Hiking in the Georgian Caucasus

Hiking in the Georgian Caucasus

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9 Days From

$1840

Hiking in the Georgian Caucasus

9 Days Starting and ending in Batumi

Visiting: Batumi, Becho Pass, Ushba, Mestia, Koruldi Lakes, Shkhara, Ushguli, hotel GURO, Mulakhi

Tour operator:

Explore!

Tour code:

WGEO

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 16

Physical rating:

None

Age range:

16-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours

From: $1840

NB: Prices correct on 31-Oct-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Head off the beaten path on this trekking tour through Georgia's breathtaking Svaneti region. Situated amongst the peaks and gorges of the snow-capped Caucasus Mountain, the Svaneti region has its own unique history and culture. Soak in stunning views of wildflower meadows, waterfalls and ancient settlements on daily hikes and stay with the proud Svantian people in remote villages.





Hike the Caucasus - Trek to the foot of Mount Ushba, the summit of Mount Guro and the Shkhara Glacier.





Visit Ushguli - Step back in time in this remote UNESCO-listed village, looked over by medieval watchtowers.





Get a taste of Georgia - Enjoy hearty, home-cooked local dishes alongside delicious regional wines.

Highlights

  • Trek beneath the snowcapped peaks of the High Caucasus

  • Spend time with the welcoming people of remote Svaneti

  • Stay among the brooding medieval watchtowers of captivating Ushguli

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Trip Starts In Batumi

Location: Batumi

Accommodation: Hotel, Aisi

Accommodation Name: Hotel Aisi

Our tour starts today in Batumi, on the shores of the Black Sea. Batumi is Georgia's second-largest city and the capital of its Autonomous Republic of Adjara. It is both an important port and a Black Sea holiday resort.



There are no activities planned for today so you're free to arrive at any time (please note that your hotel room might not be available until after 2pm). If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive into Batumi International Airport (BUS), which is just a few kilometres south of the city centre. As most UK flights don't arrive until mid-evening, our tour leader will hold a welcome meeting on the morning of day 2 - a note will be left in the hotel reception with timings.



If you arrive in time to explore today, it's worth heading out on foot to stroll along the waterfront Promenade which stretches through the beating heart of the city, with plenty of open-air cafes and restaurants, too.

Day 2: Drive To Becho In Svaneti Region

Location: Becho Pass, Ushba

Accommodation: Jena's Guesthouse

Accommodation Name: Jena's Guesthouse

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we'll gather for a welcome meeting after breakfast before heading north. We'll follow the Black Sea coast before heading inland, through increasingly dramatic scenery, to the Caucasus Mountains.



Our destination is Becho, in the region of Svaneti, around a five-hour drive in total. Becho lies in the shadow of the magnificent Mount Ushba. At 4,710 metres, Ushba is commonly known as the 'Matterhorn of the Caucasus' because of its distinct spire-shaped summit. Situated on the southern slopes of the central Caucasus Mountains and surrounded by 3,000 to 5,000 metre peaks, Svaneti is the highest inhabited area in the Caucasus. Its valleys are dotted with medieval villages where you'll spot stone towers, or 'koshki, as they are known locally, which were originally built in medieval times to protect the villagers from invaders and provide sanctuary from avalanches. It's an area of stunning natural beauty with glaciers, rivers and coniferous forests. The local people, known as Svans, are a distinct ethnic sub-group with their own language and traditions.

Day 3: Hike To Waterfalls At The Base Of Mount Ushba

Location: Ushba, Mestia

Accommodation: Hotel, Chubu

Accommodation Name: Suntower Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we'll drive a short distance up the valley to the starting point of our trek, near the settlement of Mazeri. Our hiking route starts out following the left bank of the Dolra River, ascending gradually through thick forests on a rocky trail. There are views of the beautiful Ushba waterfall along the way. Eventually, we'll cross the river to reach a small military encampment in the woods. From here, the route becomes steeper and the path leaves the forest to reach the impressive waterfall at the base of Mount Ushba. You can choose to rest at the bottom of the waterfall or continue on a steep hike all the way to the top. We'll have a picnic lunch during our hike and enjoy the views before making our way back on the same trail through the forest to our bus.



In the afternoon, we'll drive deeper into Svaneti to Mestia, the main centre in Upper Svaneti and our base for the next two nights. Mestia is a townlet situated at an elevation of 1,500 metres/4,921 feet with a population of over 2,600. It's becoming increasingly popular with Georgians as a ski resort in winter (there are a handful of runs outside of the town) and a centre for trekkers in the summer months. Quite a few of the old stone dwellings on the northern side of the town retain their imposing stone watchtowers and these are illuminated at night, an enchanting sight. At the Margiani House museum you can visit a traditional Svantian home and climb inside one of the watchtowers. The History and Ethnography Museum is well curated with information provided in English and well worth a visit if you're keen to find out more about the Svan culture.



