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Georgia in a week

Tour Overview

This one week small group tour is the perfect introduction to the lesser visited country of Georgia. Expect to see beautiful monasteries that will take you back in time, witness some of the most stunning scenery in this corner of the world and learn the history of this small yet fascinating nation.

About this tour

  • Group Size: Normally 2-15.
  • Recommended Age: 18-65
  • Physical Rating: Europe2
  • Accommodation:6 night(s) in hotels
  • Transportation:Private Vehicle
  • Meals:6 Breakfast(s), 1 Dinner(s)
  • Country:Georgia

What should you expect?

This group tour ranges in size from 2 to 15 people.

There is a compulsory single supplement for solo travellers on this tour. Please contact our Sales Team for further information.

The tour starts at 10am on day 1 with an included city tour. We highly recommend arriving the day prior so that you are recharged and in plenty of time for the tour.

This tour includes a local Georgian guide.

This trip uses private transport. You will be responsible for carrying your luggage at all times, on and off transport and sometimes up stairs in a hotel. You MUST ensure you can comfortably carry it, and keep to one piece of luggage and one small bag.

Essential Information

  • Visas and travel insurance
  • Spending money – budget for meals, snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs, laundry, tips and any extras
  • International flights to/from the start/end of your tour and departure taxes  
  • Tips on excursions, visas, travel insurance, personal items and single rooms.  
  • Optional excursions – On each trip, you may find there are some excursions that are not included. This might be because they are not to everyone’s taste or there may be various options of differing value to choose from. More information on the excursions we recommend is listed under each day of your itinerary though prices may vary. If you are after something in particular, don’t hesitate to ask your tour leader.
Arriving in Tbilisi

When arriving in Tbilisi we recommend you obtain some local currency, the Georgian Lari, as soon as you arrive. There are international ATMS inside the airport. Please note International debit and credit cards are widely accepted however most places in Georgia and Armenia do not accept American Express.

Getting from the airport

To get from the airport to the city centre you can take public bus number N37. Taxis are available and should cost no more than 25 GEL (Georgian Lari).

Joining Hotel

Your joining hotel is subject to change and this information will be provided once your booking is confirmed.

Emergency Contact Details

In the case of an emergency before you meet your tour leader, please contact our Tucan Travel Europe Manager:

Tel:+44 (0) 7887 498617

Georgian Holidays Emergency Phone – +995 598 704 717

Please note that this number is a service for emergency calls only. We respectfully request that you consider the urgency of your enquiry. Non-urgent enquiries should be made during office hours. Visit contact us page for office hours.

Tucan Travel London office: +44 (0)208 896 1600

This tour uses a variety of hotels. You can find a breakdown of your accommodation in the “About this Tour” section.

Where possible Tucan Travel try and use local accommodation on the majority of tours. The accommodation is picked based on their location to the main sites.

Alternative Accommodation

The type of accommodation indicated in the trip notes is a guideline. If for any reason, we need to change the accommodation listed on the itinerary, a similar standard of accommodation will be used instead. You can find the list of hotels or similar used on your itinerary under each day.

Solo Travellers

If you are a solo traveller there is a compulsory single supplement.

Check-in Time

Although we endeavour to have hotel rooms ready in time for arrival, sometimes this is not possible especially if we arrive early in the morning. In this instance we will store our luggage and enjoy the destination before checking in later in the day.

This tour uses private vehicles to get between destinations.

It is your responsibility to carry luggage on and off transport. We therefore ask that you keep your luggage to 1 piece per person plus one day bag.

Approximate distances covered on this trip

The below information provides approximate distances for your Georgia tour. Please note that timings may vary depending on the season and border crossing on the day. Travel days are broken up with various interesting stops and toilet breaks.

  • TBILISI – MTSKHETA – ANANURI – GUDAURI – 130km
  • GUDAURI – KAZBEGI – TBILISI – 186km
  • TBILISI – GORI – UPLISTSIKHE – BORJOMI – AKHALTSIKHE – 250km
  • AKHALTSIKHE – RABATI CASTLE – AKHALTSIKHE – 130km
  • AKHALTSIKHE – BAVRA – GYUMRI – 161km
  • AKHALTSIKHE – TSALKA-TBILISI – 268km

Roads in Georgia can be quite winding at times. If you are prone to motion sickness please bring appropriate medication.

Luggage

You will be carrying your own luggage on tour. Please limit this to one piece per person plus one day bag.

It is important to bring luggage you can carry and lift comfortably, potentially up several flights of stairs in hotels where elevators are not available and between bus/train stations and hotels.

