Georgia Tour Review: Telavi, Alaverdi & Sabaduri Forest 2025

Leaving the lively streets of Tbilisi behind really gives you this, you know, palpable feeling of something new on the horizon. The city’s unique energy sort of fades away in the rearview mirror, and instead you just get these wide-open, sprawling country views that, well, just feel completely different. So, we decided to check out this particular day trip into the Kakheti region, which apparently shows you Telavi, the absolutely massive Alaverdi Cathedral, the very old Kvetera Church, and the frankly stunning Sabaduri Forest. Frankly, it’s a packed day, but one that promises a pretty full picture of what makes this part of Georgia so special. It tends to be a popular route for anyone wanting to see the heart of the country’s wine region without having to plan all the stops themselves, you know. It’s pretty much an easy way to see a whole lot in a short amount of time, and honestly, the scenery alone is worth the price of admission.

A Drive Through a Storybook: Sabaduri Forest & Gombori Pass

Honestly, the drive out from the city is kind of a major part of the whole experience. First, you start climbing up the Gombori Pass, and the road gets, like, all these twists and turns that open up to absolutely amazing outlooks over the valleys down below. Still, you should just be prepared for a winding road. Then you get to the Sabaduri Forest, and it’s pretty much a different world. I mean, depending on what time of year you go, you could actually see these incredibly tall, slender trees completely coated in a thick blanket of snow, almost like a scene straight out of a children’s story. In the same way, if you visit in the summer or spring, you might find them in these really deep, rich shades of green, with sunlight just streaming through the leaves. It’s a bit of a surreal place, and the air just feels so clean and crisp; frankly, you could spend a good hour just walking among the trees and feeling a million miles from anywhere. Anyway, it’s the perfect introduction to the natural beauty that Georgia has to offer outside its capital city.

Telavi: A Small Town with a Big History

Anyway, after the visual treat of the forest, you finally roll into Telavi, which is, you know, the main administrative town in the entire Kakheti region. It’s got this really calm and laid-back atmosphere, which is quite a bit different from the constant motion you feel back in Tbilisi. You’ll find some lovely old balconies and quiet streets, but the big point of interest here is, as a matter of fact, a gigantic, 900-year-old plane tree. Seriously, the sheer scale of it is just wild, and it has become this natural monument that people, like, just gather around. It’s the town’s outdoor living room, more or less. Nearby, you typically find a statue of King Erekle II, a pretty important figure in Georgian history, looking out over the plains. So, it’s a quick stop, but it gives you a very real sense of the region’s historical weight and local life, which is actually a nice change of pace.

I mean, you hear about places being old, but standing next to a tree that has been there for nearly a millennium… it sort of puts time into a whole new perspective, doesn’t it?

The Giant in the Plains: Alaverdi Cathedral

Next, we headed out to see Alaverdi Cathedral, and to be honest, any photos you’ve seen of it just don’t fully capture its presence. It basically stands almost entirely alone in this huge, incredibly flat valley, framed by the distant Caucasus Mountains, and its size is just, well, a little bit awe-inspiring. It’s one of the tallest religious buildings in Georgia, and its simple, powerful stone structure just rises up from the earth. The monks who still live and work in the surrounding monastery grounds continue to make their own special wine, a tradition that has literally been going on for hundreds and hundreds of years right on this spot. Walking inside the cathedral, you’ll find it’s actually very serene and peaceful, with enormously high ceilings, some faded frescoes on the walls, and the quiet, calming smell of old stone and church incense lingering in the air. You sort of feel the deep history of the place in your bones.

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book Your Kakheti Day Trip)

A Climb to a Hidden Place: The Kvetera Fortress and Church

Now, for me, the visit to the Kvetera Church was sort of the unexpected star of the day. You do have to go up a small hill to get to it, so it’s a little bit of a walk, but the sweeping views from the top are definitely worth the effort. From that vantage point, you can pretty much see for miles across the Kakhetian plains. The church itself is very petite and has this, you know, wonderfully perfect and charming architectural design, a miniature gem from the 10th century. It feels seemingly untouched by the modern world, sitting quietly inside the crumbling old walls of what was once a mighty fortress. Honestly, there aren’t a lot of other people around, so you almost get the feeling you’ve stumbled upon a secret. It’s this quiet, contemplative spot that provides a powerful contrast to the sheer grandeur of Alaverdi, and it’s just a really special place to visit.

Kakheti’s Heartbeat: Notes on Wine and Food

So, since you’re traveling through Georgia’s primary wine country, you can really sense the importance of it just about everywhere. Endless rows of grapevines literally stretch out in nearly every direction you happen to look, often growing right up to the side of the road itself. It’s the lifeblood of this area, basically. Obviously, at some point during the day, you’ll want to stop for a meal, and you should absolutely try the delicious local food. For instance, you could very easily find some fantastic mtsvadi, which is basically perfectly grilled meat cooked over a fire of vine clippings, and you definitely have to get some fresh, hot Kakhetian shoti bread, which is always, you know, absolutely amazing and shaped like a canoe. This day is about history and nature, for sure, but the experience is made so much richer by tasting the incredible food and wine that the region is famous for, right?

What to Know Before You Go: A Few Tips

Alright, so if you are actually thinking about doing this trip for yourself, here are just a few things to keep in your mind. You know, just some friendly bits of advice from someone who has been. The day is fairly long and involves a good deal of driving, so comfortable shoes are basically a non-negotiable item, especially for the time you’ll spend walking around the large grounds of Alaverdi and up the hill to Kvetera. As a matter of fact, wearing clothes in layers is a very smart move, since the temperature can change a little between the mountains of the Gombori Pass and the flat, open valleys of the Alazani Plain. You’ll definitely be happy you brought a jacket, just in case.

Read our full review: [From Tbilisi: Telavi, Alaverdi, Kvetera, Sabaduri Forest Full Review and Details]

• Be ready for a long day: It’s a full itinerary, so just be prepared for an early start and a later return to Tbilisi.
• Dress respectfully for religious sites: For the cathedrals and churches, you typically need to have your shoulders and knees covered. Women are often asked to cover their hair as well; scarves are usually available to borrow at the entrance.
• Bring a good camera: Honestly, the views are stunning all day long, from the forest to the mountain backdrops. You’ll want to capture them.
• Stay hydrated: Be sure to bring a bottle of water, particularly for the warmer months.
• Try the local goods: If you get a chance, try the churchkhela (a candle-shaped candy) or the local cheeses. It’s all part of the fun, you know.