A journey by Women for Women
You are female, active, fun-loving and open to the spontaneous surprises of traveling in the Caucasus – then maybe this trip is just right for you?
Encounters with interesting people, nature experiences on relaxed hikes, culinary encounters and insights into Georgian art and culture make this tour an unforgettable experience.
Travel date: 15.09. – 25.09.2024
Group size: 6-14
Overview
Georgian women are considered to be extremely strong, determined and educated. Anyone who walks through the streets of Tbilisi will immediately feel the impressive self-confidence of the stylishly dressed Georgian women. For many centuries, the woman has usually been the most important decision-maker and contact person in the family.
On your journey through Georgia you will meet interesting personalities who will be happy to exchange ideas with you and have many exciting stories to tell. You will be accompanied by our English-speaking tour guide Eka, who will give you a deep insight into her beautiful Georgia.
You travel through the fertile region of Kakheti, experience the mountains of the Greater Caucasus as well as the vast steppes on the Azerbaijani border. You will explore hidden cave towns and visit the country’s important monasteries and churches.
Your guide is Ekaterine Abashishvili, who speaks fluent English and is very familiar with her native Georgia.
Highlights of this tour
- Discover the Georgian capital Tbilisi with Eka
- Along the Georgian Military Road to the Greater Caucasus
- The old Georgian capital Mtskheta
- David Gareji Cave Monastery in the steppe region
- Staying with a Georgian family
- The peasant bazaar in Telavi
- Uplistsikhe, Borjomi and Vardzia
Itinerary
On the first day you will get to know the lively and fascinating capital of Georgia. You start at 9.30 a.m. with the city tour of Tbilisi and see, among other things: the old town, Sioni Church, Narikala Fortress and much more. Afternoon: Small snack or coffee break in the cozy trendy bar. Afterwards Eka will show you the best secret places for shopping and art galleries.
In the evening around 7.00 p.m. we meet again for the welcome dinner. The restaurant is a real insider tip and will present the variety of Georgian cuisine to us. Overnight in Tbilisi, Hotel 3*
Interesting journey along the old Georgian military road to Stepantsminda/ Kasbegi in the Greater Caucasus. Visit to the beautifully situated fortress of Ananuri and stop at the panorama platform and friendship monument with a breathtaking view of the valley. Arrived in Stepantsminda, we can either hike to the famous Trinity Church at 2170 meters or drive up. You can end the evening comfortably with a dip in the pool or a delicious wine on the hotel terrace. Overnight stay in Stepantsminda, hotel 3*
Drive through the wild Darial Gorge to the Georgian-Russian border to the raging Tergi River, which flows northeast across Dagestan to the Caspian Sea. If the weather is nice you take a one-hour hike into the Gveleti high valley to the two beautiful waterfalls. In the late afternoon you visit the interesting Gallery-Studio/Felt Museum in Stepantsminda before returning to our accommodation. Overnight in Stepantsminda, Hotel 3* F,I,A
Mtskheta – the ancient capital of Georgia is beautifully situated at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers. Your guide will tell you about the fascinating myths surrounding the spread of Christianity in Georgia and the construction of the Church of the Holy Pillar. Then you visit the Samtavro church, which is run by Georgian nuns. On the mountains above Mtskheta we will show you a special vantage point. In the late afternoon you go to the Bagrationi factory for a surprise. After the tasting we drive to your hotel. Free time in the evening. Overnight in Mtskheta, Hotel 3*
Visit to the charming “Brotseula” family farm with tasting and a small snack. Afterwards, drive to the 6th century Hermitage Monastery of David Gareji.
Drive to the steppe region to the picturesque cave monasteries in the semi-desert of Udabno on the Georgian-Azerbaijani border.
Visit to the monastery of David Gareji, where the legendary monk David the Hermit and his disciple Dodo are buried. Continue to the beautifully situated town of Signaghi in the Kakheti region. Overnight in Signaghi, Guesthouse F,I,A
In the morning we visit the fortified town of Signaghi. Then it goes to the nearby nunnery Bodbe, where Saint Nino rests. In the village of Ninigori we now experience a very special item on the program – a Georgian cooking course with our dear Georgian host family. Under the professional guidance of our Khatuna, you will learn how to prepare chachapuri (cheese bread), khinkali (filled dumplings) and churchchela (nuts in grape juice) yourself. Fun is guaranteed! Overnight in Telavi region, hotel 3-4*
Today you will visit the princely estate of Tsinandali of the Chavchavadze family with its magnificent landscape park. Georgian grape juice was bottled here for the first time at the end of the 19th century and exported to France. We continue to the town of Telavi, where we visit the farmers’ bazaar in the center of the city. The farmers of the region sell their fresh products and goods at the market. A perfect place to take photos! Over the Gombori Pass, it takes two hours to get to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi, Hotel 3*
1.5-hour drive west to the ancient cave city of Uplistsikhe, scenically situated in the Mtkvari Valley. Here we walk through the extensive grounds of the important pre-Christian Georgian trading city and hear about the breathtaking history of this region. Continue to the spa town of Borjomi, which is idyllically situated between the green mountains of the Lesser Caucasus. The place is known for its sulphur medicinal springs. Overnight in Vardzia, hotel
Today we visit the famous cave city of Vardzia from the 12th century. The monastery is located in the wild canyon of the Mtkvari River and fascinates with its location, the frescoes and its eventful history. The famous Georgian Queen Tamar ruled here at the height of the Georgian Renaissance. Tamar the Great reigned as the Queen of Georgia from 1184 to 1213, presiding over the apex of the Georgian Golden Age. A member of the Bagrationi dynasty, her position as the first woman to rule Georgia in her own right was emphasized by the title “mepe” – “king”, afforded to Tamar in the medieval Georgian sources. In Vardzia you will see one of only three remaining portraits, that were made in the time of Queen Tamar’s rule.
