Cycle the Silk Road Across Georgia: Self-Launched Edition

Fly into Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) — BA and EasyJet now offer direct flights from London several times a week. Take a taxi from the airport to your hostel or guesthouse in the Old Town (Abanotubani district) for around £8–10 — agree the fare before getting in, or use the official metered cabs. Spend the afternoon exploring Tbilisi's UNESCO-listed old town: the Narikala Fortress, the sulphur baths, and the Metekhi Church are all walkable. In the evening, head to a local spot for a traditional Georgian spread — khinkali dumplings and khachapuri are essential first-night fuel.

🚌Taxi from Tbilisi Airport to Old Town: ~£8–10. Alternatively, take marshrutka (minibus) route 37 for under £1.

🛏Fabrika Hostel or Envoy Hostel (Tbilisi Old Town) — well-reviewed, social hostels with private and dorm rooms. Dorm ~£12–15/night, private twin ~£30–40/night.

• →Explore Tbilisi Old Town on foot — Narikala Fortress, Metekhi Church, sulphur bath district
• →Try khinkali and khachapuri at a local restaurant (budget ~£8–12 for a generous dinner with wine)
• →Pick up a local SIM card at the airport (Magti or Geocell, ~£5 with data)

Pick up your pre-arranged rental mountain bike in Tbilisi (book ahead via a local shop like Bike Baron Georgia or Georgian Cycling — expect to pay ~£20–25/day for a decent hardtail). Take a marshrutka or arrange a private transfer to Tetritskaro to start the ride (the city traffic out of Tbilisi is best avoided). Today's route is a serious 70km day: smooth tarmac giving way to gravel as you descend toward the Ktsia River, then a challenging gravel climb to Dashbashi Canyon — one of Georgia's most dramatic gorges. Stop for lunch at a local café or bring supplies from Tbilisi. Continue across the treeless Javakheti Plateau to a guesthouse near Lake Paravani. Many guesthouses in the region can be booked via Booking.com or directly by phone.

🚌Marshrutka from Tbilisi to Tetritskaro: ~£2–3 (departs from Ortachala bus station). Alternatively, arrange a private taxi transfer with your bike for ~£30–40 to the start point.

🛏Family-run guesthouse near Lake Paravani / Ninotsminda area — expect simple, clean rooms with home-cooked dinner and breakfast included, ~£18–25 per person half board.

• →Cycling: ~70km, 1200m ascent, 800m descent — allow 5–6 hours
• →Stop at Dashbashi Canyon for photos and a break
• →Visit a local convent near Lake Paravani to sample homemade chocolates and chacha (Georgian brandy)

An iconic day on the bike — 75km taking you past picturesque Lake Saghamo and through the town of Akhalkalaki, then a thrilling gravel descent with 15+ switchbacks winding down toward Vardzia. The cave city is one of Georgia's most extraordinary sights: a 12th-century monastery-palace carved into Erusheti Mountain, built for Queen Tamar, with around 200 cave dwellings still partially inhabited by monks. Entry is self-guided with a paid ticket. Book accommodation in Vardzia village ahead — there are several good guesthouses within walking distance of the caves.

🚌Self-powered cycling route from Paravani/Ninotsminda area to Vardzia. Fully rideable — follow the main roads south via Akhalkalaki. Offline maps on Maps.me or Komoot recommended.

🛏Guesthouse Vardzia or similar family guesthouse in Vardzia village — ~£18–25 per person half board.

• →Cycling: ~75km, 520m ascent, 1100m descent — allow 4–5 hours
• →Self-guided visit to Vardzia Cave City (entry ticket ~£3–4, bookable at the gate)
• →Explore Lake Saghamo en route
• →Dinner at your guesthouse — Georgian-Armenian fusion cuisine is the local speciality here

Today's 65km route takes you village-hopping through beautiful rural Georgia — keep your eyes out for legendary Caucasian sheepdogs guarding their flocks. From Aspinza, a challenging climb toward Chobareti (gradients over 12%) rewards you with a long descent into Akhaltsikhe. The 9th-century Rabati Fortress dominates the town: a remarkable complex containing a mosque, Orthodox church, synagogue, Catholic church and citadel — a testament to Georgia's layered history. The fortress is walkable from the town centre and entry is free or low-cost. Akhaltsikhe has a good range of guesthouses and small hotels.

