Two-day Samtskhe-Javakheti Tour2 Days | Tsalka Canyon, Paravani Lake, Poka Nunnery, Akhaltsikhe

Two-day Samtskhe-Javakheti Tour starts in Tbilisi from where we travel through the picturesque mountain scene for about two hours to Tsalka Canyon; and then to “Diamond Bridge” from where we'll visualize the deepest of the canyon; and after we take a pictures and walk around we will discover hidden Dashbashi waterfall – a true wonder of the nature. This tour doesn’t only include nature wonders like waterfalls and volcanic tectonic lakes but also man-made creations like a historic cave settlement Vardzia, and magnificent fortifications like Rabati.
Book a 2-day trip to the Samtskhe-Javakheti region and delight your eyes with stunning scenery that is unique to only this area.

Tour itinerary:

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Day 1: Tbilisi – Tsalka Canyon – Paravani Lake – Poka Nunnery – Vardzia

We will leave Tbilisi at 9:00 and drive to Tsalka, a deep mountain gorge situated 100 kilometers west of Tbilisi. A striking hanging glass bridge that is 180 meters tall opened here in 2022 and has since become a popular tourist destination in the area. A diamond-shaped viewing deck with a 360-degree view of the canyon is located in the middle of the bridge. This natural wonder is 7 kilometers and 300 meters deep. Its major attraction is spectacular cascading waterfalls called the "Weeping Wall." To reach the site we must hike down the canyon’s slope along a concrete path. The hike to the waterfall is 1.5 km long. A regular person needs 1-1.5 hours to make a round-way trip.
Once back to the car, we will continue our tour driving along spectacular lakes of Tsalka and Paravani, the latest being the highest lake in Georgia. Plains of Samtskhe with severe winters and frequent winds may seem unwelcoming. Yet the people who live here are full of hospitality. We will stop at a village of Poka Nunnery, where Saint Nino spent a night on her mission to convert Georgia into Christianity Nuns in Poka Nunnery make a variety of goods, including candles, honey, bread, jams, chocolate, and cheese. The ideal location to purchase unique handmade gifts for your significant other. Continue to Vardzia for overnight.
Duration of the hike: 1 hour 30 minutes (difficulty level: moderate)
Driving distance: 260 km
Duration of sightseeing: 10-12 hours

Day 2: Vardiza – Akhaltsikhe – Tbilisi

After breakfast check out of the hotel. Head to Vardzia, erected in the 12th-13th centuries by George III and his daughter Queen Tamara to protect Georgia’s southern borders. Vardzia is not just a set of random rooms cut from rock, but a multi-storied complex with streets, tunnels and stairs leading to monasteries, fortresses, bathhouses, libraries and homes. Continue to Akhaltsikhe to explore Rabati Fortress, perched atop a tiny hill right next to the Potskhovi River. Its name comes from Arabic meaning “fortified place”. This 13th-century military structure had seen a lot of events over the years. The castle had been repeatedly destroyed and was frequently under siege, which caused it to absorb influences from other cultures and religions. After a significant reconstruction works in 2012, the Rabati fortification in Akhaltsikhe became a town within a town. It has developed into a true cultural city as well as a historical landmark. Within the fortress walls, there is a church, a mosque, a synagogue, a small park, a history museum, numerous stores, hotel, and even a civil registry office which witnessed many marriages. After the tour, drive back to Tbilisi. Drop off at the hotel. End of the 2-day adventure in Samtskhe-Javakheti region.
Driving distance: 210 km
Duration of sightseeing: 8-10 hours
Meals: breakfast