Mountains to the Sea: The Ultimate 8-Day Georgia Adventure

Starting the Trip: Leaving Tbilisi

We will pick you up from your hotel or chosen location in Tbilisi. Get ready for an unforgettable week exploring the best of Georgia, from east to west!

Day 1: Ancient Capitals & Healing Waters

We start our grand journey by heading west toward the Imereti region, stopping at some of Georgia’s most important holy sites and natural parks along the way.

• 🔹 Jvari Monastery: We drive up a steep hill to this 6th-century cross-shaped church. From here, you get a perfect view of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers mixing their different colored waters together below.
• 🔹 Mtskheta & Svetitskhoveli: Walk the beautiful stone streets of Georgia’s ancient capital. We will visit the massive Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, built in the 11th century, which is said to hold the robe of Christ. You can also shop for handmade souvenirs and sweet Churchkhela here.
• 🔹 Borjomi Central Park: We arrive in the lush, green Borjomi valley. We will take a relaxing walk through the deep forest park and taste the famous, naturally sparkling Borjomi mineral water straight from the warm ground spring.
• 🛏️ Evening: We continue driving west until we reach the city of Kutaisi. You will have a free evening to check into your accommodation, eat dinner, and rest.

Day 2: Caves, Deep Canyons & High Waterfalls

Today is an active day dedicated entirely to Georgia’s incredible natural wonders, taking us deep underground and high above the trees.

• 🔹 Prometheus Cave: We will walk a 1.4 kilometer (nearly 1 mile) path through a massive underground world. You will see beautiful, colorful lights shining on huge limestone stalactites hanging from the ceiling. If the water level is good, we can even take a short boat ride on the underground river!
• 🔹 Okatse Canyon: Get ready for an adrenaline rush! After a walk through the forest, we will step onto a narrow, 650-meter-long metal bridge that hangs off the side of a sheer cliff. You will be looking straight down into a massive, 50-meter deep green gorge.
• 🔹 Kinchkha Waterfalls: Just a short drive away, we visit one of the tallest waterfalls in Georgia. The water crashes down from a white limestone cliff that is over 100 meters high. There are safe metal viewing platforms where you can feel the cool mist.
• 🛏️ Evening: We return to Kutaisi around 6:30 PM for you to relax.

Day 3: Boat Rides, Palaces & Entering Svaneti

We leave Kutaisi and begin our long, beautiful climb up into the legendary Svaneti mountain region, stopping for history and nature on the way.

• 🔹 Martvili Canyon: We will take a fun, 15-minute inflatable boat ride through a stunning canyon with deep, emerald-green water. After the boat, we walk a 700-meter circular path to see several beautiful cascading waterfalls.
• 🔹 Dadiani Palace: In the city of Zugdidi, we visit a grand 19th-century palace surrounded by a huge botanical garden. This was the home of the powerful Dadiani family. Inside the museum, you can actually see a bronze death mask of Napoleon Bonaparte!
• 🔹 Enguri Dam: As we start climbing the mountains, we stop at the Enguri Dam. At 271 meters tall, it is one of the highest concrete arch dams in the entire world. The bright blue water of the reservoir looks incredible against the green hills.
• 🛏️ Evening: We drive the winding, steep roads into the high Caucasus until we reach Mestia, a town famous for its medieval stone towers. You have a free evening to settle into your accommodation.

Day 4: Alpine Lakes & The Great Ice Glacier

Today we get active! We will explore the wild nature surrounding Mestia, including lakes up in the sky and a hike to a real, freezing ice glacier.

• 🔹 Koruldi Lakes: We will take a bumpy, exciting 4×4 jeep ride high above Mestia to an altitude of 2,740 meters (almost 9,000 feet!). Here, you will find small, mirror-like alpine lakes. But the real attraction is the view: you are surrounded by 360 degrees of massive snowy peaks, including the famous double-peaked Mount Ushba.
• 🔹 Chalaadi Glacier Hike: We drive to the trailhead, and from there, we start a moderate 2.5 kilometer (1.5 mile) hike each way. The trail is quite rocky but mostly flat. You will walk through a beautiful, dense pine forest, cross a wooden bridge, and follow the roaring, milky-white Mestiachala river. At the end, you will stand face-to-face with the massive Chalaadi Glacier, where you can see the river being born right out from underneath the solid blue ice! Expect the round trip hike to take about 2 to 3 hours depending on our pace.
• 🛏️ Evening: Return to Mestia. For dinner, we highly recommend trying “Kubdari” (a delicious Svan meat pie baked with special local spices) or “Tashmijabi” (stretchy mashed potatoes mixed with lots of local cheese).

