GEORGIA 1 to 20 June 2018
We did a short trip of Georgia for 20 days . Covered about 3200Km by road. All travel within Georgia was by car.
Georgia Time. DELHI Time is plus 1 hr 30 Min
Currency . Currency is Lari which has100 Tetri. You get Coins of 1, 2,5 Lari and 5,10,20,50 Tetri. 1,2 Tetri coins are rarely used. 5,10,20,50,100 Lari comes in currency Notes.
Exchange rate 01 June 2018. $= 2.45 Lari 1 Euro= 2.87 Lari 1 Lari = 27. 35 Rs
My Flt Details AIR ASTANA
Dep 1 June 2018 Fri Day KC 908 Delhi 11.35 (3h 45 Min) Almaty 15.15
Halt Almaty 3h 40min KC 139 Almaty 19.30(4h 10Min) Tbilisi 21.40
Return
20 June by KC 140 Tbilisi at 22.40(2 h 40 Min) Almaty 04.20
Halt Almaty 2 H 40 Min KC 907 Almaty 07.10(3h 45 Mn) Delhi 10.25
Gen Info.
A very safe country to travel. You can reach hills within 35 km of any place. A beautiful country with hospitable people.
VISA.. Incase you have a USA Visa, you do not need any Visa for Visit. Also if the Halt at Almaty is less than 4 Hours , you do not need any Transit Visa.
Currency Exchange. The Exchange Rate at airport and Market is same. You must be careful to see the rate before Exchange and check No Commission is being charged. USD Exchange was 2.45, which you may be mislead by seeing as 2.246.
Food.The Food is cheap and similer to Indian Food with much less Spices. The Meat however is Beef. You may ask for Chicken and veg food. A fine dinning restaurant will have 20 Lari for a main dish. Normal food in normal restaurant is cheap.
Water. The water in Georgia is very good. You can take water from any tap to drink , in all its cities.
Guest Houses.Many Guest Houses are run by local families. They are generally half board ie Break Fast and Dinner.
Bed Sizes. The standard bed size they follow is Small. Smaller than Queen Size. Incase of Double Bed you may face difficulty. Ask for Twin Beds instead.
Communication.You cannot read or speak Georgian Language. Incase you know Russian you will have many who will understand you. English speaking persons are difficult to find, better get to a student who will be able to help you as English is now being taught in Schools.
You will find Wi Fi in all Guest Houses and Hotels. My car had a Wi Fi during my complete 20 days trip.
People. The Georgians are simple people. Very hospitable and comfortable to deal with. They are very helpful .
My Tour agent. Tour Space Georgia run by Ms Teona. The arrangements made were Excellent. Ms Teona personally selected rooms for us. A very economical tour . The Tour agency is very Highly recommended. You can talk to Ms Teona on Whatsap. She speaks good english
My driver cum Guide. Mr Esto. He was organised by Tour Space Georgia. Very nice person knowing good English. He was very warm and with pleasant manners. He takes care of you and drives wonderfully. He also helps you with shopping, takes pictures as well and gives good advice. Email vejo131@gmail.com; Mob No +995 577584 981
Details of My Tour with Comments.
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| Ready To Go at Delhi Airport. |
1 June. Fri Day. Dep at 11.35 and Arrived at Tbilisi Airport by Air Astana Flt at 21.40 (9.40PM).
we
had No problems at immigration as we had USA visa.
On Exit Esto, our driver cum Guide was waiting for us.
We bought a local SIM for 15 Lari, after exchanging 100USD at the Exchange Counter. We then drove for about 35 Mins to our Hotel. The Room was neat and Clean. It is a small hotel in Centre of Old Tbilisi.. The room is small in size but break fast was good. You can walk around old Tbilisi from here. It has a Metro Station called Avlabari next to it.
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| Hills over looking Almaty |
we
had No problems at immigration as we had USA visa.
On Exit Esto, our driver cum Guide was waiting for us.
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| Tbilisi at Night |
We bought a local SIM for 15 Lari, after exchanging 100USD at the Exchange Counter. We then drove for about 35 Mins to our Hotel. The Room was neat and Clean. It is a small hotel in Centre of Old Tbilisi.. The room is small in size but break fast was good. You can walk around old Tbilisi from here. It has a Metro Station called Avlabari next to it.
Hotel Voyager,Dusheti St 24,Avlabare Ph +995 599 77 04 74;
2 June Sat day. After break fast we started at10.00AM Guided Walking Tour . It was conducted by Ms Teona, our tour agent ,herself. We went around to Old Tbilisi. First went to church for a Metekhi panorama. Then went by cable cars to Narikala Fortress. It is at a height and over sees the city.
