Tusheti-Kakheti

"Green Land" / 15.06-25.06.2023

Day 1 (June 15)

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 Uplistsikhe. It is here that one of Georgia's ancient rock cities, founded as early as the 5th century BC, is located, which we intend to visit. From here the way continues to the capital of the country, Tbilisi. In the capital dinner and overnight stay await us. If we have enough strength after the trip we will go for a night walk around the city, because the most impressive is the colorfully lit Tbilisi at night🕍.

Day 2 (June 16)

After a Tbilisi breakfast, a long (about 8 hours) drive on winding roads to the Tusheti region awaits us. This is a land that is cut off from the world for most of the year, with only its few inhabitants staying here for the winter and spring. When you see the serpentine roads on the mountainside, you'll guess why. Our plan is to get over the Abano Pass (about 2850 meters above sea level) to Omalo, where there will be an opportunity to admire the defensive towers of the koshkebi (a.k.a. koshkas), to arrive at the end of the day for an overnight stay and dinner at the guesthouse Mirgvela.🏔️

Day 3 (June 17)

This day after breakfast we will not get into the car, but on horses. Do not worry if this will be the first time in the saddle for you, the horses for tourists are gentle and smaller than the Polish ones. We will travel the scenic route of Gometsari Gorge (about 27 km) on them. We will see the Keselo Castle. On the way, we will have a rest and a small picnic overlooking the Caucasian peaks, so as not to dazzle our eyes with green landscapes. For the night and dinner we return to Mirgvela.🐎

Day 4 (June 18)

In the morning we will leave by car from Mirgvela to village Dartlo. From there we will face a short as far as distance is concerned (1.2 km one way), but quite steep climb to the village of Kvavlo and back. During the trip we will have the opportunity to admire the Tuszec towers. Also in Dartlo, we will go to local hosts for a workshop on making hinkali. We will then visit Parsma-Girevi and return to Dartlo again by car and head to Omalo for an overnight stay. In Omalo we will visit the Keselo fortress, famous for its 13 interconnected defense towers.

Day 5 (June 19)

On this day, after breakfast we will leave Omalo to go to the land of the Kists (Georgian Chechens), i.e. the Pankisi Valley located in Kakheti. From there we will have a short horseback ride to Khadori Waterfall (3.5 km one way) and back. In Pankisi we will have the opportunity to see how this unique ethnic group, predominantly Muslim, lives. We will taste local hinkali dumplings, visit the mosque and museum. Here we will stay overnight.🏔️

Day 6 (June 20)

From Pankisi, after a Chechen breakfast, we will go on a sightseeing tour of Kakheti. This day we will visit Gremi Monastery and Kvareli Lake along the way, but our main destination will be Lagodekhi National Park. It is the oldest protected area in Georgia. We will explore the park along a rushing stream, which we will have to cross with dry or wet feet more than once to finally reach the Ninoskhevi Waterfall. This view will reward us with a 10 km walk (there and back). We will stay in Lagodekhi for the night.

Day 7 (June 21)

After breakfast we will leave Lagodekhi for the city of love that is Signaghi. On the way we will see the important Bodbe Orthodox monastery. In Sighnaghi itself meanwhile, we will feel a bit like we are in Italian Tuscany: viney hills, towering cypresses, small cozy pubs. We will be able to relax a little after the trekking hardships of the previous days. For the night we will stay in a gesthous, which will also host a tasting of Kakheti wines, because Kakheti is the most famous region when it comes to Georgian wine traditions. It is here that wine is stored in clay kvevri, which are dug into the ground in cellars called Marani.🍷

Day 8 (June 22)

On this day we will go to a completely different landscape, it is still Kakheti, but reminiscent of steppes and space deserts. Through Udabno we will reach the Davidgareji rock complex. It was here, on the border with Azerbaijan, that 13 Syrian monks founded the monastery complex, which is partially functional to this day. In addition to the stunning views from the top of the complex, we will go for a walk through the colorful desert, views like from another planet. For the evening we will turn back to Tbilisi. Here we will book a restaurant with a live program, that is Georgian music and dancing until we drop.💃

Day 9 (June 23)

After sleeping off a night of dancing, we will leave for the former Georgian capital of Mcxeta. After visiting the historic town and Jvari Monastery, we will turn our car towards Kutaisi. It is here in the center of the city that the famous Kolchida Fountain is located, which is worth seeing in the evening. We will then take a walk around the city, and in the evening we will have a supra in Georgian style.💃

Day 10 (June 24)

After breakfast, we will head to Kutaisi bazaar to purchase souvenirs, wine, spices or churchela (Georgian homemade snickers). We'll also visit Bagrati Cathedral and then travel by car to two beautiful monasteries, Gelati and Motsameta. The former, founded by the king David IV the Builder, whose remains rest here, has beautifully preserved frescoes (the site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the latter much smaller, but located in a very charming place (see for yourself). On our return, a final green night in Kutaisi.

Day 11 (June 25)

After breakfast, packing and leaving towards the airport.✈️

The plan is quite detailed, but it is always subject to change if only due to weather conditions or temporary road closures. You have to remember that Georgia, as beautiful as it is also unpredictable, but you love it for that.❤️

Georgia, located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, will always be both familiar and exotic to us. On the one hand, the famous Georgian hospitality, on the other hand, the culture and traditions that are not fully understood for us. We guarantee that you will fall in love as we did with Georgian cuisine, wine, mountains and people. ❤️

Price✨

50 EUR (reservation advance) on account + 900 EUR payable on the spot upon arrival (total 950 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).

The number of places is severely limited. The minimum number of people on the tour is 4. Only intimate groups.

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-owned gesthouses/hotels
🥐 Food (breakfast and dinner supra with wine)
💃 care of a Polish certified tour manager
🐎 2 horseback rides in Tusheti

What the price does not include

🏛️ entrance fees to sightseeing places such as rock cities, thermae, canyons, etc.
✈️ air tickets (Wizzair), we will help you to buy tickets
🚷 travel insurance (everyone insures individually)
🥐 other meals on the route

You are welcome to contact us.