Sightseeing tours to Georgia from Almaty: prices

Sightseeing tours to Georgia from Almaty are most conveniently planned from May to October: during this time all mountain roads are open, and the coast of Batumi and Kobuleti is warm. The flight from Almaty takes about three hours. In 5–7 days it is realistic to cover Tbilisi, Kakheti, Mtskheta and Kutaisi. In winter, routes shift to Gudauri and Bakuriani — people go there for snow and skiing.

Where to go for impressions: routes by region?

Such trips are built around several bright points. Gastronomy, ancient temples and cave towns set the route.

A gastronomic day in Kakheti

Kakheti is the country's main wine region, and people go here from Tbilisi for a whole day. The road takes about two hours one way. In Sighnaghi and Telavi, tours take you to family wineries where saperavi and rkatsiteli are poured straight from qvevri jugs. Lunch in a local tavern means Imeretian khachapuri, mtsvadi and lobio. Georgian cuisine here is simple and hearty, and the portions are large. The hosts often conduct the tasting themselves and talk about grape varieties. Such a day is overloaded with impressions, so the return trip is better planned in advance. For a tourist from Almaty, this is a convenient way to get acquainted with Georgian gastronomy without haste.

Ancient temples and cave towns

Mtskheta, Gori and Kutaisi gather the country's main ancient monuments. Jvari Monastery stands at the confluence of two rivers, and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta is considered one of the oldest in Georgia. In Gori, tours show the fortress and places connected with the Soviet past. Near Kutaisi there is a cave town, where you descend through illuminated galleries. Some sites are closed on Mondays, so the day of the visit should be checked in advance. The route is convenient to split into two days so as not to rush. Sightseeing trips Georgia offers in various combinations, and the caves often go together with Kutaisi.

What weather and seasonality await on the routes?

The climate in Georgia varies from subtropics on the coast to snowy winters in the mountains. This determines when and where to go.

What happens on the coast in summer

In Batumi and Kobuleti it is humid and hot in summer, the air warms above 30 °C. The sea water is warm from June to September. Excursions at this time are better scheduled for the morning or evening; during the day it is hard to walk around the city. In Kvariati and Ureki the beaches are calmer, there are fewer crowds. The rains are short but torrential, so an umbrella will come in handy. At night the air hardly cools down, and air conditioning in the hotel becomes a necessity. For a tourist from Almaty such heat is familiar, but the humidity feels stronger. Plan sea walks and trips to temples for the early hours.

Winter scenarios in the mountains

In Gudauri and Bakuriani in winter there is stable snow, ski lifts and slopes operate. The skiing season lasts from December to March. On the coast at this time it is empty and windy, swimming is impossible, but hotels are cheaper. Borjomi is quiet in winter, and the park with mineral water is open all year round. In Svaneti, roads are sometimes blocked due to snow, so the route is checked the day before. Warm clothes are mandatory even for short walks. Mountain tours during this period require more time for transfers. A winter trip gives a completely different country than a summer one.

How to prepare for the trip

Preparation for a trip to Georgia begins with money and communications. These little things affect comfort the most.

Money, cards and tips

Lari is the only currency in circulation, and it is better to exchange money at exchange offices in Tbilisi or at ATMs. Dollars and euros are accepted everywhere, but rubles and tenge are taken reluctantly. Visa and Mastercard cards of Kazakhstani banks work in large cities. In small guesthouses in Svaneti and Ureki, only cash is accepted, so a reserve of lari should be kept with you. Tips in cafes and taxis are not included in the bill: 5–10% is customary to leave if the service was liked. On tours with a guide, tips are usually not included in the price. Keep small notes for markets and roadside stalls.

Communications, navigation and offline maps

In the high-mountain villages of Svaneti and on the ascent to Kazbegi, the signal is unstable. Offline maps and downloaded bookings should be kept on your phone in advance. A local SIM card is bought at the airport or in the city, internet packages are inexpensive. In large cities the coverage is good, but in the gorges the signal disappears. A navigator helps on winding roads where there are few signs. For a tourist from Almaty this is especially important on the first day, while there is no orientation on the spot. A charged power bank will also come in handy on long transfers.

Transport and logistics within the country

Minibuses, trains and taxis run between the cities of Georgia. For a sightseeing program, the choice of transport decides a lot.

Renting a car with a driver

Renting a car with a driver is convenient for packed routes and remote regions. The car is taken for a day or several days, the driver knows the road and local rules. Independent rental is available from the age of 21 with at least one year of experience, but mountain serpentines and driving style require experience. With a driver this issue is removed, and the route can be changed according to the weather. The cost depends on the distance and number of days; exact figures are clarified with the manager. For a family or a small group, this option is often more profitable than trains.

Public transport between cities

Local minibuses between cities are cheap, but depart when full. Schedules are nominal, and sometimes you have to wait a long time for departure. Trains run between Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi; tickets are better bought in advance. Buses connect large cities, but there are few services in the highlands. For a sightseeing program, public transport is inconvenient due to stops and transfers. Taxis between cities are more expensive, but save time. If the goal is to see the maximum in a short time, it is better not to rely on minibuses.

Features of sightseeing programs

Sightseeing programs in Georgia have their own rules, which it is better to know in advance. They concern clothing and food.

Dress code in monasteries

In temples and monasteries, women need a headscarf and covered shoulders, men need no shorts. At the entrance, skirts and headscarves are usually available, but it is better to bring your own. Photography inside is often prohibited, and signs warn about this. In active monasteries of Svaneti and Kutaisi, the rules are stricter than in tourist places. In summer, in the heat, a light fabric cover-up also saves from the sun. Shorts and T-shirts are better left for the coast. Observing these little things makes the visit calm and respectful.

Dining with restrictions

Georgian cuisine is built on khachapuri, khinkali, lobio and mtsvadi, and this should be taken into account in advance. A vegetarian and a person on a gluten-free diet will have to choose dishes consciously. Lobio, vegetable appetizers and cheeses are suitable without meat. Khinkali and khachapuri contain wheat flour, so if you are gluten intolerant, they are replaced with grilled dishes and salads. On tours with meals, it is worth informing the guide in advance about your restrictions. Then the menu will be selected at the tavern without unnecessary questions. For a tourist from Almaty, this is especially relevant on long gastronomic routes.

Visa and entry rules change: check with the primary source — the Embassy of Georgia in the Republic of Kazakhstan, https://kazakhstan.mfa.gov.ge/en/e-visa-portal. The information on this page was verified on 14.09.2026.

Briefly

• Sightseeing tours to Georgia are conveniently built around Kakheti, Mtskheta and Kutaisi.
• In summer, the coast is hot and humid, it is better to schedule excursions for the morning.
• In winter, snow lies in Gudauri and Bakuriani, while the coast is empty and windy.
• Lari is the main currency; cash is needed in small guesthouses.
• In the mountains, reception is unstable, offline maps should be downloaded in advance.