Packing List

Please consider which season you are travelling in and pack appropriately. All clothes should be lightweight, durable and easily washable. Please do not bring any military or camouflage-style clothing as it can be dangerous to wear and occasionally illegal. Nights can be cold, so it is a good idea to bring at least one pair of warm trousers or jeans plus several thinner sweaters / fleeces which you can layer.

Good, comfortable walking shoes are essential. There can either be comfortable trainers or walking shoes. You will find you walk a lot in Europe, sometimes on uneven and cobbled streets.

In general, Europe is not as conservative as other regions, and you do not have to worry about keeping your legs or shoulders covered on a day to day basis. However, when visiting religious sites, you will need to cover up. We recommend having long trousers or a sarong to cover up for this.

Clothing

  • A lightweight and waterproof jacket
  • Jeans/trousers
  • Underwear and pyjamas
  • T-shirts/tops/shirts
  • Shorts/dresses/skirts – depending on season
  • Trainers or walking shoes
  • Sandals
  • Jumper/cardigan/fleece
  • Swimwear/sarong/coverup

Electronics

  • Phone and charger
  • Camera and charger
  • Worldwide adaptor
  • Portable battery pack
  • Ipad/tablet/e-reader (great for long journeys!)

Toiletries

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Small medical kit with paracetamol/plasters
  • Antibacterial hand gel
  • Insect repellent and bite cream
  • Sun cream and lip balm
  • Shampoo/conditioner/body wash – ideally in bar form
  • Antiperspirant/deodorant

Other

  • One small day bag
  • Sunglasses
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Cloth bag for shopping
  • Ear plugs and sleep mask

Documents

  • Passport
  • Visas
  • Insurance
  • Printed copy of your passport
  • Printed copy of your emergency contacts numbers

Laundry

Depending on the time spent in each destination, your Tour Leader will be able to advise on laundromats or laundry services in or near our hotels. Hotel services can be pretty costly however your tour leader will be able to recommend cheaper options. If you wash clothes yourself take care not to be too obvious where you hang them as most hotels do not like guests washing and drying their clothes in the hotel rooms.

On a Tucan Travel tour you will experience a huge variety of amazing food in each location. Meals included are listed on the day to day itinerary and the “about this tour” section. On this trip, most breakfasts are included but lunch and dinner are at your own cost unless included in the itinerary. Your tour leader will suggest restaurants in each location, and arrange evening group meals for those who wish to join.

If you have a specific dietary requirement it is important you advise us at the booking stage. We also recommend re-iterating this information to your tour leader on day 1. While we endeavour to assist as much as possible, it is ultimately your responsibility to research and arrange meals that suit your dietary preferences.

For information on what kind of food you can expect in Georgia please click this link.

Currency

This tour uses the Georgian lari.

Cards

The majority of shops, restaurants, hotels and other establishments in Georgia will accept credit and debit cards. American Express is not as widely accepted, so do not rely on this as your primary card. It is always suggested to have a small supply of cash should you require it, especially if you are visiting remote areas.

Spending Money

We know how easy it is to lose track of your spending on holiday! That’s why it’s essential to thoroughly read your trip notes so that you understand what is and what isn’t included on each day. Lunches and dinners are at your own cost, which gives you the flexibility to spend as little or as much as you like. Remember to budget for things like laundry, tipping, souvenirs and optional activities. In general, Georgia is not an expensive holiday destination.

Take note of how long you will be spending in each country and don’t take out or exchange too much money. Unless you’re a big spender, you won’t need thousands just for two days in a country! We recommend checking your international withdrawal and exchange fees with your bank, as sometimes it is cheaper to withdraw money in your location rather than exchanging it beforehand.

Tipping

Tipping is a big part of European culture, and while it is much more prominent in Western Europe it is still expected in most of the Eastern Europe countries. While it is not compulsory, if you have enjoyed the service it is appropriate and highly appreciated. You should add 10% to your bill in restaurants (make sure service isn’t already included), round up taxi fares and tip local excursion guides.

Budget

Your budget should include additional meals, transport within cities, optional excursions, shopping and an emergency fund.

Backup Funds

Travel can be unpredictable. While we endeavour to plan for every situation there are some instances where it is out of our control, such as severe weather, strikes, civil unrest or natural disasters. If these result in unavoidable itinerary changes, you should have access to enough funds for you to return home unexpectedly.

Emergency Contact

If you require urgent assistance prior to meeting your tour please call (+44) 788 7498 617.

Safety in Europe

Europe is generally very safe, even more so in a group. There are a few precautions which you should always take.