The local cuisine is very tasty, diverse and healthy. There are shish kebabs, cheese, fresh bread and vegetables from the region. Overnight in Vardzia, hotel
Return to Tbilisi via the beautiful highland of Javakheti. In village Phoka you will visit an old nunnery, that runs a famous shop for hand-made chocolate and souvenirs. In the afternoon you will visit a Georgian artist who will show us her studio and tell us about her life. Enjoy the special Georgian wine one last time and review your trip. Overnight in Tbilisi, Hotel 3*
Our services
Included services
- Travel planning, organization and implementation
- All transfers from/to Tbilisi Airport
- English-speaking tour guide
- Overnight stays in hotels and family hotels according to the program
- Meals according to the program
- Meals including soft drinks
- Ride in comfortable vehicle as per requirement
- All entrance fees according to the program
- Welcome evening in the restaurant
- Joint farewell dinner
- Culinary evening in Kakheti
Not included services
- Air tickets to/from Tbilisi
- tips
FAQs
The tour guide of the women’s trip to Georgia is Eka Abashishvili, who lived for many years in Germany, in Kassel, and has been working as a guide and in the travel organization for Caucasus trips since 2014. Eka is married and has three sons.
Travel route
What our guests say
Dear Eka, dear Hans,
I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the unforgettable women’s tour with Eka. I returned so full and filled with encounters and explorations. This strength of Khathuna, the warmth of Teona and her cousins and above all or all accompanying the calmness and warmth of you, Eka.
I felt accompanied and carried, constantly given by small and big surprises, and always looking forward to the next story from you. With your trip, you brought a piece of Georgia to Switzerland: in my memories, impressions and stories. I would like to share what I experienced with everyone here. Dididididididididididi madloba!
From my heart,
Salome
Dear Eka,
I would like to thank you and David once again for the extraordinary travel companionship of our tour! You showed us and declared us as friends of your country and all this left a deep impression on me!
The program was very balanced, you had planned great interesting encounters, especially our felting workshop, the encounters with the winegrowers/beekeepers and cooking together, which were characterized by the “warm” personalities of the women. I had the impression that I was visiting friends and not at a paid program point. I take a lot with me from the country and people in Georgia, from the fantastic landscapes, the monasteries and churches, which are an expression of deep faith, and the exceptionally hospitable people.
If your route leads you via Stuttgart in Germany, I would love to see you again!
Dear greetings,
Christiane Seidel
Dear Eka, dear David,
Thank you for your fantastic travel companion. You are professional, helpful, friendly, communicative and humorous.
I felt very well looked after and cared for in every respect. The varied program, the fantastic landscapes, the good wines, the delicious food and the warm encounters made the trip an unforgettable experience. If you happen to be in Koblenz one day, you are very welcome.
Christiane Stein
Dear Kaukasus-Reisen, dear Eka, dear David,
every time I report about our joint trip to Georgia in October 2018, I get excited again. The capital Tbilisi, the Caucasus, the beautiful scenic impressions and the successfully put together trip: hikes, sightseeing, events such as the production of Georgian dishes, felt production, visits to artists and galleries, encounters with loving, hospitable people, that everything “embedded” in carefully selected, beautiful accommodation and extremely tasty dishes of Georgian cuisine was one of the impressive experiences of this trip.
However, dear Eka, this was topped by the exceptionally warm and perfect tour guide. You brought us closer to your home country with joy and commitment. And from you David, you guided us carefully and professionally over the bumpiest roads and infected us with your sense of humor.
It is also thanks to you two that we had such a harmonious trip, and of course I would also like to thank my five lovely travel companions.
David and you took good care of us, with excellent German you told us stories and about the history, culture and religions of Georgia.
I would love to travel with you again and definitely see you again, here or in Georgia.
Warm greetings
Maria
