Cycle the Silk Road Across Georgia: Self-Launched

Fly into Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) — British Airways and EasyJet now run direct flights from London several times a week. Take a taxi from the airport to your accommodation in the historic old town for around £10 (agree the fare in advance or use the official taxi rank). Check into a well-rated hostel or guesthouse in the old town and spend the afternoon exploring the UNESCO-listed neighbourhood: Narikala Fortress, the sulphur baths of Abanotubani, and Rustaveli Avenue are all within walking distance. Head out for your first traditional Georgian feast — a spread of khinkali (dumplings), khachapuri, and churchkhela at a local restaurant will set you back around £8–12.

🚌Taxi from TBS airport to old town (~£10). Walk everywhere in the old town.

🛏Fabrika Hostel, Envoy Hostel, or a guesthouse in the old town (~£15–20/night for a dorm or basic private room)

• →Arrive at Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) and take a taxi to old town (~£10)
• →Explore Narikala Fortress and the old town on foot
• →Visit the Abanotubani sulphur bath district
• →Dinner at a local Georgian restaurant — try khinkali and khachapuri

Collect your hired mountain bike (see Day 1 notes — book in advance via Tbilisi bike rental shops such as Mtbike Georgia or Freeridefest; expect ~£18–22/day for a capable hardtail). Set off early toward Tetritskaro, following a route that transitions from smooth pavement to broken asphalt as you descend toward the Ktsia River, then a challenging gravel climb to the spectacular Dashbashi Canyon — a natural arch gorge worth a long stop. Continue across the stark, treeless Javakheti Plateau ('Georgian Siberia'). Stop at the convent near Lake Paravani to sample locally produced chocolates and chacha (Georgian brandy). End the day at a family-run guesthouse by the lake. Note: without a support vehicle, pack light and carry essentials in a handlebar bag or small backpack. You'll need to arrange luggage transfers independently or carry a bikepacking setup — local marshrutka (minibus) drivers can sometimes be hired to transfer bags for a small fee.

🚌Mountain bike (hired in Tbilisi, ~£20/day). Marshrutka from Tbilisi to Tetritskaro available if needed (~£2–4).

🛏Family guesthouse near Lake Paravani (~£12–18/night, typically includes dinner and breakfast)

• →Cycle 43 miles from Tbilisi area toward Lake Paravani (5–6 hrs riding)
• →Stop and explore Dashbashi Canyon viewpoint
• →Visit the convent for chacha and chocolate tasting
• →Arrive at guesthouse on the Javakheti Plateau

Today's ride passes the picturesque Lake Saghamo before the terrain shifts to an exhilarating gravel descent with over 15 switchbacks down toward Vardzia — one of Georgia's most extraordinary sites. This 12th-century cave city, carved into Erusheti Mountain by Queen Tamar, contains over 200 cave dwellings still partly inhabited by monks. Entry to Vardzia is approximately £3 and you can explore independently or join a small local guide on-site for ~£5. Book your guesthouse in Vardzia village in advance via Booking.com or directly — options are basic but charming.

🚌Mountain bike. Marshrutka connections exist between Akhalkalaki and Vardzia if needed (~£2–3).

🛏Guesthouse in Vardzia village (~£12–18/night, usually half-board)

• →Cycle 47 miles via Lake Saghamo and gravel switchback descent (4–5 hrs)
• →Explore the cave city of Vardzia independently (entry ~£3)
• →Optional: hire a local on-site guide at Vardzia (~£5)
• →Dinner at guesthouse featuring Georgian-Armenian fusion cuisine

Cycle through traditional villages keeping an eye out for the famous Caucasian Shepherd dogs and their semi-nomadic owners — they are enormous and impressive, but generally calm around cyclists. From Aspinza, prepare for a tough ascent toward Chobareti with gradients exceeding 12% before a thrilling descent into Akhaltsikhe. Visit the magnificent 9th-century Rabati Fortress — entry is free — which uniquely houses a mosque, Orthodox church, synagogue, Catholic church, and citadel within its walls. Stay in Akhaltsikhe, which has a good range of guesthouses and small hotels.

