To learn more about the history and culture of Georgia, go on an excursion. Where to go and how much do excursions in Georgia cost - we will tell you in this article.
Georgia is an amazing country that wonderfully combines modernity and antiquity. There are interesting places for tourists to discover almost everywhere – both in cities and beyond. It's also worth noting that Georgia offers beautiful beach destinations, so no matter what kind of experience you're looking for, whether it's cultural exploration or beach relaxation, a week-long trip to Georgia can offer the best of both worlds. You can enjoy the sun, breathe in the fresh sea breeze, and immerse yourself in the architecture and way of life of the Georgian people. When planning your excursions, it's advisable to visit Georgia in spring or autumn when the weather is not too hot.
Organizing Excursions
You can explore the local attractions in Georgia through self-guided tours or with a group. Let's take a closer look at each option.
With Taxi Drivers
This option is considered not the best in terms of service and the ability to obtain comprehensive information about tourist attractions. Most of these taxi drivers started their career in the 1990s and have not been able to adapt to the new demands of modern tourists. Their cars are usually heavily smoked, and they are not shy about promoting a particular restaurant that they believe you must visit.
They see all tourists as money bags and try to extract as much money as possible from passengers. It's not recommended to look for taxi drivers directly at tourist spots, such as the Batumi promenade or Maidan Square in Tbilisi. These drivers typically function as regular taxi drivers and are unlikely to position themselves as knowledgeable guides.
There have been cases where they take people to museums or other attractions that are closed, claiming that they were unaware of the closure or operating hours. Moreover, the cost of their services is usually 30-40% higher compared to the methods mentioned below.
Group Tours
There are numerous companies in Georgia that organize group tours. These tours typically involve 30 to 50 people, which is quite a large number. However, not all tour companies ensure a high level of service. Limited time is allocated for visiting tourist attractions, so it's rare to obtain comprehensive information and see the maximum number of interesting sights.
The offerings from various tour organizers are mostly similar, with the only difference being the cost. It's important to note that a higher price does not necessarily guarantee better quality. Therefore, relying on personal luck and the integrity of the organizers is crucial in this case.
Private Tours
Traveling with a professional guide is the most convenient and informative option for exploring Georgia. In this case, all the time allocated for the tour will be dedicated to you, and you will have the freedom to decide how long to spend in each place and what can be skipped.
The choice of a genuine professional guide is crucial. In Georgia, many people claim to be guides after only a few trips along popular tourist routes. However, finding true professionals in the field is challenging, and most of them are usually busy during the peak season. Therefore, if someone approaches you on the street offering their services as a guide, they are likely not a specialist. You can find a reliable guide through recommendations from friends or acquaintances who have already used their services, or by searching on specialized websites on the internet where you can gather information about them in advance.
Some novice travelers try to find guides through social media. It's easy to do by joining a group about Georgia. However, this method also carries the risk of encountering an inexperienced or unqualified guide.
Where to Buy Guided Tours
Purchasing guided tours typically follows one of the three most common schemes:
Local Taxi Drivers
This is the least desirable option, as mentioned before. A taxi driver will never be a good guide, and the price for their services will be exorbitant.
Street Agencies
Representatives of questionable agencies often don't bother providing good service and offer poor levels of service at inflated prices. Since they don't need to maintain a good reputation, negative reviews about them don't bother them.
Private Guides
Individuals working for themselves always value their reputation, making this option the most favorable for most visitors. These private guides are more responsible and professional. In the competitive environment, only the best survive, while the rest are filtered out.
Best Excursions in Georgia
The most popular destinations in this sunny country are Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kutaisi. However, besides the cities themselves, there are plenty of other interesting places to visit, whether on an individual trip or a group tour. Our goal is to provide detailed information on what you can see there and how much it will cost.
On average, group tours in Georgia range from 7 to 40 EUR per person and are conducted in Russian. The price depends on the type of tour, the guide's experience, and transportation costs. It is recommended to start with sightseeing tours in Tbilisi and then explore the routes mentioned below.
Excursion to Kakheti (Individual Tour)
Since this trip to the homeland of wine covers a distance of 350 km, it is better not to take children or elderly people on this excursion.
