Send this lovely postcard to your loved ones featuring the ancient walls of Narikala Fortress overlook the vibrant, sun-drenched rooftops of Old Tbilisi.
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All prices displayed on this website are in U.S. Dollars (USD) unless otherwise stated. Applicable taxes, shipping charges, handling fees, or other order-related costs may be added during checkout. Shipping costs vary by destination and will be calculated and displayed before the order is submitted. International customers may also be responsible for customs duties, import taxes, or other fees imposed by the destination country.
Product images are provided for illustrative purposes. Slight variations in color, positioning, cropping, or printed appearance may occur due to differences in screens, printing processes, and production tolerances. Borders shown around product images are for display purposes only and will not appear on the final printed postcard.
Send this beautiful postcard to your loved ones featuring Gergeti Trinity Church stands in solitary majesty against the soaring, snow-dusted peaks of Mount Kazbek.
* Important Notes: This product is created and sold by Travel On The Dollar.
All prices displayed on this website are in U.S. Dollars (USD) unless otherwise stated. Applicable taxes, shipping charges, handling fees, or other order-related costs may be added during checkout. Shipping costs vary by destination and will be calculated and displayed before the order is submitted. International customers may also be responsible for customs duties, import taxes, or other fees imposed by the destination country.
Product images are provided for illustrative purposes. Slight variations in color, positioning, cropping, or printed appearance may occur due to differences in screens, printing processes, and production tolerances. Borders shown around product images are for display purposes only and will not appear on the final printed postcard.
Send this beautiful postcard to your loved ones featuring ancient Svan towers stand guard beneath the towering peaks of the Caucasus Mountains in Ushguli.
* Important Notes: This product is created and sold by Travel On The Dollar.
All prices displayed on this website are in U.S. Dollars (USD) unless otherwise stated. Applicable taxes, shipping charges, handling fees, or other order-related costs may be added during checkout. Shipping costs vary by destination and will be calculated and displayed before the order is submitted. International customers may also be responsible for customs duties, import taxes, or other fees imposed by the destination country.
Product images are provided for illustrative purposes. Slight variations in color, positioning, cropping, or printed appearance may occur due to differences in screens, printing processes, and production tolerances. Borders shown around product images are for display purposes only and will not appear on the final printed postcard.
Be inspired to share your journey through the timeless charm of postcards. Surprise your loved ones with our bespoke postcard collection—beautifully crafted from moments captured during our travels by esteemed professional travelers. Each design tells a story worth sending.
This page lists our postcard-collection from the Asia continent, and are available to purchase directly through Zazzle. For all other postcards, click here.
Total postcards –
Abkhazia (6)
Sukhum Railway Station, Sukhum
Price: $1.54 *
City Council, Sukhum
Price: $1.54 *
Colonnade, Sukhum
Price: $1.54 *
Former Council of Ministers Building, Sukhum
Price: $1.54 *
Soviet Mosaic, Sukhum
Price: $1.54 *
New Athos Monastery, Novy Afon
Price: $1.54 *
Afghanistan (6)
Minaret of Jam, Afghanistan
Price: $1.54 *
Kabul, Afghanistan
Price: $1.54 *
Takht-e-Rustam, Afghanistan
Price: $1.54 *
Bamiyan, Afghanistan
Price: $1.54 *
Band-e-Amir, Afghanistan
Price: $1.54 *
Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan
Price: $1.54 *
Armenia (6)
Khor Virap
Price: $1.54 *
Yerevan
Price: $1.54 *
Yerevan
Price: $1.54 *
Yerevan
Price: $1.54 *
Yerevan
Price: $1.54 *
Gandzasar Monastery
Price: $1.54 *
Artsakh (1)
Tatik-Papik, Artsakh
Price: $1.54 *
Azerbaijan (3)
Baku, Azerbaijan
Price: $1.54 *
Baku, Azerbaijan
Price: $1.54 *
Baku, Azerbaijan
Price: $1.54 *
Bhutan (1)
Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan
Price: $1.54 *
Brunei (1)
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Price: $1.54 *
Cambodia (8)
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Price: $1.54 *
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Price: $1.54 *
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Price: $1.54 *
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Price: $1.54 *
Angkor Thom, Cambodia
Price: $1.54 *
Angkor Thom, Cambodia
Price: $1.54 *
Angkor Thom, Cambodia
Price: $1.54 *
Bayon Temple, Cambodia
Price: $1.54 *
China (4)
Xi’an, China
Price: $1.54 *
Beijing, China
Price: $1.54 *
Beijing, China
Price: $1.54 *
Great Wall of China
Price: $1.54 *
Georgia (3)
Ushguli, Georgia
Price: $1.54 *
Kazbegi, Georgia
Price: $1.54 *
Tbilisi, Georgia
Price: $1.54 *
India (13)
Jaipur, India
Price: $1.54 *
Taj Mahal, India
Price: $1.54 *
Kolkata, India
Price: $1.54 *
Agra, India
Price: $1.54 *
Mumbai, India
Price: $1.54 *
Mumbai, India
Price: $1.54 *
Varanasi, India
Price: $1.54 *
Varanasi, India
Price: $1.54 *
Varanasi, India
Price: $1.54 *
Varanasi, India
Price: $1.54 *
Varanasi, India
Price: $1.54 *
Key Monastery, Spiti Valley
Price: $1.54 *
Chandratal Lake, Spiti Valley
Price: $1.54 *
Indonesia (4)
Borobudur, Indonesia
Price: $1.54 *
Borobudur, Indonesia
Price: $1.54 *
Bali, Indonesia
Price: $1.54 *
Bali, Indonesia
Price: $1.54 *
Japan (4)
Fushimi Inari, Kyoto
Price: $1.54 *
Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto
Price: $1.54 *
Gion-kaku Tower, Kyoto
Price: $1.54 *
Tokyo, Japan
Price: $1.54 *
Kazakhstan (4)
Bayterek Tower, Astana
Price: $1.54 *
Panfilov Guardsmen, Almaty
Price: $1.54 *
Kaindy Lake
Price: $1.54 *
KazMunayGas Building, Astana
Price: $1.54 *
Laos (1)
Kuang Si Waterfalls, Laos
Price: $1.54 *
Mongolia (2)
Genghis Khan, Mongolia
Price: $1.54 *
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Price: $1.54 *
Myanmar (6)
Bagan, Myanmar
Price: $1.54 *
Bagan, Myanmar
Price: $1.54 *
Bagan, Myanmar
Price: $1.54 *
Yangon, Myanmar
Price: $1.54 *
Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, Kinpun
Price: $1.54 *
Sunrise at Bagan
Price: $1.54 *
Nepal (4)
Buddha Eyes, Kathmandu
Price: $1.54 *
Durbar Square, Kathmandu
Price: $1.54 *
The Kumari, Kathmandu
Price: $1.54 *
Ghandruk Village
Price: $1.54 *
North Korea (4)
Pyongyang, North Korea
Price: $1.54 *
Pyongyang, North Korea
Price: $1.54 *
Pyongyang, North Korea
Price: $1.54 *
Pyongyang, North Korea
Price: $1.54 *
Pakistan (6)
Lahore
Price: $1.54 *
Derawar Fort
Price: $1.54 *
Katas Raj Temple
Price: $1.54 *
Sukkur
Price: $1.54 *
Islamabad
Price: $1.54 *
Badshahi Mosque, Lahore
Price: $1.54 *
Philippines (6)
El Nido
Price: $1.54 *
El Nido
Price: $1.54 *
El Nido
Price: $1.54 *
Palawan
Price: $1.54 *
Chocolate Hills, Bohol
Price: $1.54 *
Chocolate Hills, Bohol
Price: $1.54 *
Singapore (2)
Gardens By The Bay, Singapore
Price: $1.54 *
Marina Bay, Singapore
Price: $1.54 *
Sri Lanka (5)
Sigiriya
Price: $1.54 *
Dambulla
Price: $1.54 *
Yala National Park
Price: $1.54 *
Ella
Price: $1.54 *
Anuradhapura
Price: $1.54 *
Taiwan (3)
Kaohsiung
Price: $1.54 *
Taipei
Price: $1.54 *
Taipei 101 Tower, Taipei
Price: $1.54 *
Turkmenistan (4)
Ashgabat
Price: $1.54 *
Ashgabat
Price: $1.54 *
Darvaza
Price: $1.54 *
Yangykala Canyon
Price: $1.54 *
Uzbekistan (4)
Registan, Samarkand
Price: $1.54 *
Kalta Minor, Khiva
Price: $1.54 *
Ichan-Qаl’а, Khiva
Price: $1.54 *
Ark Fortress, Bukhara
Price: $1.54 *
Vietnam (4)
Ninh Binh, Vietnam
Price: $1.54 *
Sapa, Vietnam
Price: $1.54 *
Da Nang, Vietnam
Price: $1.54 *
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Price: $1.54 *
Product Details
PERFECT SIZE 5.6 x 4.25 inches (14.22 x 10.80 cm) – ideal for mailing and displaying.
