"Best of Georgia" tourfrom €1450


Overview

The closest thing we have to the "normal tour". Unlike other ones, where you trek from beginning till the end and are usually limited to one region, this one aims to show "the best of Georgia" to the visitor that doesn't have too much time beyond the duration of this tour. During 12 days, we will introduce you to everything that makes Georgia a great destination - nature, architecture, food and culture. Of course, also this tour features lots of hiking, but beyond that, we squeezed in also numerous cultural sights from medieval to Soviet era, visit to the sea and exploration of Georgian cuisine crowned by the traditional Georgian feast, supra.

Trekking in Svaneti and Kazbegi, Georgia's most famous mountain regions

Boat ride in Martvili canyon
Visit of birthplace of Stalin, Enguri dam and the mining town of Chiatura
Exploration of Kakheti, "Georgian Provence"
Visit of rock city Uplistsihke
See some of the most striking Georgian churches and cathedrals


Date No. of participants Duration Price per person Deposit
11. 07. - 22. 07. 2025 4 (2 PLACES LEFT) 12 days 1450 EUR 400 EUR
This tour can be organized also privately for any group of hikers outside of the dates listed above. In this case, the itinerary can be adjusted according to your wishes and group size limitation doesn't apply. However, the price may be different, too.
DEPARTURE / ARRIVAL: TBILISI

DIFFICULTY:
This is a tour of a moderate difficulty. Therefore, you need to be fit and used to hiking - you should be able to walk 6-7 hours a day. On some days, you will have to cover significant elevation difference, like 1000m up and down - nothing a fit tourist wouldn't handle, but someone without training might struggle. Still, you are not obliged to finish all walks, on most fo the days, you can skip the hiking part or finish earlier. And if would like to participate but are not sure if this trek is for you, please contact us and we will try to find out :)

Itinerary

Day 1 Transfer to Kazbegi, visit of Truso valley
distance 12km, 300m and 220m

In the morning, we leave Tbilisi and head north into the mountains along the Georgian Military Highway. We will make stops at Ananuri fortress and Russo-Georgian Friendship monument, then cross the 2379m high Jvari (Cross) pass. Afterward, we will leave the main road and after a short off-road ride, will leave our cars at the Kvemo Okrokana village to make a 4-5 hours long hike in the abandoned Truso valley. After returning to our cars, we will ride to the Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) village, where we will enjoy a dinner and spend a night at the local guesthouse.

Day 2 Hike to the Gergeti glacier
distance 20.4km, 1052m and 1052m

Today, we will ride a jeep to the incredibly photogenic Gergeti Trinity church, probably the most famous Georgian landmark. From here, we will trek further up and climb Kazbegi massif towards the Gergeti glacier. If the weather cooperates, we will enjoy stunning views of surrounding mountains dominated by 5033m high Mt. Kazbek. Night at Kazbegi.

Day 3 Visit of Chaukhi valley
distance 7.6km, 340m and 340m

After breakfast, we will take a car to the Juta village. From here, we will hike towards the imposing Chaukhi massif (3688), known as the "Georgian Dolomites". After we reach small Chaukhi lake situated beneath the ridge, we will refresh ourselves at the local pub and return to Juta. Then we will drive back to Tbilisi - will be back right for the evening tour of the Old City.

Day 4 Exploration of Kakheti

Today, we head to the Georgian wine region Kakheti. First, we will visit Alaverdi monastery which, until recently, was the highest religious building in Georgia (which is quite a feat since the monastery itself dates back to 10th century). In its vicinity, we will visit Georgia potter creating kvevri, traditional Georgian wine vessels and also taste Georgian milk products. After a brief visit to the Gremi castle, we will take a tour in the famous wine tunnel at the Khareba winery (miles-spanning tunnels, but only small part is accessible so it won´t take that long). The next stop will be Numisi Winery, where we will see a museum, do wine tasting and take a workshop of Georgian food. Finally, we will drive to Sighnaghi, where we will enjoy traditional Georgian dinner at local guesthouse.

Day 5 Exploration of Kakheti and supra

Tour of Sighnaghi town and after we get hungry, we will drive for lunch at Simonai Zaoti in traditional georgian supra arrangement with wine drinking and toasts (and singing if you feel for that). Then we will make a visit to Zegani Monastery and drive to Tbilisi.

Day 6 Gori and Chiatura

Today, we drive to the west. After several hours on the road, our first stop will be the medieval rock city of Uplistsikhe. Afterwards, we will make a short stop for a khachapuri for a quick lunch (since this is a pretty busy day), where we will also pay a short visit of marble-encased birth house of Josiph Stalin. Then we will drive to Chiatura, derelict mining town famous for it's cable cars system. Not far from it lies 40 meters tall limestone pillar Katskhi, home of Maxime Qavtaradze, the most famous stylite monk in the world. Finally, we will reach Kutaisi, where we will spend a night at the local guesthouse.

