This
tour is very interesting but also requires special training
and experience from participants. We cross three mountains
that are over 3000m. You will be accompanied by well-qualified
and very experienced mountain guides who will not only guide
you, but also give you an insight into the charm and beauty
of Georgian nature, acquaint you with the traditions of the
mountains and do their best that you should feel part of the
mountains yourself.
Day 1: Arrive in Tbilisi
Day 2: Tbilisi
Tbilisi sightseeing program and preparation for 11-day hiking.
Day 3: Tbilisi - Kazbegi - Khde Gorge
We drive along the famous Georgian Military Highway, visit
Ananuri complex and continue to Kazbegi. From there we climb
gently to Gergeti. Later we return to Kazbegi and start our
hike up through the forests and mountains. We camp in Khde
gorge.
Day
4: Khde Gorge - Berry Plateau
Today we follow the Khde River through forests and past waterfalls.
In the evening we camp at 2400m on the Berry Plateau, which
is surrounded on one side by forest and on the other by alpine
mountains.
Day 5: Berry Plateau - Foot of Mt Kuro
For the next four days we will be hiking in alpine mountains,
in a landscape of waterfalls, snow and glaciers. Today we
walk for about five hours to reach the foot of Mt Kuro, at
an altitude of 3000m.
Day 6: Mt Kuro (4071m)
Today's
ascent of Mt Kuro takes about 10-12 hours and does not require
any special equipment. From the top it is possible to see
the town of Kazbegi. In the evening we return to our camp.
Day 7: Mt Kuro - Kibishi Glacier (3500m)
From the foot of Mt Kuro we walk 3-4 hours to the foot of
Kibishi glacier. After lunch and a rest we will walk for another
3-4 hours on the glacier itself to see its full beauty.
Day 8: Kibishi Glacier - Juta Village (2000m)
Today we walk for 6-7 hours to Juta - a small alpine village
surrounded by rocky outcrops. Our camp is not far from the
village. Here we meet up with a Visit Georgia representative
who will provide us with meals for the next 6 days.
Day
9: Juta Village - Foot of Mt Chaukhebi (3842m)
From today we begin our crossing of the beautiful Chaukhebi
mountain chain - a natural border between two regions of Georgia:
Khevi and Khevsureti. Following the Jutis Tskali River, we
pass through alpine meadows backed by rocky cliffs. We walk
up to the source of the river - the melting edge of the glacier.
This area is covered with huge stones carried down by the
ice, some as big as a house. Many mountain springs rise here
and there is also a small glacial lake. The walk to the foot
of Mt Chaukhebi (2700 m) takes 5-6 hours.
Day 10: Mt Chaukhebi
Today we walk as high as possible up Mt Chaukhebi, as far
as the glaciers.
Day 11: Mt Chaukhebi - Abudelauri Lake (2550m)
We walk for several hours along the foot of the Chaukhebi
crags, often hearing the sound of rockslides. We reach a spring
at an altitude of 3200m and then cross an area of rockslide
and walk for 2-3 hours up to the pass at about 3200m. On the
way we cross small hills from where the glaciers and Lake
Abudelauri can be seen. The view is truly breathtaking. Then
we descend for about an hour and a half on the rocks until
we find ourselves once again in alpine meadows. The "Giants'
Battlefield" - an area of rock slide - marks the entrance
to a gorge. Without a guide to show the way through the maze
of boulders it seems impossible to find the way through. Finally
we reach Lake Abudelauri where we stop for the night. The
whole walk takes 8-9 hours.
Day
12-13: Abudelauri Lake - River Okherkhevi - Barisakho
Village (1400m)
Today we follow a narrow path through the rocks and into the
meadows. Passing into a gorge, we make our way to the beginning
of the Okherkhevi river. The descent of the Okherkhevi gorge
is very steep and can be dangerous, but there is another route
which is easier and less steep. We descend to 300m, perhaps
coming across bear footprints on the way. Along the river
the grass grows as high as a man! We walk along the gorge
through dense forest, crossing rivers and passing waterfalls
before eventually stopping 3km from the village of Barisakho.
There are many springs here where one can bathe, some of them
with naturally warm waters.
Day 14: Barisakho - Tbilisi
After a leisurely breakfast we drive to Tbilisi.
Day 15: Tbilisi
Day 16: Departure
