Caucasus Mountains

Caucasus Mountains

Unforgettable beauty and Nature - The Caucasus Mountains, 3 Natural Monuments, 3 UNESCO Heritage Sites in 5 days from $300

Itinerary

Day 1: Tbilisi-Mestia, Svaneti, Georgia

Stop At: Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography, A. Lozeliani st. 7, Mestia 384750 Georgia
Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography was founded in 1936. In 1973 in Svaneti was created the zonal system of the Monument Protection and the Museum became the headquarters of this system. In the Museum are kept very important and valuable archaeological and ethnographical materials, rich collection of the Georgian manuscripts, icons, etc. There are high level items in the collections donated to Svaneti churches by Georgian kings. There are some items of foreign origin, like: Syrian, Sasanian Persia, from Byzantine Empire, and Venice.In 2003 the museum moved to the new building. Permanent exhibitions are presented the three halls. Collections of the Svaneti Museum are: archaeological collections – 2187 items, engraved and painted icons – 242 items, manuscripts – 68 items, armor – 192 items, metalwork – 292 items, wooden ethnographical objects – 650 items, jewelry and silverware – 421 items, textiles – 37 items. Museum already had done exhibitions of contemporary local painters' works. There is started work on preparing of the educational programs

Opening hours: Every day 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Closed on Monday and public holidays

Entrance Fees:

Adults - 5GEL

School children - 0.5GEL

Admission is free for:

Children (under 6)

Friends of Museum

ICOM members

Museum employees

People with limited abilities

Internally displaced persons (IDPs)

Socially unprotected persons

Guided Tours in Georgian, English, German, and Russian languages:

Up to 10 persons 25GEL

School children groups 10GEL

Recommendations and Regulations:

The last entrance tickets are sold 30 minutes prior the end of working day. Visitors should leave exhibition halls 10 minutes before the museum closes.

Children (under 12) should be accompanied by parents or authorized persons

Parents, teachers, nurses, and group supervisors are responsible for children's actions

Running, smoking, and excessive noise are prohibited in the museum. Parents are asked not to carry small children on their shoulders.

Eating and drinking is allowed only in the cafe or the yard terrace of the museum

Each member of the group should stay nearby the authorized supervisor

Copying art works in exhibition hall without authorization from the museum administration is prohibited

Visitors must keep their tickets until the end of the visit

Photo and Video Shooting:

Taking photos of the museum building and permanent exhibitions for personal purposes are allowed without using flash and tripods

Photo and video are strictly prohibited at temporary exhibitions

Photography for commercial purposes is subject to prior negotiation and written permission issued by the museum administration and communications department

Taking photo or video featuring GNM employees is a subject of prior negotiation with the museum administration
Duration: 1 minute

Stop At: Mikheil Khegiani House Museum, M. Khegiani st. 34, Mestia 384750 Georgia
Museum collection description: The museum houses materials belonging to famous Georgian alpinist Mikheil Khergiani (1932-1969) There are: alpinist’s memorial things and different exhibits of life Svaneti: icons, furniture, vessels, agrarian work implements, clothes, alpinist’s implements, also paintings and different publication about alpinism.

Working hours: Everyday, except Monday, 10.00 – 17.00

Ticket price: free

Exhibitions: permanent exhibition

Educational programmes: projects of Museum’s Literature saloon

Total space of the museum: 1376 m²

Display space: 278.5 m²

Temporary exhibition: 108 m²

Storage space: 9.5 m²
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hotel Posta (TA Rates)


Day 2: Mestia-Ushguli-Mestia, Svaneti, Georgia

Stop At: Ushguli Ethnographic Museum, Ushguli 3214 Georgia
Ushguli - UNESCO world heritage site is the highest permanently inhabited village in Europe, located in Svaneti, at the feet of Shkhara, one of the highest Caucasian summits. About 70 families, approximately 250 people live in the village, which dates back more than 2000 years. For 6 winter months, snow covers the whole place and sometimes the road to Ushguli is closed. However, a small school is always open and life goes on.

