Walking holiday in the Caucasus, Georgia

country:	Georgia
departures:	2010: 31 Jul, 28 Aug
price:	£1275 (8-11 days) excluding international flights.
vouchers:	Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday

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Georgia holidays

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introduction to Walking holiday in the Caucasus, Georgia

Svaneti, Georgia's most mysterious mountain region, is like a fairy tale come to life. The fabled region is renowned for its enchanting stone villlages, punctuated by the famous defensive towers, and populated by a fiercly independent race, known as the Svans.

Still lying almost entirely off any tourist trail, this walking holiday in the Caucasus is for the travel connoisseur who likes to see things real and wild. And of course, this tour is not only about Svaneti. Georgia in general is one of our favourite countries: its excellent cuisine, delicious wine, stunning mountains, exquisite churches, hospitable locals and rich and varied history, make it a perfect adventure travel location.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	London – Tbilisi: Afternoon flight, transfer to the hotel, have a quick drink and off to bed.
Day 2:	Tbilisi: After breakfast we start our tour of Tbilisi and visit the Old and New Towns. The city offers a great variety of sights, most of them very ancient. All the places of interest in the Old Town are very close to each other, within a few minutes’ walk. We start our visit to Old Tbilisi from Metekhi Church (13th century), then walk to the brick-domed Sulphur Baths. From the Baths we head up the hill to visit Narikala Fortress (4th century) - one of the oldest fortifications in the city. Afterwards we continue to the Synagogue, Sioni Cathedral (6th-7th centuries) and Anchiskhati Church (6th century). This marks the end of the Old Town. Afterwards we visit the stunning treasury of the Georgian National Museum, before taking a stroll along Rustaveli Avenue – the main street in Tbilisi.
Day 3:	Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Kutaisi: We drive to the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia – Mtskheta - and visit its historic Jvari Monastery (6th century) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) – both UNESCO World Heritage sites. We then head to West Georgia – the famous Land of the Golden Fleece, where Jason and the Argonauts sailed. We arrive in Kutaisi – the second largest city in Georgia and visit Bagrati Cathedral (11th century) – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight in Kutaisi in a family guesthouse with shared facilities.
Day 4:	Kutaisi – Zugdidi – Becho: In the morning we visit Gelati Monastery and Academy (12th century), a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its frescos and mosaic. Then it’s time to get ready for the most exciting part of your trip – a journey to Svaneti, the region of the highest mountains and glaciers and the most abiding ancient traditions. We drive to Zugdidi and, after changing transport (4WD), continue our trip to the Svaneti region. Overnight in the village of Becho in a private guesthouse with shared facilities.
Day 5:	Becho – Ushba Glacier – Mestia: In the morning we drive through the neighbouring villages of Mazeri and Shikhra and then start our walk through the woods to the foot of Mt. Ushba (4700m). A spectacular walk will bring us to the waterfalls and we can enjoy the view of the spectacular Ushba Glacier. The first 2 hours is comparatively easy walking, but over the next 2 hours it gets a bit harder. In the evening we drive to Mestia – the centre of Upper Svaneti. Overnight in a private guesthouse in Mestia with shared facilities.
Day 6:	Mestia – Lakhiri – Mestia: In Mestia we visit the traditional Svanetian House and Tower and a unique collection of icons and crosses at the Ethnographic Museum. At about 11:00 we drive to the village of Zhamushi and then start our walk through typical Svanetian villages of Lakhiri and Mushkeli towards Mestia. We will walk past many typical Svanetian watchtowers, enjoying the beautiful nature full of wild flowers and stunning views of the Grand Caucasus. In the evening we return to Mestia.
Day 7:	Mestia – Ushguli: A three-hour drive will take us to the highest permanent village in Europe – Ushguli (2200m). Ushguli, and generally the whole Upper Svaneti region, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The village is most famous for its abundance of watchtowers and this is where you get the view of the highest mountain in Georgia – Mt. Shkhara (5068m). In Ushguli we visit Lamaria Church (12th century) and then walk up the hill to Queen Tamar’s Tower. Overnight in Ushguli in a private guesthouse with shared facilities.
Day 8:	Ushguli – Shkhara Glacier – Mestia: We start our morning walk to the foot of Mt. Shkhara, walking alongside the wonderful Enguri River which will eventually lead us to its origin – the Shkhara Glacier. After returning to Ushguli we drive back to Mestia.
Day 9:	Mestia – Lenjeri – Latani – Zugdidi – Kutaisi: A short drive from Mestia will bring us to Lenjeri Church, a beautiful building with original paintings both inside and outside. From here we will visit the church of Latani before driving back to Zugdidi, en-route making a photo stop at Enguri power station. In Zugdidi we will visit the palace of the Georgian Duke, before changing transport and continuing onto Kutaisi. Overnight in Kutaisi in a guesthouse with shared facilities.
Day 10:	Kutaisi – Gori – Tbilisi: Today we will drive back east to the town of Gori, the heart of the Kartli region, and visit the Stalin Museum and Uplistsikhe Cave Town (1st millennium BC) – a fascinating historical spot which was one of the main points along the Great Silk Road. In the evening arrive in Tbilisi and check in at the hotel.
Day 11:	Tbilisi – London: Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
8 day itinerary: Day 1:	Tbilisi. Arrive and transfer to an excellent city centre hotel and sleep! After a late breakfast we will start our sightseeing tour of Old Tbilisi: Metekhi Church overlooking the river Mtkvari (13th century); Narikala Fortress, one of the oldest fortifications in the city (4th century); Sulphur Baths – (later we will have an opportunity to take one with a very refreshing massage; Synagogue; Sioni Cathedral (6-7th century) - in this cathedral the cross of St. Nino, the woman who brought Christianity to Georgia, is preserved; Anchiskhati Church (6th century). All these sights are very close to each other and it is a pleasant walk. Afterwards we will visit the stunning treasures of the Georgian State Museum. We’ll finish our tour late afternoon. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 2:	Tbilisi – Gudauri. Drive to the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia - Mtskheta (3000 years old), and see its historic sites: Jvari church (6th century) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century), where legend has it the Robe of Christ is buried. Both Jvari and Svetitskhoveli are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Then drive up the famous Georgian Military Highway (leading to the Georgian-Russian border). On the way we will visit Ananuri architectural complex (17th century), consisting of two churches and the fortress overlooking the Zhinvali Reservoir. The drive is very scenic through the high Caucasus Mountains. Overnight in a hotel in Gudauri (2200m, ski resort).
Day 3:	Gudauri – Kazbegi. After breakfast we will drive over the 2,300m Cross Pass and on into Kazbegi in the Khevi Region. We will go on a morning walk for about 1½ hour through beautiful valleys and forests to the Gergeti Trinity church (14th century) located on top of the mountain (2170m). We will also have a chance to enjoy the view of one of the highest and most spectacular mountains in the Caucasus – Mount Kazbegi (5047m). After a simple lunch at a small local café we will drive up to the Russian frontier located in the dramatic Dariali Gorge – made famous by the writings of Lermontov – and then walk to view the Devdoraki glacier that slides off the back of Kazbegi. This evening we will stay with a charming family in their home. Conditions will be basic but with the classic Georgian hospitality flowing, this is sure to be a highlight of the trip. (Homestay)
Day 4:	Kazbegi – Mountain Camp above Juta. In the morning we will transfer to jeeps to drive east up the Tergi River Valley – passing the region’s classic fortified towers, ancient carvings and the odd bust of Stalin – to the picturesque village of Juta. At 2300m this is the second highest village in Europe. After taking tea with a local family we will begin our trek by walking up this pleasant river valley towards the pass. We will have a picnic lunch on the way before camping at 2550m in a beautiful meadow in the lee of the impressive Mount Chaukhebi. (Camp)
Day 5:	Juta – Mountain Camp above Roshka. This is the hardest but also the most rewarding day of the trip as we make our way over the Abudelauri Pass from Khevi into Khevshureti. At first the walk is easy, through meadows of wild flowers, but after an hour it becomes more testing as we begin to climb towards the pass. Not that you should worry too much about this. The beauty and sheer scale of the land around you will easily distract from the tiring legs! And when you reach the pass, a narrow saddle on the rocky outcrop, the view is so great it will make it all worthwhile. For here you are in the very heart of the Grand Caucasus range, with breathtaking, 360-degree views over Chechnia, Ingasetia, North Ossetia and Dagistan. We will then walk down the steep slopes of Alpine meadows to our campsite at Abudelari Lake, which we should reach by mid afternoon. At night, if you look at the lake from a little ridge above, you will see the heavens reflected. (Camp)
Day 6:	Roshka- Gori. From our campsite we will then walk down for another two hours to the village of Roshka where our jeeps will be waiting to take us down the river. Here we will have a small picnic before enjoying another highlight of this wonderful journey – a 2-hour, white-water rafting trip down the Aragvi River (anyone wishing to can travel in the jeeps). Mid afternoon we will drive on to Gori – Stalin’s birthplace – and stay in a local hotel. (Hotel)
Day 7:	Gori – Tbilisi. This morning we will visit the amazing cave town of Uplistsikhe – which is one of the main towns on the Old Silk Road – and see the Church of Atenis Sioni which houses some of the best frescos in the country. After this we will visit the Stalin Museum before returning to Mtskheta for lunch and then back to Tbilisi. We should be back in the capital with plenty of time for shopping and bathing. We will have a farewell dinner at an excellent local restaurant. (Hotel)
Day 8:	Tbilisi – London. Morning transfer to the airport for flight back to the UK.

