Trekking In Svaneti And Kazbegi Georgia

The tour starts in Tbilisi. The capital of Georgia is an ancient and cosmopolitan city; there is a synagogue, a mosque, a Georgian basilica, an Armenian church and a Zoroastrian Fire-Worshipper’s temple all within a 15 minutes walk of each other. One of Europe’s most fascinating capitals, we include a half day orientation tour on foot which takes in the important Church of Metecki, Sioni Cathedral and the State museum and allows plenty of time free to wander the boulevards and back streets of the city, absorbing its unique ambience.

Overnight Standard Hotel

Leaving the capital this morning, we drive to Mtskheta, the spiritual heart of Georgia. Here we visit what is considered to be the most sacred place in Georgia, the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. The 9th century basilica contains the grave of Sidonia, who was said to have been buried holding Christ’s robe. We also visit the 6th century Jvari church before continuing along the Georgian Military Highway to Kazbegi.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

The Kazbegi region is very picturesque, with alpine meadows and towering snow-capped mountains behind.  We plan to walk from Kazbegi town through Gergeti village and up to the Church of the Holy Trinity, stunningly located on a hilltop overlooking the snowy peaks of the Caucasus Mountains and the Mount Kazbegi Glacier.  Tracing our steps back we take a short transfer through Dariali Gorge to Gveleti village where we begin our walk to a beautful waterfall. 
Total walking approximately 5 hours

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A drive through the beatiful Sno Valley brings us to the village of Juta and the start point for todays walk. The village is located at the junction of two valleys and we follow the route up towards the great bulk of Mount Chaukhebi.  As we leave the village the valley widens and the landscape becomes more barren. We follow a flat trail, keeping the river on our right hand side until we reach a steeper section leading to the base of the mountain. We return to Juta and drive back to Kazbegi.
Total walking approximately 5 hours.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we transfer to the small village of Kobi, where we leave our transport and walk to Okrokana village at the head of the Truso Gorge.  After taking the chance to meet the villagers we head in to the gorge, following the Terek River as we walk.  Soon after we have left the village steep cliffs appear on the left hand side although our path remains relatively flat.  Our aim is the carbonated lake, a bizarre lake which is naturally carbonated. The bubbles rising to the service make it appear as if the lake is constantly boiling. We return back to Kobi and then transfer to our hotel in Gudauri.  In winter the town is a ski resort and we are treated to some impressive mountain panoramas.
Approximately 6 hours walking.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We begin to make our way across the country today as we drive to Kutaisi.  En route we stop to visit the Stalin Museum at Gori and the ‘cave town’ at Uplistikhe. Here an entire town of streets, churches, palaces and residential buildings has been carved into the mountainside. Dating from the first millennium BC, it gradually grew to be an important city on the trade route linking Byzantium with India and China. Today is a long drive but we take plenty of breaks to stretch our legs.

Overnight Simple Guest House Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we drive to the magnificent monastery complex at Gelati, which consists of a variety of churches and the Academy building. It was founded in 1106 by King David the Builder in gratitude to God for his victories over the Turks. The King wanted it to serve as a centre of Christendom, so as well as scholars many religious artists studied here. Many of the treasures which were made here have been lost over the centuries, however the buildings and frescos in them are extremely well preserved, and the setting of the monastery on a hillside with views over to the distant Caucasus peaks is very attractive. We then drive to Becho, a small town and the base for our first walk in teh Svaneti region.

Overnight Simple Guest House Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After a short transfer to Shikhra village we walk through thick forest on the trail to the base of Mount Ushba. For the first two hours the trail is relatively flat and then we begin to climb for approximately one hour until we reach the glacier and a beautiful waterfall.  We take a picnic lunch so we can enjoy the views before making our way back through the forest and driving to Mestia.
Approximately 6 hours walking.

Overnight Simple Guest House Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our walk today starts at a tiny church perched on a hilltop overlooking Mount Shkhara.  After taking in the views we walk down a small ridge and then in to the forest, there are some steeper sections on this part of the walk. As we emerge from the forest we are treated to views of Mount Tetnuldi, Mount Shkhara and of the Chalaadi Glacier.  The walk takes us right to our base for the night, the town of Mestia.
Approximately 5 hours walking.

Overnight Simple Guest House Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we walk up through the beautiful Mestia Valley on our way to the base of Mount Chalaadi.  The glacier river is our constant companion as we follow it right up to the glacier tongue. We are treated to views of the glacier and ice cliffs as well as the tip of Mount Ushba at certain points on the route. The landscape is particularly beautiful with lush green forest against a backdrop of snowy mountains.
Approximately 5 hours walking.

Overnight Simple Guest House Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we drive to Ushguli, the base for our final two walks.  We start with a steep climb out of the village as we walk to the top of Mount Guro.  We pass through a small birch forest before we pass the tree line and the view opens up to show Mount Shkhara, Mount Tetnuldi adn Mount Laila.  The last 50 metres of the climb are very steep but we take our time.  The views from the top are stunning and we spend time to enjoy them before making our way back down to the village where we settle in to our family run guesthouse for the evening.
Approximately 5 hours walking.

Overnight Simple Guest House Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Mount Shkhara is Georgia's highest mountain, standing at 5068m tall.  Our walk to the base of the mountain follows a surprisingly flat trail and for the most part we are rewarded with spectacular views of the peak.  As we reach the final approach to the mountain we follow the glacier water and the terrain becomes rockier and we reach the tongue of the glacier, with incredible views up to the craggy, snow covered sides of Mount Shkhara.   We transfer back to Mestia for the night.
Approximately 5 hours walking.

Overnight Simple Guest House Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leaving the mountains today we make our way back to Kutaisi.  On the way we stop at a local agricultural market, as much a place for people to gather and catch up as well we buying food and essentials. 

Overnight Simple Guest House Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We make our way back to the capital today, stopping on route at the natural grotto in Tskaltubo. The grotto has 16 caves to explore all with incredible limestone stalactites and stalagmites.  On arrival back in Tbilisi we have some free time before our farewell meal.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Our tour ends this morning after breakfast.

Included meals: Breakfast