Day Trip to Mtskheta Gori and Uplistsikhe
Description
A diverse range well knows Kartli region of cultural sites, including several historical, cultural, and landscapes. Since the first half of the III millennium BC, the area dates from classical to medieval, including and altered several times. The region was the home of gods and their earthly embodiment – priests, chiefs, and kings. Every layer of the ground keeps a memory of epochs. The region was standing over the crossroads of cultures. The significance of this arterial road was connecting east and west. It’ rocky road still preserves a clear trace of wheeled transport moving here over centuries. The region was, from time to time, ruled by Mithraism or Zoroastrianism. Sovereign priests performed pagan rituals here. On this altar, they offered sacrifice, glorified female divinity, lighted holly fire. To be continued during the tour.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Traveler's Meeting Point - is a free space where you can meet new exciting people, play some board games, listen to good music or enjoy a glass of wine.
11:00 Arrive at Uplistsikhe. Uplistsikhe is an antique rock-hewn town in eastern Georgia. It was built on a left bank of the Mtkvari River, contains multiple structures dating from the Early Iron Age to the Late Middle Ages, and is notable for the unique mixture of various rock-cut cultures from Anatolia and Iran coexistence of pagan and Christian architecture.
13:00 Arrive at a lunch place. Unique possibility to feel as native. Visit a local restaurant and enjoy traditional, delicious food.
14:45 Arrive at Stalin Museum. Stalin Museum is a museum dedicated to the life of Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, who was born in Gori. The Museum retains its Soviet-era characteristics, Stalin's Original house, and Stalin's railway carriage. In Case Of Free Time in Gori (Optional) Discover the city Gori, populated since the early Bronze Age. According to medieval Georgian annals, King David IV founded Gori. The fortress of Gori (Goris Tsikhe) appears to have been in use already in the 7th century, and archaeological evidence indicates an urban community in Classical Antiquity. In the 2008 Russo-Georgian war, the town came under aerial attack by the Russian air force from the outset of the conflict.
16:35 Arrive at Jvari Monastery. The name of this monastery is translated as the "Monastery of the Cross." Jvari Monastery is the 6th-century Georgian Orthodox monastery near Mtskheta. Along with other historic structures of Mtskheta, it is listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Jvari Monastery stands on the rocky mountain top at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, overlooking the town of Mtskheta, which was formerly the capital of the kingdom of Iberia.
17:25 Arrive at Svetitskhoveli In Mtskheta. Mtskheta, one of the oldest cities in Georgia, was founded by the ancient Meschian tribes in the 5th century. UNESCO recognizes it as a World Heritage site due to its historical significance and several cultural monuments. It was the capital of the early Georgian Kingdom of Iberia from the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD. However, Mtskheta remained to serve as the coronation and burial place for most kings of Georgia until the 19th century. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (literally the Cathedral of the Living Pillar) is currently the second-largest church in Georgia (after the Holy Trinity cathedral). Known as the burial site of Christ's robe, Svetitskhoveli has been one of the principal Georgian Orthodox churches and is among the most venerated places of worship in the region. 19:00-19:30 Traveler's Meeting Point ( 50 meters from Avlabari metro station )
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The minimum age of a traveler is 5.
- The tour operates in all weather conditions. Therefore, please dress according to the weather.
- Dress code for a church - It's not allowed for anyone to enter a church in shorts, and women need to cover their heads.
Reviews(2,020)
The day started at 8:45 am and we arrived back at about 6pm in Tiblisi. Dima was a great tour guide. Clear and knowledgeable and answered questions that were asked of him. Amazing day out. I would highly recommend him and the tour. Soso was our driver. He was helpful too.
Dima and soso put on a great trip today. We’re really knowledgeable and provided a really good experience - definitely recommend
An enjoyable day, well organized, the guide Niko was very informative and spoke English perfectly.
Tori and Soso (driver) have wonderfully lead a very motivated group. Thank you all folks
Thank you for your kind review! 😊 We're delighted to hear that Tori and Soso helped create such a great experience and brought the group together so well. We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to both of them. Thank you for traveling with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Georgia for more memorable adventures in the future! 🇬🇪❤️✨
Very complete tour, We are very happy with the entire trip in general, and especially want to highlight the magnificent guide Tori and the driver, who were a fundamental part of our tour. Very satisfied!!!
