Photo: Moahim ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Three mountain worlds in nine days.
Georgia’s three most distinct mountain regions in one loop from Tbilisi: the tarmac Georgian Military Highway to Kazbegi, the gravel Abano pass into Tusheti, which closes to traffic by October, and the towers of Svaneti via Mestia and Ushguli. For riders who want plenty of steep switchbacks, a little serious dirt and Georgian food every evening.
- Gergeti church beneath Kazbek, 5,054 m
- The Abano pass and the towers of Omalo
- Ushguli, Europe’s highest permanent village
- Kakheti wine on the way home
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Briefing
Tbilisi and preparation
Pick-up, an old-town hotel, bike set-up and a short test loop. The Abanotubani sulphur baths in the evening.
Overnight: Hotel in Tbilisi - DAY 2 · 160 km, mountain tarmac
The Georgian Military Highway
Ananuri fortress, the Zhinvali reservoir and the hairpins of the Jvari pass, 2,379 m. Down to Stepantsminda beneath Kazbek.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Stepantsminda - DAY 3 · 110 km, gravel
Gergeti and the Truso gorge
Morning climb to Gergeti church at 2,170 m, then a gravel excursion into the Truso gorge with its travertines and mineral springs. Back to Kazbegi.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Stepantsminda - DAY 4 · 260 km, 70 km of it gravel
The Abano pass into Tusheti
Back to the lowlands, across to Pshaveli and up the Abano pass, 2,826 m: 70 km of gravel, streams and unguarded drops. Night in Omalo.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Omalo, 1,880 m - DAY 5 · 200 km, gravel and tarmac
Tusheti and down to Kakheti
Morning tracks to the villages of Dartlo and Shenako with their seventeenth-century towers, then back over Abano and down to Telavi. A cellar tasting in the evening.
Overnight: Hotel in Telavi - DAY 6 · 440 km, mainly highway
The long haul to Svaneti
The longest day: the highway through Gori and Kutaisi to Zugdidi, then the switchbacks above the Enguri reservoir and the road to Mestia.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Mestia - DAY 7 · 100 km, gravel
Ushguli and Shkhara
From Mestia to Ushguli at 2,100 m, where Shkhara, 5,193 m, rises above the towers. Half gravel, lunch in the village, back to Mestia.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Mestia - DAY 8 · 400 km, highway
Return to Tbilisi
Down to Zugdidi and the highway east. Bikes handed back, a farewell dinner with a view of Mtatsminda.
Overnight: Hotel in Tbilisi - DAY 9 · Transfer
Flight home
Breakfast and airport transfer.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
BMW F 750 GS / Honda CB 500 X / Royal Enfield Himalayan hire
Support vehicle on part of the route
Local riding guide
Guesthouses and 3–4-star hotels
Breakfasts and dinners with wine
Fuel for the whole route
Tbilisi airport transfers
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Motorcycle deposit
Lunches
Single supplement
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
Category A licence, three or more years’ riding and experience of gravel with exposure. Ivan reviews the Abano pass on video with the group beforehand and runs a dirt training day.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Full riding kit: helmet, protection, gloves and boots
- Rain gear and waterproof covers
- Documents and insurance for your chosen riding format
- Compact soft luggage without unnecessary weight
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.