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Walk and Wine in Georgia: A Journey Through History, Nature and Vineyards

** This trip is fully booked **

Georgia’s history spans millennia, tracing its roots to ancient civilisations and kingdoms like Colchis and Iberia. The medieval era marked a golden age for the Kingdom of Georgia which flourished under Queen Tamar. However, the region also endured invasions and was ruled by various empires, including the Mongols, Ottomans, and Persians. Despite periods of foreign domination, Georgia retained its cultural identity and regained brief independence before falling under Russian rule in the 19th century. The 20th century brought Soviet control until Georgia’s independence in 1991, leading to modern reforms and a resurgence of national pride.

Culture and Wine: Georgian culture is deeply rooted in traditions like language, with the Georgian script being integral to the national identity. The Georgian Orthodox Church, dating back to the 4th century, plays a vital role in shaping societal values. Arts and literature thrive in Georgia, revealing a blend of ancient motifs and contemporary expressions. Culinary delights like khachapuri, khinkali, and flavourful wines reflect Georgia’s rich gastronomic heritage. Georgian wine holds a special place in the country’s culture, with a history of winemaking that dates back thousands of years. The traditional winemaking method using qvevri (large clay vessels) has been recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, highlighting the deep connection between Georgian wine and its cultural heritage. This vibrant tapestry of history, culture, and wine makes Georgia a fascinating destination.

From 4 to 13 September 2024, Ms Kanitha Kasina-Ubol, Managing Director of The Siam Society will lead a trip to Georgia which will combine explorations of historical sites, natural landscapes, and vineyards in Georgia, offering a multifaceted experience where we can immerse ourselves in the country’s rich history and discover its diverse natural beauty while also indulging in the unique wine culture of the region.

When

Wednesday, 4 to Friday, 13 September 2024

Leader

with Ms Kanitha Kasina-Ubol

Managing Director of The Siam Society

Booking

The tentative programme will be as follows:

Day 1: Wednesday, 4 September 2024: Bangkok
23:30 Meet at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, Check in at the Qatar Airways check-in counter
Day 2: Thursday, 5 September 2024: Bangkok – Doha – Tbilisi
02:30 Depart Bangkok to Doha by Qatar Airways flight QR837
05:30 Arrive at Doha International Airport, and transfer for a flight to Tbilisi
08:50 Depart Doha to Tbilisi by Qatar Airways flight QR255
13:00 Arrive at Tbilisi Airport, and proceed to a local restaurant for lunch
Then continue to the hotel, and at leisure
Evening: Dinner at own arrangement
Overnight at Biltmore Hotel, Tbilisi
Day 3: Friday, 6 September 2024: Tbilisi
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning:

 

 

Tbilisi stands the rich tapestry of nationalities, cultures, religions, and ethnicities. Established in the 5th century AD by Vakhtang Gorgasali, the Georgian King of Kartli (Iberia), Tbilisi evolved into a capital city by the 6th century. On this day, we’ll do a captivating walking tour that will uncover the vibrant core of the city. Our path leads to Metekhi Church, where the past and the present harmonise exquisitely. For panoramic splendour, the 4th-century Narikala Fortress offers breathtaking cityscape views. Exploring further, we will visit the old sulfur bath district. Wander amid the Old Town’s heart, following winding paths and charming bridges and eventually reaching the picturesque Leghvtakhevi waterfall. After crossing the emblematic Metekhi Bridge, we will continue to Sioni Church and Anchiskhati Church. Later, visit the Tbilisi Wine Museum to hear stories of the homeland of wine and its rich winemaking traditions.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant
Afternoon:

 

Visit the Georgian National Museum, to see the collection of Treasures that contains a large number of unique objects from the second half of the pre-historic period to the 19th century. The collection features gold and silver artefacts and jewellery from the pre-Christian period from various regions of the country such as Ananuri, Tsnori, Vani, Mtskheta, Tialeti Kurgans, Zhinvali, Akhalgori, Martkopi, etc.
Evening:

 

Dinner at a local restaurant

Overnight at Biltmore Hotel, Tbilisi

Day 4: Saturday, 7 September 2024: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Ananuri – Stepantsminda
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning: Check out of the hotel
Our adventure begins with a scenic drive through the charming Caucasus Mountains, with stops planned along the way. Our first destination is Mtskheta, the ancient capital of eastern Georgia. Renowned for its historical significance, Mtskheta played a pivotal role in Georgia’s conversion to Christianity in 337 AD. We’ll explore the city’s treasures, including the magnificent Svetitskoveli Cathedral and the breathtaking Jvari Monastery, nestled atop a cliff.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant
Afternoon:

 

Continue our drive through the stunning Caucasus Mountains to Stepantminda

En route, we’ll visit the Ananuri Church complex, offering panoramic views of the azure Zhinvali reservoir and along the journey to Kazbegi, we’ll make some stops to capture breathtaking photos and immerse ourselves in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Caucasus range.

