8 Days Georgia Highlights Tour: Tbilisi, Kazbegi & Kakheti Wine Region

Breakfast
Tbilisi City Tour: Sameba & Old Town
You’ll combine driving and walking through the city and visit:
Holy Trinity Sameba Cathedral - the main Georgian Christian Orthodox cathedral, it is the largest religious building not only in Georgia but in the region of South Caucasus, and is listed among the largest Orthodox churches in the world. The cathedral was constructed between 1995 and 2004, as a "symbol of the Georgian national and spiritual revival".
Metekhi church 13th c presents one of the most important architectural monuments of old Tbilisi.
Narikala Fortress 4th c dominates the Old Town as a most impressive architectural landmark. With its inaccessible slopes, the fortress served as a main fortification and defended the city for centuries.
Old Sulfur Bathhouses with healing natural warm water have been praised by numerous travelers who visited the city.
Meidan square & Shardeni street neighborhood -famous for cozy cafes, bars, restaurants, souvenirs‘ shops, picture galleries.
The Bridge of Peace is the modern architectural glassy bridge in Old Town.
Anchiskhati Basilica 6th c is one of the oldest churches of Tbilisi. The first foundation dates back to 4th c and is associated with the adoption of Christianity in Georgia.
Note: Narikhala fortress is under construction and is planned to reopen in August 2025. You'll be able to explore the fortress from outside and still enjoy the views.
Overnight in Tbilisi 

Breakfast
Tbilisi - Mtskheta
Approx. Driving distance: 50 min (25 km)
Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral - Mtskheta UNESCO site
Svetitskhoveli, a masterpiece of medieval Georgian architecture, is Georgia’s main Orthodox Cathedral and a key pilgrimage site on the Silk Road. It is believed to hold the Robe of Christ and houses the tombs of Georgian kings. Built between 1010–1029, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The name means “Life-Giving Pillar.”
According to legend, the Robe of Christ was brought to Mtskheta in the 1st century by Eliazar. His sister Sidonia died holding it, and she was buried with the robe. A miraculous tree grew on her grave, and later King Mirian chose this site for Georgia’s first main church after adopting Christianity in 337. The wooden church’s central pillar was made from this sacred tree.

A stone cathedral replaced it in the 6th century, with its remains visible under glass flooring today. The present structure, built in 1029 by architect Arsukidze, stands out for its harmony, beauty, and central role in Georgia’s history.

Visit Jvari Monastery - Mtskheta UNESCO site
Jvari means “Cross.” According to tradition, after Christianity became the state religion in 337 under King Mirian and Queen Nana, St. Nino erected the first wooden cross on Mtskheta’s highest hill, overlooking the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers and the former pagan site of Armazi. The hill became a major sanctuary for pilgrims. The current stone church was built between 585–604 AD, covering the original cross. Inside, the 6th-century stone pedestal survives with a modern wooden cross symbolizing the first one.
The church’s harmony with the landscape, its balanced architecture, and beautifully carved reliefs—especially on the south and east walls—give it special character. Portraits of the church’s royal builders appear on the east wall. Jvari is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains an active place of worship.

Mtskheta - Ananuri
Approx. Driving distance:  50 min (45 km)
Explore Ananuri fortress & enjoy views of Zhinvali reservoir
Drive to Ananuri fortress 14-17th cc. The complex consists of fortifications and residential buildings of Aragvi Dukes. The purpose of the monument was to control the trade route and to guard the country from North.
It features a fortress, bell tower, three churches, and carved curtain walls. Listed for UNESCO consideration in 2007, Ananuri was a strategic stronghold of the Aragvi Eristavis until the 19th century. Key sites include the Sheupovari tower, the Church of the Virgin (1689), the Church of the Deity (16th-17th c.), and the small Mkurnali Church (17th c.), showcasing diverse architectural styles.

Ananuri - Gudauri Viewpoint
Approx. driving distance: 1 h 9 min (60.2 km)
Take a break at Gudauri viewpoint
A cylinder monument with a spectacular views, overlooking Devil’s Valley and the Caucasus Mountains.
Gudauri Viewpoint was erected by the Soviets in 1983 in the mountains of northern Georgia. The famous Georgian architect Giorgi Chakhava designed it and placed it on a spot offering a spectacular view over the surrounding landscape.
Overnight in Gudauri

Breakfast
Gudauri-Gergeti
Approx. driving distance: 46 min (33.6 km)
Drive up to Gergeti Trinity Church by 4x4
Drive to Gergeti mountain and iconic Gergeti Trinity church overlooked by Mt. Kazbegi. Gergeti Holy Trinity Church is an important altar of 14th century, located on the slope of Mount Kazbegi. The church facade preserves stone decorations depicting ancient rituals and beliefs.
If we are lucky with weather, we will see Mount Kazbegi (5047 m. above sea level). According to the legend Amirani – a cult hero and a prototype of Greek Prometheus, punished by Gods was chained on the mountain.
Gergeti Church - Dariali Monastery
Approx. driving distance: 19 min ( 12 km )
Visit Dariali Monastery
Dariali Monastic Complex is beautifully nested in Dariali Gorge, between the high mountains of the Greater Caucasus, in just 10 km from the administrative center of Khevi region - townlet Stepantsminda. 
The construction of Dariali Monastery began in 2005. It was partially completed in 2011 and opened by the Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia. The complex is comprised of various buildings. The main church of the complex is the Church of the Archangels St. Michael and St. Gabriel. The initial plan is to eventually build 12 different churches.
Dariali Monastery - Gudauri
Approx. driving distance:  1 h (43 km)
Overnight in Gudauri

