TREK TO TOBAVARCHKHILI LAKES
550 EUR
per personTrek to Tobavarchkhili lakes is one of the best alpine treks one can do in Georgia. In 7 days, you will traverse the wild Egrisi mountains and visit some of the most beautiful mountain lakes of Georgia. And the only other people you will meet will be a bunch of shepherds and a few other adventurous souls.
TREK TO TOBAVARCHKHILI LAKES
| Date | No. of participants | Duration | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29. 07. – 03. 08. 2024 | 8 – 14 (AVAILABLE) | 7 days | €150 |
| 25. 08. – 31. 08. 2024 | 8 – 14 (AVAILABLE) | 7 days | €150 |
This trekking tour in Georgia can be organized also privately for any group of hikers outside of the dates listed above. In this case, the itinerary can be adjusted according to your wishes and group size limitation doesn’t apply. However, the price may be different, too.
TREK TO TOBAVARCHKHILI LAKES TOUR DIFFICULTY:
This is a strenous trek. While we will use horses to carry things provided by us such as camping gear or food, you are expected to carry a backpack with your clothes, snacks and personal items. So it would be ideal if you already had some experience with multiday treks. If you are not sure if this trek is for you, please contact us and we will try to find out 🙂
TREK TO TOBAVARCHKHILI LAKES TOUR PROGRAM ADJUSTMENTS:
We designed tour with sufficient buffer time for possible delays or cases of bad weather. Therefore, the actual program might be slightly adjusted, depending on actual circumstances (truck ride to Natupiru hut might be moved to morning of Day 2, different campsite in Jolora valley can be used, etc). In these cases, the guide has to final say and right to adjust the itinerary, in order to provide you the best (and safest) possible experience.
NOT INCLUDED:
- Travel insurance. You will need to arrange your own travel insurance. On my trekking trips, I use SafetyWing travel insurance
- Sleeping bags (for hygienical reasons, we prefer if clients have their own sleeping bag, but if necessary, we can rent them (together with sleeping liner)
- Lunch during transport on days 1 & 7 (we will make a break at the restaurant so it will be more convenient for you to decide what you want to eat)
- Snacks and alcoholic beverages
TREK TO TOBAVARCHKHILI LAKES TOUR DEPOSIT:
Deposit is also returned fully in case of covid lockdown that prevents travel between Georgia and client’s country of origin or if client’s country of origin puts Georgia on quarantine list.
- DepartureTBILISI or KUTAISI
From Tbilisi to Natipuru hut
Departure from Tbilisi in the morning. After picking up remaining participants in Kutaisi and a lunch break, we will head north towards Mukhuri. There we will switch to the Soviet Ural truck which will drive us deeper into the mountains. We will cover about 30km on rough forest roads, slowly climbing towards our destination beneath the Natipuru mountain. Finally, we make a short walk to the Natipuru hut where the first panorama of Egrisi mountains open in front of us. Camping by the hut.
From Natipuru hut to Okhoje lake
Before noon, we will traverse the eastern slopes of Egrisi mountains. Then starts the arduous climb to the Okhoje pass (2750m). From the pass, we will descend to Okhoje lake, beautiful alpine lake from which one can, if the weather is good, even see Elbrus. Camping by the lake.
From Okhoje to Tobavarchkhili lake
Relatively easy, but very scenic day. We will climb from the Okhoje lake, traverse a small valley and climb again towards eastern Toba pass (2900). From the pass, one can admire the scenery behind as well as the rugged Chitaghvala mountain. Once we start descending, also the greater Tobavarchkhili lake into the view. Many consider it to be the most beautiful lake in Georgia and now you will see why :) Camping by the lake.
Day by the lake
Today, we will leave our tents by the lake and explore the vicinity of the lake without heavy backpacks. We will cross the northern Toba pass and visit small alpine lakes Kailashi and Didi Ghele (and if the conditions are good, also Tshakatskali which is much harder to access).
From Tobavarchkhili lake to Jolora valley
Time to move on. We will enter the gorge east of the lake and follow it to the Greater Toba Waterfall. Further steep descent will lead us to Jikiri hut, a famous shepherd´s hut in the Upper Magana valley. We will visit friendly shepherds and taste their famous elarji. Then we will follow Magana river for several more hours till we reach its confluence with Jolora river. Here we will build another camp.
From Jolora campsite to Skuri
In the morning, we will cross Jolora river. After several climbs and drops, the trail leads us to the Kirnakhona tourists shelter. From here, we will go only downhill - after a few hours,a dirt road will lead us to a dilapidated health resort Skuri. Here, we will board cars which will bring us to the Black Sea. Dinner at the local restaurant.
Return to Tbilisi
After breakfast, we will have one more chance to enjoy the sea. Then, before noon, we will rejoin the driver and depart for Tbilisi. We will make it back to the Georgian capital at about 5 or 6 pm.