Grand Georgia Traverse

Tiny churches sit atop dramatic snowy mountains, at home in any fairytale book. Imposing watch towers line up under the mountains separating Russia and Chechnya from a culture that has its own alphabet and completely unique culture unrelated to its neighbours.

Cave cities offered refuge from the Mongols, who still dream about Georgia as a land of milk and honey.

Mosques and palaces remain from the Ottomans, the Azerbaijanies and Armenians along the southern borders.

Stalin was born in Gori, Prometheus was chained to his rock Kazbegi, and the Golden Fleece of Jason and his argonaughts originated in the traditions of Georgians using sheep skins to pan the gold carrying snowmelt of Svanetti – one of the most beautiful Alpine regions in the world.

The oldest recorded wine vessels are from Georgia – and the wine is everywhere and delicious.

Trust us, this route is the bomb and a great combination of the best you can get on a bike – with transfers across the anything remotely mundane so you see more of the Georgiousness.

Tbilisi - Gori - Vardzia -Godedzi Pass - Batumi - Svanetti - Ushguli (highest village in Europe) - Ushba Glacier - Mestia - Mount Shkhara - Prometheus Cave - Tbilisi