The Ultimate In Travel Services
20 Chavchavadze Ave., Tbilisi, Georgia Phone: (995-32) 250010/60 Fax: (995-32) 232399
E-mail: incoming@levontravel.ge; sales@levontravel.ge Web site: www.levontravel.com
Special Itinerary – “THE BEST OF GEORGIA”
FOR “PILEGRIM NORWAY” (10 Days)
GROUP INFORMATION:
PERIOD:
20 – 30 MARCH 2008
DURATION:
10 OVERNIGHTS (INCLUDING NIGHT OF ARRIVAL)
HOTEL:
VARIOUS / PLEASE SEE BELLOW
GROUP SIZE: 11-16PAX
GUIDE:
ENGLISH-SPEAKING
MEAL PLAN: BREAKFASTS AND LUNCHES INCLUDED (DINNERS SUPPLEMENTARY)
TRANSPORT: FULL GROUND TRANSPORTATION, TRANSFERS INCLUDED
ITINERARY:
DAY 01
ARRIVAL IN TBILISI
Arrival in Tbilisi Airport meeting and greeting with a guide. Transfer to hotel.
Accommodation. Short rest.
TBILISI CITY-TOUR – MTSKHETA - TBILISI
PM - Half-day City-tour:
Metekhi church (XIIIc); Abanot-ubani (natural sulphur springs, bath –houses built in XVI-XVII cc);
Narikala church (the church, first was built in IV c. and in XI it was destroyed. Finally, it was rebuilt
in late XX c. There is a great view of old district of Tbilisi from this church); Karvasla: where you
can see ancient Georgians clothes and hand made goods. Souvenir shopping (optional).
Proceed to ancient capital of Georgia – Mtskheta, Lunch in a restaurant:
Drive to Mtskheta (35minutes to drive). In the ancient times, Mtskheta was the capital of Georgia and
is most important religious centre. It is situated at the convergence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi Rivers.
There are a number of very significant archaeological and religious monuments in and around town.
Lunch in a Georgian restaurant “Aragvi” or similar. Visits to Jvari church (VI c), Svetitskhoveli
cathedral (XI c) and Dedata/Mothers’ Monastery.
Return to Tbilisi and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 02
TBILISI – KAKHETI REGION – TBILISI
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day trip to Kakheti region with Lunch:
Kakheti is synonymous with wine. There are hundreds of different grapes grown here, and every
village has its own particular variety. Visit to Tsinandali-village that is a source of famous white
wine. Tour to Teliani Valley wine factory with wine tasting and tour inside the factory. Proceed to
Telavi (main city of Kakheti). Lunch in a restaurant. Visit to Alaverdi Cathedral (VI c). The cathedral
was originally founded as a monastery in the 6th century. This 50m tall building is one of the biggest
structures of its time. Return to Tbilisi, visiting Batonistsikhe Castle en route. The Castle is the main
architectural and historical feature of Telavi. It was the residence of the Kakhetian Kings in the 17 th
cc.
DAY 03
Overnight at the hotel.
TBILISI – KAZBEGI TOWN
Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and proceed to Kazbegi:
Kazbegi town is located 1740m above sea level on the south slops of Caucasus main range. Drive
along the Georgian military highway. This ancient route through the Caucasus has been much
celebrated by everyone from poets to guidebook writers for the romantic image of it. The place is
remarkable for its landscapes; flora and fauna, people and history, and many travelers to Georgia will
regard this as a highlight of their visit. On the way, all sightseeing including Ananuri fortified
monastery. Lunch in a Georgian restaurant in Pasanauri.
Accommodation at the hotel and overnight.
DAY 04
FULL DAY IN KAZBEGI TOWN
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day in Kazbegi town for rest and leisure., Lunch in the
hotel.
Visit to Holy trinity monastery on the top of a mount on 4x4 vehicles (optional, for extra cost, if
weather allows).
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 05
KAZBEGI – GORI – UPLISTSIKHE - KUTAISI
Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
Drive to Uplistsikhe cave town, Lunch in a restaurant, Visit to Stalin museum in Gori
Proceed to Uplistsikhe cave town, which is one of the oldest places of settlement in the Caucasus. It
was founded in the late Bronze Age, (around 900 BC), but developed mainly from the 5th century to
the 1st centuries BC. Before Georgia became a Christian country, this was a special site for pagan
rituals. The main caravan road from Asia to Europe used to run just 2km northern of the city, which
became a very important trade centre. Proceed to Gori – an ancient city, which still draws people that
are fascinated by the figure of Stalin. Visit to Stalin museum.
