Georgia Tour Plan

by a2zcamerablog · Published November 16, 2020 · Updated September 3, 2021

As a country that starts with G listed on Countryaah.com, Georgia borders the Black Sea with beautiful beaches and seaside resorts in the west. Fertile plains and hills with vineyards and fruit-growing areas stretch from the coast to the interior of the country. In the southwest, the densely forested Lesser Caucasus reaches heights of up to 4,000 m, and in the southeast there are semi-deserts on the border with Azerbaijan. Around 1.6 million people live in the capital Tbilisi (Tiblissi). Together with Armenia, Georgia is one of the oldest Christian countries in the world.

Day 1: Flight to Tbilisi
Day 2: Tbilisi city tour
Day 3: Tbilisi – Kazbegi – Gereti – Kazbegi
Day 4: Kazbegi – Sno Valley – Mount Tschauchebi – Thetu Peak (3,210 m)
Day 5: Jute village – Abudelauri Pass – Roshka (2,000 m)
Day 6: Roshka – Guli
Day 7: Guli – Gudani – Borbalo Pass (2,996 m) – Kistani (2,000 m)
Day 8: Kistani – Shatili – Mutso – Ardoti
Day 9: Ardoti – Atsunta Pass
Day 10: Atsunta Pass – Kvachida (Tusheti)
Day 11: Kvachida- Girevi
Day 12: Girevi – Parsma – Tschescho – Dartlo
Day 13: Dartlo – Omalo – Telavi
Day 14: Telavi – Tbilisi
Day 15: Goodbye, Georgia!

A few dozen families live in Shatili, which we visit, at least during the summer months. This village is a single fortress: 60 defensive towers have secured the land to the northeast.

It is wild and easy here in Tusheti and Chevuria. You won’t find such spots in the rest of Europe. “In places you are traveling to a time beyond globalization,” says Christian Hlade. “There are hardly any supermarkets or international chains, and you rarely see advertising posters.” The diversity of the landscape is unique: white peaks, deep gorges, gentle green mountain meadows and roaring streams.

At the beginning of our 9-day trek we go through huge rhododendron fields that bloom white-yellow in July. From the Thetu peak at 3,210 meters we look at the mighty Kasbek. A good physical condition is required for this trip, as well as enthusiasm for the simple life.

On the way we meet shepherds, with luck they invite us for a snack with fresh cheese. Towards the end of the trip we cross the Atsunta Pass (3,550 m) and thus the highest point of our tour. Finally we come back to the capital Tbilisi and enjoy the oriental flair: The country is culturally strongly Christian and European, but due to its location east of Turkey, the Orient shines through again and again.

Meals: B = breakfast / L = lunch / packed lunch / D = dinner

1st day:

Flight to Tbilisi

! ketili ikos tkveni mobzaneba! This is how you are welcomed in Georgia!
We will be met by our local tour guide and taken to a hotel in town.

Overnight in a hotel in Tbilisi
(- / – / -)

2nd day:

Tbilisi city tour

The capital of Georgia fascinates as a mixture of old and new: the Ottoman and eclectic architecture are joined by avant-garde monuments by top architects from the west (e.g. Michele de Lucchi or Jürgen Mayer H.). Hypermodern architectural wonders, playful wooden verandas, splendid Art Nouveau, Arab baths and morbid charm – all of this combined, characterizes Tbilisi. The city of 1.2 million residents is a stirring mixture of decay and hope, of old traditions and modern life. It is not without good reason that Tbilisi is also called “Paris of the East”. Indeed, the city is reminiscent of an old-fashioned, grayed-out Paris and of Frederico Fellini’s films.

After breakfast we set off for a sightseeing tour of the old and new towns. Tbilisi is small enough, all the interesting monuments of the old town are close together and can be easily reached by walking.

First we visit the old town with the Metekhi church (13th century) and the equestrian statue of the city’s founder, Wachtang Gorgassali. From here you have a beautiful view of the Mtkvari (Kura) river with the impressive, ultra-modern Peace Bridge, the old town and the surrounding area of Tbilisi.
We walk past the Arab sulfur baths (which can be visited optionally in the evening), climb the Nariqala fortress (4th century) high above the city, visit the synagogue and the main church, the Sioni Cathedral. The grapevine cross of St. Nino is kept here in memory of the early Christianization. We continue to walk to the Betlemi district and the Anchishati Church (6th century), the oldest church in the city. After lunch we visit the treasury of the Historical Museum (with goldsmith’s art from the time of the Golden Fleece) and take a walk on Rustaveli Street.
Dinner in a traditional Georgian restaurant.

Overnight in a hotel in Tbilisi
(B / L / D)

3rd day:

Tbilisi – Kazbegi – Gereti – Kazbegi

We drive along the so-called Georgian Army Road. The journey leads through a very scenic area to the higher elevations of the Greater Caucasus. On the way we visit the fortified church Ananuri (17th century). We continue over the Cross Pass to Kazbegi (Stepantsminda). A hike leads from Kazbegi to the Gergeti Trinity Church at 2,170 m (partly unpaved path). If the weather cooperates, you can catch a glimpse of one of the highest glaciers in the Caucasus, the Kazbeg (5,047 m). In Stepantsminda we eat and sleep in the hotel.

