Best Time: JUNE-OCT
Distance: 1494 KM
Duration: 12 DAY TOUR
Type: Private Self-drive jeep tour
Embark on a 12-day self-drive jeep tour to rural Georgia. Explore remote villages and towns, natural wonders and ancient historical monuments of the country.
Tour goes through the three challenging mountain passes: Tskhratskaro (2.471m) in Ktsia-Tabatskuri managed reserve, Goderdzi (2.027m) in Adjara and Zagaro passes (2.620m) in Svaneti.
The tour covers six regions of Georgia: Samtkhe-Javakheti, Adjara, Samegrelo, Guria, Svaneti, Racha and Imereti regions.
Enjoy walking along Batumi Boulevard, through fashionable 19th-century buildings and elegant squares, relax, and take full advantage of the alluring atmosphere in Mukhuri, Ambrolauri & Ushguli rustic guesthouses, where local ethnic traditions merge with real life.
Have a great trip ahead!
Arrive in Tbilisi Airport. Meet your travel agent and transfer to the hotel. Check in time 15:00
Free evening in Tbilisi.
*Optional Tbilisi Walking Tour for this day
Tbilisi City Tour starts from the hotel. All main attractions are nearby: Metekhi Church of 13th c. located on the bank of Mtkvari River. Ride up to Narikala Fortress by the aerial cable car. Narikala Fortress dates back to 4th century AD, it has a superb location with magnificent panoramic views over the Tbilisi city. Stroll down to LegvtaKhevi (translated literally as “Fig Ravine”) – a beautiful place with waterfall, blooming plants and a small river. Take a walk in the park near Sulfur bathhouses, well-known for their healing powers, Shardeni street, its neighborhood and Meidan square with its outdoor cafes, galleries and souvenir shops. Cross the Bridge of Peace – a modern glass bridge in high-tech style. Visit Flea Market at Dry Bridge where you can buy the souvenirs and handicraft. Free time on Rustaveli Avenue.
Overnight in Tbilisi.
After Breakfast at Tbilisi hotel, meet with your travel agent and get the 4x4 WD vehicle, check out and off to adventures!
The first day is long. Suggested time to start tour is 9:00.
Driving distance today is about 267 km, non-stop driving time 6h 25 m
Drive 100 km to the South-West and stop at Dashbashi Canyon - one of the most beautiful natural landmarks in the country. Its height is 1100-1500 meters and length is 8 km. On the way to Tsalka take another break at the lake ParaVani and visit St. Nino monastery Foka. Here you can buy artisan cheese and chocolate made by nuns.
Pass picturesque villages and turn to the North in Ninotsminda towards Ktsia-Tabatskuri Managed Reserve. Drive Tskhratskaro pass (2.471m) and before reaching Bakuriani, don’t slip to visit Tabatskuri alpine lake.
Arrive in Bakuriani skiing resort (1650m) for dinner and overnight.
Driving distance today is about: 102 km, non-stop driving time 2h 4 m
Breakfast at the hotel. This day is relaxing. Drive to the Spa city Borjomi, which served as Russian King’s Romanov family residence during the Tsarist rule over Georgia. It was designed by the architect Leon Benois for Grand Duke Nicholas in late 1800s.
Have a nice walk in Borjomi Central Park. At the entrance, nearby, there is model of mini-Georgia and main spring of Borjomi water. If you walk up to the end of the forested pass behind the park 1 hour, you will be rewarded by opportunity to swim in a hot sulfur outdoor pool in the middle of the nature.
Drive one more hour to Akhaltsikhe, the administrative town of Samtskhe-Javakheti region. The main attraction in the city is Rabati district and medieval Castle overlooking the area. Visit history museum located inside the fortress. Tour will take about 30 minutes.
Continue to Abastumani, climatic resort in coniferous forests valley. The air contains large amounts of isoniazid oxygen. Abastumani is famous for its healing sulfurous waters as well. Three hyperthermic springs of Abastumani with 39-48.5 °C temperature is less mineralized, rich in sulphate-chloride-sodium water.
Overnight in Abastumani Resort.
Driving distance: 180 km, non-stop time - 6h 16 m
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning visit the first alpine observatory in former Soviet Union - today it is called Georgian National Astrophysical Observatory. Being distant from the air pollution and sky illumination, on the altitude 1770 m, there are unique atmospheric conditions for observations.
