Classic Georgia
Tailormade Tour

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Classic Georgia – Tailormade Tour 8 Days from £1925 per person based on 2 people travelling sharing a room.

Georgia is one of the least known nations of Europe – in fact most people aren’t entirely sure whether it is actually in Europe. Hidden away and often eclipsed by its monumental neighbour, it hides a wealth of diverse secrets.

This short tour will give you a fantastic insight into the best of this enigmatic nation. First we spend time in atmospheric Tbilisi and marvel at the numerous and diverse cultures that have left their mark on this city, from Ancient Persia and Medieval European crusaders to Imperial Russia and Ottoman Turkey and explore its delightful old city. We then snake our way into the High Caucasus at Kazbegi and walk up to the dramatically perched Gergeti Sameba church. Explore the remote and mystical land of Svaneti, home to an intriguing culture and some of Europe’s most remote villages overlooked by imposing stone-built watchtowers. After returning from the mountains, the tour culminates in the fertile Kakheti Valley in the foothills of the Caucasus range. Here you will visit charming hilltop towns, the magnificent Alaverdi Cathedral and enjoy being immersed in one of the truly ancient wine growing regions and taste some of Georgia’s best wines before returning to Tbilisi. Georgia is renowned for its local hospitality so travel with us, and discover this intriguing and stunning country where few outsiders have yet to tread.

Tour ratings.

Fitness
Off the beaten track
Culture

History
Wildlife

Tour pace

Moderate/Busy

Tour style

Traveller

Relaxed Pace

Relaxed tours are easy paced with plenty of leisure time built in. The tour will in all probability still be off the beaten track, with the occasional early start and there may still be occasional long drives. In general on a relaxed pace tour you can enjoy easy-going activities and experiences with opportunities to absorb the sights and immerse yourself in the local surroundings.

Moderate Pace

Moderate pace tours are ideal if you want a tour experience that combines activities and experiences with some time to relax. Typically you will be active and busy for part of the day but then also have time to rest and recharge your batteries. In general on a moderate paced tour there may be some long journeys involved but the tour is not an expedition or a road trip. On a moderate paced tour it will be necessary to have some early starts.

Busy Pace

A busy paced tour means that you can expect to be doing, seeing or experiencing something new almost every day, and moving on from place to place to pack in as much as possible. There may be early starts, long journeys and tiring days along the way, but you’ll return home feeling you’ve really experienced as much as you possibly could.

Pioneer Class Tours

On our Pioneer tours, you will be amongst an elite group of intrepid travellers and some of the first to explore a country that few have been privileged enough to discover. Of course, exploring such areas of the world will come with its challenges; it may mean several nights camping, long journeys by 4WD and the need to maintain a degree of flexibility for when carefully laid plans change. These are challenging tours in countries and areas that may have poor infrastructure, high levels of poverty and illiteracy. This can translate in to low standards in hotels, bad roads and poor driving standards among other issues. We try and smooth out as much of these issues as we can but you should be prepared to experience the bad with the good.

Traveller Class Tours

Our Traveller itineraries are at the core of our programme. These journeys are designed for travellers who still want to discover a land away from the tourist crowds but expect minimum standards. Accommodation will be primarily hotel based, although you could still find yourself camping, or the guest of a local family. Depending on the destination and itinerary, you’ll likely be travelling in a private vehicle, with occasional use of public transport. This is adventure travel with some of the rough edges smoothed out.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Tbilisi

Arrive in Tbilisi and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure with no guided activities. Your accommodation is situated right in the middle of the old town, great for access to the thriving restaurant scene in Tbilisi. Overnight Hotel Kalasi. No meals or guided activities today included.

Note – As this is a tailor-made tour, we can arrange different accommodation options in Tbilisi.

Day 2 – Tbilisi Sightseeing

Today you will meet your guide for a shot tour briefing at 08:30am at the hotel. Afterwards, embark on a guided walking tour around old Tbilisi, taking in the fascinating history of this long-overlooked region. You spend the day discovering sites such as the Narikala citadel, Metekhi Temple and Sioni Cathedral. Visit Sarajishvili Brandy Factory and take the opportunity to try some high-quality Georgian brandy. After the brandy tasting, visit Rustaveli Avenue and Freedom Square. Later this afternoon you can enjoy some leisure time to amble through the delightful streets of old Tbilisi. Alternatively you may wish to take the funicular for panoramic views over the city. This evening is at your own leisure and your local guide will be able to make dinner recommendations. Overnight Hotel Kalasi (B)

Day 3 – Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Ananauri - Stepantsminda (Kazbegi).