Cost: approximately 150-160 EUR for a group of 1 to 6 people.
Duration: 12 to 15 hours.
Departure: between 8:00 and 8:30 AM.
Meeting point: in Tbilisi, to be arranged with the guide.
The tour includes:
Ujarma Fortress: built in the 4th century BCE and preserving some of its elements; entrance fee: 5 GEL.
Telavi: the old capital of Kakheti, where you can stroll along its narrow streets and enjoy the local atmosphere.
Ikalto Monastery with its famous Academy, attended by Shota Rustaveli.
Chavchavadze and Tsinandali Estate, where the Russian writer Griboedov spent his honeymoon; entrance fee: 5 GEL.
If desired, the tour can be complemented by a visit to a wine factory, where they will provide free information about its operations, and wine tasting will cost 8 GEL per person.
Excursion to Mtskheta, Gori, and Uplistsikhe (Individual Tour)
This excursion will introduce you to the ancient capital of Georgia and allow you to visit a cave city. Children can join this trip as well.
Tour price: approximately 120-130 EUR for a group of 1 to 4 participants.
Duration: 7 hours.
Departure and meeting point: to be arranged with the guide.
The trip will not be too tiring but rather time-consuming, so you might get hungry. Lunch is not included in the tour price, so make sure to bring some money (around 15-25 GEL) to have a meal along the way.
The tour program includes:
Mtskheta: the cradle of Georgian Orthodox Christianity and the former capital of Georgia.
Jvari: a functioning monastery perched on a hill, offering an excellent panoramic view of Mtskheta.
Gori: a city that houses the Stalin Museum, which attracts tourists from various countries.
Uplistsikhe: a rock-cut city dating back to ancient times, allowing us to glimpse into the lives of noble individuals of that era.
It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes as you will need to navigate several ascents and descents during the trip.
Excursion to Vardzia and Borjomi (Individual Tour)
This excursion will give you the opportunity to visit the region known for its famous healing water and explore a cave city.
Tour price: 170-180 EUR for 1-6 participants.
Travel time: 10 hours.
Start of the tour: between 8:00 and 14:00.
Departure: from Batumi.
The excursion program includes:
Borjomi: you will have the opportunity to stroll through the beautiful park, taste the healing water directly from the spring, and visit the old "Borjomi" bottling plant (entrance fee: 2 GEL).
Vardzia: an ancient cave city that allows you to witness the way of life of its inhabitants from the 12th century BCE.
Paravani Lake or Rabati Fortress: the visit to one of these two attractions should be arranged in advance with the guide during the planning of your trip.
The road to Vardzia is not of high quality, and there will be many challenging serpentine bends along the way. If you are prone to motion sickness, it is recommended to bring a reliable motion sickness remedy with you.
Excursion to Kazbegi (Group Tour)
This journey to Kazbegi is one of the most impressive excursions that takes you along the Georgian Military Road. Due to the distance of approximately 340 km, it is not recommended to bring children on this trip.
Tour price: 35-40 EUR per person.
Duration: 9 hours.
Start: 9:30.
Meeting point: to be arranged with the guide.
The Georgian Military Road is a link between Europe and Asia, offering breathtaking views of mountains and the sky. Since it is not open every day, it is necessary to arrange the timing of the trip in advance with the guide.
During the journey, you will see:
Jinvali Reservoir: a high mountain lake located in a picturesque area with its unique turquoise water.
Ananuri Fortress: you will learn about the old legends and stories associated with the fortress, take a stroll through it, and capture great photos from the observation deck.
Passanauri: a unique place where the black and white Aragvi rivers converge. Here, you will enjoy the most delicious khinkali in the world.
Friendship Arch: located in Gudauri, it offers the best vantage points for taking photos from its viewing platform.
Narzan Spring: its waters will quench the thirst of a weary traveler.
Gergeti Trinity Church: an old dormant volcano where you can take a jeep ride to the Holy Trinity Church for only 15 GEL (laris).
The tour usually includes transfer and a 500ml bottle of water. Lunch (approximately 30 GEL) is paid separately by the tourist.
Georgia is an ideal region for immersing yourself in untouched nature and culture, so cherish every moment during your visit to this country.
