Ideal mix hike, camp & culture Active holiday (two weeks)
Practical information about this active holiday in Georgia
This is a group tour of 12 days, two weeks included travel days
Start location: Mestia, continued to other regions of Georgia
You have to be able to walk 7-8 hours, also in the mountains with a backpack of maximum 12 KG.
You have to have high mountain/hiking shoes and protection for the sun
An experienced mountain leader is available in English and Dutch, in cooperation with Jay Jansen Wilderness School
Driver/guide/travel guidance is available in English and Dutch
This group tour starts on a requested date in September 2024, please contact us for more information
For this group tour we need a minimum of 3 participants
Destinations of this active holiday in Georgia: Kutaisi, Enguri Dam, Mestia, Chalaadi Glacier, Ushguli, Bagrati Cathedral, Kinchkha, Borjomi, Rabati, Uplistsikhe, Ananuri, Gudauri, Gergeti, Ikalto, Alaverdi, Telavi and Gremi
This all-inclusive active holiday 'Hike, camp & culture' has two parts: the first part 'Hike and camp' consist out of several days hiking and camping in the mountain region Svaneti. We will sleep in tents at camp spots 2000 meters and more above sea level, hike towards the twin peak mountain Ushba, see the amazing Chalaadi Glacier, visit Ushguli the highest village of Europe, stay at locals, Svans, and taste their amazing food and home made vodka. The second part 'Culture' is a round trip which let you experience the culture of Georgia and it covers most of the touristic destinations. You will taste the best wines of Georgia and see the unlimited grape fields in the wine region Kakheti, enjoy the hot water of a sulfur bath in the middle of nowhere, see a real Devils Valley at Gudauri and have a chance to paraglide in it, drink mineral water straight from its source in Borjomi, visit cave town Uplistsikhe, see amazing waterfalls and canyons.
Day 1: Welcome to Georgia
Today we will meet you at the airport and after checking in we will go to a restaurant and taste the amazing Georgian cuisine.
Day 2: Kutaisi Enguri Dam Mestia Svan Tower Museum
Today we will be traveling from Kutaisi to Mestia, the capital of mountain region Svaneti. On the way we will see the Enguri Dam and when we arrive in Mestia we will visit the Svan Tower Museum.
Enguri Dam
The Enguri Dam is the largest hydroelectric dam in Georgia and even of the Caucasus. The dam is located at the beginning of the mountain region Svaneti. The dam is 271.5 meters high and creates a spectacular reservoir of clean mountain water which is 20 km long. From the observation deck you can admire the amazing blue color of the water and make some impressive photos.
Mestia and its mysterious Svan Towers by night
The Svan Towers are the symbol of the mountain region Svaneti. They were built to defend the people and have a lot of history. The Svan Tower Museum is a Svan Tower which you can see from inside and stand on top of its roof. While we are climbing up we will explain about each level for what it was used. Once on top of the roof you can shoot panorama photos and enjoy the view.
Day 3: Hike to the Chalaadi Glacier
After a short jeep safari we will start our hike to the Chalaadi Glacier. The hike to the glacier takes about one and a half hours and is quite difficult as the hike goes over hilly and rocky paths. It is one of the most popular hikes in Svaneti to get used to the mountain environment.
Day 4-5: Hike to the camp spot close to Koruldi lakes and great view on the mountain Ushba
Today we will hike to a mountain peak where we will camp. We will have a break at the viewpoint with great views over Mestia. The hike is quite heavy, because we have to bring tents and camping gear with us. We will sleep in tents on about 2200 meters. From the camp spot it's a short hike to Koruldi lakes.
Hiking to Koruldi lakes
Hiking to the camp spot near Koruldi lakes.
Twin peak of mountain Ushba
From the camp spot we have a wonderful view on mountain Ushba.
Day 6-7: Hike and camp near Ushguli, the highest village of Europe
Today we will start with a jeep safari on one of the most dangerous roads of Svaneti heading for the highest village of Europe, Ushguli. From the picturesque village we will start our hike towards the Shkhara glacier and our destination is the camp spot. The glacier is about one hour away from the camp spot.
Ushguli
Ushguli, the highest village of Europe, is a true home of the Georgian fairy tale. The ancient family towers, medieval architecture, and the Svans (locals), who still live respecting the centuries-old traditions, bring all visitors into the atmosphere of a Georgian fairy tale.
The hike to the Shkhara Glacier
The hike to the Shkhara Glacier is on a small path with nice flora and fauna. It takes about 3 hours one way.
Campfire in the evening
On our camping site we create a real hiker's atmosphere with a campfire in the evening.
Millions of stars in the sky at night
No light pollution is the main reason you can see millions of stars in the sky at night from our camping spot.
