12-Day Georgia Highlights Tour: High Caucasus, Svaneti & Western Heritage

Welcome to Georgia. Upon arrival at Tbilisi International Airport (TBS), your private driver-guide meets you at the arrivals hall for a direct hotel transfer. After settling in and resting, take a relaxed guided walk through Old Tbilisi. We will explore the historic district of sulfur baths in Abanotubani, walk up to the ancient walls of Narikala Fortress, and stroll across the iconic glass Bridge of Peace over the Mtkvari River before enjoying a traditional Georgian welcome dinner.

• Activities: Airport transfer • Guided Old Town walking tour • Welcome dinner
• Stay: Cherry Garden Hotel, Tbilisi (or similar)
• Meals: Welcome Dinner
• Driving Distance: ~15 km

Travel east into the Kakheti wine region. Our first destination is the romantic 18th-century town of Sighnaghi, where you can walk along the ancient defensive walls overlooking the sprawling Alazani Valley. Continue to Kvareli to visit an authentic winery. Learn the 8,000-year-old tradition of making wine in clay vessels (Qvevri), followed by an exclusive wine tasting paired with classic Kakhetian dishes.

• Activities: Sighnaghi walking tour • Qvevri wine tasting & traditional cellar tour • Regional gastronomy
• Stay: Shaloshvili’s Cellar, Kvareli (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast • Lunch & Wine Tasting
• Driving Distance: ~150 km

Head north into the High Caucasus along the historic Georgian Military Road. Our first major stop is the 17th-century medieval complex of Ananuri Fortress overlooking the turquoise Jinvali Reservoir. As the road climbs higher into the alpine zone, stop at the clifftop Gudauri Panorama viewpoint before crossing the scenic Jvari Pass at 2,395 meters, finally descending into Stepantsminda (Kazbegi).

• Activities: Fortress exploration • Panoramic mountain pass crossing • Scenic photography stops
• Stay: Guesthouse Diana, Kazbegi (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast • Dinner
• Elevation: 450 m → 2,395 m (Jvari Pass) → 1,740 m (Kazbegi)
• Driving Distance: ~180 km

Take a morning mountain drive up to the world-famous Gergeti Trinity Church (2,170m), situated dramatically beneath the snowy summit of Mount Kazbek. Later, explore the narrow rocky canyon of Dariali Gorge near the border, hike the scenic trail to the Gveleti Waterfalls, and visit Sno Valley to see the giant stone head sculptures carved into the landscape.

• Activities: 4x4 mountain route to Gergeti • Gveleti waterfall hike • Dariali Gorge border crossing
• Stay: Alpine Guesthouse, Gudauri (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast • Dinner
• Elevation: 1,740 m → 2,170 m (Gergeti) → 2,200 m (Gudauri)
• Driving Distance: ~60 km

Descend from the mountains toward Georgia’s ancient spiritual center, stopping first to witness the stunning confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. Next, visit the 6th-century clifftop Jvari Monastery with its panoramic views, followed by the grand UNESCO-listed Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. In the afternoon, head west toward Nakerala Pass, hiking up to the dramatic clifftop shrine of Tskhrajvari at 1,560 meters for sweeping vistas. Before reaching our hotel in Ambrolauri, we will pause along the serene shoreline of Shaori Reservoir and visit the exquisite 11th-century Nikortsminda Cathedral to admire its intricate medieval stone carvings.

• Activities: UNESCO heritage tours • Clifftop shrine hike • Shaori Reservoir stop • Medieval cathedral visit • Regional dinner
• Stay: Chateau Dio, Ambrolauri (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast • Regional Dinner & Wine
• Elevation: 2,200 m → 450 m (Mtskheta) → 1,560 m (Tskhrajvari) → 1,100 m (Ambrolauri)
• Driving Distance: ~290 km

Spend an unforgettable day exploring high-altitude sanctuaries, ancient valleys, and remote alpine villages across Upper Racha. Begin with a mountain drive ascending through pine forests to the 11th-century church of Mravaldzali, perched on a dramatic mountain ridge at 1,840 meters with sweeping panoramic vistas across the entire Rioni River basin. Later, descend toward Oni and follow the upper Rioni Gorge into Upper Racha to explore the traditional stone-built alpine settlement of Ghebi, surrounded by soaring limestone cliffs and glacial peaks, before returning to Ambrolauri.

