Glorious Gravel – Off Road Adventures in Cycling

Georgia

Five stages | 425km

Nights

6

Stages

5

Difficulty

5/5

PRICE FROM

£2199

Nights

6

Stages

5

Difficulty

5/5

PRICE FROM

£2199

OVERVIEW

Embark on an epic gravel cycling expedition through Georgia, one of the world’s most spectacular and undiscovered destinations. Ride deep into the dramatic Caucasus Mountains, where rugged terrain, ancient history, and legendary Georgian hospitality converge.
 
Over five unforgettable days, you’ll tackle everything from smooth tarmac to chunky descents, climbing high mountain passes and fly through jaw-dropping landscapes.
 
This is gravel riding at its finest, paired with authentic cultural experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
 
 
Expect glorious summer mountain weather, a rich food culture, and terrain ranging from gentle farm tracks to technical alpine descents. Cycling in the Caucasus Mountains is an adventure you’ll remember for life.

Included in Ride Package

Accommodation

6 nights in a range of local and small hotels. Choose private single, shared twin (2 beds) or shared double (1 bed) rooms.

Airport Transfers

Fly in and out of Tbilisi (TBS), where our team will be on hand to collect you & drop you back off on departure day.

5 Epic Stages

Fully supported rides with guides leading small groups, van support & regular feed stops with a warm up ride on arrival day.

Meals

Bring some money for drinks but our package includes 6 dinners, 5 lunches & 6 breakfasts.

Regular Stops

Regular feed stops approx every 30km with lunch stops in beautiful locations.

Luggage

We move your overnight bags from hotel to hotel each day and provide a day bag to collect at lunch.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED: Flights, Insurance (mandatory), Drinks with lunch & evening meals, Bike rental.

REAL RIDER REVIEWS

ITINERARY

DAY 1

Arrival in Tbilisi bright and early. Avail of early check-in before heading into town for an optional walking tour and hammam experience. Late afternoon, we'll have a warm up ride of 13 km to make sure legs & bike are in good condition for bigger rides to come.

DAY 2

Stage One: Tbilisi to Tsalka - 88km, 2195m elevation, 54% off road

DAY 3

Stage Two: Tsalka to Vardzia - 106km, 1389m elevation, 65% off road

DAY 4

Stage Three: Vardzia to Akhaltsikhe - 65km, 1103m elevation, 20% off road

DAY 5

Stage Four: Akhaltsikhe to Baghdati - 98km, 1997m elevation, 55% off road

DAY 6

Stage Five: Baghdati to Baghdati - 70km, 2119m elevation, 55% off road

DAY 6

Departure day.

RIDE HIGHLIGHTS

Tbilisi’s Sulphur Baths

Soothe your muscles before the ride begins in the city’s iconic hamams.

Nomadic Shepherds

Ride through highland pastures dotted with semi-nomadic communities.

Lake Paravani & Displaced Armenian Villages

Discover the unique culture of Samtskhe-Javakheti.

Vardzia Cave Monastery

Explore this unique 12th-century monastery carved into a cliffside.

Zakari Pass

Conquer breathtaking heights with panoramic views over Georgia’s mountainous heart.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Accommodation

We’ll stay in a mixture of local style hotels. You can choose between a private single room (limited availablity), shared twin (2 beds) or shared double (1 bed) room. All of our accommodation is hand picked and we have selected some really special places.

Bike & Tyre Choice

Bring a gravel bike with at least 45mm tyres, tubeless tyres. We strongly recommend going tubeless so you can run lower tyre pressures for better grip and comfort on the long descents and more technical sections — Your hands and backside will thank you after five days of varied terrain. Think versatility over speed: this route rewards bikes that can handle everything from smooth roads to rocky trails with equal confidence.

