Trip Overview
This 12 day overland tour journeys from Istanbul to Tbilisi 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 joining in Istanbul, you will most likely enter Turkey at Istanbul Atatürk Airport (IATA code: IST).
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. If you are travelling beyond Tbilisi, your tour leader will need to carefully check your visa situation for your entire trip.
The afternoon 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!
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.
Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Istanbul 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 Istanbul.
*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.
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
Visit the Çemberlitas Baths, a traditional Turkish Hammam, for a bath and massage!
Explore the phenomenal Blue Mosque, built by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I - a stunning icon of Istanbul
See the splendour of Istanbul from a boat trip on Bosphorus Strait, which marks the boundary of Europe and Asia
Today we start our journey with a full day's drive east 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 - 10-11 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!).
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.
Explore the ancient pre-iconoclastic Byzantine rock monastery of Zelve
Take a hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia
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 continue our journey east with a full day's drive towards the Sumela monastery.
We will break the journey with a wild camp near Zara or the village of Alucra.
Estimated Drive Time - 7-8 hours.
Today we will reach the awe-inpsiring Sumela Monastery near the town of Macka, which we will visit in the afternoon.
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 - 5-6 hours.
Daily Activities
Exploration of the Black Sea mountain monastery at Sumela
Border Information: Exit Turkey at Sarp, enter Georgia at Sarpi.
This morning we will continue to the border and cross into Georgia, reaching the port town of Batumi.
In Batumi we will stay in a comfortable hotel.
Estimated Drive Time - 5-6 hours.
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
After a relaxing morning, we leave the port town of Batumi behind us and 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 - 3-5 hours.
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
This morning is free to explore the charming town of Kutaisi. This afternoon we make our way to Gori, the birthplace of Stalin - here we will have an included guided tour of the city and the Stalin Museum.
We will then continue on to the ancient UNESCO world heritage site of Mtskheta where we will stay overnight in a local guesthouse.
Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours.
Daily Activities
This morning we will explore the 11th century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.
This afternoon we have 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 - 3-5 hours.
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 will drive to Georgia's capital Tbilisi.
In Tbilisi we will stay in a local hotel.
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.
Enjoy an evening of local dancing and music at a Georgian restaurant in Tbilisi
Border information: if you are leaving in Tbilisi, you will most likely exit Georgia at Tbilisi International Airport (IATA code: TBS).
Today will be a free day in Tbilisi to relax and freely explore the city, or take an optional city tour where we can visit the old town, the National Museum, Sioni Cathedral and the Metekhi Temple.
Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Tbilisi. 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.
Visit the beautiful Orthodox Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi's Old Town
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DATES & PRICES
This group overland journey has multiple departures.
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This tour does not have a set date. Please fill in the form below with the preferred dates you would like to take this tour.
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