Off The beaten Path Georgia 8 Days Tour – Discover The Most Exotic Destinations in Georgia
450 EUR
per personwalk, explore, relax, enjoy, discover, travel off the beaten path Georgia, most exotic destinations, the best vacation spots in Georgia country. Discover less touristic Racha region, walk in Javakheti lakes region of Georgia – less travelled smaller Caucasus mountains, enjoy untouched area of less travelled Lechkhumi and Racha region – its canyons, waterfalls, glaciers, wineries and make it to the Khvamli mountain top by car, where Prometheus was tied to according to Greek Legends.
Off The beaten Path Georgia Tour
Walk on the ancient stone ,,highway” towards Shaori megalithic fortress (2752m)
Walk to famous cave town Vardzia from the hidden Upper Tmogvi monastery and Enjoy unusual landscapes of Kur Gorge near Tmogvi
Explore the wonders of nature in Kutaisi area
Do short and enjoyable hikes during Racha tour in region below western part of Caucasus mountains
See with your own eyes the amazing monuments of medieval Christian architecture – Nikortsminda cathedral and Mravaldzali church
Have a view over snow capped 4000m summits of Racha’s Caucasus and their glaciers
Post amazing photo from Lailashi pool
Remember days of being younger by swimming in Jonouli river
Catch a fish in Kulbaki lake
Feel an adrenaline from 9 crosses panoramic viewpoint or even fly down with zip-line
Swim in the lake of Lomina which is made by a beautiful waterfall
Visit one of the most unknown and beautiful mountain village of Imereti – Khani and its waterfalls
Do wine tasting and learn about winemaking in one of the most exotic villages of Imereti
Visit Stalin’s summer house in Shovi resort and taste mineral water springs
Visit Sairme pillars which can’t be compared to pillars of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, but are not that bad either
Stay in some of the best guesthouses in Georgia in Racha region
Taste Racha wine and Shkmeruli – chicken in garlic sauce
Enjoy sunset at mysterious Khvamli mountain – home of hidden Georgian treasure at 2000m and place where legendary prometheus was tied to.
Off the Beaten Path Georgia Outline:
Day 1: Tbilisi – Aspara village – Shaori fortress – Vardzia area
Day 2: Upper Tmogvi – Vardzia cave town – Akhaltsikhe
Day 3: Zekari pass – Khani village of Baghdati and its waterfalls- Kutaisi
Day 4: Kutaisi – 9 Crosses panorama or Shareula river Gorge – Chelishi Monastery – Sakinule Cave – Chateau Dio Winery – Mravaldzali church
Day 5: Utsera resort – Ghebi village – Walk/jeep ride to Gona village or Notsara – The kingdom of Glaciers
Day 6: Sairme pillars – Lailashi pool – Ghvirishi waterfall
Day 7: Fishing at Kulbaki lakes or Rafting in Rioni gorge – Khvamli mountain
Day 8: Okatse bridge – Lomina lake – Winery – Tbilisi
Off The beaten Path Georgia Tour includes:
Check out more tour packages in Georgia: Tour List
Tbilisi - Aspara village - Shaori fortress - Vardzia area
In the morning we will drive from Tbilisi towards Aspara village in Ninotsminda district to start less touristic tour in Georgia. We will walk to Shaori Fortress(2752m) which is a monument built in the Bronze Age located near beautiful Paravani lake.(Total Distance - 11.3km Elevation Gain/Loss - 600m) This place is very mystical and can be one of the most beautiful megalithic complexes of not just our country. Breathtaking ancient stone highway takes you to the top of a mountain from where you will enjoy views and not just views. Megalithic complex which was probably used by astrologs of pagan priests. The area is perfect for meditation as well.
In case of interest we will also have a look at the colorful Dukhabor’s house. Dukhabors were Russian sectants who settled in Georgia in the 19th century.
Overnight in the Vardzia area.
Upper Tmogvi - Vardzia cave town - Akhaltsikhe
After breakfast we will drive to Tmogvi village which is one of the most historical villages of Georgia with numerous historical monuments, caves and churches.From Tmogvi fortress there is a dirt road (5km) going up the plateau to hidden upper Tmogvi church. Going up there we will enjoy views of this historical gorge. Then we will hike down and continue to visit Tmogvi fortress built on a tall, rocky mountain overlooking the historically most important and interesting gorge - Vardzia. After the break we will walk another 1.5hr to Vardzia where we will visit the cave town where you can find the main church, bell tower, cave dwellings, chapels, pharmacy, and wine cellars - dated to the bronze age. After taking amazing photos and exploring the monument we will drive to Akhaltsikhe. It is possible to shorten the hiking distance if the group requests so.
Overnight in Akhaltsikhe.
