Two-week tour, with the main focus on eight-day hike in the very heart of Caucasus Mountains, from Omalo to Kazbek, promises adventurers a truly unique experience. Far from bustling cities and settlements, ancient mountain paths will open your eyes to a fascinating panorama of mountains ridges, glaciers, century-old towers that look down proudly at the untouched valleys and gorges. The road will be made easier by horses carrying the baggage, and an experienced and attentive guide will acquaint you with the history and traditions of this marvelous area. The tour will also be highlighted by visits to monuments of Georgian architecture: Svetitskhoveli, Alaverdi and David Gareja monastery complex, which is situated in a totally contrasting geographic area. 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 Davit Gareji and Sighnaghi.
Morning departure towards the monastery of David Gareji, situated on the southern border of the country. While approaching the border, the landscape is changing, and is gradually transformed into the steppe, changing shape and color. The program includes the visit David Gareja monastery complex (founded in the VI c. ), The church icons there do not leave indifferent the visitors of these wonderful places. Towards the end of the day waiting for us is the picturesque town of Sighnaghi with the ancient ramparts. The city offers a unique panorama of the mountains of the Greater Caucasus.
Night in the town of Sighnaghi in the hotel. (Dinner, breakfast)
Day 3. From Sighnaghi to Omalo.
In the morning departure on off-road in the direction of the highest car road of Georgia - Abano Pass (2950 m.), which leads to the alpine region Tusheti - the starting point of the journey on foot. Before you go out on the mountain road, spiraling among towering gorges, you drive through Alazani river valley - the heart of Georgian wine culture. Here you will have the opportunity to taste several types of wines and to get acquainted with the local winemaking tradition and technology. It is also scheduled to visit Alaverdi Monastery (Cathedral) (Xlc.) - One of the outstanding examples among the architectural structures of medieval Georgia.
Night in the village Omalo in the hostel at an altitude of 2100m. (Dinner, breakfast)
Day 4. From Omalo - the ridge Makratela.
In the morning it is planned to ascent to the reconstructed fortress Keselo that is in the village Omalo. In one of its towers is an ethnographic area, to familiarize visitors with the life of former times. In the second part of the day begin to rise on the crest of the ridge Makratela where we will camp for the night. You can see Tusheti from here. Housed between the Greater Caucasus watershed and the northern longitudinal Terek-Sulak ranges, the landscape charms with its grandeur and depth. From here you can see the mountain Diklosmta (4285m.), Dano (4174m.), Komito (4261m.), Tebulosmta (4493m.).
Night in tents. The camp is set up into Makratela ridge at an altitude of 2900m. Dinner and breakfast in the field.
⇓100m.⇑900m. 6h
Day 5. From ridge Makratela to Giveri
This day promises a truly majestic scenery. The first part of the path follows the crest of the ridge, revealing an enchanting panorama from a bird's eye. In the second part of the day we are waiting for the descent from the pass Naklekholi (2903 m.) In the valley of the river Alazani Pirikita. Here, passing Parsma village where the largest rise towers throughout Tusheti, we get to the last inhabited village Girevi located at the merge of three valleys and surrounded by abandoned ancient settlements.
Night in the village Girevi in a modest, homely hotel, at an altitude of 2100m. (Dinner, breakfast)
⇑150m.⇓1000m. 5h.30m.
Day 6. From Girevi to Kvahidi.
In the morning we leave behind the last populated village - Girevi. Main part of the path lies along the river Kvahidistskali crossing its numerous small and medium-sized tributaries. Follow the designated point, the trail goes through the ruins of the border village Chontio (the early Byzantine historical record mentions it as a strong and stable country, where the fearless warriors live). In the final part of the journey of this day we will come to a broad field, located at the end of the river.
Night in tents. Camp is set up in the floodplain Kvahidistskali River, at an altitude of 2425m. Dinner and breakfast in the field.
⇑600m.⇓200m. 6h.30m.
Day 7. From Kvahidi to pass Atsunta.
In the morning we head to the highest point of the path - Atsunta Pass (3431m.), Located on the border of two historical regions of Georgia: Tusheti and Khevsureti. Along the gorge to the start of Kvahidistskali river, we will cross a couple of raging tributaries, making it possible to experience the landscape in full. The pass offers a unique view to the next part of the journey - the valley of the river Harokisttskali down on the rock, towering above the green cover of alpine meadows.
Night in tents. Encamp at the foot of the pass at an altitude of 2800m Atsunta. Dinner and breakfast in the field.
⇑1100m.⇓600m. 7h.
Day 8. From the foot of the pass and Atsunta in Mutso Next Shatili.
In the morning we head towards the medieval fortress Mutso - the final point of the five-day transition. The first part of the path runs along the crest of the ridge Hidotan, through alpine meadows and hills, overgrown with rhododendron Caucasian, revealing a picturesque mountain landscape and views of Mount Tebulosmta (4492m.) - The highest point in the region Tusheti. From Mutso off-road vehicles will take us through the gorge Andaki River to the picturesque border village-fortress Shatili, situated at an altitude of 1400 m (village Shatili -. A candidate for inclusion in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.)
Night in Shatili village in a modest but homely hotel, located in the medieval stone tower. (Dinner, breakfast)
⇓1400m.⇑200m. 7h.
Day 9. From Shatili in Rosca.
In the morning we leave from Shatili village in Rosca through the Great Caucasian Ridge, bypassing Datvis Jvari 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 Rosca in a modest, homely hotel, at an altitude of 2100m. (Dinner, breakfast)
⇑500m.⇓700m. 5h.30m.
Day 10. From Rosca 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 11. 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 12. From Stepantsminda to Tbilisi.
Today we have a busy day on visiting important cultural and religious monuments of Georgia coming back from the mountains to lowlands, on the Georgian Military Highway. Along the way will visit the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Iberia (Eastern Georgia), Mtskheta, and one of the most important churches in Georgia - Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (XIIc.) and Jvari Monastery (VII cent.). Monuments are included in the list of World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
Night at hotel. (Dinner, breakfast)
Day 13. 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 of 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 14. 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.