Walk in the Caucasus, Georgia
Caucasus Mountains, camping in the high pastures close to the Russian border, as well as visiting some of Georgia's most impressive cultural sites.
Georgia is a country that is overflowing with history and culture, has immense natural beauty and unrivalled hospitality. The food and wine is among the most delicious in Europe, and tourism is in its nascent stage. For anyone with a taste for adventure but pushed for time, this summer break will really blow your socks off.
‘An exhilarating walk amongst fantastic scenery. Waking up, looking out of my tent and just being surrounded by mountains was an experience I will never forget.' Ann Shelley
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Itinerary / Highlights
Highlights:-• The historic old town of Tbilisi
• The ancient capital of Mtsketa
• Homestay in the mountains with a Georgian family
• A wonderful trek through an idyllic region
• Gori and the surreal Stalin Museum
Day 1: Tbilisi (400m): Meet at joining hotel and overnight in Tbilisi.
Hotel (No meals)
Day 2: Tbilisi: The tour starts with a late breakfast at the hotel, followed by a sightseeing tour of Old Tbilisi: Metekhi Church overlooking the river Mtkvari (13th century); Narikala Fortress, one of the oldest fortifications in the city (4th century); Sulphur Baths & (later we will have an opportunity to take one with a very refreshing massage); Synagogue; Sioni Cathedral (6-7th century) - in this
cathedral the cross of St. Nino, the woman who brought Christianity to Georgia, is preserved; Anchiskhati Church (6th century). All these sights are very close to each other and it's a pleasant walk. Afterwards we will visit the stunning treasures of the Georgian State
Museum, finishing our tour late afternoon. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 3: Tbilisi & Kazbegi (1700m): Drive to the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia - Mtskheta (3000 years old), and see its historic sites: Jvari church (6th century) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century), where legend has it the Robe of Christ is buried - both of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. We will then drive up the famous Georgian Military Highway which leads to the Georgian-Russian border. On the way we will visit Ananuri architectural complex (17th century), consisting of two churches and the fortress overlooking the Zhinvali Reservoir. The drive is incredibly scenic through the high Caucasus Mountains. This evening we will stay with a charming family in their home. Conditions will be basic but with the classic Georgian hospitality flowing, this is sure to be a
highlight of the trip.
Homestay (B, L, D)
Day 4: Kazbegi & Mountain Camp above Juta (2500m): We will go on a morning walk for about two hours up through beautiful valleys and forests to the Gergeti Trinity church (14th century) located on top of the mountain (2170m). We will also have a chance to enjoy the
view of one of the highest and most spectacular mountains in the Caucasus & Mount Kazbegi (5047m). After a simple lunch at a small local café we will drive east up the Tergi River Valley & passing the region's classic fortified towers, ancient carvings and the odd bust of
Stalin & to the picturesque village of Juta. At 2300m this is one of highest villages in Europe. We will begin our trek by walking
up this pleasant river valley towards the pass. We will camp tonight at 2500m in a beautiful meadow in the lea of the impressive Mount Chaukhebi. Camp (B, L, D)
Approx walking time: 6hrs
Day 5: Mountain Camp above Juta - Tetu Peak - Mountain Camp above Juta: Today we climb to Tetu peak, at 3210m. Two hours walking through white rhododendron fields and wildflower meadows takes us to the ridge. Then another 100m and you are on top to enjoy breathtaking views of the Grand Caucasus Mountains, with Mt Kazbegi on one side and Mt Chaukhebi on the other. We'll return to our camp tonight with time to
relax and prepare for tomorrow's challenge.
Camp (B, L, D)
Approx walking time: 4hrs
Day 6: Mountain Camp above Juta & Mountain Camp above Roshka (2200m): This is the hardest but also the most rewarding day of the trip as we make our way over the Abodelauri Pass from Khevi into Khevshureti. At first the walk is easy, through meadows of wild flowers, but
after an hour it becomes more testing as we begin to climb towards the pass. Not that you should worry too much about this - the beauty and sheer scale of the land around you will easily distract from the tiring legs! And when you reach the pass at 3500m, a narrow saddle on the
rocky outcrop, the view is so great it will make it all worthwhile. For here you are in the very heart of the Grand Caucasus range, with breathtaking, 360-degree views over Chechnia, Ingasetia, North Ossetia and Dagistan. We will then walk down the steep slopes of Alpine meadows to our campsite at Abodelauri Lake. At night, if you look at the lake from a little ridge above, you will see the heavens
reflected.
Camp (B, L, D)
Approx walking time: 7hrs
Day 7: Roshka - Gori (600m): From our campsite we will then walk down for another two hours to the village ofcontact the office, where we can tailor your needs to suit your extension. Roshka where our jeeps will be waiting to take us down the river. Here we will have a small picnic before enjoying another highlight of this wonderful journey & a 2- hour, white-water rafting trip along the Aragvi River (anyone wishing to, can travel in the jeeps). Mid afternoon we will drive on to Gori & Stalin's birthplace & and stay in a local hotel.
Hotel (B, L, D)
Approx walking time: 2hrs
Day 8: Gori & Tbilisi: This morning we will visit the amazing cave town of Uplistsikhe & which is one of the main towns on the Old Silk Road & and see the Church of Atenis Sioni which houses some of the best frescos in the country. After this we will visit the Stalin Museum before returning to Mtskheta for lunch and then back to Tbilisi. We should be back in the capital with plenty of time for shopping
and bathing. We will have a farewell dinner at an excellent local restaurant.
Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 9: Tbilisi: The tour finishes this morning after breakfast at the hotel.
(B)
Wild Extensions:
Arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts. Explore the country after your tour on a bespoke Wild Extension or just allow a few days to relax afterwards. Maybe choose all of the above and get cheaper flights mid-week?
Other Details
Accommodation Details
Accommodation on our tours varies dramatically in Georgia and the Caucasus from smart hotels in Tbilisi to family homestays and small local guesthouses.
Whilst trekking you will sleep in two-man mountain tents. Please note that any hotels mentioned in the itinerary are subject to availability and if not available substitutes will be of a similar quality Transport in the Caucasus is generally in minibuses but this tour also makes use of jeeps and rafts (optional)
Fitness…
Anyone in a decent state of health with a relatively good level of fitness will be suitable to join this tour. The trek is graded as moderate.
Insurance: Insurance is compulsory for all tours. Please note that it is very important that your insurance policy is relevant to the Wild Frontiers style of travel and be you should be aware that most standard insurance policies will not cover you adequately for Wild Frontiers
trips. Accordingly in order to ensure that you are covered for any eventuality that may arise on a Wild Frontiers trip, we strongly
recommend that you purchase insurance specifically designed for us by Travel & General.
Visas: Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such we advise that you check with the relevant embassies for the latest advice.
For this tour, UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Georgia. Non-UK passport holders should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
Further details will be sent out to you on booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Responsible Travel: Responsible travel and sustainable tourism are fundamental ideas that Wild Frontiers has been committed to since our birth. It is our strong belief that these words should not be simply ‘tagged on´ to dossiers and websites but should be at the very core of
each trip, and our adventures are therefore designed with the local people, culture and eco-system in mind. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our clients, but that it also benefits the peoples whose lands we are
privileged to visit.
Departure Dates, Options & Prices
Sat 31 Jul 2010 to Sun 08 Aug 2010
Sat 28 Aug 2010 to Sun 05 Sep 2010
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