Location highlights from this tour
Nine days across Georgia, from the western lowlands up to the high Caucasus and back. You base yourself four nights in Kutaisi and three in Tbilisi, with one night high in the mountains at Kazbegi.
The loop runs Kutaisi first — its hillside monasteries and the Green Bazaar — then east through the Prometheus Cave to Tbilisi, and north up the old Military Highway to sleep a night below Mount Kazbek beneath the Gergeti church. Heading back you pass through Mtskheta, the Uplistsikhe cave town and Gori, saving the quieter west for last.
That final day is the one shorter tours leave out: Nokalakevi, a fortress ruin known as the "Georgian Troy," and the green water of Martvili Canyon. It's an unhurried take on the classic route, with a proper mountain overnight in place of a long day trip — and because you're travelling privately, none of it is fixed.
A day around Kutaisi and its monasteries. You'll start at Gelati, founded in the 12th century and on the UNESCO list, its churches lined inside with medieval mosaics and frescoes, then the smaller Motsameta, perched on a cliff above a river bend. Back in town, a short tour takes in the old streets and the lively Green Bazaar, where locals shop for produce, cheese and spices.
The morning goes underground at the Prometheus Cave, a long run of lit chambers, stalactites and underground rivers near Kutaisi. Afterwards you make the drive east to Tbilisi, Georgia's capital, arriving in the evening.
The tour starts at Holy Trinity Cathedral — Sameba — one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, rising above the city. From there you'll visit the clifftop Metekhi church, perched above the river, then ride the cable car up to the Narikala fortress for the view over the whole of Tbilisi. Walking down from the fortress, you'll pass through Abanotubani, the district of brick-domed sulfur bathhouses the city was built on and named after, then wander the Old Town lanes to the leaning clock tower of the Rezo Gabriadze theatre. Free evening in Tbilisi.
North today, up the old Georgian Military Highway into the Caucasus. First stop is Mtskheta, Georgia's spiritual heart — the great Svetitskhoveli cathedral in the town, and Jvari monastery on the hill above it, both UNESCO sites. Then a pause at Ananuri, a fortress standing over the turquoise Jinvali reservoir. Further up you'll stop where the black and white Aragvi rivers meet, their two colours running side by side before they blend into one, and again at the Gudauri Panorama for the wide view back down the valley. From there the road climbs to Kazbegi, a small town under the snows of Mount Kazbek where the air changes completely.
Your morning is the big one — up to Gergeti Trinity, the lone church at 2,170 metres with Mount Kazbek behind it, one of Georgia's great views and best in the early light. Afterwards you leave the mountains and drive back down the Military Highway to Tbilisi, arriving in the evening.
Heading west, you'll stop at Uplistsikhe, a town carved into the rock that goes back to the Iron Age, its halls and tunnels still climbing the hillside, then Gori and its Stalin Museum, in the town where he was born — a place that has stayed largely unchanged since Soviet times. You carry on to Kutaisi for the night.
A day out to two of the west's quieter highlights. First is Nokalakevi, an archaeological site sometimes called the “Georgian Troy,” the ruins of an ancient fortress town above the river. Then Martvili Canyon, a narrow gorge of emerald water where a short boat trip takes you through the middle of it. Back in Kutaisi for your final night.
A stylish and modern hotel in the center of Kutaisi, Georgia's second-largest city. Newport Hotel offers spacious rooms with contemporary interiors, an excellent restaurant, and a prime location for exploring the region's UNESCO World Heritage sites and natural wonders.
A charming boutique hotel in central Kutaisi named after the legendary Argonauts who sailed to ancient Colchis. Boutique Hotel Argo offers comfortable rooms, warm service, and a great location for discovering Kutaisi's rich history and the stunning natural attractions of Imereti.
A welcoming hotel in the heart of Kutaisi featuring lush gardens and a BBQ area perfect for relaxing evenings. Hotel West Way serves as the ideal base for exploring the magnificent Prometheus Cave, Sataplia Nature Reserve, and the ancient Gelati Monastery.
A design-forward boutique hotel housed in a converted Soviet-era publishing house on the banks of the Mtkvari River. Rooms Hotel Tbilisi is a cultural landmark in its own right, blending industrial-chic aesthetics with warm Georgian hospitality, a vibrant lobby bar, and a celebrated restaurant.
A colorful and contemporary hotel right on Tbilisi's main Rustaveli Avenue. Ibis Styles Tbilisi Center offers reliable international-standard comfort with a playful design, complimentary breakfast, and an unbeatable central location for exploring the capital.
A cheerful budget-friendly hotel tucked into the winding streets of Tbilisi's Old Town. Ginger Hotel offers clean, comfortable rooms with a warm atmosphere and friendly staff, making it a great-value base for travelers who want to be in the heart of the action.
A design masterpiece set against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Kazbek. Rooms Hotel Kazbegi is one of Georgia's most iconic luxury retreats, offering floor-to-ceiling mountain views, a crackling fireplace lounge, an indoor pool, and a spa — the ultimate mountain escape.
A comfortable mid-range hotel in the heart of Stepantsminda with warm hospitality and mountain views. Northgate Hotel provides a cozy retreat after a day of Caucasus adventures, with a welcoming restaurant serving hearty Georgian cuisine and well-appointed rooms.
A budget-friendly guesthouse-style hotel in Stepantsminda offering simple, clean rooms and genuine Georgian warmth. Hotel Horizon is perfect for travelers who want to explore the Kazbegi region without breaking the bank, with home-cooked meals and a friendly atmosphere.
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8 days / Starting from €895A private 8-day route from Tbilisi through Kazbegi and Gergeti Trinity Church to Kakheti wine country, with stops at Uplistsikhe and Gori, hotels, transport and a guide-driver handled for you.
8 days / Starting from €1,185A private 8-day route from Tbilisi through Kakheti and Lagodekhi National Park to Kazbegi, with a cooking class in Telavi, hotels, transport and a guide-driver handled for you.
10 days / Starting from €1,125A private 10-day route from Tbilisi through Kazbegi, Gori and Uplistsikhe to Kutaisi, Martvili Canyon and Batumi, with hotels, transport and a guide-driver handled for you.