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Hiking Georgia's Caucasus Mountains - Kramer Bespoke
Georgia & Armenia
From
This trip supports
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Esential info
- Packing list
Grade:
Intermediate
Type:
Activity
Duration:
11 Nights
3 - 3
Group size
Leaders
Tour Highlights
- Explore the beautiful city of Tbilisi and immerse yourself in Georgian's history, culture, art and delicious food
- Hike through the spectacular Caucasus Mountains region
- Admire glaciers, snow-capped peaks and dramatic waterfalls
- Enjoy delicious traditional lunches and dinners with local families
- Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Combine Georgia's rich culture with incredible hiking opportunities on this small group tour
Discover the very best of Georgia! Your trip begins in the vibrant capital of Tbilisi before heading towards the breathtaking Greater Caucasus for a series of adventures hiking across the beautiful landscapes. On this tour you will taste traditional Georgian wine, enjoy delicious traditional meals hosted by local families and admire one spectacular view after another.
Day 1: Arrival in Tbilisi
Flights
Transfer
Boutique Hotel
Welcome to Georgia! Today is a 'free' day for you to arrive, be transferred to the start hotel, and to shake off any travel fatigue and get your bearings. Your adventure starts in earnest, tomorrow, after breakfast - so please book flights / transportation that will get you to Tbilisi in time for Breakfast at the latest!
If you are able to arrive earlier in the day, please feel free to ask us for guidance on how to spend this free day, where to eat and what to visit (or to try to save for the tour). We are on hand to help!
Accommodation: Hotel Brim
Day 2: Tbilisi
Breakfast
Boutique Hotel
Today, we will explore the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi. Wander in the old districts of the city which are structured like terraces, as well as take a walk in the narrow streets to enjoy colorful houses, patterned balconies and wonderful samples of modern architecture. We will start the tour from Metekhi church (13th c) facing the magnificent views of old Tbilisi. A stroll along the winding little streets takes us to the main sights of the city. Afterwards, we will take a cable car to enjoy the panoramic views of the whole town and through the ancient Narikala fortress (4th c), find ourselves in the historical domed sulphur bath area – connected with the name of our city.
Accommodation: Hotel Brim
Day 3: Tbilisi-Gori-Uplistsikhe-Kutaisi
Transfer
Breakfast
Boutique Hotel
If you decide to set off on a journey in time, then you absolutely must visit the unique and ancient city of Uplistsikhe. It was here, where in ancient times caravans from faraway lands would gather. At present in the city there are well preserved ancient and antique halls and caves form thousands of years ago, as well as an ancient theater, pharmacy and wine cellar, among many other things. Afterwards, we will make a stop at the Stalin`s museum in Gori, where you’ll also be able to see the house in which he was born. Drive to Kutaisi.
Accommodation: Kutaisi Inn
Day 4: Kutaisi-Martvli Canyon-Becho
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
Guest house
Today, we drive to Martvili and visit Martvili canyon, take a boat and enter deeply in the canyon. Appearance of the canyon is very unique, with slender tree trunks, spindly branches and huge boulders covered in moss hanging over sparkling turquoise-blue waters. We get ready for the most exciting part of your trip and set out for the mystical Svaneti, where the highest peaks of the Greater Caucasus, glaciers eternally covered with snow, lakes, waterfalls and towers from the Middle Ages are found. Arrive in Becho.
Accommodation: Family hotel in a Becho
Day 5: Becho-Ushba Waterfall-Mestia
Transfer
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
Dinner
Guest house
Today, we are having amazing adventures. First, we will drive to Shikhra village. From there we will set out on foot to the waterfalls of Ushba. A muddy forest will be followed by a noisy river, whose mouth is at Ushba glacier. Not too long after this waterfalls will come into view, several cascades of water flowing downwards side by side on the mountain slope creating an unforgettable panorama. We could go to the base of the large waterfall or head up to the top and gaze down from above at the picturesque Dolra River Valley. Return to Becho and later, drive to Mestia. This small town is a favorite destination of travelers and photographers alike. It is here where the mountainous panorama of the Greater Caucasus and centuries-old history with its towers, gold treasuries and the ancient traditions, meet.
