5 days: Tbilisi, Mtskheta, Gori, Uplistsikhe, Kakheti (Bodbe, Sighnaghi), Kazbegi, Gudauri, Ananuri

5-Day Georgia Tour from Tbilisi – Mountains, Wine, History & Ancient Wonders

Five unforgettable days covering the very best of Georgia — from Tbilisi's vibrant old town and the snow-capped Caucasus Mountains to ancient cave cities, UNESCO-listed monasteries, and the legendary wine villages of Kakheti. Professional guides, comfortable minibus, tastings, and airport transfer all included.

Day 1 — Tbilisi City Tour (3-hour guided excursion)

Your Georgia journey opens in Tbilisi — a city unlike any other in the Caucasus, where Persian bathhouses, Orthodox churches, Art Nouveau balconies, and cutting-edge contemporary design exist side by side on the same street.

Old Tbilisi:

• Abanotubani — Tbilisi's world-famous sulfur bath district, a labyrinth of domed bathhouses rising from the hillside and steaming since the city's very founding

• Anchiskhati Church — the oldest surviving building in Tbilisi, a beautifully preserved 5th-century basilica tucked into the old town

• Meidan Square (Vakhtang Gorgasali Square) — the historic heart of Old Tbilisi, once a thriving caravanserai and bazaar at the crossroads of the Silk Road

• Shardeni Street — Tbilisi's most atmospheric pedestrian street, perfect for a leisurely stroll past wine bars, art galleries, and open-air terraces

New Tbilisi:

• Metekhi Church — one of Tbilisi's most dramatic landmarks, a medieval church perched on a cliff above the Mtkvari River gorge

• Freedom Square — the symbolic center of Georgia's political life, and the scene of many historic moments in the country's modern history

• Gabriadze Puppet Theater — a charming Tbilisi institution beloved for its intricate mechanical clock tower and creative spirit

• Rike Park — Tbilisi's futuristic riverside park, a bold statement of modern Georgian architecture and urban design

• Bridge of Peace — Tbilisi's iconic glass-and-steel pedestrian bridge, beautifully lit at night and one of the most photographed spots in the entire country

Day 2 — Mtskheta, Gori & Uplistsikhe (09:00 – 19:00)

A full day journeying through Georgia's ancient heartland — visiting two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a fascinating Cold War-era museum, and a prehistoric cave city carved into volcanic rock.

• Jvari Monastery (6th–7th century) — perched high above the confluence of the Aragvi and Kura rivers, this ancient Georgian Orthodox church is one of the country's most sacred and most visited landmarks. A UNESCO World Heritage Site famously described in Lermontov's poem "Mtsyri", Jvari offers spectacular views over the valley and the old capital of Mtskheta below.

• Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Mtskheta — Georgia's most important church and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This magnificent 11th-century cathedral is believed to contain the burial robe (chiton) of Christ and the relics of Saint Andrew the Apostle, making it one of the most significant Christian pilgrimage sites in the Caucasus.

• Stalin Museum, Gori — explore the birthplace of Joseph Stalin in the city of Gori, where a dedicated museum preserves his childhood home, personal possessions, armored railway carriage, and documents tracing his extraordinary and controversial rise to power.

• Uplistsikhe Ancient Cave City — one of the oldest settlements in Georgia, this remarkable rock-hewn city was carved into the sandstone cliffs of the Mtkvari River valley over 3,000–5,000 years ago. Walk through ancient streets, temples, a throne hall, and a tunnel system that once formed a thriving urban center — a truly extraordinary open-air archaeological site.

Day 3 — Vardzia, Rabati Fortress & Borjomi (07:00 – 22:00)

A long and richly rewarding day in southern Georgia, combining two of the country's most dramatic medieval fortresses with a visit to one of the Caucasus's most celebrated resort towns.

• Vardzia Cave Monastery — the crown jewel of southern Georgia and one of the most extraordinary historical sites in the entire Caucasus. This vast underground city was founded in the 12th century by Queen Tamar during Georgia's Golden Age. At its height, Vardzia could shelter up to 20,000 people across 13 floors and more than 600 rooms, connected by tunnels, staircases, and hidden passages, with its own churches, libraries, wine cellars, and an advanced water supply system. An unmissable highlight of any Georgia tour.

• Rabati Fortress, Akhaltsikhe — Georgia's largest fortress, with origins dating to the 9th century. Inside its well-preserved walls, explore a royal palace, medieval towers, a labyrinth garden, inner courtyards with fountains and pools, and a fascinating blend of Georgian, Ottoman, and European architectural influences — all in a single remarkable complex.

