Georgia 8 Day Itinerary: Small Group Tour with Cooking Class & Local Meals (2026)
You've decided on Georgia. Smart choice. Now you need an itinerary — one that covers the mountains, the wine, the food, the history, and doesn't feel like a military exercise.
We've spent years refining this 8-day route. It's the one our guests consistently call "the best trip we've ever taken." Here's exactly what each day looks like, where you'll sleep, what you'll eat, and why keeping the group at 12 people maximum changes everything.
This is the exact itinerary of our Grand Highlights of Georgia tour — 8 days, 7 nights, maximum 12 travelers, all-inclusive from $1,895. See full details and book →.
Day 1: Arrive in Tbilisi — Welcome to the Caucasus
Where you sleep: GT Hotel, Old Tbilisi
You land at Tbilisi International Airport. We're there to meet you — a driver with a sign, a cold bottle of water, and a 20-minute transfer to your hotel in Old Tbilisi.
Your base for the next 7 nights is GT Hotel, a boutique property in the heart of the old city. Same team runs the hotel and the tour. That means consistency, quality, and a staff that knows exactly what you need before you ask.
Check in, drop your bags, and step outside. You're on a cobblestone street in a neighborhood that's been alive for 1,500 years. Balconies carved from wood lean over the street. The smell of baking bread drifts from somewhere. A church bell rings.
Dinner is on your own tonight — and that's intentional. We want you to wander, get lost (you won't — the old town is small), and find a restaurant that calls to you. Ask the front desk for recommendations. They'll send you somewhere good.
Meals included: None (explore Tbilisi's restaurant scene on your terms) Walking: Light — hotel to dinner, maybe a stroll along the river
Day 2: Old Tbilisi — Walking Tour & Sulfur Baths
Where you sleep: GT Hotel, Old Tbilisi
Morning: a guided walking tour of Old Tbilisi with your Georgian guide. This isn't a recitation of dates and names. It's a story — about the city's founding (King Vakhtang Gorgasali saw a pheasant boil alive in a hot spring and decided to build a city right there), about the Persian, Russian, and Soviet layers, about the wooden balconies and the Art Nouveau facades and the street art in Fabrika.
You'll visit:
- Narikala Fortress — 4th-century citadel overlooking the city. Take the cable car up, walk down through the botanical gardens.
- Abanotubani — the sulfur bath district. You'll see the domed roofs from the outside today, and if you want, you can book a private bath this afternoon (we'll arrange it).
- Metekhi Church — 13th-century church on a cliff above the Mtkvari River.
- Dry Bridge Market — a flea market where Soviet medals, antique carpets, and Soviet-era cameras sit next to handmade jewelry and local art. It's a time capsule.
Afternoon: free time. Options include the sulfur baths, a trip to the Chronicle of Georgia (Georgia's version of Stonehenge, on a hill overlooking the city), or just wandering.
Evening: your first group dinner at a restaurant your guide has personally vetted. The food will be Georgian. The wine will be Georgian. The toasts will be long.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner Walking: Moderate — 5-7 km of walking on hilly terrain
The sulfur baths are worth it. Book a private room (not the communal pool) for $15-25 per person for 1-2 hours. The water is naturally heated (38-42°C) and rich in minerals. It's been a Tbilisi tradition since the 5th century.
Day 3: Mtskheta & Kakheti — Ancient Capitals & Wine Country
Where you sleep: Guesthouse in Sighnaghi (Kakheti)
After breakfast, we drive 30 minutes north to Mtskheta — Georgia's ancient capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is where Georgia converted to Christianity in the 4th century, making it the second country in the world to adopt Christianity as a state religion (after Armenia).
Two sites here are non-negotiable:
Jvari Monastery — perched on a cliff at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers. The view is one of the most photographed in Georgia, and for good reason. The monastery itself is 6th-century, and the stone carvings inside are some of the finest examples of early Georgian religious art.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral — 11th-century cathedral that houses the robe of Christ (according to Georgian Orthodox tradition). The cathedral is still an active place of worship, and the atmosphere inside is extraordinary.
From Mtskheta, we drive east into Kakheti — Georgia's wine region. Kakheti produces about 70% of Georgia's wine, and the landscape here is different: flat, golden, covered in vineyards, with the Caucasus Mountains as a backdrop.
We arrive in Sighnaghi in the late afternoon. Sighnaghi is a tiny walled town on a hill, nicknamed the "City of Love" because you can get married here 24/7 (the registry office never closes). The views over the Alazani Valley, with the Greater Caucasus in the distance, are stunning.
Dinner tonight is at a family-run guesthouse. Home-cooked Georgian food — khinkali, khachapuri, pkhali (vegetable pastes), and wine poured from a qvevri (clay vessel buried underground). This is the kind of meal you'll talk about for years.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner Driving: ~120 km (2 hours total, with stops)
Day 4: Kakheti — Wine, Cooking Class & Family Meals
Where you sleep: Guesthouse in Sighnaghi (Kakheti)
Today is the day most guests remember longest.