HIGH-QUALITY PRINT Sharp details and vibrant colors that make every scene come to life.
PREMIUM CARD STOCK Thick, durable 14pt, 300gsm matte cardstock with a smooth, elegant finish.
ECO-FRIENDLY Printed with environmentally conscious inks on responsibly sourced paper.
DURABLE & STURDY Thick cardstock resists bending and wear, perfect for mailing or keepsakes.
EASY TO MAIL Standard postcard size with ample space for your message and address.
COLLECT & SHARE Great for travelers, postcard collectors, or as a unique gift idea.
MADE FOR TRAVELERS A beautiful reminder of your adventures or a thoughtful gift for anyone who loves to explore.
* Important Notes: This product is created and sold by Travel On The Dollar.
All prices displayed on this website are in U.S. Dollars (USD) unless otherwise stated. Applicable taxes, shipping charges, handling fees, or other order-related costs may be added during checkout. Shipping costs vary by destination and will be calculated and displayed before the order is submitted. International customers may also be responsible for customs duties, import taxes, or other fees imposed by the destination country.
Product images are provided for illustrative purposes. Slight variations in color, positioning, cropping, or printed appearance may occur due to differences in screens, printing processes, and production tolerances. Borders shown around product images are for display purposes only and will not appear on the final printed postcard.
Product availability, pricing, specifications, and shipping options are subject to change without notice.
travel postcards,
buy postcards online,
custom destination postcards,
Postcards from Asia,
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Postcards from Azerbaijan,
Postcards from Bhutan,
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Travel Postcards
Be inspired to share your journey through the timeless charm of postcards. Surprise your loved ones with our bespoke postcard collection—beautifully crafted from moments captured during our travels by esteemed professional travelers. Each design tells a story worth sending.
Our postcards are available to purchase directly through Zazzle.
Total postcards – 461
Africa Travel Postcards (124)
Asia Travel Postcards (115)
West Asia Travel Postcards (51)
Europe Travel Postcards (78)
North America Travel Postcards (43)
South America Travel Postcards (30)
Oceania Travel Postcards (20)
Product Details
PERFECT SIZE 5.6 x 4.25 inches (14.22 x 10.80 cm) – ideal for mailing and displaying.
HIGH-QUALITY PRINT Sharp details and vibrant colors that make every scene come to life.
PREMIUM CARD STOCK Thick, durable 14pt, 300gsm matte cardstock with a smooth, elegant finish.
ECO-FRIENDLY Printed with environmentally conscious inks on responsibly sourced paper.
DURABLE & STURDY Thick cardstock resists bending and wear, perfect for mailing or keepsakes.
EASY TO MAIL Standard postcard size with ample space for your message and address.
COLLECT & SHARE Great for travelers, postcard collectors, or as a unique gift idea.
MADE FOR TRAVELERS A beautiful reminder of your adventures or a thoughtful gift for anyone who loves to explore.
1Important Notes: This product is created and sold by Travel On The Dollar.
All prices displayed on this website are in U.S. Dollars (USD) unless otherwise stated. Applicable taxes, shipping charges, handling fees, or other order-related costs may be added during checkout. Shipping costs vary by destination and will be calculated and displayed before the order is submitted. International customers may also be responsible for customs duties, import taxes, or other fees imposed by the destination country.
Product images are provided for illustrative purposes. Slight variations in color, positioning, cropping, or printed appearance may occur due to differences in screens, printing processes, and production tolerances. Borders shown around product images are for display purposes only and will not appear on the final printed postcard.
Product availability, pricing, specifications, and shipping options are subject to change without notice.
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Day 6 – Kazbegi, Tbilisi | Seven Days in Georgia
We expected some rain today, but overall it was a sunny day in Tbilisi in the morning. So after an hour of debating whether to do a day trip to Kazbegi, we decided to just go there and brace the rain.
From Tbilisi, it’s very easy to reach Kazbegi (now known as Stepantsminda) by mashrutkas leaving from Didube bus station (roughly every hour) for a fare of GEL 10 in about two hours’ time. When I reached the bus station there was a private taxi driver who offered me ride to Stepantsminda for GEL 15, promising immediate departure to be shared with another Russian family and a Lithuanian guy and I instantly accepted the deal!
Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)
Kazbegi or now known as Stepantsminda, is home of the Holy Trinity Church nestled in visually spectacular surrounding of Mount Kazbek. Stepantsminda, a village in North of the country is located on Georgian pride, the Military Highway, and just about 10km south of the border with Russia.
One popular stop on Tbilisi- Kazbegi route is Ananuri fortress, located around 70 kms away from Tbilisi. Since we were on a private taxi our driver decided to give us a quick stop at the site and about twenty minutes to explore!
Ananuri castle complex is beautifully located on Aragvi River and has scenic mountain backdrop to it. The complex is protected by a wall which can be walked upon and has a tower to take the aerial views. Apart from that there are two churches within the complex to be explored! After this quick stop we resumed our journey to Kazbegi.
Gergeti Trinity Church, also known as Tsminda Samebis Church, is situated at a height of 2170m! Which would mean a steep hike from Stepantsminda square to all the way up for about 2-3 hours. A driver at the square approached us offering to drive to church and back with a waiting time of about an hour while we look around the church and surrounding area for GEL 50.
We agreed to it and started our accent to the church on almost nonexistent treacherous road. Unfortunately, views from the road are uninspiring and we were glad to decide not to hike it up!! It’s a single lane road with traffic from both directions so took almost an hour to reach all the way up.
