LESSER CAUCASUS MOUNTAINS 4X4 ROAD TRIP
4 DAY KUTAISI LOOP ITINERARY
When it comes to mountains, Georgia is probably best known for the snow-capped peaks of Svaneti or Kazbegi. But for the adventurous traveller, the Lesser Caucasus mountains to the south offer a great opportunity to see a different side of the country. From the ‘Little Switzerland’ vibes of Bakhmaro and yaylas (summer settlements) of the Adjara Highlands, to the spa towns and sweeping Greater Caucasus views in Borjomi NP, this short Kutaisi loop itinerary mixes both cultural and natural attractions.
The route is best tackled by 4×4 in the summer months, but even then driving conditions can be challenging. With narrow dirt roads twisting through the mountains, little room to pass oncoming traffic, and some steep drop-offs to contend with, we’d recommend this trip only for confident and experienced off-road drivers.
In this guide we’ll provide a downloadable route map, a detailed itinerary with wild camp spots and indoor accommodation options, and all the practical info you need to organise your Lesser Caucasus Mountains 4×4 road trip. This itinerary starts and ends in Kutaisi, but it can of course be incorporated into a longer Georgia road trip so we also give suggestions for extending your journey further.
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ROAD TRIP FILMS
Many of the places in this Lesser Caucasus Mountains road trip itinerary feature in Parts Three and Four of our Toyota Hilux Expedition Camper series, including Bakhmaro, Chidila pass, Glamping Tago, and more.
Watch behind the scenes videos of our Lesser Caucasus Mountains 4×4 road trip on Instagram Stories
Watch behind the scenes videos
of our own Lesser Caucasus
Mountains 4×4 road trip on
Instagram Stories
LESSER CAUCASUS MOUNTAINS ITINERARY ROUTE MAP
LESSER CAUCASUS MOUNTAINS ITINERARY
ROUTE MAP
This map shows our Lessser Caucasus Mountains 4×4 road trip route, plus camp spots, accommodation options, and points of interest along the way. Tap the menu button at the top left for more details, to toggle layers on and off, and to switch between satellite and terrain view. The map legend shows the order of the journey. You can highlight the route for each day or a particular pin by clicking on it in the legend or on the map itself.
Note that it functions best in the desktop ‘My Maps’ version. If you save the map to open on your phone, you can only view the Google Maps version which has more limited functionality. You can save this Google map by tapping the star.
For navigation on the road, we find it easiest to use an offline version of this map. You can do this by downloading our KML file for use with Maps.me (iOS/Android), or the GPX file for use with other offline mapping apps such as Gaia GPS (iOS/Android), Guru Maps (iOS/Android) or OsmAnd Maps (iOS/Android).
Download the entire route using the links below. Downloads for each day are available in the itinerary breakdown below.
HOW TO SAVE THIS MAP (ONLINE VERSION)
To save this map to use online on desktop or mobile just tap the star symbol at the top. When you open Google Maps on your phone, navigate to ‘Saved’ at the bottom, then swipe along to ‘Maps’ at the top. You’ll find this map in your list of maps.
On desktop, click the three lines at the top left, select ‘Your Places’, then ‘Maps’. Click the map, then scroll down and select ‘Open in My Maps’ to access the interactive version.
Alternatively, just tap the rectangle symbol at the top right of the map in this blog post to view the My Maps version larger on desktop.
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to view this version of the map offline, but we’ve provided a download for a similar version for offline use.
HOW TO SAVE THIS MAP (OFFLINE VERSION)
MAPS.ME
To use an offline map with all the same pins and driving routes marked, first download Maps.Me (iOS/Android), then download our Kutaisi Loop 4×4 Road Trip Itinerary KML file and select open with Maps.Me.
You can easily navigate by tapping the bookmark for your start point and selecting ‘route from’, then tap your end point bookmark and select ‘route to’. If you want to plot a different route to the one suggested by Maps.me, just tap a third (or fourth, fifth, etc.) bookmark between the start and end points and select ‘add stop’.
You can use Maps.me offline or online, but note that the attached photos and links for each bookmark will only appear when you’re online.
