4-Day History Trip Of Georgia Exploring Ancient Cave Towns & Monasteries

Rock Hewn Town

Carved Rocks

Cave monastery

Monastery Complex

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Highlights

Walk around Christian stone basilica

Explore Davit Gareji monastery complex

Marvel at the unique cave city carved into the mountain Erusheti

Visit the Rabati Fortress and enjoy scenic sights

Travel to Tbilisi and see the Stalin Museum at Gori

Akhaltsikhe, David Gareja, Gori, Tbilisi, Uplistsikhe, Vardzia

architectural, educational, historical

Private Tour

4 Days

Easy

English

Description

Sign up for the tour of Georgia to explore different cave towns and monastery complexes and learn about their history, unique architectural styles and scenic locations. Visit a Christian stone basilica that dates back to the 10th century. Visit the Davit Gareji monastery complex and see 13 monasteries. Marvel at the unique cave city carved into the steep wall of the mountain Erusheti at an altitude of 1300 meters.

Itinerary

Day 1: Uplistsikhe
- Meet your guide and leave for Uplistsikhe from Tbilisi after breakfast at the hotel. At first glance, this ancient complex will look like something abstract and formless. The central area, which contains most rock structures, is connected to the lower area by a narrow tunnel. See rock structures, here that is without any decorative elements; larger structures contain elements of stone carving. In the upper part of the complex, we will see a Christian stone basilica that dates back to the 10th century.
- Come back to Tbilisi for an overnight stay. (In case of interest, we can see the Stalin Museum at Gori, on the way).
Day 2: Davit Gareji
- Leave for the Davit Gareji monastery complex after breakfast.
- See13 monasteries at this complex, scattered on the hills of the semi-desert area on the borderline of Georgia and Azerbaijan. Numerous caves can also be seen here, which used to be chapels, churches, and monks’ dwellings.
- Come back to Tbilisi for an overnight stay.
Day 3: Vardzia
- Check out and leave for Vardzia after breakfast. This unique cave city was carved into the steep wall of the mountain Erusheti at an altitude of 1300 meters.
- Overnight stay at Borjomi or Bakuriani, which are nearby places to stay.
Day 4: Borjomi - Rabati
- After breakfast at the hotel, check out and go back to Tbilisi.
- On the way, we will visit the Rabati Fortress. Enjoy scenic sights and views from the four towers here. One can enjoy wonderful views of Akhaltsikhe and its surroundings. If this seems not enough, we can get to the citadel roof in the western part of the fortress for even better views.

What's Included

Transportation service

English/Russian speaking Tbilisi (Georgian) guide-driver

What's Excluded

Entrance tickets not included; lunches and dinners

Know Before You Go

We can modify the tour as per customers' wishes. The price is the same for 1 to 6 people.

Cave Towns of Georgia: Georgia is a country of stone and mountains, the sun and the sea, rich in historical and natural monuments, which causes an irresistible interest of everyone who has ever visited this beautiful, hospitable land. Today. We want to dedicate a separate topic to one of Georgia's most memorable and exciting attractions. We wish to talk about the mysterious cave towns here. Visiting these cave towns, you will discover Georgia anew and learn many interesting cultural stories and exciting histories of their origin. Wander through the mysterious, ancient caves and fully enjoy the enchanting spirit of antiquity! To those who wish to undertake an unforgettable trip, we offer this educational Tour “Cave towns of Georgia".

Uplistsikhe: Uplistsikhe(meaning Lord of the Fortress) was once a huge cave town situated 10 km east of Gori. Built between 6 BC and 1 AD, Uplistsikhe had become one of the most important political and religious centres of the pre-Christian Kartli, with temples to pagan gods. After the Arabs conquered Tbilisi in 645 AD, Uplistsikhe became the residence of the Christian kings of Kartli and an important trading center on the main caravan route from Asia to Europe. Later, Uplistsikhe was finally destroyed by the Mongols in 1240. Presently, Uplistsikhe comprises the territory of the inner city of 40 000 m2, which is preserved from the original huge settlement.

David Gareji: David Gareji monastery complex is of great historical value and has a special place among the numerous cultural monuments of Georgia. According to tradition, the monastery of Gareji was founded in the 6th century by one of the thirteen Assyrian Fathers, St. David Gareji. David settled in a natural cave in the Gareji desert, where he founded the first monastery intending to spread Christianity in Georgia. Even today, after so many centuries, David Gareji surprises visitors with its design and wall paintings of the high artistic level. The complex consists of 13 monasteries scattered on the hills of the semi-desert area on the borderline of Georgia and Azerbaijan. The first thing that catches the eye is the numerous caves carved into the rugged rocks of the desert. The caves served as chapels, churches, and monks’ dwellings. In most cave chapels, you can see well-preserved frescoes dating back to the 10th– 13th centuries. Not far from the David Gareji cave complex is situated another equally well-known and important cave monastery complex of Udabno. The cave chapels of Udabno are impressive. They are covered with ancient religious murals and frescoes.

Vardzia: The cave complex of Vardzia, the Georgian jewel of medieval architecture, is one of the most outstanding sights of Georgia. This unique cave city, carved into the steep wall of the mountain Erusheti at an altitude of 1300 meters, is located in Aspindza, in Javakheti, about 70 km south of the town of Borjomi. In the Middle Ages, the territory of Samtskhe-Javakheti used to serve as a barrier that separated the country from the Muslim world.

Rabati: The old stone Rabati fortress, the main sight of the Akhaltsikhe town, stands on the small hill on the very shores of the Potskhovi river. Its name comes from Arabic, meaning “fortified place”. This military building erected in the 12th century had witnessed a lot over the centuries. The fortress had been destroyed several times was often in a siege, which had absorbed tracks of different cultures and religions.

Cancellation Policy

For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -

Refund of 80% of the tour price.

Price

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1 to 6	/group
This is a private tour

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Can't Find the Perfect Tour? Tailor Your Dream Trip!

4-Day History Trip Of Georgia Exploring Ancient Cave Towns & Monasteries

Highlights

Locations Covered

Description

Itinerary

Day 1: Uplistsikhe

Day 2: Davit Gareji

Day 3: Vardzia

Day 4: Borjomi - Rabati

What's Included

What's Excluded

Know Before You Go

Cancellation Policy

Price

Check Availability Hide

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Can't Find the Perfect Tour? Tailor Your Dream Trip!

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4-Day History Trip Of Georgia Exploring Ancient Cave Towns & Monasteries

Highlights

Locations Covered

Description

Itinerary

Day 1: Uplistsikhe

Day 2: Davit Gareji

Day 3: Vardzia

Day 4: Borjomi - Rabati

What's Included

What's Excluded

Know Before You Go

Cancellation Policy

Price

Check Availability Hide

Starting from

Can't Find the Perfect Tour? Tailor Your Dream Trip!

Create your own adventure!

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