Vardzia: an Adventure in the Spirit of Indiana Jones!
About this experience
This road trip will give you extraordinary experiences: you will travel the path taken by Queen Tamar's squads, admire the dense forests and breathtaking views of the canyons, stroll through Borjomi and see several fortresses, one of which was founded by Alexander the Great. And of course, you will visit the rock-hewn city of Vardzia, whose heyday is inseparably linked to the period of Georgian state's prosperity and power.
What to Expect
Picturesque Borjomi
Road through the beautiful valley will lead you to Borjomi: you will walk around the city center and visit the park where Emperor Nicholas II and his family used to vacation every year. Here you will see the mineral spring gushing from the depths of the earth and taste the famous 'Borjomi' water known for its healing properties.
Atskuri and Rabati Fortresses
You will drive along the road winding with the Kura River: on the way, you will stop at the fortress of Atskuri, founded in ancient times when Alexander the Great's army marched to war against the Persian king Darius. Additionally, you will see the Rabati fortress, on the restoration of which the Georgian government spared no expense. You will learn about the glorious past of this place, combining the history of the Georgian state, the history of Ottoman rule, and the pages of Russian victories in the Caucasus.
Cave Town of Vardzia
En route to Vardzia, along the Turkish border, you will see the remarkable panorama of the well-preserved Khertvisi fortress. And finally, you will arrive at the extraordinary city carved into the rock, consisting of 13 levels and over five hundred rooms. You will explore every corner of Vardzia, while I tell you about the history of this city, founded by Queen Tamar's father in the 12th century and transformed by the queen herself into a grand complex and her own residence.
Organizational Details
- As a professional photographer for many years, I am ready to offer you a photoshoot during our tour.
- The total distance along the route is about 500 km.
- The excursion lasts the whole day and takes a minimum of 12-13 hours with travel, so the tour starts at 7 am.
- The tour is conducted in comfortable vehicles - 'Land Rover Discovery II' and 'Mercedes A160.' The choice of vehicle depends on the number of people in the group.
- Due to the relatively long duration of the journey and serious physical exertion during the tour, it is not advisable to travel with children under the age of 10, as well as those with health issues, fear of heights, and claustrophobia.
Natalia
August 28, 2024
We really enjoyed the tour to Vardzia. It was a fascinating and exciting adventure. Zurab is a very knowledgeable person and an interesting storyteller. Everything was organized very professionally. We were left with positive emotions and beautiful photos from the tour. We recommend it 100%.
Anna
August 19, 2024
Zurab is the best thing that can happen to you in Georgia! To tell the truth, it's the most amazing tour with a guide I have ever been on! You won't find a more soulful, intelligent, and professional person! Besides, it was incredibly interesting, informative, and very beautiful! Zurab accompanies h...
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Ruslan
June 22, 2024
This was our second tour with Zurab. As I mentioned before, Zurab is excellent, sociable, well-read, with a great knowledge of history. The tour itself is very interesting and great, but demanding! I recommend both the guide and the tour 100%.
