Georgia cultural vacation, Georgia Explorer

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

This itinerary does not include any internal flights within Georgia. Travel between destinations is undertaken by road transport, including minibuses and 4WD vehicles in the Svaneti region.

The tour includes multiple opportunities to explore destinations on foot. Walking activities include the hike to Gergeti Trinity Church, the Enguri River and Shkhara Glacier walk, and the Lakhiri to Mestia hike, alongside walking tours in towns, villages and historic sites throughout the programme.

Transport is shared among group members, with a maximum group size of 12 travelers.

Several meals are prepared by local hosts, guesthouses and restaurants, including a home-hosted cooking experience in Tbilisi and a meal with a local family in Kakheti.

Travelers are encouraged to bring refillable filtered water bottles for use during the trip, helping to reduce reliance on single-use plastic bottles.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

This journey includes visits to mountain landscapes, rural communities and protected natural areas across Georgia, providing opportunities to learn about the country’s cultural and natural heritage.

The itinerary includes several walking experiences through mountain and rural landscapes, including walks to Gergeti Trinity Church, along the Enguri River and in the Svaneti region. These activities allow travelers to experience many of the destinations visited on foot.

Travelers are encouraged to reduce their use of single-use plastic bottles by bringing a refillable filtered water bottle that can be used throughout the trip where suitable refill points are available.

Travelers will visit the village of Vardisubani to meet Zaza, a third-generation maker of traditional qvevri clay vessels used in Georgia’s historic winemaking traditions. This experience provides an opportunity to learn about a cultural practice recognised by UNESCO and the skills involved in preserving it.

Several stays are in locally operated guesthouses, including family-run accommodation in Ushguli and Mestia, where guests can experience regional hospitality and locally prepared food.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

This itinerary includes stays in a number of independently owned and family-run accommodation providers across Georgia, including guesthouses in Ushguli, Mestia and Vardzia. These properties offer visitors the opportunity to stay in locally operated accommodation and experience regional hospitality.

Throughout the journey, travelers take part in experiences hosted by local residents and small businesses. These include:

A visit to a local market in Tbilisi followed by a cooking experience with local hosts in their home.
Lunch with a local family in the Kakheti region.
A visit to a traditional qvevri craftsman in Vardisubani to learn about Georgian clay vessel production.
A felt-making experience with a local craft specialist in Stepantsminda.
Visits to villages and cultural sites in the Svaneti region and an Ethno Village near Batumi.

Meals throughout the itinerary include traditional Georgian cuisine served in local restaurants, guesthouses and family homes. Several experiences feature regional produce and dishes prepared by local hosts.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

The tour incorporates the services of locally based guides where appropriate throughout the itinerary.

A range of local service providers contribute to the delivery of the trip, including accommodation staff, drivers, cultural hosts, craftspeople and restaurant teams. Travelers engage with local residents through cultural experiences, community visits and food-focused activities across different regions of Georgia.