- flexible itinerary
- guaranteed departures
- safe & comfortable transport
- English-speaking guide
- pick-up & drop-off
- mindful travel experience
- free modification – up to 12 hours before departure
- K'Adventure Specials – Don't miss out!
Black Sea Express
Start from Tbilisi and explore via Batumi on the way to Kutaisi and beyond.
- 24+ interesting visits, unique activities and scenic stops
- Complimentary local family lunches
- All entrance fees, paid activities and tax included
- minimum 6 days, recommended 7 days
- $986 $1069
Trip Highlights
- Paravani Lake
- Vardzia
- Makhuntseti Bridge and Waterfall
- Zhinvali Reservoir
- Gudauri Friendship Monument
- Gergeti Trinity Church
- Kazbegi
- Jvari Pass Travertines
- Ananuri Fortress
- Nekresi
- Alazani Valley
- Sighnaghi
- and more...
Unique K'Adventure Experiences
- Meet with a village cheese-maker to see how a Meskhetian cheese is made with unique traditional technique
- Visit the iconic Doukhobors village and learn about its multi-ethnic/religious history
- Discover Georgia’s tea traditions and practices at a tea plantation tour
- Catch the breathtaking sunset into the sea of clouds in Gomismta
- Enjoy delicious family recipes for lunch and have fun learning how to prepare typical Georgian food from the expert
- Stay with Kist communities and gain an insight to their heritage and traditions
DAY 1:
Tbilisi - Kazbegi - Pankisi Gorge
- Departure Days: Wednesdays, Saturdays
- Pickup Time: 7:20am
- Pickup Location: Liberty Square (in front of the Burberry Store)
For drop-off/pick-up at optional stops, please see our Timetable and Pick-up Locations Guide.
07:30 – Depart from Tbilisi. Early start to avoid traffic.
08:30-09:10 – Scenic stop at Zhinvali Lake and the confluence of the White and Black Aragvi rivers.
10:00 – Take in the sweeping views and Soviet-style mosaics at Gudauri Friendship Monument.
12:00 – Ascend to Gergeti Trinity Church perched on a hill surrounded with spectacular views of Caucasus Mountains and Mount Kazbek.
13:00 – Enjoy family lunch and have fun learning to make your own Khinkali from the expert.
14:25-14:40 – Drop-off/pick-up (optional stopover) at Kazbegi bus station.
Why not take advantage of a stayover to discover more? Here are the Awesome Things to Do in/around Kazbegi.
15:00 – Scenic stop at Jvari Pass Travertines.
16:15 – Visit the 17th century Ananuri Fortress known for its strategic location.
19:15-19:30 – Drop-off in Pankisi Gorge (along the Duisi-Birkiani stretch).
Up for more adventures? Stay longer to explore Pankisi Gorge and venture further into the remote highlands of Tusheti and Khevsureti.
DAY 2:
Pankisi Gorge - Sighnaghi - Tbilisi
- Departure Days: Thursdays, Sundays
- Pickup Time: 7:50am
- Pickup Location: anywhere roadside along the Birkiani-Duisi stretch
For drop-off/pick-up at optional stops, please see our Timetable and Pick-up Locations Guide.
08:00 – Pick-up from Pankisi Gorge.
08:10 – Tour around Kist villages in Pankisi Gorge and learn about their heritage and traditions.
11:30 – Enjoy Kakhetian family lunch at a traditional winery house.
12:50 – Explore the magnificent Nekresi Monastery nestled in the hillside of the woodland with sweeping views of the Alazani Valley.
14:00 – Winery tour and wine tasting at a unique cellar against the peaceful and gorgegous backdrop of the Caucasus Mountains.
16:45 – Walk on the city wall and stroll in the picturesque Sighnaghi.
20:00 – Drop-off in Tbilisi.
DAY 3: Tbilisi
Free time to explore.
Wonder where to go visit? Check out our handy guide on Unique Things to Do in Tbilisi.
DAY 4:
Tbilisi - Vardzia
- Departure Days: Saturdays, Wednesdays
- Pickup Time: 7:20am
- Pickup Location: Liberty Square (in front of the Burberry Store)
For drop-off/pick-up at optional stops, please see our Timetable and Pick-up Locations Guide.
07:30 – Depart from Tbilisi. Early start to avoid traffic.
10:30 – Scenic stop at the serene Paravani Lake. Have a chance to shop for a variety of special cheese and desserts made by the nuns at Poka Monastery.
