5-Day Toloshi Sightseeing Tour from Tbilisi with Cave Camping

• Travel from Tbilisi to Toloshi with stops in Akhaltsikhe, a small city of about 50,000 people and the capital of Samtskhe-Javakheti. The city has existed for at least 800 years and served as a regional administrative centre for the Ottomans from the sixteenth century up to the Russo-Turkish War. The route also passes through Borjomi, and possibly Gori and Mtskheta as well.

• Hike 4 km to Kisiskhevi Castle, built sometime between the 16th and 18th centuries. It stands near the present bridge over the Kisiskhevi River. Explore the caves and spend the night near the magnificent waterfalls.

• Hike 3 km to the underground village of Gundi.

• Visit the caves near Lebisi.

Stay overnight near Lebisi.

• Hike 6 km to the Agara and Gavetti Church.

• Travel onward from there to Vardzia, covering 4 km.

• Make a pit stop at Tmogvi in the afternoon.

Call it a night in the fortress or in a guesthouse.

• Head to Pia (6 km), then continue to the Gelsunda caves (3 km) and Khertvisi (2 km).

• Visit Nijgori in the afternoon.

Spend the night in a cave or by the canyon near Nijgori for an altogether different experience.

• Start your morning with a short excursion to Saro and its huge old stone walls.

• Drive back to Tbilisi, passing Paravani Lake on the way.