On this day, we will spend the night in the charming town of Stepantsminda nestled at the foot of Mount Kazbek, one of the major mountains of the Caucasus.

Evening: Dinner and overnight at ROOMS Kazabegi Hotel, Stepantsminda
Day 5: Sunday, 8 September 2024: Day Hike: Trinity Church – Chaukhi Valley
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning: Hike to Gergeti Trinity Church, overlooking Stepantsminda and giving an amazing panoramic view of Mkinvartsveri (Kazbegi) mountain and surrounding areas.

Trail parameters: Distance 6 km. round trip, 3 hours. Total climb 472 metres up/ 472 metres down.

Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant
Afternoon:

 

 

Hike in Chaukhi Valley, starting from Juta Village and following the “Roshka” trail towards the jagged peaks of Chaukhi massif.

Trail parameters: Distance 7.9 kilometres for round trip, 3 hours. Total climb 378 metres up/ 378 metres down.

Evening: Dinner and overnight at ROOMS Kazabegi Hotel, Stepantsminda
Day 6: Monday, 9 September 2024: Day Hike: Truso Valley
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:

 

 

 

Drive to Truso Valley, we will have a pleasant walk in an almost abandoned Truso Valley, located some 20 kilometres south of Stepantsminda. Here, we will find several colourful travertine formations, abandoned villages and monasteries and one ruined fortress. The trail is mostly flat with fantastic mountain views all around.

Trail parameters: Distance 20 kilometres for round trip, 5 to 6 hours. Total climb 463 metres up/ 463 metres down.

Noon: A packed lunch will be provided
Afternoon: After the hike, we will proceed back to the hotel
Evening: Dinner and overnight at ROOMS Kazabegi Hotel, Stepantsminda
Day 7: Tuesday, 10 September 2024: Kazbegi – Alaverdi Monastery – Tsinandali
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning: Check out of the hotel and embark on a scenic drive to Kakheti, a realm of golden hills, undulating valleys, and endless vineyards.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant
Afternoon:

 

 

Continue our journey and visit Alaverdi Monastery on the way. Alaverdi Monastery is one of the most important religious centres of Georgia and is one of the largest church buildings in the country. Its height including the dome is above 50 metres. The complex includes Alaverdi St. George Cathedral, a defensive wall, a chapel, Peikar-Khan’s palace, a wine cellar and a bath.
Evening: Dinner and overnight at Tsinandali Estate, A Radisson Collection Hotel, Tsinandali
Day 8: Wednesday, 11 September 2024: Tsinandali – Gremi – Kvareli – Tsinandali
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning:

 

 

Visit the Tsinandali Museum, a former palace belonging to the Chavchavadze family. Prince Alexander Chavchavadze was the first person in Georgia who implemented European winemaking methods in Georgian winemaking.

Visit Gremi, the former capital city of the region from the 16th century, which unveils its grandeur fortress against the backdrop of the Georgian countryside.

Then proceed to Kvareli where we will visit a local farm and vineyard. We will have grape harvesting and winemaking activities together with having local lunch with the local family.

Noon: Lunch at a local farm and vineyard
Afternoon: Visit the Kvareli winery tunnel and explore Qvevri winemaking traditions. This 7.7-kilometre tunnel was built especially for the World Wine Congress and today it is home to one of the local wine producers.
Then drive back to Tsinandali
Evening: Dinner and overnight at Tsinandali Estate, A Radisson Collection Hotel, Tsinandali
Day 9: Thursday, 12 September 2024: Tsinandali – Sighnaghi Walk – Tbilisi
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning:

 

 

 

Check out of the hotel and proceed to visit Sighnaghi which stands out as one of Georgia’s most captivating towns, nestled atop a high hill. It offers breathtaking views of the snow-covered Caucasus Mountains in the distance, overlooking the expansive Alazani valley. Its charm is amplified by its wealth of 18th– and 19th-century architectural treasures. Originally fortified in the mid-18th century by King Heraclius II, Sighnaghi’s defensive wall spans 4.5 kilometres and was strategically designed to repel attacks from Dagestani tribes. Adorned with 23 towers, each bearing the name of a nearby town, and punctuated by 6 gates, the wall stands as a testament to the town’s historical fortitude.

