Shenako is another highland village in Akhmeta municipality, Kakheti region of Georgia. It is one of the few still populated villages in highland Tuheti. Due to it remote location and absence of well-maintained roads it is only accessible by land through a 4WD vehicles. Dartlo is overlooked by Mount Diklo and contains a series of buildings of local folk architecture and the old church.
Located 12 km from Omalo village Dartlo is another historical settlement of Tuheti region. It belongs to Akhmeta municipality, Kakheti region of Georgia. It is known for its historic stone houses and towers and church.
Omalo is one of the main villages in the historical region of Tusheti. It is located in Akhmeta District of Kakheti Province of Georgia. Situated between the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range and the Pirikita Range the village is largely isolated from the rest of the country. Absence of well-maintained roads contributes a lot to its isolation. Abano Pass is the only access road to Omalo.
Kutaisi is the second important city of Georgia and capital of western region of Imereti. It is situated 221 km west of Tbilisi on Rioni River. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Georgia in Middle Ages and later as the Kingdom of Imereti. Kutaisi was the seat of Parliament of Georgia from October 2012 to December 2018 yy.
Mestia is a small town in the Svaneti region of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti province of Georgia. Historically and ethnographically, Mestia has always been regarded a chief community of Upper Svaneti. It is mostly populated by Svans which is cultural subgroup of Georgians with its own language. Mestia was always an important center of culture for centuries. Many medieval monuments of the area are included into the list of UNESCO World Heritage Group. Though Mestia is a small town with population of about 15 000 it has airport.
Local architecture is dominated by stone defensive towers called as Svan Towers or “Koshki”. A typical Svan fortified dwelling consisted of a tower, an adjacent house (machub) and some other household structures encircled by a defensive wall.
Historical-Ethnographic Museum of Mestia has unique old icons and manuscripts.
Sevan is a large high altitude freshwater lake. It is located on the altitude of 1900 m. above the sea level in Gergharkinik province in Armenia. Sevan is largest reservoir not only in Armenia but for the whole Caucasus. It is recognized as a jewel of Armenia and national treasure.
Garni Temple — Hellenistic religious construction built by King Tridat 1st millennium BC. It is located near Garni village in Kotayk region of Armenia.
Garni – Armenian village is mainly famous for the 1 st. millennium BC Hellenistic temple built by King Tridat. It is located 28 km away from Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. The place is also notable for fortress complex built in 3d millennium BC on the bends of river Azat. Apart the temple and fortress there some other monuments in the area such as the sub Astvatsatsin Church; and Garni Gorge with basalt columns, part of it carved by the river Goght referred to as the “Symphony of the Stones”.
Alaverdi Monastery is Georgian Orthodox Monastery dating back to 6th century located 25 km from Akhmeta village in Kakheti region of Georgia.
Zvartnots Cathedral is ruins of centrally planned aisled tetraconch type cathedral built in 6th century by Catholicos Nerses. The site is located in the suburbs of Vagharshapat in Armavir province of Armenia.
St. Hripsime Church is Armenia’s oldest surviving church dating back to 7th century built by Catholicos Komitas, the church is located in the city of Vagharshapat. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with Etchmiadzin Cathedral in 2000.
Etchmiadzin Cathedral is considered as the oldest cathedral in the world, is was built by St. Gregory the Illuminator in the 4th century after the adoption of Christianity as a state religion by King Tridat III. The cathedral was built over a pagan temple as a symbol of conversion to Christianity. It is located in the city of Vagarshapat 20 km away from Yerevan.
Haghartsin is a 13th century monastery located near town of Dilizhan in Tavush Province of Armenia. It’s construction was started in 10 c. by Khachatur of Taron and completed in 13th c. by the Bagratuni Dynasti.
Noravank, translated from Armenian language it means “new monastery”. It is a 13th-century Armenian, located 122 km from the capital in a narrow gorge made by the Amaghu River, near the town of Yeghegnadzor, Armania. The gorge is known for its tall, sheer, brick-red cliffs, directly across from the monastery. The monastery is mostly famous for its two-story Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) church, which grants access to the second floor by way of a narrow stone-made staircase jutting out from the face of building, one of the earliest examples of cantilever architecture.