Driving time: approx. 2-3 hours.
Hike: approx. 3 hours (+/- 470 m)
Overnight in the hotel.
(F / M / A)

4th day:

Kazbegi – Sno Valley – Tschauchebi Mountain – Thetu Peak (3,210 m)

We drive through the Sno Valley to the village of Juta, which is cut off from the whole world for up to seven months a year. From here we start the hike into a high valley at the foot of Mount Tschauchebi (2,550 m) and from the campsite further to the Thetu peak (3,210 m). We pass huge fields of rhododendrons, which bloom white-yellow in July and make the landscape appear covered with snow. From the Thetu peak there is a great view, which is dominated by the Kazbeg (5,047 m) and the Tschauchebi (3,842 m).

Hike: from the village of Dschuta to the campsite near Tschauchebi, walking time approx. 3 hours (+/- 400 m);
from the campsite at Tschauchebi to Thetu Spitze: walking time approx. 4 hours (+/- 660 m, somewhat exposed in the summit area)
Overnight in a tent
(B / L / D)

5th day:

Jute village – Abudelauri Pass – Roshka (2,000 m)

Today we leave the Chevi region and hike to the Chewsureti mountain region. We go over the Abudelauri Pass and the Abudelauri Lakes to the village of Roshka. Storage place at Roschka.

Hike: approx. 7-8 hours (+ 800 m / – 1,200 m)
Overnight in a tent
(B / L / D)

6th day:

Roshka – Guli

We hike across lush meadows down to the Aragvi River and continue on an easy climb to the village of Guli.

Hike: approx. 4 hours (-600 m)
overnight in a tent
(B / L / D)

7th day:

Guli – Gudani – Borbalo Pass (2,996 m) – Kistani (2,000 m)

Today we drive about 20-25 minutes to the village of Gudani, from there we continue over the Borbalo Pass to the village of Kistani by the Arghuni River. At the beginning there is a long ascent on the slopes, from the pass we enjoy a wonderful view. At Kistani we are picked up again and taken to our storage area by car.

Hike: approx. 8-10 hours (+ 1,100 m / – 950 m)
Overnight in a tent
(B / L / D)

8th day:

Kistani – Shatili – Mutso – Ardoti

Today the off-road vehicle takes us to Shatili, one of the most remote corners of the Greater Caucasus. The place cannot be reached in winter, but it is still inhabited by around a dozen families. This historic highland village with its fortress-like flat-roof buildings near the Chechen border on the northern rise of the mountains is located as a uniform fortress complex in the deeply cut Arghuni Gorge at 1,400 m above sea level and with its 60 towers guards the northeastern corner of Georgia. Via the village of Mutso, we continue on foot along the Ardoti Valley with a view of forested hills. Storage place at Ardoti.

Hike: approx. 1.5-2 hours (+ 100 m)
overnight in a tent
(B / L / D)

Day 9:

Ardoti – Atsunta Pass

Today the hike is planned along the river and then through fields to the alpine zone. In the afternoon we reach the camp at the foot of the Atsunta Pass where we set up camp.

Hike: approx. 6 hours (+ 1,200 m)
overnight in a tent
(B / L / D)

10th day:

Atsunta Pass – Kvachida (Tusheti)

Today our ascent to the Atsunta Pass begins. After a 2.5 hour hike we reach a hill at 3,550 m. Then we descend over alpine meadows to the river. We set up our tents on the bank of the river near the village of Kvachida.

Hike: approx. 6-7 hours (+ 600 m / – 950 m)
Overnight in a tent
(B / L / D)

11th day:

Kvachida- Girevi

A 6-hour hike across alpine meadows is ahead of us today. With a bit of luck, the shepherds we meet along the way will invite us to fresh cheese and a piece of bread. Our camp site is planned at Girevi.

Hike: approx. 6 hours (+250 m / – 650 m)
Overnight in a tent
(B / L / D)

12th day:

Girevi – Parsma – Tschescho – Dartlo

On today’s hike we have the opportunity to visit medieval defense and residential towers in the villages of Parsma, Tschesho and Dartlo. We set up our camp near the village of Dartlo.

Hike: approx. 7 hours (+ 600 m / – 800 m)
Overnight in a tent
(B / L / D)

13th day:

Dartlo – Omalo – Telavi

We drive to the administrative center of the Tusheti-Omalo region by car. From here we take our last look at the mountains of the Greater Caucasus. Then we drive down over the Abano Pass to the town of Telavi. On a terrace with a view over the Alasani valley we have a cozy dinner and enjoy Georgian wine.

Overnight in private accommodation
(B / L / D)

14th day:

Telavi – Tbilisi

Tbilisi, which we already know, awaits us today. After lunch the day is free. We can say goodbye to each other over a leisurely dinner.

Overnight in a hotel in Tbilisi
(B / L / D)

15th day:

Goodbye Georgia!

We start our journey home. We fly back with many beautiful pictures and memories, new acquaintances.