Explore the Basin of the Mtkvari River

The tour heads for the west of Tbilisi and the first stop is a visit to Kareli - a town that is located on the right bank of the Mtkvari River, 94 km from the capital of Georgia. The town is home to medieval churches and fortresses.

Ten kilometres away from the town is Kintsvisi Monastery Complex that consists of three churches, the earliest one dating back from the tenth century. The main church that belongs to the early 13^th century, a ‘golden age' of the Georgian monarchy, is famous for its medieval mural art. On the walls you can see the images of archangels and the kings of Georgia. The site is listed by the World Monuments Fund as a field project.

The next stop is Dzama Valley that is near the Fortress of Ortubani, often called Dzama. It is one of the prominent monuments of Kareli. The spectacular medieval fortification with its snapshots of Georgian history and the breathtaking views will leave you speechless.

From Dzama Valley, the next site is Borjomi Gorge - a stunning canyon of the Mtkvari River. You can trace the path of the river as it winds its way through the Lesser Caucasus, and enjoy views of the slopes of the gorge that are covered with coniferous forests.

The last stop is Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, one of the largest national parks in Europe, which is situated on a section of the gorge. The park is unique in the sense that it abounds in a diversity of geographical and ecological zones, landscapes, historical monuments and is rich in flora and fauna.