Morning: we visit two wineries — one commercial, one family.
At the commercial winery (either Khareba — famous for its tunnel carved into a mountain — or Tsinandali Estate — an aristocratic property with museum-grade cellars), you'll learn about modern Georgian winemaking, see the production facilities, and taste wines made with both traditional qvevri methods and European techniques.
At the family winery, the experience is entirely different. You'll sit in a marani (wine cellar) with the winemaker's family. They'll open a qvevri in front of you — scooping out amber wine that's been fermenting underground for months. The winemaker will tell you about their family's winemaking lineage, which in Georgia often goes back centuries. You'll taste wines that don't exist anywhere else on Earth, made from grape varieties you've never heard of (Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, Kisi, Mtsvane).
Afternoon: the cooking class.
This is the heart of the tour. You'll go to a local family's home — not a cooking school, not a restaurant, but someone's actual kitchen. The grandmother (in Georgia, the grandmother is always the best cook) will teach you to make:
- Khinkali — Georgian soup dumplings. The technique matters: the dough must be thin, the filling spiced correctly, and you eat them with your hands, holding the top knot.
- Khachapuri — cheese bread. You'll learn the Adjarian style (boat-shaped with egg and butter on top) and the Imeretian style (round and flat).
- Pkhali — vegetable pastes (spinach, beetroot, cabbage) with walnut paste. A Georgian staple.
You'll eat what you make, accompanied by the family's own wine and chacha (Georgian grape brandy). The family will toast to you — Georgian toasts are long, poetic, and deeply moving. This isn't performance. It's how Georgians welcome guests.
Evening: free in Sighnaghi. Walk the cobblestone streets, sit on the town walls, watch the sunset over the Alazani Valley.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch (cooking class), dinner Activity level: Light — mostly standing and tasting
The cooking class is the experience our guests mention most in reviews. It's not a tourist activity — it's a genuine invitation into a Georgian home. If you're wondering whether this is "authentic," the answer is yes. This is how Georgians live.
Day 5: Kazbegi — The Georgian Military Highway
Where you sleep: Guesthouse in Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)
Today is the most dramatic driving day of the tour.
We head north on the Georgian Military Highway — one of the most scenic roads in the world. Built by the Russians in the 19th century to connect Georgia to the rest of the empire, it follows the Aragvi River valley through gorges, past waterfalls, and up into the high Caucasus.
Stops along the way:
Ananuri Fortress — a 17th-century fortress complex on the shores of the Zhinvali Reservoir. The turquoise water against the stone walls is a photographer's dream.
Gudauri — Georgia's premier ski resort. Even in summer, the views from the top of the pass (2,379m) are breathtaking. You'll see the Russian-Georgian Friendship Monument, a Soviet-era structure that's become an iconic photo spot.
Gergeti Trinity Church — the image you've seen on every Georgia travel blog. A 14th-century stone church sitting at 2,170m on a mountainside, with Mount Kazbek (5,047m) towering behind it. You can hike up (2 hours from Kazbegi village) or take a local 4x4 (20 minutes, $10-15). Your guide will advise based on the group's energy level.
We arrive in Kazbegi (also called Stepantsminda) in the late afternoon. The village sits at 1,750m in a valley surrounded by peaks. The air is crisp. The views are unreal.
Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant — mountain food, which means heartier portions, more meat, and cheese that's been made that morning.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner Driving: ~155 km (3-4 hours with stops) Altitude: 1,750m — take it easy tonight
Day 6: Kazbegi — Mountain Day
Where you sleep: Guesthouse in Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)
A free day in the mountains. This is where the itinerary breathes.
Options:
- Truso Valley — a hidden valley with ancient stone towers, natural mineral springs (you can bathe in them), and alpine meadows. The drive is rough (4x4 recommended), but the landscape is otherworldly.
- Hike to Gergeti Glacier — a full-day trek for experienced hikers. The glacier sits at 3,000m+ and the views are extraordinary.
- Horseback riding — local operators offer 2-4 hour rides through the valley with Mount Kazbek as your backdrop.
- Do nothing — sit on your guesthouse balcony, drink Georgian wine, and stare at the mountains. This is a valid option.
Evening: group dinner at a different local restaurant. By now, you'll know the other travelers in your group. This is usually the night when people exchange contact info and plan future trips together.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner Activity level: Your choice
Day 7: Vardzia, Borjomi & Return to Tbilisi
Where you sleep: GT Hotel, Old Tbilisi
A long but extraordinary day. We leave Kazbegi early and drive south through the heart of Georgia.
Gori — birthplace of Joseph Stalin. The Stalin Museum is a fascinating (if controversial) look at Soviet history. Whether you're a history buff or just curious, it's a unique experience.
