Experience Georgia with Julia Zaetta

Welcome to Georgia! Your adventure begins upon arrival in Tbilisi you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours at leisure.

Tbilisi's cobblestoned old town reflects a long, complicated history, with periods under Persian and Russian rule. Its diverse architecture encompasses Eastern Orthodox churches, ornate art nouveau buildings and Soviet Modernist structures. Looming over it all are Narikala, a reconstructed 4th century fortress, and Kartlis Deda, an iconic statue of the “Mother of Georgia.”

This evening, join Julia on the rooftop at your hotel for welcome drinks (payable locally) where you will have the opportunity to meet your fellow travellers. Stay 2 Nights: Makmani Hotel or similar

This morning after breakfast, you will set off on foot to explore the city, starting at the 13th century Metekhi Church taking in the magnificent views over old Tbilisi.

Wander the narrow streets of the old districts of the city full of traditional style colourful houses structured like terraces with their patterned balconies, mixed together with wonderful examples of modern architecture. The charm of the old town is overwhelming. Learn how Tbilisi is the only city where Georgians, Armenians and Azerbaijani's all live peacefully alongside each other and how the city is so well blended with mosques, cathedrals, Russian churches, synagogues and Zoroastrian temples with no religious conflict what-so-ever.

Continuing on, take a cable car up to the 4th century Narikala Fortress for panoramic views of the town below, before walking down to the historical domed sulphur bath area. Finally, the Golden Fund of the National Museum of Goergia (closed on Mondays) will prove the fact that Georgia is truly the land of the Golden Fleece. Dinner this evening is at a hidden local gem. Walk here from your hotel with your guide. (B/D)

This morning you will drive to Mtskheta, the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia. With a history dating back 3,000 years, you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites including the 6th century Jvari Church, and the 11th century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral – where the Robe of Christ is said to be buried. Both Jvari and Svetitskhoveli are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Then, drive to Mukhrani village. Visit the royal estate of duke – Ivane Mukhranbatoni. His interest in farming was greatly enhanced on his trip to France, where he learned more about winemaking. On his return home, he decided to start producing wonderful Georgian wines on his forefathers' Mukhrani estate land. Here, you will have lunch and taste the finest local wines, famous for combining traditional Georgian and European winemaking techniques to create a unique flavour. Later, drive to Kutaisi, which is one of the oldest cities in the world. Its centuries-old past attracts visitors to discover famous or unknown places. Today Kutaisi is the third largest city in Georgia. Stay: New Port Hotel or similar (B/L)

In the morning, drive to the Samegrelo region and visit Martvili Canyon which will embed an unforgettable impression on you. While boating, will enjoy the beautiful valley of the mountain river and waterfalls. The transparent river has a beautiful green colour and you can even see the seabed. For lunch, visit a local family producing fine natural Georgian wines made with traditional methods. Enjoy lunch with authentic West-Georgian dishes. Continue on to Svaneti, where the highest peaks of the Greater Caucasus, glaciers eternally covered with snow, lakes, waterfalls and towers from the middle Ages are found. Stay: in a family hotel or similar (B/L/D)

This morning you will drive to Mulakhi village, from where you will start your trek towards Adishi village. Traversing along the slopes of Mt. Tetnuldi at heights of approx. 2,800m it offers spectacular views of Chaneri Glacier, Mt. Ushba (4,700m) and the Svaneti range with its highest peak, Mt. Laila (4,010m). You will cross Ugviri Pass (2,480m) and then walk to the untouched village of Adishi (2,000m), its remoteness means that even in summer it is largely inaccessible, even for 4WD vehicles. There are only a handful of families living in the village, and tonight you will be welcomed into their homes, where you will experience true Svanetian hospitality and enjoy traditional cuisine. Stay: in a local guesthouse (basic shared facilities) – group will be split amongst the local families.

