BOTANICAL TOUR

Georgia occupies an interesting geo-botanical position as part of the Caucasus. The country is characterised by contrasting natural conditions leading to an extremely high degree of divergence of plant communities within a comparatively small area. The landscape of the country ranges from desert and semi-desert vegetation to luxuriant Colchic forests of moist, almost subtropical climate and high-mountain plant communities. Considerable differences both in altitude and between the climates of East and West Georgia have blessed the country with a huge variety of plant life.
The flora of the country includes about 4200 species of wild-flowering plant species, and over 8500 species of spore-bearing ones. The history of flora and especially the vegetation of Georgia is very ancient, with the earliest records of fossil flora dating from the Palaeozoic era.

The best time for this tour is June – July

• Day 1: Departure for Tbilisi
  

• Day 2: Tbilisi

Tbilisi sightseeing tour.

• Day 3: Tbilisi – Gudauri

We drive to Gudauri ski resort along the Georgian Military Highway. After checking in at the hotel we walk for 2-3 hours around Cross Pass (2395 m) to see the plants grown in the area. Overnight in the hotel.
Plants to see:

Rhododendron luteum, Salix kazbekensis, Pyrethrum carneum, Polygonum carneum, Campanula ssp. Geranium ssp. Fritillaria lateriflora (in fruit), F. lutea (in fruit), Silene pygmea, Linum hypericifolium, Inula orientalis, Primula ssp.

• Day 4: Gudauri – Kazbegi – Gudauri

Drive to the town of Kazbegi and then walk for 1.5 hour through beautiful valleys and woodlands to Gergeti Trinity Church located at 2170. Weather permitting you may catch a glimpse of one of the highest glaciers in the Caucasus – Mt. Kazbegi (5047m). Afterwards travel in Dariali gorge. Overnight in Gudauri.
Plants to see:
Primula algida, Swertia iberica, Daphne glomerata, Macrotomia echioides,Pulsatilla violacea (in fruit), Gentiana angulosa, G. jimilensis, Gentianella caucasea, Minuartia ssp., Vacinium vitis-idea, Betula raddeana

• Day 5: Gudauri – Truso Gorge – Gudauri

We drive by minibuses along Tergi river through Truso gorge and then start our pleasant walk. We see beautiful alpine slopes, ancient towers and remote villages, inhabited only by a couple of families. Picnic lunch by the tiny blue lake. In the evening we return to Gudauri.
Plants to see:
Saxifraga cartilaginea, Saxifraga juniperifolia, Draba bryoides, Silene pygmaea, S. linariifolia, Linaria meyeri, Heracleum sosnowskyi, Campanula darialica, Campanula paradoxa, Juniperus ssp, Silene lacera.

• Day 6: Gudauri – Kutaisi

In the morning we walk for 2-3 hours around Gudauri and then depart for Kutaisi (6 hours). Overnight in Kutaisi.

• Day 7: Kutaisi – Ushguli

A 2-hour drive will bring us to Zugdidi where we change transport to continue to Svaneti – the region of the highest mountains. The drive to Ushguli is long (8 hours), but spectacular. We arrive in Ushguli (2200m) – the highest village in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Overnight in a family guesthouse.

• Day 8: Ushgili – Zagaro Pass – Ushguli

We drive to Zagaro pass (2600m) and then start our walk in the beautiful nature to observe different plants.
Plants to see:
Impatiens noli-tangere, Geum rivale, Lilium szovitsianum, Corydalis marshalliana, Paeonia steveniana, Pinus sosnowskyi,Alnus barbata, Acer ssp., Gadellia lactiflora, Campanula ssp., Betonica macrantha, Geranium ssp., Rhododendron caucasicum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Primula ssp., Delphinium flexuosum, Aconitum nasutum, A. orientale, Grossheimia macrocephala, Centaurea fisherii, Scabiosa caucasica, Gentiana

ssp.,Aethyopappus pulcherimus, Dianthus crinitus, Sedum tenellum, Tripleurospermum transcaucasicum, Senecio ssp.

• Day 9: Ushguli – Mestia

Early in the morning we walk towards Shkhara Glacier (3-4 hours) and then depart for Mestia. Overnight in Mestia in a family guesthouse.

• Day 10: Mestia – Tbilisi

In the morning we drive back to Tbilisi (10 hours). Overnight in the hotel.

• Day 11: Departure

May – June is the best time to see certain unique plants in the following areas:

Tskhratskaro Pass near Bakuriani: full day tour
Impatiens noli-tangere, Geum rivale, Lilium szovitsianum, Corydalis marshalliana, Paeonia steveniana, Pinus sosnowskyi,Alnus barbata, Acer ssp., Gadellia lactiflora, Campanula ssp., Betonica macrantha, Geranium ssp., Rhododendron caucasicum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Primula ssp., Delphinium flexuosum, Aconitum nasutum, A. orientale, Grossheimia macrocephala, Centaurea fisherii, Scabiosa caucasica, Gentiana ssp.,Aethyopappus pulcherimus, Dianthus crinitus, Sedum tenellum, Tripleurospermum transcaucasicum, Senecio ssp.

Kintrishi Nature Reserve near Batumi: full day tour
Alium pseodostrictum, Astragalus dolichanow, Aristolochia pontica, Betula Medwediewi, Buxus colchica, Campanula grossleiwi, Cyclamen Adjaricum, Daphne pontica, Euonymus latifolia, Fritillaria latifolia, Gentiana caucasica, Helleborus  caucasicus, Iris pseudocorus, Kemulariella caucasica, Primula megaseifolia, Quercus pontica, Primula sibthorpii, Rhododendron luteum, Rhododendron ungernii, Ruscus colchicus, Ruscus ponticus, Scutellaria pontica, Rhododendron ungernii.

Lagodekhi Natural Reserve near Telavi: full day tour or a 2-3 day tour with overnights in tents
Hedera pastuchowii, Primula juliae, Gentiane lagodechiana, Galanthus lagodechiana

David Gareja semi-desert near Tbilisi: full day tour
Iris iberica, Salvia garedji, Juno caucasica, Tulipe eichleri , Halimodendron halodendron.