We walked down to Bath Quarter and booked our Hot Sulphur Bath for 1 hour for 40 Lari.
Then we went to Glass Bridge and later saw the oldest Anchiskhati Basilica . From here we walked to Freedom Square . We bid farewell to our guide at around 3 pm and went into the big Mall next to Freedom Square. Overnight in Tbilisi.
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| Narikala Fortress on Sky Line |
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| View of City from Fortress |
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| Teona, Owner of Tour Space Georgia, Conducting City Tour |
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| Sulphur Bath area |
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| Freedom Square |
Then we went to Glass Bridge and later saw the oldest Anchiskhati Basilica . From here we walked to Freedom Square . We bid farewell to our guide at around 3 pm and went into the big Mall next to Freedom Square. Overnight in Tbilisi.
3 June, Sun day.. After Breakfast Esto came to pick us up at 09:00 am for the .Day Tour .
We drove for about 2 hours and stopped to see by the road side Bread baking at village Badiauri. It is clay oven but bigger than Indian Tandoor and they bake various types of Bread. The most popular being Kachapuri, bread with cheese filling.. Then we drove for 40 mins to - Bodbe monastery . It is very nice Monastry and views are good.
There after we drove for another 40 mins to Sighnaghi. This is a small village on top of the mountain. You can walk around this beautiful village and enjoy the sights.  |
| Esto. Guide cum driver with Car |
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| Bode Monastery |
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| Sighnaghi Vill |
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| Georgian Dance Performance |
4 June,Mon day. Esto came to pick us up at 9.00am for the Day Tour. We first stopped at Annuri Fortress on the road after about 1 hour of driving. The fort is on the road side and it is a nice halt. Then we drove for 1hour 30 mins to about to to see-Gudauri panorama . Gudari is a ski resort and offers wonderful views.
After a short halt we again drove to -Village Stepantsminda.
Enroute we halted at Mineral Water spring.
The deposits were rust in colour.
We washed our faces here with mineral water.
We stopped in the village and took a four wheel drive taxi to go up the hill to Gergeti Trinity church. The views from this Church are superb.. we stayed there for about 30 mins and returned to the village.
We then took our car to come back to Tbilisi. We reached back at about 6 pm. . Overnight Tbilisi
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| Gadauri Panorama |
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| Mineral water with deposits |
Enroute we halted at Mineral Water spring.
The deposits were rust in colour.
We washed our faces here with mineral water.
We stopped in the village and took a four wheel drive taxi to go up the hill to Gergeti Trinity church. The views from this Church are superb.. we stayed there for about 30 mins and returned to the village.
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| Gergeti Trinity church |
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| At the Church. See Vill Stepantsminda also |
We then took our car to come back to Tbilisi. We reached back at about 6 pm. . Overnight Tbilisi
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| Jvari Temple Church |
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| Uplistsikhe Caves |
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| Borjomi Spring Garden |
Guest House on Erkela, St 17a. Ph +995 599 49 60 96;
6 June Wed Day.Today we had a longish road journey partly through hills to Vardzia cave city (XII c.) . these caves are on a hill. From car park you take another vehicle for 1 Lari ticket to go up 500 meter. There after you climb up to see these caves. The route is one way , marked and you walk along. The main attraction is the Church in the Center of Caves. It takes about 2.30 to 3 hours to see these caves.
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| Vardazia Caves |
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| farm On route |
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| Fortress En route |
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| Rabat fortress |
Then we drove back to see
Renovated Rabat fortress. This is partly converted to a Hotel. Nice views and you can spend about hour here. Then we drove back to Borjomi. Overnight in Borjomi.
7 June,Thu Day. We checked out today morning but wished we had another free day in this beautiful city . We dove for about 3 hors with a break to Sataplia Natural reserve . we went to see the dinosaurs foot prints and then went to see the Glass bridge. Had good views from the glass bridge.
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| Bagrati Cathedral |
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| City centre Kutiasi |
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| Prometheus cave |
We drove for about hour and half and arrived at Caves. These caves are good and you walk in the cave for about Km and half. The temp in caves is very cool and light effects are good at places were you can take pics.
There after we drove to Martivilli canyon. Here we took boat to see these rocks. The boat ride is short 15 to 20 mins. There after you can walk around to see waterfalls.
