Georgian Mountain Mystery

This is a trip to explore and feel the mountains of the great Caucasus surrounded with untouched scenarios of tiny villages of Khevi region, where you will hike to a beautiful lands, snow-capped mountains and enjoy the breathtaking panorama of Kazbegi mountains with highest peak reaching up to 5047 m.

The second part of the trip continuous to the northwest of Georgia, and covers Svaneti region, that encloses completely distinguished landscape, magnificent mountain peaks, medieval towers and unique architecture and culture. Drive along the river Enguri and enjoy fascinated views of deep gorges, coniferous forests, dwelling houses.

Explore Mestia, administrative center of Svaneti province and the highest inhabited village in Europe – Ushguli located at 2200 m.

It is essential to note that four of the ten highest peaks of the Caucasus are located in the region: Mt.Shkhara 5068 m. Mt.Tetnuldi 4974 m. Mt. Shota Rustaveli 4960 m. Mt. Ushba 4710 m. Folk and religious traditions are felt to have been better preserved here than elsewhere. Have a great opportunity to taste homemade alcoholic drinks, “Sulguni” cheese, “Kubdari” pie – delicious cousin characterized to mountainous regions with unique polyphony and warm, friendly atmosphere.

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Level

Tour Itinerary & Details

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

Arrival

Arrive in Tbilisi. Overnight in hotel

Drive to Gudauri

Breakfast in hotel. Depart to Mtskheta, the UNESCO heritage site, important political and cultural center from 3^rdcentury BC. Visit 6^th century Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli cathedral dated to 11^th century. Trip continues to 16^th-17^th centuries Ananuri architectural complex.

Start 3hr trekking from Khada gorge to Gudauri. Overnight at hotel in Gudauri.

Day trip to Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)

Breakfast in hotel. 1 hr drive to Stepantsminda through panoramic landscape, small villages, watchtowers, mineral thermal springs and snow-capped mountains. Arrive in Stepantsminda, start 2 hr hiking up to Gergeti trinity church 2180 m. dated from 14^th century. Descend and hike, 2-3hr to Gveleti waterfalls. Drive back to Gudauri. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Gudauri - Kutaisi

Breakfast in hotel. Drive to Kutaisi, the center of west Georgia. En-route visit Uplistsikhe rock-hewn complex, dated from first millennium BC. *Optional visit at J. Stalin’s museum and house of birth in Gori. *Optional visit can be arranged at one of the local wineries to taste wines originated from Kartli province. Passing Rickoti tunnel, brief visit at “Shrosha” clay market, arrive in Kutaisi; Free time for own arrangements in Kutaisi. Dinner and overnight in guesthouse/hotel.

Drive to Svaneti

Breakfast in guesthouse/hotel. 5hr drive takes us to Svaneti highland. Arrive in small and cozy Svanetian village – Becho. Dinner and overnight at guesthouse.

Trek to Dolra Waterfalls

Breakfast in guesthouse. Full day, 8-9hr trekking to Dorla waterfalls, passing alpine meadows and pastures, beautiful pine forests, St. Georg’s chapel, crossing the wooden bridges over the rivers and eventually reaching Dorla waterfalls (or *Shdugra waterfalls as locals refer to) and enjoy the breathtaking scenery harmonized in wildness of glaciers and high peaks of the mountains. Return back to Becho, transfer to Mestia – administrative center of Sventi province, dinner and overnight in guesthouse/hotel in Mestia.

Trek in Mestia

Breakfast in guesthouse/hotel. Full day, 8-9 hr tough trek starting from Mestia and surroundings, towards Iron Cross located at 2200 m. overlooking Mestia , reaching Qoruldi Lakes at 2700 m. elevation, enjoy the panoramic view of the great Caucasus range and local dwellings. Return back to Mestia. Dinner and overnight in guesthouse/hotel.

Trek to highest inhabited village in Europe

Breakfast in guesthouse. Drive from Mestia to Ushguli village, a community of four villages: Zhibiani, Chvibiani, Murkmeli and Chazhashi, at 2200m. recognized as the UNESCO world heritage site and the highest inhabited village in Europe. Trek to the bottom of Mt.Shkhara 5068 m. the highest peak in Georgia. Walkto Ushguli, visit 12^th century Lamaria complex, local dwellings, *optional “Sulguni” cheese tasting at one of the families. . Dinner and overnight in guesthouse in Ushguli.

Treasuries of Mestia

Breakfast in Ushguli. Drive to Mestia. Visit History and Ethnography Museum of Mestia and have an opportunity to see exponents discovered during archeological excavations and numismatic samples, covering 9th-18th centuries masterpieces such as: Icon of the Forty Sebastian Martyrs, Embroidered Byzantine Icon, Venetian Cross, jug donated by Queen Tamar, earliest remaining sample of illustrated manuscript- Adishi Gospels dated from 897 and etcetera. Dinner and overnight at guesthouse/hotel.

Depart to Tbilisi

Breakfast in guesthouse/hotel. Departure to Tbilisi. – Transfer takes approximately 10hr including lunch break. Arrive late evening in Tbilisi. Dinner at traditional restaurant with folk performance. Overnight at hotel.

Tbilisi City Tour

Explore old town and important historical, cultural and architectural monuments. ; *Optional visit to the National Museum. Evening free time. Overnight in hotel.

Departure

Transfer to Airport

Included

Excluded

Full Board
All Accommodation
All Domestic Transfers
4WD Car Service
Tour Guide and Assistants
Local Guides
First Aid Kits

Visa or Visa Fees
Airfares
Single Supplement
Medical Expenses and Insurance
Re-booking of Hotels
Alcoholic Drinks
Special Meals
Trekking Gear
Horses for Carrying Private Luggage
Photographer
Items of Personal Nature
Extra Sites
Items Not Mentioned in Program and Detailed Itinerary

Practical Information

Better to have: sun hat, sun glasses, trekking boots, proper clothing, footwear, gear, ski poles

Peritsvaleba str 22, Tbilisi, Georgia
Postal Code: 0103 | Phone: +995 032 2 921 911 | Email: Info@exploregeorgia.com

Adventure

Culture

Caucasus Combined