The Gergeti Trinity Church was built in the 14th century and is quite simple to look at. But what stuns you is the location and the surrounding enormous Kazbek mountain. Apart from the church main building there was a small bell tower nearby. For better views of the church its highly recommended to climb small hill on way to Kazbegi peak as you enter on the road leading to church. The views from top of this hill were breathtaking as you get close to Kazbegi peak on one hand and see church from a higher vantage point on other!
After few quintessential panorama shots, we started are descent to back to Kazbegi square. It took us about forty minutes to get back to the square and it was almost little past lunch time!
There are quite a few restaurants in the square serving great food at reasonable prices. This time it was a big clay pot of hot beans and sausages for lunch another Georgian favorite! After lunch we started our journey back to Tbilisi on mashrutkas (last one leaves at 5:30 pm).
After reaching Tbilisi, we just relaxed at the hotel for a while and walked around the Old Town, visiting the Bridge of Peace, which was lit in the Georgian flag, indicating the festival of the weekend in Tbilisi – Tbilisoba.
Costs
Note: All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate of USD 1 = GEL 2.34 at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult.
Georgia travel
Georgia travel guide
Georgia itinerary
Georgia trip report
Georgia tourism
Travel to Georgia
Georgia vacation
Georgia backpacking
Georgia road trip
Georgia travel blog
Georgia national parks
Georgia mountains
Georgia nature travel
7 day Georgia itinerary
One week in Georgia
Best places to visit in Georgia
Georgia budget travel
How much does a trip to Georgia cost
Georgia travel costs
Georgia travel tips
Georgia travel planning
Georgia for first-time visitors
Is Georgia worth visiting
Georgia travel budget
Georgia travel expenses
Georgia cost of travel
Georgia budget guide
Georgia accommodation costs
Georgia transportation costs
Georgia rental car
Georgia SIM card
Georgia travel on a budget
Asia travel
Nomadic culture
Georgia landscapes
Georgia road trip
Adventure travel Georgia
Ecotourism Georgia
Georgia hiking
Off-the-beaten-path destinations
Tbilisi, Mestia, Ushguli, Kutaisi, Mtskheta, Uplistsikhe, Gori, Sighnagi, Kazbegi
How much did it cost? | Seven Days in Georgia
Here’s a complete breakdown of costs per person for all the seven days of our trip to Georgia.
Where: Tbilisi, Mestia, Ushguli, Kutaisi, Mtskheta, Uplistsikhe, Gori, Sighnagi, Kazbegi Transport: Airlines, Bus, Taxi, Train When: October 2016 Who: One backpacker Currency: Georgian Lari (GEL) How long: Seven days
Note:International flights in and out of Georgia are NOT included in the costs.
All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult. The exchange rate at the time of visiting is assumed to be USD 1 = GEL 2.34.
Georgia travel
Georgia travel guide
Georgia itinerary
Georgia trip report
Georgia tourism
Travel to Georgia
Georgia vacation
Georgia backpacking
Georgia road trip
Georgia travel blog
Georgia national parks
Georgia mountains
Georgia nature travel
7 day Georgia itinerary
One week in Georgia
Best places to visit in Georgia
Georgia budget travel
How much does a trip to Georgia cost
Georgia travel costs
Georgia travel tips
Georgia travel planning
Georgia for first-time visitors
Is Georgia worth visiting
Georgia travel budget
Georgia travel expenses
Georgia cost of travel
Georgia budget guide
Georgia accommodation costs
Georgia transportation costs
Georgia rental car
Georgia SIM card
Georgia travel on a budget
Asia travel
Nomadic culture
Georgia landscapes
Georgia road trip
Adventure travel Georgia
Ecotourism Georgia
Georgia hiking
Off-the-beaten-path destinations
Tbilisi, Mestia, Ushguli, Kutaisi, Mtskheta, Uplistsikhe, Gori, Sighnagi, Kazbegi
Day 7 – Tbilisi | Seven Days in Georgia
It was a beautiful, sunny day in Tbilisi so we headed out early to the Abanotubani area to visit the famous Sulphur baths. Although we didn’t go for any treatments, we wandered around the area.
[Abanotubani sulphur baths]
[Abanotubani sulphur baths]
[Abanotubani sulphur baths]
[Abanotubani sulphur baths]
[Abanotubani sulphur baths]
Find cheap hostel
Walked over to the “bridge” going behind the Mosque. This brought us to the stunning and hidden Leghvtakhevi waterfall. Locals were preparing for the Tbilisoba celebrations with pumpkins ad fruits laid over the restaurants and cafes around.
[Bridge leading to Leghvtakhevi waterfall]
[Bridge leading to Leghvtakhevi waterfall]
[Path leading to Leghvtakhevi waterfall, with a cute souvenir shop]
[Path leading away from Leghvtakhevi waterfall, with a round staircase leading up to the Mosque]
[Leghvtakhevi waterfall]
Returning back to the main square, we stopped by Cafe Canape for breakfast, before walking for about 30 minutes to Aghmashenebeli St.
This is one of the main avenues in the historical part of Tbilisi, known for its 19th-century classical architecture. Located on the left bank of the Kura River and runs from Saarbrücken Square to Giorgi Tsabadze street, it is named after David IV of Georgia.
[Aghmashenebeli Avenue]
[Aghmashenebeli Avenue]
[Aghmashenebeli Avenue]
[Aghmashenebeli Avenue]
[Aghmashenebeli Avenue]
[Aghmashenebeli Avenue]
[Aghmashenebeli Avenue]
[Aghmashenebeli Avenue]
The city offers some spectacular views walking back to Old Town along the Kura river. The Department of Energy building shaped like rose petals, the Palace of the President sitting on top of the hill, the music theater shaped like trumpets, etc.
[Bank of Georgia building]
[Saarbrücken bridge]
[Department of Energy building shaped like rose petals]
[Palace of the President]
[Bridge of Peace]
[From Bridge of Peace – Palace of President and St. Trinity Church – the two epitomes of Tbilisi]
[Music theater, Palace of President and St. Trinity Church]
[Bridge of Peace]
The old town was coming to life with the celebrations for Tbilisoba.
Tbilisoba
Tbilisoba is an annual October festival celebrating the diversity and history of Tbilisi. First held on October 28, 1979, this has become an established tradition featuring open-air concerts of traditional music and dancing and various cultural events, centered in Old Tbilisi.
Plenty of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, Georgian grape-based desserts – churchkhela and pelamushi, steamy khinkali, barbecue and bread, and wine of course. Fantastic compositions made of autumn fruits, variety of beautiful handicraft masterpieces, theatrical performances and scenes from Georgia historical past, folk music and dance performances, gala concert and fireworks in the sky under Tbilisi is what make this holiday so special.
The concerts begin past sunset and go on till early hours in the morning when the city comes to life with celebrations and fireworks.
After partying all night, I returned to the hotel to pack my bags and head for the airport at 3:30am, to catch my flight back home. A wonderful seven days spent in this marvelous country!
Costs
Note: All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate of USD 1 = GEL 2.34 at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult.
