The Best Private Tours in Georgia in 2026
After 15 years of running private tours across Georgia – from Tusheti’s remote shepherd trails to Kakheti’s hidden family wineries – I’ve learned exactly what separates a forgettable day trip from a journey that travelers talk about for years.
This guide covers the private tours we actually recommend to friends and family, with real pricing, honest seasonal advice, and the insider details only a local operator would know.
Why Private Tours Make Sense in Georgia
Georgia isn’t designed for large group travel. The best wineries are family-run operations that can’t accommodate 40 tourists. The most stunning viewpoints are down unpaved mountain roads where buses can’t go. And the magic happens when you can stop for spontaneous encounters – a shepherd inviting you for tea, a grandmother making churchkhela in her courtyard.
Private tours in Georgia typically cost between $80–$300 per day, depending on distance, terrain, and inclusions. For groups of 3-4 travelers, the per-person cost often rivals group tours while offering dramatically better experiences.
Our Top Private Tour Recommendations for 2026
1. Svaneti: The Crown Jewel (3–5 Days)
Best for: Photographers, history enthusiasts, experienced travelers
Difficulty: Moderate (some walking on uneven terrain)
Best season: June–September
Starting from: $450/person for 3 days (based on 2 travelers)
Svaneti isn’t just a destination, it’s a different Georgia altogether. Medieval defensive towers punctuate villages that haven’t changed in centuries, while 5,000-meter peaks create a backdrop that stops you mid-sentence.
What makes our Svaneti tour different: We use 4×4 vehicles that can access Ushguli when the road becomes challenging (other operators turn back). We stay in authentic Svan guesthouses in Mestia and Ushguli, where hosts cook Kubdari and share family histories stretching back generations. Our guides speak the Svan dialect and can explain the clan traditions that still govern village life.
2026 update: The road from Zugdidi to Mestia was significantly improved in late 2025. Travel time is now 3.5 hours instead of 5, making Svaneti more accessible than ever.
2. Kakheti Wine Country (1–2 Days)
Best for: Wine lovers, couples, food enthusiasts
Difficulty: Easy
Best season: September–October (harvest) or April–May (spring blooms)
Starting from: $120/person for a full day (based on 2 travelers)
Georgia has 8,000 years of winemaking history, and Kakheti is where 70% of the country’s wine is produced. But here’s what most tourists miss: the best wines aren’t at the commercial wineries with tour buses in the parking lot.
What we do differently: Our Kakheti tours focus on small, family-owned wineries where qvevri (traditional clay vessels) are still buried in the marani (wine cellar). You’ll taste wines that never leave the village, learn to make churchkhela directly from grandmothers who’ve been doing it for 60 years, and eat a supra lunch where toasts tell stories.
Wines you’ll experience:
- Saperavi: Georgia’s signature red—deep, tannic, and age-worthy. At family wineries, you’ll taste versions aged 5-10 years that commercial wineries rarely offer.
- Rkatsiteli: Amber wine made in qvevri with extended skin contact. The texture and complexity surprise everyone expecting “white wine.”
- Khvanchkara: A naturally semi-sweet red from Racha (we can extend tours to include this region). Stalin’s favorite wine, though we focus on its genuine quality rather than the politics.
Seasonal note: Rtveli (harvest) in September-October lets you participate in grape-picking and traditional wine-making. Book 2-3 months ahead for this period.
3. Javakheti Plateau & Abuli Trek (2–3 Days)
Best for: Birdwatchers, adventure seekers, off-the-beaten-path travelers
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging (altitude: up to 3,300m)
Best season: June–August
Starting from: $280/person for 2 days (based on 2 travelers)
This is Georgia’s secret wilderness. The Javakheti Plateau sits at 2,000+ meters, dotted with volcanic lakes and home to bird species you won’t find anywhere else in the Caucasus. Most travelers have never heard of it, which is exactly the point.
The Abuli experience: Mount Abuli (3,301m) is the region’s highest peak, and our guided trek summits it via routes that avoid the few other hikers you might encounter. Alpine meadows covered in wildflowers, ancient petroglyphs, and villages where Armenian and Georgian cultures intertwine.
Birding highlights: Javakheti’s lakes host colonies of Armenian gulls, Dalmatian pelicans, and velvet scoters. Spring migration (May) brings a spectacular variety.
4. Kazbegi & Georgian Military Highway (1–2 Days)
Best for: First-time visitors, photographers, and anyone with limited time
Difficulty: Easy (optional moderate hikes)
Best season: Year-round (each season offers a different appeal)
Starting from: $95/person for a full day (based on 2 travelers)
The most popular route from Tbilisi, and for good reason: this single road packs in Soviet-era mosaics, medieval fortresses, the stunning Gergeti Trinity Church, and views of 5,047-meter Mount Kazbek.
