Tbilisi-Samtskhe-Javakheti Round Trip – 7 Days
This is an example of a standard 7 days trip starting from Tbilisi, covering Samtskhe-Javakheti region and ending in Tbilisi.
This tour is described here for the convenience of independent travelers who choose to travel by a car without assistance of a travel company or a guide. All times are specified based on our experience of traveling with tourists to these locations. Durations and locations can be changed upon your preferences and desires.
Locations and times are chosen and optimized for a 7 days trip starting and returning to Tbilisi.
Day 1 – Tbilisi – Tsalka – Ninotsminda
09:30 – Departure from Tbilisi
11:00 – Sightseeing at Dashbashi Canyon – located in Kvemo Kartli region, Tsalka municipality, in the gorge of the river Khrami, near the village Dashbashi, at 1110-1448 meters above sea level. It is a natural monument on the volcanic height of the river, Ktsia (Khrami). It is a rare canyon gorge, characterized by biodiversity.
Here you can walk on Diamond Bridge – a 240-meter-long glass bridge over the canyon, see a beautiful waterfall in the canyon. take an 8Km long route in the canyon and discover many more interesting and beautiful places.
Lunch in dashbashi / Tsalka
16:00 – Departure from Tsalka
16:50 – Sightseeing Stop at Paravani lake
Sightseeing at Poka St. Nino’s Monastery – located in the Ninotsminda municipality of Samtskhe-Javakheti, on the shores of Lake Paravani. It was from this place that the activity of the enlightener of Georgians, Saint Nino, began in our country.
A monastery was opened there in 1989 and in 1992 the nunnery was established too. At the moment, the nuns produce fantastic cheese, chocolate and other treats. You can taste and buy them as a delicious souvenir from a holy place. The church is a hall-type church, with ornamented doors and windows. Fragments of ancient artwork have been preserved in its interior. In terms of technical skill and the artistic value of its ornamentation, Poka Church is one of the most outstanding monuments in Javakheti.
18:30 – Departure to Ninotsminda
19:00 – Arriving in Ninotsminda
Free time / Overnight in Ninotsminda
Day 2 – Village Gorelovka & Abuli Fortress
9:00 Departure from The Hotel
Early morning – sightseeing at Khanchali Lake
located in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, Ninotsminda Municipality, at 1928 meters above sea level, in the central part of the Javakheti volcanic mountain range. It is part of the Khanchali Managed Reserve. The vast expanses of Javakheti, the alpine meadows and the flowing blue lake attract many tourists. It is one of the wonderful places to unwind in nature. The diversity and abundance of birds add even more charm to Khanchali Lake.
Sightseeing at Gorelovka Village – Often called Georgia’s most colourful village, in Samtskhe-Javakheti region remains vibrant and beautiful despite having to endure some of Georgia’s most severe climate conditions and some of its longest winters. A veritable village museum, Gorelovka’s chief attraction are its gorgeously decorated houses decorated with blue lace and hand-painted shutters.
Lunch near Ninotsminda
15:00 – Sightseeing at Tonio Bridge – located in the village of Kaurma, Ninotsminda Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti region (historical village of Tontio). The structure dates back to the 13th-14th centuries. The Tontio Bridge is five-lane and is built over the Paravni River flowing in the middle of the village. One of the central roads from Byzantium, and later from Turkey and Armenia to Eastern Georgia, passed through it.
16:00 – Sightseeing at Abuli Fortress
Abuli Cyclopean Fortress — a dry-stone Cyclopean fortress, located on Mount Patara Abuli (Samtskhe-Javakheti region), at an altitude of 2670 meters above sea level. It strongly resembles the Shaori fortress — similar natural conditions, construction techniques, unroofed towers and approaches. But Abuli fortress is still unique. It must have been one of the foremost centers since ancient times. Its size, strength, inaccessibility, and strategic location are striking: the road to the south passes through it.
19:00 – Departure to Ninotsminda
Overnight in Ninotsminda
Day 3 – Khertvisi & Vardzia
10:00 – Departure from Ninotsminda
11:00 – Sightseeing at Khertvisi Fortress – Middle age castle is located in village Khertvisi, on the estuary of rivers Paravani and Mtkvari, on a tall rocky mountain. Khertvisi was reconstructed several times. The early middle age building layer is noticeable. The fortress consists of the citadel and a wall. Citadel stands on a narrow, rocky edge of the mountain, it is not approachable from the northeastern side.
12:00 – Departure to Vardzia (20 min drive)
Sightseeing at Vardzia — a rock-cut monastic ensemble, a monument of Georgian artistic culture of the XII-XIII centuries. Located in historical Javakheti, in the Aspindza municipality (30 km from Aspindza). On the left bank of the Mtkvari River. 1300 meters above sea level.
The monastery complex was mainly built in the years 1156-1203. The settlement was consecrated on August 15, 1185, during the reign of Queen Tamar (1184-1213). The royal monastery played a major role in the political and cultural life of the country.
There are currently 641 rock-cut caves/churches in Vardzia.
After the establishment of Soviet power in the region, scientific study of this monastery complex began. In 1938, it was declared a museum-reserve. In 1970-1971, archaeological excavations were carried out in Vardzia, and 3 cultural layers were discovered: the Early Middle Ages, the 12th century, and the 13th-14th centuries.
Lunch near Vardzia
17:30 – Departure from Vardzia
19:30 – Arriving in Akhaltsikhe / Hotel
Free time / Overnight in Akhaltsikhe
Day 4 – Akhaltsikhe & Abastumani
10:30 – Sightseeing at Rabati Castle, a historical castle in the administrative center of Samtskhe-Javakheti region, in the city of Akhaltsikhe, in the historical district of Rabati. It is located on the banks of the Potskhovi River. The Rabati castle complex is currently being rehabilitated, it consists of buildings from various periods of the Middle Ages. The castle complex was the most important defensive structure of the region, its walls remember many heavy battles.
