Georgia is a splendid place for organising bird-watching tours. A great variety of birds, small and large, many of them quite rare, can be found in its valleys and mountains, including the unique Caucasian black grouse (Tetrao mlokosiewiczi) and Caucasian snowcock (Tetraogallus caucasicus). Here you can also see Guldenstadt‘s redstart (Phoenicurus erythrogaster), Great rosefinch (Carpodacus rubicilla), Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), Roller (Coracias garrulus), European bee-eater (Merops apiaster), Hoopoe (Upupa epops), Rock nuthatch (Sitta neumayer), Wallcreeper (Tychodroma muraria), Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), Rock sparrow (Petronia petronia), Chukar (Alectoris chukar), Black francolin (Francolinus francolinus), Pygmy cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus), Imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca), Black vulture (Aegypius monachus), White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), Short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus), etc.
Tours are organised by “Visit Georgia” and guided by qualified ornithologists. When designing itineraries we take into account your abilities as well as your interests because sometimes it is necessary to climb in the mountains and walk to almost inaccessible places to see the rarest species. The best season for bird-watching is the second part of May. At this time most birds in Kazbegi are still at lower altitudes and can be easily spotted. Later they go up to 3000-4000m and a hike of several days is necessary in order to see them.
Day 1: Departure for Tbilisi
Day 2: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Kazbegi
After the city tour of Tbilisi we drive along the Georgian Military Highway to the Grand Caucasus Mountains en route visiting the ancient capital of Georgia – Mtskheta and Ananuri complex. Overnight in Kazbegi.
Day 3-4: Kazbegi
We will spend these two days in the mountains to see unique birds of the Grand Caucasus - Caucasian black grouse (Tetrao mlokosiewiczi) and Caucasian snowcock (Tetraogallus caucasicus). Other birds we can observe in this area are Guldenstadt`s redstart (Phoenicurus erythrogaster), Great rosefinch (Carpodacus rubicilla), Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), Raven (Corvus corax). On day 4 in the evening we return to Tbilisi.
Day 5: Tbilisi – David Gareja – Tbilisi
Today we travel to the semi-desert landscape of David Gareja to observe some unique desert birds: Roller (Coracias garrulus), European bee-eater (Merops apiaster), Hoopoe (Upupa epops), Rock nuthatch (Sitta neumayer), Wallcreeper (Tychodroma muraria), Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), Rock sparrow (Petronia petronia), Chukar (Alectoris chukar).
Day 6: Tbilisi – Iori Valley – Tbilisi
A four-hour drive will take us to Iori valley in Kakheti region. Here we can observe the following birds: Black francolin (Francolinus francolinus), Pygmy cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus), Imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca), Black vulture (Aegypius monachus), White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), Short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus), Roller (Coracias garrulus), European bee-eater (Merops apiaster), Hoopoe (Upupaepops), Rock nuthatch (Sitta neumayer), Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), Chukar (Alectoris chukar).
Day 7: Departure
Transfer to the airport.