We drove another 2 hours, part through Green Tunnel of Trees to Batumi . We checked in our Hotel, in a mall, on 4 th floor. The Hotel is old hotel , it has good breakfast. Hotel is in the centre of attractions and you can walk around in he evening. The Manager Ms Sofia is very helpful lady. You can enjoy Swimming pool on 5thfloor with Gym and Suana.
There after we drove to Martivilli canyon. Here we took boat to see these rocks. The boat ride is short 15 to 20 mins. There after you can walk around to see waterfalls.  |
| Martvili Canyon |
We drove another 2 hours, part through Green Tunnel of Trees to Batumi . We checked in our Hotel, in a mall, on 4 th floor. The Hotel is old hotel , it has good breakfast. Hotel is in the centre of attractions and you can walk around in he evening. The Manager Ms Sofia is very helpful lady. You can enjoy Swimming pool on 5thfloor with Gym and Suana.
Hotel Mardi Plaza Ph+995 422 22 29 29;
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| View from Botanical Garden |
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| Clear water Beach , all stones under water |
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| Sarpi Pebble Beach |
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| Boulevard Batumi, Alphabet tower |
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| Makhuntseti water fall |
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| Queen Tamra Bridge |
12 June, Tue day. Today we checked out and started off at 9.30 AM for a long drive of over 300 km to Mestia via Zugdidi . We had our first halt at to see the only sand beach. It is a black sand beach and many people come here to get medicinal value of the black sand.
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| Black sand Beach |
We then drove to Zugdidi for a short halt and conitued to Mestia. We reached Mestia in the evening around 5.30Pm. We checked into our Guest House, walking distance from city Center. The Hostess and family were very nice. The Room was basic but very neat and clean . The break Fast and Dinner in the family Dinning area was fresh with local Georgian dishes and was very good.. Mestia is a small city surrounded by high hills.
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| Mestia |
Eka”s Family Hotel,Vittoria Sella St,8. Ph +995 599 72 67 19;
13 June, Wed day. We went after breakfast to enjoy the Cable car . We walked to the Cable car Station. The ticket for two step cable car is 10 Lari per head. It takes you to top of Hill at 2348 Meter, with a change in between. The cable car is basically for Ski resort in winters.
The views from the Top are breath taking.
There is a resturant on top and you can relax there. You can also walk around in Green and unspolit beauty. We came back around 5pm to our Hotel. Overnight in Mestia.
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| Cable Car to Top, see Vill Mestia also |
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| View From Top |
There is a resturant on top and you can relax there. You can also walk around in Green and unspolit beauty. We came back around 5pm to our Hotel. Overnight in Mestia.
14 June, Thu day. Today we started at 09.30 by taking another four wheeled drive taxi to Village Ushguli. This village is just 35 Km from Mestia but takes 2 Hours to drive. This is claimed to be UNESCO site and highest living place in Europe. We reached there around 11.30 hours. We walked from the Church at the highest point in 
group of 4 Villages to Ushguli village We spent time in these villages. Saw one of the Towers converted to a Museum.. we started back at 3pm to reach our guest House at 5.30pm. Nestor Khergiani museum -Ethnographic museum . Overnight in Mestia.
15 June, Fri day.Today was a free day. We went to see Nestor Khergiani Museum. This man died very early at the age of 36. He was one of the most bold and respected mountain climbers. This is his house where he resided. His feats are really remarkable. With such elementary tools of climbing he mastered many peaks , having 80 to90 Degree rock faces. There after we went to one of the Ethnographic Museum. This small museum houses old excavated things of Mestia. There after we just strolled to a mineral water spring flowing along the River. Many locals come here to fill this water for drinking. This water is akin to Borjomi spring water. Overnight in Mestia.
16 June,Sat day.We checked out at 9.30 AM and drove through beautiful sights, to Dadiani Palace at Zugdidi .
En route we stopped at the Waterfall next to road and also at a place to buy local Honey. Daiani Palace is like a frech chteau, . It belonged to one of the richest person in Georgia. It has a face mask of Napolean I . We checked into our Guest House. This guest house room was big with good size beds. It had fruit trees and was walking distance to local Bazaar.
The Hostess was very nice lady and was very hospitable and warm. The Dinner and break fast was very good of Local Georgian Dishes. These dishes were of this region. After check in we went to local Bazaar to buy Walnuts, as these are local product. Overnight in Zugdidi.Comfort house at sankt,Petersburg St 15.Ph +995 577 68 83 69
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| Kiwi |
The Hostess was very nice lady and was very hospitable and warm. The Dinner and break fast was very good of Local Georgian Dishes. These dishes were of this region. After check in we went to local Bazaar to buy Walnuts, as these are local product. Overnight in Zugdidi.Comfort house at sankt,Petersburg St 15.Ph +995 577 68 83 69
17 June,Sun day. Checked out of Guest House and started at 9.30 Am. Drove to Katskhi pillar at Chiatura The drive 1 hour plus was beautiful. We had a break en route for Coffee. The Katskhi Pillar houses a church and small monastery. It is not open to visitors. You can see it from its base.
