Kartli

Kartli - Kartli and the surrounding regions

Kartli is a region in central Georgia containing Tbilisi, Mtskheta, Mount Kazbeg and the Georgian Military Highway.

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Cities

Mtskheta 2011 - Mtskheta

Tbilisi GPS 41.709311,44.791464 – The biggest, busiest and most popular city, as well as capital of Georgia
Gori GPS 41.982880,44.111589 – A city known for its Stalin cult and the nearby famous Uplistsikhe
Gudauri GPS 42.475539,44.478698 – Mainly a popular ski resort
Stepantsminda|Stepantsminda / Kazbegi GPS 42.657896,44.640761 – Famous for the spectacularly situated Gergeti Trinity Church, as well as one of the highest mountains in Europe, Mount Kazbeg
Mtskheta GPS 41.843 ,44.716 – A UNESCO world legacy site
Rustavi GPS 41.550, 44.992 – Famous for its Sioni Church, and the Auto Trade Center and the biggest for used cars in the Caucasus
Khashuri

Kartli Halal Travel Guide

Local Languages

Georgian phrasebook|Georgian is the principal language throughout most of Kartli, but there is a significant section of southern Kvemo Kartli (around Gardabani), where most residents are Azerbaijani phrasebook|Azeri speakers and you may be able to communicate effectively with knowledge of (Turkish). Speaking Russian will help best in areas where ethnic minorities live, where it is the lingua franca. It is spoken to various degrees by most older people, including by many taxi drivers, but this is no longer to be completely relied upon. The younger generation is increasingly speaking English due to hostility towards Russia, and also because English is taught in schools since independence and has replaced Russian as a second language in schools nation-wide. When in need for help, look for younger people, as they are more likely to know some English.

Travel to Kartli

Bordering regions to the West are Samtskhe-Javakheti and Rioni Region, and to the east Kakheti, which all have numerous (mini)buses every day running into Tbilisi and by Gori as well as Mtskheta from its major tourist destinations and cities (and vice-versa) – read Tbilisi|there.

Likewise, Tbilisi is also the central hub for connections from/to Armenia (Ijevan, Sevan, Yerevan) and Azerbaijan (Ganja, Baku, Qax|Qax (Qakh), Zaqatala).

Get Around

GPS 41.964978|44.376592|height=420|width=380}} Generally, everything is true what is mentioned under the same section in the Georgia_(country)#Get around|Georgia country eHalal Travel Guide.

Bus-wise, most connections are explained under Tbilisi or under the above mentioned cities. Of course travelling by vehicle is an option. Also hitch-hiking is very easy, even in remote regions.

What to See

Gori#See|Uplistsikhe GPS 41.967384,44.207278 – A 3,600 year old Silk Road cave city that was a major regional center of Caucasian pagan religion

Ananuri's fortress - Ananuri's fortress

Ananuri 42.163611, 44.703889 60 kilometers north of Tbilisi along the road to Gudauri and Kazbegi - Ananuri - Ananuridc2 A beautiful castle and monastery overlooking the Zhinvali Reservoir. - Algeti Lake.jpg
Trialeti and Algeti National Park Nichbisi-Didgori-Didi Toneti Botisi 41.724480, 44.307684 60 kilometers west of Tbilisi Close-by Algeti Lake. - Dmanissi.jpg
Dmanisi archaeological site | 41.32, 44.35 93 kilometers southwest of Tbilisi A bronze age settlement and the 1.8 million year-old fossilized remains of the first human in Europe have been discovered here.
The Georgian Military Highway GPS 41.921047,44.728723 – one of the world's more spectacular roads and the highway cuts through the Greater Caucasus and was built by the Russian Empire in the 19th century to facilitate its conquest of the Caucasus.

Shatili 42.657254, 45.156255 - A remote and less touristic mountain region. From here, hikes as well as tours with horses towards Omalo in Tusheti|Tusheti National Park can be undertaken, crossing the Atsunta Pass.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Kartli

Ski in Gudauri
Hiking in one of the southwestern national parks and forests of Kartli, as well as in the Stepantsminda|Kazbegi region

News & References Kartli

Travel Next

Comprehensive details on transport options are available under Tbilisi#Get in.

The following regions and its destinations are next to Kartli:

Samtskhe-Javakheti – Famous for Borjomi and Vardzia
Rioni Region – Famous for Kutaisi, Chiatura and Oni
Kakheti – Famous for David Gareja Monastery Complex, Sighnaghi, Gurjaani and the mountain region of Tusheti

Furthermore, Kartli, and especially Tbilisi, is the central hub for onward travel into Armenia and especially the following cities:

Ijevan – The first destination when coming from Georgia / Tbilisi and popular for its post-soviet feel and the surrounding mountains
Sevan – The nearby lake (biggest in Armenia) is a famous summer destination
Yerevan – The capital, a must see and conveniently located for adventuring Armenia

as well as Azerbaijan, and especially the following cities:

Ganja – The first major city, coming from Tbilisi, and popular for its architecture and nearby hiking destination, Goygol National Park
Baku – The capital, cosmopolitan and spectacular, best reached by night train
Qax|Qax (Qakh) – A popular and remote city near the Caucasus, great for hiking into the Caucasus
Zaqatala – Similar to Qax, though a little more touristic