Winter Adventure – Gudauri

Arrival in Tbilisi, Airport meeting & greeting, transfer to the hotel, overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed for Tbilisi city tour.

Visit to the old part of the city: Metekhi church (12th century) & Abanotubani – natural sulfur springs, bath–houses built in XVI-XVII cc.

Walking through some narrow streets (typical for old Tbilisi) where taverns, cafes, carpet and souvenir shops are situated.

Visit to the Peace Bridge, a bow-shaped pedestrian bridge, a steel and glass construction illuminated with numerous LEDs, over the Mtkvari river.

Walk to Rike park (Europe Square) and reaching Narikala on cable car. Narikala is the main fortress of Tbilisi, offering panoramic views over old and new city. A great place for photography and enjoying city views.

Proceed to Sighnaghi (110 km), Kakhetian town surrounded by ancient wall, settled since the Paleolithic period.

Kakheti is synonymous with wine. There are hundreds of different grapes grown here, and every village has its own particular variety. Kakhetians are usually characterized as less effusive than West Georgians, but very hospitable.

Sighnaghi offers picturesque landscapes, pastel houses and narrow, cobblestone streets. Located on a steep hill, Sighnaghi overlooks the vast Alazani Valley, with the Caucasus Mountains visible at a distance. (Walking tour of Sighnaghi, Photography, enjoying landscapes).

Proceed to Gurjaani (23 km from Sighnaghi) and visiting Local Wine House, a family business run by locals, who do not like to call it a “business”, but rather “Sharing Georgian hospitality and traditions”.

Taking masterclasses in baking Georgian bread – “Shoti”, Georgian cheese-filled bread – “Khachapuri” and traditional Georgian sweet – “Churchkhela”. You will have an opportunity to attend the brewing of Georgian Vodka (“Zavodoba”), which is very interesting process; you will also see how traditional Georgian bread is baked and how Churchkhela is made. Brief lecture will be provided about masterpieces of Georgian cuisine, such as Khachapuri, Khinkali, Mtsvadi and many other Georgian dishes. You will have an opportunity to participate in this process and master old Georgian culinary technologies and finally taste the dishes made by your own hands. All this will be provided in a pleasant ethnographic environment decorated with old Georgian exhibits and other interesting things.

Wine tasting: Kakheti region is famous for its ancient wine growing traditions and hospitality. As a guest of the wine house you have an opportunity to taste several kinds of wine produced by family methods as well as by factory methods. There is 2 centuries old press (equipment used for wine squeezing), which is until now used for the purpose of making wine and which presents the pride of the cellar. Here you can also see old earthen crocks (“kvevri”), where different types of wine are stored. Guests can bottle wine which they take out of “kvevri” with their own hands and purchase it in a sealed condition.

And now it’s time for Georgian “SUPRA” – which means “feast“, but is something more than that, much more unique and unforgettable. While enjoying various assortment of delicious Georgian dishes, your host family dressed in national clothing – Chokha, will make sure to provide you with loads of moments to remember.

Return to Tbilisi (115 km from Gurjaani). Free evening, overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel. Transfer to Gudauri ski resort (125 km). Hotel accommodation free time for skiing and leisure; Overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel, free day for skiing and leisure.

Gudauri is a Georgian ski resort located on the south-facing plateau of The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range. The resort is situated in the Stepantsminda District, along the Georgian Military Highway near the Cross Pass, at an elevation of 2,200 meters (7,200 ft.) above sea level with skiable area enjoying maximum exposure to the sun.

The slopes of Gudauri are completely above the tree line and are best for free-riders and are generally considered to be avalanche-safe. The ski season lasts from December to April.

Gudauri has 57 km of ski runs and 7 lifts. The bottom station of first ski lift called pirveli is at 1,990 m above sea level and the top station of the last ski lift is at 3,279 m, called Sadzele. The lifts are made by the Austrian-Swiss manufacturer Doppelmayr. The first lift (Pirveli) is 1,010 m long (three chairs), the second (Soliko) is 2,310 m long (four chairs) and the third (Snow Park) is 1,060 m long (three chairs). There is two very short beginner lifts, one sledging lift. The most recent construction Is a modern 6 person chairlift called Shino. The lifts work from 10:00 to 16:00, and from 9:00 to 17:00 in the later season when the day light is longer.

Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast and check out from the hotel. Enjoying skiing and free time for leisure, until 1PM.

Proceed to Ananuri fortified monastery (57 km). Ananuri is a castle complex set on the Aragvi river. The fortifications consist of two castles joined by a crenelated curtain wall. The upper fortification with a large square tower, known as Sheupovari, is well preserved and is the location of the last defense of the Aragvi against the Shamshe. The lower fortification, with a round tower, is mostly in ruins.

Drive to the historic town of Mtskheta (44 km). En route, stop at Georgian restaurant for lunch (Optional. Not included in package rate).

Drive to Svetitskhoveli cathedral(4th century) located in Mtskheta. A masterpiece of the Early Middle Ages, Svetitskhoveli is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. A walking tour around Mtskheta town.

Drop off at Tbilisi international airport, Departure