Georgia Explorer

Group Tour

Overview

The once ancient kingdom of Colchis, Georgia has long been linked with the Greek legends attributed to Jason and his band of Argonauts. Sandwiched between the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea, this mythical land today provides us with one of the last hidden gems left in Europe.

This journey takes you from its charming capital, Tbilisi and through forested valleys and snow-capped mountains, where ancient cave towns and clustered rural villages, rich in heritage that can trace its origins ...

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HIGHLIGHTS

At a glance

MEALS

14 x Breakfasts
13 x Lunches
11 x Dinners

TRANSPORT

Minibuses

GROUP SIZE

Maximum: 12

EXPERT TEAM

The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate

ACCOMMODATION

All accommodation as outlined in the itinerary

ENTRANCE FEES

All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary

FITNESS RATING

Low / Moderate

WILD MILES

This tour will earn you 4406 Wild Miles

ACCOMMODATION

Wherever possible we aim to use characterful accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience. This can vary greatly across both countries and tours. On this particular trip we will be in comfortable hotels and simpler guesthouses. Please note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a guide only and is always subject to availability.

FITNESS RATING

LOW: You should be comfortable walking around towns and cultural sites. May include some optional walks (typically 1-2hrs).

LOW/MODERATE: May be of a long duration and/or involve numerous border-crossings. May include easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-3hrs/day). You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle.

MODERATE/HIGH: May include several easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-4hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle. Previous experience of similar trips helpful.

HIGH: May involve several days of moderate hiking (up to 3-5 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.

VERY HIGH: May involve several days of moderate/strenuous trekking (up to 5-7 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a very fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.

Wild Miles Club

When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:

Blue More than 10,000 points 2.5% discount
Bronze More than 30,000 points 5% discount
Silver More than 45,000 points 7.5% discount
Gold More than 60,000 points 10% discount

Positive Impact of this Trip

Tree
Ten trees are planted per passenger on this trip
Community
Supports Wild Frontiers Foundation community projects
Wind Turbine
A contribution to renewable energy projects

Map & Itinerary

Individual departures may vary so please refer to the information in the tour specific links in the Dates and Prices section below

Georgia Explorer
EXPAND ALL ITINERARY DAYS
COLLAPSE ALL ITINERARY DAYS

Day 1 Tour starts in Tbilisi

Day 1 Tour starts in Tbilisi

Rooms will be available in Tbilisi from this afternoon. Those arriving on the group flights will arrive in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

Taberne Boutique Hotel or similar

Day 2 Tbilisi

Day 2 Tbilisi

The pre-departure meeting will take place this morning at the hotel, after which we will have a city tour including Old Tbilisi. From the Metekhi Church (13th century) overlooking the river Mtkvari to the Narikala Fortress (4th century), one of the oldest fortifications in the city, we’ll also pay a visit to the Sulphur Baths, the synagogue, the Anchiskhati Church (6th century) and Sioni Cathedral (6/7th century). In this cathedral the cross of St. Nino – the woman who brought Christianity to Georgia – is preserved. Afterwards we visit the stunning treasures of the National Museum. All these sights are in close proximity and it’s a pleasant walk.

Taberne Boutique Hotel or similar
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Tbilisi

Day 3 Tbilisi

Today begins with a visit to a local farmers’ market, where you will meet your local culinary hosts. Under their expert guidance you will immerse yourself into the colour and clamour of the fascinating Bazaar. After enjoying shopping and bartering with the locals, you’ll then join your hosts back at their home, where you’ll cook a traditional Georgian meal together. You’ll have the rest of the day to soak up the café culture of Tbilisi, relax and shop. Dinner tonight will be at your own expense.

Taberne Boutique Hotel or similar
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 Tbilisi - Telavi

Day 4 Tbilisi - Telavi

We enjoy a day exploring the Kakheti province of Georgia, most famously known for its wine growing, great food and superb Caucasus Mountain views. First, we visit Sighnaghi, one of the prettiest towns in Kakheti, with its cobbled streets running between shady squares and historic buildings, which is why it is known as the ‘City of Love’. Lunch today will be with a local family where you can sample delicious homemade Georgian dishes using fresh ingredients from your host's garden. After lunch we visit the village of Vardisubani, where we learn how Georgians make their own wine using quevri (clay vessels) - a UNESCO experience. A short drive takes us to traditional Georgian wine cellar in Kondoli where we have a chance to taste the distinctive natural wine "Zhghia" which is made from the rarest and highest quality Kakhetian grapes, before heading into Telavi for the evening.