Today's 10 kilometres/6,123 miles walk is expected to take approximately 4-5 hours with a total ascent and descent of 550 metres/1,804 miles. Due to the effect of climate change the Ushba glacier is melting and as a result, there have been episodes of rock falling. We therefore won't be able to climb up to the second and third waterfall for safety reasons.

Day 4: Hike From Jvari To The Lakes Of Koruldi

Location: Koruldi Lakes, Mestia

Accommodation: Hotel, Chubu

Accommodation Name: Suntower Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we'll take a short journey in four-wheel drive vehicles to Jvari. At an altitude of 2,150 metres/7,054 feet, Jvari is the starting point of our hike to the mountain lakes of Koruldi, which lie at the foot of Mount Ushba (2,750 metres/9,022 feet). The views of the surrounding mountains and their snow-covered glaciers are simply stunning. From the top we hope to see several summits including Mounts Tetnuldi (4800 metres), Laila (4008 metres) and Chatini (4012 metres). We'll retrace our steps back to our vehicles and return to Mestia for a second night.



Today's 8 kilometre/5 mile walk is expected to take approximately 3 hours with a total ascent and descent of 600 metres/1,968 feet.

Day 5: Four-Wheel Drive To Ushguli And Mount Guro Ascent

Location: Shkhara, Ushguli, hotel GURO

Accommodation: Nanuli's Guesthouse

Accommodation Name: Hotel Koshki

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we'll drive to Ushguli (using four-wheel drive vehicles as the road conditions deteriorate).



There's almost a sense of travelling back in time as we approach the four hamlets that make up Ushguli. Nestled at the bottom of a steep valley, with their brooding medieval watchtowers, the site of the settlement is striking. Here, oxen are still used to plough the fields of potatoes and the streets are a higgledy-piggledy warren of mainly stone dwellings.



We'll set out on the first of our two hikes from Ushguli in the afternoon - the ascent of Mount Guro (whose 3,070 metre summit overlooks the village). The hike starts with a steep climb out of the village and continues upwards through pastures carpeted with wildflowers, orchids and tulips. We'll take our time to enjoy the views which open up to Mount Shkhara (Georgia's highest peak at 5,201 metres), Mount Tetnuldi and Mount Laila. The panorama from the top is simply stunning and we'll spend time here before making our way back down to the village.



Today's 10 kilometre/6.2 mile walk is expected to take approximately 5 to 6 hours with a total ascent and descent of 800 metres/2,624 feet.

Day 6: Trek To The Foot Of Mount Shkhara And The Shkhara Glacier

Location: Shkhara

Accommodation: Nanuli's Guesthouse

Accommodation Name: Hotel Koshki

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Mount Shkhara is Georgia's highest mountain, standing at 5,201 metres, it's the eastern anchor of an imposing 12 kilometre ridge known as the Bezingi Wall. Our walk to the foot of the glacier at the base of the mountain follows the course of the Enereti River back to its source along a flat trail and, for the most part, we'll be rewarded with spectacular views of the mountain. Wildflowers carpet the grassy valley and purple orchids can be seen in bloom along the banks of the river. As we reach the final approach to the glacier, the path becomes steeper and the terrain rockier. Finally, we'll reach the tongue of the glacier, with incredible views up to the craggy, snow-covered sides of Mount Shkhara. We'll return to Ushguli on the same route.



Today's 18 kilometre/11.2 mile walk is expected to take approximately 6 hours with a total ascent and descent of 320 metres/1,049 feet.

Day 7: Hike From Mulakhi To Mestia

Location: Mestia, Mulakhi

Accommodation: Hotel, Chubu

Accommodation Name: Suntower Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we'll take four-wheel drive vehicles to Mulakhi, the starting point of our hike to Mestia. The vehicles will take our luggage on to the hotel while we set out on foot for the final leg of our holiday. The trail skirts around a valley and passes through settlements, opening up to views of the mountains all the way back to the Mestia Valley. We'll stop to appreciate them with a picnic lunch.



Today's 14 kilometre/8.7 mile walk is expected to take approximately 5 hours with a total ascent of 520 metres/1,706 feet and descent of 650 metres/2,132 feet.

Day 8: Drive To Batumi Via Zugdidi

Location: Batumi

Accommodation: Hotel Aisi

Accommodation Name: Hotel Aisi

Meals Included: Breakfast

Leaving the mountains behind us today we'll make our way back to Batumi via the town of Zugdidi. There should be some time on arrival for a seafront stroll or perhaps to head to the city centre and admire some of the city's eclectic architecture. Traditional 19th-century Russian houses, soviet-era apartment buildings and ultra-modern high-rise constructions lie within a few blocks of each other.

Day 9: Trip Ends In Batumi

Location: Batumi

Meals Included: Breakfast

There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to depart from Batumi International Airport (BUS), around a 15-minute drive from the city centre.



