Experience Overview
Taste all the punchy flavours of incredibly diverse Georgia on an eight-day food adventure. Begin the journey among the charming facades of Tbilisi, where the snow-dusted peaks of the Caucasus are the backdrop for a culinary adventure. Get hands-on with cooking classes and kick back on included tastings, mingling with the locals and gaining an insight into Georgian culture along the way. Explore underrated sites like Narikala Fortress, Mtskheta (one of Georgia's oldest cities) and the Ananuri Fortress Complex (which has to be witnessed firsthand to be believed). Spend the night with descendants of the original highland Chechens in Pankisi Valley and wander the lush grounds in the dense foothills of the mountains. On this foodie adventure, you’ll enjoy the region’s most iconic and celebrated dishes, and wash it all down with a delicious array of Georgia’s famous local wines.
Highlights
- Spend the night in a women-run guesthouse in the Pankisi Valley, surrounded by lush, green mountains, and take part in a zhizhig galnash cooking class to learn the local cuisine.
- Enjoy cooking demonstrations and masterclasses by local cooks and artisans, including learning how to make churchkhela (traditional candle-shaped candy) and khinkali (Georgian dumplings).
- Meet local producers at the Telavi markets, then head to a local farm and cheese maker for a tour of the factory and a delicious, included tasting.
- Take a hike in the striking Caucasus mountains to perhaps one of the best positioned churches in Europe – Gergeti Trinity Church.
- Taste some of Georgia’s favourite cuisines and dishes with included lunches and dinners, including khachapuri, khinkali, churchkhela and qveri wines.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Mtskheta-Mtianeti Regional Hub. Donations help them improve their services and training hub to connect people, who’ve fled their homes due to war or political instability, with their new community in Georgia.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2231
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Private vehicle
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: KFZG
Starts: Tbilisi, Georgia
Finishes: Tbilisi, Georgia
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (7), Lunch (4), Dinner (5)Accommodation: Hotel (6 nights),Guesthouse (1 night)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 2705 (CAD 338 /day)
Itinerary
Gamarjobal! Welcome to Georgia. Your adventure begins in the capital city of Tbilisi – a picturesque city featuring a cobblestoned Old Town reflecting a long, complicated history. With periods under Persian and Russian rule, Tbilisi features diverse architecture, including art nouveau buildings, Soviet Modernist structures and Eastern Orthodox churches. Looking over the city sits Narikala – a reconstructed 4th-century fortress. You’ll have a welcome meeting tonight at 6 pm at your hotel. After, head out for an included welcome dinner with your trip leader and group and try some local favourites like chkmeruli (a traditional Georgian dish of chicken with garlic sauce) and chashushuli (veal, tomatoes and peppers).
Included Activities:
- Tbilisi - Welcome Dinner
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Today, you’ll explore Tbilisi with a local guide. Start at the Metekhi Church, which has magnificent views over old Tbilisi, and stroll through winding streets to the city’s main sites. Take in the terraced alleys, colourful houses, patterned balconies and modern architecture all the way to the ancient Narikala Fortress. When you get to the walled fortress, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the city and its surroundings. After your exploration, head out for an included lunch at a local restaurant where you’ll try dishes like nigvziani badrijani (eggplant with walnuts), soko kecze (stuffed mushrooms), mchadi (cornbread) and salad. The rest of your afternoon and evening is free to explore at your leisure.
Included Activities:
- Tbilisi - Old Town Walking Tour with Local Guide
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Travel into the picturesque Kakheti region. Surrounded by snowy Caucasus mountains and fertile valleys, this region is famous for its wines and gracious hospitality. Your first stop is the 16th-century Gremi Architectural Complex, which you’ll explore with a local guide. After, head for lunch at a local family’s home. Immerse yourself in local life and culture as you learn how to make mtsvadi (a famous Georgian barbecue dish) and learn the ritual behind its preparation. Watch a cooking demonstration of churchkhela (a type of Georgian sweet), then give it a go yourself! After lunch, drive to a traditional Georgian wine cellar, where you’ll learn the secret behind their unique method. Tonight, you’ll carry on to Telavi, where you’ll spend the night.