Military Base: Stage 1 (easy)/ walking time: 2-3 hrs totally; ↑↓ 250 m; 8 km.
1st waterfall: Stage 2 (medium)/ walking time: 4-5 hrs totally; ↑↓ 550 m; 10 km.
2nd waterfall: Stage 3 (hard)/ walking time: 6-7 hrs totally; ↑↓ 1100 m; 12 km
Accommodation: Family hotel in Mestia
Day 6: Mestia-Becho-Guli Pass-Mestia
Transfer
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
Dinner
Guest house
Today is one of the most difficult and at the same time, most gorgeous route of the tour. In the monring, we will drive to the end of the village Mazeri and start walking to Guli Pass. The farther we get away from the village and the closer we get to Ushba, it will not be long until its glacier comes into sight and a steep, serpentine path will begin. When we reach Guli Pass (2,945 m.) we will have the sensation we can touch Ushba’s summit. We will see rocky mountains from above and mountain eagles in flight in a circle. From here we will descend down by 4WD cars to Mestia, which is surrounded by deck bushes, ice bridges and the cold springs.
Becho-Guli Pass Distance: 16 km. ↑1650 m. ↓800 m. (Walking time: 7-8hrs.)
Accommodation: Family hotel in Mestia
Day 7: Mestia-Adishi
Transfer
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
Dinner
Guest house
After breakfast we drive for about 40 minutes to the village Mulakhi from where we begin our walk on the slopes of Mt. Tetnuldi. Today, we may reach 2800 m having beautiful views to Chaneri glacier, Mt. Ushba (4700 m.), Svaneti range with its highest peak Mt. Laila (4010m) and then walk down to the remote village Adishi (2000 m.) where even in summer mostly 4X4 WD can not drive to. There’re only 5-6 families living in the village. They’ll host us in their houses with traditional Svanetian hospitality and food.
Distance: 9-10 km. ↑ 890 m. ↓ 300 m. (walking time: 5 hrs.)
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Adishi (very basic facilities)
Day 8: Adishi-Iprari
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
Dinner
Guest house
Today, one of the most significant days of our journey is ahead of us. We will begin walking in the early hours of the morning. We will follow Adishura River and make our way across the water on horseback. After several minutes Adishi glacier will come into sight. The eternal, huge collection of ice at Mt. Tetnuli (4,800 m.), the green field and the mountain flowers, the tapestry of colors, will remain forever imprinted in our memories. Soon Ushba will rise into the horizon. Those who ascend Chkhutnieri Pass (2730 m) will have the sensation that they can touch the peak of Tetnuli and clouds with their hands. We will descend down from the pass and make our way to the village of Iprari.
Distance: 17 km. ↑760 m. ↓950 m. (walking time 6-7 hrs.)
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Iprari
Day 9: Iprari-Ushguli
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
Dinner
Guest house
In the morning, we will set our course towards Ushguli. On the way, we will pass by an ancient village with several towers and take the forest path. We will come across winding fields, where the entire length of the snow-covered Mt. Tetnuli (4,800 m.) is visible. Finally, we will come across Ushguli (a UNESCO heritage site), the highest, permanently settled village in Europe, where time has stopped and centuries-old towers look out to Georgia’s highest summit, Shkhara (5,201 m.). Ushguli is a must-see place.
Distance: 15 km. ↑765 m. ↓500 m. (walking time 4-5 hrs.)
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Ushguli
Day 10: Ushguli-Gorvashi Pass-Ushguli-Mestia
Transfer
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
Dinner
Guest house
Today we will up to Gorvashi Pass. This tour will be one of the most difficult, though at the same time most incredible, of our journey. From Ushguli towards the towers of Quinn Tamar, where according to legend, she would spend her summers; we will take a narrow path and go along Gorvashi Ridge. Upper and Lower Svaneti are visible from here, as well as the following peaks of the Caucasus: Ushba (4,700 m.), Tetnuldi (4,800 m.), Shkhara (5,201 m.), Jangha (5,059 m.). Then, walk back to Ushguli and drive to Mestia.