🚌Self-powered cycling route from Vardzia to Akhaltsikhe via Aspinza and Chobareti. Well-signposted roads throughout.

🛏Guesthouse Tamar or Hotel Rabati (Akhaltsikhe) — mid-range guesthouses from ~£20–30 per person B&B.

• →Cycling: ~65km, 1000m ascent, 900m descent — allow 4–5 hours
• →Self-guided visit to the Rabati Fortress complex (entry ~£2–3)
• →Explore Akhaltsikhe's old town and local market
• →Try local churchkhela (walnut and grape candy) from street vendors

The big one. The Goderdzi Pass is the highlight and the hardest day of the route — 70km with 1350m of ascent through lush Adjaran forest to the 2043m summit, where on a clear day you get 360-degree views across the Caucasus. After the summit, a beautiful descent takes you past Green Lake — stop for a swim if the weather's right. From here, a thrilling 30km descent carries you toward your overnight stop in the Adjara foothills. Tonight is a well-earned rest — local guesthouses in this region often offer home-brewed chacha and a warm Georgian welcome. Learn how to make a Georgian toast (a 'tamada' leads the table — it's an art form).

🚌Self-powered cycling route from Akhaltsikhe over the Goderdzi Pass into Adjara. The pass road is paved and open seasonally (typically May–October). Check road conditions in advance via local guesthouse hosts.

🛏Family guesthouse in the Adjara foothills (villages such as Zeda Shuakhevi or similar) — ~£18–25 per person half board.

• →Cycling: ~70km, 1350m ascent, 1800m descent — allow 5–6 hours riding time
• →Summit the Goderdzi Pass (2043m) — take time at the top for views
• →Stop at Green Lake for a swim and picnic lunch (bring supplies from Akhaltsikhe)
• →Enjoy home-brewed chacha and a Georgian feast at your guesthouse

The final riding day — a relatively short 25km but with a couple of proper climbs before the big finish. After a hearty Adjarian breakfast (eggs, butter, local cheese — similar calorie-load to a full English), begin your final ride toward Batumi. Two viewpoints along the route offer stunning panoramas over the city and the Black Sea before a glorious long descent carries you down onto Batumi Boulevard. Roll your bike to the beach, lock it up, and jump in the sea — you've earned it. Batumi is a buzzing, surprisingly cosmopolitan city with great restaurants, a lively boulevard, and a distinct subtropical vibe. Celebrate with a generous Georgian dinner.

🚌Self-powered cycling route from Adjara foothills into Batumi. The descent into the city is on tarmac — follow signs for Batumi Boulevard.

🛏Hostel Art Garden Batumi or similar social hostel — dorm from ~£12–15/night, private twin ~£30–40/night.

• →Cycling: ~25km, 800m ascent, 900m descent — allow 2.5–3 hours
• →Swim at Batumi Beach on the Black Sea
• →Stroll Batumi Boulevard and explore the old town
• →Celebratory dinner at a local Georgian restaurant (~£15–20 with wine)

Return your rental bike to a Batumi bike shop (arrange in advance with your rental provider — many can collect in Batumi for a small surcharge, or you can box the bike for the train). Take the comfortable and scenic train from Batumi to Tbilisi: the Batumi–Tbilisi Express departs several times daily, takes ~5.5 hours, and costs around £8–12. Alternatively, marshrutkas run frequently for ~£5. From Tbilisi, catch your flight home (book flights departing from 18:00 onwards to be safe). If you'd prefer to fly home from Batumi, direct connecting flights are available with Turkish Airlines and others.

🚌Batumi to Tbilisi by train: ~£8–12 (book at passages.ge or at the station). Marshrutka alternative: ~£5, departs Batumi bus station. Taxi from Tbilisi station to airport: ~£8–10.

🛏N/A — departure day.

• →Final breakfast in Batumi — try Adjarian khachapuri (the boat-shaped one with an egg on top)
• →Return rental bike to provider
• →Scenic train journey Batumi to Tbilisi (~5.5hrs, book via Georgian Railway website — passages.ge)