Fifteen-day trekking through harsh and enchanting regions of Georgian Caucasus won’t leave visitors indifferent. Snow covered peaks and glaciers of Caucasus: Kazbek, Tetnuldi, Ushba; Abudelauri lakes hidden amidst the mountains and incredible panoramas from bird’s eye view – the pride of Caucasus, far from noisy and grey cities. This is what we offer in our tours. Cultural part of the program includes visits to the monuments of ecclesiastical and secular architecture of world importance. Among these are the village-fortresses of Shatili and Ushguli; Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and ancient rock-hewn town of Uplistsikhe. During the tour you will also have the opportunity to taste national cuisine and sample famous Georgian wines.
Day 1. Departures and arrivals in Tbilisi.
Transfer to the capital of Georgia Tbilisi. Transfer from the airport to the hotel located in the historic part of the city.
Night at the hotel. (breakfast)
Day 2. From Tbilisi to Shatili.
The direction of the second day - region of the Caucasus Georgia - Khevsureti. The path to it lies through Datvidzhvari Pass (2676m.) on the mountain dirt roads. Destination - a picturesque border village of Shatili fortress, located at an altitude of 1400 m. above sea level, in the valley of the river Argun. Village Shatili is a candidate for inclusion in the World Heritage List of UNESCO. On the same day we visit the ancient tombs and ruins of a medieval fortress Mutso, which stands proudly on the rock. After visiting the castle we go back to the village Shatili.
Night in Shatili village in a modest but homely hotel, located in the medieval stone tower. (Dinner, breakfast)
Day 3. From Shatili in Roshka.
In the morning we leave from Shatili village in Roshka through the Great Caucasian Ridge, bypassing Datvidzhvari Pass (2676 m.). After the village waiting for us to rise are Abudelauri lakes located among the rocks and evergreen rhododendron. The lakes are fed by glaciers and groundwater, they differ from each other by their color: white, blue and green. In the village back on circular path it it is possible to observe the gorge’s cyclopean boulders, creating a mystical landscape.
Night in the village of Roshka in a modest, homely hotel, at an altitude of 2100m. (Dinner, breakfast)
⇑500m.⇓700m. 5h.30m.
Day 4. From Roshka in jute and Stepantsminda.
In the morning waiting for us is a difficult climb to the pass Chaukhi (3338 m.). There Abudelauri lakes seem to be a jewel among stones. Passing the pass, we go down into the gorge with overhanging rocks above Chaukhi resembling a giant shark’s teeth. From here we go to the village of Juta, where off-road vehicles will take us to the village of Stepantsminda, that at the foot of Mount Kazbek.
Night in Stepantsminda city hotel. (Dinner, breakfast)
⇑1000m.⇓1200m. 7h.
Day 5. From Stepantsminda to the glacier and back to Stepantsminda.
Today, off-road vehicles will take us to the Gergeti Trinity Church (XIVc.), located at an altitude of (2170 m.). After visiting this cultural and religious monument, we start climbing to the foot of Mount Kazbek (5047 m.). At an altitude of 2900 m., alpine zone ends and we see the fantastic view of the glacier mountains. Next, we have to cross the creek with ice water and go to the ice tongue (3200 m.). We go back to the church in the picturesque crest of the ridge.
Night in Stepantsminda city hotel. (Dinner, breakfast)
⇑1050m.⇓1050m. 7h.
Day 6. From Stepantsminda to Kutaisi.
Today we have a busy day visiting Georgia’s important cultural monuments. Coming back from the mountains to lowlands, on the Georgian Military Highway, we first visit Ananuri complex (XV - XVlll cent.). Next, awaiting for us is the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Iberia (Eastern Georgia) - Mtskheta with the main cathedral of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (Xll cent.). Heading to West Georgia, we also visit the ancient city carved into the rock Uplistsikhe, which is clearly built by the structure of Hellenistic the feudal period.
Night in Kutaisi city hotel. (Dinner, breakfast)
Day 7. From Kutaisi to Mestia.
The day begins with a visit of Prometheus cave (its length of 1.4 km) near Kutaisi where stalactites and stalagmites feed our imagination with bizarre images. Passing Colchis plain, we start climbing into one of the most beautiful regions of Georgia - Svaneti. On the way of our ascent we see one of the highest dams in the world - the Enguri rec. The water surface of the reservoir with a greenish tint blends beautifully with the surrounding nature.
Night in Mestia city hotel. (Dinner, breakfast)
Day 8. From Mestia in Kvamli and village Adishi.
In the morning we drive to the foot of the mountain Khvamli, on top of which we go up with the cable car. It offers a magnificent view of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range and such peaks as Ushba, Tetnuldi, Laila. Descending from the mountain, transport will take us to the village Jabeshi, here we begin a hike to a small, but very typical of Svaneti, Adishi village. The trail passes through thickets of coniferous and deciduous vegetation.
Night in the village of Adishi in a modest, homely hotel, at an altitude of 2050m. (Dinner, breakfast)
⇑900m.⇓500m. 5h.
