Telavi Tour from Tbilisi with Gombori Pass, Tsinandali Estate and Old Churches

Tsiv-Gombori Range is known for its picturesque landscape. The highest point of Gombori Ridge is Mount Tsivi, with an elevation of 1991 meters. Gombori Range has pine forests and stretches to the distance of 107 km.

Ujarma fortress consisted of two parts: the Upper Fortress (the Citadel) and the Lower City. A royal palace, consisting of a two-storey building, was located in the eastern part of the Citadel. The Upper Fortress was destroyed in the 10th century by the Arabian conqueror Abul Kassim but was restored in the 12th century by King George III who used it as a treasury. According to Georgian chronicler Leonti Mroweli, the cornerstone of the Ujarma fortress was built by the Georgian-Iberian king Aspagur in the III-IV centuries. In the reign of King Vakhtang Gorgasali, the fortress was extended and used as a residence. Ujarma was conquered in 914 when the Arabs invaded the Caucasus mountains, formerly dominated by the Persians. The fight left severe destruction in the building. The upper fortress was destroyed in the 10th century by the Arab conqueror Abul Kassim, but was restored in the 12th century by King George III.

There are two monasteries Old Shuamta and New Shuamta. The old Shuamta is a Georgian Orthodox monastery located on a forested mountain about 1015 m above sea level. Shuamta means "between the mountains", which clearly refers to the isolated and picturesque location amidst the deciduous forests of Gombori of the three buildings of the old Shuamta monastery. The monastic complex contains a basilica from the 5th century and two domed churches, both from the 7th century. The largest dome-shaped church is similar in type and architecture to the Jvari monastery. All the churches of the monastery are built in carved stone. It was abandoned in the 16th century. The wife of King Lewan II founded a new monastery with the name of New Shuamta. The main church of the new monastery was built of brick. The walls are decorated with frescoes. The monastery buildings were repaired by Erekle II. In 2008, the Old Shuamta monastery was restored.

Alaverdi Monastery is a Georgian Eastern Orthodox monastery. While parts of the monastery date back to 6th century, the present day cathedral was built in the 11th century by Kvirike III of Kakheti, replacing an older church of St. George. The monastery was founded by 1 of 13 Assyrian monks Joseph Alaverdeli, who came from Antioch and settled in Alaverdi, which was a former pagan religious center dedicated to the Moon.

Ikalto Monastery is known for its monastery complex and academy. The monastery was founded by Saint Zenon, one of the 13 Assyrian Fathers, in the late 6th century. It was one of the most significant cultural-scholastic centres of Georgia. An academy was founded during king David the Builder by Arsen Ikaltoeli in the early 12th century.

Tsinandali Estate - Prince Alexander Chavchavadze, the founder of the Georgian romanticism turned the estate in the village of Tsinandali into cultural and intellectual center of the country. The complex has the memorial house, a landscape garden, a historical winery, wine cellar, hotel and a café. The landscape garden in Tsinandali is the first European-type recreation zone in Georgia laid out by the landscape architects from Europe. The garden is unique for its exotic plants and has “the love lane”. The legend says that if lovers can walk though it with their eyes shut, their life together will be happy. Nino Chavchavadze and Alexander Griboedov first met in this garden. The first wine in Georgia was bottled in Tsinandali winery. Chavchavadze’s collection of vintage wines consists of over 15 000 bottles, with the oldest dated with 1814.

Palace and Museum of King Erekle II - Founded in 1927, museum complex includes Royal Palace of kings, churches, the remains of philosophical and theological schools founded by Erekle, King's Bath, tunnel and unique gates of the East and West Side. The museum has: numismatic material, early medieval sarcophagus, late medieval armor, collections of XVII-XIX c.c. copper household objects, weapons, Khevsureti clothes, rich collections of rugs, manuscripts, books printed in King Erekles’ press, paintings and small plastic samples, as well as Georgian painters works. The church of the palace, the east door and the bath are built in the period of Archil in the second half of the XVIII century. The King Erekle built five meter wall in 1753. King Erekles’ church was built in 1758 that had a defensive function.