Trip Overview
This 12 day overland tour journeys from Tbilisi to Istanbul through Georgia, Turkey
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80% Highlights
Visit the incredible Blue Mosque
Explore the many amazing sites of Istanbul
Guided tour of the valley of Cappadocia
Take an optional balloon ride over Cappadocia
Visit the Black Sea at Batumi
Visit the Stunning Bagratu Cathedral & Gelati monastery
Trek up to the Tsminda Sameba Church at Stepantsminda
Stop at Gori, the birthplace of Stalin and tour the museum
Explore the fascinating city of Tbilisi
SHOW MORE HIGHLIGHTSBorder information: if you are joining in Tbilisi, you will most likely enter Georgia at Tbilisi International Airport (IATA code: TBS).
There will be a pre-departure meeting at 10:00am - on arrival please look out for a note from your leader with more information about this important meeting.
This afternoon we will visit the old town of Tbilisi and visit sites including the National Museum, Sioni Cathedral and the Metekhi Temple.
Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Tbilisi before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Tbilisi.
In Tbilisi we will stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities.
*Important note - do not bring any medicines containing tramadol, codeine, temazepam, morphine or opiates to Central Asia. These are illegal in all circumstances in most of Central Asia and you will risk arrest. If in doubt about a particular medicine, please do not bring it. See the notes at the bottom for more details.*
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Enjoy an evening of local dancing and music at a Georgian restaurant in Tbilisi
Visit the beautiful Orthodox Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi's Old Town
Today our journey begins with a beautiful drive to the spectacularly located town of Stepantsminda (formerly known as Kazbegi).
Either this afternoon or tomorrow morning, we will take a trek up to the Tsminda Sameba Church (the Church of the Holy Trinity), a beautiful small church nestled in the mountains.
In Stepantsminda we will stay in a local hotel or family-run guesthouse.
Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours (please note that all drive times given here are the approximate number of hours that the truck will be in motion only, and does not include any time taken for coffee or lunch stops, border crossings, photo stops, activities en route, comfort breaks, shopping stops, toilet stops, etc. The times given are approximate estimates only and whilst given with the best of intentions, the drive times are heavily dependent on traffic, road conditions, weather, police roadblocks, and many other factors - flexibility is essential on any overland trip!).
Daily Activities
Hike to beautiful 14th-century Gergeti Trinity Church, set in the stunning mountains above Stepantsminda
We spend this morning in and around Stepantsminda, where we can trek to the Tsminda Sameba Church if we haven't done so already.
This afternoon we have a beautiful drive to the UNESCO world heritage site of Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia. Whilst here we will explore the 11th century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.
In Mtskheta we will stay overnight in a local guesthouse.
Estimated Drive Time - 3-5 hours.
This morning we drive to Gori, the birthplace of Stalin - here we will have a guided tour of the city and the Stalin Museum.
We then make our way to the ancient town of Kutaisi. This afternoon we will visit the medieval Bragrati cathedral and the Gelati monastery.
In Kutaisi we will stay in a local hotel or a family-run guesthouse.
Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours.
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
This morning we will continue to the port town of Batumi, where we will have a free afternoon to explore.
In Batumi we will stay in a comfortable hotel.
Estimated Drive Time - 3-5 hours.
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Border Information: Exit Georgia at Sarpi, enter Turkey at Sarp.
This morning we will continue to the border and cross into Turkey. We will reach the awe-inpsiring Sumela Monastery near the town of Macka, which we will either visit in the afternoon or the next morning.
We will camp overnight in a campsite near Sumela if conditions allow. In cold weather we may opt to stay in a local hotel in Macka or Trabzon.
Estimated Drive Time - 5-7 hours.
Daily Activities
Exploration of the Black Sea mountain monastery at Sumela
This morning we will visit the beautiful Sumela Monastery if we didn't have time yesterday, and then start our drive through central Turkey towards Göreme.
We will break the journey with a wild camp near Zara or the village of Alucra.
Estimated Drive Time - 8-10 hours.
Today we will complete our drive to Göreme, a small enchanting town in the heart of the Cappadocia mountains.
In Göreme we will stay in a well-equipped hostel - please note that dorm beds are sometimes used here.
Estimated Drive Time - 6-8 hours.
We now have a 2 full days to explore Göreme, including a guided tour of the enchanted valley of Cappadocia. There will be an opportunity for a magical optional balloon ride over the valley during our time here.
Daily Activities
Explore the Early Christian underground cities of Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı, used as a hiding place from persecutions for centuries
Walk through the beautiful ancient valley of Ihlara, containing the beautiful rock-hewn churches built by the Cappadocian Greeks during the Byzantine era
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Take a hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia
Explore the ancient pre-iconoclastic Byzantine rock monastery of Zelve
Guided tour of Cappadocia and underground troglodyte cities and caves
Discover the ancient techniques of Cappadocian pottery at the village of Avanos
Head out for a fun evening of dinner and various Turkish dancing displays
Witness the hypnotic Sufi Whirling Dervishes ceremony at an ancient caravanserai near Göreme
Today we will have a full day's drive west to arrive in Istanbul, the only city in the world that straddles two continents, Europe and Asia.
In Istanbul we will stay in dorm accommodation in a fantastic hostel with good facilities, which is a 5 minute walk from the Blue Mosque.
Estimated Drive Time - 10-11 hours.
Border information: if leaving the trip in Istanbul, you will most likely exit Turkey from Istanbul Atatürk International Airport (IATA code: IST).
Today will be free to explore the many sights of the incredible exotic city of Istanbul, including the Grand Bazaar, the Bosphorus River and the phenomenal Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia!
Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Istanbul. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact the Sales Team if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities listed below.
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
See the splendour of Istanbul from a boat trip on Bosphorus Strait, which marks the boundary of Europe and Asia
Explore the phenomenal Blue Mosque, built by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I - a stunning icon of Istanbul
Visit the Çemberlitas Baths, a traditional Turkish Hammam, for a bath and massage!
Visit the incredible Byzantine cathedral of Hagia Sophia, built in the 6th century
Explore the atmospheric underground Basilica Cisterns, built by the Byzantines in the 6th century
Explore the majestic Topkapı Palace, the huge palace of the Ottoman Sultans for over 400 years
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DATES & PRICES
This group overland journey has multiple departures.
Please refine your search by selecting your preferred dates of travel.
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