Georgia Photography Tour. A Journey in the Land of Wine, Silk and Song

Itinerary

Day 1: August 23, 2020; City Tour: Classic + Hidden Gems of vibrant Tbilisi

Stop At: Old Town (Altstadt) Tbilisi, Tbilisi Georgia
Tbilisi, a city of complex history – with periods under Persian and Russian rules, and now a contemporary vibrant life. Explore the old quarters of Tbilisi: the city with a mix of Asian and European architecture, Soviet legacy and beloved Art-nouveau; discover hidden gems of the Capital city: old houses with interesting history and legends, entrances with murals and the inner courtyards.

Visit to the Dry Bridge flea market, where you can find many interesting soviet-era objects on display with street vendors;
Continue the photo tour to visit the courtyards and second-hand furniture shops in a lesser touristic zone on the left banks of Mtkvari.
Dinner at the popular restaurant Shavi Lomi (Black Lion) run by the local chef Meriko Gubeladze.

Optional visit to the famous sulphur baths that Tbilisi is famous for (Not included).

Dinner in an iconic wine restaurant in Sololaki district, featuring creative Georgian cuisine made from seasonal ingredients paired with natural wines from the regions we will explore on our upcoming adventure; The traditional Supra feast will be joined by the guests from the local polyphonic singing ensemble, who will introduce you to the diverse singing traditions and the traditional toasts that are made by Tamada (the feast leader).
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Tbilisi: Rooms Hotel

Day 2: August 24, 2020; Brutal Tbilisi: Explore Soviet Architecture

Stop At: Lia Eliava Street, Lia Eliava St, T'bilisi, Georgia
Explore the iconic buildings, legacy of the Soviet socialistic architecture; Ride the subway to the Eliava and stroll through the market.

Lunch at one of the street-food joints by the local Eliava market. Continue to explore post modernist structures.
Early dinner at the outskirts of Tbilisi. After the dinner drive to the Temka area to explore the Chronicles of Georgia Monument at sunset.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Tbilisi; Rooms Hotel

Day 3: August 25, 2020; Tbilisi - Kakheti

Stop At: Sighnaghi, Sighnaghi, Kakheti Region
Early in the morning check out from the hotel and head towards Eastern Georgia, visit the Davit Gareji Monastery complex. Lunch at artisan café Oasis
Drive towards Sighnaghi, a charming town located on top of the hill overlooking Alazani Valley and the Greater Caucasus Mountains. After a brief walk in the vicinity check in the hotel and enjoy some rest.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Kabadoni or Lost Ridge Inn.

Day 4: August 26, 2020; Tibaani – Dedoplistskaro – Sighnaghi

Stop At: Dedoplistskaro, Dedoplistskaro, Kakheti Region
After the breakfast we have an option to take a 1 or 2 hour horse-riding route in the vicinity of Qedeli village, before heading to Tibaani vineyards of Pheasant’s Tears, where we will tour the winery, learn about Qvevri making and have lunch with a winetasting.

Afterwards drive towards Dedoplistskaro, the evening climb the Khornabuji castle for the panoramic views of the area.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Dinner and overnight in Sighnaghi

Day 5: August 27, 2020; Sighnaghi – Eagle Canyon – Central Kakheti

Stop At: Eagle Canyon, Tsnori Georgia
Leave at 5 AM in the morning and drive towards the Eagle Canyon with the local birdwatcher and photograph these magnificent birds as they wake up as the dawn appears.
Afterwards we will head towards the center of central Kakheti – Telavi. Picnic breakfast at the Eagle Canyon.
Today we have the options to visit a local farmer’s market and a brief walking tour the charming city / we can drive to a nearby village and meet the Qvevri master at his studio and learn how these gigantic vessels are hand-made for centuries.

Then we can visit the winery nearby and have lunch at the biodynamic vineyards of Ruispiri. The day so far has been long, so we can have a free time to relax by the pool, dinner and overnight at the luxury Radisson Tsinandali Collection, located in the Tsinandali Estate: botanical garden, next to the house museum of the 19th cc nobleman Tchavchavadze; incidentally the first ever wine in Georgia was bottled here in the 19th cc.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at the luxury Radisson Tsinandali Collection

Day 6: August 28, 2020; Central Kakheti – Pankisi – Alvani

Stop At: Pankisi Gorge, Akhmeta 0900 Georgia
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and head towards Pankisi Gorge.
En-route optional visit at Ikalto Monastery;
Pankisi Valley is populated mostly by ethnic minorities of Kists of Chechen descend, we will meet the locals.
Enjoy family lunch and get introduced to the local culture and traditions, an example of the general lifestyle of Northern Caucasus. We will also have the chance to listen to Chechen folk songs.
If we still have time, we can attend the 5pm prayer and the mesmerising zikr dance, a traditional prayer ritual.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Dinner and Overnight at Babaneuri Winery

Day 7: August 29, 2020; Drive one of the Worlds' Most Dangerous Roads

Stop At: Tusheti National Park, Tusheti National Park, Kakheti Region
Take a 4X4 drive to the highlands of Tusheti, on a road that is hailed one of the most dangerous roads in the world.
Picnic lunch en-route.
Free time to wander and explore the area arounds Omalo and Kesselo tower-castle.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Dinner and overnight at a local guesthouse

Day 8: August 30, 2020; Explore the pagan wilderness of ancient Tusheti

Stop At: Tusheti National Park, Tusheti National Park, Kakheti Region
Take a 4X4 drive to Hegho, after a light 20-30 minutes trek we will be at the uninhabited village remains, a mysterious area where in ancient times started an epidemic of plague, the villagers buildt stone shrines, and those affected self-isolated themselves voluntarily.The bones and skulls of the deceased can still be found. The nearby village is deserted now.
Picnic Lunch in the wilderness.
If time permits briefly explore other parts of Tusheti before the big local ceremony and Nomad Photo Club surprise!
Afterwards enjoy the traditional feast and locally brewed Tushetian beer.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at the local guesthouse

Day 9: August 31, 2020; Return to the lowlands

Stop At: Alaverdi, Alaverdi, Imereti Region
Drive to the lowlands of Kakheti.
In the village of Alvani meet a local vigneron for lunch and wines in his family cellar.
Later proceed to Alaverdi Monastery, a religious center of Eastern Georgia.
Continue drive to Tsinandali Estate and check-in and dinner in Radisson Collection.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Radisson Collection

Day 10: September 1st, 2020; Back to Tbilisi and Departure

Stop At: Gombori Pass, Gombori-Telavi Rd, Telavi Georgia
Today we will head back to Tbilisi via picturesque Gombori pass.
Check in the hotel and free time.

Farewell dinner in one of the trendy local restaurant.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Iota Hotel.

Day 11: September 2nd, 2020; Departure - Airport Transfer.

Stop At: Airport, Tbilisi, Georgia
Depart to the airport 3 hours before the flight departure.
Duration: 8 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.