16-day tour
Georgian highlands – Trekking in Tusheti and Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park
Georgia is a paradise for trekking lovers especially for those attracted the landscape and wildlife. In this tour you will walk in different national parks of Georgia exploring extraordinary landscape diversity, high valleys spotted with antique stone towers, churches built in the high places and old villages. In this tour you will encounter with the people who live in fabulously remote places and are famous for their hospitality.
Overview Daily Itinerary:
Day 1 Arrival
Day 2 Tbilisi – Telavi
Day 3 Telavi-Shenako
Day 4 Shenako-Dartlo
Day 5 Dartlo-Parsma-Dartlo-Omalo
Day 6 Omalo-Telavi
Day 7 Telavi-Davit Gareji-Tbilisi
Day 8 Tbilisi-Bakuriani
Day 9 Bakuriani-trek to Lomismta-Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park
Day 10 Lomista-Sakhvlari
Day 11 Sakhvlari-Kutaisi
Day 12 Kutaisi-Gudauri
Day 13 Gudauri-Stepantsminda(Kazbegi)
Day 14 Stepantsminda-Tbilisi
Day 15 Tbilisi
Day 16 Departure
Arrive Tbilisi international airport. Transfer to the hotel.
Drive to Telavi –Kakheti province. Arrive in Telavi. Time to relax. Free time in Telavi; Visit the Palace and the museum of Georgian prince Aleksander Chavchavadze in the village Tsinandali.
Dinner and overnight in Telavi.
Tusheti Province. Tusheti, one of the fascinating mountainous provinces of Georgia, is situated on the northern slopes of the eastern part of the main Caucasian Mountain Range. Medieval villages Dartlo and Parsma are probably some of the highlights of Georgia. We travel through Abano Pass(2970m) to Tusheti where we stay following three days and take horse riding trip through pristine nature and well preserved ancient villages. Arrive in the village Shenako (2000m). Free time to walk and explore the area.
Dinner and overnight at village houses or guest houses.
A fascinating trek along Pirikita Alazani gorge passing the villages of Diklo and Chego to reach a medieval village of Dartlo(1850m)(7hour trek). This is an amazing village with its medieval towers, creating a wonderful landscape. Excursion in the village and those who wish can follow our guide to walk(1 hour) up to Kvavlo village(2100m), situated on the top of one of the hills overlooking Dartlo. We set up the camp near Dartlo at the river bank.
Dinner in the nature and overnight in tents.
On a white path through alpine meadows along the river and grassy slopes ride up to the picturesque Pirikita Alazani Gorge to village Parsma(1916m), one of the fascinating and remote mountainous villages in Georgia. The houses and towers in this village are built with stones and stand there during many centuries. Walk in the area to visit the village. Return Dartlo. Here we meet transport, which will take us to Omalo village(2000m).
Dinner with tasting of Khinkali and real Georgian feast and overnight at village houses or guesthouse.
In the morning we walk in the village and visit ruins of Omalo Fortress. Pack luggage and drive back to Telavi via Abano Pass. Before
arriving Telavi visit Alaverdi Cathedral(11th c). Arrive Telavi.
Dinner and overnight in Telavi in private houses or hotel.
Drive to Tbilisi. On the way trip to David Gareji Monastery Complex, one of the highlights of Georgia. The monastery is situated in Gareji semi-desert, 75 km southeast from Tbilisi. Visit Lavra, where the monks live. Walk up to Udabno Monastery to explore some of the fine frescos of 8th-13th cc. Arrive Tbilisi in the late afternoon. Free time.
Overnight in Tbilisi.
Excursion to Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia. Visits to some of the most significant monuments of Georgian architecture and history: Jvari Monastery(6th c) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral(11th c). Mtskheta is included in the World’s Cultural Herritage of UNESCO. Drive to Gori. Today the town is mainly known for its huge fortress and as a birthplace of Stalin. Visit Stalin’s museum and train coach. Drive to Uplistsikhe cave town dated to 7th c. BC. We continue driving to Bakuriani ski resort(1500m) up through the forested mountains of the Minor Caucasus in the southern part of Georgia.
Dinner and overnight in Bakuriani.
Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park is located in central Georgia and is part of the Lesser Caucasus. The park is one of the largest in Europe.The pristine nature has been preserved here in its virgin state. The following three days we trek in the National Park to cross the Meskheti Ridge to Imereti province. We walk from Likani Park entrance on normal paths through forest and meadows about 15 km up to mount Lomismta(2198m).
Overnight in Lomismta shelter(2000m).
Today we have a 15 km trekking to Sakhvlari hut. The area is very picturesque providing a gorgeous view of surrounding Caucasian mountains. We walk in alpine zone and then descend through the forested slopes to Kharagauli Region.
Overnight in ,,Sakhvlari shelter”.
Today we start in the morning and hike along the nice mountain gorge to reach Ranger’s shelter in Marelisi. We finish our fascinating trek in Borjomi-Kharagauli Park in Marelisi, where our transport will take us to Kutaisi – the capital of West Georgia. Arrive Kutaisi.
Dinner and overnight in Kutaisi.
After the breakfast we visit Bagrati Cathedral(11th c) and Gelati Monastery(12th c)founded by King David the Builder. Both sites are include in the World’s Cultural Heritage of UNESCO. Drive to Gudauri at first along the central and then along Georgian Military Highway to reach the southern slopes of Great Caucasian mountain range. On the way visit Ananuri Fortress.
Dinner and overnight in Gudauri.
Drive to Kazbegi. We take 2 hours walk up to Gergeti Trinity Church beautifully situated on the hill , from where excellent views of Mount Kazbegi(5047m) is provided.
Dinner and overnight in Kazbegi.
You’will take the local 4×4 car and drive through beautiful Sno Valley to reach the village Juta. Explore the area and walk towards the beautiful Chaukhi mountains. Drive to Tbilisi.
Overnight in Tbilisi.
Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is situated in the East Georgia. Tbilisi has been the capital of Georgia since 5th century AD. Its foundations have been laid by Vakhtang Gorgasali, a king of Kartli. A legend relates the foundation of Tbilisi with sulphur springs existing on its territory. Tbilisi was an important trading center on the Silk and Caravan Routs. Westbound caravans from the East used to gather here and carried Oriental and Occidental cultures. Ever since its very foundation, Tbilisi has been sort of a conglomerate of European and Asian cultures. Full day city tour of Tbilisi with excursions to the Old Town, major museums, churches and architectural monuments, and other sites of this fascinating city.
Gala Dinner with Georgian folk show and overnight in Tbilisi.
Departure.End of the tour.
after meeting with the guide and driver we journey to Mestia via Enguri Gorge, where the Georgians from Svaneti region, called Svans thrived, cut off from the world by the high, inaccessible mountains. Overnight in Mestia guesthouse.
breakfast explore Mestia visiting a Svaneti house and the Historical-Ethnographic Museum with its icons and manuscripts. Depart to Ushguli, located 2,200 metres above sea level, it is considered one of the highest populated villages in Europe. Overnight in guesthouse in Ushguli.
Morning trek towards Mount Shkara. Enjoy amazing nature, snow caped mount Shkhara, fast river, alpine flowers and a blue sky. Have a lunch in the local open air café from where breathtaking views are provided. Return to Mestia. Overnight in a guesthouse in Mestia.
long day takes you back to Tbilisi. Visit Dadiani’s 19th century Palace in Zugdidi. En route back to Tbilisi, if time permits, visit Ubisi Church. Arrive in Tbilisi. Departure.