Georgia Real Food Adventure Tour by Intrepid Travel

8 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

12 peopleMaximum group size

15 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Yerevan, Armenia

Ends

Tbilisi, Georgia

Highlights

Spend the night in a women-run guesthouse in the Pankisi Valley, surrounded by lush, green mountains, and take part in a zhizhig galnash cooking class to learn the local cuisine.

Enjoy cooking demonstrations and masterclasses by local cooks and artisans, including learning how to make churchkhela (traditional candle-shaped candy) and khinkali (Georgian dumplings).

Meet local producers at the Telavi markets, then head to a local farm and cheese maker for a tour of the factory and a delicious, included tasting.

Take a hike in the striking Caucasus mountains to perhaps one of the best positioned churches in Europe – Gergeti Trinity Church.

Taste some of Georgia’s favourite cuisines and dishes with included lunches and dinners, including khachapuri, khinkali, churchkhela and qveri wines.

Itinerary

Set off on a culinary exploration across Georgia and Armenia with the "Georgia Real Food Adventure" trip, an 8-day odyssey designed to awaken your senses and satisfy your wanderlust. This guided small group tour takes you from the atmospheric streets of Yerevan and Tbilisi to the dramatic Caucasus foothills, Stepantsminda, and more, blending moderate activity with immersive food experiences.

Begin in Tbilisi, where the city’s colorful facades and mountain backdrop set the stage for hands-on cooking classes and tastings that reveal the secrets of Georgian cuisine. Engage with locals as you sample iconic dishes and discover why Georgian wines are treasured worldwide. The journey winds through historical marvels such as the Narikala Fortress, the ancient town of Mtskheta, and the stunning Ananuri Fortress Complex—destinations that provide both sightseeing and a taste of the regions’ deep cultural roots.

A standout experience is your overnight in the Pankisi Valley, staying with descendants of the original highland Chechens. Wander lush grounds, enjoy hospitality rarely offered to outsiders, and gain authentic insight into the valley’s unique heritage. Throughout the trip, you’ll find a lively blend of moderate physical activity—walking, exploring, and culinary participation—making it ideal for travelers eager for both adventure and flavor.

The tour’s unique selling point is its seamless fusion of gastronomic discovery and cultural immersion, allowing you to taste, learn, and connect at every stop. If you’re seeking a food-focused tour package that unlocks the true character of Georgia and Armenia, this is your ticket to an unforgettable journey through flavors, landscapes, and stories.

day 1 - Tbilisi

Gamarjobal! Welcome to Georgia. Your adventure begins in the capital city of Tbilisi – a picturesque city featuring a cobblestoned Old Town reflecting a long, complicated history. With periods under Persian and Russian rule, Tbilisi features diverse architecture, including art nouveau buildings, Soviet Modernist structures and Eastern Orthodox churches. Looking over the city sits Narikala – a reconstructed 4th-century fortress. You’ll have a welcome meeting tonight at 6 pm at your hotel. After, head out for an included welcome dinner with your trip leader and group and try some local favourites like chkmeruli (a traditional Georgian dish of chicken with garlic sauce) and chashushuli (veal, tomatoes and peppers).

included:Tbilisi - Welcome Dinner, including Adjarian khachapuri

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Dinner

day 2 - Tbilisi

Today, you’ll explore Tbilisi with a local guide. Start at the Metekhi Church, which has magnificent views over old Tbilisi, and stroll through winding streets to the city’s main sites. Take in the terraced alleys, colourful houses, patterned balconies and modern architecture all the way to the ancient Narikala Fortress. When you get to the walled fortress, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the city and its surroundings. After your exploration, head out for an included lunch at a local restaurant where you’ll try dishes like nigvziani badrijani (eggplant with walnuts), soko kecze (stuffed mushrooms), mchadi (cornbread) and salad. The rest of your afternoon and evening is free to explore at your leisure.

included:Tbilisi - Old Town Walking Tour with Local Guide, Tbilisi - Narikala Fortress, Tbilisi - Dezerter Bazaar

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

day 3 - Telavi

Travel into the picturesque Kakheti region. Surrounded by snowy Caucasus mountains and fertile valleys, this region is famous for its wines and gracious hospitality. Your first stop is the 16th-century Gremi Architectural Complex, which you’ll explore with a local guide. After, head for lunch at a local family’s home. Immerse yourself in local life and culture as you learn how to make mtsvadi (a famous Georgian barbecue dish) and learn the ritual behind its preparation. Watch a cooking demonstration of churchkhela (a type of Georgian sweet), then give it a go yourself! After lunch, drive to a traditional Georgian wine cellar, where you’ll learn the secret behind their unique method. Tonight, you’ll carry on to Telavi, where you’ll spend the night.