Drive to the seaside resort Batumi via Goderdzi pass - a merging link of Adjara and Samtskhe-Javakheti. Bumping gravel road starts after Adigeni and lasts 56 km up to Khulo community, afterwards, the rest of the road is paved. Follow the Acharistskali river canyon towards Khulo and Keda municipalities and have a rest at Makhuntseti waterfall - one of the highest waterfalls in Ajara. While being at the waterfall, visit nearby medieval stone bridge, Adjarian Wine House and private wine cellar scattered throughout Keda.
Three kilometers before entering Batumi, make a stop and visit very interesting ethnographic museum (outdoor and indoor) displaying handmade wooden models of mountain villages of Adjara, the region you drive through today. The human size models show domestic life routine of locals in 19th c. Name of the place is Borjgalo. The author and owner Mr. Turmanidze and his family will guide you.
Arrive in Batumi and check in to the hotel. Leisure evening.
Overnight in Batumi hotel.
Driving distance: 200 km (4h 7 m)
Breakfast at the hotel. Walking in Batumi, visit Europe Square, Alphabet tower, Batumi's Lighthouse, statues of mythological Medea, kinetic sculpture of Ali and Nino. Have a relaxing morning at Batumi Boulevard.
Leave Batumi at midday and drive to Tsitelmta village, Guria region. Approximately one hour and twenty minutes needed (60 km) to reach the farmhouse Komli, where you will taste homemade tea and experience family lunch.
Continue the trip to another natural landmark – Martvili Canyon (100 km), created millions years ago by the Abasha river. You can get to the 7-meter high waterfall of the canyon by a boat.
From Martvili drive to a small village Mukhuri, stay in an authentic mingrelian wooden rural house and discover the charm of Samegrelo region.
Dinner and overnight in Mukhuri.
Driving distance: 196 km (4h )
Breakfast. Travel to Upper Svaneti, Mazeri village, Becho commune.
At the beginning of the elevation, make a stop for Enguri Dam, constructed in 1961-1987 by Soviets, one of the highest hydro-electric arched dam in the world (271.5 m - today it's rating is #4). Make pictures and continue along Enguri River Gorge.
The road is paved, picturesque, but narrow and goes up in the Caucasus mountains. The 92 km distance from Enguri Dum to Mazeri village, Becho commune will take about 2 hours. You will easily recognize the turn to the village as Ushba glassier is visible first time from the main road. You can observe it's only one pick (4710 m) from the drive way and Becho valley.
*Optional Hike to Shdugra Waterfall - recommended today or tomorrow early morning.
Double way distance: 13.4 km, 5-6 hours, moderate; Ascent 659 m/ Descent 654 m
The trail begins at the center of Mazeri village. Leave a car and heads to the west - it´s marked by white/red rectangles.
Walk through beautiful pine forest with spectacular views of Mt. Ushba summit and Becho commune. On this route you will be passing a check-point of border guards that might occasionally ask for your passport (no-special permit is required for this trek) so keep it handy. Once you pass the guards camp, there will be a steep section going uphill toward the bottom of Shdugra waterfall – our final destination. Hike back with the same trail and get back to Mazeri.
Elevation: ↑430 m / ↓430 m.
Max: 2,020m, Min 1,600 m
Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse .
Driving distance: 20 km (30 min)
Breakfast in Mazeri village. Consider this day is a spare day. If weather conditions for trekking are better today then it was yesterday, do the Morning trek to the Shdugra waterfall today. The pass is very attractive!
Continue the tour to Mestia – an administrative center of Svaneti. Pass village Latali, containing 78 small size churches beautifully decorated by medieval local artists, frescoes and murals are unique.
Arrive in Mestia. Visit Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography, which houses old Georgian manuscripts, IX-XIV th c gospel books, ethnographic and archaeological items, Orthodox icons painted and carved locally.
Walk up to the tower and house museum of Margiani. In this tower-museum visitors can take a look at local dwelling – “Machubi”, and get introduced to the traditional lifestyle of the Svans.
Dinner and overnight in Mestia.
Driving distance: 45 km (1h 30min)
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Ushguli village – the highest continually inhabited places in Europe. The whole village with its four districts (Zhibiani, Chvibiani or Chubiani, Chazhashi or Chajashi & Murqmeli) and 88 self-defensive towers are included in UNESCO World Heritage Site list. The way to Ushguli is partly paved, but very narrow and picturesque. In winter the area is not in an accessible for 6-8 month as Snow cover is high and is blocking the way.