• Activities: 4WD mountain ascent to Mravaldzali • Panoramic clifftop photography • Remote stone village walk • Upper Rioni gorge drive
• Stay: Chateau Dio, Ambrolauri (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast • Regional Dinner & Local Khvanchkara Wine
• Elevation: 1,100 m → 1,840 m (Mravaldzali) → 1,350 m (Ghebi) → 1,100 m (Ambrolauri)
• Driving Distance: ~135 km

Begin an off-road mountain transit connecting Racha with Upper Svaneti via Lower Svaneti (Lentekhi). Navigate rugged dirt roads that climb toward the alpine pastures of the high Caucasus, arriving directly in Ushguli (2,200 m). Set beneath the massive south face of Mount Shkhara (5,193 m), this UNESCO-protected community is among the highest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe. Spend the late afternoon walking among its medieval defensive towers.

• Activities: High-clearance 4WD mountain crossing • UNESCO stone village walk • Glacial photography
• Stay: Traditional Guesthouse, Ushguli (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast • Traditional Svan Dinner
• Elevation: 1,100 m → 2,200 m (Ushguli)
• Driving Distance: ~160 km (Unpaved alpine terrain)

Drive down the Enguri Gorge from Ushguli to Mestia, the central hub of Upper Svaneti. Tour the Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography to view exceptional collections of medieval icons, manuscripts, and ancestral weaponry. Step inside a historic Machubi (traditional fortified dwelling) and ascend a Margiani tower. Later, take the Hatsvali cable car up to Zuruldi Ridge for panoramic views of Mount Ushba’s double horns and Mount Tetnuldi.

• Activities: Ethnographic museum tour • Medieval tower ascent • Cable car ride to Zuruldi Ridge
• Stay: Hotel Sunset, Mestia (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
• Elevation: 2,200 m → 1,500 m (Mestia) → 2,340 m (Zuruldi Ridge)
• Driving Distance: ~45 km

An active day dedicated to high-altitude landscapes. Begin with a scenic hike along the roaring river through dense birch woods to the terminal moraine and ice snout of the Chalaadi Glacier. After lunch, switch to a rugged 4WD vehicle for a steep, technical ascent up to the Koruldi Lakes (2,740 m). The open alpine plateau offers reflection pools mirroring the sharp rock walls of Mount Ushba and surrounding peaks.

• Activities: Glacier trail hike • Off-road 4WD plateau ascent • Alpine photography
• Stay: Hotel Sunset, Mestia (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast • Packed Trail Lunch • Dinner
• Elevation: 1,500 m → 1,850 m (Chalaadi) → 2,740 m (Koruldi Lakes)
• Trek Distance: ~6 km (Chalaadi return) + short walk around lakes
• Driving Distance: ~40 km

Descend from the glaciated valleys of the Greater Caucasus into the subtropical lowlands of Samegrelo. En route, stop at the monumental Enguri Dam—one of the world's tallest concrete arch dams—to view its reservoir wedged between sheer mountain walls. Arrive in the quiet town of Martvili by late afternoon to rest and experience Megrelian culinary hospitality.

• Activities: Mountain pass descent • Enguri Dam engineering viewpoint • Megrelian dinner
• Stay: Martvili Canyon Cottage, Martvili (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast • Dinner
• Elevation: 1,500 m → 200 m (Martvili)
• Driving Distance: ~180 km

Explore the natural karst landscapes of Western Georgia. Begin with a calm boat ride through the emerald waters of Martvili Canyon between moss-draped limestone cliffs. Continue to Okatse Canyon to traverse the suspended metal footbridge hung directly above a 150-meter-deep forest chasm. In the afternoon, venture underground to explore Prometheus Cave, walking through spacious chambers filled with dramatic stalactites, stalagmites, and underground water features.

• Activities: River canyon boat tour • Suspended cliff walkway • Underground cavern exploration
• Stay: Martvili Canyon Cottage, Martvili (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast • Farewell Dinner
• Elevation: 200 m → 700 m (Okatse) → 100 m (Prometheus Cave) → 200 m (Martvili)
• Driving Distance: ~120 km

Following breakfast, begin the return journey via the central highway. If departing from Kutaisi, enjoy a short direct transfer to the airport terminal. If departing from Tbilisi, the drive continues east across the Surami Pass back to the capital. Your driver coordinates the drop-off directly to Kutaisi International Airport (KUT) or Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) matched precisely to your flight schedule.

• Activities: Highway transit • Souvenir stops (time permitting) • Coordinated airport drop-off
• Stay: N/A (Departure day)
• Meals: Breakfast
• Elevation: 200 m → 150 m (Kutaisi) / 450 m (Tbilisi)
• Driving Distance: ~45 km (to Kutaisi) or ~240 km (to Tbilisi)

Have questions? Contact us to customize this itinerary.