«Gonio Fortress, Borjghalo Ethnographic Museum & Makhuntseti village»

Trip to Mountainous Adjara
Duration: 6-7 hours
Route: Batumi – Gonio – Keda – Makhuntseti
Tour type: private or group excursion / by bus

All parts of Georgia are interesting, but Adjara is place with the sea, the mountains, interesting traditions and a lot of other reasons why you should visit this region. Adjara is part of the ancient Kingdom of Colchis, the place where every monument hides history behind it. If you like to read the history in monuments or artefacts, then Adjara should find its spot on your list of the world’s must-see places.
Sightseeing tour to mountainous Adjara includes visits to the following sites:
Gonio Fortress Makhuntseti Vineyard (local family)
Borjghalo Ethnographic Museum Ajarian Wine House (optional wine degustation)
Makhuntseti bridge & waterfall Masterclass & Lunch at the local vineyard
Gonio fortress: The oldest fortress of Georgia (or the Gonio-Apsaros Fortress) occupying the territory of 4,5 ha is situated in village of Gonio in Adjara, 15 km from Batumi city. The fortress history amounts to several millenniums. The ancient archeological layers, dug in the fortress territory belong to the XV-XVII centuries BC. There exists a legend that the name of Apsaros originates from the ancient Greek myth about Argonauts.

Borjghalo Ethnographic Museum: Ethnographic Museum Borjghalo is located in Kakhaberi Settlement, Batumi, Georgia. It is 20 minutes’ drive from Batumi center. This place enables visitors to get acquainted with a real Adjarian village. There are prepared models of dwelling, agricultural and defense buildings, where is highlighted daily life of one Adjarian family both-rich and poor.

The guests will have possibility to visit Mkhuntseti Waterfall: falling from a height of 36 meters, Makhuntseti waterfall is one of the most beautiful and most visited tourist attractions in Ajara. Nearby to the waterfall there is another attraction – the arched stone bridge of Queen Tamar. The Stone Arch Bridge, reminding us of a picturesque canvas, according to the legend, was built in the 12th century to connect the banks of the river. The name “Tamar Bridge” is related to the King Tamar. Tamar reigned 800-900 years ago and they say that the bridge of Makhuntseti was built at that time. The bridge is 28 meters long.

The most interesting and amusing visit will be to the local Vineyard. The guests will have possibility to get acquainted with unique Ajarian traditions and villagers’ life, participate in cookery workshops – making the authentic Ajarian dishes, such as “churchkhela” (nuts strug on a thread dipped in thicken grape juice), and “khachapuri” baking. Guests will be kindly invited for lunch with traditional Georgian dishes and of course will taste wine from the cellar of the visited vineyard.