Georgia packs an improbable amount into a small country: serious mountain ranges on the Russian border, medieval tower villages in protected highland valleys, a baroque capital with sulphur baths, and a wine culture older than any in France.
Kazbegi in the north is the most accessible serious mountain destination in the Caucasus — the Gergeti Trinity Church at 2,170 m above the valley floor is the most-photographed sight in Georgia, but the real draw is the trails above it toward the glaciers of Mount Kazbek. Svaneti to the west is more demanding and more spectacular: UNESCO-protected tower villages, multi-day trails, and a mountain culture that feels entirely its own.
The price point makes Georgia almost unfair. Excellent food, warm guesthouses, and a hospitality culture built on the supra tradition — long communal feasts with toasting and wine — mean every evening is as good as the trail day before it.
In-depth guide
The Georgia & the Caucasus Adventure Guide
6 min read