Georgia Highlights | Marvels, Mountains & Monasteries
Trip Highlights
Experience the magic of Georgia, where ancient monasteries, vibrant cities, dramatic mountains, and warm hospitality blend into an unforgettable journey.
Visit the Gelati Monastery, a UNESCO-listed masterpiece of medieval Georgia, famed for its vibrant mosaics, frescoes, and legacy as a center of learning.
Marvel at the Rainbow Mountains of Georgia, where mineral-rich cliffs glow in vibrant natural stripes, offering a surreal hiking and photo experience.
Explore the Dadiani Palace, once home to Georgian nobility, showcasing royal treasures, rare artifacts, and Napoleon’s relics within elegant gardens.
Discover the Lamaria Church in Ushguli, a medieval hilltop sanctuary famed for its frescoes and breathtaking vistas of the towering Caucasus peaks.
Know Before You Go
- Travellers should verify visa and entry rules for their nationality in advance; requirements can change, and some travellers may qualify under special visa or permit categories—always confirm on the official MFA website before booking flights.
- Passports should have at least 6 months’ validity beyond the trip and a few blank pages; carry digital and paper copies of documents and travel insurance.
- The local currency is the Georgian Lari (GEL); cards are widely accepted in cities but cash is essential in rural areas, markets, and for on-the-spot 4×4/jeep hires.
- ATMs are common in Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kutaisi; decline dynamic currency conversion and choose billing in GEL to avoid poor exchange rates.
- Magti, Silknet (Geocell), and Beeline offer good coverage; an eSIM or airport SIM is the easiest way to stay connected. Wi-Fi is widespread in hotels and cafés.
- In winter, passes like Jvari (to Kazbegi) may close due to snow or landslides; travellers should check official road advisories the day before long transfers.
- 4×4/jeep access is required or strongly recommended for Gergeti Trinity, Truso Valley, Juta, and some canyon roads—especially in shoulder seasons and winter.
- Many monasteries and churches request modest dress (shoulders and knees covered); women may be asked to use a headscarf—some sites provide wraps at the entrance.
- Photography can be restricted inside churches and at border areas; always look for signs and ask the custodian or guide before shooting.
- Indoor smoking is banned nationwide (including e-cigs) in restaurants, cafés, and most public venues; fines are enforced.
- Best weather windows for mixed city/mountain trips are May–June and September–October; summers can be hot in lowlands and cool at altitude even in July–August.
- Tipping is appreciated: round up or add ~10% in restaurants when service isn’t included; guides and drivers value discretionary cash tips.
- Kazbegi/Gudauri involve stairs and slopes; Uplistsikhe/Vardzia feature uneven steps and tunnels—good grip shoes are important; these sites are not fully accessible.
- Public holidays and Orthodox feast days can affect opening hours; many museums close on Mondays—check schedules the day before.
Additional Information
About the Tour:
Discover Georgia on this 8-day journey blending history, culture, and natural wonders. Begin in Tbilisi with a visit to the striking Chronicle of Georgia before venturing to the vividly striped Rainbow Mountains and sacred David Gareja Monastery. In Kutaisi, explore UNESCO-listed Gelati, Motsameta, and Bagrati cathedrals, plus the stunning Martvili Canyon and Prometheus Cave. Continue to Zugdidi’s regal Dadiani Palace, then ascend to Svaneti to uncover Mestia and UNESCO-listed Ushguli with its ancient towers, Lamaria Monastery, and epic Caucasus views.