The Best hikes of Georgia – 8 Days Kazbegi and Svaneti hiking tour
410 EUR
per personThe Best hikes of Georgia Tour is for hikers who want to explore Georgia in one week, visit both Kazbegi and Svaneti areas, hike 2 of the most popular directions in each region – Gergeti glacier and Truso valley in Kazbegi and Adishi to Iprali and Gorvashi pass hike in Svaneti which are two of the most memorable parts of Mestia to Ushguli 5 days trip.
The Best hikes of Georgia
Look at the valley of the mystical mountains from the panorama of Gudauri.
Take a walk in the heart of the mountains in the Truso Valley
Hike to Gergeti Glacier – reach the birthplace of the river from the ice of Georgia’s one of the notable summits.
Visit the Bronze Age cave town of Uplistsikhe
Learn more about Georgian Golden Era in Gelati Monastery
See Svaneti from the top of Hatsvali
Visit magical Chalaadi Glacier
Hike between highland villages Adishi, Iprali and Ushguli crossing mountain passes
Enjoy amazing sunset in Ushguli at the foot of Shkhara summit
Visit the Georgian modern city – Batumi
The Best Hikes of Georgia Outline:
Day 1: Tbilisi Tour, night in Tbilisi
Day 2: Military road sights – Truso valley walk – night in Stepantsminda
Day 3: Kazbegi – Gergeti glacier hike- night in Tbilisi
Day 4: Uplistsikhe – Winery visit-Gelati Monastery – night in Kutaisi
Day 5: Kutaisi – Mestia – Hatsvali cable cars – Chalaadi Glacier – night in Mestia
Day 6: Hike from Adishi to Iprali – night in Ushguli
Day 7: Hike from Ushguli to Gorvashi pass– drive to Kutaisi, night in Kutaisi
Day 8: Bagrati Cathedral (alternatively Martvili canyon or Prometheus cave) – Okatse Canyon-Lomina Lake -Tbilisi
Guests can also spend time in the capital Tbilisi, visit some of the main sights of Georgia including Uplistsikhe cave town, Martvili or Okatse canyons, All unesco world heritage sites of Georgia – Ushguli tower village, Gelati and Motsameta Monasteries and Mtskheta old town.
During one week Georgia hiking itenerary guests can visit a winery to do wine tasting and most important it is where you spend nights: Ushguli, Stepantsminda and Mestia can be perfect places to spend nights – View to Mt. Kazbek from Stepantsminda Views to Mt.Ushba and Tetnuldi from Mestia and view to Georgia’s highes Shkhara summit from Ushguli are obviously must see in a week.
Besides, overnight in Tbilisi and Kutaisi each 2 nights is also perfect.
We can’t say Kazbegi and Svaneti hiking tour is must If you have just one week in Georgia, however it is preferable to visit both. Eastern and Western Georgian mountains are both quite different from each other.
Without arranged transport it would be hard to visit both regions in one week and visit all the sights on the way, it would be very hard to do circular routes such as Adishi to Iprali hike, which is very famous because of its special view to Chkhutnieri pass.
Staying in Kutaisi on the way to Mestia hiking tour and back is very good idea since getting to Mestia may take 8 hours. Splitting the road trip enables us to visit some sights on the way and also rest and enjoy our journey across this beautiful country which has much to offer.
Check out more trekking, hiking tour packages in Georgia: Tour List
Tbilisi Tour
We will start our tour package from Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia which is a combination of European, Asian, and Caucasian cultures. Newly built pedestrian glass and steel bridge with bow design - Peace Bridge is an attraction that should not be missed in Tbilisi. It will be our first destination.
Our next destination will be the Mother of Georgia’s monument. We will reach this sightseeing with a cable car. The monument is located on a hill overlooking the entire city. Photos taken from this place are always unforgettable. After enjoying the view we will visit Narikala Fortress - the main defensive structure of the city.
The main symbol of Tbilisi is the sulfur baths so this will be our next destination. Ottoman’s period bathhouses and sulfur smell around will immediately make you feel the vibe of old Tbilisi. Through this amazing atmosphere, we will reach Leghvtakhevi - a 14m high waterfall in the heart of Tbilisi and enjoy the views of old Tbilisi balconies in the shade and fury of the waterfall.
The day will end with Georgian gastronomy and art. You will taste delicious dishes accompanied by Georgian music and traditional dances. After this unforgettable experience you will spend the night in Tbilisi.
MIlitary road sights - Truso valley walk - Stepantsminda
In the morning, we leave Tbilisi and head north into the mountains along the Georgian Military Highway. We will make stops at Ananuri fortress and Russo-Georgian Friendship monument, then cross the 2379m high Jvari (Cross) pass. Afterward, we will leave the main road and after a short off-road ride, will leave our cars at the Kvemo Okrokana village to make a 4-5 hours long hike in the abandoned Truso valley. After returning to our bus, we will ride to the Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) town, where we will enjoy dinner and spend a night in the hotel.
