• Manglisi Sioni - Visit the Manglisi Sioni Cathedral, constructed between the 6th and 7th centuries. The initial church was established in the 4th century when Christianity became the state religion. Byzantine Emperor Constantine gifted King Mirian with abundant treasures and relics of the Holy Cross of Christ, sending Bishop John (Ioanne) to build churches in Georgia. Before reaching Mtskheta, he paused in Manglisi to begin constructing a temple.
• Paravani Lake - Explore Paravani Lake, situated at 2,073 meters, the largest lake with an area of 38 sq.km and a depth of 3 meters. It remains ice-covered from mid-autumn to mid-spring.
• Poka Nunnery of St. Nino - Visit the Phoka Nunnery of St. Nino, where St. Nino stayed for two days after entering Georgia via the Javakheti mountains. She began preaching Christianity, followed the Mtkvari River, and reached Mtskheta. The monastery plays a missionary role, serving as a Georgian-speaking enclave in an otherwise foreign environment. The nunnery produces cheese, candles, cloisonné enamel, and confectionery products.
• Gorelovka - Visit the village of Gorelovka to explore the Ethnographic Museum. Founded by Doukhobors, a Christian spiritual group of Russian origin, they rejected secular government, priesthood, icons, and church rituals, adhering only to marriage customs. Women hold equal status to men within the family. Relocated from Russia during Emperor Nicholas I’s reign, 5,000 Doukhobors were resettled in Georgia between 1841 and 1845.
• Dashbashi Canyon - Discover Tsalka Canyon (Dashbashi Canyon), featuring breathtaking cascading waterfalls with an exotic emerald hue, forming numerous small waterfalls. The canyon complex includes an 1800-meter path to the canyon river, offering stunning views and a unique 240-meter long glass bridge over the canyon with a diamond-shaped café at its center.
• Asureti - Visit the village of Asureti, where 7,000 German colonists settled in 1817. After residing for nearly 125 years, in 1941, Stalin deported Germans from Georgia to Central Asia. Only those married to Georgians were permitted to remain. The durability of the houses, built without cement and nails, along with oak balconies, a sulfur bath, and a wine cellar, continues to amaze visitors. In Asureti, an old Georgian vine variety “Shala” was discovered in the forest by a German farmer named Shalma. The village features a Lutheran church built in 1871 and a cemetery.

• Private transportation
• Bottled water
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• All fees and/or taxes

This comprehensive full-day tour features visits to the Manglisi Cathedral, a structure from the 6th-7th centuries, as well as Poka Nunnery of St. Nino, known for its organic offerings. We’ll also swing by the village of Gorelovka near the Georgia-Armenia border, where we will visit the Ethnographic Museum of the Dukhabors, a Christian spiritual group of Russian heritage. Additional highlights include the former German colony of Asureti (Elizabettal), and the stunning Tsalka (Dashbashi) canyon complex, complete with a 1800-meter trek to the canyon that boasts a series of charming waterfalls and an exceptional 240-meter long glass bridge featuring a diamond-shaped café at its center. Our journey will involve exploring the following lakes: Tsalka, Paravani, Saghamo, Bugdasheni, and Madatapa. Two tour variations are available: a Luncheon & Wine Tasting option which features a sampling of delectable local meals and endemic wines, or a Private tour to Tsalka Canyon perfect for those who appreciate spectacular natural settings, picturesque lake views, organically grown food, and endemic wines. The total travel distance is 385 km (235 miles).

• Tsalka Canyon is closed during bad weather and the height of the visitor in the canyon must exceed 1.2 m. To reach the canyon guest need to hike around 30 minutes.
• Ladies need to wear head scarves and dresses in Georgian orthodox churches. Short trousers for men are also forbidden. Scarves and dresses can also be found near church entrances for men and women to enter churches.
• Standard Tour does not include lunch, but you will stop in a restaurant for lunch.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.