Medieval Turkey & Georgia
A small ancient settlements are scattered throughout this wild landscape with medieval watchtowers and fascinating views of snow-capped mountains, alpine meadows, roaring rivers and waterfalls. Still inhabited dwellings are recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Exploration of this remote part of the world and its preserved traditions will leave you with unforgettable pleasant memories!
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Full Board
All accommodation
All domestic and cross-country transfers?
Comfortable bus service
Tour guide and assistant
First Aid Kit
Entrance Fees & Local Guides
Boarder charges
Details:
Georgia - Turkey- Georgia
Duration: 11 nights
Food: HB or FB upon request
Accommodation: Hotels 3*-5* per request
Best Season: May - November
Group Size: Up to 50
Mode of travel: Bus/On Foot
Activity type: Medieval culture
Overview
You will see a combination of different climates, vegetation, natural resources, a diversity of flora and fauna, beautiful gorges and valleys, and historical monuments distinguished by their sophisticated stone carving, elegant proportions and durability.
The journey will start from Trabzon – a famous political center of medieval period - and continues along the Choruh River, visiting mostly unexplored areas of northeast Turkey with impressive canyons and fortresses, passing on the way the elegant and monumental solemn churches particular to Georgian architecture. Crossing the border of Georgia in Akhaltsikhe, a well- known fortified city, you will explore the mixture of Eastern and Western cultures, based on Georgian indigenous traditions, developed and molded through history. Discover the Georgian language with its own script developing from varieties of eastern Aramaic and formed in logical style due to native tradition; explore the original ethnography and national treasures in the National Museum of Tbilisi;
Better to see it once with your own eyes then hear about it a hundred times!
Tour Map
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival 1
Arrival in Trabzon. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 2 – Trabzon City Tour
Breakfast in hotel. City tour of Trabzon. Visit Hagia Sophia of Trabzon and museum, former Chalcedonian church of 13th century. Drive to Sumela Monastery nestled in a steep cliff at an altitude of 1200 m. The monastery was founded in 386 AD during the reign of Emperor Theodosius I. Overnight in hotel.
Day 3 – Drive to Yusufeli
Breakfast in hotel. Drive via Ispir to Yusufeli. Visit 10th century Georgian monastery - Otkhta Eklesia (Dort Kilise) the important cultural heritage. *Optional visit to Parkhali built in 973 by Georgian Kind David III. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4 – Explore Georgian Churches
Breakfast in hotel. Drive towards Ardahan and explore 10th century Georgian churches: Ishkhani, Oshki and Bana built by Georgian king David III and prince Bagrat. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5 – Explore Area of Ardahan
Breakfast in hotel. Visit Tbeti church form 10th century and Khanzta complex from 8th century. Return back to hotel for overnight.
Day 6 – Welcome to Georgia
Breakfast in hotel. Pass the Turkish border and transfer to Akhaltsikhe.
*Optional visit Zarzma Monastery from 13th century. Drive back to Akhaltsikhe for overnight at hotel.
Day 7 – Explore Cave City Vardzia
Breakfast in hotel. Morning excursion to Rabati architectural complex remains of Ottoman Empire fortress. Visit Vardzia cave city of 12th century passing Khertvisi castle from 9th century. Overnight at hotel in Borjomi Spa resort.
Day 8 – Explore Cave City Uplistsikhe
Breakfast in hotel. Drive to 12th century Timotesubani church. Continue drive to Uplistsikhe cave city from first millennium BC. Transfer to Tbilisi. Overnight at hotel.
Day 9 – Trip to Kakheti Region
Breakfast in hotel. Explore Kakheti region, famous for important architectural monuments alongside with wine producing villages. Visit Old Shuamta architectural complex from 7th century, 11th century Alaverdi cathedral and 12th century Ikalto monastery and the former academy. Depart to Telavi – the center of Kakheti region. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 – Back to Capital
Breakfast in hotel. Drive back to Tbilisi. Wine tasting at one of the wineries en-route and visit Gurjaani Kvelatsminda church from 8th century, the only extant example of a two-dome structure in Georgia. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 – Old Town
Breakfast in hotel. Explore old town with its historical, cultural and architectural monuments. Continue route to Mtskheta, the UNESCO world heritage site, political and cultural center from 3rd century BC. Visit 6th century Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli cathedral dated to 11th century. Wine tasting and “Shoti” bread baking near to Mtskheta. Free evening in Tbilisi. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 – Departure
Transfer to Tbilisi international airport.