Georgia Map & Highlights
Most Georgia vacations last between seven and 15 days, with travel undertaken by road, and on more active tours you’ll spend a significant amount of time exploring the countryside on foot, by bike or on horseback. Typically, you’ll start in Tbilisi, before moving on to visit the historical highlights of Davit Gareja, Vardzia and Mtskheta and perhaps the wine producing region of Kakheti. Longer tours will then head for the mountains – usually either the Kazbegi or Svaneti region, or both. If you’re on a trip combining Georgia with its Caucasian neighbours, you’ll enter Georgia via Armenia, usually via the Haghpat monastery and the Sadakhlo border. If moving on to Azerbaijan, you’ll cross the border at Lagodekhi and drive on to the market town of Sheki, in the Caucasus foothills.
1.
Caucasus Mountains
2. Davit Gareja
3. Kakheti
4. Kutaisi
5. Lagodekhi National Park
6. Mtskheta
7. Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
8. Svaneti Region
9. Tbilisi
10. Vardzia
2. Davit Gareja
3. Kakheti
4. Kutaisi
5. Lagodekhi National Park
6. Mtskheta
7. Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
8. Svaneti Region
9. Tbilisi
10. Vardzia
Caucasus Mountains
1. Caucasus Mountains
Hiking over high meadows close to Russia is just one of many reasons why the Caucasus Mountains are held in such high regard with Mount Kazbegi, Tetu Peak and the Abodelauri Pass adding to the endless appeal. Trekking routes are extensive and range from easy to challenging, with overnight mountain camps and white water rafting offering a couple of distinctly different perspectives of life.
Davit Gareja
2. Davit Gareja
Set in a remote, arid landscape alongside the Azerbaijan border, these mysterious cave monasteries were carved out of the cliff face hundreds of years ago and soon became a center of monastic culture. Hundreds of cave structures are tucked away into the mountainside and many hide saints tombs as well as 1,000-year-old murals above the valleys.
Kakheti
3. Kakheti
Wine lovers, look no further. Georgia has one of the oldest wine producing traditions in the world, and it’s at its finest in the Kakheti region, which is gathering increasing attention as the home of natural qvevri wines, which are made using the whole grape (including skin and stems) in an underground clay vessel called a qvevri.
Kutaisi
4. Kutaisi
Georgia’s second largest city features a cultural cornucopia of churches, theatres and UNESCO world heritage sites, including the Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery. Kutaisi in spring is a real pleasure with leafy parks and the swollen banks of the Rioni River matching the agricultural fields and forests that line the foothills of the surrounding mountains
Lagodekhi National Park
5. Lagodekhi National Park
Located in Georgia’s eastern region of Kakheti, Lagodekhi was the country’s first protected natural area and contains some particularly rare varieties of plants and animals including lynx, eagles, wolves, bears and over 150 species of birds. Aside from the wildlife watching you’ll find waterfalls, glacial lakes and sulphur springs as well as an excellent walking trail that crosses the border into Azerbaijan.
Mtskheta
6. Mtskheta
The ancient capital of Georgia, Mtskheta is a beguiling city with a beautiful setting where the Mtkvari and Aragvi Rivers meet. It’s also Georgia’s spiritual heart, where Christianity was established back in 327. The magnificent 11th century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral dominates the skyline and is still the setting for important ceremonies of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
7. Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
Around 150km north of Tbilisi, Stepantsminda (formerly Kazbegi) is famed for its surrounding scenery which incorporates Dariali Gorge, Mount Kazbek and the Greater Caucasus, alongside the alpine meadows of Kazbegi Nature Reserve. The area is perfect for mountain bikers and hikers with the three-hour, steep trek to Gergeti Trinity Church often preferable to a 30 minute bumpy Jeep ride.
Svaneti Region
8. Svaneti Region
This region of northwest Georgia, part of the southern Caucasus, is like a forested blanket of folds formed by deep gorges and permanent glaciers to create sublime scenery including the twin peaks of Ushba, valued by photographers and climbers alike. Svan heritage is inherent here, with many an impromptu polyphonic song bursting forth from the guesthouses, inns and medieval towers of the highland hamlet of Mestia.
Tbilisi
9. Tbilisi
Georgia’s capital straddles the Mt'k'vari (Kura) River amongst the flourishing hills and vales of the South Caucasus. A tour of the cobbled old town reveals Tbilisi’s reputation for religious tolerance with cathedrals, basilicas, synagogues and mosques standing side by side in the shadow of the Narikala Fortress that overlooks the city just above the waterfalls and springs of the resplendent botanical gardens.
Vardzia
10. Vardzia
Reached by a dramatic 60km drive from Tbilisi through the wilderness, Vardzia is a beautiful medieval city carved into the side of the Erusheti Mountain. The highlight is a grand subterranean church, featuring a number of important historical murals. Monks still live in and oversee the complex.
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