    • Do not travel with valuables. While phones and cameras are inevitable, leave the expensive jewellery and watches at home.
    • Make sure your handbag/daypack has a zip and is closed at all times.
    • When in crowded areas and on metros keep your bag on your front.
    • Do not walk alone after dark.
    • Only use registered taxis and if possible have the hotel phone one for you.
    • Do not take out large sums of cash at once and avoid keeping it all in the same place. Only take what you need for the day and leave the rest in a safe. Ideally, take more than one credit/debit card in case one is lost or stolen.
Scams in Europe

Unfortunately there are many common scams occurring regularly across Europe. While these are normally harmless to your personal safety, they can leave you losing money. The most common are people approaching you seemingly offering a gift, to then turn around and ask for money, children distracting you while someone goes through your bag, people pretending to be stranded/lost/mugged and asking you for money or people asking you to sign a fake charity petition, while someone else dips into your pocket. Pickpocket gangs often work in teams, so while one bumps into you and fumbles around apologising, another might be searching for a wallet. These scams are easily avoided by keeping your bag zipped at all times and on your front in crowds, and using your common sense when someone approaches you.

Traffic and crossing the road

Traffic is Europe can be hectic. You should always look both ways before crossing the road, depending on the country they might drive on the other side of the road. Rules on jaywalking can vary between countries, so we suggest always using pedestrian and zebra crossings.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory on all Tucan Travel tours. Your tour leader will request your travel insurance details at the pre departure meeting which are immediately submitted to the office. Failure to produce these details will mean you cannot join the tour.

Age Restrictions

Our tours are perfectly designed for those aged between 18 and 65 years old. They are fast-paced and sometimes tiring, while packed with adventure, new experiences and feel-good moments. With customers from around the world, of different ages, backgrounds and nationalities, some groups can be more boisterous than others. As a result, we ask that anyone wanting to travel under the age of 18 or over 65 carefully consider whether a group tour is right for them. We may ask that you fill in our tour suitability form found here to guarantee your enjoyment of the trip. Please read through our Tour Suitability page or contact a member of our Reservations Team if in doubt. Please note that we do not accept children under the age of 16 on our group tours.

As a global tour operator, we understand the importance of running sustainable tours that have as low an impact on the environment as possible. Please read our comprehensive guide here before you travel.

You can find out further information on our availability and departures of tours by clicking here.

Included/Excluded

  • Tbilisi City Tour
  • Visit to Jvari Monastery & Svetitskhoveli cathedral in Mtskheta Town
  • Visit to Ananuri Fortess
  • Off road 4X4 adventure on Gergeti mountain
  • Visit the Holy Trinity Church
  • Entrance to Stalin house and museum & Borjomi Central Park
  • Visit to Uplistskhe rock-hewn town
  • Guided excursion to Rabat fortress
  • Visit to Vardzia Cave Town
  • Javakheti Plateau & Alpine lakes of Sagamo

Tour Plan

Day 01 Arrive Tbilisi and City Tour

Your tour will start today at 10am after breakfast with a Tbilisi city sightseeing tour. First off you will visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the tallest Orthodox church in Georgia and the third tallest in the world. The church was built to commemorate 1,500 years of autocephaly of the Georgian Orthodox Church and is an important symbol in the country. From here we will walk through the charming streets of the old town and head towards the Sioni Cathedral.

Next we will cross the glass Bridge of Peace, a beautifully unique structure that links Rike Park with the Old Town of Tbilisi. The cable car from Rike Park then allows us to reach Narikala Fortress, one of the most popular attractions in the city. Founded in the 4th century, the ancient structure consists of sulphur baths, a botanical garden and a temple dating back to the 12th century. From here you'll also find one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city. Our city tour continues as we work our way back down to the old town where we visit the mosque, little canyon and the lovely waterfall in Legvtakhevi. Finally, we will reach the sulphur bathhouses of Abanotubani where you will learn about the city's special relationship with thermal baths. In fact, Tbilisi was built on this hot water and the name itself is derived from the old Georgian word "tbili" which means warm. Our city tour ends at the Maidan Square. You will then have the rest of the day free to continue exploring Tbilisi. Tucked away in the lovely old streets you'll find an abundance of restaurants and boutiques as well as some wonderful architecture that makes Tbilisi so utterly picturesque.

Please note: We recommend arriving one day early due to the 10am start today for the city tour. Please ask our Sales Team for further information.

