GTG - Hiking in the South Caucasus: From Glaciers to Coniferous Forests

Tour type: Hiking Tour | Regions: Tbilisi, Mtskheta - Mtianeti, Samtskhe-Javaktehi, Shida Kartli

Hiking in the South Caucasus: From Glaciers to Coniferous Forests

Date: 08 – 17 September 2024 | Duration: 10 Days | Group size: 24 - 32

Overview Itinerary Gallery Dates, Availability & Prices More Option

Intro

Georgia is one of the most biodiverse countries in Europe. The high biodiversity is due to the great variety of landscapes. Glaciers, semi-deserts, savannahs, steppes, and rainforests can be found here in a relatively small space. Almost 16% of the country is designated as protected areas. Thousands of native plants and animal species were able to develop undisturbed for centuries.
The hiking tour leads to the most species-rich and spectacular protected areas of Georgia. It starts in the Greater Caucasus, at the foot of the Kazbegi glaciers, passes through mixed coniferous forests, and end in the ssemi-deserts and steppes. It focuses on the topic of biodiversity, in form of field excursions, Power Point lectures and workshops to identify plant and animal species. The organization and accompaniment by local experts will give you insights into the Georgian Caucasus region, its natural beauty and culture. Without neglecting chilling and relaxing around a campfire in the mountains, at a lake or on the seashore.

Highlights

- Experiencing the Kazbegi and Javakheti Protected Areas
- Hiking and camping in the most spectacular mountain landscapes of Caucasus
- Identification of native plants and animal species
- Visiting the ancient cave city of Uplistsikhe
- Meeting local people
- Tasting traditional food and wines

Guides
Kartlos Manvelidze, CEO Geographic Travel Georgia
Christopher Hellerich, Ecologist, PhD student at the University of Freiburg, Germany

Languages
German and English

Equipment
Waterproof hiking clothes, waterproof tent, sleeping mat, warm sleeping bag, comfortable hiking shoes, head/torch lamp, drinking cup, metal plate, cutlery, water bottle, lunch box for multiple use, bath towel, swimsuit, hygiene utensils, sun hat, sunscreen cream, insect repellent.
The tour operator provides solar panels on the campsites, which can also be used to charge our electronic devices.

Necessary fitness
Easy - Moderate. We will hike during the tours on average about 6 hours with light luggage and climb a maximum of about 800 meters in altitude

Food & Drink
The tour operator organizes all meals according to the itinerary. Vegetarian or vegan options are available. Please precise any preferences in the registration application.

Our Chart for Sustainable Hiking
- We exclusively use authorized hiking routes and campsites
- Plants and animals are only observed, not disturbed
- Driving routes are set to a minimum
- Waste minimization - especially regarding plastic bottles and plastic bags. Therefore, it is very important that you bring reusable - lunchboxes and water bottles
- Only local food and organic products are offered

Carbon footprint compensation
To compensate the negative impact of touristic activities on the environment, Geographic Travel Georgia supports environmental education projects in Adjara, for example "The Young Forest” project of the NGO Caucasus Ecological Development Fund (CEDF). For further information, click here.

Tour Map

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Tbilisi

Transfer to the hostel.
Self-catering. Near the hostel there are numerous bars and restaurants where you can eat at reasonable prices and spend a pleasant evening.

Meals: Self-catering
Accommodation: Hostel in Tbilisi

Day 2 Tbilisi – Kazbegi

After the breakfast, we depart to the WWF Caucasus Main Office. There, you will learn about the biodiversity and the management of protected areas in the country.
Afterwards, we drive on the "Military Highway" to Kazbegi, where we set up our camp in the Kazbegi National Park. In the late afternoon, we hike to the Gergeti Trinity Church built in the 14th century. The church is situated at an elevation of 2170m, at the foot of Mount Kazbek. On the way, we get acquainted with the alpine flora and fauna of the Greater Caucasus: xerophytes, shrubs, lizards and insects.

Distace: 6 km
Duration: 1 – 2 h
Elevation gain: 1820 – 2170 m
Difficulty: easy

Meal plan: breakfast, picnic and dinner
Overnight stay on a campsite in the Kazbegi National Park

Day 3 Truso Gorge

Departure for a day hike in the scenic Truso Gorge. Through subalpine and alpine meadows, we pass streams, tuff rocks, travertines, mineral lakes, medieval settlements (Okrokana, Ketrisi) and the Zakagori ruins. You are acquainted with more than 30 endemic plant species, including Caucasian birch, Caucasian willow, Caucasian gentians and many more.
In the evening, we invite you for a presentation on the glaciers of the Caucasus and the effects of climate change.

