Imereti-Kartli-Kakheti-2024

"THROUGH STEPS AND DESERTS"/ March 26-April 2, 2024

Day 1 (March 26)

After picking up from the airport (around 1:00 pm depending on which city you are arriving from) in Kutaisi, exchanging money (from euros or dollars to lari), buying SIM cards we will head towards the village of Tskaltubo. Tskaltubo during the Soviet era was famous for its sanatoriums and swimming pools, where Soviet prominents and other Russian residents came in crowds to relax. We will visit the sanatoriums, which have fallen into disrepair, but still delight tourists with their deteriorating architecture. Not far from Tskaltubo is the Tetra Cave, where during the tour we will have the opportunity to taste the wines stored there and learn about Georgia's 8,000-year-old history and wine tradition. For dinner and overnight we will arrive in Kutaisi.🕍

Day 2 (March 27)

We will leave Kutaisi after breakfast on the road leading to Mccheta. There will be a break for lunch in Gori, Stalin's city. There will be a stop on our route to visit the rock city of Upliscyche, which is considered to be the oldest urban settlement and dates back to the 5th century BC. Here, as part of the entrance ticket purchased, there is an opportunity for wine tasting in beautiful natural settings. From Upliscyche we will head towards the former capital of Georgia, Mccheta, where we will visit one of the most beautiful and important Georgian monasteries, Sveti Tsakhoveli. In Mccheta we will have dinner and overnight at a family gesthous.🏛️

Day 3 (March 28)

After breakfast, we will depart for Kakheti to Dedoplisckaro. In Dedoplisckaro we will take care of the formalities for arranging passes to the Vashlovani National Park. Note that the park is located on the border with Azerbaijan, so passports are required!!! On this day, we will start our adventure through the steppes and rocks by visiting the Eagle Gorge (Artsivi Kheoba) natural monument located at an altitude of 762 meters above sea level. Eagle Gorge is a unique complex that consists of two sites. One part is a limestone rocky canyon, and the other is a nearby forested area where the Khornabuji Fortress (5th century) is located. More than sixty species of birds can be found here. Among them nest - black stork and griffon vulture. This is an ideal place for bird watching. On the rocky slopes of the canyon you can see rare/protected plants that are not found anywhere else in Georgia. The reserve is home to such animal species as the Anatolian leopard, striped hyena, brown bear, gray wolf, lynx, wild boar, and you may have a chance to meet them. The area has a dry semi-desert climate, so the park is hardly inhabited by people! Since the entire Vashlovani park covers 25114 hectares of land, on this day we will pass the first viewpoint and for the night we will visit the lodges guarded by local rengers. So there will be a real overnight stay in the semi-desert.

Day 4 (March 29)

After breakfast, we will continue to traverse our Delica through kilometers of steppe and desert trails of the park. We will see magnificent views from the Mijniskhure viewpoint. This is the easternmost part of Georgia, right on the border with Azerbaijan. That day we will spend the night in bungalows on the banks of the Alazani River. The perfect place at the end of the world to enjoy the wilderness, no range, just us and nature. 🌴

Day 5 (March 30)

From Vashlovani Park, we will set off on our way back to Dedoplistskaro. Our main attraction for the day will be a visit to the abandoned Soviet military base of Shiraki. Old runways, airplane hangars, all remnants of the USSR army. Now you can find cattle grazing here, and the hangars are used as agricultural warehouses. It's a treat for Urbex and photography fans, maybe we can find the last aircraft abandoned there.😎 We stay in Dedoplistskaro for dinner and overnight.

Day 6 (March 31)

On this day we will leave the Kakheti region for Tbilisi. We will devote this day to penetrating the Georgian capital and its greatest monuments, including taking the Narikala Fortress by train, entering the tallest cathedral in Georgia that is Cminda Sameba, exploring the old city, the Peace Bridge and other attractions. Those willing can try taking a bath in the city baths in the Abanotubani district (advance reservations apply) or take a boat ride on the Mtkwari River. We will also visit the city in the evening, when it is most beautifully illuminated. Dinner and overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 7 (April 1)

From Tbilisi we will make our way back to Kutaisi. This day we will have a tour of the ancient capital of Colchis. On the schedule, among others: Bagrati Cathedral, the White Bridge over the Rioni River, the Kolchida fountain, the old town and shopping at the Green Bazaar. Be sure to buy churchuela and Svaneti salt as travel gifts. In the evening a last supra together in an enchanted place in the middle of Kutaisi at the home of our friend Tina and an overnight stay overlooking the city skyline.🍷

Price✨

50 EUR (booking advance) on account + 640 EUR payable on the spot upon arrival (total 690 EUR).

Those who are determined should first of all buy air tickets. This is a guarantee of the trip for us. Then, after sending confirmation of ticket purchase, a reservation deposit is required within 7 days, in case of cancellation the deposit is non-refundable).

Number of places strongly limited, only intimate groups. The minimum number of people for the tour to take place is 4.

What the price includes:

🚐 Transportation with Georgian driver and English-speaking guide (transfer from and to the airport and a comfortable minivan for exclusive use during our entire trip).
🏡 Accommodation in family-run mesthouses/hotels in 2-3 bed rooms and 2 nights in bungalows in Vashlovani Park
🥐 breakfasts
💃 care of a Polish certified tour manager
🍷 supra (dinner with wine) on the last evening in Kutaisi

What the price does not include:

🏛️ entrance fees to sightseeing places such as: cave, rock city, entrance fee to Vashlovani Park, etc.
✈️ airline tickets (Wizzair), we will help you buy tickets
🚷 tourist insurance (everyone insures individually)
🥐 other meals - lunches and dinners

Feel free to contact.