Georgia has something to offer to those who love extreme sports and risky adventures. Discover these 10 great tips for Georgian thrill seekers:
1 – Paragliding
Photo Source: Paragliding Georgia
What is Paragliding? It’s somewhat like a steerable, rectangular parachute that lets you fall really, really slowly. Paragliding is designed to keep you aloft for extended flights, soaring and diving with the air currents. You can launch from shallow slopes or on steep hills. A tandem takeoff is available for most any inexperienced person wishing to experience flight. With the proper weather conditions and planning you can soar like an eagle in some of the most breathtaking places in Georgia! Gudauri Paragliding offers both summer and winter flights. You can also checkout the Georgian Paragliding Federation facebook page for more details. You can fill out a reservation request online and someone will contact you to discuss your possibilities. They have operations in the Tbilisi Sea, Gudauri, and Rustavi.
Packages and prices vary with the season and location.
Summer: 25-35 minutes for $126.
Winter: 15 minutes for $63.
2 – Go Speed Racer, Go!
Photo Source: Snaplap
Rustavi International Motorpark offers experiences to speed around on a closed track located on the right bank of the Mtkvari River along the Tbilisi – Red Bridge Highway, 20 km (12 miles) from Tbilisi’s city centre. The racing track has an overall length of 4.1 km (2.5 miles) and complies with FIA category II requirements for international competitions, including Formula 1. Some of the thrills offered are:
– Drive Formula Alpha
Instructors and mechanics make your dreams come true by training how you to drive a race car yourself, just like the racing pros, then letting you loose on the track. The cost of a 20-minute session is $252 excluding an extra $21 insurance which is offered and recommended for all their driving packages.
– Driving Legends Car
Drive a retro style stock NASCAR similar to those used by American bootleggers to escape from the their federal Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms police! A 20-minute session is $126.
– Formula Alfa Taxi
Sit shotgun with a professional driver and zoom around the track with all the passion of a road rocketeer! The price of 3 laps is just $17.
– Drift
Drifting is one of the most fun and effective driving maneuvers in which a driver glides the backend of a car around turns. You will be able to practice drifting with a trainer for 2-hours and learn how to utilize the maximum power of the BMW E46-330 engine. Cost is $147.
– Off Road
The Polaris RZR, the world’s best off-road vehicle, is at your disposal. This AT vehicle can easily tackle the most rugged of terrain and climb hills that defy the laws of physics. Pass a training session on their course with an instructor and then take it on your own through other preset routes. Costs vary by route selected and the number of passengers onboard.
For details on these and the other experiences, see their website http://rim.ge/
3 – Sky High
Photo Source: Sunny Georgia
Balloon flights mostly take place in Georgia’s Alazani Valley, an ancient Georgian cultural center and home of winemaking. The valley stretches for more than one hundred kilometers (62 miles) along the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range that rise majestically into the blue sky with their snow-topped peaks topped and brilliant white glaciers. Prices and packages vary but figure to pay around $180 per person.
Contact Sky Travel via their Facebook page or link in Tripadvisor. Info@skytravel.ge +995 595 6100 06
4 – Georgia’s Most Dangerous Roads: Jeep Tour
Photo Source: My Geo Trip
This drive guarantees a view to thrill while traveling on one of the world’s most spectacular roads. The Abano Pass is a high mountain pass located in the center of the Greater Caucasus, in an area known as Tusheti, at an elevation of 2,850 m (9,350 ft) above sea level. This pass is the highest drivable mountain pass in the Caucasus and can only be traversed by 4×4 vehicles. Conditions can change quickly and can be harsh. Road closures are frequent so check conditions before traveling through this area. The road to reach the pass starts in Pshaveli and ends in Omalo. It has a length of 84.5 km (52.5 miles), but expect the drive to be more than 12 hours.
For the best vehicles, support, and customer care grab a Toyota 4Runner ($80/day) or Land Cruiser ($90/day) from GSS Car Rental in Tbilisi. They are located just off Freedom Square at 10 Shalva Dadiani Street. You can make a reservation online at www.gsservices.ge or phone +995 571 446 644 to speak with a representative. They currently have a 7% discount on 5-9 day rentals and 10% off for longer durations.
5 – White Water Rafting
Photo Source: Tripadvisor
White water rafting is the best way to have a thrilling river adventure. Great for bonding and team building for groups of up to six people. Georgia’s five rivers have something for everyone. Rafting season starts from the 22nd of April and last until the 15th of October. The highest water levels crest in May and June and are the most challenging times to book. July, August, and September are suggested for those who are new to the sport. The approximate price for rafting sessions is about $32/person
Mtkvari River Near Borjomi
April & May – Kvabiskhevi, 12 km (7.5 miles)
Difficulty: Moderate
June – Chitakhevi Dam 8 km (5 miles).
Difficulty: Beginner
Both routes end in Borjomi.
