6-Day Georgia Private Tour: Highlights from Tbilisi
Gallery
Location highlights from this tour
Route Map
Tbilisi Old Town
Narikala Fortress, Tbilisi
Metekhi Church, Tbilisi
Gabriadze Clock Tower, Tbilisi
Holy Trinity Cathedral, Tbilisi
Overview
Cave cities and cliff monasteries, in six days. This private loop runs west from Tbilisi through the heart of old Georgia — rock-hewn towns, a monastery dug into a mountainside, and two of the country's great medieval churches — before circling back to the capital.
You start in Tbilisi, then head west to the Iron Age caves of Uplistsikhe and the old spa town of Borjomi. From there it's up to Vardzia, a whole monastery carved into a cliff, and the rebuilt castle at Akhaltsikhe, before dropping down to Kutaisi and the green water of Martvili Canyon on the way home.
The thread running through it is stone — towns, churches and monasteries cut straight into the rock over the last three thousand years. Vardzia alone once held hundreds of rooms across up to thirteen levels, built into the mountain under Queen Tamar in the 12th century.
The days are full and the driving is real, but each evening lands you somewhere new — and because it's private, the whole thing bends around you rather than the other way round.
Itinerary
Arrive, settle in, and spend the afternoon getting to know Tbilisi. You'll wander the Old Town's cobbled lanes, ride up to the Narikala fortress for the view across the rooftops, cross the Peace Bridge over the river, and stop at Holy Trinity Cathedral, or Sameba, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world. The day ends with a welcome dinner of Georgian food and local wine.
- Arrival in Tbilisi and hotel check-in;
- Explore Tbilisi Old Town;
- Visit Narikala Fortress;
- Walk across Peace Bridge;
- See Holy Trinity Cathedral;
- Welcome dinner in Tbilisi;
- Overnight stay in Tbilisi.
West today, into Georgia's older history. First is Uplistsikhe, a town cut straight into the rock that was a trading hub as far back as the Iron Age — you can walk its cave halls, tunnels and carved streets. Then a stop in Gori for the Stalin Museum, in the town where he was born, before you carry on to Borjomi, the old spa town known for its mineral water and the wooded Central Park in the hills above it.
- Visit Uplistsikhe ancient rock-hewn town;
- Explore cave dwellings and tunnels;
- Visit Stalin Museum in Gori;
- Travel to Borjomi;
- Walk in Borjomi Central Park;
- Taste famous Borjomi mineral water;
- Overnight stay in Borjomi.
Today's the big one: Vardzia, a monastery carved into the side of the Erusheti mountain in the 12th century, under Queen Tamar. What's left is a honeycomb of rooms, tunnels and chapels spread across the cliff face, with a frescoed church still in use at its centre. Afterwards you'll head to Akhaltsikhe and its Rabati Castle, a rebuilt fortress where a mosque, a church and a synagogue stand inside the same walls — a good picture of how mixed this border region has always been.
- Visit Vardzia cave monastery complex;
- Explore medieval cave dwellings and churches;
- Learn about Queen Tamar's legacy;
- Travel to Akhaltsikhe;
- Explore Rabati Castle fortress;
- Discover diverse cultural heritage;
- Overnight stay in Akhaltsikhe.
A drive west brings you to Kutaisi, one of Georgia's oldest cities, lived in for more than 3,000 years. Up on the hill sits Bagrati Cathedral, an 11th-century church rebuilt in recent years, looking out over the town. A short way out is the Gelati monastery, founded in the 12th century by King David the Builder and still on the UNESCO list — its main church is covered inside with medieval mosaics and frescoes. There's time to walk the city centre before your night in Kutaisi.
- Scenic drive to Kutaisi;
- Visit Bagrati Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage Site);
- Explore Gelati Monastery complex;
- Discover medieval Georgian architecture;
- Walk through Kutaisi city center;
- Overnight stay in Kutaisi.
On the way back east you'll stop at Martvili Canyon, a narrow gorge of green water below mossy cliffs, with a short boat trip through the middle of it when conditions allow. It's an easy, pretty break before the long drive to Tbilisi, where the evening is yours for a last dinner or a wander.
- Visit Martvili Canyon;
- Take boat trip through emerald waters;
- Explore narrow gorge with lush vegetation;
- Enjoy stunning natural scenery;
- Scenic drive back to Tbilisi;
- Free evening in Tbilisi;
- Overnight stay in Tbilisi.
A free morning, shaped around your flight — time for a last coffee, some souvenir shopping, or a slow breakfast. Then you'll check out and transfer to Tbilisi International Airport for the trip home.
Accommodation
Pricing
Classic
Mid-Range
Premium
"From" prices are per person, based on 4 travelers in the Classic package. Final price depends on travel dates, hotel availability, group size, and any customization.
What's Included
- Accommodation in double or twin rooms, with breakfast included;
- Transfers as per the itinerary in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle, with an English-speaking guide driver;
- Entrance fees as per itinerary;
- Still water;
- Dinner in Tbilisi on day 1.
What's Not Included
- Full board;
- Additional hotel expenses;
- Travel insurance.
Route Map
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