10 days In-depth culinary masterclasses, high-end chateaux, and cultural excursions to Davit Gareja cave monastery
10 Days Deep Gastronomy & Tusheti Gateway in Kakheti Wine Region
A deep dive into Kakheti's natural maranis, ancient amber wine traditions, culinary masterclasses, and remote borderlands. Designed for a slow, comfortable pace with a private driver.
Who this is for
In-depth culinary masterclasses, high-end chateaux, and cultural excursions to Davit Gareja cave monastery
Why this itinerary works
In-depth culinary masterclasses, high-end chateaux, and cultural excursions to Davit Gareja cave monastery
This itinerary captures the culinary heart of Eastern Georgia at an unhurried pace, leaving plenty of room for long meals, conversation with winemakers, and relaxed mornings.
At a Glance
The shape of this trip, at a glance.
10
Balanced
$1,920
$192
31
10
Walk & transit
Interactive map
The itinerary
Day 1
SIGHNAGHI CORE
Arrival & Cobblestone Overview
Private Transfer from Tbilisi & Check-in
Sighnaghi Center, Sighnaghi
Avoids public marshrutkas so you can start the trip comfortably and directly at your hotel.
Lunch at Pheasant's Tears Restaurant
Sighnaghi Old Town, Sighnaghi
Sets the culinary standard for natural skin-contact amber wines paired with seasonal, organic Georgian produce.
Walk the Old Town Walls & Watchtower
Old Town Fortress, Sighnaghi
Offers sweeping vistas over the Alazani Valley toward the Caucasus Mountains without requiring strenuous hiking.
Sunset Dinner at Okro's Natural Wine Restaurant
Sighnaghi Upper Ridge, Sighnaghi
Famous for high-elevation sunset terrace views, exceptional amber Saperavi, and regional pork mtsvadi.
Day 2
BODBE & VALLEY SOUTHERN LOOP
Monastic Serenity & Artisan Cellars
Bodbe Monastery Gardens Walk
Bodbe, Bodbe
St. Nino's shrine set in manicured cypress gardens; tranquil morning stop before tour groups arrive.
Cellar Tour & Farm Lunch at Cradle of Wine Marani
Mirzaani Village, Mirzaani
Unfiltered family hospitality and educational Qvevri opening with master winemaker Paul Rimple.
Niko Pirosmani Museum Visit
Mirzaani, Mirzaani
Authentic house museum of Georgia's revered primitive painter, set in his native village.
Cozy Dinner at Amphora Wine Cave
Sighnaghi Core, Sighnaghi
Rustic wine cellar dining focused on braised lamb chanakhi and skin-contact Rkatsiteli.
Day 3
SEMI-DESERT BORDERLANDS
Davit Gareja Monastic Expedition
Scenic Drive to Udabno Semi-Desert
Udabno Region, Udabno
Striking landscape shift from green vineyards to dry, rolling steppe terrain along the Azerbaijani border.
Lunch at Oasis Club Udabno
Udabno Village, Udabno Village
Quirky desert outpost serving hearty Polish-Georgian crossover food, cold beers, and fresh salads in the middle of nowhere.
Lavra Monastery Complex Exploration
Gareja Desert, Davit Gareja
6th-century cave monastery carved directly into sandstone cliffs; profound silence and ancient architecture.
Dinner at Lost Ridge Inn & Microbrewery
Qedeli Valley, Qedeli Valley
Craft beer brewed on site, farm-fresh wood-fired dishes, and gorgeous sunset views over Sighnaghi's ridge.
Day 4
CENTRAL ALAZANI VALLEY
Palatial Estates & Qvevri Masters
Base Transfer to Tsinandali & Estate Gardens Walk
Tsinandali Estate, Tsinandali
Stroll through the 19th-century aristocratic park of Prince Alexander Chavchavadze before house tours start.
Private Tasting Lunch at Shumi Winery
Tsinandali, Tsinandali
Combines a rare ampelographic vine garden walk with refined classic and Qvevri wine pairings in a peaceful vineyard.
Qvevri Clay Workshop at Zaza Krapidze Cellar
Vardisubani, Vardisubani
Meet a 4th-generation clay artisan who builds giant underground wine vessels by hand.
Fine Dining at Park Hotel Tsinandali's Prince Alexander Restaurant
Tsinandali Estate, Tsinandali
Modernized Kakhetian gastronomy paired with reserve vintages inside Radisson Collection's chic estate grounds.
Day 5
TELAVI & GOMBORI SLOPES
Royal History & Culinary Masterclass
Batonis Tsikhe Fortress & King Erekle II Palace
Telavi Center, Telavi
Explore the restored royal residence of Kakheti's last king with panoramic views of the city market below.
Telavi Agrarian Market Food Stroll
Telavi Market, Telavi
Raw, sensory culinary deep-dive into local sulguni cheese wheels, dried fruit leather (klapi), and mountain herbs.
Private Masterclass: Khachapuri & Churchkhela dipping
Telavi Countryside, Shilda / Telavi Vicinity
Hands-on instruction in making walnut-grape juice candles and wood-fired cheese bread with local cooks.
Feast Dinner at Doli Restaurant
Telavi Center, Telavi
Elevated regional dining specializing in wild mushroom ojakhuri and slow-roasted meats.
