Location highlights from this tour
The whole country in ten days, mountains to sea. This private tour runs a big loop from Tbilisi — the high Caucasus at Kazbegi, the cave cities and monasteries of the centre and west, and the Black Sea at Batumi — with a scenic train ride to close it out.
You start in the capital, head north to Kazbegi for two nights under the peaks, then work west through Gori and Uplistsikhe to Kutaisi, with its monasteries, the Prometheus Cave and Martvili Canyon. From there it's down to Batumi on the coast for two nights, and a relaxed train back to Tbilisi.
As the name says, the food is half the trip. Georgian cooking shifts as you cross the country — from the smoky mountain fare of the Caucasus to the walnut-and-herb dishes of the west and the coast — with wine that goes back some 8,000 years never far away.
A couple of the driving days are long, but each leg lands somewhere different — and because it's private, the pace and the stops bend around you.
You'll be met at the airport and taken to your hotel. Check-in is from 14:00, so if you arrive earlier, we'll begin the city tour first and settle you in afterwards. Either way, 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. After the tour, you'll have free time until the evening. The day ends with a welcome dinner of Georgian food and local wine.
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.
A day in the mountains around Kazbegi. The morning goes up to Gergeti Trinity, the lone church at 2,170 metres with Mount Kazbek behind it — best in the early light. Later you'll walk out to the Gveleti waterfalls, an easy hike of about an hour and a half there and back through the valley, and stop at the Dariali gorge near the Russian border, a dramatic cut in the mountains. Back in Kazbegi for the night.
You leave the mountains and head back down towards the centre of the country. First is Gori and its Stalin Museum, in the town where he was born — a place that has stayed largely unchanged since Soviet times. Then Uplistsikhe, a town carved straight into the rock thousands of years ago, its halls and tunnels still climbing the hillside. You reach Tbilisi in the evening.
West today, to Kutaisi, one of Georgia's oldest cities. On the way in you'll visit two monasteries: Gelati, founded in the 12th century and on the UNESCO list, its churches lined with medieval mosaics and frescoes, and the smaller Motsameta, perched on a cliff above a river bend. You settle into Kutaisi for the night.
A day of caves and canyons around Kutaisi. You'll go underground at the Prometheus Cave, a long run of lit chambers, stalactites and underground rivers, then out to Martvili Canyon, a narrow gorge of green water where a short boat trip takes you through the middle of it. An easy, scenic day, back in Kutaisi for the night.
You head for the coast today, leaving Kutaisi for Batumi on the Black Sea. On the way you'll stop at a local winery for a tour and tasting — a chance to slow down over Georgian wine before the city. You arrive in Batumi, Georgia's seaside city, and settle in.
A relaxed day on the coast. You'll start north of the city at the Batumi Botanical Garden, a hillside of plants from all over the world spread across a green headland above the sea. Back in town, you'll take in Europe Square and the Italianate Piazza, then head down to the water for the moving Ali and Nino statue, two steel figures that slide through each other by the shore, and the Alphabetic Tower nearby, its tall helix wrapped in the letters of the Georgian alphabet. From there it's a stroll along the seafront Batumi Boulevard and a ride up on the Argo cable car for the view over the city and the coast. The evening is free.
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.
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.
The crown jewel of Batumi's waterfront, Rooms Hotel Batumi is a luxury design hotel with a stunning rooftop pool overlooking the Black Sea. With world-class dining, impeccable service, and interiors that blend industrial chic with coastal elegance, it's the finest address on Georgia's coast.
A polished mid-range hotel in the heart of Batumi offering modern rooms, many with balconies and sea views. Hotel Monarch combines comfort and value with a convenient location near Batumi Boulevard, making it an excellent choice for exploring Georgia's sunny Black Sea coast.
A cozy and affordable boutique hotel tucked into a quiet street in Batumi. Boutique Hotel 32 offers a personal touch with tastefully decorated rooms, friendly staff, and a location that puts you just minutes from the seaside promenade and Old Town attractions.
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9 days / Starting from €1,095A private 9-day route from Kutaisi to Tbilisi via Kazbegi and Gergeti Trinity Church, with stops at Prometheus Cave, Uplistsikhe and Martvili Canyon, hotels, transport and a guide-driver handled for you.
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.