We will have a pleasant walk in this lovely town and walk on the Sighnaghi City Walls to see an amazing panorama view of the beautiful region.

Noon: Lunch at own arrangement
Afternoon: Proceed to Tbilisi
Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant
Then transfer to the Tbilisi International Airport
21:40 Depart Tbilisi to Doha by Qatar Airways flight QR254.
23:45 Arrive at Doha International Airport
Day 10:  Friday, 13 September 2024: Bangkok
01:50 Depart Doha to Bangkok by Qatar Airways flight QR834
12:45 Arrive at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport

The Siam Society reserves the right to change the programme as necessary.

Booking:

Contribution of THB 118,000 (THB 122,000 for non-member). Single room surcharge of THB 27,000. A deposit of THB 40,000 and a photocopy of the identification page on your passport must accompany the booking. Your reservation will be confirmed as soon as the deposit has been made. There is a 3% surcharge for credit/debit card payments to cover bank charges. Payment in full will be required 30 days before the start of the trip (i.e. by Monday, 5 August 2024). Please pay by cash or cheque payable to “The Siam Society”. Transfer can also be made to The Siam Society travel account at TMBThanachart Bank (ttb), saving account no. 053-2-18000-7, swift code: TMBKTHBK or by scanning the QR code below. Once payment has been made, please e-mail the deposit or transfer the docket to us.

Inclusions:

  • The contribution includes accommodation (twin sharing basis), meals as mentioned in the programme, transfer and sightseeing coaches, entrance fees, gratuities, and other costs incurred to make this trip possible.
  • Basic travel insurance which will only cover participants travelling from and back to Thailand.

 

Exclusions:

  • International flight tickets are not included in the price (Bangkok – Doha – Tbilisi – Doha – Bangkok),but for those who would like us to book their tickets, it can be arranged at the time of booking.
  • Meals that are excluded from the programme (dinner on day 2 and lunch on day 9)
  • Visa fees (if any), personal expenses, personal food and beverage consumptions, etc.

Please note that the flight itinerary between Bangkok – Doha – Tbilisi – Doha – Bangkok as mentioned in the programme only serves as a suggestion. Trip participants can travel with their preferred airline of choice throughout the above sequence of the itinerary.

 

Tourist Visa Policy

Passport holders from all EU member states, Great Britain, the United States, Thailand, Singapore, and Japan have the right to enter Georgia without a visa.

For more information, please follow the following link: https://www.evisa.gov.ge/GeoVisa/en/VisaApp

Please note that your passport must be valid for at least six months longer than your intended stay in Georgia.

To comply with payment and cancellation policies set forth by the tour agencies and to facilitate smooth working conditions between The Siam Society and the tour agencies, please carefully read the cancellation policies stated below:

Cancellation charges:

40 days before the start of the trip: Deposit forfeited
39-30 days before the start of the trip: 50% of the tour cost
Less than 30 days or cancellation without notice: No refund

*The cancellation charges will also depend on the date we pay the deposit to our travel agent. If we have to pay the deposit to the travel agent before the 40-day period prior to the start of the trip, our officer will send an email to inform every participant before we make the payment as only a partial amount of the deposit can be refunded after that point.

Covid-19 policy

Due to a lower number of worldwide infections, many countries have relaxed their travel restrictions and quarantine requirements regarding Covid-19.

Nevertheless, when travelling as a group, The Siam Society would like to remind you of the following measures that we have put in place:

– We suggest performing a self-administered ATK test before the commencement of the trip. Participants can also carry ATK test kits, along with their preferred set of medicines (for consumption if infected with Covid-19.) with them.

– In the event that trip participants are tested positive during the trip, the group will continue to follow the planned itinerary. To ensure the health and safety of all trip participants, those who tested positive shall adhere to appropriate self-isolation measures as directed by the trip leader.

– Those tested positive with severe symptoms shall be treated in accordance with the health measures stipulated by the local government. Medical costs shall be at the expense of the trip participant(s).

For further information and bookings, please contact Khun Thun at 02-661-6470-3 ext 205, or studytrips@thesiamsociety.org. The Society’s office is open from 09:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Saturday.

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