Peaks of the Caucasus 4×4,
to undiscoverd Omalo
Located at the crossroads of cultures, the birthplace of wine dating back to 8000 years ago, and – in my personal opinion – possibly even the birthplace of pizza.
Persians, Greeks, Russians – each has left their traces, and now it’s your turn.
Our initial encounter with this captivating country was in 2018 with the pre-war rally which we organised.
During our exploration, we met Willem van Houten, a young Dutchman who leads motorcycle tours through this diverse land. Joining forces, we ventured into our first 4×4 rally in 2019, skillfully navigating the terrain with rented Landcruisers.
In 2025, we embark on our fifth adventure. This time, we muster the courage to lead a group up to Omalo. The road is challenging but shouldn’t be an issue in good weather.
The ascent feels eternal, the scenery is breathtaking, and reaching the top brings you to a completely different world. This journey alone is worth the entire trip to Georgia.
Yet, Georgia has much more to offer. From the fertile plains of Kakheti to the semi-desert bordering Azerbeidzjan, and of course, the secluded Svan region – so remote that even the Soviets couldn’t entirely subdue its population.
For this event, we’ll provide a Landcruiser (or similar) for your use.
We have a limited availability of 16 entry positions.
We will meet you up at the Tbilisi Airport and bring you to the comfortable Makmani Hotel in the vibrant and historic center of this exciting city. If you come a day early, then you will have plenty of time to discover ancient Tbilisi with its many restaurants and cafés. It is a nice town to spend some time.
We depart from Tbilisi, leaving the beautiful yet busy city behind us as we navigate through the flowing and green hills on our way to Meskheti.This region, adorned with castles and ruins, is considered the cultural and historical heartland of Georgia. Our route leads us to Vardzia, a monastery ‘city’ built inside a massive rock. Originally used as a secret hideout during wars, the front wall collapsed in the 11th century after an earthquake. Nowadays, hundreds of cave houses, once inhabited by monks, adorn the site, making it one of Georgia’s most impressive cultural attractions.
Today promises a highly adventurous day as we embark on a journey crossing the lesser-known pass from Svaneti down to Racha. Spanning around 20 KM of pristine gravel tracks and worn concrete roads, it is unquestionably a road less traveled. In this remote area, serenity prevails, and the calmness is palpable. We traverse the highest mountain peaks of the Greater Caucasus, where the immense and powerful nature reminds us of our own insignificance.
En route to Ushguli, the iconic watchtowers characteristic of the region start to dot the landscape. In this area, infrastructure is scarce. To make the most of this stunning day driving through Georgia’s highest mountains, we bring along a packed lunch from Mestia for a comfortable journey.
The views from our hotel offer stunning scenery for a day of rest. For those craving more of this off-road driving paradise, a drive towards Dartlo, one of the remotest villages in the region, is certainly worthwhile. Dartlo, a medieval village, still bears visible remnants of the Black Plague.
We conquer the Abano Pass once again. Stay sharp, stay focused, and relish these special kilometers. Descending to the lower lands, we head towards Tsinandali—a village and the namesake of a grape variety. This speaks volumes about what they excel at here: cultivating grapes and crafting wine. Tonight, we indulge in luxury. The old Chavchavadze palaces have been transformed into chic bars and restaurants. Take a dip in the rooftop pool overlooking the snow-capped mountains we descended today. A luxurious dinner awaits beside the historic Amphitheatre. Undoubtedly, this is the finest hotel in Georgia.
Recall the breathtaking landscapes of Tusheti. Today, we explore another corner of Georgia that couldn’t be more different. Heading south from Iormughanlo, we venture into the gravel trails of the Georgian semi-desert, adorned with enchanting rainbow hills. In the heart of this desert lies Davit Gareja, a 6th-century monastery complex situated right at the border with Azerbaijan.
Our last hotel will be the newly build Radisson Hotel in the center of Tbilisi. After many kilometers, some of which over dirt roads and mountain paths, we will hand over our Landcruisers.
You could fly home, we will be happy to bring you to the airport. But we suggest you stay a few days. Tbilisi is a really nice town with many restaurants and cafés. It will feel like Paris after the trip through Georgia.
Rally Details
Start: Sunday August 1, 2027
Makmani Hotel
Tbilisi
Finish: Wednesday August 11, 2027
Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel
Tbilisi
Included
- A Maximum of 15 crew.
- Ten nights
- Ten dinners.
- Nine lunches.
- Toyota Landcruiser (or similar for 9 days).
- Dutch guide living in Georgia: Willem.
- Explanations by archeologist Dimitri.
- Entry fees.
- Peaks of the Caucasus polo shirt.
- Roadbooks, rallyshields etc.
Entry fee
Early registration: €6,595,- for a crew of two when registration is in by October 1st. A down payment of €1,500 is required at the time of registration. The remaining balance must be paid by April 1st, 2027.
Registration: €6,900,- for a crew of two when registration is in after October 1st. A down payment of €1,500 is required at the time of registration. The remaining balance must be paid by April 1st, 2027.
Upgrade (you get better rooms when available): € 600, –
Total kilometers
Total rally kilometers: 1.500 km
PARTICIPATING SPONSORS
Initial sponsors