🚌Mountain bike. Marshrutka Akhaltsikhe–Tbilisi available as backup (~£5).

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Akhaltsikhe (~£15–20/night)

• →Cycle 40 miles from Vardzia to Akhaltsikhe via Aspinza and Chobareti (4–5 hrs)
• →Watch for Caucasian Shepherd dogs in villages
• →Explore Rabati Fortress (free entry)
• →Wander Akhaltsikhe old town in the evening

The biggest day of the trip. Climb from Akhaltsikhe through lush green Adjaran forest into the mountains, gaining over 4,400ft to summit the Goderdzi Pass (6,703ft / 2,025m). The road is paved but steep and remote — carry plenty of water and snacks as services are minimal. At the summit, soak in the 360° views of the Caucasus before descending to the beautiful Green Lake for a picnic and a swim if the weather allows. From here, enjoy the incredible 19-mile descent. Stay tonight in a family guesthouse in the Adjara foothills — hosts here typically offer home-brewed chacha and are proud to teach the traditions of the Georgian toast (tamada).

🚌Mountain bike. No meaningful public transport on this section — self-sufficient cycling required.

🛏Family guesthouse in the Adjara foothills (~£12–18/night, half-board)

• →Cycle 43 miles including the full Goderdzi Pass ascent (4,429ft gain) — allow 5–6 hrs
• →Summit views at Goderdzi Pass (6,703ft)
• →Picnic lunch and optional swim at Green Lake
• →19-mile descent to overnight stop
• →Home-brewed chacha and Georgian toast traditions with guesthouse host

A shorter but beautiful final cycling day. After an Adjarian breakfast (a regional version of khachapuri with egg and butter that will fuel you for hours), transfer by local marshrutka or taxi to the village of Erge (~£3–5), where the riding begins. Climb to two viewpoints over Batumi with sweeping views across the city and the Black Sea before a long, triumphant descent into the city. Finish on Batumi Boulevard by the beach. Spend the afternoon swimming in the Black Sea, exploring the city's striking mix of Ottoman, Soviet, and modern architecture, or simply relaxing. Celebrate your achievement with a proper Georgian dinner out in Batumi — the restaurant scene here is excellent.

🚌Local marshrutka or shared taxi to Erge (~£3–5). Mountain bike for final riding stage.

🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse in Batumi (~£18–25/night)

• →Marshrutka or taxi transfer to Erge village (~£3–5)
• →Cycle 16 miles with two viewpoint climbs before final descent into Batumi
• →Arrive at Batumi Boulevard and the Black Sea
• →Swim in the Black Sea
• →Explore Batumi old town and boulevard
• →Celebratory Georgian dinner out

You have two options: return to Tbilisi by marshrutka or shared taxi (approximately 5–6 hours, ~£8–12) for a flight home from TBS, or fly directly out of Batumi Airport (BUS) with Turkish Airlines or Lufthansa via Istanbul or Frankfurt — check schedules in advance as frequencies are lower. If returning to Tbilisi, the journey passes through beautiful Adjaran and Kartlian countryside and is itself a scenic road trip. Return your hired mountain bike either to a Batumi drop-off point (confirm with the rental shop in advance — some Tbilisi operators allow Batumi returns for a fee) or arrange a one-way transfer. Budget for any bike return logistics (~£10–20).

🚌Marshrutka Batumi–Tbilisi (~£8–12) or flight from Batumi Airport. Bike return logistics (~£10–20).

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Option A: Marshrutka or shared taxi Batumi → Tbilisi (~5–6 hrs, ~£8–12) then fly from TBS
• →Option B: Fly directly from Batumi Airport (BUS) — check Turkish Airlines / Lufthansa connections
• →Return hired mountain bike (confirm drop-off logistics with rental operator)
• →Final Georgian coffee or churchkhela snack for the road