(Approximate overall driving time today is 4 hours)

Leaving the capital, we drive to Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia and a site of immense historical and cultural significance. Mtskheta is packed full of historical monuments and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the 11th century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and the 6th century Jvari Monastery. Later we join the Georgian Military Highway and snake our way up into the Higher Caucasus range. En route we stop at the castle complex of Ananauri, situated on the Aragvi River, before continuing the climb through dramatic scenery and over the spectacular Jvari Pass where we can stop to imbibe the interesting contours of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Take the 1.5 hour hike to the iconic Gergeti Sameba church situated at 2150 metres underneath the brooding presence of Mt Kazbek (5054 metres). Finally continue to Kazbegi, now officially named Stepantsminda. Overnight Hotel Stancia (B)

Day 4 – Sno Valley and Juta

(Approximate overall driving time today is 1.5 hours)

Spend the morning in the glorious surrounds of the High Caucasus Mountains, exploring the Sno Valley and the tiny settlement of Juta. Depending on the conditions and how long you wish to walk for, there will be a number of beautiful walks open to you, ranging from an hour to 4 hours to give you an appreciation of the splendid isolation of this area. Return to Kazbegi / Stepantsminda for lunch and then the afternoon can be spent at your own leisure. If you wish to continue exploring you will be able to visit the gorge of Dariali Canyon situated close to the Georgia-Russia border, a spectacular 13 kilometre long gash carved out by the Telek into the granite, filled with pounding waterfalls and plummeting to a depth of nearly 1,800m in places and said to be the site of Alexander the Great’s Iron Gates pass. Overnight Hotel Stancia (B)

Day 5 – Kazbegi – Kakheti region

(Approximate driving time today is 4 – 5 hours)

After a leisurely breakfast, you leave the high peaks in the rear view mirror and one again cross the Jvari Pass. Continue to the fertile wine growing region of Kakheti. Arrive at your accommodation by mid-afternoon where you will the option to tour the on-site winery if you wish or just relax after the journey. Overnight Chateau Kvareli. (B)

Day 6 – Kakheti region including Sighnaghi

(Approximate driving time today is 2 – 3 hours)

Visit the picturesque hill top town of Sighnaghi and take a leisurely stroll through this beautiful town admiring the fabulous views towards the High Caucasus range in the distance. Continue to a local cellar producing artisanal natural wines according to ancient Georgian traditions, where tasting will be offered with light snacks. The afternoon will be at your own leisure. Early this evening we visit a local farmer’s house in the village of Akhalsopeli. You will be invited into this welcoming local establishment to enjoy organic food and wine and take part in the famous Supra, a feast led by the Tamada (the toastmaster). The experience here will allow you to be immersed in the food and wine of Kakheti and learn about folklore and agricultural traditions. Overnight at Hotel Chateau Kvareli (BD)

Day 7 – Kakheti region including Alaverdi Cathedral

(Approximate driving time today is 4 hours)

After breakfast we visit Nekresi Monastery, founded in the 4^th Century and Gremi architectural complex dating from the 16^th Century. This will be followed by a visit to a family run winery where we enjoy tasting with light snacks. Continue to spectacular Alaverdi Cathedral dating from the 11^th Century located impressively in the shadow of the Greater Caucasus range. Also visit the Apiary located nearby to Alaverdi Monastery where you will be able to taste natural local honey. Later return to Tbilisi for your final night in Georgia and your local guide will ensure you have a good recommendation for a final feast of local Georgian fare. Overnight Hotel Kalasi (B)

Day 8 – Depart Tbilisi

At the appropriate time, transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)

Note – if you prefer to have some additional time in Tbilisi then we can arrange this for you or if you wish to visit other parts of Georgia or perhaps a visit to neighbouring Armenia or Azerbaijan. Contact us to discuss the many possible options in the Caucasus region.

Dates & Price.

We offer this tour for private departures only.

Prices start from £1925 per person, based on two people sharing a room.

We can also tailor a similar or totally different itinerary to meet your requirements. Please contact us to discuss your travel plans.

Tour Notes

Group Size

This is a tailor-made tour and can be arranged for any group size.

Flights and overland by train

Return flights from London to Tbilisi start at £350. Contact us for a quotation. You can also travel to Georgia overland by train. Contact us for details.

Single Supplement

Main tour single supplement is £285.

Extra Accommodation

Extra night accommodation pre and/or post tour in Tbilisi costs from £40 per person, per night sharing a twin/double room and £70 per person in a solo occupancy room.

Please note that the prices quoted above are for the category of accommodation and hotel used for this particular tour. Depending on the hotel eventually confirmed there may be some difference in the rate advertised by the hotel, and the prices available through Undiscovered Destinations. It should be noted we will not apply a surcharge should more expensive accommodation be used. At the same time in the event that a lower rate is available for the confirmed hotel we are unable to offer a refund.