Ikalto
history
About Ikalto
Set among the hills of Kakheti, Ikalto pairs a 6th-century monastery with the ruins of a medieval academy where the poet Shota Rustaveli is said to have studied. Wander the old lecture grounds, step into the Church of the Transfiguration with its early frescoes, and trace the monastery's long wine traditions through cellars where monks once made their own vintages. It is a calm, contemplative stop that rewards travelers drawn to Georgia's history of faith, learning, and the vine.
Culture
A site of learning and faith, Ikalto offers peace and wine traditions. Local cuisine enhances the experience.
Travel Tips
Currency: GEL; cash preferred. Language: Georgian; some English at sites. Safety: Safe, tranquil. Transport: Car/minibus from Telavi; walkable.
Tours Including Ikalto
View All Tours
Georgia & Armenia — 12 Days
Twelve days through two of the world's oldest Christian nations. You'll spend a week in Georgia — Tbilisi's Old Town and sulphur baths, the wine villages of Kakheti, a lone church beneath Mt Kazbek, Stalin's Gori, a rock-hewn cave town, and Queen Tamar's cliff monastery at Vardzia — before crossing south into Armenia. There, five days take in shimmering Lake Sevan, vibrant Yerevan, the holy city of Etchmiadzin, the pagan temple of Garni, cliff-set Geghard and Noravank, and Khor Virap in the shadow of Mt Ararat. One seamless Caucasus journey, fairly priced and expertly guided.