GEORGIA
Georgia - Land of Wine, Mountains and Song
“Wherever we had been in Russia…the magical name of Georgia came up constantly…they spoke of the country as a kind of second heaven. Indeed we began to believe that most Russians hope that if they live very good and virtuous lives, they will not go to heaven, but to Georgia when they die.”
John Steinbeck, A Russian Journal (1948)
For a small country (one fifth the size of Germany) Georgia packs a serious punch.
Situated at the heart of the Silk Road, this defiant land has witnessed the rise and fall of some of the world’s greatest empires. Romans, Seljuks, Safavids, Sassanids, Ottomans, Byzantines, Mongols, Persians and most recently, Russians, have all marched, fought, risen and fallen here in the shadow of the mighty Caucasus Mountains. As travel writer Paul Salopek writes, the Caucasus is ‘a maze of history, a patchwork of ethnicity, a cockpit of empires, a storehouse of physical and political storms, an enigma…’
Georgia is a land of myth and legend: Prometheus was chained to Mount Caucasus, Medea was a Georgian priestess and Jason and his Argonauts sailed here in search of the Golden Fleece. In Marco Polo’s Travels, Georgia is described as a nation of handsome warriors skilled in archery and courageous on the battlefield.
Following in the footsteps of Jason and his Argonauts, discerning travellers have been flocking here for centuries. And who can blame them: Georgia’s medieval cave cities, mountain-top monasteries, dramatic landscapes, polyphonic music and bountiful vineyards are just a few of the sights this country has to offer.
We have worked in Georgia since 2011, and arrange both small-group tours and tailor-made trips. We’ve filmed TV shows with Hugh Bonneville, Jessica Hynes and Joanna Lumley here, produced stories for the Financial Times, New York Times, The Telegraph and BBC radio, and arranged dozens of tailor-made and small-group tours. After 15 years of working in Georgia we have an unrivalled network of contacts and guides, and pride ourselves on arranging immersive, imaginative journeys that take our guests off the beaten path, and into the heart and soul of this very special country.
Get in touch to start planning your Silk Road Adventure to Georgia.
Some of our Georgia highlights
Georgia Small Group Tours
A thrilling 10-day small group tour, far off Georgia’s well-trodden tourist trail. Visit small, family-run wineries, walk to little-visited medieval fortresses, explore the Javakheti Plateau and the stunning highlands of Adjara, and witness the extraordinary spectacle of thousands of raptors migrating through the Batumi Bottleneck. There’ll be wine, feasting, music, art, wonderful churches, soul-reviving walks and much, much more.
Departs: 4th September, 2026
Duration: 10 days
Georgia East to West, 2026
Tailor-Made Georgia Tours
With our background in journalism and television production, and more than 15 years’ experience of working in Georgia, planning bespoke trips for individuals, families and small groups, tailor-made journeys are what we do best.
Whether you want to do a logistically challenging trekking or riding expedition in the High Caucasus, hike over high mountain passes, look for rare migratory birds, explore Silk Road fortresses, or do a deep dive into Georgia’s food and wine, we can make it happen.
In the far south of Georgia, on the country’s southern border with Turkey and Armenia, lies the Javakheti plateau, a wetland ecosystem crossed by the volcanic cones of the Abul-Samsari range.
Javakheti’s story is encoded in its ruins, its summits craggy with cyclopean forts and medieval castles. This is a place to explore 9th century fortresses, 12th century caravanserais, Bronze Age kurgans, old Meskhetian houses and windswept fortresses, their boulders so big they might have been built by giants.
Javakheti’s wetlands are also a mecca for birds, with more than 300 species recorded here, including the extremely rare Velvet scoter duck.
Whether you’re a history buff, a hiker or a keen birdwatcher, Javakheti is a wild and fascinating place to visit.
Spotlight on: Explore the Javakheti Highlands
Frequently Asked Questions - Expert Answers from Silk Road Adventures
Planning Your Trip
When is the best time to visit Georgia?
The optimum time to visit Georgia is from early June to late September, with the peak hiking season being from June to late August. That said, there is plenty for visitors to see and explore outside these months. For lower-altitude hiking and outstanding wild flowers, mid-April to late May are perfect, although the weather can be hard to predict. For skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports, the season runs from December until early April - depending on the region. If you wish to visit Tusheti, the road is only open between mid-June and mid-September. You can visit the cities at any time of year, remembering that late June to late August can be very hot in Tbilisi.
How much does one of your Georgia tours cost?
Small-group Georgia tours with Silk Road Adventures range from upwards of £3,900 per person for a 10 day tour. These include: all accommodation (in a mix of high-quality, carefully chosen hotels and guesthouses), ground transport in quality vehicles, most meals (typically breakfast and supper with some light lunches), expert English-speaking guides, entry fees to national parks and attractions, airport transfers and unique experiences along your route.
Tailor-made private tours start from around £450 per person per day, for a 2 person trip.
Is Georgia safe for travelers?
Yes, despite the political instability that has dogged Georgia since the 2024 elections, Georgia remains very safe for tourists. As specialists who have run dozens of tours there since 2015, we can confirm:
This is a country with an outstandingly low crime rate against tourists;
A uniquely welcoming culture - hospitality being central to Georgian values;
It’s safe for solo female travelers;
We have a 100% safety record, with no serious incidents in 10 years. We provide 24/7 emergency support, satellite phones or Starlink access in remote areas, and have years of experience living and working across the region, meaning we create our trips using first-hand knowledge.
Do I need a visa for Georgia?
UK, US, EU and many other citizens do NOT need a visa for stays up to 365 days. Some other nationalities require an Evisa. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates.
What is the best way to fly to Georgia?
Tbilisi is very well connected. Georgian Airlines, the national carrier, has a code share with KLM-Air France, so there are regular flights from Amsterdam, and a range of other EU cities. Low cost carriers including EasyJet fly from London, and British Airways also flies a similar route. The capital is also well-connected to the Gulf and to most of Central Asia on local carriers including Air Astana and SCAT to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Airways and Somon Air to Tajikistan. Istanbul is connected with Turkish Airlines and Fly Pegasus, whilst Azerbaijan has options with both Buta Airways and Azerbaijan Airlines. Batumi Airport is also increasingly well-connected both directly and via Istanbul to a number of European and Gulf destinations.
What's included in your Georgia trips?
Every Silk Road Adventures Georgia small-group tour includes:
Pre-trip planning consultation with Marley or Antonia
Small group size (maximum 11, typically 6-8)
Brilliant, experienced English-speaking guides, who we know personally and have worked with many times
Comfortable accommodation in high quality hotels and authentic guesthouses
Ground transportation in high-quality 4x4 vehicles (Toyota Sequoia or similar)
Most meals, featuring plenty of local cuisine and wine
All activity, historical site and national park fees
Emergency support where required
Comprehensive pre-departure information in the Vamoos app format, with regular updates, articles, playlists, films and all of our personal recommendations along your route
NOT included: International flights, visa fees (if required), travel insurance, some lunches, drinks, tips.
How fit do I need to be for travel in Georgia?
This rather depends on the type of trip you are seeking! Our Georgia small-group tours accommodate most fitness levels, but you will need to have good mobility at the very least, and be able to walk in both cities and on rough ground at a reasonable pace. There are often options to split the group, so some folks can do half day hikes and others can relax at the hotel or guesthouse. For a tailor-made trip, we will of course design this around your interests, wishes and abilities.