Khor Virap is an Armenian monastery located in Ararat plain near the border with Turkey in Ararat province of Armenia. For centuries the monastery was host to theological seminary and was the residence of Armenian Catholicos.
Geghard is a medieval monastery in the Kotayk province of Armenia. Being partially carved out of the adjacent mountain it is surrounded by cliffs. Geghard Monastery is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with enhanced protection status.
Dilijan is a small and beautiful town located in municipal community in the Tavush Province of Armania. Armenians call the area as Little Switzerland for instance it is situated in forested area within Dilijan National Park. The Area is also popular due to spa resorts. Dilijan gave birth to numerous Armenian artists, composers, and filmmakers and features some traditional Armenian architecture. The Sharambeyan street in the centre, has been preserved and maintained as an «old town», complete with craftsman’s workshops, a gallery and a museum.
Sanahin used to be the administrative centre and family burial place of the Kyurikyan Bagratids (10th and 11th centuries), as well as the Episcopal residence for the diocese (until the 11th century).
The monastery of Haghpat, was founded by Queen Khosrovanush (wife of the Armenian King Ashot III the Merciful) in AD 976. The monastery complex represents the highest flowering of Armenian religious architecture between the 10th and 13th centuries. This unique style developed from a blending of elements of Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture and the traditional vernacular architecture of the Caucasus. Hagpat Monastery along with Sanakhin Monastery are on UNESCO World Heritage list since 2000 y.
Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Republic of Armenia. Yerevan is also known as one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. The city is situated along the Hrazdan River. It is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country. It has been the capital since 1918, the fourteenth in the history of country.
Cross Pass or Jvari Pass is a part of Georgian Military Road where it reaches its maximum altitude of 2379 meters (7815 feet) above the sea level. Very close to the point is the Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument comprising a concrete structure.
The Zhinvali water reservoir, was designed a hydroelectric dam to feed Zhinvali Hydroelectric Power Plant, it is located near Zhinvali village in the Caucasus mountings in Georgia. We always include visit to Zhinvali in our Kazbegi tours so our guests enjoy the beauty of the lake and its surroundings.
Shaki is a city in northwestern Azerbaijan 325 km. from Baku. The population is 63,000.
The city has one of the greatest density of cultural resources and monuments that include 2700 years of Azerbaijani history. The city boasts a lot of houses with red roofs. During the 43rd session of the World Heritage Committee held in July 2019 the historic Centre of Shaki with the Khan’s Palace was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Shaki has always played a central role in Azerbaijani art and more generally in the art and architecture of Azerbaijan.
The Church of Kish also known by different sources as Church of Saint Elishe, or Holy Mother of God Church. It is an inactive 12th or 13th century Caucasian Albanian church located in the village of Kish approximately 5 km north of Shaki Azerbaijan. It has functioned at different times as a Caucasian Albanian Apostolic church a Chalcedonian church within the Georgian Orthodox Church and later as Armenian Apostolic church.
The Diri Baba Mausoleum – is a mausoleum of Sheikh Diri Baba, located in Gobustan province of Azerbaijan.
Namely it is a two-storied mausoleum-mosque of the 15th century called “Diri-Baba”. The Mosque is located opposite an ancient cemetery – on the way from Baku to Shamakhi.
Baku is the capital and the largest city Azerbaijan. It is commercial hub of Azerbaijan laying on the coastline along the Caspian Sea on the southern shore of Absheron Peninsula.
Ninotsminda Cathedral is located in the village of Sagarejo, in the Kakheti region, Georgia. The site is ruins today, with only the eastern apse and a portion of the western wall remaining. The complex is currently operated as a nunnery by the Georgian Orthodox Church, and reconstruction work is underway.
Signagi or Sighnaghi is a town in Kakheti province of Georgia. It is one of Georgia’s smallest towns, despite of the fact Signagi serves as a popular tourist destination due to its location at the heart of Georgia’s wine producing region. Picturesque landscapes, pastel houses and narrow, cobblestone streets contributes a lot to its popularity. Located on a steep hill, Signagi overlooks the vast Alazani Valley, with the Caucasus Mountains visible at a distance.
