Georgia – daily program

GEORGIA CULTURE TOUR - € 1915 (flight excluded) approx. $ 2130

This tour is suitable for folk dancers and non-dancers alike.

Georgian dances can be quite complicated for the average folk dancer. Therefore, no dance classes are planned, but we will definitely see dance groups and rehearsals. We might have a chance to join the more simple Perkhuli circle dances, which are traditionally accompagnied by polyphonic singing in Svaneti.

REGISTRATION

Thursday August 14 Arrival in Batumi

Our tour starts in Batumi, a cosmopolitan city on the Black Sea. Shuttle from Batumi airport to our hotel is included. Modern buildings are springing up like mushrooms. You might want to enjoy your lunch or a drink at the waterfront and relax from your travels. We will meet in the hotel lobby at 19.00 hrs. and have dinner together.

Friday August 15 Batumi – free day

9.30 Briefing at our hotel. After our meeting we will have a city walk in Batumi. The town was already popular among both Georgians and their Turkish neighbors during the times of Soviet rule. Throughout history, Georgia and Batumi have always been characterized by tolerance towards different religions.
After our walk you will have the rest of the day free, no lunch provided. A good way to start our journey rested. If the local Song and Dance Ensemble Arsiani is not on tour, we try to attend a rehearsal to see the spectacular dances from this region Ajara. Remember to buy a packed lunch for tomorrow’s travels. No dinner provided.

Saturday August 16 Travel to Mestia (270 km)

Check out and departure at 8.30 hrs for Mestia in the northwest of Georgia.  In 1996 this region was nominated as World Heritage Site because of its unique defense towers.Although it is a longer drive to Mestia, the scenery offers beautiful views on the mountains of the High Caucasus, a region rich in natural beauty. It makes a visit to this region quite special. Dinner (incl) at the hotel, where we will stay 3 nights. It has a swimming pool and sauna.

Sunday August 17 Mestia – free day – performance of local group

Free day. Suggestions: visit the wonderful local museum or walk around Mestia. Another option: more challenging hike to Chaladi glacier (not included, can be booked locally). In the afternoon we will watch Dede, a movie about Ushguli, which gives a good impression of traditions and daily life in this remote village which we will visit on the 19th.  Dinner will be at the hotel (incl). After dinner, enjoy typical Georgian polyphonic songs during a performance by Rihoh, a local dance and singing group. We might have a chance to join the more simple Perkhuli circle dances.
See August 18 to decide if you would like to bring a packed lunch for tomorrow.

Monday August 18 Sightseeing to Ushguli (47 km)

Departure: 10.00 hrs. Consider to bring a packed lunch or have a simple lunch at Ushguli village with has limited and simple restaurants. On small local buses we travel to Ushguli, one of the highest inhabited settlements in Europe (2,100 meters/6,900 ft) characterized by high defensive towers dating back to the Middle Ages. Visiting Ushguli located in the region Svaneti is not a standard tourist item, due to its isolated location. The roads have gradually improved, but it is still challenging to reach Ushguli. The village is covered with snow for 6 months a year. That is why the Svans have retained many of their old traditions. They use both Georgian and their own, unwritten Svan language and although they are Georgian Orthodox Christians,  remnants of old paganism have been maintained. The spectacular dancing on toes comes from this region. Dinner back at the hotel (incl).

Tuesday August 19 Travel from Mestia to Kutaisi (221 km)

Check out and departure at 8.30 hrs for a long travel day to Kutaisi. In the west of Georgia lies Kutaisi, the little brother of Tbilisi. Smaller in size and a lot less touristy than the capital. We will have a lunch break (incl.) on our way. There will be no dinner provided, but it isn’t hard to find a nice restaurant near our hotel. Kutaisi has visible charm: the low red roofs and fully loaded market stalls color the streetscape.

Wednesday August 20 Kutaisi – Gelati monastery

This morning we depart at 9.00 hrs and have a mixed program of nature and culture. If you like, you can bring a snack and drink because we will be back for a late lunch. First we drive about an hour to Okatse canyon where a hanging trail offers a stunning view on an historic forest. Enjoy your 2-3 hr hike. Near Kutaisi we will visit an historical gem, the Gelati Monastery. It is a Unesco World heritage site famous for its manuscripts, hand-painted frescoes and mosaics. Back in Kutaisi you have a free afternoon to explore Kutaisi and to have your late lunch. We hope to fit in a visit to Studio Geni, where 2 former professional dancers teach Georgian dances to children. Their abilities are impressive. We will drive to a nice restaurant for dinner (incl).