Why private beats group tours here: Group tours spend 20 minutes at the Ananuri fortress photo spot and rush past the mineral springs. On a private tour, we can linger at the Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument when the lighting is perfect, take the 4×4 track to Gergeti rather than the crowded walking path, and stop at Pasanauri for Georgia’s best khinkali (dumplings) instead of a tourist restaurant.
Winter advantage: December–March offers the most dramatic scenery—snow-covered peaks, frozen waterfalls, and far fewer tourists. We use experienced winter drivers and can arrange skiing at Gudauri along the route.
5. Tusheti: Remote Mountain Kingdom (4–6 Days)
Best for: Serious adventurers, photographers, cultural immersion seekers
Difficulty: Challenging (rough roads, basic facilities)
Best season: July–September (road accessible only during these months)
Starting from: $600/person for 4 days (based on 2 travelers)
Tusheti is the most isolated inhabited region in Georgia, accessible only by a terrifying (but spectacular) mountain road that claims to be Europe’s most dangerous. Medieval stone villages cling to mountainsides, and the Tushetian people maintain traditions unchanged for centuries.
Reality check: Tusheti isn’t comfortable. Guesthouses are basic, showers are cold, and the road requires 4-5 hours of white-knuckle driving. But for travelers seeking authentic adventure, nothing in Georgia compares. Our guides have been working this region for over a decade and know every village elder, every hidden valley, and exactly when to stop for the perfect photo of sheep migrations.
The Omalo experience: The main village offers the best accommodation and serves as a base for exploring abandoned fortified villages like Dartlo and Parsma, where defensive towers stand as monuments to the region’s warrior history.
What’s Included in Our Private Tours
Every Highlander Travel private tour includes:
- Professional English-speaking guide (German, Russian, and French also available)
- Private 4×4 or minivan (vehicle type matched to terrain)
- All entrance fees to monasteries, museums, and national parks
- Bottled water and snacks during excursions
- Flexible itinerary that adapts to your pace and interests
Optional additions:
- Wine tastings and cellar visits (+$15–40/person)
- Traditional cooking classes (+$35/person)
- Horseback riding in Kazbegi or Tusheti (+$50/person)
- Photography-focused departures at optimal lighting times
When to Visit: Seasonal Guide
| Season | Best Regions | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (April–May) | Kakheti, Tbilisi, South Georgia | Wildflowers, mild weather, wine regions at their greenest |
| Summer (June–August) | Svaneti, Tusheti, Kazbegi, Javakheti | Mountain access, trekking season, festivals |
| Autumn (September–October) | Kakheti, Racha | Rtveli harvest, golden light, wine making |
| Winter (November–March) | Kazbegi, Tbilisi, Bakuriani/Gudauri | Snow sports, fewer tourists, dramatic landscapes |
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book?
For peak season (June–September) and harvest time (September–October), book 4-6 weeks ahead. Winter and spring tours can often be arranged within 1-2 weeks.
Can tours be customized?
Absolutely. Every itinerary we publish is a starting point. Want to spend more time at wineries? Add a cooking class? Skip the museum and find more hiking? Tell us and we’ll adjust.
What if I’m traveling solo?
Solo travelers are welcome. Private tour pricing remains the same, but we can often match solo travelers with others to share costs.
Are credit cards accepted?
We accept all major credit cards with no additional fees. Bank transfers and cash (USD, EUR, GEL) also accepted.
What languages do your guides speak?
All guides speak English. We also have guides fluent in German, French, Russian, Spanish, and Arabic.
About Highlander Travel
We’ve been operating tours from Tbilisi since 2011—long before Georgia became the trending destination it is today. Our team of 12 guides includes certified sommeliers, mountain rescue trained trekking leaders, and historians who’ve written academic papers on Georgian archaeology.
We’re not a booking platform connecting you with random local operators. Every tour is run by our own team, in our own vehicles, according to standards we’ve developed over 15 years and thousands of happy travelers.
TripAdvisor rating: Excellent (4.9/5)
Operating since: 2011
Tours completed: 3,000+
Languages available: English, German, Russian, French, Spanish, Arabic
Ready to Plan Your Georgia Adventure?
Tell us when you’re coming, what interests you, and how many are in your group. We’ll design a private itinerary that matches your travel style—no cookie-cutter packages, no tourist traps.
Have questions first? Email us at tours@georgia-tours.eu or call +995 577 748 793 (WhatsApp available).
