Self-drive tour - Georgia at your own pace
Between troglodytic cities and Kakheti vineyards, a self-drive tour through Georgia's thousand-year-old traditions.
Duration
12 days
From
€595/pers.
Ideal seasons
Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Style
Self-drive tour
Comfort
classique
Travelers
Couple, Solo, With friends, senior
The spirit of travel
Explore a deeply complex history, wonderful architectural and artistic heritage, from cave cities to ancient cathedrals and the inimitable canvases of Pirosmani.
A successful blend of modernism and traditions, minimal crime rate, legendary hospitality that considers every visitor as a blessing and constantly improving facilities make Géorgie a dream destination for independent travel.
Géorgie is said to be the cradle of wine, and during your road trip you will discover multi-millennial ancestral traditions of winemaking. But since you're behind the wheel…. consume responsibly!
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Welcome to Géorgie!
Tbilisi International Airport → Tbilissi
We land in Tbilissi, capital of Georgia, where we are welcomed and transferred to our hotel. Rest of the day free to relax.
Discovering Georgia's Capital
Breakfast.
The day is dedicated to exploring the capital of Georgia and more particularly its Old Town, whose reduced 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 last mosque in the city. We do not forget of course the ancient Narikala fortress, built in the 4th century on a hillock overlooking the city.
We then head towards the Abanotubani sulfurous baths before strolling through the streets of the charming 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
In the morning, car rental at your hotel.
Departure from Tbilisi heading east towards the city of Telavi. This city is the capital of the historic region of Kakheti, which is none other than the cradle of wine and home to the oldest uninterrupted tradition of using Qvevri, these large earthenware amphoras in which delicious unfiltered organic wines are produced. Several hundred grape varieties are still cultivated in this terroir with very much alive traditions.
Ikalto Monastery → Alaverdi Monastery
Visit of two exceptional historical sites: the magnificent Alaverdi Cathedral, built in the 11th century, and the great monastery of Ikalto, founded in the 6th century, as well as its academy, where people came from all over the country in the Middle Ages to study disciplines as varied as theology, astronomy, geography and pharmacology.
Optional visit (for additional fee): 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, you will depart for your last visit of the day: the village of Tsinandali, about ten kilometers East of Telavi, home to a historic vineyard and winery, as well as a museum.
Panorama of the superb Alazani Valley and the Caucasus
Heading east in Géorgie, towards the city of Sighnaghi. Perched at 800m altitude, this small town is known for its wine, carpets and landscapes and historical monuments. The possibility of visiting the ethnographic museum housing naive paintings by Niko Pirosmani.
Visit to the Bodbe Orthodox monastery then stroll along its paved streets with panoramic views of the magnificent Alazani valley dominated by the majestic Caucasus mountain range.
In the Mountains of the Greater Caucasus
We take the road north and make a stop at Ananouri to admire its fortress from the 16th-17th centuries which overlooks the Jinvali reservoir, thus offering a beautiful panorama of the rugged landscape of the region.
Ananouri → Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
We continue our journey on 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.
Departure by car towards the Trinity Church (14th century), located at a height of 300 m. above the village. From here we admire the breathtaking views of Mount Kazbek and its surrounding peaks.
Optional: the possibility of organizing hikes to the church (6 km, 2-3 hours of walking, elevation gain +/-450m, medium difficulty).
From the Mountains of the Caucasus to the Ancient City of Mtskheta
Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) → Mtskheta
Route to Mtskheta, capital of the ancient Kingdom of Iberia which reigned for 9 centuries (from -300 to 600) over the southern and eastern regions of present-day Géorgie. Visit to 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.
Uplistsikhe Caves and towards the Samtskhe-Javakheti region
Continuation of visits to discover the remains of Ouplistsikhé, an incredible troglodyte city built in the 1st millennium BC, making it one of the oldest human settlements in the Caucasus.
Departure towards the Soviet city of Gori, which is J. Stalin's birthplace, where you can visit the house-museum and its armored train…
Take the road towards Vardzia, the Samtskhe-Javakheti region.
From the troglodyte town of Vardzia to the city of Kutaisi
Discovery this morning of the Vardzia monastic cave 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 fortresses built into the cliffside.
Continuation of the road to Bordjomi, a small town nestled in a gorge of the Koura at over 800m altitude, and renowned for its many thermal springs and lush nature. Visit to the Borjomi park. From the park, the possibility of a short hike to the sulfurous pool (approximately 1-1.5 hours, easy).
UNESCO Sites and towards the Black Sea
Kutaisi was Georgia's capital several times when Tbilisi was occupied, and until recently housed the country's parliament. This city, some of whose archaeological remains date back 3,500 years, is full of churches and other historic buildings. Visit the city's remarkable sites, notably the Bagrati Cathedral, a marvel of Georgian medieval architecture and the city's pride, and the Gelati Monastery, inscribed on the Unesco heritage list.
Near Kutaisi, a brief stop to discover the Prometheus Caves, a karst cave teeming with stalactites and stalagmites decorated with colored laser lights.
Batumi and the Black Sea Coast
Departure to discover the city. A seaside resort, Batoumi presents attractive European and Asian architecture, churches, paved streets, active day and night life, particularly during the summer months.
About fifteen kilometers south of the city and just a few kilometers from the Turkish border, lies the Roman archaeological site of the Gonio Fortress, which allegedly houses the tomb of the Apostle Matthias.
North of the city, enjoy plenty of fresh air in the large Batumi Botanical Garden, founded over 130 years ago to study subtropical flora.
Towards the capital
Have a good 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 that is not mentioned in "Included"
- The services of a driver and guide (price upon request)
- Wine tasting (25 euros per person)
- Entrance fees to sites (approximately 85 euros per person)
- Full vehicle insurance (20 euros per day)
- The Essence and Parking Fees Outside Tbilissi
Included
- Accommodations (11 nights, double/twin room basis)
- 4 nights in Tbilisi - 3* Hotel
- 1 night in Telavi - family hotel
- 1 night in Kazbegi - homestay
- 1 night in Mtskheta - with a local family
- 1 night in Vardzia - family hotel with farm
- 1 night in Kutaisi - homestay
- 2 nights in Batumi - Hotel *3
- The meals mentioned in the day-by-day description (all breakfasts)
- Private airport-hotel-airport transfers with driver
- Car rental for the entire duration of your stay, without driver (Suzuki Vitara 4x4 or similar)
- Basic vehicle insurance
- Local SIM Card with unlimited internet, to have access to Google Maps
- 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
