Board a wee hours flight from Kuala Lumpur to Tbilisi via a transit stop in the Middle East, arrival in the afternoon, transfer to hotel in the Old Town of Tbilisi. Evening climb up to Narikala Fortress to admire sun set. Later, have a first taste of Georgian rich culinary offerings at night.
Founded in the 5th century, Tbilisi is built along the banks of Mtkvari River. The city is a blend of history and modernity; the old city is lined with colourful old houses by hillsides, while post-modern architectures dotted the new city. Walking tour around the old city, admire houses with wooden balconies, visit Orthodox churches, and ancient dome-roofed Sulphur bath houses.
Journey with chartered transport, first stop is the semi-desert area bordering Azerbaijan, where several cave monasteries and “rainbow hills” located. Lunch stop in Udabno, where eco-migrants from high Caucasus mountains were moved to desert region during Soviet era. Later, drive through the vast wine valley of Kakheti in eastern Georgia, arrive at vineyard accommodation in time for dinner.
Enjoy a relaxing day at the vineyard. Autumn is the harvesting season of grapes, visit a private farm and possible to participate in grape-picking. Tour a traditional wine-making facility to learn more about Qvervri wine. Georgian use a special egg-shaped earthen vessel named Qvevri for fermentation and storage of wine.
A day of long drive, first through the Gombori Pass (1620m) overlooking the wine region, later through the Military Highway, known as the most beautiful route in Georgia. En-route visit the colourful Friendship Monument. Later, drive through a pass at 2395m asl, and arrive in Stepantsminda (also known as Kazbegi, 1750m) – a village surrounded by towering mountains just 15km from Russian border.
Morning visit Gergeti Trinity Church, the lonesome stone structure built in the 14th century perched on a hilltop (2170m), often shrouded in mist, as if suspended in the clouds; on a fine day, view of holy Kazbegi peak (5047m) in the backdrop. After lunch, a short drive to Truso Valley, followed by hiking on an easy trail offering nice mountain view, peculiar travertine formations, mineral lake, ancient towers, and abandoned settlements. Return to Stepantsminda for dinner and stay.
After breakfast, drive back to the capital city. En-route visit the 13th century Ananuri Fortress by a reservoir, lunch stop in the imperial city of Mtskheta, later, visit Jvari monastery perched on a hilltop overlooking the confluence of two rivers. Late afternoon arrive in Tbilisi. Overnight stay in the Old City.
Journey with chartered transport, first stop in Gori, the birthplace of former Soviet Union leader Joseph Stalin (1878-1953), visit Gori Fortress (first built in 7th century but destroyed multiple times and rebuilt) and Stalin Museum. Later, continue the drive to Kutaisi, Georgia’s second largest city, upon arrival, explore the old city on foot; admire 19th century architecture, churches, old wooden foot bridge, and more.
Transfer by chartered transport to the Upper Svaneti region, an isolated corner high up in the Caucasus ranges, dotted with well-preserved medieval villages and tower-houses, listed as a World Heritage site. Stay in Mestia, the administrative center of Upper Svaneti. Late afternoon, explore the small town on foot, admire stone houses built along the hills, and numerous towers dotted the landscape, visit centuries-old traditional Svan house.
After breakfast, make a day trip to Ushguli (2200m), known as the highest inhabited village in Europe. Lies in a narrow valley protected by towering mountains, Ushguli isolation helps to preserve tower-houses built between 8th and 12th century, unique Svan culture and language. Back in Mestia for overnight stay.
After breakfast, walk around Mestia and observe local life. Before noon, check-out from hotel and transfer by car (3h) to Zugdidi railway station, enroute pack dinner for the 6 hours train journey. Board a late afternoon train back to Tbilisi, arrival late night, take a metro to hotel located in the New Town.
*A full day to explore the capital city’s New Town district. Sights of interest include 19th century architecture along the Aghmashenebeli Avenue, the flea market at Dry Bridge, the iconic Freedom Square, and the shopping district Rusteveli Avenue.
(*remarks: do PCR test first thing in the morning)
Morning free and easy in Tbilisi. Noon check-out from hotel and transfer to airport, board an afternoon flight and bid farewell to Georgia. Transit via the Middle East.
Afternoon arrival in Kuala Lumpur. End of tour.
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A passionate globetrotter, Lam Li once spent two years on an overland journey from Asia to Europe, and another half a year tramping along the ancient Silk Road in Central Asia. A former journalist, Lam Li is keen on collecting local tales while on the road, and she strives to understand the social and political fabrics of places she visited. She has lived and worked in Beijing for six years, and has published a book in Chinese entitled “The Wall Street Diary: US under Financial Storm” . She has also recorded her travelogue on film, and directed a feature-length documentary named “Surviving Beijing”.
