Georgia's Caucasus Mountains: Alpine Wildlife & Walking

Summary

This varied 9-day walking tour offers an excellent introduction to Georgia’s remarkable diversity, beginning in the Greater Caucasus where we base ourselves in Stepantsminda beneath the towering peak of Mount Kazbek. Here, a series of scenic walks explore dramatic valleys, high mountain passes and alpine meadows, with opportunities to seek out specialities such as Caucasian Snowcock, Caucasian Black Grouse and Great Rosefinch, alongside Wallcreeper, Lammergeier and herds of East Caucasian Tur. Highlights include the striking landscapes of the Truso Valley and a memorable hike to Sabertse Pass, with sweeping glacier views and superb high-altitude birding.

We then descend into the forested landscapes of the Lesser Caucasus, where Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park provides a rich contrast in habitat. Walking through beech, spruce and fir forest, we search for woodland species such as Black Woodpecker and Red-breasted Flycatcher, while keeping an eye out for mammal signs including Brown Bear. A further change of scenery awaits on the wide, windswept Javakheti Plateau, where volcanic uplands and lakes support Armenian Gull colonies, migrant waterfowl and, at Lake Tabatskuri, the region’s only breeding Velvet Scoters.

Throughout the tour, wildlife exploration is complemented by Georgia’s deep cultural heritage and warm hospitality, from the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church to the ancient cave city of Uplistsikhe. Combining rewarding walking, a rich mix of habitats and a strong suite of Caucasian endemics, this holiday offers an engaging and scenic journey through one of the Western Palearctic’s most exciting and still relatively unexplored natural regions.