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
Welcome to Géorgie!
Tbilisi International Airport → Tbilissi
We land in Tbilissi, capital of Géorgie, where we are welcomed and transferred to our hotel. End of the day free for us to rest.
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
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.
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…
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.
Next we pass through the picturesque Rikoti Pass to reach Kutaisi, Georgia's second city. Along the way, we visit Ubissa Church, with its beautiful medieval frescoes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The information below applies to travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and Canada traveling to Georgia for tourism purposes. Entry requirements may change, so we recommend verifying information with official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Georgia, your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your planned stay. It is however recommended that it remains valid for at least three months after your planned return date and contains at least one blank page for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn, or altered pages).
Nationals of many EEA countries can also enter Georgia with a valid national identity card in place of a passport. We recommend verifying this possibility according to your nationality before departure.
Tourism without visa
Nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and Canada benefit from visa exemption for tourism stays.
This exemption allows a stay of up to 365 days (one year) on Georgian territory, without prior formalities. This is one of the most liberal entry policies in the world.
Authorities may nevertheless request:
an outbound ticket (return or onward flight),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay,
an accommodation address in Georgia.
Traveling with children
Minors must hold their own valid passport covering the duration of the stay.
When a minor travels without one of their parents or legal guardians, an exit authorization may be required depending on the regulations of the country of residence. It is recommended to have a parental authorization letter accompanied by a copy of the parents' identity documents, even if this is not systematically requested.
Health
No vaccination is mandatory to enter Georgia. However, certain vaccinations are recommended as a preventive measure, particularly against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and typhoid, depending on your travel profile and the areas visited.
It is advisable to consult your doctor or a travel medicine center before departure to obtain personalized recommendations.
Areas to avoid
The regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia are conflict zones under de facto control of separatist forces supported by Russia. Entry to these territories is strongly discouraged by consular authorities of most European countries and Canada. Any access to these regions other than through official Georgian crossing points is illegal under Georgian law.
Other nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Travelers concerned should inquire at the embassy or consulate of Georgia in their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to have assistance-repatriation and medical expense coverage abroad.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific policy developed with our partners CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to an insurance plan, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The comprehensive insurance solution designed for worry-free travel!
Choose the plan that best suits you:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complementary Credit Card
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to one.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claim procedures is available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with claim notification procedures. The participant should therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.
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
