Trekking in Georgian Great Caucasus

Arrival in Tbilisi, meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

Discover the capital of Georgia - Tbilisi, explore its old quarter with its cobbled streets and traditional houses with wooden balconies, on the banks of the Mtkvari River. We visit the city's emblematic sites: the Metekhi church and its plateau offering a superb view of the old town, the Narikala fortress - the ancient symbol of the city, the baths district (Abanotubani) known for its sulfurous hot springs.

In the afternoon, we visit the National Museum and its collections of "Golden Treasures" from ancient times. At the end of the day, we will visit the Dry Bridge, a popular spot for visitors with its flea market.

Walking time: approximately 3h.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

Departure for Mtskheta - former capital of the Kingdom of Iberia, visit to the Jvari ("Cross") monastery perched on a hill overlooking the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. Visit to the 11th-century Svetitskhoveli ("Life-giving column") cathedral. Opportunity to buy handmade Georgian souvenirs.

On the way to Kazbegi, visit the Ananuri fortress, offering a picturesque view of the Jinvali reservoir. Crossing the legendary Georgian military road, one of the most beautiful in the world, through valleys, ravines and finally the Cross Pass, at 2,300 meters altitude.

From here, we begin our journey into the mountains of the Greater Caucasus.

Continuing on to Kazbegi (1,750 m), surrounded by the gigantic Caucasus Mountains. This picturesque village is dominated by Mount Kazbegi (5,047 m), the seventh highest peak in the Caucasus. From the village, start the hike to the 14th-century Trinity Church of Gergeti perched on the hill (2,200m), with its splendid view of Mount Kazbek and the surrounding peaks.

Return to the village.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 3h, 160km.

Walking time: approximately 2h, 6km.

Positive ascent: 1500m.

Negative ascent: 550m.

Difficulty level: medium.

Overnight in Kazbegi.

In the morning, departure for the Truso Valley (2,000 m) by 4x4 car. The valley is interesting for its variety of geological layers, and here we can clearly see how the Great Caucasus was formed. The road follows the Tergi River and takes us to the limestone springs area.

From here, we begin our 4-5 hour hike through the valley. After crossing the wooden bridge, we come across the natural lake with its sparkling waters. The trail continues along the river, past the shepherds' tents. Finally, we reach the only inhabited village in the valley. We can continue our walk to the monastery or return to the starting point on the other side of the Tergi River.

The valley is full of the ruins of abandoned villages, houses and towers characteristic of the Khevi region.

After the hike, return to Kazbegi by 4x4 car and continue on to Gveleti, where the hike to the Gveleti waterfalls begins.

The largest waterfall is 1km from the main road. This is a fairly easy and refreshing hike after a long walk through the Truso Valley.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 2h30, 70km.

Walking time: approximately 6-7h, 16km.

Positive ascent: 500m.

Negative ascent: 500m.

Difficulty level: easy.

Overnight in Kazbegi.

In the morning, departure by 4x4 from Kazbegi to the village of Juta (2,200 m) - one of the highest villages in the Caucasus, from where we begin our walk towards the Chaukhi mountains (3,842 m). After a few hours' ascent, we reach the Sadzele pass (2,633 m), from where we have a splendid view of both sides of the hill. We start descending towards the Khevsureti region. The descent is steep and technical, but full of excitement. At the end of the day, we reach the village of Roshka (2,000 m) to spend the night and prepare for the next busy day. *There are 2 paths from the village of Juta to Roshka, the 1st passes over the Chaukhebi pass (3,338 m) which is very difficult to do in one day, but it is possible to see three magnificent multicolored lakes (white, blue and green), the 2nd passes over the Sadzele pass (2,633 m), we recommend taking the path over the Sadzele pass.

Transfer: Private vehicle, around 40 minutes, 20km.

Walking time: approximately 7h, 18km.

Positive ascent: 1600m.

Negative ascent: 1330m.

Difficulty level: difficult.

Overnight in Roshka.

In the morning, we set off for the magical riverside village-fortress of Shatili (1,400m). The historic village is a unique complex comprising a medieval town with fortified stone residential towers.

After a quick tour of the village, we set off to discover another medieval village in the region - Mutso (1,880m), almost completely abandoned over a century ago. Difficult to access, the ancient village retains its original architecture and is an authentic destination for mountain hikers. The village has recently been restored and has been awarded the Europa Nostra prize in Paris, known as the "European Oscar" for the protection of cultural heritage.

We then begin our hike from Mutso to the village of Ardoti (1,820m). After visiting the village, we return to Shatili.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 3h, 65km.

Walking distance: approximately 6km.

Positive ascent: 480m.

Negative ascent: 600m.

Difficulty level: average.

Overnight in Shatili.

In the morning departure to Gori – soviet city and the central part of Georgia, the hometown of Joseph Stalin, where we can visit the house-museum of Stalin and its armored vehicle.