Georgia travel
Georgia travel guide
Georgia itinerary
Georgia trip report
Georgia tourism
Travel to Georgia
Georgia vacation
Georgia backpacking
Georgia road trip
Georgia travel blog
Georgia national parks
Georgia mountains
Georgia nature travel
7 day Georgia itinerary
One week in Georgia
Best places to visit in Georgia
Georgia budget travel
How much does a trip to Georgia cost
Georgia travel costs
Georgia travel tips
Georgia travel planning
Georgia for first-time visitors
Is Georgia worth visiting
Georgia travel budget
Georgia travel expenses
Georgia cost of travel
Georgia budget guide
Georgia accommodation costs
Georgia transportation costs
Georgia rental car
Georgia SIM card
Georgia travel on a budget
Asia travel
Nomadic culture
Georgia landscapes
Georgia road trip
Adventure travel Georgia
Ecotourism Georgia
Georgia hiking
Off-the-beaten-path destinations
Tbilisi, Mestia, Ushguli, Kutaisi, Mtskheta, Uplistsikhe, Gori, Sighnagi, Kazbegi
Day 5 – Sighnaghi, Tbilisi | Seven Days in Georgia
If you want to visit the wineries in Georgia, then Kakheti region in the south-east is your best option. Places like Telavi, Sighnaghi, Kvareli, etc. have some of the best wineries in the world. Taking a tour of them requires a private taxi that can stop-and-go around the wineries distributed outside of the main towns. But wine tasting is possible in these towns as well.
It was a rainy day with heavy fog expected in Kakheti region, so rather than spending time in all these towns, we decided to visit Sighnaghi. As per WikiTravel and Google Maps, we had to walk to Freedom Square, take the Metro train from Liberty Square station to Samgori station, from where we can get a bus.
Tbilisi metro is the best way to go around the city. You have to purchase a card for GEL 2 at the station and top it up to the amount you want. This allows you to travel on train, bus and funicular in the city for the amount you have topped up. Each ride in Metro and bus costs GEL 0.5, whereas each Funicular ride costs GEL 1.
[Escalators at Tbilisi metro – each way takes about 128 seconds. Yes, more than 2 minutes!]
[Rustaveli station on Tbilisi Metro]
[Tbilisi Metro train]
We realized that the buses to Signagi start outside of Isani Metro station, and not Samgori station. So we walked (on the right after exiting the station) for about 10 minutes to this mini-bus stop from where mini-buses leave for Sighnaghi every two hours from 9am to 6pm. Since it was 9:30am, we walked around the agriculture market outside Samori station, and had a delicious shawrma for breakfast!
It takes about 1.5 hours on the amazing Kakheti highway. We took the 11am bus, reaching Sighnaghi at 12:30pm on a rainy day. The same bus will be heading back to Tbilisi at 4pm.
Sighnaghi (Signagi)
After a little bit of research, we wanted to stop by the Pheasant’s Tears Winery for wine tasting. So with the assumption that some of the fellow tourists were heading there, we followed them. In the opposite direction. In to the main center.
Walking around the town, we stopped by the post office to get a stamp for my Postal Stamps Travelogue book. Walking further we came across this beautiful lady who was weaving sweaters for tourists on the side street.
After asking us where we were from, she got excited to find some Indians and started singing Bollywood songs, while holding on to us tightly. You could see the excitement in her eyes!
After struggling to find the correct way, we turned back to where we arrived, and realized that the Pheasant’s Tears Winery was right around the corner!
Signagi was cold, foggy and sleepy, even in the middle of the day.
We decided to not just taste wine, but have a freshly-prepared meal at the chef’s table. The winery was gorgeous with wood-fire burning, giving us much-needed warmth.
We tasted:
Chinuri white, 2013
Tsiska white, 2015
Shavkapito red, 2015
Saperavi red, 2008
The food was delicious and it was a great experience to be here.
We returned to the parking lot where our mini-bus was waiting, and after 1.5 hours we were back at Samori station in Tbilisi. Another Metro ride to Liberty Square station, and a walk to the hostel, while grabbing some Kachapuri to eat on the way.
Costs
Note: All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate of USD 1 = GEL 2.34 at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult.
Georgia travel
Georgia travel guide
Georgia itinerary
Georgia trip report
Georgia tourism
Travel to Georgia
Georgia vacation
Georgia backpacking
Georgia road trip
Georgia travel blog
Georgia national parks
Georgia mountains
Georgia nature travel
7 day Georgia itinerary
One week in Georgia
Best places to visit in Georgia
Georgia budget travel
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Georgia travel costs
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Georgia for first-time visitors
Is Georgia worth visiting
Georgia travel budget
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Off-the-beaten-path destinations
Tbilisi, Mestia, Ushguli, Kutaisi, Mtskheta, Uplistsikhe, Gori, Sighnagi, Kazbegi
Day 4 – Ushguli to Mestia to Tbilisi | Seven Days in Georgia
Ushguli to Mestia
Your options of returning back to Mestia from Ushguli are very limited. With no taxis or mini-buses operating in the tiny village, especially early morning, you are mostly stuck with your private taxi that you will have to arrange in Mestia.
Some taxi drivers arrive from Mestia around 10am, dropping off travelers & hikers. So this might be your best bet to return back to Mestia. If you plan to return back in evening, then you have quite a many taxis and mini-buses returning as a day-trip to Ushguli.
But leaving early morning or late night requires a pre-organized private taxi.
Our taxi driver asked for GEL 130 for an early morning start to Mestia. Since we knew that we had no options, we agreed to having him come early in the morning at 7:30 to drive us back to Mestia.
Our host at the guest house had offered to serve basic breakfast early at 6am, which is usually not the case, it seems. Our driver was on time at 7:30am, so after a good breakfast we headed out to Mestia.
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You have three options to return from Ushguli to Tbilisi:
Ushguli to Kutaisi, direct via road – there are taxis and mini-buses leaving Ushguli around 10 am, taking about 6 hours to Kutaisi. Then you need to arrange another taxi to Tbilisi.
Ushguli to Mestia to Kutaisi to Tbilisi via road – This takes 2 hours to Mestia from Ushguli, then 4 hours to Kutaisi. Then you need to arrange another taxi to Tbilisi.
Ushguli to Mestia to Tbilisi via air – This is the fastest option. Details below.
Vanilla Sky operates flights from Mestia to Natakhtari a few times a week. Check their website for latest schedule. These are 19-seater small planes and costs GEL 67 one way. It is important to note that flights get cancelled quite often because of fog or rain. Our fellow travelers had their flight cancelled two days before, because of rain. And the second flight on the same day as ours, scheduled to fly at 2:30pm from Mestia got cancelled as well.
We had booked the flight on a Wednesday departing at 11:30am from Mestia. The bus ride from Natakhtari airport to Tbilisi is included in the cost. This is also true for flights starting from Natakhtari.
We got dropped off at the Mestia’s Queen Tamar airport directly at around 9:30am. There are no restaurants or cafes in or around the airport, so make sure to have a meal before arriving to the airport.
The staff got it at around 10:30am and until then no one was sure if the flight would take off because the fog was coming in the mountains around Mestia. Although we know that the plane did take off from Natakhtari at 9:30am, this does not mean the return flight would not be cancelled.
Fortunately, our flight was scheduled to take off. And we went through the simple checkin & security process, before getting on this small plane.