Kviria Hotel or similar
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Telavi - Kazbegi National Park

Day 5 Telavi - Kazbegi National Park

This morning we start our journey towards Kazbegi National Park. Our first stop on the route will be the Alaverdi monastery and cathedral, which has a long and rich history as a place of worship. From here, we drive further into the Khevi region, dominated by alpine meadows and mountain passes. Our next visit is to the two fortified churches at Ananuri, beautifully situated on the Jinvali Reservoir, before following the Georgian Military Highway north to our hotel and taking in the stunning views of the Great Caucasus Mountains.

Intourist Kazbegi or similar
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Around Kazbegi National Park: Trinity Church, Dariali Gorge and Felt Making

Day 6 Around Kazbegi National Park: Trinity Church, Dariali Gorge and Felt Making

Today we set out on foot from for a three-hour walk up through beautiful valleys and woodland to Gergeti Trinity Church (14th century) located at 2170m. Weather permitting, you may catch a glimpse of one of the highest glaciers in the Caucasus on Mt Kazbegi (5047m). If you prefer to skip the hike, local taxis are available. After lunch we drive through the Dariali gorge, taking some time to stop at viewpoints to and admire the impressive mountain views before visiting the spectacular Sno valley. Later this afternoon we visit a local master in Stepantsminda and learn about Georgian 'Teka' - felt-making and have an opportunity to taste some local teas. 

InTourist Kazbegi or similar
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Kazbegi – Mtskheta – Gori

Day 7 Kazbegi – Mtskheta – Gori

Today we will drive to the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia, Mtskheta, where we will visit Jvari Monastery (6th century) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century), both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After spending some time here we will then visit the nearby Uplistsikhe Cave Town (1st millennium BC), once one of the main points along the Great Silk Road. Our final stop for the day will be the town of Gori, located in the heart of the Kartli region and the birthplace of the most famous Georgian of all time – Josef Stalin.

Gori Inn or similar
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 Gori – Vardzia

Day 8 Gori – Vardzia

This morning we will visit the surreal Stalin Museum, his house and private carriage. Afterwards we will drive to Vardzia, a magnificent 12th century cave town carved out of the hillside in the Golden Age of Georgia, and one of Georgia’s highlights. It stretches over half a kilometre and once consisted of almost 3000 caves and was one of the best examples of Georgia’s renaissance. The complex also includes dwellings quarters, refectories, wine cellars, and small hall-type churches, one of which is even hewn out in rock with some stunning 12th century frescoes to admire. Along the way we make a few stops for lunch and a photostop at Khertvisi Fortress. 

Valodia Guesthouse
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 Vardzia - Kutaisi

Day 9 Vardzia - Kutaisi

We start the day with a drive to Akhaltsikhe where we visit the beautiful citadel of Rabat, a completely restored Ottoman fort with an informative museum. On the way to Kutaisi we make a stop in Borjomi, a quaint little spa town known for its mineral water and sulphur water spring, the perfect place for some lunch. The day finishes is Kutaisi, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Colchis where Jason and his Argonauts came looking for the Golden Fleece. This evening you have some free time and dinner is at your own expense.

Solomon Hotel or similar
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10 Kutaisi – Ushguli

Day 10 Kutaisi – Ushguli

We'll have an early start today to visit the Gelati Monastery, home to an impressive collection of frescoes. There is a long drive ahead of us, but it’s worth it as we’ll have magnificent views as we cross the Zagaro Pass. By late afternoon we’ll reach Ushguli, the highest permanently inhabited village in Europe (2200m) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As we spend the next few days exploring the remote beauty of Svaneti, we will get the opportunity to stay in family-run accommodation where we can experience the wonders of traditional Georgian hospitality and cuisine, which will surely be one of the major highlights of your trip. Approx 7 hours driving

Guesthouse
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 Ushguli – Mestia

Day 11 Ushguli – Mestia

We’ll take a beautiful morning walk which follows the banks of the Enguri River in the direction Mt. Shkhara and its glacier (320m ascent, 5 hours). Afterwards we return to Ushguli, stopping off to visit the Lamaria church with its 12th century stone defence tower, before driving on to Mestia.