Mtkvari River Near Vardzia
– Khertvisi – Aspindza, 10 km (6.2 miles). Difficulty: Beginner
– Mirashkhani – Tmogvi Fortress, 8 km (5 miles).
Difficulty: Moderate
– Vardzia – Pia, 6 km (3.7 miles).
Difficulty: Expert
Rioni River in Racha and Lower Svaneti:
– Oni – Ambrolauri, 30 km (18.5 miles). Difficulty: Moderate
– Tvishi Canyon, 8km (5 miles).
Difficulty: Moderate
For further info contact Explore Outdoor at:
info@exploreoutdoor.travel
+995 571 047 373 (Rus, Lat, Eng)
+995 557 765 779, +995 597 24 85 85 (Eng, Pol)
6 – Air Tour
Photo Source: Disciples of Flight
Charter a 4-seat Cessna Skyhawk or Skylane and take a 45 minute air tour over Mtskheta, Anauri, Bazaleti Lake, and Jvari Monastery. You and up to 3 passengers will depart from Nataktari Airport, located 30 minutes north of Tbilisi, and get a bird’s eye view of the landscape.
Cruising between 305 – 914 meters (1,000 – 3,000 feet) above the ground you will be able to look down on Mtsketa, the capital of ancient eastern Georgian kingdom of Iberia from the 3rd century BCE to the 5th century CE. Flying over the river and through a nearby gorge makes for a stunning view over the city and the duo-colored confluence of the Argavi and Mtkvari rivers. While at cruising altitude the pilot may even let the lucky front seat passenger fly the airplane for a while!
This trip costs $180. Customized routes, like over the Caucus Mountains, are $250/hour.
For additional information please call (+995 32) 2 427 427; (+995) 599 659 099; or email Vanilla Sky air charters at Info@vanillasky.ge
7 – Parasailing in Batumi
Photo Source: Visit Batumi
Parasailing, also known as parascending or parakiting, is a recreational kiting activity. A person is towed behind a speed boat while attached to a specially designed parachute, known as a parasail wing. The launch and landing from the rear deck of the power boat is gentle and exhilarating as the cable moves you like a free flying elevator without walls! One tour operator in the summer of 2015 offered a 15 minute ride using 100 meters (329 ft.) of rope to lift the rider approximately 50 meters (164 ft.) above the water for about $40. For around twice the price you get twice the rope and altitude. That’s about 100 meters (over 300 ft) above the surface of the water. Parachute for 2 people at the same time it is possible.
Departure from the yacht club in Batumi.
Working hours 06.00 – 22.00 – day in favorable weather conditions.
8 – Ready. Aim. Fire!
Photo Source: Tripadvisor
Global Arms is a gun shop on Gamrekeli Street in Tbilisi with an indoor pistol range in the back. Three stalls, three handgun models, protective glasses, and earmuffs are all provided by the range master. You have 10 tries to hit a paper target 18 meters away and you can view a closed circuit TV to spot where your shots land. Hold on because the gun kicks and it’s a kick to shoot through a clip with friends but it empties quickly. It doesn’t matter though because you can collect your paper target and brag about your score over some BBQ, with your posse, at your favorite Georgian restaurant when you finish.
To shoot a magazine with 10 rounds will set you back about $6.50.
9 – Heli-skiing in Gudauri
Photo Source: Tripadvisor
Heli-skiing is a truly unique experience: it combines the magical sensation of getting a dominating view of the mountain world, and the thrill of gliding through powdered, pristine slopes which may have been never skied down before. This is why heli-skiing has become a popular thrill-seeking adventure, attracting more skiers and snowboarders every year, from first-timers to expert free-riders. Heliksir offers a one day tour with 5 runs for $750 per person.
10 – Climb Mt. Kazbegi
Photo Source: Wild Guru
Kazbegi lays on the border of Georgia and Russia, approximately 100 kilometres (68 miles) north of Tbilisi. The starting point of the climb is village of Kazbegi (at 1730 m or 5,676 ft) lying on an important road connecting Tbilisi and Vladikavkaz in Russia. Public transport from Tbilisi usually takes around 3 hours. The hike from Georgia is not very demanding when compared to the average four-thousand footer in many other mountain ranges. But the overall length of the climb, the rise of the route (start point at 1730m or 5,676 ft), and summit height of over 5,000m (16,404 ft) is plenty arduous. Add to that the mountain’s weather which changes very fast causing many people to turn back before summiting. Under usual summer conditions, the standard glacier gear is enough to handle the climb – crampons, ice axe, rope, harness, and warm, windproof clothes are a must. Mt. Kazbegi stands alone and attracts gale force winds, which can pull temperatures down below -20° C (-4F) even on sunny, summer days. If you are not used to this strenuous of a climb, count on taking at least 4 full days to get to the summit and back from Kazbegi and another one or two for any bad weather that may through the area.