Thursday August 21 Travel from Kutaisi to Vardzia (236 km) – cave monastery

Check out and departure at 8.00 hrs. Upon arrival we will check in at Valodias Cottages in Vardzia, a more basic but scenic accommodation situated along the Kura river, surrounded by a beautiful garden. After lunch (incl) it is a very short drive to Vardzia cave monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which you can explore on foot. In 1185, Queen Tamar ordered the excavation of caves to protect the monks from the Mongols. Dinner (incl) at Valodias Cottages, where we spend another night.

Friday August 22 Vardzia free day – stay at Valodias cottages.

Free day. Suggestions: re-visit the caves, walk to the women’s monastery Zeda Vardzia, walk in nature, or just relax near the river front to process your travel experiences. Lunch and dinner at Valodias Cottages (incl). Make sure to order a lunch package for tomorrow or buy some snacks in Uplistsikhe (tomorrow’s destination) at the cafeteria there.

Saturday August 23 Travel from Vardzia to Tbilisi (270 km) – sightseeing Uplistsikhe

Check out and departure at 9.00 hrs. On our way to Georgia’s capital Tbilisi we will visit Uplistsikhe, an ancient rock-hewn town dated from the early Iron Age. Uplistsikhe is identified by archaeologists as one of the oldest urban settlements in Georgia. The town was cut into a flat, straight, but slightly inclining mountain. You can visit the small museum first to watch the movie on Uplistsikhe's history and see some artifacts from different periods. The climb to the different caves can be a bit challenging, so make sure to wear good shoes. More artifacts are in the safekeeping of the National Museum in Tbilisi. In Tbilisi our hotel is just 15 minutes’ walk from the scenic old town. Dinner at the hotel (incl).

Sunday August 24 Tbilisi city walk – free afternoon

Guided city walk in Tbilisi from 10.00-12.00 hrs. Enjoy a free afternoon. Suggestions: take a stroll in the old city, visit the National Museum with a beautiful collection of costumes and a unique collection of golden jewelry, the ‘Dry bridge’ flee market or take a ride on the cable car to Narikala fortress. Try to change at a bank and get some Armenian currency if you continue to visit Armenia. You can also change at the border.
No lunch and dinner provided.

Monday August 25 Travel from Tblisi to Stepantsminda

Our first stop will be at Ananuri, an impressive castle complex that has stood the test of time. This 17th century fortress houses a monastery, two churches, beautiful reliefs and impressive frescoes can be seen on the fortified outer walls. Several market stalls offer local specialities. Expect an exciting drive along deep gorges, sometimes zigzagging around a herd of sheep.
Our travel continues to the town of Stepantsminda. We will be climbing a mountain road with small local buses to visit Gergeti Trinity Church, the photogenic symbol of Georgia at an altitude of 2170 meters. Situated in the shadow of the over 5000 meter high mountain peak of Mount Kazbek, the Gergeti Church is one of the most scenic sights in Georgia. No dinner provided.

Tuesday August 26 Travel from Tblisi to Mtshketa - guided tour to Svetitskhoveli

Departure at 9.30 hrs to visit Jvari church and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the historic town of Mtskheta. Svetitskhoveli is one of the most complex Georgian architectural monuments, and the largest church structure out of all the churches that have survived to the present day. It has been the main place of worship for the Georgian Orthodox community since the day it was built. After lunch (not provided) we will return to Tbilisi and you will have a free afternoon. We will meet 18.00 hrs and drive to a restaurant to have our final Georgian dinner and enjoy a night with Georgian music and dance.

August 27 Fly home or continue your travel to Armenia

For those who will not continue their travels there will be a shuttle to the airport.
For those who will continue their travels to Armenia: check out and departure at 8.00 hrs to travel to Armenia. At the border we will change to an Armenian bus.

Included

  • Price is based on sharing a double/twin room
  • Transfer airport upon arrival and departure
  • Local guide
  • Hotel with breakfast
  • Meals as mentioned in the program
  • Dance classes
  • Entrance fees

 Excluded

  • International flight
  • Non-European participants: € 20 bank transfer charges
  • Surcharge single room € 500
  • Meals not mentioned in the program
  • Tips for local guide and driver (indication € 15 p.p.for guide, €15 p.p. for driver)
  • Drinks, laundry, shopping etc.
  • Tips for meals - Tour leader collects this from participants

Note

Minimum amount of participants: 20. The international flight can be booked after the organizer informs you that the minimum amount of 20 participants has been reached. Full payment due in February 2025, no deposit required. You will receive an invoice.