9:00-9:15 - Departure from Kutaisi towards Motsameta
9:15-9:55 - Visit Motsameta monastery (VIII-X c). In Motsameta monastery the relics of St. David and Constantine Mkheidze are kept. People visit Motsameta monastery and ask for help to the saints, and over the years many people have been healed from various diseases. It offers beautiful views of the river Tskaltsitela (Red River).
9:55-10:05 - We will go down into the gorge of the river Tskaltsitela and cross the rope bridge.
10:00-11:05 - Double eyed cave. The cave has one main entrance and two branches. During archaeological excavations archaeologists discovered settlement and tools of the Bronze Age.
9:15-9:55 - Visit Motsameta monastery (VIII-X c). In Motsameta monastery the relics of St. David and Constantine Mkheidze are kept. People visit Motsameta monastery and ask for help to the saints, and over the years many people have been healed from various diseases. It offers beautiful views of the river Tskaltsitela (Red River).
9:55-10:05 - We will go down into the gorge of the river Tskaltsitela and cross the rope bridge.
10:00-11:05 - Double eyed cave. The cave has one main entrance and two branches. During archaeological excavations archaeologists discovered settlement and tools of the Bronze Age.
11:15-12:15 - From the cave we are moving in the direction of David's cape. The strategic place that controlled entrance and exit of "Gelati country" in middle ages. It had the customs functions. Picnic under the cape in a quiet location.
12:45-13:00 - Church of St. Saba (XI century), we will go through the box trees (Box trees are used on Palm Sunday in Georgia). On the way we will meet the white stones with red stains. It is believed that the stones were stained with blood of 2000 monks who were killed in XVI century by ottoman invaders.
13:00-13:10 - "Sasule" - naturally formed vertical cave. Sasule and double eyed cave are connected to each other and they were used during the invasions to hide from the enemies.
13:10-13:15 - Church of St. Elii (XI century). The church frescoes are of the XVI century.
13:15-13:55 - Observatory. The observatory was built in the XVII c. and was destroyed by an earthquake.
12:45-13:00 - Church of St. Saba (XI century), we will go through the box trees (Box trees are used on Palm Sunday in Georgia). On the way we will meet the white stones with red stains. It is believed that the stones were stained with blood of 2000 monks who were killed in XVI century by ottoman invaders.
13:00-13:10 - "Sasule" - naturally formed vertical cave. Sasule and double eyed cave are connected to each other and they were used during the invasions to hide from the enemies.
13:10-13:15 - Church of St. Elii (XI century). The church frescoes are of the XVI century.
13:15-13:55 - Observatory. The observatory was built in the XVII c. and was destroyed by an earthquake.
13:35-14:05 - St. Nino church (VI c). Under the church of St. Nino there is a cave which was used as a shelter.
14:15-15:05 - Monks fortress - the exit of "Gelati country". Here the monks controlled the road.
15:35-16:35 - Moving towards Tsivtskala (Cold water) - natural spring. Picnic in the area surrounded by box trees, chestnut trees and shrubs. The perfect place for a picnic. You can make a fire and barbecue.
14:15-15:05 - Monks fortress - the exit of "Gelati country". Here the monks controlled the road.
15:35-16:35 - Moving towards Tsivtskala (Cold water) - natural spring. Picnic in the area surrounded by box trees, chestnut trees and shrubs. The perfect place for a picnic. You can make a fire and barbecue.
17:35-18:35 - Sokhasteri monastery. (XI c). There was a hospital in middle ages.
18:40-18:45 - Gelati Monastery (XII c). Gelati monastery is the burial place of 23 Georgian kings and 7 Georgian saints. Gelati Academy functioned in 12th century, where the students studied philosophy, rhetoric, astronomy, music, theology, mathematics. Gelati was famous of its gold-smiths art school.
19:45-20:45 - The river Tskaltsitela or river Korena. 13th century Bridge of King Tamar. Beautiful flora, chestnut, hornbeam, Colchis plush, azalea, rhododendron and many other beautiful species of flora.
21:00 We return to the hotel. Dinner.
18:40-18:45 - Gelati Monastery (XII c). Gelati monastery is the burial place of 23 Georgian kings and 7 Georgian saints. Gelati Academy functioned in 12th century, where the students studied philosophy, rhetoric, astronomy, music, theology, mathematics. Gelati was famous of its gold-smiths art school.
19:45-20:45 - The river Tskaltsitela or river Korena. 13th century Bridge of King Tamar. Beautiful flora, chestnut, hornbeam, Colchis plush, azalea, rhododendron and many other beautiful species of flora.
21:00 We return to the hotel. Dinner.