DAY 06
Proceed to Kutaisi, accommodation at local guesthouse and overnight.
KUTAISI TOUR – TBILISI
Checkout after breakfast, Proceed for Kutaisi tour:
Kutaisi is a capital of ancient Kolkhida (known as AIA, first mentioned in Argonauts Myth and lately
of western Georgia), sightseeing tour of Kutaisi including visits to Bagrati Cathedral, Ukimerioni
Fortress and Gelati Monastery.
Proceed to Tbilisi, lunch in Georgian restaurant en route.
Upon arrival check-in at the hotel and overnight.
DAY 07
TBILISI – DAVIT GAREJA CAVE TOWN – TBILISI
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day tour to Davit Gareja cave town (Kakheti region)
Remarkable complex of cave monasteries, covering a large area of almost desert-like wilderness. The
monastery was founded by Davit, one of the 13 Syrian Fathers in the 6th c. The monasteries of Davit
Gareji were made by expanding caves in the soft limestone. They became centers of pilgrimage
because it was said that 1/3 of Jerusalem’s spiritual treasure was kept here; Udabno Monastery
consists of many caves. In X-XIII cc an excellent fresco school flourished here. Lunch boxes en
route.
Return to Tbilisi, hotel accommodation and overnight
DAY 08
TBILISI – BOLNISI – DMANISI - TBILISI
Breakfast at the hotel, Proceed for F/D Bolnisi Sioni and Dmanisi Sioni tour:
Bolnisi Sioni, a V c. basilica, is significant for three main reasons: it is one of the most monumental
churches of its time; it has interesting ornamentation inside, and on the façade were found the earliest
examples of Georgian writing known in the country itself. The basilica is built of what is known as
bolnisis tufa, a stone with a green tint. Bolnisi is a three-nave basilica, but it has an open ambulatory
on the north side, a porch to the south-west and a baptismal chapel in the southeast, all features of the
original building.
In the middle ages, the Ancient city of Dmanisi was one of the min towns on the caravan road from
Georgia and Armenia to the Middle East. The basilica dates from the VII c. however, and it was the
seat of a bishop. The ruins cover a large area divided into two parts, 13 hectares on the hill above the
Mashaveri River to the north, and 12 hectares of suburbs by the Pinezauri River to the south.
Return to Tbilisi, lunch en route, free evening for leisure and overnight
DAY 09
TBILISI CITY-TOUR
Breakfast at the hotel; Full-day city tour:
Visits to Sameba church (built in 2004) the biggest church in Georgia, and Golden Fund at the State
history museum; A walking tour in a downtown; Proceed to “Turtle lake” and open-air ethnography
museum. Lunch in a city restaurant; Free time for leisure.
Return to the hotel and overnight
DAY 10
DEPARTURE FROM TBILISI
Early transfer to Tbilisi airport, departure.
Please see quotation on the next page!
BREAKDOWN:
HOTEL
Varazi 3+* or similar in Tbilisi
Stepantsminda 3* in Kazbegi
Guesthouse in Kutaisi
PACKAGE RATE PER PERSON IN DBL IN EUR
11 – 16PAX
SGL
SUP
F/B
SUP
EUR 820.00
EUR 265
EUR 135
OUR PRICE COVERS (PER PERSON):
1. Hotel accommodation on DBL occupancy;
2. Half board meal plan (as per itinerary);
3. Wine tasting in Kakheti region;
4. Full transportation and transfers as specified in itinerary;
5. Experienced English-speaking guide service;
6. Entrance fees to museums and sightseeing destinations;
7. Local taxes;
OUR PRICE DOES NOT COVER:
1. Air-tickets;
2. Any visas (not required for Georgia entry for EU passport holders);
3. Travel insurance;
4. Personal expenses (telephone, mini-bar, laundry, etc.);
5. Soft and alcoholic drinks (where not specified otherwise in the itinerary);
6. Additional tours and transfers not included in the itinerary.