Distance: 8.5 km. ↑↓710 m. (walking time 5-6 hrs.)
Accommodation: Family hotel in Mestia
Day 11: Mestia-Tbilisi
Breakfast
Boutique Hotel
From the Great Caucasus mountains we descend to the capital of Georgia. After about 8-9 hours of driving, we will arrive in Tbilisi.
Accommodation: Hotel Brim
Day 12: Departure Day Tbilisi Airport
Flights
Transfer
Today your adventure in Georgia comes to an end. It's time to return home, rejuvenated!
Adventure Optional Extras
Plant an additional 15 trees for your adventure
Carbon Compensation is not the perfect solution, and it is important to first reduce our carbon emissions as much as we can, yet trees remain an excellent natural technology to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow global warming.
For every client and guide who attends a YellowWood Adventure, we donate £30 to our partner charity WeForest to plant 15 trees to (over) compensate for the carbon footprint of the tour.
We also invite our clients to match this with an optional additional £30 for another 15 trees to be planted to help compensate for the carbon footprint of their international flights.
WeForest run many tree planting and tree maintenance projects such as this seedling nursery in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil and many other projects in other countries including Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania & India.
Click Here to find out more about their amazing projects around the world.
Not Included
- Flights
- Insurance
- Drinks
- Meals not mentioned above
Contents
Accommodation
We fully believe in, and practice, Responsible Tourism, using hotels run by locals. The accommodation on this adventure is comfortable and welcoming hotel accommodation offering rooms with ensuite facilities. We put time and effort into building our relationship with accommodation suppliers to ensure you have a great trip.
We choose accommodation based on cleanliness, comfort, safety, proximity to our route (to avoid unnecessary extra travel) and a warm client welcome, as well as reliability in their service to us. Wherever we can we will choose smaller, more characterful, individual hotels, but in areas where tourism is still developing, or in remote areas (like the mountains), we may not have a wide range of options. An aspect of our adventures is to escape the ‘trappings’ of modern Western lifestyles and to experience new things with are exciting and memorable and reflects the countries we are visiting.
Accommodation:
3* hotel "Brim" in Tbilisi (SGL rooms)
3*(*) hotel "Kutaisi Inn" in Kutaisi (SGL rooms)
Family hotel in Mestia (SGL rooms)
Guesthouses in Adishi (Triple room), Guesthouse in Iprari (Triple room)
Guesthouse in Ushguli (Triple room)
Guiding & Your Group
Supporting you on your holiday will be a local, English-speaking, qualified guide who knows the area like the back of their hand, as well as the history & heritage of the area!
We work jointly with our Georgian Tour Operator partners both before and during your adventure to ensure that they understand your needs and the standard that YellowWood Adventures expects. We believe that it is a very important positive aspect of Responsible Tourism, to employ the expertise of reliable and suitably qualified local suppliers, as well as offering you a much more informative and authentic experience.
Am I Fit Enough?
Your itinerary involves hiking at altitude. You will encounter some rough terrain, with steeper gradients. The paths are generally defined but may be narrow and rocky at times. You will be walking for up to 7-8 hours / day, and on some consecutive days.
To get the most of out of this adventure, you need to be a regular walker with experience of walking in the mountains, and be in good physical condition.
Any hiking is undertaken at the natural pace of the group, with regular stops for photos, snacks etc. Walking boots that have already been worn in are essential on this adventure.
You will be carrying just a day pack with camera, spare layers and a bottle of water.
For convenience, peace of mind, and to reduce the purchase of single use plastic water bottles, we highly recommend your bring a filtration water bottle.
Training
As with all active holidays, the fitter you are, the more you can relax and enjoy the stunning route, and the better you can cope with challenges such as the outside elements.
You are advised to get into a regular walking & / or running pattern before the trip as convenient.
Travel
Your YellowWood adventure starts in Tbilisi. We understand that arriving into an unfamiliar airport can be daunting, so we aim to give you as much information here as possible to help you prepare.
