The Ultimate Self-Launched Adventure in Georgia

Arrive at Tbilisi International Airport (TBS), just 11 miles from the city centre. Skip the private transfer and take the dedicated Airport Express bus (Route 37) to Liberty Square for around £0.30, or a metered taxi for £6–8 via the Bolt app. Check into your guesthouse or hostel in the Old Town neighbourhood of Abanotubani or Fabrika. In the afternoon, do a self-guided walk through Tbilisi's Old Town: admire the carved wooden balconies, duck into leafy courtyards, and visit the 13th-century Metekhi Church for free. Then take the cable car up to Narikala Fortress (around £1 return) for panoramic views over the Mtkvari River. Tonight, grab dinner at one of the many affordable Old Town restaurants — try Machakhela or Shavi Lomi for classic Georgian dishes like khachapuri and lobiani.

🚌Airport Express Bus 37 to Liberty Square (~£0.30) or Bolt taxi (~£6–8)

🛏Fabrika Hostel or Envoy Hostel, Tbilisi Old Town (~£15–22/night in a private room or dorm)

• →Arrive at Tbilisi International Airport — take Airport Express Bus 37 to city centre (~£0.30) or Bolt taxi (~£6–8)
• →Self-guided walking tour of Tbilisi Old Town: Metekhi Church (free), carved balconies, wine bars
• →Cable car to Narikala Fortress for panoramic city views (~£1 return)
• →Welcome dinner at a local Old Town restaurant — try khachapuri, lobiani, badrijani (£6–10)

After breakfast, head to Didube bus station in Tbilisi and catch a shared marshrutka minibus to Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) along the stunning Georgian Military Highway — a 3–3.5 hour journey through increasingly dramatic mountain scenery for around £3–4. On arrival, drop your bags at your guesthouse and grab a traditional lunch at a local spot — ask your host about khinkali-making experiences with local families, easily arranged locally for a small fee. In the afternoon, hike up to the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church (14th century) perched at 7,119ft with jaw-dropping views of Mount Kazbek. The trail starts near the village and takes around 1.5–2 hours each way — no guide needed, just follow the well-worn path. For a spa experience, several guesthouses in Stepantsminda have hot tubs or you can book the Rooms Kazbegi spa as a day visitor. Dinner at a local family guesthouse.

🚌Shared marshrutka from Didube Bus Station, Tbilisi to Stepantsminda (~£3–4). Departs ~10am daily.

🛏Guesthouse in Stepantsminda — try Guesthouse Nino or similar locally-run options (~£15–20/night, usually includes breakfast)

• →Marshrutka from Didube station, Tbilisi to Stepantsminda (~3.5hrs, ~£3–4)
• →Traditional khinkali lunch at a local family guesthouse (~£5–8)
• →Self-guided hike to Gergeti Trinity Church (3–4hrs round trip, free)
• →Optional spa/hot tub at guesthouse or Rooms Kazbegi day pass (~£10–20)
• →Dinner at a local guesthouse restaurant (~£6–10)

After breakfast at your guesthouse, arrange a shared 4x4 taxi with other travellers or through your host to the start of the Truso Valley trail — ask around the guesthouse or at the local taxi stand, expect to pay around £5–8 per person shared. The Truso Valley hike (approximately 9 miles) winds past colourful mineral springs, ancient defence towers, travertine formations, and abandoned villages — one of the Caucasus' most spectacular and least-touristy routes. Carry a packed lunch from your guesthouse or pick up supplies from the village shop the night before. Return by shared 4x4 in the afternoon. Spend the evening relaxing in Stepantsminda — grab a beer on a terrace with mountain views or use the guesthouse's outdoor space.

🚌Shared 4x4 taxi to/from Truso Valley trailhead (~£10–16 total, split between group). Arrange via guesthouse host the evening before.