• Borjomi — one of the most beloved destinations in Georgia, this elegant resort town in the Mtkvari River valley has drawn visitors for centuries thanks to its famous natural mineral springs. Stroll along the tree-lined riverfront, walk through the central mineral water park, and taste Borjomi water directly from the spring — the same water that was once reserved for Russian royalty and Soviet leaders.

Day 4 — Kakheti Wine Tour: Manavi, Badiauri, Signagi & Bodbe (09:00 – 20:00)

Step into Kakheti — the soul of Georgian wine culture, a region of rolling vineyards, ancient monasteries, and hilltop towns that has been producing wine for over 8,000 years.

• Manavi Village — your first immersive taste of Kakhetian hospitality. Try authentic homemade Georgian wine, chacha, and traditional local snacks, then make your own churchkhela by hand — the beloved Georgian sweet made by dipping walnuts in thickened grape juice. A highlight for visitors of all ages.

• Badiauri Village — watch skilled local bakers prepare traditional Georgian "Mother's Bread" in a clay tone oven using techniques unchanged for generations, then sample a selection of famous Kakhetian cheeses — each with its own distinct flavor and story.

• Signagi — "The City of Love" — the jewel of Kakheti, a beautifully preserved hilltop town styled after southern Italian classicism, enclosed by a 17th-century fortress and overlooking the breathtaking Alazani Valley. With its romantic atmosphere, panoramic views, and charming streets, Signagi is one of the most visited and most loved towns in all of Georgia.

• Bodbe Monastery — the tranquil and historically significant resting place of Saint Nino, the 4th-century missionary who brought Christianity to Georgia. Set amid beautifully landscaped gardens, Bodbe is both a place of pilgrimage and one of the most peaceful spots in Kakheti.

• Saint Nino's Holy Spring — descend through the monastery gardens to this sacred spring, a deeply meaningful pilgrimage site visited by Georgians and international travelers alike.

• Premium Qvevri Wine Tasting — conclude the day with a tasting of premium Georgian wines poured directly from a qvevri — a traditional clay amphora buried in the ground, a UNESCO-recognized winemaking method unique to Georgia. Complimentary and fully included in your tour price.

Day 5 — Kazbegi, Ananuri & Gudauri Mountain Tour (09:00 – 20:00)

Save the most spectacular day for last — a journey along the legendary Georgian Military Road deep into the Greater Caucasus Mountains, to one of the most iconic destinations in the entire Caucasus region.

• Zhinvali Reservoir — a vast and beautiful turquoise mountain lake, one of the most photographed natural landmarks on the road north from Tbilisi

• Ananuri Fortress — one of Georgia's most visited medieval fortresses, dramatically positioned above the Zhinvali Reservoir with ancient towers, churches, and sweeping mountain panoramas

• Pasanauri — stop to witness the extraordinary natural wonder where the Black and White Aragvi rivers flow in parallel without ever merging, then taste Georgian mountain honey and chacha at a traditional roadside stop

• Gudauri Ski Resort — Georgia's premier alpine destination, famous for world-class skiing, paragliding, and year-round mountain scenery at high altitude

• Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument — a bold Soviet-era mosaic arch set high in the mountains, offering some of the most dramatic panoramic views of the Caucasus range anywhere along the route

• Travertine Rock (spring and summer only) — a unique natural formation where mineral-rich water cascades down the mountainside. Stop to taste it cold and fresh from the source.

• Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) — a high Caucasus village at the foot of the legendary Mount Kazbek (5,033 m), one of the mightiest and most beautiful peaks in the entire mountain range

• Gergeti Trinity Church — the single most iconic image in all of Georgia — a solitary medieval church standing at 2,200 m above sea level, dramatically silhouetted against Mount Kazbek and the glaciers above. A jeep transfer to the summit is available (20 GEL, not included).

What's Included

• All 5 guided excursions listed above

• Airport transfer (book for 2–7 people and save $25 per person)

• Professional English-speaking guide throughout

• Comfortable minibus with Wi-Fi

• Georgian wine & chacha tastings

• Mountain honey tasting

• Churchkhela-making experience

• Premium qvevri wine tasting in Kakheti

Not Included

• International flights

• Hotel accommodation

• Entry tickets (approx. 65 GEL per person total)

• Jeep transfer to Gergeti Monastery (20 GEL)

• Lunches and dinners

• Personal expenses

Flexible Booking — Your Dates, Your Way

All tour dates are completely open. Excursions can be swapped for alternatives, reordered to suit your arrival schedule, or removed entirely to adjust the price.

📞 Contact Irina: +995 571 31 80 08 (WhatsApp / Viber / Telegram) 📍 Meeting point for all excursions: Abanotubani, Abano Street 15, Old Tbilisi 🌐 imperialtours.ge