For people interested in Soviet tours as well as trekking and hiking in Georgia, this is one of the most interesting tours around Georgia. Throughout the trip, guests will explore regions of Kartli, Imereti, Svaneti, Samegrelo and will get the information regarding the Soviet invasion of Georgia, Soviet history and architecture as well as will visit the region of Svaneti and explore the Greater Caucasus.
Day 1 - Tbilisi - Gori - Chiatura - Tskaltubo
The first day of this trip is dedicated to visiting the cities of Gori and Chiatura. The drive from Tbilisi to Gori takes about one hour. One of the main things to do in Gori is to visit Stalin's museum. Stalin was from Gori, and guests can see the house where he was born and visit the museum built near his childhood home. The museum provides information about his childhood, youth, and political career. For those interested in Soviet history, this is one of the best private tours in Georgia. Along with his house and the museum, guests will see the special train wagon he traveled in. After visiting Gori, the road continues to Chiatura, a mining town with significant Soviet architecture in Georgia. Old mining infrastructure and industrial buildings are still present. Guests can take a cable car up the mountain to overlook Chiatura and see the ruins of the former Soviet youth palace. After the tour, guests will have lunch with a local family. The tour then continues to Katskhi pillar for a quick look and then to the former Soviet spa town, Tskaltubo, where guests will stay in a former Soviet sanatorium. Some parts of the hotel remain as they were during Soviet times, making it an interesting experience for many people.
Day 2 - Tskaltubo - Ushguli
Tskaltubo abandoned buildings sightseeing is a must for those interested in Soviet architecture in Georgia. The sanatoriums had outstanding design for their time, but in the 1990s some were robbed and others were settled by internally displaced people from Abkhazia. After visiting these buildings, the trip continues to the Greater Caucasus mountains, to the village of Ushguli, the highest permanent settlement in Europe, with impressive architecture and beautiful views. Upon arrival, guests will take an easy hike to the Shkhara glacier and, in the evening, enjoy dinner at the guesthouse. Overnight in Ushguli.
Day 3 - Ushguli - Mestia
In the morning, guests will head from Ushguli to Mestia. On the way, they will visit several villages in Mulakhi, then take a cable car up to Zuruldi Mountain to enjoy views of Ushba Peak, one of the most beautiful in the Caucasus region. After visiting Zuruldi Mountain, the trip continues to lunch, then to the hotel. Overnight in Mestia.
Day 4 - Mestia
In the morning, guests and their guide will go horseback riding to the Koruldi Lakes. The Koruldi lakes area is one of the most beautiful in Svaneti. The lakes are at the foothills of Ushba mountain and offer great views of different parts of the region. Generally Svaneti region is one of the best places for hiking and trekking in Georgia as well as horseback riding. Upon return, guests will have lunch in Mestia and visit an ethnographic museum. Overnight in Mestia.
Day 5 - Mestia - Zugdidi - Kolkheti National Park - Guria
Early in the morning, guests will head down to the valley. On the way to Zugdidi, they will visit the Enguri hydropower station. Built during Soviet times, it is one of the world's highest arch dams. Guests can see the dam and visit one of the tunnels inside. After the tour, the road continues to Zugdidi for lunch. After lunch, the tour continues to Kolkheti National Park, where guests will enjoy a boat ride. Overnight in Guria region.
Day 6 - Guria - Tbilisi
The Guria region is famous for tea-making, and after breakfast, guests will visit a tea plantation for a tea-picking masterclass and later for tea tasting. After tea tasting, the trip returns to Tbilisi, with lunch served on Rikoti pass in a local restaurant.