The Monastery of Saint Nino at Bodbe is a Georgian Orthodox monastic complex and the seat of the Bihops of Bodbe located 2 km from the town of Sighnaghi in Kakheti region of Georgia. Originally built in the 9th century, it has been significantly remodeled, especially in the 17th century. The monastery now functions as a nunnery and is one of the major pilgrimage sites in Georgia, due to its association with Saint Nino, the 4th-century female evangelist of Georgians, whose relics are there.
Kvareli lake is natural water reservoir located in Kakheti province of Georgia. The lake is framed with Caucasian Mountains from one side and Alazani Valley from the other. The beauty of the lake and quietness of the surrounding area attracts those who are tired of noisy urban routine.
Batumi is the third largest city of Georgia, located on the coast of the Black Sea in the southwest of the country. It is situated in a Subtropical Zone at the foot of Caucasus. Much of Batumi’s economy revolves around tourism and gambling therefore the city was nicknamed as «The Las Vegas of the Black Sea». The city is also an important sea port. Batumi has been transformed by the construction of modern high-rise buildings, as well as the restoration of classical 19th century historical district.
Old Tbilisi is principally centered on what is commonly referred to as the Tbilisi Historic District.
The district is located on both sides of the Kura River and is dominated by Mount Mtatsminda, Narikala fortress and the Kartlis Deda monument. It mainly represents a 19th-century urban fabric with largely eclectic architecture which includes the buildings and structures from the 5th to the 20th century. The district houses a number of the tourist attractions, including churches, museums, sulphur bathhouses, and peculiar wooden houses with open, carved balconies. In the 19th century, the core territory of the modern-day district of Old Tbilisi was tentatively subdivided into ethnic neighborhoods such as Avlabari with its Armenian and Georgian quarters, Alexanderdorf German quarter on the left bank of the Kura River and the Persian Quarter (Said-Abad) on the right bank of the Kura River
Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport formerly Novo Alexeyevka International Airport, is the main international airport in Georgia, located 17 km southeast of the capital Tbilisi.
Ushguli is a community of four villages located at the head of the Enguri gorge in Svaneti, Georgia. Recognized as the Upper Svaneti UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known as one of the highest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe.
Museum preserves and exhibits a unique collection of natural and human history.
The National Museum’s collections cover the history of the country, starting from animal remains dated back to 40 million years.
Shatili is a historic highland village in Georgia located near the border with Russia. It is located on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus mountains, in the historical Georgian province of Upper Khevsureti which is now part of the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region.
Sataplia Nature Reserve is located 10 km from town of Kutaisi in Imereti region of Georgia. It comprises karst cave with exotic stalactites and stalagmites as well as relic Colchian forest, and geological and archaeological sites. The name Sataplia can be freely translated from Georgian as a «honey place» and in fact bees used to live in small holes and caves and local population harvested honey.
The Akhaltsikhe fortress consisted of two sections: a steep naked rock surrounded by a stone wall, was a citadel, and a little lower adjoined to it the so-called Upper Fortress, built on a high coastal cliff and enclosed by a double row of walls flanked by towers. Forty guns were defended by these walls, which had been clinging to such a dense mass for centuries, against which the action of field artillery was powerless. In the fortress there were all state buildings, the Pasha’s house and the main Akhaltsikhe mosque.
Nekresi Monastery is one of the largest monastery complexes in Kakhety province, it has structures belonging to different ages, according to archaeological studies Nekresi used to be a major urban and religious center in the Late Antiquity.
Khertvisi fortress is considered as one of the oldest fortresses in Georgia. It was functional throughout the Georgian feudal period. It is situated in Southern Georgia, in Meskheti region. The fortress was first built in the 2nd century BC while the church was built in 985, and the present walls were built in 1354. As the legend says, Khertvisi was destroyed by Alexander the Great.
Tsminda Sameba is a popular name of the Holy Trinity Church near the village of Gergeti at the elevation of 2170 m. at the foot of Mount Kazbek.