Distance: 22 km
Duration: 6 - 7 hours
Elevation gain: 2015 - 2250 m
Difficulty: easy

In the evening, a presentation on the effects of climate change as well as on the glaciers in the Caucasus will provide complementary insights.

Meal plan: breakfast, picnic and dinner
Overnight stay on a campsite in the Kazbegi National Park

Day 4 - 5 Juta – Abudelauri lakes – Sadzele Pass - Juta

Departure for the village Juta. From there, we start our two-day hike along one of the most impressive round trails in the Greater Caucasus Mountains. The path is known for beautiful mountain landscapes, a high variety of geological features and a richness of endemic plant and animal species.
We start our hike in the Juta Valley on the flat flowering meadows, crossing the river, several streams and small lakes. We continue on the steeper and challenging path up to Chaukhi Pass (3337 MSL). The pass is a great viewpoint and offers an excellent place for a picnic.
After hiking downhill to the colorful Abudelauri Lakes, we set up our tents and arrange a campfire. Our local guide Lado will accompany us with his horses and help us to carry food and water. So, we'll be well supplied with dinner.
In the evening, you are welcome to join us in identifying plant and insect species that we have seen during the hike.
The next day we hike back to the village Juta via Sadzele Pass (3070 MSL). This route is an excellent option to hike back, as we can enjoy the view on the Juta Valley from a different angle.

Distance: 33 km
Duration: Max. 8 hours on the first day, 7 hours on the second day
Elevation gain: 1280 m on the first day, 830 m on the second day
Difficulty: moderate

Meal plan: breakfast and dinner
Overnight stay from the forth to the fifth day on a campsite at Abudelauri Lake, from the fifth to the sixth day in the campsite of Kazbegi National Park

Day 6 Kazbegi – Gveleti – Borjomi

In the morning, we drive through the Dariali Gorge towards the border, where we walk to the village of Gveleti. The surrounding area is covered by humid forest, which gives the experience of jungle-like landscapes. We get rewarded with a beautiful waterfall.
The journey continues to Borjomi in the Lesser Caucasus. On the way, we stop at a nice resting place on the bank of Mtkvari River – the right time to put on your swimsuit!
Later in the afternoon, we walk the city parc of Borjomi and try its world-famous mineral water directly from the source. The mineral water has volcanic origin. It originates 10 km deep in the earth's coast and is pushed up by the natural carbon dioxide pressure. The water consists of more than 60 different minerals and is used as a home remedy and natural cure for stomach upset.

Meal plan: breakfast, picnic and dinner
Overnight stay in a hostel in Borjomi

Day 7 - 8 Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park

Departure for a two-day hike along the Panorama Trail in the Borjomi Kharagauli National Park. The trail is remarkable for the high diversity of endemism and the beautiful views of the Lesser Caucasus.
First, we pass a wild goat station. Here the endangered population of Caucasian wild goats is multiplied and released into the wild.
We continue our hike along mixed forests and identify several endemic species of flowers, such as the Caucasian fir and Caucasian linden, numerous amphibians and reptiles, and several species of butterflies. There is a high probability that we will see footprints of wolves and brown bears.
In the late afternoon we reach our campsite near the Amarati Mountain. Our local guide Vano accompanies us with his three horses carrying food and water.
The next day we hike back to the campsite on the northern slope of the mountain and continue by minibus to Borjomi.

Distance: 34 km
Durration: 7 - 8 hours on the first day, 5 - 6 hours on the second day
Elevation gain: 800-2134 m
Difficulty: medium

Meal plan: breakfast, picnic and dinner
Overnight stay from the fifth to the sixth day on a campsite in the Borjomi Kharagauli National Park, from the sixth to the seventh day in the hostal in Borjomi

Day 9 Borjomi – Uplistsikhe - Ateni

After the breakfast, we drive to the Ancient cave city of Uplistsikhe, which was built in the second millennium BC. It is well known for its unique combination of different architectural styles of ancient rock cultures from Anatolia and Iran, characterized by the coexistence of Pagan and Christian architecture. The cave complex is included in the Tentative World Heritage List of UNESCO.
In the afternoon, we visit Nika Vacheishvilis´s Wine Cellar in the village of Ateni. The owner Nika will present us the winery and the vineyard. You will learn more about the traditional Qvevri winemaking and the unique diversity of Georgian wines.
The evening awaits us with a wine tasting and a farewell dinner in the style of a typical Georgian party.

Meal plan: breakfast, picnic and dinner
Overnight stay on a campsite near Uplistsikhe

Day 10 Ateni - Tbilisi

After the breakfast, we drive to Liberty Square in Tbilisi. Here, it is time to say goodbye until we meet again, maybe on another tour in Georgia.
Please contact our Head Office for the transfer to the departure airport of your choice (Kutaisi or Tbilisi).

Meal plan: breakfast

Gallery