Georgia
The essentials of Georgia
Réf : AGEO10X
In summary
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Sports
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Duration11 days
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LevelBeginner
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DestinationEurope / Georgia
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions2173.49 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
Georgia is a land of striking contrasts, where the legendary hospitality of its people is matched only by the splendor of its landscapes. This tour has been meticulously designed as an invitation to travel and wonder, harmoniously blending the vibrant cultural scene of the cities with the serenity of the vast Caucasian landscapes. The adventure begins in Tbilisi, a captivating capital with picturesque alleyways, famous for its sulfur baths and unique artistic atmosphere, before heading south to the cave city of Vardzia, a true architectural marvel carved into the rock. The journey then takes on an alpine dimension, opening the doors to the mythical Kazbek massif and Borjomi National Park. Hikers trek at the foot of majestic peaks rising to over 5,000 meters, traversing verdant valleys and breathtaking panoramas. Beyond the splendor of nature, this stay is a deep human immersion where each end of the day gives rise to privileged moments of sharing, particularly during traditional meals in the heart of the villages of Imereti, to taste the secrets of a generous and authentic gastronomy.
The highlights
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Hiking at the foot of Mount Kazbek, in the majestic Stepantsminda valley
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Explore Vardzia and the hilltop monasteries, troglodytic jewels of the south
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Strolling through Tbilisi, an eclectic city blending tradition, art, and sulfur baths
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Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
For those wishing to walk for up to 3 hours with minimal elevation gain (max. 300m) along roads, tracks, trails, or rolling terrain. Suitable for everyone.
The expert's opinion
This level 1 tour offers a gentle and accessible introduction to Georgia, ideal for travelers wishing to combine light walking with cultural exploration. Daily physical activities and hikes last between 1 and 3 hours, providing a leisurely pace and requiring no technical skill.
The effort required is minimal and requires no specific prior physical training, making this trip suitable for all types of walkers. During the mountain excursions, the itinerary favors easy trails and very moderate terrain, with elevation gains that always remain below 300m per day.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 5h
- Average daily elevation gain: 695 m
- Average daily descent: 661 m
Management
During this stay, a supervisor will be present to guide and assist you.
Languages spoken:
French
English
French
English
Supervisor
Supervisor
Upon your arrival in Georgia, you will be greeted by your French-speaking Georgian tour guide, a specialist in the destination. He will be assisted by local guides on some hikes. During your trip, you will also have one or more drivers.
Established for many years, our local agency guarantees a successful active travel experience, thanks to our guides and logistical infrastructure. During your trip, you'll be accompanied by our adventure guides, fully committed to helping you discover unique places in the heart of nature. Let us guide you...
Program
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Flight to Tbilisi
- Transportation Plane - 04h30 - 3400km
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
International flight to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia.Day 1 -
Arrival in Tbilisi
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Welcome to Georgia! After landing at Tbilisi Airport, you will be transferred to the city center to check into your hotel (from 2 pm). In the late afternoon, you will meet your guide for a friendly briefing on the highlights of your trip. The rest of the evening is free for you to explore. Tbilisi welcomes you to the heart of the Kura Valley, nestled at the foot of the verdant Caucasus Mountains. As soon as the sun sets, the city is beautifully illuminated, revealing the Narikala Fortress, which watches over the city from its heights. Between its picturesque cobblestone streets, carved wooden balconies, centuries-old churches, and the warm atmosphere of its terraces, the Georgian capital will captivate you from your very first night. Dinner is at your leisure.Day 2 -
Tbilisi - Visit to the Georgian capital
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A relaxing morning followed by a walking tour of the Georgian capital, situated on the banks of the Kura River. We begin our day in the Old Town, crowned by the ruins of Narikala Fortress. We stroll through its maze of cobbled streets, lined with small houses with wooden balconies. We take the time to discover the city's magnificent churches. We visit Metekhi Church (12th century) and the famous sulfur baths. We also visit the History Museum.Day 3 -
Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Ananuri Fortress - Kazbegi
- Transportation Minibus - 03h - 170km
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We begin the day with a visit to the Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi, then head north to Kazbegi (1,750m), a charming village nestled at the foot of Mount Kazbek (5,033m), one of the three 5,000m peaks in the Caucasus Mountains. En route, we visit Jvari, a magnificent 6th-century monastery overlooking Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia. We explore this picturesque town, steeped in history and culture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The grand 11th-century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and the 12th-century Samtavro Church are among Mtskheta's notable landmarks. We also stop at Ananuri, a 16th-century fortress, before continuing our journey to Kazbegi. Dinner and overnight stay with a local family.Day 4 -
Kazbegui - Hiking in the Trusso Gorge
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 44km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Positive elevation gain 450 m
- Negative elevation 450 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We hike up to visit the 14th-century Trinity Church, which offers a breathtaking panorama of Mount Kabzek (5,047 m), Georgia's second-highest peak after Mount Chkhara (5,193 m). Then, we trek through the Trusso Valley, the source of the Terek River. This is one of the region's iconic excursions. From the small hamlet of Kvemo Okrokana, we follow the Terek River, crossing it several times. After a few kilometers, the landscape opens up to reveal the entire valley. We enjoy splendid views of the verdant gorges. Here, nature is pristine, and the high mountains offer magnificent panoramas. There are also numerous mineral and ferruginous springs that, over the centuries, have formed multicolored travertine formations. We return to Kazbegi to stay with our hosts. During dinner, we prepare khinkali, a type of dumpling typical of this region. Dinner and overnight stay with a local family.Day 5 -
Kazbegui – Gori – Uplistsikhe Cave City – Borjomi
- Transportation Minibus - 05h - 295km
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Departure for Borjomi. On the way, we stop in Gori, a former trading city located on the famous Silk Road. In Gori, we visit the Stalin Museum, which includes a large museum, Stalin's birthplace, and his armored railway carriage used for his long journeys. Then, 15 km from Gori, we visit the cave city of Uplistsikhe (1st century). Arrival in Borjomi. Overnight in Borjomi.Day 6 -
Borjomi – Atskuri – Akhaltsikhe
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 50km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 940 m
- Negative elevation 872 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Departure for Atskuri. In Atskuri, accompanied by a local guide, we hike through the forest. Atskuri is 28 km from Borjomi (on the road to Akhaltsikhe). It is a small village with a rich history, including the remains of a magnificent medieval temple of the Virgin Mary and a waterfall cascading from the ruins of ancient fortresses. Initially, the trail follows a bare slope, but after about 850 meters, the terrain changes dramatically, and we find ourselves in a wooded and rocky landscape above the village of Atskuri. The highest point of the route reaches 1323 meters above sea level and offers an unparalleled 360-degree view of the Mtkvari Gorge, the village of Atskuri, and the Tsriokhi Fortress itself. The fortress was built in a strategic location that allowed for complete control over the ravines and roads entering and leaving the region. After descending from the Tsriokhi fortress, you cross a small river and climb another slope to reach a crossroads. From there, you can either continue to the final destination – the village of Tsinubani – or proceed to the Tsinubani public baths. This route is approximately 1.4 km long, and from the northeast, you can access hot sulfur-rich thermal baths located in a former Soviet building, of which only the walls remain. From the baths, the dirt path follows the Tsinubani River and ends near a small church. Overnight in Akhltsikhe.Day 7 -
Vardzia - Tbilisi
- Transportation Minibus - 05h40 - 295km
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Visit the splendid 12th-century cave city of Vardzia. At its heart lies the Church of the Assumption, whose frescoes are exceptionally beautiful. We stroll through the underground passages, discovering this mysterious city, before heading back to Tbilisi.Day 8 -
Tbilisi - Visit to the Monastery of David Garedja – Sighnaghi - Telavi
- Transportation Minibus - 04h30 - 275km