Day 9. From Adishi in Iprar and village Ushguli.
This day promises us truly spectacular views of snow-capped mountains. The first part of the path goes along the gorge of the river Adishchala after which we begin to rise to Chkhunderi Pass (2744 m.). With each step nature’s beauty, mountains covered with ice caps, are more visible. We can see Tetnuldi (4858 m.) and its glacier, Shota Rustaveli Peak (4859 m.) and Gestola (4859 m.). From the pass we go down into the gorge of Haldeschala river and go through it to the village Iprari. From here off-road vehicles will take us to the village of Ushguli, where there are more than 70 ancient towers. The village is included in the list of cultural heritage (UNESCO).
Night in the village of Ushguli in a homely hotel, at an altitude of 2100m. (Dinner, breakfast)
⇑700m.⇓850m. 6h.30m.
Day 10. From Ushguli to Mestia.
In the morning we leave in the direction of Georgia's highest point - Mount Shkhara (5193 m.), Located on the Big Caucasian Ridge. In Ushguli we also visit a small but significant church Lamaria (lX - X cent.) with the paintings from Xll - Xlll centuries. On the same day we go back to the administrative center of Svaneti - Mestia. Here we will visit the local museum, surprising tourists with its rich exposition of objects of everyday life and culture.
waterfalls, thundering and enlivening all around itself. From here the path follows a steep slope, then it turns into a dense thicket of bushes and takes us over the falls. Leaving behind the bushes, we go to Ushba glacier, ominously hanging over the gorge. It offers a unique view of the severe nature of the Caucasus. We go back along the same path.
Night in the village of Mazeri in a homely hotel. (Dinner, breakfast)
⇑900m.⇓900m. 6h.
Day 11. From Mestia to Mazeri.
On this day, we have to conquer another wonderful part of Svaneti - the southern foot of Mount Ushba (4710 m.). The beginning of the trail, bypasses the forest, coming out to the alpine zone and rises to the Guli pass (2954 m.). To the south from here along the entire length Svaneti ridge that divides the region into upper and lower Svaneti is visible. From the pass we descend to the similarly named village, where we are met by off-road trucks and taken to the village of Mazeri.
Night in the village of Mazeri in a homely hotel, at an altitude of 1900m. (Dinner, breakfast)
⇑1450m.⇓1150m. 7h.
Day 12. From Mazeri to the glacier and back to Mazeri.
On this day, waiting for us is the rise directly to the glacier of Mount Ushba. At the beginning the trail goes along the gorge Dolara river through fabulous pine forest, then goes to the plateau of the three waterfalls, thundering and enlivening all around itself. From here the path follows a steep slope, then it turns into a dense thicket of bushes and takes us over the falls. Leaving behind the bushes, we go to Ushba glacier, ominously hanging over the gorge. It offers a unique view of the severe nature of the Caucasus. We go back along the same path.
Night in the village of Mazeri in a homely hotel. (Dinner, breakfast)
⇑900m.⇓900m. 6h.
Day 13. From Mazeri to Tbilisi.
In the morning, full of emotions and unforgettable experience, we return to the capital - Tbilisi. In the evening, dinner is waiting for us in the historical part of the city with the excellent Georgian wine and good mood.
Night at the hotel. (breakfast)
Day 14. Tbilisi.
The first part of the day tours of the historic city are provided, during which we will visit the city's attractions such as the church Metekhi (XII century.), Tbilisi Sioni Cathedral (XIII century.), Narikala fortress, and will also visit the Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia. The second part of the day is provided to the guests discretion. In the evening dinner at a restaurant is planned for the guests in a traditional Georgian spirit.
Night at the hotel. (Dinner, breakfast)
Day 15. Departure
Transfer from hotel to airport for departure.
In case of a request - professional and competent modification programs for specific days and conditions.
Participants do not need any mountaineering skills. All that is needed - the experience of hiking in the middle distance and sense of adventure.
For the citizens of the EU, the CIS and some other countries there is visa-free regime.
Participants have to buy a ticket and come to Georgia individually.
Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel can be planned at the request of participants. The cost of the airport - hotel, hotel - airport - 40 euros.
Total budget is not provided.
During the camp stop members have to prepare breakfast and dinner alone in the field (in the case of a request we will gladly provide help and advice about this issue).
The price does not include daily lunch.
Car dirt roads that bring us to the starting point of the walking route, pass through a pretty difficult terrain adding sharp feelings to the trip.
Extreme weather conditions, road conditions, etc., oblige participants to change to schedule of the tour.
Participants of the tour must have international insurance
Cost of the tour can be paid either through bank transfer and cash amount.
The relatively low cost of tours is due to the lack of intermediary link between a visitor and the agency.
Because of this, between a visitor and the agency there is maximum mobile communication, making it possible to react quickly in case of emergencies.
The close association of agencies with a population of mountain regions, providing services in the form of domestic hotels and truck horses, improves the quality of services provided.
The guides are experienced and qualified.