9 Day 4x4 Off-Road Tour in Georgia

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1In the Georgian capital Tbilisi, Georgia⌄

   Tbilisi is larger than many visitors first think and is home to at least 1.1 million of around 3.7 million Georgians. Together we will explore the historic part of the old town, take the cable car to the Narikala Fortress and give you an introduction to the history, country and people, customs and habits. You will see Georgian churches, Armenian churches, a Jewish synagogue, the remains of a fire temple, a mosque and a Catholic church within a kilometer radius. Tolerance and hospitality are very important throughout the Caucasus. In the evening there is a hearty welcome evening in a Georgian restaurant.

   Meals: Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel · Dinner: Dinner at a typical Georgian restaurant

   Overnight: Overnight at Kalasi Hotel 3* in the Old Town of Tbilisi

2. 24x4 Tour into the steppe to David Gareji monastery and Sighnaghi⌄

   One of the fascinating things about driving in Georgia is the constant change in landscape. We drive south past the largest auto bazaar in the Caucasus through the industrial wasteland of the city of Rustavi and reach a hilly steppe region, as if abandoned by God and humanity. Here and there we can spot rare birds or roam former military training grounds. In the Middle Ages, the solitude in the steppe became a coveted retreat for Georgian monks, who lived here in caves and operated a regionally important agriculture with cattle breeding and even viticulture. The gravel roads at David Gareja are fun to drive, which should familiarize us with the vehicles today. Overnight in Sighnaghi, the wine town overlooking the Caucasus. Driving distance about 200 km

   Meals: Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel · Lunch: Lunch at Oasis Club Udabno · Dinner: Dinner in Sighnaghi

   Overnight: Sighnaghi, Guesthouse

3. 34x4 trip to Vashlovani National Park⌄

   Drive to the national park center in Dedoplistskaro where we take our permits for the National Park area. Continue to the national park through the most diverse landscapes and biotopes. Driving fun for off-roaders. Drive into the gorges and along dry riverbeds to the huts on the Alasani River at Mijinis Kure. We drive not far from the Azerbaijani border along the winter pastures of the Tusheti shepherds through the Samukhi plain in a large round trip to Dedoplistskaro. Snacks and stops at beautiful vantage points along the way. Overnight in Dedoplistskaro town. Driving distance about 130 km.

   Meals: Breakfast: Breakfast at the guesthouse · Lunch: We take lunch boxes · Dinner: Dinner at our guesthouse in Dedoplistskaro

   Overnight: Guesthouse in Dedoplistskaro

4. 4To Tusheti over the Abano Pass to Omalo⌄

   We have a stop at the beautiful Gremi Citadel and can have amazing photos over the Kakheti valley

   We stop at a landmark of the Kakheti region at Alaverdi monastery with the highest church tower in Kakheti and the background of the blue Caucasus mountains.

   Today we take the breathtaking 4x4 pass road up to the Abano Pass in the lonely region of Tusheti, which is one of the most beautiful regions in the Caucasus. On steeper sections we need the gear reduction and leave the forest zone at 2300 meters to drive higher and higher along the rugged slopes in the direction of the Abano Pass of 2866 meters. At the pass, a wide panorama opens up in front of us to the north with many chains of high mountains, Tusheti lies in front of us. The drive remains demanding for the next one and a half hours to Omalo and in the constantly changing landscapes of sky, mountains, gorges, rocks, stones, old avalanches and burst trees, after lonely defense towers and small villages, towards evening we finally reach the center of the region, Omalo. Overnight in Omalo. Driving distance about 120 km

   Meals: Breakfast: Breakfast at our guesthouse in Kakheti · Lunch: We take lunch boxes for a picnic at Abano Pass · Dinner: Dinner at our guesthouse in Omalo

   Overnight: Overnight at a typical guesthouse in Omalo

5. 5In the valley of Tusheti to Dartlo and Chesho⌄

   Today we go to the Gometsari gorge to Jvarboseli and then to the villages Dartlo and Chesho. The Tush people are also Georgians, but no one knows when they migrated to these high valleys – it must have been ages ago. But the many flocks of sheep show us that sheep breeding is their most important main occupation next to tourism. The inks are considered clever, courageous, robed. You can sing very well. In civil life they are shepherds or lawyers, pilots, doctors and engineers. There are said to be many poets and philosophers among the shepherds. Traditionally they have defended the country to the north-east against the Dido (Chechens) and against the Lekebi (Dagestan). Today in Dartlo we get to know a typical Tuschen village with the stronghold-like defense towers. We drive the varied gorge to Jvarboseli and try to be enchanted by the landscape and the inks. Overnight in Cesho. Driving distance about 80 km

   Meals: Breakfast: Breakfast at our guesthouse in Omalo · Lunch: We take lunch boxes for a picnic along our way · Dinner: Dinner at our guesthouse

   Overnight: Overnight in a typical guesthouse in Dartlo or Chesho

6. 6Dartlo - Dano - Parsma - Girevi - Chesho⌄

   Today we visit the remote mountain villages of Parsma, Girevi and Dano. We have an optional short hike and visit a local shepherd's camp. This valley is one of the most beautiful spots in the country and in Girevi or Dano you feel very far away from the problems of the western world. Overnight in Chesho or Dartlo. Driving distance about 60 km

   Meals: Breakfast: Breakfast at our guesthouse · Lunch: We take lunchboxes · Dinner: Dinner at our guesthouse

   Overnight: Typical guesthouse in Dartlo or Chesho

7. 7Dartlo - Abano Pass - Kakheti⌄

   Tusheti will grow on you in this short time. We now drive back to the Abano Pass and experience the valleys and natural spectacles of fog, hail, sun and rain from a different perspective. The descent down to Kakheti requires the highest level of concentration and skill. If you wish, we can test the healing springs of the Abano baths. Return to Kakheti. Driving distance about 160 km

   Meals: Breakfast: Breakfast at our guesthouse · Lunch: We take lunchboxes and have a picnic on the way · Dinner: Dinner at our hotel

   Overnight: Overnight at a Hotel 3* in the Kakheti region

8. 8Telavi - Gombori - Tbilisi⌄

   We have a stop at the colorful and vibrant Telavi famers market in the heart of town. You can buy spices, try cheese, pickles and lots of local fruits.

   Today we drive over the Gombori Pass of 1690 meters we go through the picturesque landscapes of the Caucasian low mountains to Tbilisi. Return of our cars. Driving distance about 140 km. You have free time for Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.

   Meals: Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel · Lunch: We take lunch boxes from the hotel or have a lunch on the way to Tbilisi

   Overnight: Overnight at a 3* Hotel in Tbilisi

9. 9Departure⌄

   According to your departure time you will be picked up at the hotel and we provide the airport transfer to Tbilisi airport.

   Meals: Breakfast: Breakfast at your hotel, if you do not depart before breakfast time