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Tour: Caves, canyons and waterfalls of Georgia
Tbilisi — Mtskheta – Kutaisi – Prometheus cave – Sataplia cave – Melouri cave – Bgheri cave – Okatse canyon – waterfall Kinczha – Martvili canyon – Muradi cave – Tskhardzhvari mountain – Gogolati cave – Racha – Shaori lake – Uplistsikhe – Tbilisi (13 days, 12 nights)
The active season: May - end of October.
Age: from 12 to 60 years.
Group of 10 to 15 people.
Is it safe? - Yes, only healthy people.
What to wear and take with you?
Weather
Those who want diving should have a special certificate.
Day 1: Tbilisi
Arrival to Tbilisi. Meeting with the representatives of the agency. Hotel accommodation. Overnight in the hotel.
     Day 2: Tbilisi — Mtskheta — Tbilisi
Breakfast. Excursion in Tbilisi. The capital of Georgia is unique. It is located on the several mountain hills, on which "creep" the old blocks. Tbilisi - is a beautiful river Kura with its picturesque rocky shores, that flows across the whole city.
"Old Town" - is the historic center of Tbilisi, that is located at the root of Mtatsminda (Holy Mount) mountain. Almost all of the buildings of the Old Town are historical and cultural sites, this part of the city is round - the - clock full of life, here walk alone or in groups tourists, meet lovers near the Clock Tower. This amuzing Tower appeared here recently, built by the Puppet Theatre director Rezo Gabriadze. Here artists exhibit their paintings, artisans offer numerous souvenirs. Basically here are 2-3 storeyed houses, built of brick and stone, that have a particular Tbilisi architecture, distinguished by narrow streets, galleries and carved wooden balconies.
Tbilisi is one of the rare places in the world, where can peacefully exist in the Old Town orthodox church, catholic cathedra, synagogue and mosque. During the excursion, visit of Mechetian Church ( V c.), Narikala fortress ( IV c.), Sioni Cathedral (VI-VII c.), Anchiskhati Basilica of St Mary, the oldest surviving church, Synaxis of Saint Truinity of the temple complex of Tsminda Sameba - the main Cathedral of Georgian Orthodox Church. Walking tour in the city.
Then, excursion in Mtskheta. Visit of temple- monastery Jvari ( VI c.). At the top of the mountain, where the temple is located, opens a fantastic view on the place of confluence of two rivers - Kura and Aragvi. There also opens a beautiful view on the ancient capital of Georgia - Mtskheta. Visit of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (1010-1029), at the bottom of which is buried one of the major Christian relics Lords chiton, as well as the burial place of many of the Georgian kings. Here is also the part of life-giving pillar. Visit of Samtavro monastery, where year round grow, flower and fruit blackberry bush, near of which in the IV century lived and preached St. Nino- enlightener, the first preacher of Christianity in Georgia. The official adoption of Christianity in Georgia in 324 is associated with the name of St. Nino, with the assistance and participation of the King St. Miriam and Queen St. Nana. It was St. Nino who persuaded the king Miriam and queen Nana to adopt Christianity in Georgia. Woderworking icon of Iberian Mother of God, woderworking icon of St. Nino, grave of St. Tsar Merian and Tsarina Nani, hallows of St. Abibos Nekresky, St. Shio Mhvimskoho are inside. Return to Tbilisi. Overnight.
     Day 3: Tbilisi – Kutaisi
Breakfast. Moving to Kutaisi. Excursion in the ancient city Kutaisi, that is more than 3 thousand years old. Visit of Gelati monastery and academy, established by the great Georgian tsar David IV the Builder. Gelati Monastery has preserved a great variety of wall paintings dating back to XII-XVIII centuries. Therefore, the most wonderful in the architecture of Gelati complex is its frescoes and mosaics, that return the all gone days and remind us about its creators. Gelati monastery is included to the number of World Heritage sites by UNESCO. Then excursion to the Cathedral of Bagrati that was erected in Kutaisi during the reign of Bagrat III, was named after the first king of united Georgia, as a main palace of the kingdom, was consecrated in 1003. Overnight.
     Day 4: Kutaisi – Prometheus cave – Sataplia cave – Kutaisi
Breakfast. Excursion to the Prometheus cave, where we recall the legend of Prometheus. According to the legend, Prometheus gave the fire to people, and because of that he was enchained to the rock. Prometheus Cave is one of Georgia’s natural wonders providing visitors with breathtaking examples of stalactites, stalagmites, curtains, petrified waterfalls, cave pearls, underground rivers, and lakes.
Next, visit Sataplia cave. Sataplia – is the reserve in Imereti, about 7 kilometers north-west of Kutaisi. Found here in 1925, the large castor cave with the under ground river makes this reserve famous. This cave is famous for its stalactites and stalagmites. A dinosaurs plateau situated here, with many clear traces of prehistoric reptiles printed on huge rocks, is considered the third place in the CIS after the Tajik Ravat Gorge and Turkmen Hodge-Pil Tracts. Sataplia in Georgian means “honey”, here you can see the nests of wild bees, arranged in the grooves and crevices of the limestone cornice. Before, people collected here a lot of honey. Overnight in Kutaisi.
     Day 5: Kutaisi – Melouri cave – Kutaisi
Breakfast. Continuation of visit Georgian caves. At 3 km from the cave Prometheus there is another cave Melouri. The cave is located on the bottom of the funnel.
The tour starts from the cave "Prometheus", where you will get acquainted with the briefing. The group will be guided by experienced speleo-instructors. The length of the route is 2000m (10 hours). The path takes you through the dry halls to the underground canyons with lakes and rivers. The underground canyon occupies 1500 m. The passage of the Melouri cave is rather complicated and requires special preparation. Return to Kutaisi. Overnight.