The village is located in some 45 km from Mestia town – the center of Svaneti region. To get to Ushguli local 4x4 Jeeps are needed, which can be hired in Mestia. The way to the village is off-road and takes approximately 3 hours one way. It passes several villages, like Ipari and Kala, where you can find small churches with old murals and frescos inside.

The mountainous region of Svaneti in the northwestern part of Georgia is one of the most remote and inaccessible regions of the country. Svaneti retains a pristine medieval quality. This sense of time warp, combined with the grandeur of the natural setting, makes a trip to Svaneti well worth the effort no matter how difficult it may be to get there.

The Svans are indigenous Georgians and speak their own language. Svanuri belongs to the Southern Caucasian language group known as Kartvelian. It has no alphabet and is mostly spoken at home and socially. The harsh climate and mountainous landscape of the region are the principal factors behind the Svanetian character. They are proud, laconic people who find the virtue in a certain austerity and stoicism. Hunters and alpinists are the most respected members of the community. Svans in no way remiss in the practice of traditional Georgian hospitality.

Over 20 medieval typical Svanetian protective towers are found throughout the Ushguli with goats, pigs and cows happily mingling with the local population on the narrow cobbled lanes. There is an Ethnographic Museum in a tower located in the center of the settlement containing the first-rate examples of medieval repousse work, icons, and processional crosses from churches in this region and other parts of Georgia. A short walk above the village leads to a small hilltop where the Lamaria Chapel is located, dating back to the 12th century. The Chapel is full of magnificent old frescoes. From there a broad valley leads to the foot of Shkhara through flower strewn alpine meadows.

The superb location of Ushguli and the unique lifestyle of the people in the village turn the place into a popular destination to visit. The severe location isolates Ushguli from the rest of modernized Georgia, and as a result, many Svanetian religious and cultural traditions have remained virtually intact.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hotel Posta


Day 3: Mestia-Zugdidi-Khoni-Tskaltubo

Stop At: Martvili Canyon, Martivili Georgia
Martvili Canyon Natural Monument is located in Martvili municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region.

Visitor center: Village Inchkhuri

700 m long stone paved circular route starts from Martvili Canyon visitor center and crosses the Dadiani historical trail. There are 2 bridges, 3 platform views and historical 30 steps stair constructed by large limestone boulders.

Visitors can enjoy 300 meter boat tour on river Abasha and beautiful views of mountain river canyon.

Entrance fee:

Tickets under 6 years old children for free

Ticket from 6 to 18 years old people - 5.50 GEL

Ticket for citizens of Georgia and rezidents, except people under 18 years old - 10.35 GEL

For foreigners, except people under 18 years old - 17.25 GEL

During pupils or students visit period of time, one school or college teacher has free visit for free

Guides of tourist agencies are allowed to viist the territory for free in the case os signed agreement between the tourist agency and Agency of Protected Areas for free

Additional Service:

Civil marriage ceremony – 100 Gel

Diving - 57.5 GEL

Working hours: 10:00 – 18:00

Working days: every day except Mondays

Notice:

Due to visitors' safety boat tour is not allowed in rainy and snowy weather

You can enjoy tours whole year round. Active season lasts from April to October

While visiting boating route, visitor height must be more than 1meter

Visitors participate in rowing the boat

It is possible to place 6 people in the boat

You are recommended to be casually dressed, wear sport shoes.

For safety of visitors and maintenance of the Natural Monument following activities are not allowed while moving on the trail:

Use trail after the working hours

Climb, sit and lean upon the banister

Run and Jump on the trail, bridges and viewpoints

Load bridges and viewpoints with more than 10 people at a time

Allow children under 14 unattended to use the trail

Use the trail being influenced by alcohol

Get out of the boat during the tour

Enter the navigable route without safety vest

Litter

Damage nature and infrastructure

Gather natural and cultural materials

Make noise

Gather or dig up plants

Smoke

Bring pets

Carry a gun

Move by bicycles and motorbikes

Swimming

Fishing

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Okatse Canyon, Village Gordi of Khoni Municipality Gordi, Khoni, Georgia, Kutaisi 5900 Georgia
Okatse Canyon Natural Monument is located in village Gordi, Khoni municipality, Imereti region.