12:15 – Visit the iconic Doukhobors community house and learn about the multi-ethnic/religious history of the village.
13:30 – Enjoy Doukhobor/Meskhetian family lunch.
15:45 – Explore the famous rock-hewn complex of Vardzia.
19:00 – Drop-off at your selected location in Vardzia (or along the Vardzia-Khertvisi Stretch). Enjoy a nice evening in the tranquil Mtkvari River valley.
DAY 5:
Vardzia - Batumi
- Departure Days: Sundays, Thursdays
- Pickup Time: 7:50am
- Pickup Location: anywhere along the road between Valodia’s Cottage and Tmogvi
For drop-off/pick-up at optional stops, please see our Timetable and Pick-up Locations Guide.
08:00 – Depart from Vardzia.
09:30 – Visit a village cheese-maker to see how a Meskhetian cheese is made with unique and nearly-lost traditional technique.
12:00 – Scenic stop along the ride through Adigeni and Goderdzi Pass.
14:15 – Enjoy Adjaran family lunch.
15:30 – Explore Khulo and thrilled at the Soviet cable car ride used by locals for commuting across the river gorge to Tago.
17:45 – Refreshing stop at Makhuntseti Bridge and Waterfall.
19:00 – Drop-off in Batumi.
Not staying in Batumi for long? Take your best picks from our handy guide on Nice Things to Do in/around Batumi.
DAY 6:
Batumi - Kutaisi
- Departure Days: Mondays, Fridays
- Pickup Time: 11:45am
- Pickup Location: Batumi Theatre (car park by the Fountain side)
For drop-off/pick-up at optional stops, please see our Timetable and Pick-up Locations Guide.
Free time in the morning to stroll around Batumi.
12:00 – Depart from Batumi.
13:30 – Enjoy Gurian family lunch at a tea farm.
14:30 – Tea plantation tour and tea tasting to learn about Georgia’s tea traditions and practices.
17:00 – A short hike up in Gomismta to catch the breathtaking sunset into the sea of clouds.
21:30-22:30 – Drop-off in Kutaisi.
Still have time before flying out? Check out our handy guide on Fun Things to Do in/around Kutaisi.
Flexible Journey
- Depart from Tbilisi: Wednesdays (6 days in total), Saturdays (7 days*)
* with 2 full-days in Tbilisi for more leisure visits - All travel passes are valid for the entire season and you can reschedule your next ride as many times as you need free of charge (up to 12 hours before departure).
- You can easily fit in a three/four-day stay or excursion at any stops along the route. Check out our Mountain-lovers' Guide to Georgia for ideas!
Dress Code
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes.
- Thin hoodie jacket (with sleeves) and large scarf (doubled as long wrap-around skirt) are handy cover-up for church visits in summer.
Please be familiar with the gender-specific dress code for visiting churches in the country.
Dietary Restrictions
- We encourage an adventurous palate – which will for sure enrich your Georgian experience!
For the family lunch included, we can offer vegetarian dish if you’d like to avoid meat. (Please indicate your preference during the reservation process.) Those who are gluten-intolerant, however, might need to bring their own food to supplement the meals we provide. - Breakfast is highly recommended as we have a day full of activities. Light breakfast packs and regional snack stops are included.
- Note that Pankisi Gorge is a dry village. Please be well-informed and respect local custom of no alcohol consumption during your visit.
Where to Stay
- We leave it up to you to choose the accommodation of your taste and budget so that you can travel your way!
Other Notes
- Itineraries are subject to change, due to weather, road and/or other circumstances. If any activity or attraction advertised above is missed or not available, we will try our best to replace it with another activity or location of significant interest and value.
- Due to weather condition and road accessibility, this route runs from late spring to early fall only. For the exact opening and closing dates of the season, please refer to the calendar on our booking system. Note that no optional stopovers can be accommodated for those who ride on the last departures of the season.
- Just as important as bringing your IDs and documents to travel, carry an open heart!
Travel Impact
- Karavanly strives to bring positive social impact and long-term economic benefit to Georgia and its people, through offering a more accessible and enriching option for greater variety of travelers to the country. We work closely with local communities to bring you unique opportunities for authentic and inspiring experiences, while ensuring that your travel money is spent in the way locals can benefit most.
We invite you to travel with us and be part of our efforts for a positive change. Learn more here.