Uplistsikhe — a 3,000-year-old cave city carved into a cliff along the Mtkvari River. At its peak, Uplistsikhe housed 20,000 people. You'll walk through tunnels, temples, and amphitheaters — all carved from a single rock face.
Vardzia — the main event. A 12th-century cave monastery carved into a cliff, with 13 levels, 6,000 rooms, churches, bakeries, wine cellars, and a secret tunnel to the river. At its height, 50,000 people lived here. It's one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in the Caucasus, and most tourists don't know about it.
Borjomi — famous for its mineral water (you've probably seen the green bottles). The town is a Soviet-era spa resort set in a national park. You'll taste the water from the natural spring (it's salty and sulfurous — an acquired taste) and walk through the park.
We arrive back in Tbilisi in the evening. Tonight is your final group dinner — at a restaurant your guide has been saving for last. It'll be the best meal of the trip.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner Driving: ~200 km (4-5 hours with stops)
Day 8: Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Free morning for last-minute exploring, shopping at Dry Bridge Market, or a final walk through Old Tbilisi.
We'll transfer you to the airport for your flight home.
Meals included: Breakfast Walking: Light
What's Included (and What Isn't)
Included
- 7 nights' accommodation (GT Hotel in Tbilisi, guesthouses elsewhere)
- Breakfast daily
- 5 dinners (at carefully selected local restaurants and family homes)
- All transport in a comfortable minivan
- Local Georgian guide throughout
- Wine tastings at commercial and family wineries
- Cooking class with a local family
- All museum and site entries
- Airport transfers
Not Included
- International flights
- Travel insurance (required)
- 2 lunches and 2 dinners (giving you flexibility)
- Sulfur bath booking (optional, $15-25)
- Personal expenses, souvenirs
The Real Cost
The base price is $1,895 per person. With flights (typically $300-600 from Europe or the Middle East), travel insurance ($50-100), and your two independent lunches/dinners ($40-80), the total trip cost is approximately $2,300-2,700 — for 8 days in one of the most interesting countries in the world.
Compare that to a week in Western Europe at similar quality: $4,000-6,000 minimum.
Why Maximum 12 Travelers Matters
Most "small group" tours in Georgia cap at 14-16. Some call 28 people a "small group experience." We cap at 12.
Here's why it matters:
- Everyone travels together. No split groups, no second guide, no one left behind at a rest stop while the other half of the group is already at lunch.
- One minivan. You're not on a bus. You're in a vehicle where everyone can hear the guide, see the scenery, and stop wherever you want.
- Access. Some restaurants, guesthouses, and wineries simply can't handle groups larger than 12. We go places bigger tours can't.
- Group dynamic. Twelve is the number where a group becomes a community. By Day 3, you'll know everyone's name. By Day 5, you'll be making plans to visit each other.
Who This Tour Is For
- First-time visitors to Georgia who want to see the highlights without planning complexity
- Travelers who value local experiences over tourist traps
- People who want an all-inclusive price with no surprise costs
- Anyone who believes that the best meals happen in someone's kitchen, not a restaurant
- Travelers comfortable with a moderate activity level (walking, some hiking, long drives)
Who It's Not For
- Travelers who want extended free time or highly independent itineraries
- Multi-country trips (this is Georgia-only)
- Specialized themes (pure hiking, pure photography — though we accommodate both within the itinerary)
- Travelers who need luxury hotels (our guesthouses are comfortable and authentic, but they're not 5-star resorts)
Ready to See Georgia?
This itinerary is the result of years of refinement. Every stop, every meal, every guesthouse has been chosen because it delivers something real — not something manufactured for tourists.
Ready to Experience Georgia?
Join our 8-day small group tour through Georgia. From Tbilisi to Kazbegi to Kakheti wine country. Max 10 guests.
See the full Grand Highlights of Georgia tour →
Not ready for a guided tour? Rent a car from Tbilisi → and explore Georgia at your own pace.
Related Posts
Yes — 8 days is the sweet spot. You'll cover Tbilisi, Mtskheta, Kakheti wine country, Kazbegi mountains, and Vardzia cave city without feeling rushed. Less than 6 days means skipping regions; more than 10 starts feeling repetitive unless you add specialized activities.
All 7 nights' accommodation, breakfast daily, 5 dinners, all transport, a local Georgian guide, wine tastings, a cooking class with a local family, museum entries, and airport transfers. The only meals not included are 2 lunches and 2 dinners — giving you flexibility to explore independently.
Moderate. There's walking in Tbilisi (hilly old town), a short hike to Gergeti Trinity Church (or you can take a local 4x4), and exploring cave cities. No strenuous trekking required. The pace is relaxed — we don't rush.
Maximum 12 travelers. Everyone travels together in a single minivan — no split groups, no second guide, no one left behind at a rest stop.