Visitor center: Village Gordi

Okatse Canyon 2-3 hour pedestrian route passes through Dadiani historical forest, 780 m length hanging trail and finishes with panoramic view.

Entrance fee

Tickets under 6 years old children free

Ticket from 6 to 18 years old people - 5.50 GEL

Ticket for Georgian citizens and residents, except people under 18 - 9.20 GEL

Ticket for other citizens, except people under 18 - 17.25 GEL

During pupils or students visit period of time, one school or college teacher has free visit for free

Guides of tourist agencies are allowed to viist the territory for free in the case os signed agreement between the tourist agency and Agency of Protected Areas for free

Additional offer:

Civil marriage signing ceremony: 100 Gel

You can enjoy tours whole year round. The active season lasts from April to November

Working hours: 10:00- 18:00

Working days: every day except Mondays

Due to visitors' safety walking isn’t allowed in rainy and snowy weather.

Notice: While visiting Okatse Canyon Natural Monument, visitor height must be more than 1m and 20 sm.

Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hotel Tskaltubo Plaza (TA rates)

Day 4: Tskaltubo-Kutaisi-Tskaltubo

Stop At: Road to Gelati Monastery, Kutaisi 4600 Georgia
Gelati Monastery The World Heritage Site, Founded in 1106 in the west of Georgia, the Monastery of Gelati is a masterpiece of the Golden Age of medieval Georgia, a period of political strength and economic growth between the 11th and 13th centuries. It is characterized by the facades of smoothly hewn large blocks, balanced proportions and blind arches for exterior decoration. The Gelati monastery, one of the largest medieval Orthodox monasteries, was also a center of science and education and the Academy it housed was one of the most important centers of culture in ancient Georgia. center
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Bagrati Cathedral, Bagrati Street, Kutaisi 4600 Georgia
The Cathedral of King Bagrat in Kutaisi ranks among the best monuments of Georgian architecture. The constructions began in the last quarter of the 10th century and ended in 1003, during the time of flourishing feudal economy and culture in Georgia. The acropolis rose on a hill above the right bank of the Rioni River.

From the 10th to the 13th century, Kutaisi was a prosperous city. The town, located 236km (146 miles) west of Tbilisi serves as the capital of Imereti and the second largest city in Georgia, lying on both sides of the Rioni River. According to some scholars during the late Bronze Age (1300 BC) Kutaisi was the capital of King Aeetes, Medea's father who possessed the Golden Fleece.

The first king of a unified Georgia, Bagrat III (975-1014) commissioned the cathedral which stood intact for seven hundred years. Even in its present ruined state, you cannot but feel the grandeur and nobility of the structure and sense of power and wonder.

The Cathedral of Bagrat is a triconch with protruding sidearms to form the cross. Several years after the completion of the cathedral, a three-story residential tower was added to the left side of the west façade which probably served as the king's quarters or as the residence of the local archbishop. After the completion of the cathedral a richly ornamented portico with open arches was added to the southwest sides. Two decades later, this concept was repeated in front of the entryways on the west and south sides. These later embellishments were marked by elaborate, deeply incised stone carvings. Mythical animals, human faces, and sometimes human faces on animal bodies predominate here, usually intertwined with rich leaf motifs.

Russian ambassadors who visited the church in the middle of the 17th century reported that the interior was covered with mosaics. Remnants of the design of the floor – broad circles interspersed with inlays of black, white, and red are still visible at the eastern end of the building.

The cathedral was sacked and destroyed by the Ottoman troops in 1691. The incident caused the cupola and ceiling to collapse leaving the cathedral in its present state. Since 1951 Georgian restorers have been working on the site.