Thank you for your wonderful review! 😊 We're delighted to hear that you were so happy with the tour and your overall experience. Tori and your driver will be thrilled to know that their work made such a positive impact on your day. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to them. Thank you for traveling with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Georgia in the future! 🇬🇪❤️✨
Beautiful day trip, great tour guide and beautiful destinations. We loved the cave town, and were impressed with Mtskheta! Nika was a great guide, funny, knowledgeable and friendly.
Thank you so much for your lovely review! 😊 We're delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful day exploring some of Georgia's most remarkable destinations. It's great to know that you especially enjoyed the ancient cave town and were impressed by the beauty and history of Mtskheta. A special thank you for your kind words about Nika. We're happy to hear that his knowledge, sense of humor, and friendly personality helped make your experience even more enjoyable. We'll be sure to share your compliments with him! Thank you for choosing to travel with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Georgia for more unforgettable adventures in the future. 🇬🇪✨😊🙏
I really enjoy this trip. Salome is clearly a history buff; I learnt a lot from her. A patriotic Sakartvelorian 😉, her talks were both informative and interesting. I particularly enjoyed the cave city, Uplistsikhe, and Svetitskhoveli cathedral. When I needed a break, we were given free time. I tried pomegranate ice cream and the local wine. I was worried that the day would be too long, but we finished slightly earlier, and we still had ample time to explore. Our driver Gochi was a perfect gentleman. The driving in Georgia is pretty wild, but he navigates the roads like a pro.
Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review! 😊 We're delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable experience and that Salome's passion for Georgian history and culture made the day both informative and engaging. We especially love your description of her as a proud "Sakartvelorian" 😉—we're sure she'll appreciate that! It's great to know that you enjoyed exploring Uplistsikhe and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, as well as having enough free time to relax, try local treats, and discover the sites at your own pace. We're also happy that the tour felt well balanced and didn't seem too long despite covering so many fascinating places. A special thank you for your kind words about Gochi. Safety and comfort are very important to us, and we're glad to hear that his professionalism and driving skills helped make your journey enjoyable. Thank you for choosing to travel with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Georgia for many more memorable adventures in the future! 🇬🇪✨🍷🙏😊
Great trip with Salome, would recommend it to anyone 👍
Thank you for your kind review! 😊 We're delighted to hear that you had a great trip with Salome. We'll be sure to pass your compliments on to her—she'll be very happy to hear them! Thank you for your recommendation and for choosing to travel with us. We hope to welcome you back to Georgia for more amazing experiences in the future! 🇬🇪✨👍😊🙏
We had an amazing time during this tour, specifically because the tour incorporated so many different aspects of Georgian history/culture, we really got a wide insight into this amazing country. From the ancient culture at Uplistsikhe, to the Stalin museum and finally the two absolutely gorgeous monasteries at Mtskheta, we were able to absorb so much. Our guide, Nika, had incredible English and was extremely knowledgeable about every subject he was taking to us about, so his presence really enriched our experience. We can't wait to continue exploring Georgia!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 😊 We're thrilled to hear that you had such an amazing experience and that the tour gave you a broad insight into Georgia's rich history, culture, and heritage. From the ancient cave city of Uplistsikhe to the fascinating Stalin Museum and the beautiful monasteries of Mtskheta, we're delighted that each destination left a lasting impression. A special thank you for your kind words about Nika. We're proud to have guides who are passionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated to creating memorable experiences for our guests. We'll be sure to pass your compliments on to him—he will be very happy to hear them! Thank you for choosing us, and we look forward to welcoming you back as you continue discovering the beauty, history, and traditions of Georgia. 🇬🇪✨ Safe travels and see you again soon! 😊🙏
We had an amazing time on the trip to Uplistsikhe, Gori and Mtskheta with our guide Nika! We had just enough time to explore the places by ourselves after Nika's thoughtful explanation. Each place felt unique and our day was filled with history and culture background of Georgia. We appreciated that Nika was our guide in the Stalin Museum as well, so it didnt't feel rushed going through the periods of his life - from birth to death. Would highly recommend to anyone interested in these places!
Thank you so much for your detailed and thoughtful review! 😊 We're delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable experience exploring Uplistsikhe, Gori, and Mtskheta with Nika. It's wonderful to know that his explanations helped bring Georgia's rich history and culture to life while still giving you enough time to discover each site at your own pace. We're especially happy that you enjoyed the visit to the Stalin Museum and appreciated having Nika guide you through the different stages of Stalin's life, making the experience more engaging and meaningful. We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to him. Thank you for recommending the tour, and we hope to welcome you back to Georgia for more unforgettable adventures in the future! 🇬🇪✨🙏😊
