Vardzia and Bakuriani 2 Days

Day 1

Tbilisi - Vardzia - Borjomi (390 km). Our tour will start in the morning (08:00 or 09:00). We will drive towards Samtskhe-Javakheti province via towns of Borjomi & Akhaltsikhe. Lunch en route. Excursions in Vardzia and Khertvisi , which takes 2-3 hours. For dinner and overnight we will drive to Borjomi (around 20.00)
Overnight at Likani residence or in guesthouse in Akhaltsikhe.
Sights of excursion:
- vardzia a cave monastery dug into the side of the Erusheli mountain in southern Georgia near Aspindza. It was founded by Queen Tamar in 1185.

The monastery was constructed as protection from the Mongols. and consisted of over six thousand apartments in a thirteen story complex. The city included a church, a throne room, and a complex irrigation system watering terraced farmlands. The only access to the complex was through some well hidden tunnels near the Mtkvari River.

An earthquake in Samtskhe destroyed approximately two thirds of the city in 1283, exposing the caves to outside view and collapsing the irrigation system.

The church was reinforced and an externally visible bell tower added during the reign of Beka Jakheli in the thirteenth century.

Persians commanded by Shah Tahmas I raided the monastery in 1551, capturing all important icons and effectively ending the life of the monastery.

In the modern days Vardzia is a major tourist attraction in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia. The place is maintained by a small group of monks.

About three hundred apartments and halls remain visitable, and in some tunnels the old irrigation pipes still bring drinkable water.

- Khertvisi fortress is one of the oldest fortresses in Georgia and was functional throughout the Georgian feudal period. It is situated in Southern Georgia, in Meskheti region. The fortress was first build in the 2nd century BC. The church was built in 985, and the present walls build in 1354. As the legend says, Khertvisi was destroyed by Alexander the Macedonian. It was the center of Meskheti region in the 10-11th centuries
- Atskuri - ruins of the Cathedral of 10th century.

Day 2

Borjomi - Gori - Tbilisi (190 km).
After breakfast visit to Romanovs' Palace in Likani & mineral water springs.
Then drive to Uplistsikhe (literally "the lord's fortress") an ancient rock-hewn town in eastern Georgia, some 10km east of the town of Gori, Uplistsikhe is identified as one of the oldest urban settlements in Georgia. Strategically located in the heartland of ancient kingdom of Kartli (or Iberia as it was known to the Classical authors, is first mentioned in the chronicles of the 1st century AD ), it emerged as a major political and religious center of the country.
After Uplistsikhe , excursion will be continued to 7th-9th cc church of Ateni Sioni - one of the well decorated churches in Georgia. Lunch at the restaurant en route.
On the way back, if time permits we suggest to visit Samtavisi Cathedral (11th c), well known by its facade decoration.
We will be back to Tbilisi around 19:00.

Price includes:
- Inland transportation by comfortable car (1-2 person), by minibus (3-9 persons)
- Cultural tours Guide (English, German, French, Russian speaking upon request)
- Entrance and other fees
- All meals
- 1 x overnight at the hotel in Likani residence or Akhaltsikhe