Georgia

May – September

The Georgian climate has four distinct seasons, with long, chilly winters and warm, semi-humid summers. 

The best season for exploring the higher mountain areas  and hiking are late June to mid-August. This is when alpine wild flowers are blooming, the mountain weather is the most stable, and the hillsides are covered in lush green grass. 

If you are into snow sports, winter is also a fine time to visit, although the tiny roads in the rural areas can be tricky to navigate as most of the remote road systems are unplowed in the winter. 

The weather in Georgia can vary depending on where you are in the country. Tbilisi in the heart of summer can feel sweltering and humid, whereas the mountain areas feel crisp and cool. 

• Tbilisi experiences warm summers with average July temperatures around 80°F (27°C). 

• Kutaisi has similar summer temperatures, while Svaneti, including Mestia and Ushguli, boasts milder conditions with average July temperatures around 65°F (18°C).
• In Kazbegi, July temperatures hover around 70°F (21°C), offering a moderate climate in this Georgian city.

Our Georgia itinerary features a mix of hotels, guesthouses, and tent camping. 

All rooms and tents are twin sharing rooms. Single supplement room/tent is available for a fee.

Kutaisi: 3-4 star hotel, hot water, wifi
Tbilisi: 3-4 star hotel, hot water, wifi
Mestia and Ushguli: Clean, small guesthouse run by a local family
Camping: spacious 2-person tents

There is a portion of our itinerary where we have the option to ride horses (no experience required). The horse ride is optional, though it will save some leg-power as the ride is scheduled to happen during an ascent portion of the trail and last roughly 1.5 hours. 

Please inform our staff in advance of the trip if you are not comfortable riding horses

There are three main mobile operators in Georgia: Silknet, Magti, and Beeline.

You can purchase a local SIM card at various shopping points in Kutaisi at the start of the trip if you would like to have local data on your phone for the trip duration. 

Note that in the mountain areas, there is less cell signal, though coverage is improving every year. 

In case of emergencies, your guide also carries a satellite communication device so that we are never out of contact. 

Georgia is probably the safest country in its geographic region to travel in. Violent and petty crimes against foreign tourists are rare, although corruption is not unheard of. Water should be filtered before it is consumed in cities but in the mountains it is potable. People usually find the local food free of Delhi-belly inducing symptoms.  The chances of getting sick are comparable to those in a Western European nation.

You may have guessed, this adventure tour carries a certain amount of risk since we are traveling and trekking DEEP into the mountains. 

Guest Safety is always Epic’s #1 priority and our experienced ground team does everything within their power to set our group up for a safe adventure. 

The name of the game is security and safety first and injury prevention.

Georgian cuisine is known for its rich flavors, diverse ingredients, and unique culinary techniques. Long story short – it is damn tasty stuff!

The food in Georgia reflects the country’s cultural heritage and history, combining influences from the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Georgian meals are often characterized by the generous use of herbs, spices, and a variety of fresh, local produce.

Typical Foods for Breakfast:

1. Khachapuri: A quintessential Georgian dish, khachapuri is a type of cheese-filled bread. There are different regional variations, but the most famous ones include Adjarian khachapuri (boat-shaped and filled with cheese, butter, and a raw egg) and Imeretian khachapuri (circular and filled with cheese).

2. Nadughi: A type of Georgian cottage cheese, often served with honey or jam for breakfast.

3. Matsoni: A traditional Georgian yogurt that is often consumed with honey and walnuts.

Typical Foods for Lunch:

1. Khinkali: These are Georgian dumplings filled with minced meat (usually beef or pork) mixed with onions and spices. They are traditionally eaten by hand, and the juice inside is often sipped before consuming the dumpling.

2. Mtsvadi (Shashlik): Grilled skewers of marinated meat, typically served with vegetables and sometimes accompanied by a spicy tomato sauce called adjika.

3. Lobio: A dish made from kidney beans, often cooked with herbs, spices, and onions. There are various types of lobio, including red bean lobio and white bean lobio.

Typical Foods for Dinner:

1. Satsivi: A rich, walnut-based sauce typically served with chicken or turkey. The sauce is flavored with garlic, coriander, and other spices.

2. Chakapuli: A traditional Georgian stew made with lamb or beef, tarragon, and other herbs. It is a spring dish often enjoyed during the celebration of Easter.

3. Ajapsandali: A vegetarian stew made with eggplants, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and various spices.

Five Most Popular Georgian Foods:

1. Khachapuri: This cheese-filled bread is a staple of Georgian cuisine and is loved both locally and internationally.

2. Khinkali: Georgian dumplings are not only delicious but also a fun and social eating experience.

3. Pkhali: A dish made from finely chopped vegetables, walnuts, and herbs, typically served cold. It can be made with various vegetables such as spinach, beetroot, or beans.

4. Satsivi: This flavorful walnut sauce, often served with poultry, is a staple in Georgian festive cuisine.

5. Tkemali Sauce: A sour plum sauce that is used as a condiment for various dishes, particularly with grilled meats.

MOST nationalities can visit Georgia without needing to get a visa in advance (Visa on arrival/VOA). Be sure to check the official immigration website to see if your nationality qualifies. Not every country can receive a visa upon arrival. As such, it is a good idea to double-check.

All guests coming on the Georgia Expedition trip MUST confirm their country’s visa agreement with Georgia well in advance of the start of the tour.

Visa fees are NOT included in the tour price and it is your responsibility to obtain the correct visa promptly from Georgia Immigration if needed. 

If you do not qualify for a visa upon arrival, then you will need to visit the nearest Georgian embassy to apply for one in person.

The official currency of Georgia is the Georgian Lari. 

ATMs are common in the larger urban areas, like Kutaisi, Tbilisi, and even in the Svaneti sometimes, but less common in-between. We also recommend bringing a small amount of foreign cash to have on hand in case your cards fail to work.

As to how much money you should bring, here are some costs for you to take into account… 

• Souvenirs vary in price from a couple of dollars up to $100, depending on what you are buying and how good you are at haggling. 
• Soft drinks and water are about $2-3
• A meal will set you back between $6 – 12.

Money Recommendation for Epic trips: If you take out the equivalent of 300 USD in Georgian Lari, you should have more than enough to get souvenirs, buy beer, pick up snacks, and extra drinks and meals along the way.  

When we return to Tbilisi at the end of the tour, you will have a chance to get out more cash should you need (for shopping, tipping staff, last minute purchases, etc).

• If they’d like to do so and have ample time, guests can choose to stay in Georgia either before or after the tour begins.

  Since the tour is 14 days long and Georgia tourist visas can last anywhere from 60-90 in length, doing so is reasonable. 

  Guests often ask us where they should visit in Georgia if they have extra time. There are many options; here are a few suggestions based upon different travels:

  • Kazbegi climbing extension: Climb a 5000-meter Georgian peak!
  • Food and Wine Tour: 2-3 days to discover some of Georgia’s UNESCO-protected wine growing regions.