Ananuri was a seat for Eristavis family Dukes of Aragvi which ruled the area from the 13th to 17th centuries. The fortress has rather rich history over the centuries it was a scene for many battles and dramatic events.
According to the legend the monastery was found in 6th century by St. Zenon who was one of the “Assyrian Fathers”. It is located 7.5 km from town of Telavi in Kakheti region of Georgia.
The Monastery was one of the most significant cultural-scholastic centers of Kakheti as well as of the whole of Georgia.
Dmanisi is a town and archaeological site in the Kvemo Kartli region of Georgia. It is located 93 km to the southwest of Tbilisi in the river valley of Mashavera.
The hominin site is dated to 1.8 million years ago. It was the earliest known evidence of hominins outside Africa before stone tools dated to 2.1 million years were discovered in 2018 in Shangchen, China.
David Gareja is a big rock-hewn monastery complex consisting of hundreds of cells, churches, chapels and residential premises located in half-deserted slopes on Georgia – Azerbaijan border, part of the monastery is located in Azerbaijan. Monastery and the whole location was named after its founder – St. David Gareji.
Anchiskhati Church 6th c. — the oldest church in Tbilisi, was originally dedicated to Virgin Mary but renamed in 1675 y when treasured icon of Savior moved from Ancha Monastery in Klarjeti was moved to Tbilisi.
Prometheus Cave is a karst cave located in Tskaltubo Municipality in Imereti region of Georgia. It is also known as also known as Kumistavi Cave and Tsqaltubo Cave. The total length of the cave is about 11 km, of which 1060 m are open to visitors. Cave has total of 22 halls of which six are currently open to tourists.
Uplistsikhe is an 1st millennium BC rock-hewn town located 10 km. from town of Gori in Shida Kartli, Georgia.
The cave town was built on a high rocky left bank of the Mtkvari River. The town contains various structures dating from the Early Iron Age to the Late Middle Ages. It is notable for the unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures from Anatolia and Persia, as well as the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture.
The Joseph Stalin Museum is a museum in the town of Gori, located 87 km from Tbilisi. It is dedicated to the life of of the controversial but surely prominent figure of the 20th century. Josef Stalin was the leader of the Soviet Union, who was born in Gori. The museum has three sections: Stalin’s house, Stalin’s Museum, and Railway carriage. All of them are located in the town’s central square. It was officially dedicated to Stalin in 1957. It is one of the most a popular tourist attraction within Georgia.
Sioni — Georgian Orthodox Cathedral in historical district of Tbilisi. According to chronicles the construction of the original church on the site of the present Sioni Cathedral was initiated by King Vahtang Gorgosali in the 5th century.
Gremi is a 16th-century architectural monument consisting of the royal citadel and the Church of the Archangels. It is located 115 km away from Tbilisi in Kakheti region of Georgia. The complex is what has survived from the once flourishing town of Gremi.
It was the capital of the Kakhety Kingdom in the 16th and 17th centuries and functioned as a lively trading town on the Silk Road. Besides it was royal residence until being razed to the ground by the armies of Shah Abbas I of Persia in 1615. The town never regained its past prosperity and Kakheti kings transferred their capital to the town of Telavi in the mid-17th century.
Okatse Canyon – one of the most popular attractions located in Khoni municipality near the Gordi village. Canyon is 3 to 6 meters wide and 20 to 100 meters deep. The canyon and its surroundings are unbelievably picturesque. Best time to visit Martvili Canyon is from May to October.
Samtavro combines Samtavro Transfiguration Church and Nunnery of Saint Nino. It is located in Mtskheta town, Georgia. Samtavro is important Early and Hikgh Medieval historical and architectural monument belonging to Georgian Orthodox Church. Monk Gabriel Salosi, the famous Georgian Saint is buried in the yard of Samtavro Church.
Martvili Canyon is one of the most popular attractions in Georgia. It is located in Samegrelo region, Western Georgia, 280 km from Tbilisi. Being a real natural wonder it represents a touristic site busy from May to October.