Finding flights
Flights are not included in the cost of your holiday, and whilst we are happy to help advise you, responsibility for booking the correct flights rests with you. We recommend that you use a comparison tool when searching for flights, such as skyscanner or www.momondo.co.uk.
Foreign Travel Advice
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. As the situation in our destination countries can change, please do ensure you check regularly before your adventure.
We also receive notifications direct from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) so we are always aware of the ‘status’ in our destination countries.
Arrival
Tbilisi Airport is a fully functioning, international airport welcoming domestic flights and those from Europe. Airport services include Duty Free, ATMs and Currency Exchange. On arrival at the airport you will go through passport control to baggage reclaim and onwards to Arrivals where you will be met by a driver / guide with a YellowWood Adventures sign.
All group specific, final details on where to meet your guide will be sent to you prior to the start of your adventure.
Insurance
Holiday insurance is essential for all Yellow Wood Adventures. Unfortunately, anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the holiday, so please make sure you arrange cover. We recommend arranging your insurance cover when you book so that if you have problems during the run up to your holiday, and need to cancel, you are covered.
Tourists visiting Georgia are required to possess compulsory health and accident insurance, which is subject to verification upon entry at the border.
YellowWood partners with battleface as a travel insurance provider. Click here for a quote.
battleface insurance is provided in the UK by battleface Insurance Services Limited, a UK insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Details provided on this webpage are for information only. Terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations apply. Always read the description of cover contained within your policy to ensure it is suitable for your needs.
Prior to the holiday, we will ask you to send us details of your insurer, policy number, 24 hour emergency assistance contact details and the name, address, and telephone numbers of your NOK or persons to be notified in the event of an emergency.
You must ensure the travel insurance you purchase provides you with suitable cover for the entirety of your trip. Your travel insurance must include cover in the event that you have to cancel for a reason outside your control prior to departure, for any medical expenses you may incur whilst away (including repatriation in the case of medical need) and for the activities which you may participate in during your trip.
General information on Georgia
For general information on Georgia, such as climate, weather, language, social norms, food & drink etc, please have a head to our Country Specific Page packed full of information about Georgia.
Please take into consideration the time of year when you are travelling before making your final packing decisions.
Please bring a full first aid kit and any prescription medication with you. Consult your doctor regarding advice around inoculations and the prevention of disease contraction.
Receive a 15% discount off Water-to-Go filtration water-bottles to help reduce plastic waste.
Compulsory
- Passport & insurance documents
- Appropriate Visa
- US$ or £GB to exchange for local currency
- Credit / Debit card for ATMs in town
- Phone & charging cables / plugs / adaptors
- Day bag
- Money belt
- Antibiotics such as Azithromycin to stop serious traveller's diarrhoea
- First aid kit: paracetamol, rehydration sachets, antihistamine cream, ibuprofen cream, thermometer & blister kit (eg plasters & zinc oxide tape). anti-diarrhoea tables - we recommend getting hold of some Ciprofloxacin (a quinolone antibiotic) ahead of the trip. It’s great for traveller's diarrhoea
- Washbag & usual contents
- If applicable, feminine hygiene products
- Insect repellent
- Sun cream
- Hand gel
- Fully charged power pack and cables
Clothing
- Waterproof jacket - GoreTex or similar quality
- Warm jacket & fleece - even in the summer temperatures can be low in the evenings. Down or synthetic insulated jacket & light fleece recommended - they pack small too!
- Walking trousers for trekking. Soft shell fabric is ideal
- Shorts for warmer days
- Sandals or trainers - worn in please!
- General socks / underwear
- Suitable clothes/pjs for sleeping in
- Some “smarter” outfits / evening wear
- Warm hat & gloves
Items for Hiking
- Light clothes for day time - long & short sleeved tops. Technical fabrics dry quickly in hot or wet weather when hiking
- Thermal base layers
- 20-30L rucksack with waist (& ideally chest) strap for hiking
- Walking boots - already broken in!
