The Historic Gems of Samtskhe-Javakheti

Itinerary

Day 1: Borjomi-Green monastery-Rabati

Stop At: Borjomi Central Park, 50 9 Aprili St, Borzhomi 1200, Georgia
Borjomi is a hydrothermal health spa resort in the southern region of Samskhe-Javakheti in Georgia. This picturesque valley of 10,500 residents lies within the Agura River gorge at an altitude of 800 m. Borjomi has an international reputation for its geothermal spring mineral water resources. Borjomi Central Park was renovated and reopened in 2005. The park has an ecological theme and features children’s amusement rides, a swimming pool and cinema. There is also a cable car leading up to a scenic overlook.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Borjomi Sulfur Pools, 9 Aprili Street 50 Borjomi Central Park, Borjomi 1200 Georgia
take a bath in the sulphur pools in Borjomi.
Duration: 30 minutes

Pass By: Cultural Heritage Monument Firuza, Baratashvili St. 3, Borjomi 383720 Georgia
The unique historic building was built in 1892 for Mirza-Reza-Khan at the entrance of the ‘Mineral Water Park’ in a small resort town in Borjomi. The architecture of the building is quite different from Georgian style, but combines characteristics of mixture of Persian, Georgian and European. An open balcony with sparkling small mirror fragments covering walls and the ceiling gave the building extra sparkle. The signboard on the house says: Mirza-Reza-Khan

Stop At: Green (Mtsvane) Monastery, Borjomi Georgia
reen Monastery, officially known as Chitakhevi St. George Monastery, is an IX century friary located in the village of the same name, in the Borjomi municipality. According to historians and archeologists, it was built by Christopher and Tevdore, students of St. Grigol Khandtstheli, a very influential figure in Georgian history. The monastery complex includes a basilica-type church and a bell tower, also built in IX century. It is built from roughly hewn stone, with little to no decoration. The bell tower has two floors, with a prayer room on the first and a richly ornamented pavilion on the second. The place earned its loving moniker from the locals.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Rabati Castle, Akhaltsikhe Georgia
Rabati Castle is a fortress in Akhaltsikhe, Georgia. Originally established in the 9th century as the Lomisa Castle, it was completely rebuilt by Ottomans. Most of the surviving buildings date from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star hotel in Borjomi

Day 2: Vardzia and Javakheti lakes

Stop At: Vardzia, Erusheti Mountain, Aspindza 383770 Georgia
Vardzia is a cave monastery site in southern Georgia, excavated from the slopes of the Erusheti Mountain on the left bank of the Kura River, thirty kilometres from Aspindza. The main period of construction was the second half of the twelfth century. The caves stretch along the cliff for some five hundred meters and in up to nineteen tiers. The Church of the Dormition, dating to the 1180s during the golden age of Tamar and Rustaveli, has an important series of wall paintings. The site was largely abandoned after the Ottoman takeover in the sixteenth century. Now part of a state heritage reserve, the extended area of Vardzia-Khertvisi has been submitted for future inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Khertvisi Fortress, Vil. Khertvisi, Aspindza 0500 Georgia
Khertvisi fortress is one of the oldest fortresses in Georgia and was functional throughout the Georgian feudal period. It is situated in Southern Georgia, in Meskheti region. The fortress was first built in the 2nd century BC. The church was built in 985, and the present walls were built in 1354. As the legend says, Khertvisi was destroyed by Alexander the Great.
Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Headquarters on Sand Point Rd Between Munising and Grand Marais, Munising, MI 49862
Saghamo Lake is a lake located at the 1996 meters above sea level in the village of Saghamo (Saghamo is a Georgian word meaning “evening”) in Samtskhe-Javakheti region. It covers an area of 458 hectare. The lake receives water from rain, melting snow and underground springs.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Phoka Nunnery of St. Nino, Poka Georgia
Five nuns and one novice live in St. Nino’s Nunnery, which opened in 1992 in the village of Phoka, Samtskhe-Javakheti, led by Mother Elisabed. They produce a European style of Georgian cheese, honey, chocolate and other products. The nuns also work on enamel and make mosaics.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Paravani Lake, Ninotsminda Georgia
Paravani Lake is a volcanic river in Georgia located at 2073 meters above sea level in Samtskhe-Javakheti. The lake is surrounded by villages. It is frozen during wintertime. In addition to the small rivers of Shaori, Sabadostskali, and Rodionovskis Tskali, the lake receives its water from snow, rain, and underground springs. Paravani lake is a must see lake in the region.
Duration: 20 minutes

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.