• Giant Bicycle Monument - In the morning, the guide and driver will pick you up from your accommodation in Tbilisi to begin your journey. Travel will be in a comfortable car along the road connecting the central and southern parts of Georgia, through the countryside. Head towards Javakheti, known as the southern region of the Georgian Medieval Kingdom, where castles and monasteries preserve a rich cultural and historical legacy. The drive from Tbilisi to the first landmark takes approximately 90 minutes.
• Tsalka - The drive to and past the Tsalka (Khrami) Reservoir takes about 60 minutes.

From your car, you will enjoy views of mountain peaks ranging from 2700 to 3300 meters in altitude, as well as lakes like the Tsalka (Khrami) Reservoir, which was constructed to generate electricity. Surrounding the lake are several villages with diverse nationalities, including Georgians (Javakhs and Svans), Azerbaijanis, Armenians, and Greeks. Nearby is the village of Trialeti, founded by German colonists in 1858, originally named Alexanderhilf (renamed Rosenberg during Soviet times). By 1914, there were other similar German settlements in Georgia and Azerbaijan, with a population of 12,000.

• Tsalka Central Park - Tsalka and nearby villages are now referred to as a Greek ghost town in Georgia. The ancestors of today’s Greek community in Tsalka and the surrounding area came from the Kars region in Turkey, settling here in 1828-29.
• Tikmadash Pass - About the Region: The unique landscape features a treeless cover, fields scattered with volcanic blocks that change color with the seasons, and in winter, they are blanketed in endless whiteness. It is the coldest region in Georgia. The drive takes about 30 minutes.
• Paravani Lake - Your first stop is Lake Paravani, a volcanic lake and one of the largest in Georgia, located on the Javakheti Plateau between the Abul-Samsari and Javakheti Ranges. It sits at an altitude of 2100 meters. It’s a wonderful place to enjoy the scenery and capture stunning photographs.
• Poka St. Nino Monastery - From Lake Paravani, in good weather, you can see Mount Didi Abul.

The Javakheti highland near Paravani is a mountainous area at 2000 meters above sea level, with the prominent Abul Mountain (3301 m) visible from all sides. It is one of the highest peaks of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains in Georgia.

• Poka St. Nino Monastery - Foka is the place where Nino came to Georgia. The Georgian Orthodox Church has installed a new monument here, and you can enjoy the guide’s stories about it.
• Poka St. Nino Convent - After a 15-minute drive, you will reach the Poka Convent Monastery. The church is an example of 11th-century Georgian architecture, featuring the hall-type Church of St. Nino, built with neatly cut square stone blocks.

Monastery Life:

The nunnery significantly contributes to the education of the local non-Georgian population. Extra lessons are offered to school pupils in Georgian language and literature, geography, and English.

Since its foundation, the nunnery has focused on agricultural activities and animal farming. Initially, much effort was directed towards learning traditional agricultural practices such as grain-growing, crop cultivation, and managing gourd fields and greenhouses, as well as cow farming. The nuns also produce candles, cloisonné enamel, cheese, confectionery, and culinary products. There is a small shop where you can purchase these products in attractive branded packaging.

• Vardzia - Continue your journey to the cultural heritage site of Vardzia, an endowment of King Tamara built between the 12th and 13th centuries, featuring monumental paintings from the Golden Age of the Georgian kingdom. Here, you can explore caves and enjoy a short hiking round trip. The entire visit, including travel time, takes about 4 hours.
• Khertvisi Fortress - The next stop is an overlook of the historic Khertvisi Fortress, located on a rock between the Mtkvari and Paravani rivers. Historically, it was a strategic location for controlling the southern part of Georgia. The drive takes 20 minutes, with a 10-minute walk around the site.
• Rabati Castle - At the final stop, explore Rabati Castle, which features unique museum exhibitions and religious temples, including a mosque, ruins of an Islamic education center, old manuscripts, archaeological artifacts, ethnographic objects, and a collection of old carpets. The drive to the castle takes 45 minutes, with 15 minutes spent exploring.
• Giant Bicycle Monument - Return to Tbilisi via Borjomi and then the Tbilisi-Senaki-Leselidze Highway in the late evening, concluding your tour with a drop-off at the starting point. The drive takes 2-3 hours.

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Bottled water
• Private tour
• Professional art historian guide
• Live commentary on board
• Transport by air-conditioned minivan
• Transport by private vehicle

• Museums Entrance fees
• Food and drinks

Explore the southern part of Georgia by visiting its four most popular attractions: the medieval Vardzia Cave complex, the volcanic Lake Paravani, Rabati Castle, and Khertvisi Fortress. Embark on a memorable private or small group day trip from Tbilisi to discover these remarkable sites. This region is notable for its unique natural conditions, which create a specific microclimate and landscape, as well as its rich historical and cultural heritage. On the tour, visit the Vardzia cave complex perched high on a cliff, offering breathtaking views, and enjoy a lunch break by the Mtkvari River. You will also have the opportunity to explore the walls of Rabati Castle and take in the vibrant landscape of Akhaltsikhe from its highest tower.

• Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking

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