Included Activities:
- Kvareli - Barbecue lunch with a local family
- Kvareli - Traditional Churchkhela demonstration
- Kakheti - Gremi Architectural Complex
- Kvareli - Qvevri Wine Master visit
Optional Activities:
- Telavi – Batonis Castle (2 GEL)
- Telavi - Telavi Historical Museum (5 GEL)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, you’ll head out on a leader-led tour of the Telavi markets. Explore the hustle and bustle of the local stalls, then visit a local cheesemaker for a tour of their farm and cheese factory, followed by a tasting of some of their best-selling cheeses. Continue to the Pankisi Valley where your guesthouse for the night sits nestled in the heart of the valley, surrounded by mountains. Your host family are Kists – descendants of the original highland Chechens – and have lived in Jokolo for five generations. When you arrive, take in the lush surroundings and then be treated to a cooking class, where you’ll learn how to make traditional Chechen dishes like zhizhig galnash (handmade short noodles with lamb). Relax this evening in the warm hospitality of your hosts.
Included Activities:
- Telavi - Cheesemaker visit
- Pankisi Valley - Chechen cooking class
- Telavi - Local market visit
Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)
Set off on a tour of Pankisi Valley and learn about the unique Kist culture and their rural way of life on a walking tour of several local villages. You’ll visit Saint George’s Church in Jokolo, Duisi Old Mosque and the Ethnographic Museum. For lunch, try some chaabilgish (Chechen khachapuri stuffed with pumpkin) and other traditional Kist dishes. Drive on to Gudauri, stopping at the Ananuri Fortress Complex on the way. This collection of churches and towers sits on the teal Aragvi River, making for an out-of-this-world sight. You won’t want to forget your camera today!
Included Activities:
- Pankisi Valley - Kist villages and culture walking tour
- Ananuri - Architectural Complex
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Start the day with a drive to Stepantsminda. From here, it's a 2-hour hike up through beautiful valleys and woodland to Gergeti Trinity Church. Weather permitting, you might catch a glimpse of one of the highest glaciers in the Caucasus – Mt Kazbegi (5047 m). Afterwards, visit a local family in Gudauri, where the host will teach a masterclass on how to make khinkali (Georgian dumplings). Drive back to Gudauri in the late afternoon, where you’ll enjoy a free evening.
Included Activities:
- Stepantsminda - Gergeti Trinity Church Hike
- Stepantsminda - Khinkali home-cooking class
Optional Activities:
- Stepantsminda – 4WD to Gergeti Cathedral – from (per car) (60 GEL)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Return to Tbilisi this morning, stopping at Mtskheta on the way. This is one of the oldest cities in Georgia and one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world! Explore the Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, taking in the unique landscape and surrounding Mtkvari and Aragvi Rivers as you go, then carry on to your destination. When you arrive, you might like to take a dip in the city’s famous sulphur baths or walk along the river. Maybe grab a coffee and check out the artist pop-ups at Fabrika. Tonight, you’ll head out for an included farewell dinner at a traditional Georgian restaurant and toast to a trip well-travelled.
Included Activities:
- Mtskheta - Jvari Church & Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
- Tbilisi - Farewell Dinner
Optional Activities:
- Tbilisi - Open Air Museum of Ethnography (20 GEL)
- Tbilisi - The National Gallery (25 GEL)
- Tbilisi - Georgian National Museum (30 GEL)
- Tbilisi - Thermal Bath House Visit - from (70 GEL)
- Tbilisi - Aerial Cable Car One Way (2 GEL)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Today, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. There are no activities included, so you’re free to leave at any time after check out. If you would like to spend some more time in Tbilisi, just speak to your booking agent.