Every year thousands of tourists visit it to enjoy the scenery, its waterfalls and take a boat trip in the river with deep green color. Visitors are offered 300-meter boat tour on river Abasha and beautiful views of mountain river canyon.
Taking walking or boat tours at Martvili Canyon tourists have opportunity to explore the Dadianis’ Path, mountain river gorge, limestone natural bridges, overview platforms, waterfalls, XIX century water mill, fossil shells of nautiluses and sea urchins.
Bagrati Cathedral is an 11 century cathedral located in city of Kutaisi, Imereti, Georgia. The Cathedral is considered as masterpiece of medieval Georgian architecture. It suffered heavy damage in the course of the several centuries for that reason its reconstruction was initiated in 1950s. Finally the works were completed in 2012y. in 1994 Bagrati Cathedral, together with the Gelati Monastery, was included in UNESCO World Heritage Sites list as a single entity
Dadiani Palace is Historical and Architectural Museum in Zugdidi, West Georgia, Samegrelo region. The museum was established in 1921 and contains 41000 items. It is not just a palace but a complex which includes: palace of the Samegrelo queen Ekaterine Chavchavadze-Dadiani and Prince Niko Dadiani, court church, and the botanic garden.
Tsinandali Museum is located 79 km east of Tbilisi in a village in Kakheti region of Georgia. It’s a historic estate belonged to 19th century aristocratic poet Alexander Chavchavadze (1786 – 1846). Tsinandali museum complex in consists of the memorial house, a landscape garden, a historical winery, wine cellar, hotel and a cafe. Being familiar with European ways Chavchavadze built Georgia’s oldest and largest winery where he combined European and centuries-old Georgian winemaking traditions. Chavchavadze was the first who bottled the wine in Georgia. The Museum possesses his collection of vintage wines consisting of over 15 000 bottles, with the oldest dated 1814 y.
Motsameta monastery is a complex of monasteries located 6 km from the city of Kutaisi, Imereti region of Georgia. It’s a small and very beautiful monastery with round turrets crowned with peaked tent-shaped domes besides it picturesquely sited on the cliff above the Rioni River and surrounded with rich coastal vegetation. According to the legend the monastery was built on the place where Muslim invaders executed David and Konstantin Mkheidze, Georgian princes, who refused to accept Islam.
Gelati Monastery was found in 1106 by King David IV of Georgia. It is a monastic complex located Near the city of Kutaisi in Imereti region of western Georgia. The walls of the monastery have many medieval murals survived to the present days. During the Golden Ages Gelati was cultural and intellectual center of Georgia. The Academy of Gelati employed come of the most celebrated Georgian scientists, theologians and philosophers many of whom were previously active at various orthodox monasteries abroad. A great number of murals and manuscripts dating back to 12th to 17th centuries were preserved in Gelati Monasteri.
Vardzia is a cave monastery in Southern Georgia built by legendary Queen Tamar in 11 century. It is located on the left bank of Mktvari river near Aspinza in Southern Georgia.
Narikala is an ancient fortress overlooking Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, and the Mktvari River. It is also one of the most popular landmarks of Tbilisi. The cable will take you to the top of the fortress wall to enjoy the view of the historical center of Tbilisi and take a chance to explore the oldest monument of the city.
The Holy Trinity Cathedral commonly known as Sameba is the principal cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church. Located in heart of Tbilisi — capital of Georgia it is the biggest cathedral in the country and third-tallest Eastern Orthodox Cathedral and the biggest religious building in the world by its total area .
The Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (the Cathedral of the Living Pillar) the second largest cathedral in Georgia located in the historic town of Mtskheta to the northwest of Tbilisi. Being a masterpiece of the Early and Middieaval architecture it was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Jvari Monastery (Monastery of Cross) is a six-century Georgian Orthodox Monastery located atop of a Jvari hill near the town of Mtskheta.
Who has not heard about the famous natural mineral water, one of the treasures of Georgia is Borjomi! It is mined in the valley of the same name located in the territory of the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, where I suggest we go together. In addition to visiting the sources and main attractions of the city, we will see the Green Monastery and the temple of Seraphim of Sarov.