included:Kvareli - Barbecue lunch with a local family, Kvareli - Traditional Churchkhela demonstration, Kvareli - Qvevri Wine Master visit, Sighnaghi - visit to Sighnaghi town

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

day 4 - Pankisi Valley

This morning, you’ll head out on a leader-led tour of the Telavi markets. Explore the hustle and bustle of the local stalls, then visit a local cheesemaker for a tour of their farm and cheese factory, followed by a tasting of some of their best-selling cheeses. Continue to the Pankisi Valley where your guesthouse for the night sits nestled in the heart of the valley, surrounded by mountains. Your host family are Kists – descendants of the original highland Chechens – and have lived in Jokolo for five generations. When you arrive, take in the lush surroundings and then be treated to a cooking class, where you’ll learn how to make traditional Chechen dishes like zhizhig galnash (handmade short noodles with lamb). Relax this evening in the warm hospitality of your hosts.

included:Telavi - Cheesemaker visit, Pankisi Valley - Chechen cooking class, Telavi - Local market visit

accommodation:Guesthouse

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

day 5 - Gudauri

Set off on a tour of Pankisi Valley and learn about the unique Kist culture and their rural way of life on a walking tour of several local villages. You’ll visit Saint George’s Church in Jokolo, Duisi Old Mosque and the Ethnographic Museum. For lunch, try some chaabilgish (Chechen khachapuri stuffed with pumpkin) and other traditional Kist dishes. Drive on to Gudauri, stopping at the Ananuri Fortress Complex on the way. This collection of churches and towers sits on the teal Aragvi River, making for an out-of-this-world sight. You won’t want to forget your camera today!

included:Pankisi Valley - Kist villages and culture walking tour, Ananuri - Architectural Complex

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 6 - Gudauri / Stepantsminda

Start the day with a drive to Stepantsminda. From here, you’ll hike up through beautiful valleys and woodland to Gergeti Trinity Church. Weather permitting, you might catch a glimpse of one of the highest glaciers in the Caucasus – Mt Kazbegi (5047 m). After, visit a local family in Gudauri, where the host will teach a masterclass on how to make khinkali (Georgian dumplings). Drive back to Gudauri in the late afternoon, where you’ll enjoy a free evening.

included:Stepantsminda - Gergeti Trinity Church Hike, Stepantsminda - Khinkali home-cooking class

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 7 - Tbilisi

Return to Tbilisi this morning, stopping at Mtskheta on the way. This is one of the oldest cities in Georgia and one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world! Explore the Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, taking in the unique landscape and surrounding Mtkvari and Aragvi Rivers as you go, then carry on to your destination. When you arrive, you might like to take a dip in the city’s famous sulphur baths or walk along the river. Maybe grab a coffee and check out the artist pop-ups at Fabrika. Tonight, you’ll head out for an included farewell dinner at a traditional Georgian restaurant and toast to a trip well-travelled.

included:Mtskheta - Jvari Church & Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Tbilisi - Farewell Dinner

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

day 8 - Tbilisi

Today, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. There are no activities included, so you’re free to leave at any time after check out. If you would like to spend some more time in Tbilisi, just speak to your booking agent.

meals:1 Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Guesthouse (1 night)

Meals

7 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 5 Dinners

Transport

Private vehicle

Guide

An expert tour leader

Included Activities

Tbilisi - Welcome Dinner, including Adjarian khachapuriTbilisi - Old Town Walking Tour with Local GuideTbilisi - Narikala FortressTbilisi - Dezerter BazaarKvareli - Barbecue lunch with a local familyKvareli - Traditional Churchkhela demonstrationKvareli - Qvevri Wine Master visitSighnaghi - visit to Sighnaghi townTelavi - Cheesemaker visitPankisi Valley - Chechen cooking classTelavi - Local market visitPankisi Valley - Kist villages and culture walking tourAnanuri - Architectural ComplexStepantsminda - Gergeti Trinity Church HikeStepantsminda - Khinkali home-cooking classMtskheta - Jvari Church & Svetitskhoveli CathedralTbilisi - Farewell Dinner

What's Excluded

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