LESSER CAUCASUS MOUNTAINS 4X4 ROAD TRIP ITINERARY OUTLINE
Day 1 | Kutaisi → Vani Hot Springs → Bakhmaro (Camping or Guesthouse) | 134 km
driving time: 3h15m + |
---|---|---|
Day 2 | Bakhmaro → Chidila pass → Ghorjomi → Tago (Glamping/camping or Guesthouse/Hotel) | 53 km
driving time: 5 hours + |
Day 3 | Tago → Goderdzi pass → Abastumani (Camping or Guesthouse/Hotel) | 79 km
driving time: 4 hours + |
Day 4 | Abastumani → Zekari pass → Sairme → Kutaisi (Guesthouse/Hotel) | 92 km
driving time: 3 hours + |
Day 1 | Kutaisi → Vani Hot Springs → Bakhmaro (Camping or Guesthouse) | 134 km DRIVING TIME: 3H15M + |
---|---|---|
Day 2 | Bakhmaro → Chidila pass → Ghorjomi → Tago (Glamping/camping or Guesthouse/Hotel) | 53 km DRIVING TIME: 5 hours + |
Day 3 | Tago → Goderdzi Pass → Abastumani (Camping or Guesthouse/Hotel) | 79 km DRIVING TIME: 4 hours + |
Day 4 | Abastumani → Zekari pass → Sairme → Kutaisi (Guesthouse/Hotel) | 92 km DRIVING TIME: 3 hours + |
DETAILED ITINERARY BREAKDOWN
LESSER CAUCASUS 4X4
ITINERARY BREAKDOWN
DAY 1 | KUTAISI → VANI HOT SPRINGS → BAKHMARO
134 KM | 3H15M + DRIVING
DAY 1
KUTAISI
→ VANI HOT SPRINGS
→ BAKHMARO
134 KM | 3H15M + DRIVING
Start your road trip with an invigorating soak at the Vani sulphur baths, before ascending through the lush hills of Guria to the alpine village of Bakhmaro (1950 m). Camp on the hilltop with Greater Caucasus views, or spend the night in a quintessential wooden cottage.
KUTAISI TO VANI HOT SPRINGS
35 KM | 45 MIN +
Follow the Rioni River south of Kutaisi and west through Zeindari and Amaghleba villages. Approx 7 km before Vani, turn right onto the dirt road and follow it for 2 km. At the end of the track you’ll find a parking area and a couple of calcified sulphur pools overflowing with chalky blue, piping hot water.
Its open air location is pretty special – in the midst of farming fields on the river plain between the Greater and Lesser Caucasus Mountains – although the rubbish around this popular local picnic site definitely takes the sheen off things. There are a couple of changing stalls next to the pools, a picnic table, and some bins, but no other facilities to speak of.
VANI HOT SPRINGS TO BAKHMARO
99 KM | 2H30M +
Return to the main road and continue west through Vani. At Sajavakho, leave the main road and start your climb towards the Guria mountains. The road winds its way through scenic villages surrounded by lush hillsides, down to Chokhatauri and the Supsa river valley. This is the last main town until Khulo (at the end of Day 2), so best to fill up fuel and supplies here before continuing. It’s an 1800 metre ascent on a good tarmac road to reach Bakhmaro, with wonderful views all around as you climb.
Bakhmaro appears as you crest the hill at 2050 m. Colourful wooden chalets dot the green hillsides, the Bakhvistsqali river snakes its way through the valley below, and patches of spruce, fir, and pine form patterns across the slopes. Tinkling cow bells complete the Swiss alpine vibes.
A drive/hike up Sunset Mountain for golden hour will reward you with spectacular views of the Greater Caucasus (on a clear day!), including Europe’s highest peak, Mt Elbrus (5642 m). You can hike on a trail from the village, up through the forest on the southern side, or drive most of the way on a dirt track on the northern side, then hike the last section to the top. We’ve marked both routes on our map. Allow 30 minutes – 1 hour to hike there.
If you’re looking to camp, there are a few decent spots on the hillside above the main settlement. A lot of accommodation in Bakhmaro is rented as a whole cottage, cabin, or chalet, which you can find via Airbnb, Google Maps, Facebook, etc. Somewhere like Old Bakhmaro operates more like a regular hotel.
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