Then we discover an abandoned rock-hewn town Uplistsikhe (about 1h30), dug into the rocks dates back to the 2nd century, is overlooking to the river Mtkvari.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 6-7h, 210km.

Walking distance: approximately 2km.

Negative ascent: 800m.

Difficulty level: easy.

Overnight in Gori.

Early in the morning, departure for Kutaisi - the country's second-largest city, to visit the UNESCO sites: Gelati Monastery, an illustration of Georgian culture from the 10th to the 18th century, the masterpiece of the golden age of medieval Georgia, the center of science and education during this period. Next, a visit to the recently renovated Bagrati Cathedral, a 10th-century symbol of the city.

In the afternoon, we continue to Mestia, in Svaneti - a mountainous region with a rich diversity of landscapes. Svaneti is one of the regions significant to the myth of the Argonauts, who used to obtain gold from lambskin. Situated on the southern slopes of the Great Central Caucasus, it is surrounded by peaks between 3,000 and 5,000 meters high.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 7h, 390km.

Positive ascent: 900m.

Overnight in Mestia.

In the morning, we begin our trek from Mestia (1,500 m) to the village of Zhabeshi. From this morning onwards, we walk every day to reach the highest village, Ushguli, step by step. Each day, the car delivers our luggage to the village where we spend the night.

The first day to Ushguli is the easiest, as the trail follows the rivers and the north side of the mountain. The trail passes through the village of Mulakhi, where it's possible to visit the village churches.

After a 4-5 hour walk, we reach the village of Zhabeshi (1,680 m), surrounded by mountains including the Tetnuldi peak (4,852 m), which means "White" in English. The next day, we continue around this peak to reach the other side of the mountain.

Free time to visit the village and its typical local houses.

Walking time: approximately 4-5h, 16km.

Positive ascent: 400m.

Negative ascent: 300m.

Difficulty level: average.

Overnight in Zhabeshi.

In the morning, we begin the trek from Zhabeshi (1,680 m) to the village of Adishi (2,040 m), located on the other side of the pass at 2,500 m altitude. This is a more challenging day, beginning with the ascent to the pass. The trail passes through mountain forest and climbs up to the slope of the Tetnuldi ski resort. Here we can take a rest and enjoy the vast panorama of the Caucasus mountains.

The descent to the village of Adishi offers us different views of the village. Finally, after a 7-8 hour walk, we descend to the village hidden among the mountains at the foot of Mount Tetnuldi. This small, beautiful village was one of the most important to have preserved Georgian religious treasures during the medieval wars. Several of the village's churches, with their regional wall paintings, are well worth a visit.

Walking time: approximately 7-8h, 18km.

Positive ascent: 850m.

Negative ascent: 450m.

Difficulty level: difficult.

Overnight in Adishi.

Morning departure from the village of Adishi (2,040m) for the Chkhutnieri pass (2,800m). The trail follows the Adishistskali River and finally crosses it before beginning another 800m climb. We cross the river on horseback and begin the ascending trail rich in alpine plants. After crossing the pass, all the peaks of the Greater Caucasus between 4,000 and 5,201m, as well as the Tetnuldi glacier, rise up before us. The alpine field with a few flowers and the panorama offer us a magical spot for a lunch break or refreshment.

After a short break, we start our descent along a winding path to the village of Kalde (2,000 m), a medieval village almost entirely in ruins.

Finally, we descend to the village of Iprali, where we spend the night after an intense and emotional day.

Walking time: approximately 7-8h, 18km.

Positive ascent: 850m.

Negative ascent: 850m.

Difficulty level: difficult.

Overnight in Iprali.

In the morning, we begin the last day of our tour to Ushguli (2,200m), one of the highest villages in Georgia. The trail follows the Khaldetchala River and eventually climbs to the mountain that separates two valleys: Khalde and Enguri. At the end of the day, we descend to Ushguli - the village with the typical Svan towers. The village lies at the foot of Mount Shkara (5,201 m), which has nine peaks, the highest of which is in Georgia.

Arrival in Ushguli, free time for sightseeing.

Walking time: approximately 6h.

Positive ascent: 400m.

Negative ascent: 200m.

Difficulty level: difficult.

Overnight in Ushguli.

In the morning, we embark on a short and relaxing walk to the Shkhara Glacier (2,390 m), lasting 3-4 hours. During the hike, it is possible to visit the Lamaria Church (9th-10th century).

In the afternoon, we return to Mestia by 4x4 car.

If time permits, visit the Mestia Museum of History and Ethnography, which boasts a rich cultural collection of the region from the Stone Age to the present day, including medieval Orthodox art.

Transfer : Private vehicle, approximately 2h, 45km.

Walking time: approximately 3-4h.

Positive ascent: 200m.

Negative ascent: 800m.

Difficulty level: easy.

Overnight in Mestia.

In the morning, take a long road from Mestia to the capital. In the evening arrive in Tbilisi.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 8h, 465km.

Negative ascent: 900m.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

Hotel-airport transfer, departure.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 30 minutes, 20km.