[Mestia’s Queen Tamar airport]
[Mestia’s Queen Tamar airport – Main waiting area]
[Mestia’s Queen Tamar airport – fire truck waiting outside besides the runway]
[Boarding pass of Vanilla Sky airlines]
[Vanilla Sky – The plane, L-410 UVP-E]
[Inside the plane before takeoff]
[Pilot and cockpit area – Vanilla Sky L-410 UVP-E]
[Enguri river with Mestia airport runway and city – aerial view]
[Aerial view of Shkhara Glacier]
[With the pilot and first officer]
Tbilisi
After arriving at Natakhtari airport, the van was waiting for us to drive to Rustaveli Metro station. We stopped by for lunch at Pasanauri restaurant for some authentic Georgian cuisine –
Walked over to our hotel in the old town – Namaste Hotel. After checking-in, we headed out to visit some of the sights of the capital city. Walking down to the river from the hotel, we reached the funicular that takes you up to the Narikala fortress.
An ancient fortress overlooking the capital of Georgia, and the Kura River, Narikala fortress consists of two walled sections on a steep hill between the sulphur baths and the botanical gardens of Tbilisi. On the lower court there is the recently restored St. Nicholas church. Newly built in 1996–1997, it replaces the original 13th-century church that was destroyed in a fire.
The fortress was established in the 4th century as Shuris-tsikhe (i.e., “Invidious Fort”). It was considerably expanded by the Umayyads in the 7th century and later, by King David the Builder. The Mongols renamed it “Narin Qala” (i.e., “Little Fortress”). Most of extant fortifications date from the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1827, parts of the fortress were damaged by an earthquake and demolished.
[Narikala fortress in the background]
[Gondola over the Peace Bridge, Tbilisi]
[Kura river and Metekhi cathedral]
[Old Tbilisi]
[Narikala Fortress]
[Gondola over Old Tbilisi]
[Narikala Fortress]
[Narikala Fortress]
[Narikala Fortress]
[St. Nicholas Church]
[People watching over Tbilisi from Narikala Fortress]
[St. Nicholas Church and Kura river from Narikala fortress]
[Mother of Georgia statue]
[Mother of Georgia statue]
[Narikala Fortress in night]
[Narikala Fortress in night]
[Narikala Fortress in night]
[Narikala Fortress in night]
We waited at the fortress until after sunset to see the night views of Old Tbilisi. And then walked down the staircase right into the heart of old town.
Two streets are very well known for their cafes, restaurants and bars – Shardeni st. and Erekle st.. It was almost 7pm by the time we reached Shardeni st and it was time for some coffee! So we stopped by at Irish Cafe, while noticing that the area was very quiet and empty at that time. Guess Georgians are used to late dinners!
Walking around the area, we noticed that there was some stage being set right across from “I Love Tbilisi” cafe. And after inquiring around we found out that the weekend was Tbilisoba, a festival the city celebrates.
Before getting some dinner, we decided to capture the night view of the main cathedral overlooking the city – St. Trinity Cathedral. The best way to reach this is to walk up to Avlabari Metro station and from there catch bus 91 stopping right in front of the cathedral (cost GEL 0.50).
[St. Trinity Cathedral, Tbilisi]
[St. Trinity Cathedral, Tbilisi]
[St. Trinity Cathedral, Tbilisi]
[St. Trinity Cathedral, Tbilisi]
[St. Trinity Cathedral, Tbilisi]
[St. Trinity Cathedral, Tbilisi]
Instead of taking the bus, we walked downhill from the church, over to the modern architecture marvel of Tbilisi – Peace Bridge. This bridge changes light patterns after 6:30pm and it’s a wonderful experience walking across this pedestrian-only bridge.
Stretching 150 meters (490 ft) over the Kura River, the Bridge of Peace was ordered by the City Hall of Tbilisi to create a contemporary design feature connecting Old Tbilisi with the new district. Since May 2010, the bridge provides a unique view of Metekhi Church, Narikala Fortress and statue of city’s founder Vakhtang Gorgasali on one side, and Baratashvili Bridge and Presidential Office on the other.
It was past 9pm and we walked across the bridge on the Old Town side, right over to Erekle street, one of the best places to have drinks, food or coffee. In mood for some sheesha (hookah), we stopped by Marrakech restaurant for just that!
Past 11pm, we walked back to hotel and called it a night.
Costs
Note: All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate of USD 1 = GEL 2.34 at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult.
Georgia travel
Georgia travel guide
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Travel to Georgia
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Georgia travel blog
Georgia national parks
Georgia mountains
Georgia nature travel
7 day Georgia itinerary
One week in Georgia
Best places to visit in Georgia
Georgia budget travel
How much does a trip to Georgia cost
Georgia travel costs
Georgia travel tips
Georgia travel planning
Georgia for first-time visitors
Is Georgia worth visiting
Georgia travel budget
Georgia travel expenses
Georgia cost of travel
Georgia budget guide
Georgia accommodation costs
Georgia transportation costs
Georgia rental car
Georgia SIM card
Georgia travel on a budget
Asia travel
Nomadic culture
Georgia landscapes
Georgia road trip
Adventure travel Georgia
Ecotourism Georgia
Georgia hiking
Off-the-beaten-path destinations
Tbilisi, Mestia, Ushguli, Kutaisi, Mtskheta, Uplistsikhe, Gori, Sighnagi, Kazbegi
Day 3 – Mestia, Ushguli | Seven Days in Georgia
Mestia
Waking up to a cold morning, we had breakfast at the Guesthouse Edelweiss costing GEL 10 per person. The town was sleepy early morning, except for a few tourists planning to go to Ushguli. Most people leave early morning to hike the Shkhara glacier.
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Having planned to leave for Ushguli around noon, we set out to explore this tiny town. Two main attractions in the town itself are:
Ethnographic museum
Climb the protection towers
Having checked with our hotel host, there’s only one tower that you can climb, the Khergiani tower. From the main road, there’s a sligh left turn that leads up to the tower. The doors were closed when we arrived and we were asked to stop outside the gate and shout “toto”! An elderly lady opened the door of the house leading to the tower. We paid GEL 2 per person and were lead to this wooden ladder.
WARNING – Climbing these towers can be a dangerous and difficult task. There are no real stairs, but wooden ladders that are steep and not really pinned to anything. Although each of them had railing on it, the last one was lower than the floor and you had to step on the stone ridges to climb. This is not easy for everyone and the tower itself can get claustrophobic with a very tiny “window” on each floor.
We started to climb each floor, took some deep breaths before even attempting to climb the next one. There are 4 floors in this tower leading to the roof. Reaching the last floor before the roof took a few attempts because the wooden ladder did not reach the top of the floor.
[Take this left turn up to the tower from the main road. Look out for the signs on the left.]
[The first ladder]
[Climbing the second floor. These are wooden ladders between each floors.]
[Small ‘windows’ to outside. And yes, those are human bones left there!]
[That’s the small opening leading to the roof.]
The views from the top are spectacular and it was worth every effort climbing the tower.
[View of Svaneti mountains and Mestia]
[View of Svaneti mountains and Mestia]
[View of Svaneti mountains and Mestia]
[On the roof!]
After a relatively easy descent, we headed back to the center to visit the Ethnographic museum.
The Museum’s collections include important archaeological and ethnographic materials, a rich collection of Georgian manuscripts, and Georgian Orthodox icons painted in the unique Svan style. It also houses ancient objects dating back to early empires and cultures that made their mark on Georgian history.