what this trip includes

Trips are on full board basis, and include transport as outlined in itinerary, twin-share accommodation, mineral water and entrance fees.

how this holiday makes a difference

Environment
We have a strict environmental policy to make sure that the fragile eco-system of the mountains is not damaged or spoilt in any way. On our short walk programmes, our guides are trained to uphold this policy and all clients are fully briefed on appropriate/responsible behaviour whilst in wilderness areas. Our “Leave No Trace” ethic is applied to all trips in all regions, and as tour operators is something we are careful to promote.

When you take one of our trips, we make a contribution to “Carbon Clear” – an organisation who work with hundreds of organisations to measure their carbon footprint and reduce their carbon emissions.

Community
In Georgia and Azerbaijan we use local ground handlers who in turn book locally run hotels, providing employment for a number of members of staff and support families. The ground handlers also use local drivers and camp staff, and ensure that all supplies are purchased locally for the journey. This means that all the operational costs go directly into the local economy and helps to improve employment opportunities in remote regions.

The Caucasus have suffered over a decade of civil war and turbulence, and have been left with an abundance landmines and UXO in several areas. All landmine casualties place additional strain on the already overburdened health care system that has been damaged or destroyed by decades of conflict. We support the Adopt-A-Minefield project, an NGO that saves and improves lives by raising funds to clear landmines and help landmine survivors around the world

We also support several NGOs around the world such as the Hope Foundation, A-Cet and Adopt-A-Minefield, which are all carefully selected to improve the standard of living for the communities we visit.

Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people.

We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel.

'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left).

We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays.

We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism.

This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards.

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