Day 5: Svaneti Towers & Europe’s Highest Village

We dive into the history of the brave Svan people and travel deep into the mountains to a village where time has stood still.

• 🔹 Khergiani Museum: We will actually go inside an authentic, medieval stone Svan tower! This was the home of a famous Georgian mountain climber. You will climb up the wooden ladders inside and see how families and their animals lived together to survive the harsh, freezing winters centuries ago.
• 🔹 Tetnuldi Ski Resort Views: We will drive up the mountain roads near the Tetnuldi ski resort. Even without snow, the panoramic viewpoints here are incredible, looking directly at the huge Mount Tetnuldi (4,858 meters high).
• 🔹 Ushguli Village: We take a bumpy off-road drive to reach Ushguli. Sitting at 2,100 meters, it is famous for being the highest permanently inhabited village in Europe and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It looks like a forest of ancient stone towers. We will walk the dirt paths and visit the 9th-century Lamaria Church, which has Georgia’s highest peak, Mount Shkhara (5,193m), towering right behind it.
• 🛏️ Evening: We drive back down to Mestia to rest after a long, beautiful day.

Day 6: From Snowy Peaks to Subtropical Coast

Today we say goodbye to the cold mountains and embark on a long, scenic drive all the way down to the warm Black Sea coast.

• 🔹 Shekvetili Dendrological Park: After several hours of driving, the weather will become warm and humid. We will stop at this massive, unique park. It is filled with giant, exotic trees brought from all over the world, and you can see beautiful birds like flamingos, pelicans, and even free-roaming lemurs!
• 🔹 Batumi Boulevard: Welcome to Batumi! This modern sea-side city is completely different from the mountains. We will take a relaxing walk along the famous 7-kilometer long seaside path. It is lined with palm trees, dancing fountains, and modern art, including the famous “Ali & Nino” moving metal statues that slowly pass through each other to symbolize love.
• 🛏️ Evening: Explore the bright, colorful lights of Batumi’s Old Town. This is the perfect time to eat the famous “Adjarian Khachapuri”—a delicious bread boat filled with melted cheese, butter, and an egg!

Day 7: Adjara Waterfalls & City Charm

A very relaxing day to enjoy the green nature of the Adjara region just outside the city, followed by free time to explore Batumi.

• 🔹 Makhuntseti Waterfall: We take a short 45-minute drive into the lush green hills. You will easily walk to see a beautiful, 30-meter high waterfall. Right next to it, you can walk across an ancient, arched stone bridge built centuries ago during the time of the great Queen Tamar.
• 🔹 Optional Adjarian Winery: The Adjara region has its own unique style of making wine. We can stop to taste some sweet local wines and try a shot of strong Georgian grape brandy called “Chacha”.
• 🔹 Batumi Piazza: We return to the city and visit the beautiful Piazza square, which looks just like a piece of Italy with its mosaic floors and clock tower.
• 🛏️ Afternoon/Evening: Enjoy free time! You can go shopping, ride the cable car up the mountain, swim at the pebble beach, or simply relax at a cafe. You will sleep in Batumi.

Day 8: Coastal Gardens & The Drive Home

On our final day, we enjoy one last massive, beautiful garden before driving across the country back to the capital.

• 🔹 Batumi Botanical Garden: We will spend about 2 hours walking through this massive, peaceful garden. It is built right on the side of a steep cliff overlooking the blue ocean. It is divided into different geographical zones, so you can walk from a Japanese bamboo forest into a South American landscape in just a few minutes!
• 🔹 The Long Drive Home: After a nice relaxing lunch by the sea, we begin the long drive back to Tbilisi. This drive takes about 6 hours, so sit back, relax, and watch the landscape change from green coast to rolling hills and vineyards as we cross the country.

Ending the Trip: Back to Tbilisi

We will drop you off safely at your designated location in Tbilisi by the evening. You will have a camera full of photos and memories of an incredible Georgia adventure that will last a lifetime!