Overnight in Stepantsminda.
Kazbegi - Gergeti glacier hike- Tbilisi
In the morning, we will ride a car to Gergeti Trinity. Iconic Mt Mt.Kazbek (5.047m) peak - 3rd highest mountain in Georgia stands behind the Gergeti Trinity church which is top on to-do list if you come to Georgia. Then we climb the Kazbegi massif towards the foot of the Gergeti glacier. If the weather cooperates, we will enjoy stunning views of surrounding mountains dominated by the summit. After a long ascent, we will make it to the ridge and will see the glacier. Beyond the glacier, there is Betlemi Hut which is the highest (3,653 m) located building in Georgia. Its history takes origin as far back as in the 20-ies of the last century, when it was decided to build a shelter for first Georgian alpinists, who started mastering the new routes. We will not reach the basecamp, we will go back to our cars, descending to Stepatsminda and then Drive to Tbilisi
Night in Tbilisi
Uplistsikhe – Winery Visit - Gelati Monastery – Kutaisi
After the breakfast our destination will be Uplistsikhe - an ancient rock-hewn town, which contains structures dating from the Early Iron Age to the Late Middle Ages. We will travel back in time while exploring this sightseeing. The daily life of ancient Georgians will be revived in front of our eyes in this open-air museum.
We will move from the landmarks of Georgian ancient history and will make our way to Kutaisi – one of the largest cities in Georgia.
Before we will make a stop in a small village winery. You can not leave Georgia if you don't taste Georgian wine, but it is worth checking it with professionals so you can learn about winemaking techniques. Even if you are not interested in wine, lunch with winemakers is something worth to experience.
Afterwards we will visit Gelati Monastery – one of the most important monuments of Georgian culture, which was founded by David the Builder in 1106. The complex, located in a beautiful place, was not only a monastery, but also an academy of culture and education.At the end of the day we will arrive in Kutaisi.
Overnight in Kutaisi
Kutaisi – Mestia – Hatsvali – Chalaadi Glacier
On this day we will drive towards the Svanetian mountains to reach Mestia - The center of the region.
After arriving in Mestia we will visit Hatsvali cable cars and reach the upper station on the mount Zuruldi(2347m). From the top the view is magnificent - we will enjoy the view of main Caucasus ridge and its notable summits: Ushba and Tetnuldi. Then we will hike to the amazing Chalaadi glacier (Distance – 5km, Elevation Gain/Loss – 350m). We will follow a path in the valley of Mestiachala river and reach the glacier in the heart of the Caucasus mountains.
Overnight in Mestia.
Hike from Adishi to Iprali – Ushguli
We will trek deeper into the valley, towards Adishi glacier, then we will need to cross the Hadishichala river by horses, Then cross picturesque Chkhutnieri pass (2655m) - which offers great views of surrounding mountains and the Adishi glacier. Then we will descend to Khalde village which was a hero village, the only village to stand against occupation in the 19th century.
At the end of the day we will be transferred to Ushguli - the highest permanently inhabited village in Europe, located at 2200 meters above sea level.
Overnight in Ushguli.
Hike from Ushguli to Gorvashi pass – drive to Kutaisi
(Distance – 9km, Elevation Gain/Loss - 810m)
After breakfast, we will have an amazing opportunity to hike one of the viewpoints around the village. The most popular trail heads south, towards the Gorvashi pass. One of the best things about the climb is watching how the mountains of the Greater Caucasus range appear behind us.
After this hike we will drive to Kutaisi – one of the biggest cities in Georgia and an old capital.
Overnight in Kutaisi.
Bagrati Cathedral (alternatively Martvili canyon or Prometheus cave) - Okatse Canyon-Lomina Lake -Tbilisi
After breakfast, we will visit Bagrati Cathedral - an important monument of Georgian culture and a symbol of the strength of Georgia. The panoramic view of the whole Kutaisi can be seen from this location.
If we are not limited in time and want to see more, we can visit Martvili canyon or Prometheus cave in the morning before visiting Okatse canyon. All of these sights have entrance fees. Martvili canyon offers short relaxing boat ride in tropical like setting and Prometheus cave is long interesting colorful cave. To spend the day well after Bagrati cathedral this day we can visit just Okatse bridge out of these famous sights. It is one of the most popular and thrilling attractions of Georgia. We will take a walk along the cliffs on top of a beautiful valley. Later we will walk to Lomina lake (it doesnt have an entrance fee) with its small waterfall, which is a less touristic and exotic destination. After swimming and refreshing in the Lomina Lake we will finally we will drive back to the capital Tbilisi/airport.
End of the tour.