Your adventures in Georgia

Getting away from busy life is easy in Georgia. Whether you’re following ancient trails along lush river valleys, past ancient stone towers and castles or catching your breath on high altitude mountain paths, it is likely that you will be the only person for miles around. Many paths have been maintained over the centuries by locals dedicated to looking after their cattle and livestock, and with so many trails to choose from, your walk can be as challenging or as easy-going as you like. And what an experience. Marvel at the magnificent snowy peaks of the Caucasus mountains, full of hidden valleys and glaciers. Lower down you come across more varieties of animals, birds and flowers than in any other European country. Wherever you decide to walk, you’ll be sure of a warm welcome. Whether you choose to sit and drink some local wine, sample the delicious locally produced food or even stay overnight in the villagers home, you’ll always be treated like a guest.

And if walking becomes too tiring you can always ride. Breathe in the pure sweet air as you gallop across the green plateaus of southern Georgia; gasp as your horse pulls you up and over the high passes in Khevsureti or Tusheti. And at the end of the day, camp in the remotest, most idyllic of places or find your own home-stay for the night. Allowing you to travel into areas beyond the reach of even today’s 4x4s, you’ll understand why a horse is a ride perfectly suited to explore more of this incredible country.

With twelve mountains higher than Mt Blanc and some of the most spectacular peaks in Europe, Georgia is becoming the mountaineers new favourite country. While the bravest can anticipate scaling over 5,000 metres at Mt Kazbek or Georgia’s highest mountain, Mt Shkhara, there are also a huge number of easier, lower climbs for every level of mountaineer.

Georgia is full of wild, fast flowing rivers, fed from glaciers in the surrounding mountains, as the water races from its 5,000 metre peaks to the sea in just a short distance. Many offer superb white water opportunities, and you can take advantage of many carefully organised tours to experience this incredible adventure for yourself.

With over 360 endemic species of birds, Georgia is a bird-watcher’s dream. Principal migration routes through the high Caucasus and along the Black Sea corridor provide superb viewing opportunities in stunning settings.

Georgia’s natural environment is one of the most special in the world. Geologically its’ surface is more diverse, than that of much larger countries and the stunning landscape ranks among the world’s top twelve. In a mere 67,000 square kilometres (the size of Ireland) you can find 5000 metre-plus peaks; glaciers; alpine meadows; sub-tropical coastline; high desert; semi-desert; fertile valleys; wetlands and of course a large swathes of virgin forest. The rich natural resources found in our country are exceptional. National parks and protected areas cover more than 7% of Georgia. 75% of the all protected areas are covered withwoods. There are 14 national reserves, 9 national parks, 17 suppressed, 14 natural monuments and 2 protected landscapes in Georgia.

No country in Europe possesses such rich flora and fauna as Georgia, nor such a diversity of landscape.