A culinary tour in Sakartvelo is unthinkable without a local market. If you do not choose the product yourself, do not make sure that you need exactly the cheese that is required for the Megrelian and Imeretian Khachapuri, if you have not tasted tkemali beforehand, with flavors of real spring, to make Chakapuli, to make sure it is suitable or not, then this tour is not for you.
The seven-day tour will also begin by immersing you in Georgian cuisine. We hope you will be well acquainted with Georgian culinary culture and you can take away some recipes to share with friends and family.
Day 1. Tbilisi - Kazbegi
Arrival at Tbilisi International Airport. Meeting with company representative and from this moment begins your unforgettable journey. Leave all your worries to the other side of the border and go with us to visit and experience the magical beauty of one of the regions of SAKARTVELO-Kazbegi. Your day will begin with a great tour of the Kazbegi Mountain; one of the most beautiful peaks of the Caucasus personifies the country itself - proud, ancient, legendary and mysterious. The journey will include many attractions on the way. There, you will visit a bewitching Ananuri complex located at the quiet waters of the Jinvali Lake, see the beauty of mountainous rivers and gorges of Kazbeg, and enjoy the tranquility in the Gergeti church, which is the final destination of the journey. There you will get an amazing view on the village of Kazbegi and grand Mount Kazbegi. We also enjoy spectacular views from the arch of Gudauri, from a height of 2384 meters.
After arrival in Kazbegi, hotel accommodation. You will have free time to enjoy the clean air of the Caucasian ridge, admire the magnificent landscapes and feel the eternity of the Gerget Trinity.
Overnight in Kazbegi.
Day 2. Kazbegi, Khinkali, Pkhlovani
After breakfast at the hotel, His Majesty the Gergeti Trinity will await your visit. The unique location makes it still beautiful and exciting.
On this day, we will be acquainted with authentic cooking in this region. After all, the birthplace of the pearl of national cuisine, Khinkali, is Kazbegi; this is a place, where you can learn the secrets of cooking this dish. You can also cook Pkhlovani (pie with spinach and cheese), you can taste all this only when accompanied with a reputable drink-CHACHA.
This is the only way to get an authentic khinkali experience.
Day 3. Kazbegi-Borjomi
After breakfast at the hotel, we will wrap up all tastes and emotions, kind memories from Kazbegi, pack in a suitcase and go to the resort town of Borjomi, in search of other recipes with savory spices. The town is located in the southeastern part of Sakartvelo and is known to all for its mineral springs. The city is surrounded by mountains covered with coniferous and deciduous forests. Here you can taste mineral water directly from the source.
Overnight in Borjomi.
Day 4. Borjomi - Vardzia - Khinkali from Apokhta and Meskhetian Khachapuri
The gastronomy of this region is very diverse and interesting, depending on geographic location. It is difficult to have time to discuss the whole subject widely in one day, but we will try to show you the main attraction of the region and the richness of cooking.
After breakfast at the hotel, we go to visit the rocky town of Vardzia -a magical place that feels forgotten by time, a fabulous open-air museum, a product of the era of the Golden Age, the era of Queen Tamar. After the excursions, your trip will be enriched with the integral themes of local cooking.
Leaving this region without the taste of Meskhetian cheese is a real crime. You must try the Meskhetian Tenili cheese, it is a separate dimension. Cheese, made from sheep or cow’s milk, is stored with cream in a clay pot, has a very delicate texture, very pleasant creamy and rich aromas. One art is the process of making Meskhetian khachapuri and khinkali. In Samtskhe-Javakheti, delicacy is considered to be Apokhti - salted and dried meat, it is from them that they make Meskhetian khinkali, which you definitely try. With new tastes, we will be back at the hotel and after drinking a lot of mineral water, let's get ready to discover new, “very old’ ’recipes and tastes of Sakartvelo.
Day 5. Borjomi-Mtskheta-Tbilisi
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the ancient capital of Sakartvelo - Mtskheta. The city, which is considered the cradle of Christianity in our country, the city of Mtskheta - recognized as the second Jerusalem. Mtskheta was the capital of the Eastern Georgian Kingdom of Iberia from the third century BC. Visit Jvari Church, a true architectural masterpiece of the early Medieval Period built on a hilltop. You will enjoy the views of the confluence of Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, the main cathedral of Mtskheta and a sacred place where the robe of Christ is being kept.
