Georgia, a small country located right on the border of Europe and Asia, has slowly but surely become a destination for adventure tourism for the people in the know.
The country has a highly diverse geography, packing the high-altitude ranges of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, the semi-desert regions, sun-drenched beaches, and the thick evergreen forests all in a territory of less than 27000 sq mi. A nigh-ideal four-season destination, visitors can enjoy adventure activities in Georgia regardless of which time of the year they decide to visit. Add the experiences with local culture and traditions to the outdoor adventures package and you can make some truly unforgettable memories.
The key, however, is to know your own strengths. Georgia provides numerous opportunities for both beginners and experienced adventurers, but very few of them should be tackled without the help of a professional guide - the less populated the region and the wilder the nature, the higher the chances your adventure takes a dangerous turn.
But if you do find a trustworthy local guide? Then take your pick, Georgia is ripe for the taking. And, in our humble opinion, here are the 7 most epic adventures you could take a pick from when visiting:
Ride a Horse Through the Mountains
It’s widely accepted that the best horse riding tours in Georgia tend to follow the traditional shepherding paths through the Caucasus Mountains, with Kazbegi, Svaneti, Kakheti (including Vashlovani National Park), and Tusheti being the most popular destinations.
In Svaneti, riders can explore routes that connect mountain villages and explore the famous medieval Svan towers along the way. The paths are surrounded by views of major peaks, including Mount Ushba. Local guides can give historical context about the communities and structures along the way. Multi-day tours include stops in different villages, where visitors usually stay at guesthouses with local families and get to experience local customs and cuisine.
Tusheti is the most unique destination on the list and the best tours provide opportunities to not just explore the natural wonders but participate in local traditions like seasonal livestock migration. During spring and autumn, visitors can join shepherds moving their sheep herds between seasonal pastures, covering extensive routes through multiple terrain types. These migrations can cover distances of up to 250 kilometers and involve crossing numerous mountain passes. Experienced riders with advanced skills can also participate in an annual tradition of herding horses to summer pastures, a process that can last up to a week and sometimes includes night riding. Tusheti is notorious for its complicated terrain, even among Georgia’s mountainous regions, so only take horse riding tours with an experienced local operator. The ones worth their salt (and your money) know to use local Tushetian horses, well-adapted to mountain terrain, and suitable for both experienced riders and beginners. These horses are specifically bred and trained for mountain conditions, making them well-fit for multi-day trips in ways other horses may not be.
Horse riding has been an important part of Tushetian culture for many centuries. The mountain trails that connect Tusheti to other regions such as Pankisi, Khevsureti, and Kazbegi were (and still are) too narrow and precarious for other means of transportation. Riding has often been the only option that allowed people of this region to connect.
For a different, more relaxed riding experience, try Kakheti. Tours tend to go through valleys, vineyards, and semi-deserts. Kakheti tours are particularly popular in spring and autumn when the weather is warm. The terrain is less challenging than mountain routes, making it suitable even for beginners.
Experience Winter in the Wilderness
Georgia's winter sports activities range from standard European resort fairs to weeks-long mountaineering experiences in the wilderness.
Svaneti offers both. The region has developed into a major destination for winter sports, with Mestia serving as a central point for both resort and backcountry activities. There are two modern, fully furnished resorts: Tetnuldi (which has been hosting FIS Free Ride for the past couple of years) and Hatsvali. The Tetnuldi area caters to advanced skiers, with slopes starting at 3,000 meters altitude, while Hatsvali offers easier terrain for beginners. But among the adventurers, the area is famous for the snowshoeing and ski touring on undeveloped slopes away from the crowds.
Kazbegi is a popular winter destination among those with limited time. If you can’t be away from Tbilisi for more than a weekend, then trekking to the Gergeti Trinity Church in snow conditions is a perfect way to experience winter Kazbegi. Visitors with more time (and more advanced skills) can participate in ski mountaineering expeditions to Mount Kazbek, but make sure to follow one of the certified Georgian mountain climbing guides. These expeditions typically start from the base camp standing at a 3,650-meter altitude and reach the 5,047-meter summit.
Racha is perfect for those looking for winter outdoor activities away from crowds. The region is typically considered a summer and autumn resort, even among locals, and is largely devoid of tourists in winter. But the area is well-suited for snowshoeing, with most established trails going through valleys and frozen waterfalls. The region's limited development means visitors can find themselves alone in the wilderness, so do NOT attempt the trek without a local guide.
Trek for Days through the Caucasus Range
We’d insist that the most authentic Caucasus adventures are multi-day treks across Georgia's mountain ranges. There’s an ample choice of routes for every level and type of experience, from weekend hikes near the capital to extended treks across multiple passes. Visitors can easily choose their preferred environment, from high mountain trails to semi-desert zones, often within the same region.
Svaneti's Mestia-to-Ushguli trek is possibly the most popular hiking route in Georgia right now. It takes hikers through the historical villages and passes beneath major peaks before reaching Ushguli, Europe's highest permanent settlement standing at 2,100 meters. In longer hikes, the visitors can detour to alpine lakes and glaciers along the way. These alternative routes often see fewer visitors and provide a more authentic mountain experience.
Tusheti and Khevsureti remain less developed and offer quieter trekking options, though their stars have been on the rise lately. Tusheti especially, due to the particularly short tourist season and limited access (the only connecting road - Abano Pass - is only open from June to early October), has been seeing an increased presence of tourist crowds The hiking trails in both these regions are already well-trodden and include historical religious sites and former settlements. Multi-day treks typically involve staying with local families, allowing further immersion into the local culture.
Experience the Local Way of Living
Agricultural tours in Georgia focus on traditional farming practices. Visitors participate in seasonal activities central to rural communities. Spring activities include joining shepherds during lambing season in Vashlovani National Park, where traditional sheep farming continues using methods passed down through generations.
Tourists have mentioned that participating in livestock migrations can be a particularly memorable experience. These multi-day events involve moving animals between seasonal grazing areas, covering distances up to 250 kilometers. If signing up for one of these, be ready to work alongside shepherds in actual operations necessary for traditional practices. These migrations often involve 50+ horses and over 1,000 sheep.
However, the most popular agricultural tours among foreign visitors revolve around Rtveli, the autumn grape harvest in Kakheti. Travelers join local families in the vineyards, actively participating in the harvest while learning about traditional winemaking techniques - including the Qvevri aging process that’s on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list. The harvest season runs from late August through October as different grape varieties ripen at different times.
Learn All About What Makes Georgian Wine Special
The interest in Rtveli is understandable, as Georgia is (rightfully) famous for its wine. Those who cannot visit during the harvest season, tend to opt for a wine-tasting tour to learn about it.
Wine-tasting tours in Georgia may not offer the hands-on experience the Rtveli can, but the best of them showcase the country's 8,000-year-old winemaking traditions. Kakheti is the main wine region, with multiple large vineyards lying between the Greater Caucasus Mountains and Gombori Range.
Tours can include both large-scale modern wineries and small traditional family operations, demonstrating different production approaches. When visiting small traditional cellars (Marani), you’ll likely get a chance to drink wine straight from Qvevri - clay vessels used for underground fermentation. The largest can hold up to 2,000 liters of wine. Tours provide information about production steps (sometimes even allowing you to participate) and different grape varieties unique to Georgia, including Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, and Mtsvane.
The Kartli and Imereti regions have smaller production scales but maintain distinct wine traditions and have their own native grape varieties. Each region specializes in different wine styles and grape varieties.
Visit the Remote Locations via Off-Road Driving
If you want to visit more remote locations, then Georgia adventure tours by 4x4 vehicles are your best option. Destinations range from national park excursions to multi-day trips across mountain passes. Tusheti, for example, is a popular 4x4 tour option, as Abano Pass is arguably the most challenging road in the country, with steep drop-offs and narrow switchbacks.
Many 4x4 tours combine off-roading with other activities. In Tusheti, you can often go on additional hikes or horse rides. In Vashlovani, you can explore canyons and observe wildlife.
Tour operators should provide specially modified vehicles suitable for difficult terrain. The best also provide camping equipment and supplies for remote area travel. While most 4x4 tours require professional drivers, in certain cases, you can opt for self-drive options. It can be a particular treat for off-roading enthusiasts, but make no mistake: a local guide should still lead the way.
Just Enjoy the Weekend Away from the City
Because Georgia is so small, even the briefest visits can pack a lot of punch. Common weekend adventures include wine tasting with a short horseback ride in Kakheti, or visiting Uplistsikhe's cave city. As we already mentioned above, Kazbegi is a popular weekend destination away from Tbilisi. The hike to Gergeti Trinity Church typically takes only 2-3 hours to complete.
The combination of diverse landscapes and unique cultural elements has helped adventure tourism in Georgia grow significantly in recent years. Accordingly, CaucasTours continues to expand tour options, and there are still more to come. We work exclusively with high-level experts certified by respected organizations like GMGA, IFMGA, and FITE. But what we believe sets us apart the most is our dedication to sustainable and green tourism practices to minimize human impact and preserve wild nature.