     Day 6: Kutaisi – Bgheri cave – Kutaisi
Breakfast. Another cave in the Tskhaltubo region is Bgheri that is popular among climbers and the lovers of extreme sport. The high complexity of the passage of the cave requires special skills and it is advised to pass the cave with a professional guide. The length of the route is 1600m (8 hours). Bgheri cave is at an altitude of 450 m above sea level. To enter the cave you need to go down through the 20-meter waterfall, and you will find yourself in halls with stalactites. In the cave, there is an underground lake and a river. Return to Kutaisi. Overnight.
     Day 7: Kutaisi – Okatse canyon – Kutaisi
Breakfast. Excursion to the Okatse canyon. The Okatse canyon is situated in the ravine of the river Gordi, which runs for roughly 14 kilometres. The canyon width ranges from 3-6 to 15-20 meters, while its depth is between 20-100 meters. The viewers and tourists are also enchanted by the size and number of the waterfalls; one of them, named Oskhapo, is 60 meters in height. There are also several natural stone bridges on the river and caves in the canyon, from where Karst waters freely flow. Return to Kutaisi. Overnight.
     Day 8: Kutaisi – waterfall Kinczha – Kutaisi
Breakfast. Excursion to the waterfall Kinczha. The Okatse River, which flows in the Honsk municipality of the Imereti region, is interesting with two canyons, which can be safely attributed to the number of natural attractions in western Georgia. The upper one (1,020 meters above sea level) is distinguished by a powerful waterfall with a drop height of about 100 meters (it was nicknamed "Kinczha"), forming a small lake, from which the water flow leaves even lower and the second cascade (height about 20 meters) It overthrew in the surroundings of the nearby village of Kved Kinche. Return to Kutaisi. Overnight.
     Day 9: Kutaisi – Martvili canyon – Kutaisi
Breakfast. Visit one of the unique natural attractions of Georgia - Martvili canyon. Over millions of years, the water has created breathtaking gorgein in limestone rocks, reaching a depth of 40 meters, at the bottom of which actually the river flows. The total length of the canyon is one kilometer available to reach. In the upper part of the canyon, you can take a boat trip and reach the very beginning with 7 meter high powerful waterfall. Due to the extremely humid microclimate there are lianas hanging from the huge rocks and centuries-old walls are covered with moss. Here and there water pulls out from the rocky wall forming small streams and pretty powerfull waterfalls.
Walk on the boat for extra payment.
After that visit the Kehura canyon - distance of 15 km. It is possible to dive into the water.
Return to Kutaisi. Overnight.
Day 10: Kutaisi – Muradi cave – Tskhardzhvari mountain – Gogolati cave – Racha
Breakfast. The unique cave Muradi. The cave Muradi bears the name of the shepherd who discovered it. Soon it will become a protected area.
Next Tskhardzhvari - "the Mountain of the Nine Crosses". The peak of the Racha Ridge (1565 meters above sea level), located directly above the Nakerala Pass. The rocky mountain is covered with coniferous and deciduous forests,and in clear weather from its top a panorama of the entire surrounding area opens: Imeretinskaya plain, Tkibul reservoir, Hvamli mountain and also the mountain range, beyond which are the Georgian region of Samtskhe-Javakheti and the Borjomi gorge.
Thomori waterfall. Karst cave in Gogolati (on foot part of the route 1 km with the ascent) is hidden on a hill near the village of Gogolati. A narrow forest path leads to it. In one place, visitors will notice the descent to the lower level of the cave but without special equipment there is no need to climb. Overnight in a guesthouse or in a tent.
     Day 11: Racha – Shaori lake – Racha
Breakfast. Excursion to the Shaori lake and to the gorge of Shareul river.
Shaori Lake is artificial, formed by a small dam, blocking the mountain river, and is situated at an altitude of 1105 meters above sea level. These are fabulous scenic spots with its own climate, it is always cool here. The lake is surrounded by pine forests and alpine meadows, dazzling with its colors at any time of year. It is also a paradise for anglers, as there is a lot of any fish in the pure lake. Shaori Lake arouses interest of antiquity lovers, as in its surroundings are many ancient temples and monasteries.
Uniqueness of the gorge of Shareul river is conditioned by difficult landscape-geographical characteristics, which in historical point of view prevented from assimilation of that part of the county.
It is here, in the paradise corner of Racha is located the tourist complex "Shareula". It is a naturally protected territory, where till present time there is ecologically healthy environment with flora and fauna endemic patterns, unique drinking waters and traditional rule of life kept within the centuries by local population (agriculture, architecture and etc.). The territory of the camp occupies 5 hectares which completely corresponds to the requirements of lovers of active or passive rest. Guests can enjoy delicious Georgian dishes, relax in a hammock, plan rafting on the Rioni River, hike or walk or choose a cultural or jeep tour in Racha-Lechkhumi. It is also possible to dive into the water with scuba diving, fishing on the lake etc. Overnight.
     Day 12: Racha – Uplistsikhe – Tbilisi
Breakfast. Departure to Tbilisi. On the way, excursion in Uplistsikhe (I centuries BC), ancient cave town, that was finishing the building for centuries, and included more than 700 caves and buildings, including wineries, bakeries, antique theater, hall of receptions of Queen Tamara, preserved to this day. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 13:Tbilisi
Breakfast. Free time for souvenirs buying. Transfer to the airport. Return home.
The tour price - ON REQUEST
The price includes:
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