Your Mumbai–Tbilisi journey will usually take around 10–15 hours door-to-door, depending on the connection, so plan to depart Mumbai on December 6 or take an overnight flight arriving on December 7. After immigration and baggage collection at Tbilisi International Airport, allow roughly 30–45 minutes by taxi to your accommodation; app-based taxis or a pre-arranged hotel transfer are easiest, with airport-to-centre fares commonly around 30–50 GEL. Keep the first afternoon gentle, as winter daylight fades early.
Once checked in, head into the Old Town and take the Tbilisi cable car from Rike Park up to Narikala Fortress. The ride is only a few minutes, but allow about an hour for the fortress walls, views across the Mtkvari River, and an easy wander through the hillside paths. A single cable-car ride generally costs a few GEL and uses the city’s rechargeable transport card; confirm the final fare locally. From the fortress, walk for around 10–15 minutes along the ridge to the Mother of Georgia, whose viewpoint looks across the tiled roofs and river valley. The paths can be uneven or slippery in December, so wear shoes with good grip and bring a warm layer.
Walk downhill into Abanotubani, Tbilisi’s historic bath district, and settle into a private sulfur-bath room for about an hour. Advance booking is strongly recommended, particularly for a private room and on a busy arrival evening; prices vary widely by room and duration, commonly from about 70 GEL upward. Bring flip-flops and a swimsuit if preferred, and avoid a very hot bath if you are dehydrated after the flight. For dinner, take a taxi or a pleasant 20–25-minute walk toward Chughureti for Shavi Lomi, a characterful Georgian restaurant known for homestyle dishes and seasonal plates. Budget approximately 50–80 GEL per person before drinks, and reserve if possible; after dinner, return by taxi rather than adding another long walk on your first night.
Start in the cobbled lanes of Old Town around 9:30 AM, when the streets are still quiet. Begin at Anchiskhati Basilica, Tbilisi’s oldest surviving church, allowing about 30 minutes. Dress modestly—shoulders and knees covered—and keep voices low if a service is taking place. Walk roughly 7–10 minutes to Sioni Cathedral, one of the city’s most important Orthodox landmarks beside the river; allow 40 minutes. Both churches are generally free, though opening access can vary during services.
Continue across the Bridge of Peace toward Rike, taking time for the river views and the contrast between Tbilisi’s old balconies and the bridge’s modern glass canopy. Allow about 30 minutes, then take a taxi or Bolt to Rustaveli Avenue—usually 10–15 minutes depending on traffic—for the Georgian National Museum. Plan around 1½ hours. Its archaeological and cultural collections are the main draw; check the official opening schedule before leaving, as museums can close on a weekday or adjust hours seasonally. Set aside roughly 10–20 GEL for admission and a little extra time for the cloakroom and ticket queue.
From Rustaveli, take a Bolt to Sololaki, generally 10–15 minutes, and have lunch at Café Littera, set inside a beautiful historic garden. Allow 1½ hours rather than rushing the meal; budget approximately 40–70 GEL per person, and reserve ahead if possible because the garden seating is limited in winter. After lunch, leave enough flexibility to wander Sololaki’s ornate façades and quiet lanes rather than adding another formal sight.
Head to the Mtatsminda Park funicular station by Bolt or taxi—about 10–15 minutes from Sololaki—and allow time to buy tickets and queue, particularly around sunset. The ride up to Mtatsminda Park takes only a few minutes, but plan roughly two hours in total for the funicular, viewpoints, and a relaxed walk around the hilltop. December sunset is early, commonly around 5:30 PM, so aim to arrive at the station by about 4:30 PM. The park’s rides may operate on a reduced winter schedule; the panoramic views are the reason to come. Return by funicular and taxi, or use Bolt from the lower station, and keep warm—the hilltop is noticeably colder and windier than central Tbilisi.
Leave Tbilisi around 7:00–7:30 AM in a private 4WD with an experienced driver; in December, the drive to Stepantsminda can take 3.5–5 hours before allowing for stops, traffic, snow, or road-control delays. Your first stop is Ananuri Fortress, about 45 minutes from Tbilisi. Walk through the compact church-and-fortress complex and down to the reservoir viewpoint; paths can be icy, so wear proper shoes. Entry is generally free or nominal, but carry cash in Georgian lari. Continue north on the Georgian Military Highway to the Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument in Gudauri, allowing roughly 30 minutes for the dramatic gorge views. The monument is exposed and very cold in winter—keep this stop short if visibility is poor. Your driver should check the road situation before departure and remain flexible if the Jvari Pass is affected by snow.
