In Search of Rare Birds (12 Days)

Together with ornithologists observe unique breeds of birds.

In Georgia there are approximately 350 bird species, of which over 250 different species are breeders. Georgia lies across a migration corridor between the Black and Caspian Seas, which makes its ornitho-fauna exceptionally diverse. Our Birdwatching itineraries are expedition style tours, managed and logistically supported by Caucasus Travel, guided by professional ornithologists, if required. Before offering the program, we look carefully into our guests’ particular interests. The diverse landscape of the country offers a unique opportunity to observe different species in semi-desert, savanna-like landscapes, flood-plain forests, alpine meadows, glaciers and wetlands.

Tour at a glance

Country: Georgia
Duration: 12 days / 11 nights
Best season: May and September
Total Touring Distance ≈ 1420 km
Total driving time ≈ 29 hours
Longest driving distance per day ≈ 275 km
Longest driving time per day ≈ 5,5 hours
Walking total ≈ 25 hours
Adapted for travellers with disabilities: no
Tour code: NA-04

Complete 12-Day Georgia Tour Itinerary

12 Days • Photo Gallery

12 Days

Detailed Daily Program

Photo Gallery

Day 1: Arrival in Tbilisi

Day 1

Day 1 Arrival in Tbilisi

Met and assisted at the airport.

Day 2: Tbilisi sightseeing tour

Day 2

Day 2 Tbilisi sightseeing tour

Day 3: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Stepantsminda

Day 3

Day 3 Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Stepantsminda

Drive north towards the high peaks of the Caucasus Mountain range. En route short stop at Jvari church to give a look at Mtskheta UNESCO site. During the other stops we have chances to see wetland birds including White-winged Black and Gull billed Terns. At some of the oak and beech woods covering the lower slopes, Green Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher and perhaps Semi collared Flycatcher can be seen.

Day 4: Stepantsminda

Day 4

Day 4 Stepantsminda

Spend a day around Stepantsminda and enjoy first encounter with mountain birds as Twite, Shore Lark of the penicillate race and White-winged Snowfinch feeding alongside the road. We might see our first raptors such as Griffon Vulture, Peregrine and the mighty Lammergeier. Higher on slopes there are more chances to spot Levant Sparrowhawk, Caucasian Snowcock, ecc.

Day 5: Stepantsminda

Day 5

Day 5 Stepantsminda

Walk to Gergeti Trinity church beautifully located in a shadow of mount Kazbek 5054m. In high alpine meadows Caucasian Black Grouse, and in rocky parts Guldenstadt’s Redstart and Great Rosefinch can be found.

Day 6: Stepantsminda – Gori

Day 6

Day 6 Stepantsminda – Gori

Spend morning in Stepantsminda surroundings, where such beautiful birds as Mountain Chiffchaff, Green Warbler and a variety of migrants, including European Bee-eater, Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrikes, Red-throated Pipit, Yellow Wagtail and Ortolan Bunting can be noticed. In the afternoon drive to Mtskheta. En route visit Ananuri Architectural coimplex.

Day 7: Gori – Uplistsikhe- Akhaltsikhe-Vardzia

Day 7

Day 7 Gori – Uplistsikhe- Akhaltsikhe-Vardzia

From Tbilisi drive to Akhaltsikhe cave town via Gori. Visit Uplistsikhe cave town, dating back to the first millennium BC. In Akhaltsikhe give a look to Rabati fortress.

Day 8: Vardzia Cave town and the Mtkvari River valley

Day 8

Day 8 Vardzia Cave town and the Mtkvari River valley

Visit Vardzia Cave town of Georgian Golden age, transformed into a well defended monastery complex. The area has a number of typical east–Mediterranean species. It is possible to observe; Griffon, Egyptian and bearded vultures, golden eagle, sort–toed snake eagle, and long–legged buzzard are a common sight. Other birds of prey are Levant sparrowhawk and peregrine falcon. In Vardzia surroundings chukars are relatively common. Other birds are European bee– eater and hoopoe, crag martin, black– eared wheatear, blue rock thrush, orphean warbler, lesser whitethroat, rock nuthatch, lesser grey shrike, rose– coloured starling, rock sparrow, black– headed and ortolan buntings and other songbirds typical for semiarid landscapes.

Day 9: Day trip to Khanchali Lake

Day 9

Day 9 Day trip to Khanchali Lake

The area gives an opportunity to trace corncrake, marsh and Montague’s harriers, common crane, Dalmatian and white pelicans, red– necked and black– necked grebes, white stork, squacco heron, great white egret, Eurasian spoonbill, glossy ibis marsh and terek sandpipers, more species of waders, gulls, and terns like great black– headed gulls, gull– billed terns, and white– winged black terns. Hikers climbing up the volcanic mountains of Javakheti will be rewarded with encounters of more birds. Local villages are the most important nesting sites of white stork in the Caucasus.

Day 10: Vardzia-Tbilisi via picturesque Javakheti Plateau

Day 10

Day 10 Vardzia-Tbilisi via picturesque Javakheti Plateau

Venture across mountain grassland areas. The lakes and their surroundings support breeding populations of many bird species. This site gives a great opportunity to enjoy observing velvet scoter, ruddy shelduck, ferruginous duck, and many other duck species. During the spring migration there is big chance to see White-Headed Duck, White tailed Plover and Sociable Plower.

Day 11: Day trip to David Gareja

Day 11

Day 11 Day trip to David Gareja

Explore David Gareja semi desert, with ancient stone carved monasteries and colourful clay hills covered with shrub and steppe- like vegetation. In Davit Gareji can be seen breeding colonies of Eurasian griffon and Egyptian vultures, breeding imperial eagles, chukar, roller, hoopoe, blue rock thrush; large aggregations of bee-eaters, rose-coloured starling, and rock dove. Other attractions for birdwatchers are long-legged buzzard, common kestrel, cinereous vulture, Eurasian sparrowhawk, short-toed snake eagle, and saker falcon. Passerines: calandra lark, crag martin, rufous tailed scrub robin, isabelline wheatear, finsch’s wheatear, pied wheatear, willow warbler, orphean warbler, lesser whitethroat, rock nuthatch, lesser grey shrike, woodchat shrike, Spanish sparrow, rock sparrow, black-headed bunting, ortolan bunting.

Day 12: Departure

Day 12

Day 12 Departure

Transfer to the airport.

Additional Information

Tbilisi, Kakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Kazbegi, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli

Advance Booking Required

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