Food

Georgian cuisine is hearty, herby, and packed with flavour. Highlights include : Khachapuri (gooey cheese bread adored across the country), Lobiani (savoury bean-filled bread, perfect for a hungry rider), Khinkali (juicy dumplings with a traditional twist), Homemade lemonade (found in almost every café or restaurant), Georgian Wine (made from over 8,000 years of unique history). And many more dishes featuring fresh herbs, walnuts, pomegranate, and homemade lemonade – liquid gold after a long ride In rural areas, food is fresh, seasonal, and full of character — a delicious part of the Georgian experience.

weather

We choose time of year for our trips to coincide with the best riding weather. Temperatures should be in the mid to high 20s during the day with cooler evenings. Make sure you pack a windproof jacket for early morning and descending.

Terrain

This is true adventure cycling. Expect a combination of smooth tarmac, dirt roads, semi-technical descents and even a short hike-a-bike section on Day 1 (the views will make every step worthwhile). Most riding takes place on fast gravel and backcountry tracks, occasionally dipping into more technical terrain. One moment you’re cruising past highland shepherds; the next, you’re picking your line through wild mountain passes. Georgia offers some of the finest gravel cycling in the Caucasus, full of variety, challenge, and pure adventure.

The Route

This is one of our more demanding routes, with long days and plenty of climbing — but the rewards are extraordinary. Prepare for adventurous riding, rich culture, and landscapes that will stay with you forever.

4 UNMISSABLE HIGHLIGHTS IN GEORGIA

NUMBER One

Vardzia Cave Monastery
A vast, ancient monastic complex carved into the cliffside.

NUMBER TWO

Dashbashi Canyon Glass Bridge
A bold modern structure with dramatic views.

number three

Rabati Castle in Akhaltsikhe
A striking blend of Ottoman, Georgian, and Christian influences.

Number Four

Baghdati Wine Region
Relax and reflect with local wine and countryside charm.

STAGE DETAILS

Route Summary:

A gentle introduction with a small warm-up ride to Turtle Lake. Get your first taste of Georgia’s fantastic homemade lemonade before descending down some easy mountain bike trails with a fantastic view over Tbilisi.

Ride Distance: 13km   Ride Elevation: 290m   % Off Road: 15%  

Route Summary:

A challenging day climbing out of Tbilisi into high plains, crossing farmland and remote villages. You’ll finish at the iconic Diamond Bridge over Dashbashi Canyon — where the true adventure begins.

Ride Distance: 88km   Ride Elevation: 2195m   % Off Road: 54%   Difficulty: 5/5

Route Summary:

Ride past Lake Paravani, through rugged uplands and past semi-nomadic shepherd comuntities to reach the awe-inspiring Vardzia cave monastery. You’ll stay overnight and explore this ancient wonder.

Ride Distance: 106km   Ride Elevation: 1389m   % Off Road: 65%   Difficulty: 5/5

Route Summary:

Climb past more hidden cave dwellings into Akhaltsikhe, where you’ll stay inside the atmospheric Rabati Castle — a beautiful symbol of Georgia’s layered history.

Ride Distance: 64km   Ride Elevation: 1103m   % Off Road: 20%   Difficulty: 4/5

Route Summary:

The grand finale. Ascend Zakari Pass, passing shepherd communities and endless views. Then enjoy an epic 65km descent into Baghdati, a charming wine town and unforgettable end to your journey.

Ride Distance: 98m   Ride Elevation: 1997m   % Off Road: 55%   Difficulty: 5/5

Route Summary:

On final day we’ll have a short optional recovery ride around Baghdati before transferring back to Tbilisi. 

Ride Distance: 20km   Ride Elevation: 450m   % Off Road: 50%  

ACCOMMODATION

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PACKING LIST

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GETTING THERE

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Flights

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Transfers

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Outbound

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Your Guides

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Rental Bikes

getting to GEORGIA

Fly Into/out: Tbilisi airport (TBS) 

Flights From: There are regular direct flights operated by British Airways, or indirect with Pegasus airlines.

 

Transfer Times:

On arrival day, we will have a morning  transfer at 6.00 am, from Tbilisi airport to the start hotel. The transfer time will be 25 min approx. 

On departure day, we will have a transfer at 5.00 am for morning flights.