Guesthouse
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 Mestia – Lakhiri – Mestia

Day 12 Mestia – Lakhiri – Mestia

This morning we’ll drive towards the village of Lakhiri village, where we’ll start our day’s walk. We’ll enjoy great views of the Caucasus and especially the two-summit peak of Mt Ushba (4690m) (520m ascent, 650m decent, walking time: 4-5 hours). On our return to Mestia, in the late afternoon, we will have a few hours to explore the town at our own pace before dinner.

Guesthouse
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13 Mestia

Day 13 Mestia

This morning we will drive to the Koruldi Lakes, offering stunning views of the surrounding glaciers and mountain peaks. We will then visit the Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography. After lunch, we will take the Zuruldi Cable car to a café where we can relax and enjoy views of the Svaneti.

Guesthouse
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14 Mestia – Batumi

Day 14 Mestia – Batumi

Today, we will leave the Svaneti region and head south towards the Black Sea coastal town of Batumi, the capital of the Adjara province. On the way we stop in Zugdidi for lunch and to stretch our legs. On arrival into Batumi take a walk around the charming old town and its narrow streets and squares, in stark contrast to the developing modern part of the city. Tonight we enjoy our final farewell dinner together. Approx 7 hours driving

Hotel Aisi or similar
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15 Tour ends in Batumi

Day 15 Tour ends in Batumi

The tour will end this morning at the hotel.

Breakfast

ACCOMMODATION USED ON THIS TOUR

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. *Please refer to the Detailed Itinerary of your individual departure for more information.

PRIVATE HOLIDAYS: DATES DON’T FIT?

All group tours can be taken on a private basis.

Additional Details

Responsible Travel

With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.

When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats. 

Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.

Supporting locals

In the Caucasus - and in particular in Georgia - we have developed unique relationships with many of the mountain communities in the region, and through our form of interactive tourism we have provided support through offering important additional income opportunities. On this trip we travel into the remote Svaneti region, where conditions can be harsh and there is limited opportunity for earning an income. By staying at small family-run guesthouses, we are able to put much needed funds directly into the local communities. In addition, all food is produced locally so several members of the village benefit financially, which improves several families’ standard of living. The great thing about this kind of interactive tourism is that everyone gains – the locals financially and us from the fuss they make of us!

 

Reducing Single Use Plastic

We recognise the environmental issues and challenges around single-use plastic in many countries we visit and are actively working with our partners on the ground to reduce plastic waste on our tours and within the hotels and restaurants we visit. You can help to reduce your personal plastic waste by taking a refillable, filtered water bottle with you on your trip. Filtered water bottles can be refilled from water sources including your hotel room and restaurant taps, drinking fountains and refill stations. Every time you refill your bottle without the use of single-use plastic, you will be helping to reduce waste and protect the environment. Filtered Water Bottles | Wild Frontiers (wildfrontierstravel.com)

Getting There

If you would like us to send you a quote for the suggested tour flights or on any alternative flight that may suit you better, please let us know, noting that for our US clients, we will most likely refer you to one of our preferred partners. For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are shown below.

If you wish to arrange your own flights you are completely free to do so and in this case we can arrange any transfers or supplementary accommodation that you may require. However please note that if you are planning on making your own flight arrangements, we recommend that you first check with us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We then suggest that you purchase flights that are flexible and ideally refundable as due to the nature of adventure travel, itineraries and destination accessibility can change at any time. For more information, please refer to our booking conditions.
 

Flight Code Departing Arriving
TK 1986 London Heathrow (LHR) 16:15 Istanbul (IST) 22:00
TK 386 Istanbul (IST) 23:50 Tbilisi Airport (TBS) 03:10
TK 391 Batumi Airport (BUS) 10:35 Istanbul (IST) 11:45
TK 1971 Istanbul (IST) 14:55 London Heathrow (LHR) 16:50

Visas

VISAS

Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa

For this tour UK passport holders do not require a visa for Georgia.

Passports should ideally be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the end of your tour.

Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.

VACCINATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for travellers to Georgia.

For all destinations, please make sure you are up-to-date with any standard vaccinations (e.g. MMR, Hepatitis A, Tetanus) as recommended by your local health care provider. 

For the most up-to-date information on all vaccination requirements, we strongly suggest that you seek advice from your local travel centre or consult an official travel health website such as www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.travelhealthpro.org.uk

Covid Testing: No mandatory testing is currently required for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers.

If necessary further details will be sent out to you upon booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas & vaccinations are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.


Extensions

If you have more time available, why not arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts? Alternatively, you might choose to allow a few extra days after the tour to relax or to undertake some further exploration.

The choice is completely yours and we can usually arrange anything from simply additional accommodation and transfers to full tailor-made itineraries*. Please contact the office for more details and to discuss your requirements.

*Please note bespoke, tailor-made itineraries need to be a minimum of 7 days and we can only offer them in countries where we have a tailor-made expert

Governmental Travel Advice

Many governments issue advice which highlights potential hazards their citizens might experience when travelling abroad. We strongly suggest you refer to your country’s particular advisory site before booking and contact us if you have any queries or concerns. Click to follow links to the advice of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or the US State Department.

Non-UK citizens should consult the travel advice of their respective governments.

Key Information

CLIMATE

The Greater Caucasus range moderates local climate by serving as a barrier against cold air from the north. The relatively small territory covers different climatic zones, which are determined by the distance from the Black Sea and by altitude. The climatic zones are ranging from humid subtropical to snow and glaciers. In the spring and autumn the weather can be very changeable ranging from 10-23C - often in one day. In the summer, you can expect temperatures to be 30C plus. Please prepare for all eventualities, including rain.

IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?

Is This Trip For Me? It may sound obvious but Wild Frontiers tours are not always for everyone and it is important to us that the tour you choose is the most suitable. Please therefore take time to read the itinerary carefully. All our tours are graded to give an overall picture of the trip but these are only guidelines and you should check the daily itinerary. In certain instances we may ask you to complete a travel questionnaire before confirming your booking in order to ensure your suitability. Should you have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour then please contact the office.

KEY ASPECTS TO CONSIDER

For this particular trip anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour. There are some longer walks on days 11 and 12 of the itinerary but these are optional for those who do not wish to participate. Please be advised that on this trip vegetarians can be catered for but the selection and variety may be limited.

THE NATURE OF ADVENTURE TRAVEL

The Nature Of Adventure Travel: We feel that it’s worth pointing out that while we will always strive to stick as close to the stated itinerary as possible, it may be necessary from time to time to make changes to our itineraries or services (due to weather, political and religious influences etc.) and this can happen with little or no notice. This unpredictability can be one of the most exciting aspects of adventure travel and for many of our clients often leads to unexpected highlights as the tour-leader necessarily adapts the tour to the changing conditions. However we are aware that this lack of assuredness may not suit everyone. As such, with the greatest respect, if you are someone who needs to know that everything will happen exactly as planned, we would kindly suggest that perhaps our tours are not for you. Adventure travel can be infectious and once you’ve caught the bug, it is likely to never leave you, but especially if this is your first such tour we would strongly urge you to give us a call if you have any concerns whatsoever about your suitability for this trip.

TRAVELLING SOLO AND SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS

As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!

Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.

On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour. 

Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
 

INSURANCE

Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.

General Information

TOUR PRICE

All our tours are priced on a land-only basis, giving you maximum flexibility when deciding how to get to and from your tour. A £200 (or equivalent) deposit is required to confirm your booking. We are ATOL and ABOT bonded. For further details please see our travelling with peace of mind page

DEPOSIT

A 10% deposit is required to confirm your booking.

PROTECTION FOR YOUR MONEY

For further details please see our travelling with peace of mind page

WILD MILES

Wild Miles: This tour will earn you 4406 Wild Miles

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour:-

Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in your pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs

WILD FRONTIERS COMMUNITY

If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or just want to see get some different perspectives, then why not have a look at the wide variety of resources we have on our website? Browse our community section to read our blogs, watch videos and find out about our events. 

WHY WILD FRONTIERS?

We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Visit our Why Wild Frontiers page to find out.