Day 8-9: Hike and camp on Hatsvali
Today we will hike to the top of Hatsvali, the ski resort of Svaneti. From the viewpoint we can see all mountain peaks of Svaneti. Our camp spot is not far from the viewpoint.
Day 10: Mestia Kutaisi
Today we will leave Mestia early in the morning to travel to Kutaisi, the second largest city of Georgia. In the afternoon we will go for a small walking tour visiting the Bagrati Cathedral and make some photos at the Colchis fountain in the center of Kutaisi.
Bagrati Cathedral
The ancient Bagrati Cathedral is one of the most visited landmarks of Kutaisi. With its height and its location on top of a mountain it can be seen from far away. These large churches are usually built on the plains in Georgia. The Bagrati Cathedral became the symbol of the city of Kutaisi and has a special importance in the history of Georgia.
Colchis Fountain
On the central square in Kutaisi you will find the Colchis Fountain. It's a fountain with statues of animals, replicas of ancient Georgian figures made out of gold.
Day 11: Kutaisi Kinchkha Waterfall Natural hot spring Borjomi Borjomi Park
Today we will drive from Kutaisi to the small waterfall of Kinchkha. The waterfall is located at the beginning of the Okatse Canyon. Our next destination is the most unique natural hot spring of Georgia where we will enjoy the hot water in the middle of nowhere. Our last stop of today is the Borjomi Park.
Kinchkha Waterfall at the Okatse Canyon
Near the village Kinchkha you can see the Okatse Canyon with a large and a small waterfall. The small Kinchkha Waterfall is located at the most beautiful part of the Okatse Canyon. This place is popular because photos taken here are very colorful and interesting.
Borjomi Park
The Borjomi Park is the main attraction for tourists in Borjomi. The city Borjomi is famous, because of its mineral water. In this park you can taste the famous mineral water directly from the source.
Day 12: Borjomi Rabati Uplistsikhe Tbilisi
Today we will travel from Borjomi to Rabati, cave town Uplistsikhe and the final destination is Tbilisi.
Rabati, Akhaltsikhe Fortress
Rabati, also known as Akhaltsikhe Fortress is a wonderful, unusually beautiful castle, which is the symbol of tolerance. On this small territory, we will find an orthodox church, a mosque, and a minaret. You will have the feeling that you go back in time and feel the atmosphere of ancient Akhaltsikhe.
Cave town Uplistsikhe
Uplistsikhe is a cave town not far from Gori. It is carved out of rock by slaves and was founded in the II-I millennium B.C. This was a bustling city 3000 years ago. According to legend, the slaves that built the town were given an ax of gold, with an iron end. The harder they worked, carving the buildings out of the sandstone rocks, the earlier they were left with a piece of pure gold!
Day 13: Day trip 'Top of the World'. Destinations: Ananuri Fortress, Gudauri, and the Gergeti Monastery
Today we will travel to the mountain region Kazbegi. We will visit the Gergeti Monastery with great views on the mountain Kazbek, the Ananuri Fortress, Devils Valley and the mineral water springs at Gudauri Full description excursion Kazbegi
Red mineral water spring near Gudauri
In the region Kazbegi there is a place that gives you a feeling of being on a different planet. The red mineral water spring near Gudauri is a favorite place for tourists to take photos with surrealistic backgrounds.
Gergeti Trinity Church
Far away in the Caucasus Mountains you will find the Gergeti Monastery with its church located 2170 meters above sea level, right at the foot of the Kazbek Mountain. When the weather is good you can make one of the most popular photos of Georgia with Mount Kazbek in the background.
Day 14: Day trip '8000 years of Wine'. Destinations: Ikalto, Alaverdi, Telavi, Gremi and the Kindzmarauli winery
Today we will travel to the wine region Kakheti. Georgia is famous for its wine and today we will visit Ikalto and Alaverdi which both have a great wine history. We will continue to Telavi, the capital of Kakheti and Gremi, one of the former capitals. And our last stop is the Kindzmarauli winery. Full description excursion Kakheti Late in the evening going to the airport Kutaisi.
Ikalto Monastery
The Ikalto Monastery was one of the most famous academies in Georgia. It once was the cultural and educational center of the country.
Alaverdi Monastery
The Alaverdi Monastery is an active monastery which has everything necessary for the monks’ life including a winery. More than 100 sorts of grapes, including some very rare ones, are grown by these monks.
Price of this group tour, inclusive and exclusive
Inclusive:
All transportation, including transfers
English/Dutch speaking driver/guide/mountain leader
Accommodation
Breakfast, Why Me lunch package, dinner, and one drink each meal
Exclusive:
Official guide (only on request)
Entrance fees
Insurances
Flights
Porter service
The team of Why Me Travel would like to inform you that this is a standard daily program, but due to weather conditions day programs can be switched. We would like to offer you the possibility to rent equipment such as tents, matrasses and sleeping bags.