Zekari pass - Khani village of Baghdati and its waterfalls- Kutaisi
In the early morning we will drive towards Zekari pass(2182m). On the pass we notice the shepherds and their abode. You will have the opportunity to buy natural cheese from them and serve it with fresh Georgian bread (shoti) from Akhaltsikhe. After descending to lowlands visit Khani village. This highland village is hidden in the beautiful nature and has several waterfalls in the river gorge. If it's hot weather, visiting Khani waterfalls (Distance - 5km one way) is very refreshing. At the end of the day we will return to Kutaisi.
Overnight in Kutaisi
Kutaisi - 9 Crosses panorama - Shareula river Gorge - Chelishi Monastery - Sakinule Cave - Chateau Dio Winery - Mravaldzali church
In the morning we will drive to one of the most beautiful and interesting region in Georgia – Racha tour. The first is to leave the car at the bottom and do a short walk to Nine Crosses to the peak (huge stones) of the mountain. From the top you will see amazing views of the western Georgia as well as Tkibuli town and reservoir.
Our adventure will continue in the Shaori water reservoir which is surrounded by the Nakerala mountain range. The lake is picturesque in every season. After taking amazing photos we will go to a treasure of national architecture - Nikortsminda Cathedral – built in the 11th century. Beautiful decor of Nikortsminda amazes every viewer.
Then in case of interest we will visit Shareula river source. It is where river starts from the cave. It is popular area between locals for picnic and barbeque. Nearby there is Sakinule Cave where there is always cold temperature even in the hottest sunny days. Across river you can do easy walk to Chelishi Monastery which is located in the beautiful forest. The area is especially beautiful in may and October.
Our next destination will be Chateau Dio winery where you we can do Khvanchkara wine tasting. Finally in case of interest we will visit the Mravaldzali Church, which is located at the height of 1800m and has views towards the Caucasus mountain range of Oni.
Overnight in Oni or Ambrolauri Area.
Utsera resort - Ghebi village - Walk/jeep ride to Gona village or Notsara - The kingdom of Glaciers
After breakfast we will drive towards the Mountain peaks of Racha. We will pass Utsera mineral water resort on the way. Both Utsera and Shovi resorts are famous for their mineral waters.
Our first destination will be Gona village or Notsara alpine valley. Here we may need a local jeep or some hike/walk to get the best view of the summits.
Notsara is the land of glaciers, where magical summits appear in front of our eyes. Tsitela(4317m), Tsikhvarga(4140m) and Burjula (4365m) and their glaciers making rivers falling from summits open incredible panoramas for us. Tt will be decided depending on the time of year or the condition of the mountain road as not all roads may be possible to be covered by jeep. However, Gona village represents a perfect alternative. Here Laboda and Tsiteli summits (4317) are in front of us, just behind the village so we can feel the magic of Georgian Switzerland - Racha region.
In the end we can drive back to Oni with a short detour to Shovi resort so we could see the old sanatorium and summer residence of Stalin, leader of the Soviet Union and more importantly the beautiful nature of the resort.
Overnight in Oni or Ambrolauri Area.
Sairme pillars - Lailashi pool - Ghvirishi waterfall
On this day our first destination is Sairme pillars in the middle of the beautiful nature which were formed after thousands of years of natural processes. Then we will visit the picturesque Lailashi pool from where we can take amazing photos with the beautiful mountainous nature in the background. After that experience we will have lunch at Zanduris sakhli located in a small village where we will taste delicious Georgian dishes and drinks. Then we will visit Ghvirishi waterfall descending from the giant rock - the glass bridge there will make it a more unique experience.
Overnight Tsageri or Lentekhi.
Fishing at Kulbaki lakes or Rafting in Rioni gorge - Khvamli mountain
After breakfast we will drive to Kulbaki lakes surrounded by forested mountains. There we will relax and enjoy the views. We can try fishing, breathe fresh air and taste delicious fish. Then we will go to Jonouli river where you can swim and remember your childhood memories. After that we will drive at Khvamli massif there we will have a short walk in the beautiful nature and reach the amazing panoramic view from where Imereti region can be seen. Here we can take perfect sunset photos in case of good weather.
Alternatively in the morning we could do raftng in Rioni valley and skip relaxation at Kulbaki lakes. However, we could still visit Khvamli mountain or enjoy more time in Kutaisi or Tskaltubo.
Overnight in Kutaisi or Tskaltubo.
Okatse bridge - Lomina lake - Winery - Tbilisi
For the last day of our tour package in Georgia we will visit Okatse Canyon and take a walk along the cliffs on top of a beautiful valley. Later we will walk to Lomina lake with its small waterfall, which is a less touristic and exotic destination. After swimming and refreshing in the Lomina Lake we will go to the small exotic village to visit the family winery where we will taste delicious Georgian dishes, taste locally produced wine and chacha.
In the endwe will drive to Tbilisi.