Ushguli
It was almost 11am when we started to walk back to the hotel. And while in the town center square, a Russian family who spoke English asked us if we wanted to go to Ushguli and Shkhara Glacier. The taxi would take us to a can’t-go-any-further point leading up to the Shkhara Glacier, from where we had to walk about 2 km to the base of the glacier. The driver would take us back to Ushguli and Mestia. Costing GEL 50 per person and taking 2 hours to reach Ushguli, we decided to hop in.
Located at an altitude of 2,100 meters (6,900 ft), and a community of four villages at the head of the Enguri gorge in Svaneti, Ushguli is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the highest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe.
Mestia to Ushguli
Most mini-buses leave Mestia early in the morning because travelers want to hike the glacier, but there are a few mini-buses/taxis leaving until about 2pm. The drive to Ushguli is very bumpy on unpaved, muddy and stoned road.
Portions of the road tend to get very narrow along the way, so if you have motion sickness, especially on mountainous roads, then make sure to keep anti-motion sickness meds.
After reaching Ushguli in just under 2 hours, we took a small break, before driving another 40 minutes to Shkhara Glacier. We drove to a point from where it was too rocky to go further.
[Our taxi; And helping another traveler with a flat tire.]
[Villages in Svaneti mountains]
[River flowing long villages in Svaneti mountains]
[Villages in Svaneti mountains]
[First view on Shkhara glacier]
[Just arriving at Ushguli]
[Ushguli village]
[Shkhara Glacier]
[This is the point from where we couldn’t go any further]
[River flowing from glacier downhill, along the autumn foliage]
[Shkhara glacier and river flowing downstream]
[Shkhara glacier with Ushguli village]
From this point onward, we had a 2 km walk to the rocky base of the glacier, but we were instructed to be back at the meeting area in just less than 2 hours as the other travelers with us had to return to Mestia, while we were staying the night in Ushguli.
If you plan to hike the glacier, it could take up to 8 hours to go up and be back to Ushguli, hence it is recommended to stay in one of the several guesthouses there. The locals have opened up their houses and put up rooms on booking.com as B&Bs and inns. With a lack of any restaurants or cafes in the village, the guesthouses offer dinner and breakfast included in the price of the stay.
There are no real roads, no street lights and no real maps for you to navigate your way in the night, so make sure to carry torch if you plan to venture out in the cold, dark nights.
[Our guesthouse – Shoalineni]
[Living room of our guesthouse]
[Fantastic dinner at our guesthouse]
Ushguli to Mestia
Your options of returning back to Mestia from Ushguli are very limited. With no taxis or mini-buses operating in the tiny village, especially early morning, you are mostly stuck with your private taxi that you will have to arrange in Mestia.
Some taxi drivers arrive from Mestia around 10am, dropping off travelers & hikers. So this might be your best bet to return back to Mestia. If you plan to return back in evening, then you have quite a many taxis and mini-buses returning as a day-trip to Ushguli.
But leaving early morning or late night requires a pre-organized private taxi.
Our taxi driver asked for GEL 130 for an early morning start to Mestia. Since we knew that we had no options, we agreed to having him come early in the morning at 7:30 to drive us back to Mestia.
After a nice dinner, we called it a day!
Costs
Note: All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate of USD 1 = GEL 2.34 at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult.
Georgia travel
Georgia travel guide
Georgia itinerary
Georgia trip report
Georgia tourism
Travel to Georgia
Georgia vacation
Georgia backpacking
Georgia road trip
Georgia travel blog
Georgia national parks
Georgia mountains
Georgia nature travel
7 day Georgia itinerary
One week in Georgia
Best places to visit in Georgia
Georgia budget travel
How much does a trip to Georgia cost
Georgia travel costs
Georgia travel tips
Georgia travel planning
Georgia for first-time visitors
Is Georgia worth visiting
Georgia travel budget
Georgia travel expenses
Georgia cost of travel
Georgia budget guide
Georgia accommodation costs
Georgia transportation costs
Georgia rental car
Georgia SIM card
Georgia travel on a budget
Asia travel
Nomadic culture
Georgia landscapes
Georgia road trip
Adventure travel Georgia
Ecotourism Georgia
Georgia hiking
Off-the-beaten-path destinations
Tbilisi, Mestia, Ushguli, Kutaisi, Mtskheta, Uplistsikhe, Gori, Sighnagi, Kazbegi
Day 2 – Kutaisi | Seven Days in Georgia
We arrived the previous night at this amazing, Soviet-built, neo-classical hotel called Edemi Hotel (link: booking.com). With the well-lit exterior and beautiful white interiors, the splendor of this place will leave you in awe.
[Lobby of Edemi hotel & Our room]
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Kutaisi to Mestia by bus
There is only one bus leaving Kutaisi at 9:30-10 am from Kutaisi. After checking with multiple sources in Kutaisi, every one confirmed this. This bus takes about 6 hours to reach Mestia. Cost GEL 25 one way.
Other option is to take a mini-bus leaving from McDonald’s bus station, every 30-60 minutes to Zugdidi and then taking another mini-bus to Mestia. Kutaisi to Zugdidi is 2 hours (costs GEL 7 per person) and drivers in this leg will call the drivers waiting in Zugdidi and reserve your place. Zugdidi to Mestia takes about 4 hours (costs GEL 15 per person).
Kutaisi
After looking at our options to go to Mestia (See above), we decided to visit the two main monasteries of Kutaisi, before heading to Mestia.
Our hotel offered us a driver who would take us to the two monasteries, but drop off at the last one instead of taking us back to hotel, for GEL 20.
We started early at 8am on a rainy day to the Gelati Monastery. A medieval monastic complex, this is a masterpiece of the Georgian Golden Age, founded in 1106 by King David IV of Georgia and is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It was foggy and rainy when we reached the monastery, while there was restoration work covering the front part of the monastery with construction facade.
[Front of Gelati monastery covered in restoration work]
[Back of Gelati monastery]
[Entrance to Gelati monastery]
[Gelati monastery]
[Murals in ceiling of Gelati monastery]
[Gelati monastery]
[Murals in ceiling of Gelati monastery]
[Bell tower of Gelati monastery]
[Bell tower & residence of priest at Gelati monastery]
We returned back to the city over to Bagrati Cathedral, located across from the river on a hill-top.
Known as ‘The Cathedral of the Dormition’, or the ‘Kutaisi Cathedral’, Bagrati Cathedral is an 11th-century cathedral and a masterpiece of the medieval Georgian architecture. The cathedral suffered heavy damage throughout centuries and was reconstructed to its present state through a gradual process starting in the 1950s, with major conservation works concluding in 2012. A distinct landmark in the scenery of central Kutaisi, the cathedral rests on the Ukimerioni Hill.
[Bagrati cathedral]
[Bagrati cathedral]
[Bagrati cathedral]
[Cross outside Bagrati cathedral overlooking the city of Kutaisi]
[Inside Bagrati cathedral]
[Inside Bagrati cathedral]
[Rioni river flowing in Kutaisi]
It is an easy and comfortable, down-hill, 20-minute walk to city center from Bagrati monastery. I visited the local post office to get a stamp in my Postal Stamps Travelogue book, before heading to a nearby restaurant, Tea House Cafe, for breakfast.