Reach Stepantsminda around lunchtime, then take a local 4WD taxi up to Gergeti Trinity Church if the road is snowy or icy; budget about 1.5 hours including the visit and return. Access is weather-dependent, and the church may be reached only as far as conditions safely allow, so don’t insist on the summit if your driver advises against it. Afterward, warm up at Rooms Hotel Kazbegi, where the large windows frame Mount Kazbek and the surrounding valley. Allow about 1.5 hours for lunch or coffee; expect approximately 60–100 GEL per person. If the sky clears, take a relaxed walk around the quieter lanes near the hotel rather than adding another formal sight. Depart for Tbilisi by about 3:30 PM only if the road remains open and your driver is comfortable with the forecast; the return can take until late evening. If snowfall, darkness, or road restrictions worsen, stay overnight in Stepantsminda instead—this is the safer plan, not a failure of the itinerary.
Have your driver collect you from Stepantsminda around 7:00 AM for the long transfer to Sighnaghi via Tbilisi and the Kakheti Highway. Door to door, allow 5.5–7 hours in December, including a short break, possible snow controls on the mountain roads, and traffic around Tbilisi. A 4WD with a winter-equipped driver is the sensible choice; confirm the final fare—usually about 300–450 GEL per vehicle—and whether the driver will wait during your sightseeing. After arriving in Sighnaghi, check in or leave luggage at your accommodation, then take a short taxi ride or walk uphill to Bodbe Monastery. Allow about an hour for the peaceful grounds and the broad Alazani Valley viewpoint; the lower path can be slippery in winter, so wear shoes with good grip.
Return to town for the Sighnaghi City Walls, where a preserved section gives you an excellent view over the valley and surrounding vineyards. Allow roughly 45 minutes, keeping in mind that winter light fades early and some wall sections can be uneven or exposed. From there, stroll into Sighnaghi Old Town for an hour of relaxed wandering along the cobbled lanes and past the brightly painted wooden balconies. The center is compact, but the streets are hilly; stop for coffee or a light snack at Keto and Kote Sighnaghi if open, and check the day’s hours locally because December schedules can be shorter.
Reserve a tasting at Pheasant’s Tears rather than relying on walk-in space, particularly if you want the full seasonal meal alongside the natural Georgian wines. Plan 2 hours and budget approximately 60–100 GEL per person, depending on the tasting and food selected. It is a good place to try amber qvevri wines and local dishes without rushing. Leave Sighnaghi around 5:00 PM for the return drive to Tbilisi, allowing at least 2–2.5 hours and more if fog, rain, or evening traffic slows the Kakheti road. If you are not already staying in Tbilisi, this day is considerably more comfortable with an overnight in Sighnaghi; returning to the capital is feasible, but it makes for a late arrival after an already long mountain transfer.
Leave Sighnaghi around 7:00 AM in your pre-arranged private car for Kutaisi, travelling back via Tbilisi and then west along the East–West Highway. Allow 5–6.5 hours door to door in December, including a breakfast stop, winter traffic, and possible delays near Tbilisi. A private transfer is strongly preferable today; marshrutka connections through Tbilisi can take 7–9 hours and may leave too little time in Kutaisi. Ask the driver to drop you at your accommodation first, or keep luggage in the car while visiting Bagrati Cathedral if you arrive before check-in.
Start sightseeing at Bagrati Cathedral on Ukimerioni Hill, allowing about an hour for the cathedral and its wide views over the city and the Rioni River. From there, take a taxi down into central Kutaisi—roughly 10 minutes and usually inexpensive—then visit the Kutaisi State Historical Museum. Budget around an hour; opening hours can vary, so check locally or ask your driver or hotel to confirm before setting out.
