First Paragliding in Gudauri: Scenic Heights and Historic Sites in Georgia
Creatrip Team
4 months ago
A Korean traveler recounts highlights from an 11-night self-drive trip around Georgia, focusing on a day in Gudauri and nearby sites. Gudauri (a ski resort town at ~2200m) offered a panoramic viewpoint with Soviet-era mosaic art and stunning views of the Kazbegi range and Argheti gorge. The author tried paragliding for the first time—about a 30-minute tandem flight over forests and rivers, costing 350lari (~KRW180,000). They visited the medieval Ananuri fortress complex and the turquoise Jinvali Reservoir; bought local honey (advising to shop around for souvenirs); and noted the fortress’s ancient churches and dramatic photo spots. In nearby Mtskheta (a UNESCO site), they saw Jvari Monastery ("Jvari" means "cross") and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral ("Svetitskhoveli" means "life-giving pillar"), learned local legends about Christian relics, tasted Georgian wines like Khvanchkara, tried fresh pomegranate juice, and had a poor meal at a tavern that led to stomach trouble. The piece mixes travel tips, cultural notes, and candid impressions of food, people, and landscapes.