[Breakfast at Tea House Cafe, Kutaisi]
We walked up to a taxi stand nearby and asked the driver to take us to the hotel, from where we picked our bags, and then drop us at McDonald’s bus station. The set price was GEL 5, but after reaching the bus station, he asked for GEL 5 more because we took a detour! So make sure the drivers understand where you want to go and fix a price.
Svaneti Mountains
Mini-buses leave Kutaisi from the bus stand behind the McDonald’s. Just ask for the destination and they will arrange for a mini-bus. When we started from Kutaisi to Zugdidi, our driver asked us if anyone wanted to go to Mestia, and 6 of us raised our hands. So he called another driver in Zugdidi and made our reservations to go to Mestia.
A 2-hour drive to Zugdidi was uneventful and our taxi was waiting. So after a quick transfer and a break, we headed out to the Mestia, a 4-hour drive to this tiny town in the Svaneti mountains.
Mestia
We reached Mestia around 6pm and checked in to out hotel – Guesthouse Edelweiss (link: booking.com). Located on the main road, this is one of the best accommodation we stayed in Georgia. The owner of the house and his family live there and you get the upper floor with cozy rooms, with private bathroom. Breakfast costs GEL 10 per person.
[Mestia town center]
After checking in, we headed out to the center and stopped by at Sunseti restaurant, which is essentially the tourist restaurant! The food is delicious and the environment is friendly and comfortable.
[pic 1: Aubergine with walnuts; Pic 2: Khinkali]
[Pic 1: djapsandali; Pic 2: Chvistari]
Walked back to the hotel and called it an early night, tried from all the traveling all day.
Find cheap hostel
Costs
Note: All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate of USD 1 = GEL 2.34 at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult.
Georgia travel
Georgia travel guide
Georgia itinerary
Georgia trip report
Georgia tourism
Travel to Georgia
Georgia vacation
Georgia backpacking
Georgia road trip
Georgia travel blog
Georgia national parks
Georgia mountains
Georgia nature travel
7 day Georgia itinerary
One week in Georgia
Best places to visit in Georgia
Georgia budget travel
How much does a trip to Georgia cost
Georgia travel costs
Georgia travel tips
Georgia travel planning
Georgia for first-time visitors
Is Georgia worth visiting
Georgia travel budget
Georgia travel expenses
Georgia cost of travel
Georgia budget guide
Georgia accommodation costs
Georgia transportation costs
Georgia rental car
Georgia SIM card
Georgia travel on a budget
Asia travel
Nomadic culture
Georgia landscapes
Georgia road trip
Adventure travel Georgia
Ecotourism Georgia
Georgia hiking
Off-the-beaten-path destinations
Tbilisi, Mestia, Ushguli, Kutaisi, Mtskheta, Uplistsikhe, Gori, Sighnagi, Kazbegi
Day 1 – Tbilisi, Mtskheta, Gori, Uplistsikhe | Seven Days in Georgia
After arriving at Tbilisi airport, the immigration process was a breeze and luckily I got my bag quick and I was out of the door in no time. Right before the exit was the GeoCell cellphone operator’s office where they were offering free SIM cards and data-only packages were GEL 5 for 1GB GEL 7 for 2GB, GEL 9 for 3GB and so on. I bought a SIM card for data only (no calls or text messages) that I can use around Georgia and valid for 30 days. It costs GEL 7 for 2GB data.
It was past 6 a.m. when I was out of the airport and bus #37 was waiting right outside. Costing just GEL 0.50, the bus took about 25 minutes to the city center (Freedom Square), from where it was a 10 minute walk to my the hostel my friend was staying – Pomegranate hostel.
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Tbilisi airport to city – Bus #37
Unlike what is mentioned on WikiTravel page, bus #37 runs between airport and city center (Freedom Square) all the 7 days and 24 hours a day. This update (as opposed to weekdays between 7am-10pm) was implemented a while back.
The frequency may be less in nights than in daytime, it takes about 25 minutes in night time with no traffic and about 45 mins-1 hour in daytime. All in all the bus runs every 15-30 mins and costs GEL 0.50. Make sure to have exact change since it’s an automated kiosk-based ticketing on the bus and the driver will not have change.
Upon paying the kiosk, make sure to get a ticket from the machine, which could be checked by a conductor as you exit the bus. Not having this ticket can result in heavy fines.
It took about 25 minutes to Freedom Square and another 10 mins walk to the hostel, my friend was waiting and we headed out to find a taxi waiting at the main road. We though of going to Didube station (metro and bus stations are the same), from where we wanted to take a shared mini-bus to Mtskheta. But the taxi driver offered to take us there for GEL 20, which seemed like a bargain for two people covering about 35 km.
Mtskheta
Reaching early around 7:45am at Mtskheta, we were dropped off at the main circle which is right outside the Samtavro church. Although scheduled to open at 8am, the church gates were closed and the locals nearby didn’t know why!
[Main circle in Mtskheta early morning]
[Samtavro cathedral from outside]
[Jvari Monastery on top of hill during sunrise]
So we walked to the center of the town to the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. One of the most sacred places in Georgia, it was founded in 1010, built on the site of Georgia’s first church, and contains the graves of the ancient Georgian kings, including Sidonia, who was said to have been buried holding Christ’s robe.
There is a tourist information office just outside the church and adjacent to the wedding chapel and it opens at 10am.
[Entrance of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral]
[Front door of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral]
[Inside Svetitskhoveli Cathedral]
[Inside Svetitskhoveli Cathedral]
[Svetitskhoveli Cathedral]
[Murals inside Svetitskhoveli Cathedral dating from 11th century]
[Bell tower of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral]
[Side view of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral]
[Svetitskhoveli Cathedral]
After visiting the cathedral, we wandered around because all shops & cafes open at 10am. We stopped by a small cafe in the center for some coffee and kachapuri.
[Town of Mtskheta]
[Varieties of Kachapuri]
Heading back to the main circle to find a taxi to Gori, we bumped into Stoyan (who runs Free Sofia Tour) and his mom heading to Gori as well.
One of the taxi driver, waiting near that main circle, offered GEL 20 per person to drive to Uplistsikhe first and then Gori; returning back Mtskheta. Although we were not returning to Mtskheta, the price was fixed to GEL 20 per person! We assumed that taking a private taxi to Gori (and Uplistsikhe) would have been more expensive, we hopped on to that 7-seater car.
The drive from Mtskheta to Uplistsikhe is on paved roads and takes about more than an hour.
Uplistsikhe
Known as the “The Fortress of the Lord”, Uplistsikhe is one of the oldest existing, and now uninhabited, cities in Georgia. Founded in the sixteenth century B.C. and carved out of rock, this was a bustling city over 3000 years ago and was, before the introduction of Christianity in the fourth century, a major regional hub of Caucasian pagan worship.
A Hellenistic amphitheater overlooking the Mtkvari river, a functioning 9th century church built atop the ruins of an ancient pagan temple, a once pillared seat of kings, and a fun cave tunnel leading out of the city to the riverside are some of the highlights of this place.
Entry fee to the site is GEL 3 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Uplistsikhe access
Being on the top of a hill, Uplistsikhe can get extremely windy, so make sure to carry a nice wind-jacket.
The entrance to the top of the hill goes via a staircase and does not have any elevators or escalators. Similarly, the exit to the parking lot run through a staircased tunnel. So if you have disabilities, then we do not recommend visiting Uplistsikhe.