🛏Guesthouse in Stepantsminda (same as Day 2, ~£15–20/night)

• →Shared 4x4 taxi to Truso Valley trailhead (~£5–8 per person)
• →Self-guided hike through Truso Valley: mineral springs, travertine formations, ancient towers, abandoned villages (~9 miles, ~4–5hrs)
• →Picnic lunch in the valley (self-prepared, ~£3–5)
• →Return 4x4 taxi to Stepantsminda (~£5–8 per person)
• →Evening relaxation in Stepantsminda — local bar or guesthouse terrace

Today head to Juta, a remote alpine village at 7,087ft in the shadow of the jagged Chaukhi Massif — Georgia's answer to the Dolomites. Arrange a shared 4x4 taxi from Stepantsminda to Juta (about 45 mins, £5–8/person shared). Once in Juta, horse riding is easily booked directly with local villagers who offer beginner-friendly rides to Zeta Camp and along scenic trails towards Chaukhi Lake — expect to pay around £15–25 for a 2-hour ride. If conditions allow, take a dip in the glacial lake. Bring a packed lunch or buy simple food from the Juta village guesthouse. Return to Stepantsminda in the afternoon for your final mountain night. Head into town for a farewell Kazbegi dinner.

🚌Shared 4x4 taxi Stepantsminda to Juta and return (~£10–16 total/person). Horse riding booked directly in Juta village (~£15–25).

🛏Guesthouse in Stepantsminda (same as Days 2–3, ~£15–20/night)

• →Shared 4x4 taxi from Stepantsminda to Juta village (~45 mins, ~£5–8/person)
• →Short hike to Zeta Camp viewpoint (~1hr, free)
• →Beginner horseback ride to Chaukhi Massif trails and Chaukhi Lake (~2hrs, ~£15–25 booked direct with local villagers)
• →Optional swim in Chaukhi Lake (weather permitting, free)
• →Picnic lunch in Juta (~£3–5)
• →Return 4x4 taxi to Stepantsminda (~£5–8/person)
• →Farewell Kazbegi dinner at local restaurant (~£6–10)

After breakfast, arrange a shared taxi or marshrutka from Stepantsminda back to Tbilisi (£3–4), then onward to Kakheti by marshrutka from Ortachala Bus Station to Telavi (£3–4, ~2hrs). En route, ask your driver to stop at Ananuri Fortress (free entry), a stunning clifftop castle complex above the Aragvi River — well worth 30–45 minutes of exploration. On arrival in Kakheti, visit a local winery for a qvevri wine tasting — Twins Wine House and Schuchmann Wines both offer affordable tastings from £5–10/person. Take a leisurely walk through the vineyards between Mosmieri and Kondoli. For accommodation, stay at a local wine guesthouse or family-run B&B in the vineyard area — many offer rooms among the vines and include a wine tasting.

🚌Marshrutka Stepantsminda–Tbilisi (~£3–4), then marshrutka Ortachala–Telavi (~£3–4). Shared taxi for Ananuri stop (~£5–8 extra if arranged separately).

🛏Wine guesthouse or family B&B near Telavi/Kvareli — e.g. Twins Wine House guesthouse, Pheasant's Tears guesthouse (~£20–30/night, often includes breakfast and wine tasting)

• →Marshrutka from Stepantsminda to Tbilisi (~3.5hrs, ~£3–4)
• →Marshrutka from Ortachala Bus Station, Tbilisi to Telavi (~2hrs, ~£3–4)
• →Stop at Ananuri Fortress en route (free entry, arrange with driver or as a detour)
• →Afternoon vineyard walk between Mosmieri and Kondoli (free)
• →Qvevri wine tasting at Twins Wine House or Schuchmann Wines (~£5–10/person)
• →Check into wine guesthouse or family B&B among the vineyards

Fuel up with breakfast at your guesthouse, then rent an e-bike in Telavi for the day — several rental shops and guesthouses now offer e-bikes in the region from around £15–25/day. Ride the rolling hills towards Kvareli (approximately 27 miles), passing vineyards and orchards with stunning Alazani Valley views. Stop at Gremi Monastery, a 16th-century hilltop citadel with a free-entry church tower — a beautiful and historically rich stop. Arrive in Kvareli for lunch — grab a home-cooked meal at a local café or family guesthouse (£5–8). If you want the churchkhela-making experience, ask your guesthouse host the night before to arrange a short cooking session with a local family (~£5–10). Return to your guesthouse by shared taxi or arrange a pickup. Spend the evening relaxing among the vines.