As a result of the restoration carried out in 2011-2012, the fortress complex was renovated with a rampart, a citadel, an Orthodox church of the 9th-10th centuries, a mosque named after Haji Ahmed-Pasha Jakeli, a madrasah, and the Jakeli Palace, where the exhibition hall of the Samtskhe-Javakheti History Museum is located.
Lunch in Akhaltsikhe
14:30 – Departure to Abastumani
15:30 – Sightseeing at Abastumani
Evgeni Kharadze’s Georgian National Astrophysical Observatory is a scientific research institution in Georgia, in the Abastumani settlement of Adigeni municipality, on Mount Kanobili, 1700 m above sea level, 200 km from Tbilisi.
The main directions of scientific research of the observatory are the study of galaxies, stars, solar physics, solar system objects and the Earth’s upper atmosphere.The observatory was founded on February 28, 1932, under the leadership of Professor Evgeni Kharadze and is the first mountain astrophysical observatory in the former Soviet Union.
Abastumani Alexander Nevsky Church, New Zarzma — an architectural monument in the town of Abastumani, Adigeni Municipality. Built in 1896-1898.The church complex (domed church, bell tower, fence) is a multifaceted interesting architectural ensemble, which is very noteworthy from an artistic-historical and urban point of view.
19:00 – Departure to Akhaltasikhe
Free time / Overnight in Akhaltsikhe
Day 5 – Borjomi & Likani
09:30 – Departure From Akhaltsikhe to Borjomi
10:00 – Sightseeing at Atskuri Fortress – located in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, in the Akhaltsikhe municipality, near the village of Atskuri. It was first mentioned in historical sources in the middle of the 11th century. The fortress can be entered through a narrow tunnel carved into the rock.
11:30 – Arrival in Borjomi / Hotel
12:00 – Borjomi Central park
Yoc can take a Cable Car in Central park to reach the ferris wheel on the top of the mountain and enjoy amazing views of the Borjomi area.
Lunch in Borjomi park area
16:30 – Sightseeing at Likani Resort
Free time / Overnight in Borjomi
Day 6 – Borjomi and Surrounding Areas
10:00 – Departure from the Hotel
10:30 – Sightseeing at Village Daba : Daba St. George’s Church
The Church in Daba is one of the ancient and the strongest churches of Georgia. It is sheltered in the dense forest and is not visible from the road. The church is covered halfway by a cave. This temple is a characteristic monument of Georgian architecture of the XIV century. The carved inscription on the west wall says that the Daba church was built by the head of the royal treasury of George V the Brilliant. (1333)
12:00 – Sightseeing Stop at Tsemi – The Eiffel Bridge
a bridge over the Tsemistskal river, on the Borjomi–Bakuriani railway near the town of Tsagveri.Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of Russia ordered the bridge from the French engineer-constructor and bridge builder Gustave Eiffel.
13:00 – Sightseeing at Timotesubani : Virgin Mary Monastery /
The monastery was built on the eve of the XII-XIII centuries by Shalva Eristavt-Eristavi Akhaltsikheli, the owner of the Tori. The central temple is in the name of Virgin Mary and is Georgia’s one of the most important monuments. The dome is decorated with azure bricks. The height of the temple (with a cross) is 28 meters, width -19 meters and length- 11 meters. The windows on the north wall are built up and painted. Temple painting dates back to the years 1205-1215 (epoch of Queen Tamar) and is unique. We can say that the painting of the temple is one of the most sophisticated for its era. Most of the frescoes survived to our days.
14:00 – Departure to Borjomi
Lunch in Borjomi
Later in the afternoon you can Visit Borjomi Sulfur Pools :
Perfect for relaxing and having fun with friends and family, the Borjomi Sulfur Pools of various shapes and sizes give visitors an opportunity to unwind and experience the benefits of healing waters. With larger pools suitable for adults and smaller ones for children, it’s a perfect family activity. The warmest water can be found in the semi-circular pool.
Free time / Overnight in Borjomi
Day 7 – Borjomi – Tbilisi
10:00 – Departure from Borjomi
10:30 – Sightseeing at Green Monastery – Chitakhevi it is located a few kilometers from Borjomi, near the village of Chitakhevi, in the middle of a dense deciduous forest.According to scientists, this 9th-century monument was built by the disciples of the famous Georgian figure, St. Grigol Khandzteli – Christopher and Theodore. It consists of three basilica-type churches and a bell tower, where the carvings characteristic of Georgian architecture are still clearly visible.
12:00 – Sightseeing at Kvabiskhevi church of the Dormition also known as Mariamtsminda
It is a medieval Georgian Orthodox church, situated 2 km northwest of the village of Kvabiskhevi, Borjomi Municipality, in Georgia’s south-central region of Samtskhe-Javakheti. A three-nave basilica, the church was constructed in the 8th or 9th century on a high rocky mountain slope, overlooking the steep descent into the deep river canyon. The church is known for its 12th–13th-century fresco portrait of the young nobleman named Shota, who is popularly believed to be the contemporaneous epic poet Shota Rustaveli. The Kvabiskhevi church is inscribed on the list of the Immovable Cultural Monuments of National Significance of Georgia.
13:00 – Departure to Tbilisi
13:45 – Lunch Stop at Poria restaurant on the way to Tbilisi.
They are famous for their Khachapuri but in fact, all dishes are really good.
17:30 – Arrival in Tbilisi / Hotel