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Visit the monastic section of David Gareja, the must-see and certainly the most impressive site in Georgia (the monastery itself can be visited, but the caves are no longer accessible). It is located in a steppe desert on the border between Georgia and Azerbaijan. The site's origins date back to the 6th century, when David, one of the thirteen Syrian Fathers, settled with his disciples Lucian and Dodo in a cave in this semi-desert region. Over the centuries, the site expanded and became an important pilgrimage destination. Today, the complex houses only about ten monks. We continue our tour with the Bodbe Monastery, where Saint Nino, the evangelizer of Georgia, is buried. We then stroll through Sighnagi, a recently renovated medieval town with a splendid view of the Alazani Valley and the Greater Caucasus Mountains. Overnight in Telavi.Day 9 -
Telavi – Tsinandali – Ikalto – Alaverdi – Tbilisi
- Transportation Minibus - 03h - 165km
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We begin our return journey to Tbilisi, passing through Tsinandali, renowned for producing some of the country's finest wines. We stop at a family-run winery to discover the secrets of Georgian wine, traditionally made in amphorae. With the family, we also learn to prepare some culinary specialties. After a typical lunch shared with our hosts, we depart to visit Ikalto and Alaverdi. Our first stop is the ruins of the Ikalto Academy, where Shota Rustaveli, the greatest Georgian poet of the 12th century and author of the masterpiece of Georgian literature, "The Knight in the Leopard Skin," studied. Our next stop is the 11th-century Alaverdi Cathedral. Overnight in Tbilisi.Day 10 -
Return flight from Tbilisi
- Transportation Plane - 04h30 - 3400km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
End of stay after breakfast. Depending on your return flight schedule, transfer to the airport.Day 11
Note
Depending on weather and operational conditions, your tour guide reserves the right to modify the itinerary for your safety and that of the group. Walking times are approximate and may vary depending on several factors: participants' walking ability, weather conditions, terrain, group size, etc. Transfer times may also vary as they depend on road conditions and traffic, as well as the size of the vehicle used.
On certain departure dates, this trip can be combined with the Armenia-Georgia trip: "Discovery and walks in the heart of the Caucasus" - code AARGEO. In all cases, we limit groups to 12 travelers.
Accommodation
During this stay, you will sleep in several different accommodations.
Access
Departure
Tbilisi
Day 1
: 00h00
End of stay
Tbilisi
Day 11
- 00h00
Go to the starting point
The nearest airport isTBS - Tbilisi
International transport: For Georgia , we use scheduled flights departing from Paris (operating year-round at fixed times). Airfare to this destination can fluctuate depending on the season. To reach Tbilisi, we collaborate with several scheduled airlines. You will primarily fly with Air France or Georgian Airways (which offer direct flights), or with other major airlines with a layover, such as Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, or LOT Polish Airlines . Depending on availability at the time of your booking, we will be able to offer you the best available option.
Note that there are direct flights from Paris to Georgia, but depending on the dates and availability, connecting flights may also be offered. Departures from some regional cities are possible.
Would you like to travel on other dates?
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Price details
The price includes
- International flights
- Air taxes
- The accommodations as indicated in the itinerary
- Full board except for the meals not included in the program
- Land transport
- The excursions detailed in the trip itinerary
- Entry to the sites mentioned in the program
- Supervision by a French-speaking tour guide
- The service of local assistant guides for certain hikes
The price does not include
- The optional meals mentioned in the program (approximately €8 to €10 per meal)
- Personal expenses
- Drinks
- Tips for local teams (see "Tips" section)
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- Walking sticks (optional)
- Hydration: Water bottle of at least 1 liter (lightweight and insulated)
- Hygiene: Toiletries bag, bath towel, ...
- Sun protection: High protection sunscreen (face and lips).
- Lighting: Headlamp with spare batteries.
- Practical: Multi-purpose pocket knife (essential in hold), notepad and pen.
- Organization: Large plastic bags to protect your belongings from moisture in your bag.
Clothing to bring
- Hiking boots: waterproof and with lugged soles (Vibram type). The most crucial piece of equipment.
Decathlon Travel Partner
The Paulin team
4.4/5
(1435 reviews)
• 437 stays
For over 30 years, our local partner has been designing adventure walking trips around the world. Specializing in small-group treks, they cater to both casual hikers and seasoned trekkers seeking unspoiled natural environments and a return to the essentials. Their key strength? They own their own agencies in over 30 countries, guaranteeing complete trip creation from start to finish, without intermediaries. This direct, on-the-ground expertise ensures memorable active experiences and total freedom amidst breathtaking landscapes.
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Free cancellation more than 30 days in advance
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