Cycle the Silk Road across Georgia

Why it's much better

• Cycle an ancient route along quiet small roads and gravel farm tracks
• Wild camp (and swim for the brave!) on the edge of volcanic Lake Paravani
• Visit the ancient cave city labyrinth of Vardzia, carved into Erusheti Mountain
• Cycle to the waterfall-flanked slopes of the Dashbashi Canyon
• Ride the famous Goderdzi Pass (2200m) over the South Caucuses Mountains (and enjoy the 30km downhill afterwards!)
• Marvel at the Game of Thrones-esque Rabati Castle
• Take a celebratory dip in the Black Sea and relax on the huge sandy beaches
• Join the locals for sunset a stroll along Batumi boulevard

• Guides Expert, English-speaking local guides and a bike mechanic
• Accommodation 2 nights in a hotel, 4 nights in a local guesthouse, 1 night wild camping
• Meals All your food is included
• Equipment Specialized Pitch bikes and camping equipment
• Support Vehicle To transport your overnight kit
• Transfers All airport transfers
• Permits All permits and entry fees
• Happiness Guaranteed We're so confident that your holiday will be your best yet, we actually guarantee it
• Feel Good Vibes We mitigate 4x the carbon emitted by all our travellers and support important conservation projects

Day 1: Welcome to Georgia!

Landing at Tblisi Airport you’ll be greeted by your local guide and whisked off to your hotel in the old town district. If you have time, it's well worth exploring: the capital is packed full of UNESCO sites. All that walking should work up an appetite for your first traditional Georgian meal at a local restaurant. Here you’ll meet your guide and fellow adventurers to hear about the journey ahead.

Day 2: Lake Paravani Wild Camping

Setting off early with a quick transfer out of the busy city, you’ll head to Manglisi to get set up with your bike. Overload on dramatic wild scenery today as you cycle to the spectacular Dashbashi Canyon, flanked with waterfalls and dense green foliage, before starting on the long open track towards Lake Paravani. Known locally as the ‘Georgian Siberia’ the treeless plains of Javakhti Plateau reach minus 30°C in the winter and the ancient volcanic lake remains frozen for many months. Luckily you’ll be there in the summer and might welcome a dip at the end of the day to cool off!

You’ll help to set up camp in a totally remote corner of the lake, before catching the sunset and joining your local camping host in feasting on fresh fish from the lake.

Distance: 60km / Ascent 1400m / Descent 550m

Day 3: The Labyrinth of Vardzia

You're up for more lakeside riding today as you pass Lake Saghamo on your way to Vardzia: an entire city carved into the edge of a mountain. Looking like something straight out of the Lord of the Rings, this ancient cave-palace-monastery was built for the fabled queen, Tamar. To this day is still protected by a small group of zealous monks. Containing over 6000 ‘apartments’ and even a room just for Queen Tamar’s throne, this labyrinth of two hundred cave dwellings has a fascinating potted history of earthquakes and invasions.

Distance: 65km / Ascent 400m / Descent 1100m

Day 4: Village life and Rabati Fortress

Another day of meandering countryside riding as you pass from village to village. Keep your eyes peeled for the legendary Caucasian sheepdogs, mostly to be found with their semi-nomadic shepherd owners. You'll get to the impressive 9th-century Fortress of Rabati in time for a wander round. For castle geeks, this really is something. Having been liberated many times over the centuries, it now houses a mosque, an Orthodox church, a synagogue, a Catholic church and a citadel. Phew!

Distance: 65km / Ascent 870m / Descent 900m

Day 5: The Goderdzi Pass (2043m)

The big day you’ve been waiting for. You’ll set off from the foothills of the Adjara Mountains and wind and climb your way through lush green forests, to be rewarded at the top with a 360-degree view and a picnic lunch. And if that wasn’t enough, you can rest in the knowledge that the rest of the day is downhill all the way. Cycle 30km downhill to your overnight spot.

Georgians are known to take their drinking seriously, which means a recycled plastic bottle of ‘chacha’ - a potent homebrew grape brandy - is never far away. Tonight you can visit the very, very small ‘micro-brewery’ of your guesthouse owner. You can even join the two local men who keep watch over the filtration process 24 hours a day. Or join the sensible and go to bed!

Distance: 70km / Ascent 1300m / Descent 1800m

Day 6: To the Black Sea!

Today is your final leg stretch as you make the last push to the huge inland water mass of the Black Sea. Leaving the Lower Caucasus Mountains behind, you’ll pass through the Adjarian countryside to the coastal flatlands. You’ll stop just short of the city and transfer to Batumi. Finishing the journey at one of the quiet beaches, there’s time for a swim before you head out for your one night only in Batumi. With a sub-tropical climate, Batumi is Georgia's main summer resort and the locals certainly know how to have a summer holiday!

Distance: 60km / Ascent 480m / Descent 1530m

Day 7: Roadtrip to Tbilisi

With the bikes loaded you’ll set off on a road trip back to Tbilisi. Taking approx. 6 hours, you’ll stop on the way for a local roadside lunch before heading to the airport for your flight home.

In Tbilisi, you'll stay in the GTM Kapan Hotel. Set in the historical centre of Tbilisi this is the perfect base for exploring the city. You'll stay in twin share rooms as standard.

When on the road, you'll stay in small locally owned guesthouses. These are clean and comfortable and you'll be in twin rooms with shared facilities. These are usually family run, so each will come with its own cuisine and stories.

When wild camping, you will spend the night in twin-share tents. Although this is wild camping, your host will set up a dining tent and a toilet tent so it's certainly comfortable camping.

Private Room Upgrade

For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and tent can be booked for £310 per person (subject to availability). Please request this at the time of booking.

Georgia lies between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, at the border between Europe and Asia. Also known as the 'Gem of the Caucasus', it occupies the southern reaches of this 1100km long mountain range. It really doesn’t matter whether you prefer to explore its remote, medieval villages or hop on your bike and head into the wilderness: Georgia is a cyclist's paradise. Development of tourism in Georgia is still relatively new, although it has long been on the long-distance bike-tourers map, a well-kept secret for those 'who know'!

Your adventure begins at Tbilisi Airport. Airport transfers are included if you arrive on the start day, so please let your host know your flight times.

Your adventure ends Tblisi Airport on Day 7. Airport transfers are included, so please let your host know your flight times.

Please note, transfers are only included if you arrive or depart on the start and end days of the trip. If you would like to arrive early or extend your stay, your host can arrange airport transfers for an extra cost.