Visiting unique places like Mestia is what the Caucasian Challenge is all about. It exemplifies all that is great about Georgia: a stunning location below mountain peaks, mystery in the form of the unique Svan towers, and incredible hospitality. After the picturesque drive from Kutaisi, a warm welcome always awaits us. Here’s everything you […]
Continue ReadingCategory: Adventure Travel
Turkey’s Black Sea Cities
Turkey’s Black Sea Cities: Sinop, Trabzon, and Rize. The Caucasian Challenge minimal assistance rally sets off from Istanbul, and we spend another night in Turkey before we reach Georgia. We’re massive fans of Turkey’s Black Sea Coast, and its glorious scenery: white beaches, green forests, and rolling hills. We always spend a night camping, and partying, […]
Continue Reading
The Moments that Made the Caucasian Challenge Special
We recount some of the moments that made the Caucasian Challenge 2016 special. There are fewer than five months till the this year’s Caucasian Challenge, and we’re getting excited by looking at back at the Caucasian Challenge 2016. We’ve recounted our highlights of each leg of the journey, from leaving Istanbul to the finishing party in […]
Continue Reading
Guest Post: Tony’s Caucasian Challenge Story
A guest post from Tony Thorndike, Caucasian Challenge participant (and winner)! Tony Thorndike is a veteran of Travel Scientists rallies, a lifetime traveler who thinks nothing of driving from the UK to Bishkek, and back! He and his son-in-law Rob won the Caucasian Challenge in 2016, earning a reputation as a charming pair who loved to […]
Continue Reading
Caucasian Challenge 2016 Day 6: Footsteps of Stalin
On Day of the Caucasian Challenge 2016 we followed the footsteps of Stalin, visiting his hometown of Gori. As the Caucasian Challenge headed towards its halfway point, the teams’ task on Day 6 was to make their way to Georgia’s beautiful capital Tbilisi. It’s a relaxed day, with no need for an early start, […]
Continue Reading
Caucasian Challenge 2016 Day 5: The Zagar Pass
We continue our review of the Caucasian Challenge 2016 with Day 5, crossing the Zagar Pass. The driving on day 5 is always one of the highlights of the Caucasian Challenge. It can be challenging, especially after the party in Mestia on Day 4, but it’s so worth it: the scenery […]
Continue Reading
Caucasian Challenge 2016 Day 4: The Drive to Mestia
Day 4 of the Caucasian Challenge saw teams drive to Mestia, perhaps the most picturesque town in Georgia. One of the highlights of any Caucasian Challenge, or indeed any trip to Georgia, is visiting the scenic mountain region of Svaneti. At its heart is […]
Continue Reading
Drive the Georgian Military Highway
The Georgian Military Highway is the fastest route from Tbilisi to Russia, but there are plenty reasons to drive it even if you don’t want to leave Georgia! The Georgian Military Highway is the fastest route from Tbilisi to Russia, but it’s no ordinary motorway. It can be a challenging drive (thanks to […]
Continue Reading
The Mysterious Mountain Church of Stepantsminda
Stepantsminda’s mysterious mountain church is an essential sight on any visit to Georgia. Georgia has more than its share of remote villages, impressive mountains, and beautiful churches, but when all three are combined in one place it’s still something special: Stepantsminda is just that. Found in the North of Georgia, on […]
Continue Reading
Sighnaghi: Georgia’s City of Love
Sighnaghi, in the eastern province of Kakheti, has a reputation as Georgia’s city of love (and wine…) Sighnaghi, only 100km’s drive east of the capital Tbilisi, is known as Georgia’s city of love, and for good reason. Locals often compare the hilltop town to Verona, city of Romeo and Juliet, and it has everything you might need to […]
Continue Reading