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Rachel - Traveled, September 2023
This was the first tour I went on that emphasizes food and it was excellent. More meals are included than in other tours, and many of the meals were in home settings, which was really nice. The market visits, wine tastings and cooking demos - stuffed grape leaves, lavash, dumplings, walnuts dipped in grape paste - were very good. This is an active tour - you visit a lot of sites with interesting history - and the scenery is beautiful in both Armenia and Georgia. By chance, there was a group of women singing in Geghard church/monastery when we visited - it was amazing! The Tour Leader, Ani, is from Georgia. She was great company, taught us a lot about the region and ensured that the tour went smoothly. We also had an excellent local guide in Armenia. There are some long bus and mini van rides, but they were very comfortable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/26/2023
Deborah - Traveled, September 2022
Our tour was great. Our leader, Kristina, was from Russia and spoke excellent English. This was an advantage as most Armenians and Georgians spoke either Russian or English. It was nice having the same leader for the whole trip instead of switching at the border as was previously done, and we had local guides as well. There were so many included meals that we didn't have to eat out much on our own. A great overview of both countries. Highly recommended!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/02/2022
Iris - Traveled, September 2022
The perfect journey with our fantastic tour leader Anastasia (and the most wonderful group). She went above and beyond to make it a really special one. We ate so much delicious food at the most beautiful locations – I still smile when I think of it. Thank you so much!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/23/2022
Mara - Traveled, June 2022
Wonderful food and superb landscapes, architecture and history. All in a very cozy environment, felt I was visiting friends!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/30/2022
Lauren - Traveled, June 2022
This was definitely one of the best tours I've taken. The included activities let you see a lot of both countries, and the itinerary is smartly designed to make even long driving days interesting. Plus, the food and wine are amazing!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/01/2022
Chris - Traveled, June 2022
The food in Armenia and Georgia was amazing. The way they prepare their foods is completely unique. The architecture is worth seeing if you love churches!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/29/2022
Antonia - Traveled, May 2022
This was our first guided tour and first food tour. It was better than I imagined. We came away with a greater understanding of the country and culture after sharing food and learning how to make it with local families Absolutely brilliant experience. Want to do it again!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/11/2022
Janice - Traveled, May 2022
The people, culture, sights, cooking demonstrations and food was a mouth-watering delight to the palate. The young couple who made wine, did a food demonstration and provided us with a scrumptious BBQ lunch. Everyone should take this tour! Tour leader Evgeniya picked the best places to eat local food!!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/23/2022
Shelagh - Traveled, October 2023
My first time travelling with Intrepid and I won’t hesitate to travel with them again. I understand now why they have a very loyal and growing group of travellers who travel with them again and again! I would recommend them in a heartbeat and I look forward to exploring the world with them again soon!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/14/2023
Kelly - Traveled, October 2023
When trying to decide on a trip in this region, the food tour really stood out to me as I wasn't very familiar with dishes from these countries. Safe to say, this trip really highlights the importance of food in this region and the amazing scenery & history that you encounter & learn about. I had such a great time exploring these wonderful places!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2023
Clare - Traveled, September 2023
Great tour which gives you the highlights of two countries, and extra insights into local food and drink traditions. Safe travel in a sometimes unstable region.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/27/2023
Robin - Traveled, September 2023
Outstanding! I have a new understanding and appreciation for the people, food, and culture of the Caucasus. Thank you to Yulia for making this a fun experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/16/2023
Emma - Traveled, June 2023
This trip was the perfect balance of culture and food, tours and free time, travel and rest. The home visits and meals were a highlight and it was great that Intrepid supported small business and emerging social enterprises. Thank you so much Yulia and Intrepid. I loved my time in Georgia and Armenia. I have come a way with a wealth of knowledge, and as a grateful guest of Caucasus hospital. I can’t wait to return!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/03/2023
Jennifer - Traveled, May 2022
This tour was the best I have ever taken. The destinations were incredible and the food and cooking lessons were fantastic and fun. Our guide, Zhenya, was always enthusiastic and accommodating. Highly recommended for food, brandy and wine enthusiasts!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/31/2022
Korey - Traveled, June 2024
I recommend this tour to learn about Georgian history and culture but most of all to enjoy great food and meet kind people. I appreciated the mix of big city and rural experiences, learning from small businesses and families, and the beauty of the mountains. Yulia always kept the group’s safety and comfort in mind. She made sure we were aware of each day’s itinerary and our options. Her interactions with our local guides were seamless, but most of all her overall welcoming enthusiasm for Georgia and new experiences makes her an excellent guide.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/01/2024
Linda - Traveled, May 2024
The Georgia Real Food tour is highly recommended for cultural experiences, cooking lessons and great food!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/07/2024
Madeline - Traveled, May 2024
An in-depth experience of a cuisine that is like nowhere else in the world. I was continuously dazzled by flavors, sights and smells. The generosity I experienced was ever flowing and truly impressive.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/26/2024
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