Georgia's Wild Frontiers

Your journey begins in Tbilisi. After a morning briefing, visit the National Museum to see ancient Colchian gold work. Walk through the Old Town's cobbled streets near the sulphur baths, then take the cable car up to the Mother of Georgia statue for views over the city's terracotta roofs and winding alleys. In the afternoon, visit Sioni Cathedral on the Metekhi Plateau. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Georgian feast with local toasts.

Overnight in Tbilisi. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving Tbilisi, travel to Samshvilde, where ruins stand on a promontory above two converging rivers. After lunch in the Tsalka region, continue to the village of Poka, set against the mountains. Board 4x4 vehicles to climb into the highlands and visit the Abuli Fortress ruins, which offer sweeping views. In the evening, descend into the Vardzia region for the night.

Overnight in Vardzia. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, visit the cave monastery of Vanis Qvabebi, where monks once lived. Continue to Vardzia, an ancient site carved into the rock above the Mtkvari River, and explore its chambers and passages. Nearby, have lunch with a local family, prepared with ingredients from their garden. In the afternoon, an optional rafting trip on the river is available.

Overnight in Vardzia. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Travel north toward Borjomi, stopping first at Khertvisi Fortress. Continue to the village of Chobareti, where you'll join a local family in their kitchen to learn traditional bread-making. In the afternoon, arrive in Borjomi. Take a walk through the historic park where Russian Romanov royalty once sought healing, or relax with mineral waters and spa treatments.

Overnight in Borjomi. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This is a free day to spend as you like. Choose from hiking trails in Borjomi National Park, a horseback ride through the meadows, or a relaxed cart ride to nearby villages and churches. Your guide can help arrange any of these options.

Overnight in Borjomi. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel west through the Rikoti Pass, where eastern and western Georgia meet. Stop in Shrosha to watch traditional qvevri (clay wine vessel) making, then visit a medieval monastery with historic frescoes. Have lunch at a restaurant by the river. In the afternoon, continue to Kutaisi, Georgia's second city.

Overnight in Kutaisi. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Visit Prometheus Cave in the morning to see its stalactites and stalagmites. Then explore Tskaltubo, a Soviet-era spa town with abandoned sanatoriums now overgrown with moss and vines. Have lunch in a nearby village. In the late afternoon, visit Bagrati Cathedral for views over Kutaisi and the Rioni River.

Overnight in Kutaisi. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Visit Gelati Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site from Georgia's golden age, known for its manuscripts and mosaics. Continue to organic tea gardens to learn about harvesting and processing tea leaves, and visit a woodcarving workshop. Enjoy a wine tasting with lunch, sampling varieties unique to this region. In the afternoon, visit the Tskhrajvari viewpoint for views over the surrounding landscape.

Overnight in Kutaisi. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Your final day covers Georgia's layered history. Visit Gori, birthplace of Stalin, and the museum dedicated to his life. Have lunch in the nearby hills. In the afternoon, visit Uplistsikhe, an ancient cave town carved into rock. Continue to Mtskheta, where Georgia adopted Christianity in the 4th century. The day ends back in Tbilisi with a farewell dinner and a private polyphonic concert.

Overnight in Tbilisi. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner