Cycle the Silk Road Across Georgia

It's no secret that we love cycling and many of us at HQ think it's the best way to see a country, however, we realise that organising your own trip can be a total faff. On our cycling trips, we've found a local guide who has put together a perfect route and will navigate for you all the way. We even send a van that transports your overnight luggage and provide high-quality bikes and delicious snacks to keep you going. Faff eliminated! All you have to do is turn up, pedal and take in the landscape with your fellow tourers. You don't need to be a lycra-clad 'roadie' although they're welcome too!

Have a read of our article on cycling difficulty levels for further information on selecting the right level of bike adventure for you.

You will be using Trek Allant Specialized Rockhopper hardtail mountain bikes with front suspension and hybrid tyres. These are light aluminium mountain bikes, perfect for riding on roads and rough tracks. The bikes are equipped with a water bottle cage and standard flat pedals. If you would like to bring your own SPD pedals and saddle, these can be fitted for you.

Bikes are available in the following sizes:

• Small (for people 155cm to 165cm tall)
• Medium (for people 165cm to 175cm tall)
• Large (for people 175cm to 183cm tall)
• Extra Large (for people 183cm to 193cm tall)
• Extra Extra Large (for people 193cm to 203cm tall)

Can I bring my own bike? Bringing your own bike is discouraged. This is due to a lack of storage for bike boxes/bags, and also, the support trailers are tailored to fit the bikes the host provides, which means safe carriage of your personal bike cannot be guaranteed. In addition, your own bike may require special parts for maintenance which may not be locally available, nor possible for the support vehicle mechanics to repair, so the use of the bikes provided by your host is recommended.

On some days, yes, on other days there will be a transfer (usually under an hour, driving durations are stated in the itinerary above if over this amount) to get you between the cycling routes - this is to keep you away from busy roads and onto the best cycle routes.

The guide ratio on the trip is one guide per eight cyclists. This means that for groups of nine or more people, there will be two cycle guides. Throughout, you will also be accompanied by a support vehicle driven by a bike mechanic.

E-bike upgrades are not available for this trip; you’ll be riding mountain bikes as listed in the trip inclusions. Keeping everyone on the same bike type helps maintain a comfortable group pace, simplifies logistics and ensures a more inclusive experience. We do, however, have a growing collection of e-bike adventures which you can explore.

In the event of poor weather such as heavy rain, strong winds and/or storms, it is possible that conditions may become unsafe to complete the planned hikes on this trip. Your guide will assess the conditions and weather forecasts and make a decision with your safety in mind. If it becomes necessary to make a change to the planned itinerary, an alternative hike or activity will be offered.

The support vehicle will have large containers of water that you are able to top your water bottles up with. Bring a refillable bottle, it will be used well.

Extra luggage can be stored at the hotel in Tbilisi and collected at the end of the trip. There will also be a support vehicle on-hand to transfer your overnight luggage and meet you at stops if you need to grab an extra layer. The van also carries tools and spare bike parts that may be needed.

We would suggest bringing a small bag that can be attached to yourself or your handlebars for essentials like money, phone, suncream and a snack.

Yes, you need to bring your own cycle helmet on this adventure. It should meet recognised safety standards, display a relevant certification mark, and be in good condition. It is mandatory for all riders to wear a helmet whenever cycling.

Please make sure your helmet is:

• A purpose-built cycling helmet that meets a recognised safety standard and displays a relevant certification mark, including (but not limited to):

  • CE/EN 1078 (UK & Europe)
  • CPSC or Snell B90/B95 (USA)
  • AS/NZS 2063 (Australia & New Zealand)

• In good condition:

  • ideally no more than five years old
  • not involved in a crash
  • no visible cracks/dents, compressed foam, or damaged straps

• A good fit:

  • sits level (not tipped back)
  • snug, secure and stable when fastened (doesn't rock or slide)
  • retention system and straps work properly

If your helmet isn’t suitable on arrival:

• you may need to rent or buy a suitable helmet locally (availability varies by destination)
• if a suitable helmet can't be sourced, you may be unable to join some or all cycling activities on safety grounds, in line with your booking conditions

Need help choosing or fitting a helmet?
For advice see British Cycling’s guidance.

Cycle Safety Please see our cycling safety guidance for further information.

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked on your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND

Georgian cuisine is deeply shaped by the country’s position at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, where centuries of trade and a fertile agricultural landscape have produced a rich and distinctive food culture. Meals are generous and communal, typically featuring bread, cheese, walnut-based sauces, grilled meats, beans, and seasonal vegetables, with wine playing a central cultural role. Vegetarian and vegan diets can be very well accommodated, with a wide variety of plant-based dishes available throughout the country. Travellers with less common dietary requirements should expect more limited awareness outside cities and tourist areas, though guides can help communicate needs to local hosts.

SPECIAL DIETS Vegetarian -Vegetarian diets can be very well catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Georgian cuisine offers a wide variety of vegetarian dishes, including salads, vegetable stews, bean dishes, cheeses, breads, and walnut-based specialities. In more remote areas, meal choices may be simpler, but suitable options are generally available throughout the trip

Vegan -Vegan diets can be catered for on this trip, and your host will do their best to accommodate these requirements when informed in advance. Georgian cuisine includes a good range of plant-based dishes such as salads, vegetable stews, beans, mushrooms, breads, and walnut-based specialities. In more remote areas, the variety of ingredients may be more limited, so meals can sometimes be simpler or repetitive, but suitable options are generally available throughout the trip .

Please do consider bringing your favourite snacks or food supplements from home to ensure that you always have enough fuel for your adventure.

Kosher -Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are rare and usually cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in advance by your host. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

Halal -Certified Halal supply varies by destination and may not always be possible. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten Free -Gluten-free diets can be more challenging to cater for on this trip, but your host will do their best to accommodate these requirements when informed in advance. Bread and wheat-based dishes are common in Georgian cuisine, though there are also many naturally gluten-free options such as grilled meats, fish, eggs, beans, potatoes, rice, vegetables, salads, fruit, and some dairy products. In more remote areas, choices may be more limited, so meals can sometimes be simpler or repetitive. Travellers with coeliac disease or severe intolerance should also be aware that avoiding cross-contamination cannot always be guaranteed.

Please do consider bringing your favourite snacks or food supplements from home to ensure that you always have enough fuel for your adventure

Lactose Free -Lactose-free diets are difficult to cater for on this trip. Georgian cuisine makes frequent use of dairy products, particularly cheese and yoghurt, though there are also many naturally lactose-free options such as grilled meats, beans, vegetables, salads, breads, and walnut-based dishes. While your host will do their best to meet these requirements, please be aware that the required produce and ingredients are not abundant in this destination. In more remote areas, choices may be more limited, so meals can sometimes be simpler or repetitive.

ALLERGIES

Our host has confirmed that they are able to accommodate mild allergies to the 14 allergens identified by the UK Food Standards Agency, where these are disclosed in advance. However, if you have a severe or life-threatening food allergy, please get in touch with our Customer Experience team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip. This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority.

Please note that when travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

Add any specific limitations or important details here: In rural and remote locations, meal preparation is often basic and carried out in shared kitchens or by local hosts, so strict allergen separation and avoidance of cross-contamination cannot always be guaranteed. Guests with severe allergies should be aware that emergency medical facilities may be limited in some regions of the itinerary, and appropriate precautions should be taken accordingly.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way. Check out our Community Values – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

The average temperature during summer in Georgia ranges from 25-35°C in the lower valleys. Up on the plateaus and in the mountains it will be colder (down to 5°C at night) so you will need to pack accordingly. Rain at this time is rare, although it could be windy.

As you will traverse the entire country, you will pass through several climatic regions, so be prepared for all seasons. By the time you reach the Black Sea, it will be hot and humid due to its year-round, moderate climate.