Have a relaxed lunch near the central market area, then walk to the White Bridge for a short riverside stroll. The bridge itself takes only a few minutes to cross, but it is worth pausing for the views and the changing light over the Rioni River. Continue on foot to the Green Bazaar, where the covered stalls are best for browsing local cheeses, spices, dried fruit, churchkhela, and seasonal produce. Keep some Georgian lari handy, as smaller vendors may not accept cards, and ask before photographing people or their stalls.
After checking in and resting, have dinner at Palaty, a warm, characterful restaurant in central Kutaisi. Georgian classics such as khachapuri, lobio, grilled meats, and shared vegetable dishes work well here; expect approximately 40–70 GEL per person depending on drinks and the number of dishes ordered. Reserve or call ahead if possible, particularly on a Friday evening. Kutaisi’s centre is compact, so you can walk back to your accommodation afterward, though a taxi is sensible if it is raining or you are staying outside the central area.
Leave Kutaisi early enough to reach Batumi around late morning or lunchtime. The train from Kutaisi International Airport station is usually the smoothest option, but allow extra time for a taxi from your hotel to the station and check the December timetable before buying tickets. Door to door, budget roughly 3–4 hours; a direct taxi is more convenient with luggage but considerably more expensive. Once in Batumi, leave bags at your hotel and take a taxi toward Batumi Botanical Garden in Green Cape—about 20–30 minutes from central Batumi depending on traffic.
Spend two to three hours walking the garden’s hilly paths through humid subtropical sections, bamboo, palms, and regional plant collections. The sea viewpoints are particularly atmospheric in winter, though December can be windy or wet, so wear shoes with good grip. Check the seasonal opening hours and weather before setting out; admission is generally modest, around 20–25 GEL, and some paths may be less comfortable after rain. There are limited food options inside, so have breakfast or carry water and a snack.
Return to the waterfront and begin at the Ali and Nino Statue, allowing about 30 minutes for photographs and the changing coastal light. From there, walk south along Batumi Boulevard toward the center; the promenade takes roughly an hour at an easy pace, with cafés and benches for breaks. In December, the seafront is pleasantly quiet, but strong wind is common—use a taxi for the final stretch if the weather turns unpleasant.
Continue into Europe Square and spend around 45 minutes around the Medea Statue, looking beyond the square at Batumi’s ornate late-19th- and early-20th-century façades. This central area is easy to explore on foot, and the compact streets are more enjoyable than trying to move between every stop by car.
Finish with dinner at Adjarian House, where you can try regional specialties such as Adjarian khachapuri, borano, mchadi, and fish or meat dishes. Allow 35–60 GEL per person, depending on drinks and shared plates, and expect the meal to take about 1½ hours. Order the khachapuri only if you are hungry—it is rich and filling—and eat it in the local style by mixing the butter and egg into the hot cheese. After dinner, take a gentle walk back through central Batumi or return to your hotel by taxi; app-based and hotel-arranged taxis are generally easiest in the evening.
Keep your luggage at the hotel and make a short final visit to Batumi Piazza in Old Batumi. The square is at its nicest before the streets fill up, so allow about 45 minutes for coffee, photographs, and a last wander around the mosaic pavement and historic façades. For a quick breakfast, choose one of the cafés directly around the piazza; prices are usually around 10–20 GEL per person. From most central hotels, it is a 5–15-minute walk, or a short Bolt ride if your bags are already collected.
Take a Bolt to Batumi Fish Market, near the airport-side waterfront; allow roughly 15–25 minutes from the centre, depending on traffic. Check locally that the market and nearby preparation stalls are operating that day, as hours and availability can vary. Choose your seafood at the market, then have it cooked at a nearby restaurant—ask about the cooking charge before ordering. Budget approximately 30–70 GEL per person, depending on the fish and sides, and allow 1½ hours including selection and lunch. Leave a little buffer rather than rushing: winter weather and traffic along the waterfront can slow the airport transfer.
Return to your accommodation, collect your luggage, and continue to Batumi Airport by Bolt or pre-arranged hotel transfer. From the fish-market area, allow about 10–20 minutes in light traffic, but plan more during busy periods. For an international departure, arrive at least 2–3 hours before the confirmed flight; allow time for check-in, baggage drop, security, and passport control. Your Batumi–Mumbai return journey will generally take around 10–15 hours door-to-door depending on the confirmed connection, so verify the airline schedule, baggage rules, and transit requirements before leaving the hotel.
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