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TREKKING AND CULTURAL TOUR (14 Days)
Dear Travelers,
We offer a special tour programmed for you for 14 days. It will give you complete picture of culture, history, nature, grandiose mountains and traditions of Georgia. During this tour you will meet the local people who speak different dialects, observe different traditions, lead different lives, but all of them have one main character - hospitality. As for the mountain life, you will have chance to live in the high villages. You will taste many traditional Georgian delicious dishes and famous Georgian wines. You will be accompanied by the professional trekking instructor-guide.
Day 1
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Arrival to Tbilisi Airport, where you will be met by the representatives of Concord Travel Company: Tour Manager and Guide. Departure to Kazbegi.
Overnight in Kazbegi.
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Day 2
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Trekking in Truso Gorge. Kazbegi Mountains.
Kazbegi - is a small town in the Khevi region of northern Georgia.The town is located along the banks of the Thergi River, 157km. (98 miles) to the north of Tbilisi at an elevation of 1,740 meters (5,710ft.) above sea level. There stands Mount Kazbek with height of 5047 m. Local people often call it “the bride of Khevi”. Georgian Prometheus, Amirani was the first, who conquered Mkinvartsveri, ice-top- the peak of the Kazbek.
Sameba - Trinity Church is a popular name for Holy Trinity Church (Tsminda Sameba in Georgian) church near the village of Gergeti. The church is situated on the right bank of the river Chkheri at an elevation of 2400 meters, under Mt. Kazbegi. It was built in the 14th century. The church is a popular waypoint for trekkers in the area.
Overnight in Kazbegi.
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Day 3
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Trekking in Khada Gorge. Kazbegi Mountains.
Overnight in Kazbegi.
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Day 4
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Departure from Kazbegi – Georgian Military Highway – Ananuri – Mtskheta – Jvari Monastery – Svetitskhoveli – Samtavro – Borjomi.
Ananuri – Mtiuleti – Fortress & Central-Domed Church (16 th -17 th CC), architectural complex belonged to the house of the Eristavi of Aragvi - a violent local ruler. The characteristic architectural design of the late medieval period includes a fortress, two churches, an old watch tower, prison and civic buildings. Located on the famous Georgian Military Highway it stood as a guardian to the Northern boarders of Georgia. A picturesque view of reservoir spread bellow opens from the base of the Ananuri Fortress.
Mtskheta is one of oldest cities of the country of Georgia (in Kartli province of Eastern Georgia), near Tbilisi. Mtskheta was a capital of the Georgian Kingdom of Iberia during the 3rd century BC - 5th century AD. Here Georgians accepted Christianity in 317 and Mtskheta still remains the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church.
Jvari Monastery is a Georgian Orthodox monastery of the 6th century near Mtskheta (World Heritage site), Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, eastern Georgia. The name is translated as the Monastery of the Cross. For another, Jerusalem-located Georgian monastery with the same name.
Overnight in Borjomi.
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Day 5
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Borjomi – Kharagauli National Park – Khertvisi - Vardzia
Borjomi-Kharagauli Protected Areas are situated in the central part of Caucasus. National park was open in 1998. This is the region, where the humid climate of Kolkheti Plain meets the dry mountain climate of the Anatoly-North Iran. The soil is mainly composed of tertiary sediments (clay, marls, sandstones) and volcanic materials (andesites, basalt, dolerties), and is exceedingly rich in tertiary period fossils. Lush gorges and canyons, volcanic plateaus, petrified lava flows, etc. rank the region among dream destinations for travelers (or make the region one of the most beautiful in the country). There are over 200 picturesquely situated historical and cultural monuments. The most notables among them are Timotesubani (10-12th cc), St. Mariam Monastery (9th c) near the village of Likani, St. Mariam Monastery (9th c) near the village of Kvabiskhevi, Nadzvi Monastery (9th c).
Overnight in Akhlatsikhe.
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Day 6
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Vardzia Cave Town.
Vardzia – rock-hewn complex on the left bank of the river Mtkvari was founded in the 12th -13th cc.during the reign of Giorgi III and Queen Tamar.Initially planned as a town-fortress, the complexbecame a well fortified monastery, which had a significant role in political, cultural, educational and spiritual life of the country. Its nineteen tiers extend from east to west, the dwellings werehewn and tunnels hollowed out into the cliff from south to north. There are two-room, three-room and four-room cliff dwellings in Vardzia, including two-storey ones; galleries and vertical tunnels, secret passes and a pharmacy. In the middle of the complex there is a Church of Assumption,richly decorated with mural painting. Behind the church there is a pool which served as a spring water reservoir, and was considered holy.
Overnight in Akhaltsikhe.
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Day 7
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Departure to Kutaisi – Bagrati – Gelati Monastery – Sataplia Cave.
Gelati complex comprises the churches of the Virgin (the main church), of St Nicolas, of St. George, as well as the academy which was the centre of cultural and spiritual life. The Gelaty monastery complex was founded by King David the Builder in the 12th c. It is noted by the finest examples of Georgian mural painting. Among them is the only surviving portrait of King David the Builder whose grave can be found at the gateway of the monastery. The giant 12th century mosaic of the Virgin with Child is completely unique.
Motsameta Monastery Complex (8th-11th CC) is beautifully situated between the valleys of two rivers near Kutaisi. In the 8th century, brothers David and Konstantine Mkheidzes, the Lords of the region, were assassinated here by Arabs, for refusing to convert to Islam. The old church was destroyed. A present monastery complex was built on the site of the old church by King Bagrat in 11th century. "Motsameta" monastery means "monastery of martyrs". The sacred remains of the brothers are kept in the Crypt of the church.
Sataplia is a rather small cave, famous for fine speleothems and the dinosaur footprints nearby. The tour enters the through-cave on one hillside, crosses the hill underground and then goes back on the surface past the dinosaur footprints. This cave is hard to reach and not very much visited by individual travelers.
Overnight in Kutaisi.
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Day 8
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Departure to Ratcha, the most beautiful mountains in the world. Nikortsminda Church – Zemo Tlughi - Trekking.
Zemo Tlughi – Village with Beautiful nature, caves, lakes, mountains and Alpine Flora.
Nikortsminda – 11th century.
Overnight in Oni.
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Day 9
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Departure to Khoni region. Trekking in the high villages, where you are able to catch the fish with your own hands. See the under earth lake “Okatse” and get the natural bath between two waterfalls.
Overnight in Gordi Village.
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Day 10
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Departure from Khoni – Ubisa – Samtavisi – Surami Castle - Telavi.
Ubisa Monastery - 8 -9th century. Samtavisi – 11th c. Surami Castle – 18th c.
Kakheti, is well-known for wines. It is located on the eastern part of Georgia, bordered by the small mountains province of Tusheti and mountain-range of Greater Caucasus to the north, Azerbaijan to the east and the south, and the Georgian province of Kartli to the west.
Overnight in Telavi.
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Day 11
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Tsinandali – Alaverdi – Ikalto – Telavi.
Tsinandali, Museum of Prince Alexandre Chavchavadze. The museum has the most beautiful garden full of flowers. Alexandre Chavchavadze was a notable Georgian poet, public benefactor and military figure. Tsinandali Wine Factory, where is kept the Collection of the Best Georgian oldest wines.
Alaverdi. Earliest structures of Alaverdi monastery date back to 6th century. The present day surviving cathedral is part of an 11th century Georgian Orthodox monastery. Located in 20 km from Telavi, in the Kakheti region of Eastern Georgia.
Ikalto is a monastery complex near Telavi. Founded in 5th century it was the region's largest centre of culture and education at that time. In the 11th 12th centuries a famous Georgian ecclesiastical figure Arsen Ikaltoeli founded the Academy here.
Georgia is the birth place of wine. The etymology of the word wine comes from the Georgian “Ghvino”. Due to the many millennia of wine in Georgian history, the traditions of its viticulture are entwined and inseparable with the country's national identity.
Shuamta - a complex made up of three churches of different periods - 6th, 7th and 8th centuries in a highland forest, Akhali Shuamta ("New Shuamta" in English) - the monastery close to Dzveli Shuamta ("Old Shuamta" in English), built in the 16th century, the stunning Tsinandali Gardens (the residential Palace of Noblemen Chavchavadzes family) and many others.
Overnight in Telavi.
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Day 12
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Shuamta – Sighnaghi – Bodbe – Wine Factory, where you are able as look at the process of producing wines, as well degustate the different kinds of the genuine Georgian wines.
Teliani Valley Wine Factory, founded in 1997.
Telavi Wine Cellar Factory, founded in 1915.
Badagoni Wine Company, previously known as Knight of Winemaking, is a Georgian wine producer. The company was founded in the Kakhetian village of Zemo Khodasheni (Akhmeta district) in 2002. Currently it owns more than 3 km² of vineyards of selected local grape varieties in the districts of Khvareli, Mukuzani, Akhasheni, Akura and Ojaleshi. Its products include such brands as Tsinandali, Mukuzani, Kindzmarauli, Gurjaani, Saperavi, Akhasheni and more. In addition, the company makes Kakhetian Noble a special wine made in cooperation with Donato Lanati, a world-renowned Italian enologist.
Overnight in Tbilisi.
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Day 13
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Departure to Tbilisi. Tbilisi sightseeing Tour.
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia. The city covers an area of 372 km² (144 square miles) and has 1,093,000 inhabitants. Founded in the 5th century AD by Vakhtang Gorgasali, the Georgian King of Kartli (Iberia) and made into a capital in the 6th century, Tbilisi is a significant industrial, social, and cultural center.
Leaving Dinner at the best Georgian National restaurant accompanied by the national folklore ensembles.
Overnight in Tbilisi.
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Day 14
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Departure from Tbilisi Airport.
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Other details available upon request
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Note: The Duration of the tour must be fit to your arrival and departure Flights.
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Prices include:
Transfer from and to Tbilisi Airport
Inland transportation
Tour Guide, Profesional Trekking Instructor
Hotel Accommodation (In the cities) Double room
Guest House Accommodation (in the villages)
FB Meal
1 bottle of mineral water per person per day
Museums Entrance fees
Georgian Souvenir Gift
DVD per person (Operator will shoot a wonderful movie about your group while trip)
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Prices exclude:
Flights
Single room supplement
Meals except described
Alcoholic beverages
Travel insurance
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