- Waterproof stuff sacks & liners for both day sack and kit bag) to keep kit dry
- Water-to-Go filtration water-bottle & additional storage water-bottle - ideally 2 litres per person
- Standard large rucksack or large duffel style bag are all suitable for your baggage
Optional
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat or baseball cap
- Buff or neck gaiter for cold weather / sun protection
- For women: Light scarf useful for covering neck & shoulders in respect of religious spaces
- Flask, if you enjoy hot drinks on the go
- Camera & charging cables / plug
- Purification tablets as alternative to Water Purification Bottle
- Spare ziplock bags for dirty clothes, waterproofing phones, rubbish & general organising
- Walking poles
- Lightweight waterproof trousers
- Waterproof socks
- Warm hat & gloves
- Swimming costume
- Clothing hand-washing product - biodegradable please!
- Ear plugs (in case sharing with a snorer!)
This trip supports
Need a little help?
All adventures can be tailored as private bespoke trips.
Please contact us for more information:
+44 207 846 0197
Related Adventures
Booking Process
Select dates: Choose the dates for your adventure and consider adding any extra adventures or add-ons to enhance your experience.
Check the box to agree to our Terms & Conditions.
Make Booking: Click on "Make Booking." If you're booking more than 56 days before your adventure, you'll be redirected to secure WorldPay to make your deposit. If it's 56 days or less before your adventure, you'll need to make full payment. Rest assured, your money is held securely by the Travel Trust Association.
Your booking will show as 'pending' in your YellowWood online account.
Confirmation: We'll be in touch as soon as possible to confirm your booking or discuss any availability limitations. Please refrain from booking transport or flights until we've emailed you to confirm your booking. (Note: Receipt of your booking form is not confirmation.)
Making payment: Once your booking is confirmed, we'll change the status of your final invoice from 'Pending Approval' to 'Outstanding,' indicating that it's ready for payment online.
You will receive a reminder email for your final payment 56 days before the departure date.
Feel free to contact us with any questions about your adventure or booking, we're here to help!
Grading
To help you choose the right adventure for you, we have given each itinerary a grading that relates to the level of Walking / Trekking you will experience during the trip. This grading can be found on the Yellow map on the adventure page of the website.
All of our trips involve a level of general activity so are designed for people who are in good health, enjoy the outdoors, and have a taste for adventure and some level of fitness. As will be clear from our destinations, the climate (and altitude) may be different to that which you are used to, so please take this into consideration when choosing the most suitable holiday.
Please read our Adventure Itinerary & Essential Information for more information and don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to chat through whether you have found a suitable adventure for you.
Grade 1-3: Entry Level
You need to be in good physical health to enjoy your active holiday, but you don’t need to be an experienced hiker. These itineraries offer a mix of sightseeing and easier walking for around 2-4hrs a day, with the emphasis on sights and cultural experiences.
Walks will be well marked or on defined pathways, and often around sites of interest. The expected amount of descent/ascent will depend on the landscapes of the destination, but will not exceed 400m/day, and will often be much less. Walks are at low altitude (below 3000m).
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack with water and essentials. Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have a pair of comfortable and worn in walking shoes/boots.
Grades 4-6: Intermediate
You need to have a good level of fitness and be a regular walker for these adventures, with ideally some trekking experience. You can expect to be walking for 3-6 hours per day, not including rest stops, normally on good trail paths but with some uneven surfaces at times.
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack. You may be walking in more challenging temperatures. You will generally be walking at low altitude (below 3000m) but may walk at altitudes up to 4000m. The amount of ascent could be up to 800m in a day but will frequently be less. You may walk on consecutive days.
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable clothing for this adventure.
Grades 7-9: Challenging
You need to have a good level of fitness with previous experience of trekking. Extra training before your trip will ensure that you get the most out of your adventure. Areas will be remote and terrain uneven.
Expect to walk for 5 – 8 hours a day, not including breaks, with some very steep ascents and descents. You will be walking at altitude (over 3000m but not higher than 5000m).
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable equipment/clothing for this adventure (see the packing list for your adventure).
Please check individual itineraries for details of what you will need to be carrying with you.
Get in touch
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