During the day visit ancient villages: Mulakhi, Ipari and Kala and see the small churches beautifully painted by local masters in 9th 13th cc. Stop by Lamaria church in Ushguli - a sacred place for locals. Walk to the glacier Shkhara (5 193 m) – the Caucasus Mountains are around and set as a background of the village. Roaring river Enguri bed starts its stream from here.
Dinner and overnight in Ushguli.
Driving distance: 148 km (4h 50min)
Breakfast at the guesthouse. Check out and start driving to the most epic road through Zagaro pass (2.620m) toward Lower Svaneti town Lentekhi. The road (94 km) is totally unpaved, muddy, narrow and really tough. Periods of much rain makes the road undrivable. Experienced driver and 4x4WD is essential. About 5 hours and more is necessary to cover it.
Arrive in Ambrolauri - a small town with a population of 2,000 people located 550 m above sea level. Locals here are prominent winemakers. You will see the monument of a wine bottle Khvanchkara (famous semi-sweet red wine, regarded as favourite drink of Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Josef Stalin) standing in the center of the town center.
Overnight in Ambrolauri.
Driving distance: 76.4 km (1h 40min)
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning make a tour around: visit Barakoni - an Orthodox Church of the Mother of God built in 1753, one of the last important monuments representing late feudal time Georgian architecture. The church is located near the town of Ambrolauri, in the Tsesi village on top of a steep cliff and overlooks Rioni River which joins the Lukhuni River just below the mountain.
Visit local Museum of Fine Arts, which houses over 550 paintings of Georgian artists of early 20th c (Ucha Japaridze, Lado Gudiashvili, Elene Akhvlediani, Kakabadze, Varazi, and others).
Drive to Kutaisi. On the way make a short stop at Nikortsminda Cathedral (1010-1014), real masterpiece of stone-carved ornaments and ancient frescoes (tentative UNESCO site).
Next stop at Shaori Lake for pictures.
Kutaisi city, former capital of Georgian kingdom Imereti -is famous for its hospitality, delicious cuisine and very popular cheese pie called as Imeretian Khachapuri. Visit farmer’s market and UNESCO world heritage site Bagrati Cathedral (11th c).
The ruins of the residence of the royal dynasty of Bagrationi (11th c) have been preserved. Several archaeological layers are revived under the 3rd, 8th and 11th centuries. The complex is located in the city center on a hilltop and surrounded by a first century Roman citadel.
Cross the White Bridge, connecting 2 banks of Rioni River, ride up via cable car to Gora Park, located on the top of the Ukimerioni Hill and enjoy panoramic views of the city.
Overnight in Kutaisi.
Driving distance: 283 km (4h 47min)
Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and departure for Tbilisi.
First, visit a small miner’s town Chiatura. Chiatura was considered as a “heartland of Soviet industry” and became prominent for a network of ancient macabre rusty cable cars built to ferry the town’s manganese miners across its green valley.
Continue the tour to the village Katskhi and see a natural limestone Katskhi Pillar - approximately 40 metres high monolith is located on the way of Chiatura- Sachkhere. It overlooks the small river valley and belongs to the monastery complex. At the base of the pillar are the newly built church of Simeon Stylites and ruins of an old wall and belfry.
Evening arrive in Tbilisi for overnight.
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the Airport.
Staff:
Transport:
Accommodation in the hotels 11 nights:
Meals:
Entertainment, equipment and other:
Group size | Price per adult |
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Solo | 3079 $ |
2 - 3 people | 1764 $ |
4 - 5 people | 1428 $ |
6 - 7 people | 1100 $ |
8 - 9 people | 1098 $ |
10 - 15 people | 995 $ |
The above prices (except for solo) are based on two people sharing a twin/double room accommodation.
There is additional fee for single room accomodation that you can select at checkout.
Child Policy |
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0-6 years - Free |
7-12 years - 50% |
12 years and above - Adult |
*Online booking deposit will be deducted from the total tour price.
The balance can be paid in one of the following ways:
For a larger group or custom itinerary please contact us at info[at]georgianholidays.com
Tips for booking procedure:
How to know which “Operator” to select?
You only need to select the Operator name if you have previously communicated with one of our sales agents via phone or email, otherwise please leave it at default.
Optional Services:
To arrange airport transfers and additional hotel overnights, contact us travel [at] georgianholidays.com
Cancellation is free of charge prior 7 days of the starting day.
If Tourist cancels the booked tour for some reasons not depending on Tour Operator, the following sums are kept back as a fine: