6 Day Explore Georgia Along The Great Silk Road

Sunday At 9:00 pick up from the centrally located hotel and start the tour from Tbilisi Historic district.  Guided excursion in Holy Trinity Cathedral – gorgeous golden cupola orthodox church of 20th c. The next stop is Metekhi plateau - this cliff wall overlooking Mtkvari River, Mtatsminda, and the medieval part of the city.   Continue to Europe square and Rike Park. Ride on the Areal cable car to the 4th c Narika fortress on the opposite side of the river.  Walk down from Narikala to Botanical Garden Street and Tbilisi Mosque, pass Legvtakhevi (Fig ravine) waterfall and the Sulfur Bathhouse district – the meeting point of two continents - Europe and Asia. Enjoy the authentic flavors and cultural diversity around. Head to Maidan square, Shardeni and the King Erekle II Streets, where you can take a break at modern restaurants and cafes. Photostop on the modern bow-shaped glass Bridge of Peace.  The sights of the day also include Anchiskhati Basilica- the oldest church in Tbilisi and Gabriadze theater. There is an unique clock tower next to marionette theatre in Tbilisi old town,  with a small puppet theatre inside the tower. Twice a day at noon and at 7pm you can see an entrtaining show – “The Circle of Life”. At the end of the day visit Golden treasury in National Museum, which houses various archaeological, numismatic and ethnographic collections.  Overnight in Tbilisi hotel Brigitte or similar.

Monday. Total driving time today is 4 hr 48 min (287 km)  Breakfast at the hotel. At 09:00  we drive to Kutaisi, passing Gori town. In Gori, you can stop for sites: Gori medieval fortress and Joseph Stalin house-museum. Each tour lasts approximately 30-45 minutes. 14 km away from Gori is an ancient cave-town Uplistsikhe, dating back to the 1st millennium BC. It’s especially exciting to wander among the ancient ruined streets, royal halls, pharmacy, rock-carved theatre, pagan temples, and Christian churches, while the remains of storehouses and clay wine vessels give us a glimpse of what the daily life of inhabitants used to be like. Pass Rikoti tunnels, the longest of which-1.800 m is built in 19th c and we are in Imereti region, the West Georgia.  Head to Gelati Academy and Monastery, enjoy beautiful sunset from here. Gelati used to be a cultural hub in middle ages. 12th c mosaic, spectacular murals and manuscripts from 12th-17th cc. are still preserved here.  Drive to Kutaisi for free evening and overnight. Overnight in Kutaisi hotel Ponte or similar.

Tuesday. Total driving time today is 1 hr 54 min (87.0 km) Leisure day program: Kutaisi city tour and Vani Archaeological Museum-Reserve.  We can start a bit later than usual – at 09:30.  First visit Bagrati Cathedral 11th c. a former residence of the King Bagrat III, the first King of the United Kingdom of Georgia.  The city tour covers Kutaisi Historic district, Agmashenebeli Square, Opera house and drama theater, Kutaisi State Historical Museum and Botanical Garden. Lunch break at local small café or restaurant.  Later for 50 minutes we explore Vani Complex dated between 800 BCE-100 CE, which comprises an archaeological site, an expedition base, and the museum itself.  Optional* It is possible to visit Geiser sulfur pools in nature. Evening drive back to Kutaisi. Overnight in hotel Ponte or similar.