If you know a bit about Georgia, you’ll most likely know that Georgians are proud of their mountainous landscape and its untouched beauty. Nature and hiking lovers will enjoy their time here. The breathtaking landscape, medieval defense towers, cuisine, and exotic atmosphere will leave you speechless. Georgia is not all about the capital, Black Sea Resorts, or wine tasting tours in Kakheti, so to make your holidays somewhat adventurous and interesting, we decided to show you the gorgeous regions to travel once here.
Khevsureti
Photo Source: Tour Guide Georgia
This historical-ethnographic region in the eastern part of the country covers the small river valleys of Shatili, Aragvi, Arkhoti, and Migmakhevi. The biggest villages of the region are Shatili and Barisakho.
Shatili is home to a unique collection of medieval and early modern fortified dwellings made of stone and fortresses. Unfortunately, the village is almost abandoned today, with only dozens of families still leaving in the highlands. It serves as a hub for hikers who love to explore even more remote areas of the region. The highlights of your trip should include castle towers, tombs, and ritual places.
Just like any other mountainous region of Georgia, Khevsureti has its own traditions and customs, from which some are still observed. It’s also famous for its medieval folk music, ballads, and colorful woolen knitted clothing.
Another important village to explore is Mutso, situated on a rocky mountain. Today, the village is even more deserted than Shatili, however, it’s home to around 30 medieval fortified dwellings designed on vertical platforms above the Mutso-Ardoti Gorge – a breathtaking view to enjoy. Additionally, you can explore combat towers and ruins of various old buildings.
If you don’t have much time exploring Khevsureti, we suggest to hike up to the Colorful Lakes of Abudelauri located not that far from Roshka village. The lakes are located close to each other and are of three colors – green, white and blue. They are one of the most beautiful lakes of the country.
Due to the heavy snowfalls, the road to mountainous regions is usually closed. Therefore, we would advise traveling to Khevsureti in summer.
Once in Khevsureti, make sure to try the initial Khinkali, as the meal first originated here, Pshavi, and Tusheti, and pair with locally brewed beer.
Svaneti
Photo Source: Visit Georgia
Unlike Khevsureti, Svaneti has become a popular tourist destination. It’s one of the most remote areas of the country, offering breathtaking views of the Caucasus Mountains. The region is also home to the country’s four highest peaks and one of the highest settlements in Europe, which is enlisted as UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area lays at Svaneti is one of the most remote and thrilling regions of Georgia.
The region is divided into two – Zemo Svaneti (Upper Svaneti) and Kvemo Svaneti (Lower Svaneti). The main town of Zemo Svaneti is Mestia, while Lentekhi is for Lower Svaneti. Most of the tourists flock towards Zemo Svaneti due to its picturesque landscapes, more hiking trails, and remote villages. Similar to Khevsureti, you’ll notice medieval towers here, but the architecture is completely different.
Your itinerary should include Mestia and Ushguli along with its surrounding villages and communities. Also don’t forget to visit Svaneti History and Ethnography Museum in Mestia, it showcases some of the most rare treasures of the country. If you want to learn more about the first Georgian alpinist who found fame in the former Soviet Union, pay a visit to Mikheil Khergiani House-Museum.
In terms of culinary, Svanetian cuisine is also very different from the rest. Make sure to check our post about must-try meals in Mestia.
Tusheti
Photo Credit: Mitchell Kanashkevich
If you have lots of time to travel all across Georgia, make sure you leave Tusheti to the last. It’s the most magical place of them all. Unlike Svaneti, Tusheti is also a less visited region of the country due to the remoteness and not well-developed infrastructure to get to it.
The road to Tusheti goes through Abano Pass, raising up to 2,926 meters above the sea level, making it the highest point on the Georgian road map. Like other mountainous regions, the road here is blocked during winter months due to the snowfall and is accessible once the snow melts.
Tusheti National Park consists of 10 villages, where Omalo is the center of the region and a base for tourists who like to hike around. The must-visit places are Shenako, Dartlo, Girevi, and Bochorna to name a few.
The cuisine is quite different here as well. The prominent meal, of course, is Khinkali, however don’t forget to try khavitsi (a cottage cheese fried in butter-like Erbo), kotori (Tushetian version of Khachapuri), goat cheese guda, and kalti (sun-dried cottage cheese).
Guria
Photo Source: Itinari
Guria, located in the western part of the country, offers funtastic mountainous resorts of Bakhmaro and Gomis Mta. Both of them will make you feel like you are walking above the clouds.
Bakhmaro is the highest alpine climatic resort of the country, located at 2,000 meters above the sea level. The resort is covered with coniferous forests, while small wooden houses sit on those slopes.
The main highlights of the resort are the so-called ‘sun rise hill’ at the elevation of 2,505 meters above the sea level, and ‘sunset hill’ (2,250m) to watch splendid sunsets over the Black Sea.
Gomis Mta, similar to Bakhmaro, is a high mountain resort located at 2,100-2,755 meters above the sea level, surrounded by dense pine and fir forests. Both of them are less known to tourists, so you’ll have the possibility to enjoy the untouched nature without crowds.
The meals to try here are mtchadi (corn mill bread) baked on clay pan, Gurian Pie (Khachapuri with boiled eggs), and janjukha (churchkhela made from hazelnuts).
Racha
Photo Source: Advantour
Racha, not so popular destination among tourists, is encircled by the Greater Caucasus mountains, making it another gorgeous region to explore. Due to its beautiful nature, the area is often referred to as ‘Little Switzerland’ of the Caucasus minus the ski resorts and slopes; especially the village Gona.
Shaori Lake, the largest lake in the country, is one of the main highlights of the area. It’s gorgeous any time of the year, but springs and autumns are extremely beautiful. Also, visit the main cities of the area, Oni and Ambrolauri and get the feel of the authentic mountainous region.
Don’t forget to try Lobiani (black bean pie) with ham, lobio (black bean stew), shqmeruli (chicken in garlic sauce) and local ham.
Zemo Adjara
Photo Source: Pinterest
Adjara, the coastal region of the Black Sea is not all about Batumi and its surrounding towns. There is much more to explore rather than spending a whole day at the beach. Zemo Adjara, or Upper Adjara, boasts with wild, untouched nature, old wooden houses, mountainous landscapes and national parks.
The main areas to visit is Khulo Municipality and its Goderdzi Pass, located at 2,025 meters above the sea level, Shuakhevi, Keda, and Beshumi.
You probably all heard about the boat-shaped Khachapuri that comes from this part of the country, but Adjarian cuisine has much more interesting staples including, borano (cheese fried in butter), sinori (ricotta-like cheese wrapped in tortillas and fried in butter) and iakhni (beef strew in walnuts) to name a few.