[Uplistsikhe]
[Inside Uplistsikhe]
[Uplistsikhe]
[Uplistsikhe panorama]
[9th century church over Uplistsikhe]
[9th century church over Uplistsikhe]
[9th century church over Uplistsikhe]
[Top view of 9th century church over Uplistsikhe]
[Cave tunnel exit at Uplistsikhe]
[Mtkvari river near Uplistsikhe]
About an hour or so at this heritage site, we got out and headed to Gori, which is about 15 minutes drive.
Gori
Birthplace of Joseph Stalin, Gori’s main attractions within the city are monuments to Stalin and they are all located on or nearby the main square along Stalin Ave.
We stopped right outside the Stalin Museum.
Open from 10am to 6pm and costing GEL 10, the Stalin Museum is an impressive museum filled with paraphernalia and media documenting the life and careers of I.V. Jughashvili. While the exhibits are in English, Russian and Georgian, there is an English guide (free of cost) that will walk you through the museum, explaining the historic events of his life.
[Stalin Museum]
[Stalin Museum]
[Stalin Museum]
[Stalin Museum]
[Stalin Museum]
[Stalin Museum]
[Stalin Museum]
[Stalin Museum]
Train from Gori to Kutaisi
At this point we were wondering what was the best way to go to Kutaisi from Gori, and our driver recommended taking a taxi that costs GEL 150 and taking about 2-2.5 hours.
But a quick visit to the tourist information center led us to a train going from Tbilisi to Kutaisi, stopping at Gori at 4pm. The train would take double the time- 4 hours, but would cost GEL 1 per person!
It was almost 2pm by the time we got out of the museum, so we decided to head to the station to get the tickets. We had two options to go from tourist center to station – take a taxi costing GEL 5 or walk for 30 minutes. Unsure of whether we will get tickets or not, we took the taxi to the station, got the tickets and headed out for some snacks.
[Gori Station]
[Gori Station]
[Fresh bread in the making]
[Final product – fresh bread]
[Train approaching Gori station]
[Getting in the train at Gori station]
[Inside the train]
The train stops at every station for about 3-5 mins each, sometimes more than 15 mins.
And by the time we reached Kutaisi it was 9pm. Our hotel was a 15 minute walk from the station, so after checking in, and freshening up, we headed out for dinner at the city center’s Almano restaurant.
Called it a day after walking back to the hotel.
Costs
Note:All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate of USD 1 = GEL 2.34 at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult.
What
Cost
Notes
SIM card
$2.99
GEL 7 for 2GB data only, valid for 30 days.
Bus from airport to Freedom Square
$0.21
GEL 0.50. One way.
Taxi from Tbilisi to Mtskheta
$8.55
GEL 20 per taxi. One way.
Breakfast in Mtskheta
$0.85
GEL 4 for two Kachapuris, one coffee & one tea. Hence, GEL 2 per person.
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Tbilisi, Mestia, Ushguli, Kutaisi, Mtskheta, Uplistsikhe, Gori, Sighnagi, Kazbegi
Planning & Information | Seven Days in Georgia
Where: Tbilisi, Mestia, Ushguli, Kutaisi, Mtskheta, Uplistsikhe, Gori, Sighnagi, Stepantsminda, Kazbegi Transport: Airlines, Bus, Taxi When: October 2016, for seven days Who: Two backpackers Currency: Georgian Lari (GEL)
Planning
Orientation
Although we had planned seven days in Georgia, you may want to spend at least 12-15 days visiting the mountains, glaciers and valleys. But seven days will give you a quick overview of this beautiful country.
Roads in Georgia are great overall, other than a some potholed roads inside cities and some highways. Although police are plenty and everywhere, there are no set rules when it comes to driving. If you intend to rent a car then be prepared for some “off-road” and crazy driving.
Public transportation in big cities are abundant and cheap.
Georgian is the main language, but everyone speaks Russian, and a lot of people speak basic English, especially in cities.
Food comes cheap and delicious. Georgia is a culinary heaven for meat-eaters, but for vegetarians it can be a bit of a challenge.
Visa
A lot of countries have an option of visa-upon-arrival, but it’s best to check their website and apply for a visa well in advance as the consulate may take anything between 1 to 4 weeks. Also, the visa upon arrival may be applicable to citizens of certain countries with different rules, based on the pre-existing visas or residency levels in the country you’re living. Visa are given typically for 30 days.
Georgia requires visas for citizens of non-U.S. or non-E.U. countries, but it becomes ‘not required’ if you hold a permanent residency of U.S., E.U., or Australia.
Currency
Georgia’s currency is Lari. The Lari is sub-divided in to Tetri. The abbreviation GEL or the symbol used is ₾. Currency notes of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 GEL are common in use and notes of 1 and 2 are rarely found.
IMPORTANT NOTE on Currency Exchange in Georgia
Most exchange centers around the country offer a good rate, but the banks offer the best exchange rate. The rate with most currencies remain almost constant so make sure to check some exchange rates around the town or city before changing. Exchange centers are at every corner.
Tips
Here are some tips that I experienced on my trip to Georgia:
Cash or cards – You will see Visa/Mastercard signs everywhere, but that does not mean they honor it. While most restaurants, hotels and businesses accept credit cards as payments, not everyone does. Paying by cash will be more acceptable, especially in hostels. Unlike U.S., rather similar to European and other nations, you will need your PIN to use credit card (the restaurant waiters will bring their machines to you to swipe your card, as opposed to taking your cards inside as done in U.S.).
Transportation – Public buses and mini-buses are everywhere. While big cities have public buses and/or metro trains, mini-buses or marshruty’s, inter-city transportation is done by shared-vans or marshruty. They are cheap and cover all of Georgia. Timings can be very strict and frequencies can be less between some cities, so make sure to check WikiTravel or your hotels for most updated information.
For example, a metro/bus in Tbilisi costs GEL 0.50 each way in terms of costs. And there is only one mini-bus that leaves Kutaisi in the morning for Gori, in terms of availability.
Hotels
All the hotels accept credit cards as payments, but most hostels accept cash only.
For really late arrivals, make sure to call the hotel during the day informing them about your arrival time.
Breakfast is never offered as a part of the hotel costs and can be charged extra. Linens/towels/soap are always included in the price.
Utilities & others
Tap water is safe to drink in some towns only. One liter bottle of water from a local market will cost GEL 2.
Wi-fi – This is available in all hotels and restaurants, although may not work all the time.
Mobile services – For GEL 7 (approx $3), you can purchase a SIM card from any GeoCell store (at the airport right next to the exit) and use it for data-only of 2GB. The validity is 30 days and you can recharge at most groceries stores around the country.
Map
Accommodation
I booked hotels before traveling to Georgia. These were booked after reviewing them on Google, TripAdvisor, booking.com and WikiTravel.
I booked flights to Georgia with the help of Turkish Airlines and Skyscanner. All prices are per person.
From-to
Airline
Cost
Notes
Mestia – Natakhatari (Tbilisi)
Vanilla Sky
$28.63
One-way flight. Economy. Includes transportation from Natakhtari to Tbilisi.
Costs
Note:All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate of USD 1 = GEL 2.34 at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult.
Ushguli to Mestia