Note: transfer times are subject to change should flight times change. Final times will be confirmed and sent to you a month before your trip.

Accommodation & Meals

The hotels in Slovenia are a good standard. We stay in a mix of superior 3* and 4* hotels. Choose between a single, shared twin or double room. You can add your preferred room mate in the booking notes.

 

In Kranjska Gora & Bohinj the hotels overlook the mountains & lake. Our hotel in Lipica is world famous for it’s white horses and we finish overlooking the Adriatic. Luggage is transferred from hotel to hotel & bike boxes are transferred from Bled to Portoroz on the first afternoon.

 

Evening meals are buffets with pasta, salads, meat & vegetables. Lunches at feed stops are local restaurants as we try some of the local delicacies. Vegan, gluten free and other dietary options are available.

packing list

Cycling Kit

Bibs/shorts | Jerseys/tops (consider LS t-shirts for cooler temperatures)

Gilet | Waterproof jacket | Arm and leg warmers

Cycling shoes | Socks | Mitts

Helmet | Sunglasses

2 bottles | Chamois cream | Sun cream

GPS device with handle bar mount

Bike Spares

2 x inner tubes suitable for the size of your tyre

Spare tyre | Tyre levers

1 x puncture repair kit (if running a tubeless set up, have a tubeless repair kit including plugs and spare sealant)

Multitool | Chain link specific for your bike chain | Lube | Brake pads 

Spare rear mech hanger for your bike

Small pump | Rear light | 2 Bottle cages

Spare batteries/charging cables for lights

Personal Medical Kit

1 x crepe roll bandage | Gauze or similar absorbent dressing

Small set of scissors | Tweezers | Pain Killers (paracetamol) | Imodium

Steri-Strips | Antiseptic (spray, cream or wipes)

Assorted plasters | Rubber gloves | Prescribed medication

Must Pack Items

Power bank | Head torch | Flip flops | Swimming kit | Shower gel | Hydration & Personal energy bars

Hotels & Meals

Accommodation: We’ll stay in a mixture of local hotels. You can choose between a private single room (limited availablity), shared twin (2 beds) or shared double (1 bed) room. All of our accommodation is hand picked and we have selected some really special places. 

We stay at:

Tbilisi – Artizan Hotel 

Tsalka – Kass Land Diamond Resort

Vardzia – Vardzia Resort

Akhaltsikhe – Gino Wellness

Baghdati – Chateau Vartsikhe

Tbilisi – Artizan Hotel 

 

Meals – 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches on the road, 6 dinners are included in the package. Drinks with lunch & dinner are excluded.

DATES & PRICES

START

FINISH

SINGLE ROOM

TWIN/

DOUBLE ROOM

DEPOSIT

£2499

£21999pP

£399pp

£1999

£1699pp

£399pp

£1999

£1699pp

£399pp

DATES & PRICES

Single

£2499

Twin

£2199pp

Deposit

£399pp

FAQs

This is one of our more demanding routes, with long days and plenty of climbing — but the rewards are extraordinary. Expect a combination of smooth tarmac, dirt roads, semi-technical descents and even a short hike-a-bike section on Day 1 (the views will make every step worthwhile).

There are regular direct flights operated by British Airways, as well as indirect flights with Pegasus airlines. 

On arrival day, we will have a morning transfer at 6.00 am  from Tbilisi airport. 

On departure day, we will have an early morning  transfer at 5.00 am for flights after 7.00 am . The transfer time will be 25 min approx. 

Note: transfer times are subject to change should flight times change. Final times will be confirmed and sent to you a month before your trip.

We ride in various different parts of Georgia, up mountain passes to open land fields. We expect temperatures in the mid to high 20s, with cooler temperatures in the evenings, and up the mountains.

British citizens do not require a visa to enter Georgia.

 

Travel insurance is compulsory for our trips, and you are required to provide us with your policy information before departing.

 

Your insurance should include adequate cover for cycling abroad, any emergency medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and your bike. We also recommend it includes cancellation insurance, should you be unable to join the trip for specific reasons such as illness.

 

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