Day 6
ALAVERDI & NORTHERN FOOTHILLS
Monastic Wine Cellars & Chateau Dining
Alaverdi Cathedral & Monastic Cellar Visit
Alaverdi Plain, Alaverdi
11th-century soaring cathedral with an active monastic Qvevri wine cellar operating since 1011 AD.
Château Dining at Babaneuris Marani
Babaneuri Reserve, Babaneuri
Boutique eco-resort tucked against the Babaneuri Nature Reserve serving organic single-vineyard Kisiskhevi wines.
Ikalto Monastery & Ancient Wine Academy
Ikalto, Ikalto
Ruins of the 12th-century academy where philosopher Shota Rustaveli studied; filled with ancient buried Qvevris.
Dinner at Chateau Mere Restaurant
Vardisubani Hills, Vardisubani
Eclectic castle-style restaurant featuring organic Winiveria wines, fresh trout, and artisanal cheeses.
Day 7
KVARELI MOUNTAIN FOOTHILLS
Subterranean Cellars & Castle Towers
Base Transfer to Kvareli & Gremi Fortress
Gremi, Gremi
16th-century royal citadel and Archangels Church towering dramatically over the valley road.
Khareba Wine Tunnel Tour & Grill Lunch
Kvareli Mountain Edge, Kvareli
Explore 7.7 km of military tunnels carved into solid rock, kept at a natural 12-14°C year-round for aging wine.
Relaxation at Lake Kvareli Promenade
Lake Kvareli Resort, Lake Kvareli
Quiet stroll around an alpine lake tucked directly under the Greater Caucasus wall.
Dinner at Kindzmarauli Corporation Cellar Restaurant
Kvareli Center, Kvareli Town
Historic 1533 red-brick fortress winery serving traditional naturally semi-sweet Kindzmarauli with local stews.
Day 8
LAGODEKHI NATIONAL PARK EDGE
Sub-Alpine Forests & Organic Vineyards
Gentle Nature Walk in Lagodekhi Protected Areas
Lagodekhi Reserve, Lagodekhi
Walk the easy forest loop to Ninoskhevi water trails through virgin broadleaf forests along the Azerbaijan border.
Organic Farm Lunch at Ludwig's Organic Marani
Lagodekhi Countryside, Lagodekhi Region
Hyper-local biodynamic lunch served in an apple orchard with small-batch biodynamic wines.
Nekresi Monastery Complex Hillside Climb
Shilda Slopes, Shilda / Nekresi
Historic hilltop complex featuring one of Georgia's oldest surviving 4th-century church structures.
Wood-fired Mtsvadi Feast at Shalauri Cellar
Shalauri, Shalauri
Authentic wood-fired pork skewered on grapevine wood paired with complex aged Qvevri white wines.
Day 9
PAN KISI VALLEY EDGE
Craft Traditions & Mountain Views
Pankisi Felt Craft Workshop in Duisi
Duisi Village, Duisi
Unique cultural interaction with local Kist women artisans creating hand-felted wool tapestries.
Traditional Kist Lunch at Nazy's Guest House
Jokolo Village, Jokolo
Sample distinct Pankisi culinary traditions like Chechen flatbreads (zhingalov) and fresh mountain teas.
Stroll & Wine Tasting at Château Schuchmann
Kisiskhevi, Kisiskhevi
Unwind with low-key luxury garden views and European-Georgian hybrid vinification styles.
Farewell Supra Dinner at Esquisse Telavi
Telavi Core, Telavi
Refined boutique hotel dining room celebrating regional wine pairings and ambient courtyard lighting.
Day 10
GOMBORI PASS RETURN
Scenic Pass & Farewell Tbilisi Transfer
Late Breakfast & Check-out in Telavi
Telavi, Telavi
Unrushed morning finish with fresh matsoni yogurt, local jams, and Turkish-style coffee.
Mountain View Lunch at Gombori Pass Rest
Gombori Pass, Gombori Pass
Enjoy hot mountain khinkali dumplings surrounded by lush beech forests high on the pass return.
Private Transfer & Drop-off in Tbilisi
Tbilisi, Tbilisi
Direct, seamless drop-off at your Tbilisi hotel or airport.
Budget
ON TARGETTarget
$2,000
Estimated
$1,920
Difference
$80
Trip Balance Score
How well this trip will actually work
Weighted traveler fit (wine & culinary focus) and slow-morning pace heavily for a couple's 10-day slow road trip.
What works well
- Zero backtracking by splitting base stays between Sighnaghi, Telavi, and Kvareli
- Pacing allows full 2-hour wine lunches without rushing afternoon monastery transfers
- Includes off-the-beaten-track Davit Gareja semi-desert borderland day trip
What we would improve
- Private driver allocation eats up a significant chunk of the budget
- Tasting fees at boutique low-intervention maranis require advance cash payments
Use this as your starting point
We already planned a great Kakheti Wine Region, Georgia trip. Copy it into your account, then make it yours — change your dates, group, budget, or pace and we'll reshape the days.
Opens in the planner with the full day-by-day plan, budget, and score already loaded — then you edit.
Get better at planning trips like this
Occasional notes on planning smarter — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Use this as your starting point
Copy the plan, then edit dates, group, budget & pace — free.