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Georgia in nine unhurried days — one of Europe's most captivating yet least-visited corners. From Tbilisi's cobbled old town we cross the country to the rock-hewn town of Uplistsikhe, the layered fortress of Rabati and Queen Tamar's cliff-carved cave city of Vardzia, then climb the spectacular Georgian Military Highway into the Greater Caucasus for Mount Kazbegi and its mountaintop church. We finish in the green wine country of Kakheti — Tsinandali, Telavi and hilltop Sighnaghi — with tastings, a khinkali dumpling masterclass and the legendary warmth of Georgian hospitality.
Welcome to Georgia! Arrive in Tbilisi and settle into our hotel, a short walk from the beautifully restored old town with its pavement cafés and wine bars. No activities today — many flights land late — so the evening is yours to ease in.
A gentle morning to recover, then we gather as a group in the early afternoon and set out on foot through the old town — the ancient sulphur baths, Sioni Cathedral, the ornate synagogue and grand Rustaveli Avenue, finishing at the State Museum's hoard of pre-Christian gold. A warm welcome dinner tonight at a local restaurant.
We drive west to Gori, birthplace of Stalin, for the curious museum (and his armoured train carriage), then to the extraordinary rock-hewn town of Uplistsikhe — pagan and Christian temples carved into the cliffs above the Mtkvari River. Via the mineral-water town of Borjomi, we reach Akhaltsikhe for a two-night stay.
Into the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, the cradle of Georgian culture. We explore Rabati Castle, where church, mosque, minaret and synagogue sit side by side, then drive past the 10th-century Khertvisi Fortress to Vardzia — the cliff-carved cave city founded by the legendary Queen Tamar, its 12th-century frescoes still vivid. Back to Akhaltsikhe for the night.
We head north onto the spectacular Georgian Military Highway, pausing at the 16th-century Ananuri fortress on its turquoise reservoir, then climbing into the Greater Caucasus to the mountain resort of Gudauri for two nights — a scenic driving day through some of Georgia's finest landscapes.
Higher still through alpine meadows and medieval watchtowers to the Dariali Gorge, beneath the snow-capped peak of Mount Kazbegi. We walk up to the iconic 14th-century Gergeti Trinity Church at 2,200m, then roll up our sleeves for a khinkali masterclass — making, and eating, Georgia's famous soup dumplings.
Down from the mountains to Mtskheta, the ancient capital and a UNESCO site where Georgia adopted Christianity in 337 CE. We visit the clifftop Jvari Church and the great Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, then continue east into the fertile wine country around Telavi for the night.
We tour the elegant Tsinandali estate of 19th-century poet Alexander Chavchavadze, with its gardens and historic winery, then on to the hilltop town of Sighnaghi for a long lunch and wine tasting with a local family — Georgian hospitality at its very best — before returning to Tbilisi.
Our adventure ends after breakfast this morning. We'll arrange your departure transfer — or, if you'd like more time in this captivating city, just say the word and we'll help you extend.
Our team has led small-group adventures across Asia, East Africa, the Caucasus and South America since 2006. We know the routes we run inside out — and we run them personally.
Never more than 20 people on this tour. Small groups move differently — you get into places larger groups can't, spend more time in the moment and actually get to know the people you're travelling with.
You book your own flights, so you have full flexibility over your dates, airline and route. We're always happy to advise on the best connections — just ask when you enquire.
No booking engine. Enquire and our team will be in touch within 24 hours to discuss everything personally — and to tailor the trip around your schedule and what matters most to you.
