Springtime in the Caucasus

ITINERARY

Day 1 – London to Tbilisi

Late afternoon flight from Heathrow to Tbilisi via Athens, arriving early next morning. Transfer to our centrally located hotel where our rooms will be ready.

Day 2 – Tbilisi

Afternoon guided walk in the city including Freedom Square and the narrow streets of the old city plus a short ride on the metro with its Soviet era trains. This is followed by a cable car to the Narikala Fortress for panoramic views of Tbilisi.

Day 3 – Through the High Caucasus to Kazbegi

Drive north up the Georgia Military Highway through the High Caucasus Mountains visiting Ananuri en route. Here we find two churches and a fortress overlooking the huge Zhinvali reservoir. We continue over the Cross Pass to Kazbegi where we lunch with a village family before taking 4-wheel drive vehicles up to Gergeti Church, high above the village and affording wonderful views. A day of stunning mountain scenery concluding with dinner and overnight in Kazbegi.

Day 4 – Return to Tbilisi

Visit the ancient capital of Mtskheta and its Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites dating from the 11th and 6th Centuries respectively. On arrival back in Tbilisi, we take the funicular railway to Mtstsminda for great views of the city.

Day 5 – Gori, Uplistsikhe & Borjomi

We take the train from Tbilisi’s main station to Gori, Stalin’s birthplace, for a visit to his museum. This includes his private railway carriage which visitors can board and take a look around. Next we visit the Uplistsikhe cave dwellings, once an important town on the Great Silk Road. Drive to Borjomi for a 2-night stay.

Day 6 – Rabath Castle & Vardzia

A day of wonderful mountain and forest scenery including a visit to the Rabath hilltop castle, a photo stop at the Khertvisi Fortress and the amazing cave dwellings at Vardzia. Lunch at a guest house near Vardzia with good views of the Mtskvari River. Return to Borjomi for overnight stay.

Day 7 – Kutaisi

Drive to Khashuri to catch the train to Kutaisi where we will arrive in the early afternoon. From here we have a short drive to the Prometheus Grotto, a large limestone cave system where we have a walk with a local guide. Returning to Kutaisi, we conclude the day with a short, guided walk in the central area of this pleasant riverside city.

Day 8 – The Mountain Province of Upper Svaneti

Visit nearby Gelati Monastery then drive to Zugdidi for lunch and visit the Dadiani Palace, once the home of the local royal family. This is followed by a drive through the mountains to Mestia for a 2-night stay.

Day 9 – 4WD to Ushguli

We travel by 4WD vehicles over 44km of rough mountain road to Ushguli, which, at 7,910ft above sea level, is Europe’s highest permanently inhabited village. En route and weather permitting, we will see Georgia’s highest mountain, Shkhara (16,471ft). Lunch with village family and time to stroll around the village before returning to Mestia for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 10 – The Black Sea Coast

Drive down to the coast at the port resort of Batumi. Short orientation walk in the city centre followed by free time to relax.

Day 11 – Train to Tbilisi

Morning main line train from Batumi to Tbilisi, arriving at lunchtime. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 12 – Tbilisi to London

Early morning flight from Tbilisi via Athens to Heathrow, arriving late morning. Breakfast is served on both legs of this Aegean Airlines flight which compensates in part for the early start.

Tbilisi, the two cave dwellings and Prometheus Grotto need to be explored on foot (including climbing and descending steps) and, whilst they don’t form an essential part of this itinerary, their omission would obviously remove some of the value and enjoyment.

Click here to view our blog of the research trip for this holiday.