8 Days | Discover the rich flavours and centuries-old Caucasian classics of Tbilisi and beyond
Taste all the punchy flavours of incredibly diverse Georgia on an eight-day food adventure. Begin the journey among the charming facades of Tbilisi, where the snow-dusted peaks of the Caucasus are the backdrop for a culinary adventure. Get hands-on with cooking classes and kick back on included tastings, mingling with the locals and gaining an insight into Georgian culture along the way. Explore underrated sites like Narikala Fortress, Mtskheta (one of Georgia's oldest cities) and the Ananuri Fortress Complex (which has to be witnessed firsthand to be believed). Spend the night with descendants of the original highland Chechens in Pankisi Valley and wander the lush grounds in the dense foothills of the mountains. On this foodie adventure, you’ll enjoy the region’s most iconic and celebrated dishes, and wash it all down with a delicious array of Georgia’s famous local wines.
Trip overview
- Start
- Tbilisi, Georgia
- Finish
- Tbilisi, Georgia
- Theme
- Food
- Destinations
- Georgia
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- KFZG
- Spend the night in a women-run guesthouse in the Pankisi Valley, surrounded by lush, green mountains, and take part in a zhizhig galnash cooking class to learn the local cuisine.
- Enjoy cooking demonstrations and masterclasses by local cooks and artisans, including learning how to make churchkhela (traditional candle-shaped candy) and khinkali (Georgian dumplings).
- Meet local producers at the Telavi markets, then head to a local farm and cheese maker for a tour of the factory and a delicious, included tasting.
- Take a hike in the striking Caucasus mountains to perhaps one of the best positioned churches in Europe – Gergeti Trinity Church.
- Taste some of Georgia’s favourite cuisines and dishes with included lunches and dinners, including khachapuri, khinkali, churchkhela and qveri wines.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Mtskheta-Mtianeti Regional Hub. Donations help them improve their services and training hub to connect people, who’ve fled their homes due to war or political instability, with their new community in Georgia.
- The cuisine of the Caucasus region includes a lot of meat. For vegetarians and vegans we recommend reviewing the itinerary and inclusions to ensure that you will be able to fully participate and enjoy this trip. We also have many other trips to the Caucasus region which can accommodate a range of dietary requirements.
- The diversity of the seasons here makes for incredible scenery, but the weather in this region can be unpredictable. It’s best to wear layers at all times of the year in case conditions change. There may occasionally be itinerary changes due to road closures.
- This trip involves a reasonable amount of walking so be sure to bring sturdy walking shoes and comfortable clothes. To make the most of the trip, it's best if you have at least a moderate level of fitness. There is an included hike on Day 6, at an altitude of 2170m. Please refer to the Itinerary for more details.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024
Inclusions
7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
Private vehicle
Hotel (6 nights), Guesthouse (1 night)
- Tbilisi - Welcome Dinner
- Tbilisi - Old Town Walking Tour with Local Guide
- Kvareli - Barbecue lunch with a local family
- Kvareli - Traditional Churchkhela demonstration
- Kakheti - Gremi Architectural Complex
- Kvareli - Qvevri Wine Master visit
- Telavi - Cheesemaker visit
- Pankisi Valley - Chechen cooking class
- Telavi - Local market visit
- Pankisi Valley - Kist villages and culture walking tour
- Ananuri - Architectural Complex
- Stepantsminda - Gergeti Trinity Church Hike
- Stepantsminda - Khinkali home-cooking class
- Mtskheta - Jvari Church & Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
- Tbilisi - Farewell Dinner
- Telavi – Batonis Castle - GEL2
- Telavi - Telavi Historical Museum - GEL5
- Stepantsminda – 4WD to Gergeti Cathedral – from (per car) - GEL60
- Tbilisi - Open Air Museum of Ethnography - GEL20
- Tbilisi - The National Gallery - GEL25
- Tbilisi - Georgian National Museum - GEL30
- Tbilisi - Thermal Bath House Visit - from - GEL70
- Tbilisi - Aerial Cable Car One Way - GEL2
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available on this trip, subject to availability. Please contact your sales agent if you would like to book this. The single supplement excludes Day 4 (Guesthouse) where you will be in shared accommodation.
2. While we endeavour to cater for specific dietary requirements, some meals and food activities are set in advance and may be difficult to adjust. Please advise us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking so that we can ensure you’ll enjoy this trip.
3. Due to current border crossing restrictions for different Caucasus nationalities, your Trip Leader may be from nearby countries. Your leader will have in-depth knowledge and extensive travel experience throughout the Caucasus. Local guides from Georgia are represented throughout the itinerary to ensure you receive a diverse and uniquely local range of perspectives.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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