Being in Mtskheta we will not miss a chance to visit the wonderful world of Château Mukhrani (founded in 2003) combining modern and traditional technologies of wine making & large variety of different wine flavors. You will visit the palace, wine cellars, taste and experience the aromas of premium-class wine.
Excursion to Ivane Mukhran Batoni residence, degustation and Lunch.
Transfer to Tbilisi. Accommodation at the hotel and free time for rest.
Day 6. Tbilisi - Nutty Eggplants, Shashlik (grilled pork meet).
This day we begin immediately with a visit to the city bazaar, become part of the live underground. We will choose the products and spices to cook dinner in the Tbilisi family, with our hands, under the strict guidance of the host.
Cooking can be learned, but well frying meat is a talent.
After successful trading, you will have a sightseeing tour of Tbilisi. All sights, interesting monuments of culture and architecture are five minutes’ walk from each other. Start at Metekhi church and the monument to Vakhtang Gorgasali, the legendary founder of Tbilisi. Take a cable car to Narikala Fortress to enjoy breathtaking panoramic view of the city. Walk down to the district of Sulfur bath houses passing by the only mosque in Tbilisi. Stroll through the Sharden area full of narrow streets with cozy cafés, wine tasting bars, souvenir shops, and breathe in the living past. Visit Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati basilica and the clock tower of famous Rezo Gabriadze Theatre. Cross the Bridge of Peace to Rike Park. Some, old and dilapidated architectural objects cause pity ... But, in general, they create the unique "taste" of the city! At the same time, Tbilisi cannot be called old! It is very diverse: antiquity coexists with super-modern objects.
By the evening, it was time to carry out the promised master class in the Tbilisi family. After dinner, return to the hotel. Tomorrow is the most fun day, you will learn how to properly prepare Churchkhela.
Day 7. Tbilisi - Kakheti, Chakapuli, Shoti, Churchkhela
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the eastern region of Sakartvelo-Kakheti, which is the center of winemaking.
The guests will visit the Bodbe women's monastery, where the relics of St. Nino’s enlightener of Georgia are buried; the peaceful atmosphere of this place does not leave guests indifferent.
A trip to the city of love-Sighnaghi is a small romantic town with a stunning view of the Alazani Valley. The city was founded in the 18th century; it is the only city in Sakartvelo that has completely preserved the fortress walls.
Transfer to the winery. Here we will have a degustation of Georgian wines, lunch, and of course master-classes of chakapuli (or chikhirtma), national bread shoti, and delicacy-churchkhela. Transfer to the hotel, check-in at the hotel. Free time.
Day 8. Kakheti - Matsoni, Bread
After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the house - museum of A. Chavchavadze, a famous Georgian military leader, a nobleman. You will learn the family history of A. Chavchavadze, which built Georgia’s oldest and largest winery where he combined European and centuries-long Georgian winemaking traditions. Walking in residence's very beautiful Garden. Wine tasting, where Georgian wine brand "Tsinandali" are being produced.
Visit to the city of Telavi, which was the center of the Kakheti region from the 10th to the 15th century. You will visit the castle of King Erekle II., The castle museum in fully restored in September 2018. In Telavi, we will visit the bazaar and make purchases for dinner.
After that, we will go to the monastery of Alaverdi. The cathedral is the second tallest in the country, the first among the surviving medieval cathedrals and the highest of the four Great Cathedrals. This is the main and most revered temple in Kakheti, the center of the Alaverdi diocese. Next to the monastery, we will visit the Matsoni house; we will take part in the preparation of the Matsoni.
Transfer to the hotel. Free time and get ready for dinner. On this day, find yourself on a traditional feast, read the main recipes of this region, accompanied by Georgian polyphony and toastmaster.
Day 9. Kakheti-Tbilisi - Airport
Here we are, hopefully not desired, departure day, but we do not say goodbye, because we are sure that you fell in love with our cooking and see you again in western culinary Sakartvelo. After all, cooking is like love: you need either to plunge into it, or not dive at all.
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport.
Tour price Includes:
Tour price excludes:
| Vardzia | 7 GEL |
| Museum of Aleksander Chavchavadze | 7 GEL |
| Cableway to Narikala | 2,50 GEL |