Breakfast
Gudauri - Uplistikhe
Approx. driving distance : 2 h 55 min (165 km)
Walk in Uplistsikhe Caves
Visit Uplistsikhe cave town, located south-east of Gori on left bank of river Mtkvari. 
Uplistsikhe is the first settled area mentioned in manuscripts dating from 2nd millennium BC and translates literally in English as “the fortress of God”. The town was an important point on the trade route linking Byzantium, India and China. Nowadays archaeological excavations uncovered several layers dating from Early Iron Age to the late Middle Ages.
Take a walk through the narrow streets carved into sandstone rock. Explore the caves, visit several pagan temples, a King’s palace, pharmacy and an antic theatre, now frequented by Agama lizards that took over the abandoned city.

Uplistsikhe - Gori
Approx. driving distance: 20min (14.1 km)
Explore Stalin's house-museum
Visit J. Stalin’s house-museum located in the town of Gori. Established in 1937 the Stalin memorial museum retains its Soviet-era characteristics until recent days.

The museum exhibits re-create scenes from the life of the leader and include unique photos, gifts and furniture. The house where Stalin was born is preserved under a stone canopy nearby.
Museum complex consists of memorial house, where Stalin was born, exposition building with tower and Stalin’s personal coach with interior, by which he had travelled to Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam. Museum houses Stalin’s personal things, study room of Kremlin, manuscripts, gifts from over the world, etc.Overnight in Gori 

Breakfast
Gori - Chiatura
Approx. driving distance: 1 hr 42 min (110 km)
Explore Chiatura mining town

Drive to Soviet mining town Chiatura. Founded in the late 1800s as a mining colony, Chiatura quickly became a popular source for manganese and iron that was being taken from the rich mountains in the area. Unfortunately, having workers travel from their communities at the bottom of the hilly gorges and canyons up to the various mining sites each day was incredibly time consuming. So in an effort to get those bodies into those mine tunnels faster, a criss-crossing system of cable cars was installed in 1954 by the Stalinist government. 

Still utilizing the same infrastructure installed originally in the 1950s, today some 17 separate aerial lift cable car systems still exist around the town.

There are four new cableways in Chiatura with a total length of almost 3,500 metres. All of them depart from a new, modern lower station building called Central Cable Car Station. It’s located in the centre of town, near the museum. 

Here’s a quick run-down of the different lines: Sanatorium (862 m), Mukhadze (640 m), Lezhubani (845 m) and Naguti (1,081 m). 

If you only have time to ride one of the cable cars, we recommend either Sanatorium or Naguti. Sanatorium is the highest station with nice views on the way up and the Former Pioneer’s Palace at the top. Naguti is also fun because it’s the longest and nearby you’ll find the Church of the Annunciation in Naguti and the Chiatura Memorial.

Price for 1-way ride is 0.5 GEL.

Chiatura - Katskhi Pillar

Approx. driving distance: 15 min (11 km)
Visit the Katskhi pillar

The Katskhi pillar, a natural 40 meter high limestone monolith near Chiatura. The rock, with visible church ruins on a top surface measuring c. 150 m2, has been venerated by locals as the Pillar of Life and a symbol of the True Cross, and has become surrounded by legends. The studies determined the ruins were of an early medieval heritage dating from the 9th or 10th century. Religious activity associated with the pillar was revived in the 1990s and the monastery building had been restored by 2009.

Note: visitors are NOT allowed to ascend and visit the church.

Katskhi pillar - Kutaisi
Approx. driving distance: 1 h 10 min (65.2 km)
Overnight in Kutaisi

Breakfast
Kutaisi - Sataplia
Approx. driving distance: 21 min (10 km)
Explore Sataplia Caves
Drive to Sataplia karst caves and take a walk in Sataplia national reserve. The place is famous for containing dinosaur footprints, which are conserved on the territory of the museum. Sataplia cave is 900 m. long in total and contains stalactites, and stalagmites. Colorful visual effects and lights enrich the natural beauty of the caves.

Sataplia Nature Reserve - Motsameta Monastery

Approx. Driving distance: 35 min (16.1 km)
Visit Motsameta Monastery

According to the legend the monastery was built on the place where Muslim invaders executed David and Konstantin Mkheidze, the Georgian princes of Argveti who refused to convert to Islam. In a small monastery hall, there is a rectangular ark with the hollows of the princes canonized by Georgian Church. The church was reconstructed in the 10th century by the King Bagrat III. The building was reconstructed again in the 19th century.
Motsameta Monastery - Tbilisi

Approx. Driving distance: 223 Km / 3 hr 15 min
Visit Chronicle Of Georgia

The Chronicle of Georgia is a monument located on Keeni Hill near the Tbilisi sea. It was created by sculptor Zurab Tsereteli in 1985 but was never fully finished. The monument sits at the top of a large set of stairs, overlooking the northern part of the city from different directions. There are 16 pillars that are between 30–35 meters tall and the top half features kings, queens, and heroes while the bottom part depicts stories from the life of Christ. Beside bronze pillars, there is a grapevine cross of St. Nino, who first brought Christianity to Georgia, and a chapel.Overnight in Tbilisi 

Breakfast
Departure
Transfer from Tbilisi airport
Pickup by driver upon arrival
Approx. driving: 25 km, 30 min.