilisi International Airport
We take advantage of our last free time in Tbilisi before heading to the airport for our return flight. Safe travels.
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- Air travel (the price depends on travel dates)
- Insurance
- Tips and Personal Expenses
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Everything not mentioned in "Included"
- The services of an English-speaking guide
Included
- Accommodations (8 nights, double/twin room basis)
- 5 nights in Tbilisi - 3* Hotel
- 1 night in Kazbegi - homestay
- 1 night in Kutaisi - homestay
- 1 night in Vardzia - family hotel
- Private airport-hotel transfer
- Private hotel-airport transfer
- Private transport throughout the circuit with English-speaking or francophone driver
- The meals mentioned in the day-by-day itinerary
- Wine tasting
- Entrance fees to sites
- Our agency's 24/7 assistance
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 30 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
Les informations ci-dessous concernent les voyageurs ressortissants de l'Espace économique européen (EEE), de la Suisse et du Canada se rendant en Géorgie dans le cadre d'un séjour touristique. Les règles d'entrée pouvant évoluer, nous vous recommandons de vérifier les informations auprès des autorités officielles avant votre départ.
Passeport
Pour entrer en Géorgie, votre passeport doit être valide pour toute la durée du séjour prévu. Il est toutefois recommandé qu'il reste valide au moins trois mois après la date de retour prévue et comporte au moins une page vierge pour les tampons d'immigration.
Le document doit être en bon état (pas de pages détériorées, déchirées ou modifiées).
Les ressortissants de nombreux pays de l'EEE peuvent également entrer en Géorgie avec une carte d'identité nationale valide en lieu et place du passeport. Nous vous recommandons de vérifier cette possibilité selon votre nationalité avant le départ.
Séjour touristique sans visa
Les ressortissants de l'Espace économique européen, de la Suisse et du Canada bénéficient d'une exemption de visa pour les séjours touristiques.
Cette exemption permet un séjour pouvant aller jusqu'à 365 jours (un an) sur le territoire géorgien, sans démarche préalable. Il s'agit de l'une des politiques d'accueil les plus libérales au monde.
Les autorités peuvent néanmoins demander :
un billet de sortie du territoire (vol retour ou continuation),
une preuve de ressources financières suffisantes pour la durée du séjour,
une adresse d'hébergement en Géorgie.
Voyage avec des enfants
Les mineurs doivent être titulaires de leur propre passeport valide couvrant la durée du séjour.
Lorsqu'un mineur voyage sans l'un de ses parents ou tuteurs légaux, une autorisation de sortie du territoire peut être exigée selon la réglementation du pays de résidence. Il est recommandé de se munir d'une lettre d'autorisation parentale accompagnée d'une copie des documents d'identité des parents, même si celle-ci n'est pas systématiquement réclamée.
Santé
Aucune vaccination n'est obligatoire pour entrer en Géorgie. Certaines vaccinations sont cependant recommandées à titre préventif, notamment contre l'hépatite A, l'hépatite B et la typhoïde, selon votre profil de voyage et les zones visitées.
Il est conseillé de consulter votre médecin ou un centre de médecine des voyages avant le départ afin d'obtenir des recommandations personnalisées.
Zones à éviter
Les régions d'Ossétie du Sud et d'Abkhazie sont des zones de conflit sous contrôle de facto de forces séparatistes soutenues par la Russie. L'entrée dans ces territoires est fortement déconseillée par les autorités consulaires de la plupart des pays européens et du Canada. Tout accès à ces régions autrement que par les points de passage officiels géorgiens est illégal au regard du droit géorgien.
Autres nationalités
Les conditions d'entrée peuvent varier selon la nationalité. Les voyageurs concernés doivent se renseigner auprès de l'ambassade ou du consulat de Géorgie de leur pays de résidence.
Pour participer à nos voyages, il est fortement conseillé d'être assuré en assistance-rapatriement et frais médicaux à l’étranger.
Votre agence locale vous encourage à prendre connaissance du contrat spécifique élaboré avec notre partenaire CHAPKA ASSURANCES et AXA ASSISTANCE.
Pour souscrire à une assurance, connaître les garanties et les tarifs, suivez le lien ci-dessous.
CAP EXPLORER : La solution d’assurance complète conçue pour vivre sereinement votre voyage !
Choisissez la formule qui vous correspond le mieux:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Spécifiques à nos voyages, nous suggérons fortement d’y souscrire.
Si vous choisissez de souscrire à l’une de ces formules, la convention détaillant l’ensemble des garanties et les modalités de déclaration du sinistre sont disponibles sur le site Internet de l'assureur.
Votre agence locale en aura connaissance, mais seul le participant est responsable du respect des procédures de déclaration de tout sinistre. Le participant doit donc conserver cette convention avec lui pendant toute la durée de son voyage.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
To stay in Georgia, a valid passport for the entire duration of your stay is required. No visa is necessary under the current exemption regime. This exemption makes Georgia a particularly accessible destination. Before booking your trip, check the entry conditions applicable to your nationality with the Georgian consular or diplomatic authorities in your country of residence.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a tailor-made quality trip, plan for 100 to 170 euros per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transfers and activities. International flights (350-600 euros return from Paris) are additional. Georgia is one of the most affordable destinations in wider Europe.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We tailor each itinerary to our travelers' profiles. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, engaging and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget, and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You refine every detail together until it's perfect. You confirm and depart with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) guarantee which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Around Tbilisi
Guardian of the Caucasus Mountains, based in Géorgie
In the mountains of Georgia, each village has its character, its stories and its traditions. That's where you truly understand the strength and soul of the country.
— Shorena
