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Full-day Private Tour to Didgori Valley: Explore Turtle Lake, Ethnographic Museum and Kojori
5.0
1 Rating
Tbilisi
Spend an entire day exploring Didgori Valley from Tbilisi in a private tour that covers Turtle Lake, Tbilisi Open Air Museum of Ethnography, Kojori (Azeuli) Fortress, Udzo Monastery and Didgori Battle Memorial. The total journey spans 155 km (95 miles).
Spend an entire day exploring Didgori Valley from Tbilisi in a private tour that covers Turtle Lake, Tbilisi Open Air Museum of Ethnography, Kojori (Azeuli) Fortress, Udzo Monastery and Didgori Battle Memorial. The total journey spans 155 km (95 miles).
Duration:
9 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Turtle Lake - Situated at 686.7 meters above sea level, Turtle Lake is a charming lake located on the outskirts of Tbilisi. It is named for the turtles that are believed to inhabit the area. This lake serves as a recreational zone and is a popular weekend destination. Additionally, it hosts various festivals and concerts.
- **Open Air Museum of…
- Turtle Lake - Situated at 686.7 meters above sea level, Turtle Lake is a charming lake located on the outskirts of Tbilisi. It is named for the turtles that are believed to inhabit the area. This lake serves as a recreational zone and is a popular weekend destination. Additionally, it hosts various festivals and concerts.
- Open Air Museum of Ethnography - The Giorgi Chitaia Open Air Museum of Ethnography showcases folk architecture and craftsmanship from different regions of Georgia. Named after the Georgian ethnographer Giorgi Chitaia, who established the museum on April 27, 1966, it features a historic village with buildings relocated from all major territorial subdivisions of Georgia. Spanning 52 hectares, the museum is divided into eleven zones, displaying approximately 70 buildings and over 8,000 items. The exhibition includes traditional darbazi-type and flat-roofed stone houses from eastern Georgia, intricately designed wooden houses with gable roofs from western Georgia, watchtowers from the mountainous regions of Khevsureti, Pshavi, and Svaneti, Megrelian and Imeretian wattle maize storages, Kakhetian wineries (marani), and Kartlian water mills, along with a collection of traditional household items such as distaffs, knitting-frames, chums, clothing, carpets, pottery, and furniture.
- Azeula Fortress - The earliest sections of Kojori fortress date back to the late 11th century, with most structures being from the 16th to 18th centuries. During the Red Army invasion of Georgia in February 1921, intense battles occurred at the heights of Kojori between Georgian and Russian SFSR forces. A monument honoring the Georgian Junkers (cadets) who perished in this battle was erected at the site in the 1990s.
- Udzo Monastery Road - St. George Fathers’ Monastery is located on Udzo Mountain, standing at 1,416 meters. According to legend, a childless man built a church here and prayed to St. George for a child. His wish was fulfilled, and since then, childless women have visited to pray, leaving offerings on a tree known as the Christmas tree. The mountain and church were also referred to as Udzeo. St. George’s Day, a moving Christian holiday, is celebrated annually on the Tuesday following Easter, known as the day of infertility. Residents from nearby villages gather on the hill for the occasion.
- Didgori Valley - Didgori Valley is renowned for the Battle of Didgori, which took place on August 12, 1121, between the Kingdom of Georgia and the Great Seljuq Empire. The large Muslim army, led by Ilghazi, was unable to maneuver effectively and suffered a significant defeat due to King David IV of Georgia’s strategic military tactics. This battle marked the culmination of the Georgian-Seljuk wars and led to the Georgian reconquest of Tbilisi in 1122. Subsequently, David relocated the capital from Kutaisi to Tbilisi. The victory at Didgori ushered in the medieval Georgian Golden Age and is celebrated in The Georgian Chronicles as the “miraculous victory.” Modern Georgians commemorate this event with an annual September festival known as Didgoroba (“the day of Didgori”).

What's Included
- Private transportation
- On-board WiFi
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Private transportation
- On-board WiFi
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Lunch
Additional Information
- 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. Comfortable shoes and warm jacket are recommended.
- 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. Comfortable shoes and warm jacket are recommended.
Location
Turtle Lake
Vake District
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(1 Rating)
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Venture30457529513
Sep 20, 2021
A great journey through history - Great historical tour at a leisure pace. So nice to be able to take in so many sites without feeling rushed. The collection of old houses from across Georgia was a great stop. The view from the fortress was unforgettable. Being able to visit the battlefield that catapulted Georgia into a golden age was a true honor. It was a great experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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