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| Katskhi Pillar Church |
There after we drove to Tbilisi . The drive from this pillar to joining of main road is extremely beautiful with great views. The road is very good and enjoyable. Reached Tbilisi around 5 pm and checked into guest House. The Room was good. The host were nice. Break Fast was good. The Guest House is close to Freedom Square and you can walk to it as also to Dry Bridge. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Guest House near Opera, Mari BroseSt, Myasminda. Ph +995 571 99 19 39.
18 June, Mon day. Toady at 10.00AM after break fast went for Excursion to Mtskheta, ancient capital (UNESCO) and Shiomgvime cave complex . The Cave complex has a nice Church and place where a Shio saint did his meditation in a cave below .
We also visited Samtavro, women’s monastery. Mtskheta is basically a visit to oldest church, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, where it is believed that the shrug of Jesus is buried. The old church had few glass part floors where it is said treasure was found..We then drove to city to pay respect to Hero's Memorial and Solider's Memorial .
Overnight in Tbilisi.
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| Shiomgvime Cave |
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| Svtitskhoveli Cathedral |
We also visited Samtavro, women’s monastery. Mtskheta is basically a visit to oldest church, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, where it is believed that the shrug of Jesus is buried. The old church had few glass part floors where it is said treasure was found..We then drove to city to pay respect to Hero's Memorial and Solider's Memorial .
Overnight in Tbilisi.
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| Soliders Memorial |
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| Hero's Memorial |
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| Mtatsminda park |
19 June,Tue day. After breakfast we went to Mtatsminda park on top of the hill. It is a basically a park for children with many rides and games. It is next to TV tower and gives a good view of city. We came down by the Tbilisi funicular . it comes down from top to old city.Overnight in Tbilisi.
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| Turtle Lake |
We came back to guest house to rest and departed for airport at 7pm, for our flight by Air Astana at 22.40 ( 10.40PM).
Georgian Food
Matsoni - მაწონი(Georgian Yogurt) Matsoni, One of favorite breakfast item.
Khinkali . Is like Mo Mo but little bigger.
Khachapuri Khachapuri, Georgian cheese bread or cheese pie, is another staple of the Georgian diet. There are multiple versions of this tasty treat. Traditional khachapuri with salty sulguni cheese is a favourite in the city; there’s also lobiani (filled with kidney beans), khabizgina (filled with potato).
Adjarian khachapuri: a boat-shaped pie served with a raw egg yolk and a stick of butter floating in its molten cheese top.
Churchkhela - Toasted nuts, walnuts in the east and hazelnuts in the west, are strung on a string and dipped into a flour, sugar, and grape juice mixture. The result is a reddish or brownish sausage-shaped candy with a pointy end.
SOKO KECZE - BAKED MUSHROOMS Georgian cuisine features a hearty baked mushrooms filled with stringy melted sulguni cheese and served sizzling in a clay pot at the table.
Chvishtari –(Georgian Corn Bread) Chvishtari is a Georgian corn bread from the Svaneti region. Chvishtari is filled with cheese.
Badrijani nigvzit . It is eggplant is rolled into pretty rosettes and bejewelled with an extra-generous smattering of pomegranate gems.
Lob Good lobio (stewed kidney beans) comes with all the trimmings – pickles, fresh spring onion, and mchadi corn bread. For something different, try lobio Racha, a version of the dish associated with Georgia’s western highlands that incorporates ham hock.
Georgian salad Georgia grows the most robust, flavorful tomatoes, and no dish showcases them better than the humble peasant’s salad. A traditional Georgian salad consists of chunky wedges of tomato and cucumber dressed with basil and coriander, Kakhetian olive oil, red onion and a little rocket lettuce. But the real secret is in the sauce: creamy baje (Georgian walnut dressing), usually served on the side as an optional extra.
Some useful Words;
Hello Gamarjoba. Bye Nakhamdis. Yes Diakh . No Ara
OK Kaargi
Cost of tour for 2 in INR .
Air tickets 56,000.00
Travel Insurance 3892.00
Tour Cost 206573.00
Shopping, Meals, tips 26030.00
Misc Expenses 1200.00
Total. 2,94,325.00
