Legendary Places of Georgia: Vardzia, Borjomi, Rabati
About this experience
In one day, you will see three completely different attractions, each of which reveals Georgia's historical and natural wealth in its own way. You will visit Borjomi, the birthplace of healing mineral springs, discover the architectural features and national significance of the medieval fortress Rabati, and explore the ancient complex of Vardzia carved into the rock.
What to Expect
Scenic Borjomi
The road through a fantastically beautiful gorge will lead you to Borjomi: you will stroll through the city center, visit the park where Emperor Nicholas II used to rest with his family every year, see the Prometheus monument and a charming waterfall, as well as take a cable car ride to a plateau with breathtaking views of the surroundings. Of course, we will talk about the famous mineral water, extracted from the valley located within the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. I will tell you about the results of archaeological excavations shedding light on the history of the local mineral water, and you will be able to taste the world-famous water directly from the source.
Medieval Fortress Rabati
You will get acquainted with one of the most expressive and colorful monuments of Georgia, which absorbed the energy of both cultures: the fortress was a crucial transit point between the Christian and Muslim worlds. You will explore the palace halls decorated in ancient Georgian style, and the impressive size of the fortress itself and its rich embellishments are sure to impress you. I will tell you about the foundation of Rabati, its name, and explain the significance of Akhaltsikhe in Georgia's history.
Cave Vardzia
The ancient complex of Vardzia is not just carved rock chambers. This cave fortress-monastery was built near Tbilisi in the 12th century. The extraordinary city consists of 13 levels and over 500 chambers: churches, chapels, residential cells, storerooms, baths, dining halls, treasuries, libraries. The rooms extend 50 meters deep and rise eight stories high, in addition to the preserved secret passages connecting the chambers, remnants of the water supply and irrigation system. During the tour, you will explore every corner of Vardzia and learn the purpose for which the rock city was built and the functions it served throughout its history. En route to the ancient complex, you will see a wonderful panorama of the well-preserved Hertvisi fortress.
As a result, you will learn a lot not only about the attractions included in the program, but also about the cities you will encounter along the way. You will become acquainted with the legendary and mysterious places of ancient Georgia, enjoy the natural beauty, and discover important episodes of Georgian history that will help you better understand our country.
Organizational Details
- Total distance along the route - about 560 km.
- The excursion is conducted in a comfortable minivan or minibus depending on the number of participants.
- I conduct the tour myself or another guide from my team.
- Lunch and entrance tickets are not included in the cost of the tour.
- The tour lasts the whole day and takes a minimum of 12-13 hours including travel time, so the tour starts at 7 - 7:30 in the morning.
- Due to the fairly long duration of the journey and serious physical exertion during the tour, it is not advisable to travel with children under 10 years old, as well as those with health problems, fear of heights, and enclosed spaces.
Liliya
August 11, 2024
Thanks to Galina and Ilya for a perfectly spent day and an informative tour! Vardzia cave city has the ability to amaze anyone's imagination. The journey through the underground labyrinths is fascinating for both children and adults. There is a monastery located on the territory, which is still acti...
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Elena
July 15, 2024
Galina is an excellent guide, a professional in her field. Galina took us on a picturesque tour of Borjomi, telling us about the Prometheus monument and the history of the mineral water's origin. The medieval fortress Rabati turned out to be a real discovery thanks to Galina's deep knowledge of its ...
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Elena
July 13, 2024
Despite the duration of the tour, we were delighted! Everything was amazing: the wonderful guide Galina, a fantastic person who knows the history, loves Georgia, and is ready to share all of this, the professional and comfortable driving over such a long distance (a big thank you to Mindo), Vardzia ...
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