Pilgrim Tour
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 transfers
Comfortable bus service
Tour guide and assistant
First Aid Kit
Historical monuments entrance fees
Bottle of Mineral Water
Covid-19 Safety Kit
Details:
Regions: Tbilisi – Samtskhe Javakheti
Duration: 6 nights
Food: Full Board / Half Board
Accommodation: Hotels/Guesthouses
Best Season: From May to early December
Group Size: Not limited
Travel: Bus/Minivan
Main Activities: visit holy places
Overview
Follow the pilgrim route in Georgia. Starting with sightseeing tour of Tbilisi with elegant and remarkable architectural monuments. Capital keeps entire style of Georgian orthodox religion and traditions through numerous churches, cathedrals, and monasteries.
Continue route to Samtskhe-Javakheti region, where St. Nino from Cappadocia first arrived to spread Christianity Georgia; In year 337 Georgians adopted Christianity by that replacing paganism and Zoroastrianism. Trip continues to 12th-13th centuries Vardzia rock-hewn city, here you will have chance to meet with nuns, and share their lifestyle. Visit Borjomi and learn more about the invasion of Shah-Tamaz and explore the Monasteries of this area.
Visit Uplistsikhe rock-hewn complex dated from 1 millennium BC - in translation referred as the “Fortress of the Lord”. Mtskheta – UNESCO World Heritage site, important religious, political, and cultural center from 3rd century BC. a place also related to St. Nino. Explore links to Syriac fathers in capital Tbilisi, and by following their steps arrive to semi-desert area, and see monastery complex of David Gareja founded in 6th century by on of Syriac fathers David Garejeli Each location is special, so do not miss a chance to meet with local nuns and priest who will gladly narrate all the stories related to the monastery life.
Tour Map
Itinerary
Day 1 – Tbilisi
Breakfast at hotel. Sightseeing tour of Tbilisi, capital city since 5th century; explore old town, visit 13th century old Metekhi church, visit at 19th century Sunny mosque, visit 5th century Anchiskhati basilica, 19th century Caravanserai, art and carpet salons, enamel galleries, wine tasting at one of the wine bars, *optional visit to old Synagogue; Opera House, Former Parliament building, Art Palace, etc.
Day 2 - Pilgrims route to Samtskhe-Javakheti
Breakfast at hotel Follow the pilgrims route to Samtskhe-Javakheti Region. First stop at St. Nino chapel at Paravani lake, visit Poka monastery, meet with the nuns and learn more about their lifestyle, for lunch degustate many specialties prepared by nuns. Depart to Sagamo’s lake, and enjoy the scenares; Continue towards Vardzia Cave City. Dinner and overnight in Vardzia.
Day 3 - Vardzia – Upper Vardzia Nunnery – Saro Village – Akhaltsikhe
Breakfast at hotel. Excursion to 12th-13th centuries Vardzia rock-hewn city. Visit Upper Vardzia nunnery, meet with nuns, attend the work-shops and taste local delicates. Explore Saro village and the megaliths dated from II millennium. Depart to Akhaltsikhe town, excursion to Rabath caste. Dinner and overnight
*Option: Visit the local family in Aspindza village and taste locally produced “Qvevri” beer. “Qvevri” is a clay pot generally used for keeping wine, buried underground.
Day 4. Akhaltsikhe – Chule Monastery – Ude Monastery - Mtsvane Monastery – Borjomi
Breakfast at hotel. Visit the Chule monastery of St. George and meet with the monks for discussion. Light walking, towards the waterfall. Explore Ude Monastery & it’s library, taste locally produced wines and stay for lunch. Continue to Borjomi, visit Chitakhevi Monastery of St. George or “Mtsvane Monastery” dated 16th century and learn more about the invasion of Shah-Tamaz. Transfer to Borjomi. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 5. Borjomi – Timotesubani - Uplistsikhe – Jvari Monastery – Svetistkhoveli – Samtavro Nunnery – Shiomgvime – Tbilisi
Breakfast at hotel. Passing a green village of Timotesubani visit the monastic complex 11th - 18th c.; Meet the local priest for discussions. Transfer to Uplistsikhe rock-hewn complex dated from 1 millennium BC - in translation referred as the “Fortress of the Lord”. Lunch at local chateau with wine tasting. Depart to Mtskheta – UNESCO World Heritage site, important religious, political and cultural center from 3rd century BC. Visit Samtavro Nunnery – a place also related to St. Nino. and Svetitskhoveli cathedral built in 11th century, celebrated as a cradle of Christianity. Visit 6th century Jvari monastery. After dinner transfer to Tbilisi.
Day 6 - Tbilisi – David Gareja – Tbilisi
Breakfast at hotel. Visit church of “Mama David” located on the“Holy Mountain” related to one of the 13th holy Syriac fathers – David. Afterwards, following the trails of holy fathers visit Kashueti church and continue to Gareja semi-desert and monastery complex founded in 6th century by David Garejeli. Visit Lavra monastery and hike up approximately 1 hr towards Udabno, at the natural border of Georgia and Azerbaijan to explore the frescoes of unique importance dated from 9th to 14th centuries, all curved in rocks.
Transfer to Tbilisi. Farewell dinner and overnight in Tbilisi.