Alternatively, if you'd like to extend your stay in Georgia and visit the capital, there are regular trains from Batumi to Tbilisi. More info can be found here: https://tre.ge/en or https://tkt.ge/en. Please contact us to book additional nights' accommodation.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    3 nights simple guesthouse

    2 nights comfortable hotel

    3 nights simple hotel

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

  • All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)

  • Meals – Full Board

    Breakfast: 8

    Lunch: 5

    Dinner: 6

What's Not Included

  • 1 bottle of Mineral Water per person per day

  • Tipping and Gratuities

Meals

Breakfasts: 8
Lunches: 5
Dinners: 6

Videos

Check out our Q&As

  • Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

    Yes

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    All customers that travel on a Explore group trip will be provided with a complimentary transfer, provided they arrive and depart into the designated airport or train station on the trip start and end dates. This is a great way to start your travels, offering you that little extra peace of mind and comfort in the knowledge that there will be someone at the airport or station waiting to take you t

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    Yes

  • Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

    Yes, we would be delighted to book extra nights before the start or at the end of your trip, please let us know your requirements at the time of booking.

  • What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

    Moderate

  • What is the maximum group size?

    16

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    3 nights simple guesthouse

    2 nights comfortable hotel

    3 nights simple hotel

  • I'm going on a walking/cycling trip-do I need to train?

    It will depend on the grade and how fit you already are. Check the trip page for details of the walking or cycling grade and how far you’ll be walking/cycling each day. For moderate or challenging trips in particular we’d recommend doing some walks or cycles before you leave to build up your fitness and prepare you for the distances being covered.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips and they come from all walks of life.

  • Should I get travel insurance?

    Yes–it is a condition of booking that you are fully insured when travelling with us

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 500 trips to more than 120 countries.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    Yes, but there are no concessions for doing so, and we must have a record in your booking advising as such before the trip departs.

  • Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?

    Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at https://www.explore.co.uk/about/sustainability/charities-and-partners

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel-these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.

  • What is the accommodation like?

    We choose comfortable accommodation in the best locations possible. We opt for small, local and family-run accommodation where we can, as opposed to large chain hotels. We typically use hotels that are the equivalent of European 3-star, and you’ll usually have an en suite room. Occasionally, where we want to get off the beaten trail we may stay in more basic accommodation.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us. Receive a full refund if your trip is cancelled, transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure minus any irrocoverable costs.

  • Do I need to be very fit to book with you?

    All our trips require some level of active participation. This could be on a cultural trip, trek, safari, expedition or voyage. It is in the interests of all members of the group that everyone should be capable of fully participating in the activities of their chosen trip.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Final documents will include a comprehensive trip itinerary, climate and country information, budgeting and packing advice visa and passport information and details on optional activities available.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Yes on most of our trips. Most trips are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book a group trip as an individual, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, on many trips we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room, known as our single room option. On some trips a single room will be provided every night, on others it will be provided o

  • Do we have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel

    It’s now a condition of booking a trip with us that customers should have one of the following before they travel - — Be vaccinated against COVID, having received the full recommended course, and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Full vaccination includes any booster required to keep the vaccine valid. — Have taken a negative test (rapid antigen or PCR) within 72hrs of departure.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Explore will only offer hotels that have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with local government guidelines. We will ensure these measures include; enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in public areas, food safety, staff re-training and minimising contact within the properties.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Richard  

Hiking in the Caucasus

For a 'new' destination, Georgia is very comfortab

For a 'new' destination, Georgia is very comfortable and welcoming to visitors

Lesley  

Hiking in the Caucasus

Very interesting trip

Very interesting trip

David  

Hiking in the Caucasus

this was a veryod trip, value for money people ver

this was a veryod trip, value for money people very friendly the mountains great .

Kerryn  

Hiking in the Caucasus

Had an absolutely amazing trip. Everything was so

Had an absolutely amazing trip. Everything was so perfectly arranged and planned out was definitely a holiday of a life time.

Roger  

Hiking in the Caucasus

Whilst I only rated Alexod, he was a delight to be

Whilst I only rated Alexod, he was a delight to be with, managed to answer all our questions about Georgia and left me with the feeling of the countries visited with Explore his is the most likely I would like to return to.

Neil  

Hiking in the Caucasus

The trip is excellent value for money the tour lea

The trip is excellent value for money the tour leader Giorgi was absolutely brilliant and very thoughtful. The group was also excellent and so too was the itinerary I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this trip, the country, locations and accommodation was all brilliant!! I would definitely recommend this trip with explore to friends and family!!!

Linda  

Hiking in the Caucasus

This was probably our most adventurous Explore hol

This was probably our most adventurous Explore holiday to date. We loved the Georgian culture, the breathtaking scenery, the food and the wine. We felt privileged to have seen these remote villages in the foothills of the Caucasus before they are changed by the inevitable growth of tourism in years to come.

Lesley  

Hiking in the Caucasus

being able to see the film Dedein the local cinema

being able to see the film Dedein the local cinema really gave an insight into life in the area not so long ago. The local museum was alsood.

Read all 8 reviews

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Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Explore! allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 70 days before the start of the tour.

  • Low Deposit

    Explore! requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of explore! charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 13 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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