Included Excursions

Tbilisi City Tour

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at ZP Hotel or Brigitte Hotel or similar

Day 02 UNESCO Monasteries, Ananuri Architectural Complex and Gudauri

Our journey through Georgia continues today as we visit the ancient capital - Mtskheta. Once a large fortified city, Mtskheta was an economical centre of the Kingdom of Iberia until the 5th century AD. The city remains one of the most important symbols of Georgia, having been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 due to several cultural monuments, while also being considered the "Holy City" by the Georgian Orthodox Church in 2014. While here we will visit the UNESCO sites of the Jvari Monastery and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.

We continue towards the Caucasus mountains along the Georgian Military Highway. On route to our final destination, we will make a stop at the Ananuri Architectural Complex, a 16th century compound that includes various ancient fortifications, churches and towers. From here we will continue through the mountains until we reach Gudauri. This will be our base for exploring the fantastic mountains that surround us.

Included Excursions

Visit to Jvari Monastery & Svetitskhoveli cathedral in Mtskheta Town,Visit to Ananuri Fortess

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels At Alpina Hotel or similar

Meals

1 Breakfast(s), 1 Dinner(s)

Day 03 Caucasus Mountains, Holy Trinity Church and return to Tbilisi

After breakfast today we will start a full day excursion of the Caucasus mountains. As well as seeing some fantastic scenery on our drive we will make stops to taste mineral waters, view waterfalls on our hike and experience the snowy peaks of the mountain range. We will view Mount Gergeti and visit the 14th century Holy Trinity Church located under the Kazbegi glacier. The image of the lonesome church perched beneath the soaring mountains is a mesmerizing experience and one of the best views in Georgia.

After our journey through the mountains we return back to Tbilisi where we spend the night before continuing our tour of Georgia.

Included Excursions

Off road 4X4 adventure on Gergeti mountain,Visit the Holy Trinity Church

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at ZP Hotel or Brigitte Hotel or similar

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Day 4 Gori, Uplistsikhe Caves, Borjomi and Akhaltsikhe

After breakfast we will drive through the Kartli region, making several stops at points of interest. Upon arrival to Gori, we will visit the Stalin Museum where you will see a collection of his personal belongings and learn more about the dark history that surrounds him. Joseph Stalin was born in this region.

Next we will visit the impressive Uplistsikhe Cave complex. It's one of the oldest urban settlements in Georgia and comprises various caves, tunnels, chambers and halls all connecting through the rock. It's a fascinating site and provides wonderful insight into the ancient settlement.

Moving onto Borjomi, we will taste the famous mineral sparkling water that the town is known for. We will walk through the beautiful Kharagauli National Park - covering an impressive 5300 square kilometres and home to wildlife, historic sites and various ecological zones.

After a packed day experiencing many different facets of the Kartli region, we reach Akhaltsikhe where we spend the night.

Included Excursions

Entrance to Stalin house and museum & Borjomi Central Park,Visit to Uplistskhe rock-hewn town

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Tifilis or Almi Hotel or similar

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Day 5 Akhaltsikhe Castle and Vardzia Caves Excursion

After breakfast we embark on our first excursion of the day - Akhaltsikhe Castle (also known as Rabati Castle). Built in the 9th century the complex consists of an amphitheatre, fountains, gardens, a museum and of course the castle. The structures are impressively restored and intact and the huge complex is a simply beautiful place to explore. Between the ancient architecture and the verdant surrounding landscape, you'll start to fall a little more in love with Georgia with each turn!

After taking in the views we continue onto Vardzia Cave Town. Perched along the left bank of the Mtkvari River, the complex became a monastery under the reign of Giorgi III and Queen Ramar in the 12th century. It played a significant role in the political, cultural and spiritual life of Georgia. We will explore the area along rocky steps and observe the beautifully painted main cave hall as well as various tunnels. Much like the Uplistsikhe Caves, the structure gives a wonderful overview of these ancient settlements.

We will then return to Akhaltsikhe for the evening.

Included Excursions

Guided excursion to Rabat fortress,Visit to Vardzia Cave Town

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Tifilis or Almi Hotel or similar

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Day 6 Tsalka and return to Tbilisi

This is our final day of exploring Georgia before returning to Tbilisi. First we pass through the Javakheti Plateau and witness stunning alpine lakes and mountains in the background. We will stop at the lakes of Sagamo and Paravani to enjoy the landscape.

We will arrive back to Tbilisi in the late afternoon where you will have the remainder of the evening free before your tour comes to an end tomorrow.

Included Excursions

Javakheti Plateau & Alpine lakes of Sagamo

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at ZP Hotel or Brigitte Hotel or similar

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Day 7 Depart Tbilisi

Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Tour Map

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