The Cost of Visiting Georgia's Secret Paradise

Tusheti looks like a fairytale: ancient stone towers, wild horses, and emerald valleys hidden deep in the Caucasus Mountains. But for the people who call these mountains home, the reality is more complex. The arrival of tourism offers a powerful promise—a chance to rebuild a struggling economy and reverse migration. Yet, this promise creates a new burden. We explore how easier access and rising visitor numbers are slowly eroding the silence, the wildness, and the deep community bonds that have defined Tusheti for centuries.

Zabi Fakhri and I spent 10 days at the end of September 2025 to film this short documentary in one of the most remote inhabited areas of Europe. The film explores the delicate balance between access, preservation, and survival for wild places like the Tusheti protected areas. It also reveals how tourism and social media are reshaping the lives of the people who call these mountains home.

This was my first project at this scale, and I'm very happy with how it turned out. I hope it inspires you to travel responsibly.

In this video:
0:00 - Intro
1:06 - History
2:17 - The Promise of Tourism
4:32 - The Price
6:40 - Boundaries and Respect

Credits & Special Thanks: This project wouldn't be possible without the help of the local community.

Production: Zabiullah Fakhri
Guiding and Driving: Leo
Guiding and Translation: Merabi Bakuridze
Featured Interviews: Sorati Bakuridze, Nugzar Idoidze, Beso, and Daji.

Follow the Journey:
📸 Instagram:   / honeggervisuals  
📱 TikTok:   / nils_hon  

Where I find my Music (Get 2 Months Free):
https://artlist.io/referral/3031881/Nils

🎥 Gear used in this project:
Camera: Canon R5C
Lens: Canon RF 24-70 F2.8 (My favorite all-rounder)
Drone: DJI Mini 5 Pro
Tripod: Ulanzi Zero Y
Microphone: RØDE Videomic NTG