🚌E-bike rental from Telavi (~£15–25). Return transfer by shared taxi (~£5–10).

🛏Wine guesthouse or family B&B near Telavi/Kvareli (same as Day 5, ~£20–30/night)

• →E-bike rental in Telavi (~£15–25/day)
• →E-bike ride Telavi to Kvareli through vineyard countryside (~27 miles, manageable with e-assist)
• →Visit Gremi Monastery — 16th-century hilltop citadel (free entry)
• →Lunch at local café or family guesthouse in Kvareli (~£5–8)
• →Optional churchkhela-making with local family (arrange via guesthouse, ~£5–10)
• →Return to accommodation by shared taxi or pre-arranged pickup (~£5–10)

Start the morning at Telavi's lively farmers' market — a feast of fresh herbs, local cheeses, churchkhela, and seasonal fruit. Browse freely and stock up on snacks or souvenirs. Then take a shared taxi or marshrutka to Sighnaghi (£3–5), an 18th-century hilltop town with cobbled streets, colourful balconies, and sweeping views across the Alazani Valley to the snow-capped Caucasus. Walk the ancient fortified walls (free) and explore the town at your own pace. Grab lunch at a local restaurant or family home — Sighnaghi is famous for its restaurant scene. In the afternoon, take a marshrutka or shared taxi back to Tbilisi (£4–6). Head straight to the famous Abanotubani sulfur baths district — public baths cost as little as £2–4, or book a private cabin for £10–20/hour. Round off your Georgian adventure with a celebratory farewell dinner in the Old Town.

🚌Shared taxi or marshrutka Telavi–Sighnaghi (~£3–5), then marshrutka or shared taxi Sighnaghi–Tbilisi (~£4–6). Bolt taxi from bus station to Old Town (~£3–5).

🛏Guesthouse or budget boutique hotel in Tbilisi Old Town (~£18–25/night)

• →Morning wander through Telavi farmers' market (free entry)
• →Shared taxi or marshrutka to Sighnaghi (~£3–5)
• →Walk Sighnaghi's ancient fortified walls and Old Town (free)
• →Lunch at a local Sighnaghi restaurant (~£6–10)
• →Marshrutka or shared taxi back to Tbilisi (~£4–6)
• →Tbilisi sulfur baths in Abanotubani (public bath £2–4, private cabin £10–20/hr)
• →Farewell dinner at a handpicked Old Town restaurant (~£10–15)

It's time to say goodbye to Georgia. Take a final morning wander through Tbilisi's Old Town backstreets — pick up a bottle of qvevri wine, a handwoven textile, or a jar of local churchkhela as a souvenir from one of the Dry Bridge Market stalls. When you're ready to head to the airport, grab a Bolt taxi from the city centre to Tbilisi International Airport for around £6–8 (25–30 minute drive), or take Bus 37 for £0.30. No private transfer needed — Bolt is reliable and inexpensive.

🚌Bolt taxi to TBS Airport (~£6–8) or Airport Express Bus 37 (~£0.30).

🛏Check-out from Tbilisi guesthouse

• →Final morning stroll through Tbilisi Old Town and Dry Bridge Market (free)
• →Last-minute souvenir shopping — wine, textiles, churchkhela
• →Bolt taxi or Bus 37 to Tbilisi International Airport (£0.30–£8)