Trek time approx. 5hrs. Today's trek is a moderate trek with an incline of 930m. The first half of your trek is uphill on often shale and muddy surfaces. The second half of your trek follows a gentle downhill decline. There is regular shade. (B/L/D)

This morning after bidding farewell to your host family, you will begin your trek to the remote village of Iprari. This full day trek will lead you along a river, down beautiful Rhododendron lined paths, past the remains of Kalde village and along the picturesque Chkhutnieri Pass (2,720m). The trek involves crossing a river, which may be crossed on horseback if the water level is high.

This afternoon, you will experience the unique cultures and traditional way of life of the Iprari people. Stay: in a local guesthouse (basic shared facilities)

Trek time approx. 8hrs. Today's trek starts off with a gentle two hour trail trek before a steep, challenging and lengthy ascent. Once you cross the pass, the descent is steep. If there has been rain, there can be a lot of water on this trail and slippery muddy conditions. (B/L/D)

Today you will trek to the UNESCO World Heritage listed village of Ushguli, which at 2,200m, is the highest permanently inhabited village in Europe. The village is punctuated by ancient stone watch towers, from which you can get an impressive view of the highest mountain in Georgia – Mt. Shkhara, at 5068m.

As todays trek isn't overly long, and if you're feeling energetic, you might take the opportunity to walk up the hill to Queen Tamar's Tower, before to returning to Ushguli. Stay: in a local guesthouse (basic shared facilities)

Trek time approx. 4 hrs. Moderate. (B/L/D)

Depart from your guesthouse this morning bound for the base of Georgia's highest mountain, Shkhara (5068m) and the glacier which is the main water source of the Enguri river. After reaching the glacier (2,500m) you will return to Ushguli. Todays trek will take you through beautiful meadows filled with rich alpine flowers and will finish in Mestia. Stay: local family hotel or similar

Trek time approx. 5-7hrs. Easy to moderate (B/L/D)

This morning after breakfast, you will then leave the Svaneti region and drive to Zugdidi where you will stop for lunch (payable locally). This afternoon, continue your drive to Kutaisi and visit the Gelati Monastery dating back to 11th century. Stay: New Port Hotel or similar (B)

Today you will drive to Gori and visit the 1st millennium BC cave town of Uplistsikhe. Once passed through by the great Silk Road, you will explore the tunnels, streets, wine cellars and bakeries of this ancient, abandoned town. There is even a three-nave basilica church, a jail and an amphitheatre carved into the rocky mountainside.

Visit the Stalin Museum, the former Soviet leader Josef Stalin was born in the town of Gori, before continuing your drive to Tbilisi. On the way you will stop to visit a local family, where you will have the opportunity to sample the unique BIO wines produced by a traditional Georgian method in Kvevri (inscribed in the UNESCO intangible heritage list). It's noteworthy that this wine can be found on the list of unique wines of the Ritz Hotel in London.

This afternoon, check into your hotel in Tbilisi, where the remainder of the day is yours at leisure. (B)

This morning, drive to the Kakheti region, famous for being a wine making area, as well as associated with welcoming hospitality. Firstly you will visit the 18th century beautiful, small town of Sighnaghi which will impress you with its old fence and small houses with tile roofs and decorated balconies. From here, you can take in the picturesque views of Alazani valley and Great Caucasus mountains. For lunch, drive to local farmer's house where you will enjoy a traditional Georgian lunch with locals and savour authentic tastes of freshly harvested products from the host`s garden. Sit at the local`s table, share a delicious meal prepared with family recipes, and incredible moments to cherish forever. Experience how to live like a Georgian and eat like a Georgian! Here, you will also attend a cooking class where you see how to make Churchkhela – a traditional dessert made with grape juice and walnuts. Drive to Kvareli city and visit the famous winery `Kindzmarauli`, where you will taste Georgian wine with Georgian cheese. Combining wine and cheese is an unquenchable subject and it is being discussed by many gourmets and experts around the world. Georgian sommeliers specially worked for several months to create this special product. Afterwards, drive back to Tbilisi. (B/L)

This morning is yours at leisure until it is time for you to be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. (B)