Step Back in Time: 2-Day Vardzia Tour

Tsunda church and lake – this church is the only building left on the place of ancient town Tsunda, (opposite side of the river, which flows from Tmogvi). The town tsunda dates back to IV century BC, and the church is of VII century. The town was abandoned after X century when Tmogvi became the center of the region. The lake is near the church. Vardzia – the most popular place in the valley. Cave monastery complex built in second half of XII century, during the reign of King George III and King Tamar. There are up to 300 caves distributed on eight levels. In main church of Vardzia original frescoes of XII century are still preserved. Khertvisi fortress – one of the oldest fortresses in Georgia. It was functional throughout the Georgian feudal period. It is situated in Southern Georgia, in Meskheti region. The fortress was first built in the 2nd century BC. The church was built in 985, and the present walls – in 1354. Sagamo lake – located next from Paravani lake, on altitude 1996 m, surface area of 4.8 km². Its maximum and average depths are 2.3 and 1.6 meters respectively.

Paravani lake – located on Javakheti plateau between Abul-Samsari and Javakheti Ranges. Altitude 2073 m above sea level, surface area of 37.5 km². The lake is frozen during wintertime and the thickness of the ice ranges from 47 to 73 centimeters. From the southern part of Paravani lake starts the Paravani river, which is connected to the Mtkvari from the right. Return to Tbilisi – end of tour to Vardzia.