Georgia’s unusual geographic diversity, from alpine heights to river-hewn gorges and subtropical coastal lowlands, is matched by its biological diversity: according to the World Wildlife Fund, which has sponsored conservation projects here since 1990, “Not a single country in Europe possesses such a rich flora and fauna as Georgia.” In fact, the entire Caucasus Range has been identified as an international biodiversity hotspot. It is the only place in the world where we find pre-Ice Age flowers among its 300 endemic plant species, and more than 360 bird species thrive here.
Among the intriguing animals in the vast forests and peaks of Georgia’s northeastern Caucasus, our destination, we find chamois, bezoar goat, wolves, bears, and the endemic but increasingly rare Caucasian tur, a mountain-dwelling goat with enormous horns. A leopard was also spotted recently in eastern Georgia, one of only a handful of sightings in the past half-century.
Traveling beyond Khevsureti, we begin our journey into the third distinct region on our itinerary – Tusheti, on Georgia’s far northeast boundary. Renowned for its hospitable traditions and gracious people, Tusheti is a sort of Caucasian ‘Shangri-La,’ accessible by road only three months out of the year due to its high and remote location. Because of its diverse flora and fauna, Tusheti National Park was established in 2003, along with the Tusheti Nature Reserve and Tusheti Protected Landscape. The national park, at more than 200,000 acres, is Europe’s largest, and the entire Tusheti conservation zone protects more than 300,000 acres.
Tucked up in the high valleys of these wild mountains are villages with antique stone towers, serene hilltop churches and family dwellings that have been inhabited for centuries. The people who live in these hidden hamlets are the progeny of 2,000 years of conquest and survival. This challenging heritage has molded these former mountain tribes of Khevsurs, Tushs and Svans -- to name but a few -- into a hardy and proud people.
Staying with them in their homes, we are immersed in the rich traditions of their daily lives. We’ll listen to mountain poets share verse through polyphonic songs and revel in lively supras (feasts) that go on for hours. Our hosts will surely insist that we keep emptying the wild goat horns filled with their robust, homegrown wine!
This is not only a journey through a rarely seen region replete with natural wonders, but a cultural encounter as well. The people of Georgia are as memorable as its mountains, and we can’t wait to share this place with you!