In 1994, the Bagrati Cathedral, together with the Gelati Monastery, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list as a single entity. In 2001, the cathedral was restored to the Georgian Orthodox Church. It is now of limited use for worship services, but attracts many pilgrims and tourists. Being one of the main tourist attractions Bagrati Cathedral is frequently used as a symbol of the whole city of Kutaisi.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Satsnakheli, Pushkin St. 8, Kutaisi 4600 Georgia
'The word “satsnakheli” or winepress means a vat in which grapes are pressed and squeezed in making. It is associated with Georgian historical culture and traditions of Georgian hospitality.Satsnakheli wine bar locates in historical part of Kutaisi in the area covering approximately 200 square meters, deep inside the ground and represent wine-room of exclusive wines made in accordance with Georgian traditional technology and also there is a place where you can taste grilled traditional dishes,in time of tasting of wine and cuisine you can also listen to live folklore or jazz music. Georgian traditional interior, interesting offer of wine and cuisine is a guarantee of unforgettable pleasure for Satsnakheli visitors in kutaisi.'
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Tskaltubo Plaza

Day 5: Tskaltubo-Kutaisi-Tbilisi

Stop At: Prometheus Cave, Kumistavi Georgia
Prometheus Cave is one of Georgia’s natural wonders and one of the largest in the world and has many underground rivers. It was discovered in 1984. Its unique features include a variety of halls and landscape diversity. Four distinct layers were formed during different stages of the Earth’s development and tourists are able to journey through the historic territory by foot or in boats. Prometheus Cave is one of the most popular international tourist caves, and includes various types of stalactites, stalagmites, curtains, petrified waterfalls, cave pearls, underground rivers, and lakes. The cluster of six caves differs significantly from each other in scale and the unique shapes of petrified flowstones found within. Golden Fleece cave meets all needs of international tourism level.

Visitors can enjoy a 280 meter boat tour on the underground lake in the cavern.

Location – Sub-horizontal, general direction – South West

Number of Halls – more than 16

Length of Tourist route in the cave – 1060 m.

Total length – 15 555 m.

Maximum height – 21 m.

Underground Lake – 280 m.

Air temperature – 15-17 C

Water temperature 13-14 C

Prometheus Caves entrance fees:

Ticket for pupils, professional colleges and university students – 3.5 GEL (approx. 1.5 EUR)

Ticket except for pupils, professional colleges and university students – 7 GEL (approx. 3.5 EUR)

Boat trip through the cave – 7 GEL (approx. 3.5 EUR)
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Sataplia Cave and Nature Reserve, Kutaisi Georgia
Sataplia Managed Reserve is located in Tskaltubo municipality, Imereti region, where the footprints of Herbivorous and Raptor dinosaurs of different epochs are found. Sataplia dinosaurs are called “Satapliazaurus” and are different from Europian dinosaurs.

Easy pedestrian tourist routes are convenient for family travel and provide an opportunity to visit the conservation building of dinosaur footprints, exhibition hall, unique karst caves, Colchic Forest and the wild bee habitat area. A beautiful view of Imereti region overlooks from the glass panoramic construction.

Entrance fee:

Tickets under 6 years old children for free

Ticket from 6 to 18 years old people - 5.50 GEL

Ticket for citizens of Georgia and rezidents, except people under 18 years old - 8.00 GEL

For foreigners, except people under 18 years old - 17.25 GEL

During pupils or students visit period of time, one school or college teacher has free visit for free

Guides of tourist agencies are allowed to viist the territory for free in the case os signed agreement between the tourist agency and Agency of Protected Areas for free

Ticket price includes guide service is in Georgian, English and Russian languages.

Ticket price includes guide service.

Guide service is in Georgian, English and Russian languages.

You can order:

VIP service: 1-10 persons – 100 Gel plus ticket price; 11-20 persons – 200 Gel plus ticket price.

Civil marriage signing ceremony: 100 Gel

You can enjoy tours whole year round

Working hours: 10:00 - 18:00

Working days: every day except Mondays

Due to visitors' safety walking on panoramic view is not allowed in rainy and snowy weather.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.