14 DAY OFF-ROAD TRIP TROUGH GEORGIA
Table of Contents
Introduction
Disclaimer
We are not professional bloggers meaning that we do not have any affiliates. The trip in the blog is exactly the same which we recommend to our close friends an family.
There is only one disclaimer we need to share: we recommend Glamping Tago which is our own project. This project is our baby in which we have poured our hearts and souls so we think you’ll find it worth visiting! <3
For who is this trip?
4×4 adventure
This itinerary is especially created for people who have or are renting their own 4×4 and are looking for adventure. Which in our opinion is the best way to discover Georgia. While the main focus of the itinerary is adventure there are also cultural and relaxing days included.
Midrange hotels & restaurants
While you can travel in Georgia for a quite low budget we think it’s worth it to sometimes spend the extra buck as you get a lot of value in return. We’ve picked the best and most authentic places on the route.
Hotel price range (per room): 40 – 60 euro
Restaurant price range (per meal): 8 – 15 euro
When traveling with two you can expect to be spending around 60 euro per day per person on accommodation and food.
Аренда автомобиля
Day 1: arrival in Kutaisi
The day of your arrival! As a lot of the flights land quite late in Kutaisi we’re not going to put a lot on the planning. The main things to do will be to pick-up the car (all car rentals offer pick-up services at the airport), find the hotel and eat in our favourite place in Kutaisi: Papa Vero. Keep in mind it’s best to reserve as often there is not space! After the dinner in Papa Vero it’s time to get some good rest as the next day is quite a lot more busy.
Kutaisi has a lot to offer (it’s our favourite city in Georgia) but highly likely you are itching to discover the mountains, that’s why we are not going to spend a lot of time in Kutaisi in the beginning of the trip. At the end there will be more time to discover the best places in Kutaisi.
Ланч – Palaty
During lunch it’s normally not required to make a reservation.
Dinner – Papa Vero
Reservation are required and you can reach them via Whatsapp: https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=995598654576
Papa Vero is our personal favourite restaurant to which we keep circling back. The food is delicious, and I highly recommend the meat platter—it’s our favorite dish and perfect for sharing. Next to that they also have some amazing cocktails!
Bonus – Bakery Sanimusho
If you don’t want to go eat out fancy and just want a bite then you will get unbeatable value for money here. Don’t let the name mislead you, they offer much more than just bakery it’s more like a buffet style restaurant were you pay per 100 gram. This is our favourite place if we want a quick meal or if we don’t want to spend a lot.
Bagrati Cathedral
The prefect place to watch the sunset and get a good feeling of the country you are about to explore. You have views from here over all of Kutaisi and the surrounding mountains next to that you can go inside and admire the medieval architecture.
White bridge
After the sunset on the way to Papavero you can pass over the White pedestrian bridge which goes over the Rioni river the main river in the region. At night it’s super cosy as the surroundings are lit up.
Day 2: Zekari pass, sulphur baths and Observatory
On day two we are going to in our opinion one of the most beautiful underrated and untouched roads in Georgia. I even proposed to Lisa there! On top of Zekari we’ll have a picnic before descending down to Abastumani where you can experience old soviet style sulphur baths and last but not least we’ll end our trip with a visit to the Abastumani observatory. But before we do all that we should stock up on some food and picknick for on the way and there is no better place to do that than in the famous Kutaisi green bazar.
Abastumani residence
Завтрак
Cafe fleur
Well we are in Georgia and it’s not always easy to find a place open in the early morning. Cafe fleur is one of the only places in Kutaisi open from 09am on top of that they have delicious breakfast.
Ланч
Picnic
The best place for lunch is on top of Zekari pass eating all the delicious goods you bought at Green market earlier today. On the top of mountain some locals made tables on which you can sit covered from the sun.
Bonus: Sak’almakhe
We stumbled upon this place by chance when on the way to our proposal. It is a trout farm and restaurant in nature. You can eat dishes in the lower budget range but if you do have the budget go for the trout as it comes fresh from the farm. Because there is so much mountain water places like this are ideal for growing trout as the water is constantly refreshed.
Ужин
Abastumani residence
Dinner will be served at the hotel as it’s included in the price.
Soviet sulphur baths
After the long road you can relax in the soviet sulphur baths. When I say soviet I mean really soviet. These are very basic non luxurious baths but they give you a surrealistic soviet experience. At the time of writing this they were renovating the baths and one part has already been renovated and is more expensive. I highly recommend to go to non-renovated part as this will give you the real experience!
Starwatching
Okay now that you are soft and have a full tummy we can go to every child’s dream: starwatching!
Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory, dating back to 1932, was the first alpine observatory in the USSR and has a fascinating history. Located on Mount Kanobili, it’s a great spot for stargazing and learning about Georgia’s contributions to astronomy. The night tours are about 60-90 minutes long and give you a chance to see the telescopes in action and visit the museum. It’s 20 GEL for adults and 10 GEL for students, and the tours run from March to December. Definitely call ahead to book your spot! You can get more info здесь or reach out at 599 28 14 67 / astrotour@abao.ge.
Green Bazar and Kolkhida relief
Before we start our journey over the beautiful Zekari pass we are first going to stock up in the Green Bazar.
It’s best to go after 10am. The market is divided into sections, with the main floor offering fresh herbs, dried chilies, seasonal fruits, and veggies, while the upper level has a spice shop that’s a feast for the eyes. You’ll also find cheese, dairy, and flour vendors in the central hall, with more shops outside selling fruit and honey. Don’t miss the Soviet-era ‘Kolkhida’ bas-relief on the facade—it’s a piece of art with a deep connection to the region’s history.