Day 7 Sights around Kutaisi and travel to Svaneti

After hearthy breakfast, we will visit cathedrals Gelati and Motsameta, some of the finest examples of Georgian architecture. Then we will drive to Martvili canyon, where we will enjoy a short boat ride through the gorge. From here starts the last etappe of our journey to Svaneti - along the route, we will make a stop to marvel Engeri dam, the second tallest concrete dam in the world and in the afternoon will finally reach Mestia, the regional center of Svaneti.

Day 8 Hike to Tsvirmi
distance 11.2km, 390m and 898m

Before noon, we will have some time to explore Mestia on foot. We will stroll around the rebuilt city center and visit one of city´s three museums. Before noon, we will ride the Hatsvali cable car to the top of Zuruldi ridge, from where we can admire Ushba, one of the most prominent peaks of Greater Caucasus while sitting at the local restaurant (or just standing nearby :)). Then will come time to stretch our legs - we will traverse Zuruldi ridge to the old Mentashi transmitter and carefully descend to reconnect another trail below. This trail will lead us through beautiful meadows and forests to the Tsvirmi village, where we will spend the night.

Day 9 Crossing of Chkhunderi pass
distance 14km, 860m and 810m

In the morning, we will drive to Adishi village,where today´s hike starts. First, we will follow Adischala river deeper into the valley, then cross it and initiate the arduous climb to the Chkhunderi pass (2650m). During the climb open better and better views of Mt. Tetnuldi, Adishchala valley and the glacier and from the top comes into view also Mt. Shkhara, the highest Georgian mountain. We will descend to the other side, into the Khaldechala valley to Khalde village, center of the largest 19th anti-Tzarist revolt (which was suppressed and village burned out and depopulated). Here, we will board jeeps again and drive last 20 km to famous Ushguli, where we will spend a night.

Day 10 Hiking around Ushguli
distance 13km, 812m and 812m

Today, you can choose from two available programs. One option is to join our guide to climb Gorvashi pass above the Ushguli village, at the altitude of 2950m. Another option is the horse trek to the Shkhara glacier with a horse guide. No matter which option you choose, you will return to the Ushguli not long after the noon and after the hearthy lunch, we will board the jeep to ride to another famous Svan village, Mazeri, lying in the shadow of Mt. Ushba. Night at Mazeri guesthouse.

Day 11 Hike to Shdughra waterfall, travel to Batumi
distance 10,5km, 520m and 520m

Hiking in the Dolra valley, admiring Mt. Ushba from various angles. Trail ends by the Shdughra, one of the most impressive Georgian waterfalls.After returning to the village, we boards cars again and say goodbye to Svaneti. Our next destination is Batumi, bustling city at the Black Sea. We spend nice evening there, exploring the famous promenade and have a dinner at the local restaurant. Night at Batumi hotel.

Day 12 Batumi, travel to Tbilisi

Today, we will further explore Batumi and its most remarkable sights. Then, after a pleasant lunch at the local restaurant, we board cars again and brace for a long ride to Tbilisi.



NOT INCLUDED:
  • Travel insurance. You will need to arrange your own travel insurance). On my trekking trips, I use SafetyWing travel insurance
  • Tbilisi and Batumi dinners and Batumi lunch since due to an opportunity to explore individually, there wgroup might not together at this time
  • Snacks and alcoholic beverages
  • Boredom
DEPOSIT:
Since this is a small-group tour, we will need some deposit to be able to book your spot. The price is 400 EUR, money can be sent either as SEPA transfer or through PayPal or TransferWise. We collect these deposits only after the minimal threshhold of participants has been reached. The deposit is fully refundable if you cancel your booking more than 45 days before the start of the trek. If you cancel later, we reserve the right not to refund the deposit if we can´t find the replacement for your spot.
Deposit is also returned fully in case of covid lockdown that prevents travel between Georgia and client's country of origin or if client's country of origin puts Georgia on quarantine list.



WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU BOOK THE TOUR:

If you consider joining one of our tours, you should understand how our booking process works - so what happens after you fill in that form to the right.

  1. First, you need to register for a tour. We don't collect deposits at this stage but expect clients to fill in the form only in case of serious interest, after they have everything sorted out and are positive that they will be able to participate.
  2. We will send an email asking you to confirm your email address, to establish contact and be sure that we received valid address. Once confirmed, we will put you on the list of participants. Then, after the tour meets minimal threshold of required participants, we will send you another e-mail, inform you that the tour is guaranteed to run and if deposit is necessary, ask for it.
  3. After all participants sent deposit payment, the tour is green-lighted and we start with necessary arrangements.
  4. If there are still not enough participants one month before the start of the tour, we inform you about the situation and offer to run the tour at the increased price. If all participants agree to it and make a deposit, the tour goes ahead - and, of course, if more people book during the last months before the tour, the price goes down correspondingly, but at some moment we need to decide if to run it or not. If participants don´t agree with the higher price, the tour is cancelled and, if there is interest, we can work with them on some individual programs.


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