Expert Guides Georgia

23/07/2026

Every year during the traditional summer Athengenoba celebrations, the fairytale village of Dartlo hosts one of Georgia’s most legendary and adrenaline-fueled spectacles: The Dartlo Horse Race.
​Here’s why this isn’t your average race:
​📍 The Arena: High-altitude alpine meadows framed by centuries-old stone towers and rugged Caucasus peaks.
​🏇 The Riders: Local Tushetian horsemen riding ba****ck (or near-ba****ck) with breathtaking speed and raw skill.
​🏆 The Vibe: Pure, unadulterated Georgian hospitality—complete with traditional folk songs, local beer (aludi), homemade feast delicacies, and ancient pagan-Christian rituals.
​There are no stadium seats or polished tracks here—just raw culture, untamed nature, and the beating heart of Tusheti.

04/06/2026

If you think you know Khachapuri, think again. 😉👇
​Deep in the volcanic landscapes of Meskheti lies Chobareti—a high-mountain village where centuries-old traditions are kept alive behind ancient stone walls.
​On our latest journey we pulled up a chair at a local family’s table to learn the secrets of authentic Meskhetian Khachapuri. This isn't your standard cheese bread; it’s a labor of love made from dozens of paper-thin, buttery layers (like a Georgian croissant!) baked to crispy perfection in a traditiona 300 years oldl wood-fired oven.

​There is nothing quite like pulling a golden pastry out of the embers and sharing it with the very family who taught you how to make it. This isn't just a tour—it’s a taste of real, untouched Georgia.

​📍 Chobareti Village, Meskheti
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20/05/2026

Hidden in the green hills of Guria, Menabde Winery in Shemokmedi is one of Georgia's best-kept secrets. 🍷🌿
Set inside a traditional wooden oda house, this family-run gem produces wine from rare local grapes — especially Chkhaveri, Guria's signature red variety. Light, aromatic, with notes of red berries and a crisp, elegant finish — it's one of the finest reds in the country. 🍒
And the food? Extraordinary home-cooked Gurian dishes you simply won't find elsewhere — chestnut soup, tomato satsivi, pickled bananas, and more. Pure soul food. 🫙
Stay the night, join a winemaking class, wander the garden, and let Guria work its magic. 🌿
📍 Shemokmedi village, Guria
🍇 Organic farm | Guesthouse | Wine cellar | Restaurant

14/05/2026

Today was a dream come true for the birding group from our UK partner, Naturetrek! We set out for a day of exploration at Nadarbazevi Lake, and Georgia’s skies delivered a true rarity.
​The absolute highlight of the day was a magnificent Crested Honey Buzzard (Oriental Honey Buzzard). Seeing this eastern gem in Georgia is a "stop-everything-and-stare" moment, and our guests were thrilled to get such a fantastic look at this sought-after raptor.
​📝 Today’s Record:
​The Star: A rare Crested Honey Buzzard — a massive highlight for our visiting UK birders!
​The Diversity: Alongside our "mega" find, the group identified 45+ additional species, making for an incredibly productive and diverse day in the field.
​A huge shout-out to the Naturetrek clients for their sharp eyes and infectious enthusiasm. There’s nothing like the energy of a group when such a rare bird takes to the sky! 🇬🇪🔭
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09/05/2026

Today was a Herpetology day with our Go Slow group. While the salamanders and snakes were playing hard to get, the road back to Borjomi had a different kind of gift waiting for us.
​We met Luka, a young master of the Panduri. I asked if he’d share a song with our British guests, and he didn't disappoint! It’s a gentle reminder that in travel—just like in the wild—you don’t always find what you’re looking for, but you often find something equally rewarding.
​A huge thanks to Luka for the impromptu performance!
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05/05/2026

Hidden deep within the crags of Stepantsminda lies the roar of Gveleti. 🌊✨

​We had the pleasure of guiding our friends from the Netherlands up to the falls today. The scale of these cliffs always puts things into perspective. Whether it’s the silence of the hike or the thunder of the water, Gveleti is a must-see for anyone seeking the "wild" in Georgia.

03/04/2026

Nature is the ultimate artist, and we’re just here to help her leave a mark. 🌿✨
​Take a look at these stunning results from our latest handicraft tour! Our guest went hands-on with the magic of Eco-Printing, using real Georgian leaves and flowers to create one-of-a-kind silk scarves. There is nothing quite like the "reveal" moment when you see the delicate veins of a leaf permanently etched into silk. 🌸🧣
​But the botanical journey doesn't stop at earth tones! Our master artisan also specializes in the ancient art of Indigo Dyeing. Whether it’s the deep, mystical blues of the traditional Lurji Supra or the organic prints of the Caucasus forest, we’re celebrating Georgia’s heritage one vat at a time.
​At Expert Guides Georgia, we don’t just show you the culture—we get your hands in it.
​High-quality silk, natural pigments, and a lifetime of memories. Ready to create your own masterpiece?
www.expertguides.ge

17/03/2026

Goitered Gazelles roaming the vast, rugged plains of Vashlovani National Park. There’s nothing quite like seeing Georgia’s "savannah" come to life. 🇬🇪✨

​📍 Vashlovani National Park, Georgia

📽 by Vazha Kochiashvili

14/03/2026

Most travelers see a "cave monastery." At Expert Guides, we see a 12th-century engineering marvel that was once a completely invisible city.
​Carved into the Erusheti Mountain by order of the legendary Queen Tamar, Vardzia was the ultimate medieval secret. But here are 3 facts that even the guidebooks often skip:

​1️⃣ The "Ant Farm" Reveal: For its first 100 years, you couldn't see Vardzia from the outside. The rooms were hidden deep behind a rock "skin." It wasn't until a massive earthquake in 1283 sheared off the cliff face that the inner labyrinth was exposed—looking like a giant ant farm.

​2️⃣ Medieval Smart City: This wasn't just a retreat; it was high-tech for the 1100s. We’re talking a pharmacy, 25+ wine cellars (priorities!), and a sophisticated irrigation system with clay pipes. Deep inside a dark cave grotto, a natural spring has been dripping into stone basins for 800 years. This hidden "miracle" water stayed cool and fresh even during the longest sieges, acting as the city's secret lifeblood.

​3️⃣ A Secret Escape for 50,000: While it looks compact today, Vardzia was a "prepper’s" dream. In times of war, it could house up to 50,000 people (and their livestock!) across 13 levels. The mountain was essentially a vertical fortress where an entire city could vanish from the valley floor in a matter of hours.

​Vardzia is a place where every tunnel tells a story—if you know where to look.

Ready to explore the hidden passages most tourists miss? Book your private, expert-led journey at: www.expertguides.ge

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20/02/2026

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2026/feb/19/the-story-of-georgian-wine-has-been-8000-years-in-the-making?fbclid=IwdGRjcAQFbWtjbGNrBAVtXWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHtxTB94dQRo68y3J5vCLML7eXhylxkhZB3M8Ln1Dn2b1CN-5E-4WiskLvNmk_aem_S2OMHgPB70Rrl546i9T_3Q

Dubbed ‘the holiest of holies’, produce from this former Soviet republic today boasts a variety and deftness that’s sending sales surging