Zekari pass
The place where I proposed to Lisa and on of our all time favourite places in Georgia. It’s probably one of the most untouched roads in Georgia. You can horses here roaming around freely. We recommend to take a small detour Ivlitis Mta as this road is even more beautiful.
Day 3: Vardzia and the Rabati castle
After the adventure of day two we are going to snif up some culture in one of the must see places in Georgia: Vardzia a huge cave complex dating to the times of queen Tamar. Afterwards we’ll sleep in Akhaltsikhe and visit the huge Rabati castle. At the end of this day you’ll get an understanding of how rich the history of Georgia is. You better go to sleep early as the next day is full of adventure!
Hotel Julia
Завтрак
Abastumani residence – breakfast is included in the hotel price.
Ланч
Restaurant Vardzia – This is the go-to spot for a meal in the area, and while the prices are a bit higher, the riverside setting with views of the caves really makes it worth it. The food is good, and the service is friendly, so it’s a great place to unwind after exploring. If you’re in Vardzia, it’s definitely the best option for a nice meal.
Ужин
Restaurant Kessane – Kessane is a super cozy spot in Akhaltsikhe, perfect for enjoying some authentic Georgian food. The garden setting is great for relaxing while you dig into dishes like trout, eggplant with walnuts, and their tasty take on ratatouille. The hosts are incredibly friendly and really make you feel at home, often sharing stories and making sure you have a great time.
Vardzia
Vardzia is an incredible cave monastery complex in Georgia. This 800-year-old site is carved into the cliffs and offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, with over 6,000 rooms, including living quarters, chapels, and even a throne room. The hike through Vardzia involves quite a few stairs, so be prepared for some climbing, but the views and the historical significance make it worth the effort. The entrance fee is 15 GEL, and taking the shuttle bus up to the site for 2 GEL is highly recommended, especially on hot days. If you want to get the most out of your visit, consider hiring a guide or using an audio guide to fully appreciate the history and architecture of this unique place.
Rabati castle
Rabati Castle in Akhaltsikhe is a fascinating blend of history and architecture. The recently restored fortress combines different styles, with both a mosque and a church inside, offering a unique experience. As you explore, you’ll find beautiful gardens, fountains, and stunning views from the top. The entrance fee is 18 GEL, and there’s plenty to discover, including a museum. It’s a great spot to soak in some history and enjoy the scenery.
Zeda Vardzia
Apnia Sulphur Bath
Day 4: mountainous Adjara - lakes and fortresses
Today we are going make the transition from the dry arid Samtskhe–Javakheti region to the lush green Adjara region trough the Goderdzi pass. On the way we stop by the shuamta lakes, which is the ideal spot for a picnic and a swim after which we will climb up the Khikhani fortress which is the most spectacular place in upper Adjara. Then we’ll make our way to Glamping Tago where we will wind down in the sauna. Yes this is a long day but don’t worry on Day 5 you can just chill!
Important route notes
Until the top of Goderdzi pass you can use Google maps afterwards you’ll need to use Maps.me as the roads are not shown on Google maps! So from Goderdzi -> Shuamta lakes -> Khikhani fortress you need to use Maps.me.
Border patrol – permit needed
This route lays on the border with Turkey and therefore you need a permit. This is quite easy to get but it’s best to inform the army before hand via Whatsapp: +995595029003. The army post is located after Shuamta lakes on the route to Khikhani fortress.
Завтрак
Hotel Julia – breakfast is included in the room price
Ланч
Picnic at Shuamta – For lunch we’ll have Picnic at the beautiful Shuamta lakes high in the mountains. There are no restaurants on the way after Goderdzi so it’s important to stock up in Akhaltsikhe or Goderdzi.
Guesthouse Bako – if it’s a rainy day you can try to call the number below it’s a guesthouse located after the army post. It’s a small detour to Khikhani fortress but you’ll get a great meal. It’s best to contact them the day before. +995593470540
Ужин
Глэмпинг Таго – In the evening you will be treated with a delicious vegetarian buffet at Glamping Tago where you can refill energy after this adventurous day.
Swim in Shuamta lakes – I absolutely recommend taking a swim in the Shuamta lakes. It’s the perfect way to refresh half way trough the journey.
Relax in the sauna – after this adventurous day you can relax in our unique sauna tent.
Campfire session or movie night – in the evening we’ll light the campfire so you can share stories about the past few days and if there are clear skies watch the beautiful stars. If it’s rainy we organize movie nights but highly likely you’ll fall asleep 30 min in. 😉
Day 5: Relax at Glamping Tago
Day 6: To the sea via Bakhmaro
Day 7: Drive to Ushguli
Day 8-9: Two day hike upper Svaneti
Day 10: Ushguli -> Tvishi
Day 11: Tvishi, Okatse canyon and Prometheus cave
Day 12 - 13: Discover Kutaisi and surroundings
Day 14: flight back home
Glamping Tago находится в горной Аджарии, муниципалитет Хуло, деревня Таго. Это небольшой стартап, цель которого - улучшить осознанное путешествие, обеспечивая одинаковую заботу и любовь нашим гостям, окружающей среде и членам нашей команды.
Мы делаем это, создавая комфортное пространство в одном из самых аутентичных мест Аджарии.
Это место, где люди могут наладить связь с самими собой, отправиться в приключения и создать новые истории.
Горная Аджария, вероятно, одно из самых недооцененных мест в Грузии. В этом посте мы с удовольствием поделимся с вами всеми ее тайнами и неоткрытыми сокровищами!
Радостная весть для вас: в последнее время бизнес глэмпинга в Аджарии активно развивается, и теперь у вас появилось множество новых вариантов для выбора!
Мы решили подготовить для вас лучшие советы по активному отдыху на природе, на примере Глэмпинга Таго.
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