Trek the Caucasus Mountains in Georgia

The terrain on the trail is mixed and ranges from easy jeep paths, forest paths, and mountain meadows, to rough rock-strewn climbs as you get closer to the glaciers. Good trekking boots are recommended, well broken-in of course, as are trekking poles.

For 2025 and beyond the itinerary has been updated, based on customer feedback, to make the route require fewer road transfers and allow for more time hiking point-to-point, giving the route a better "flow". The local host believes these changes will enhance the experience even further, as Much Better Adventurers really enjoy hiking in the Svaneti region of Georgia. There are now just two short road transfers within the hiking itinerary once up in the mountains: On Day 3, after you hike to see the Ushba waterfalls, there is a short 9 mi transfer from the guesthouse in Becho to your accommodation in Mestia. On Day 7, in the morning there is a short 6 mi transfer by road from Iprali to the historic settlement of Ushguli.

There will be 4x4 vehicle support throughout, so you can leave your main luggage/backpack in the vehicle and just carry a daypack while trekking.

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked on your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND

Georgian cuisine is deeply shaped by the country's position at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, where centuries of trade, Orthodox Christian fasting traditions and a fertile agricultural landscape have produced a rich and distinctive food culture. Meals are generous and communal, typically featuring bread, cheese, walnut-based sauces, grilled meats and seasonal vegetables, with wine playing a central cultural role. Vegetarians can fare reasonably well, particularly during Orthodox fasting periods when plant-based dishes are more widely available, though the cuisine is broadly meat and dairy-centric. Travellers with less common dietary requirements should expect limited awareness outside cities and tourist areas, and guides can help communicate needs to local hosts.

SPECIAL DIETS Vegetarian -Vegetarian diets can be very well catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Georgian cuisine offers a wide variety of vegetarian dishes, including salads, vegetable stews, bean dishes, cheeses, breads, and walnut-based specialities. In more remote areas, meal choices may be simpler, but suitable options are generally available throughout the trip

Vegan -Vegan diets can be catered for on this trip, and your host will do their best to accommodate these requirements when informed in advance. Georgian cuisine includes a good range of plant-based dishes such as salads, vegetable stews, beans, mushrooms, breads, and walnut-based specialities. In more remote areas, the variety of ingredients may be more limited, so meals can sometimes be simpler or repetitive, but suitable options are generally available throughout the trip .

Please do consider bringing your favourite snacks or food supplements from home to ensure that you always have enough fuel for your adventure.

Kosher -Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are rare and usually cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in advance by your host. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

Halal -Certified Halal supply varies by destination and may not always be possible. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten Free -Gluten-free diets can be more challenging to cater for on this trip, but your host will do their best to accommodate these requirements when informed in advance. Bread and wheat-based dishes are common in Georgian cuisine, though there are also many naturally gluten-free options such as grilled meats, fish, eggs, beans, potatoes, rice, vegetables, salads, fruit, and some dairy products. In more remote areas, choices may be more limited, so meals can sometimes be simpler or repetitive. Travellers with coeliac disease or severe intolerance should also be aware that avoiding cross-contamination cannot always be guaranteed.

Please do consider bringing your favourite snacks or food supplements from home to ensure that you always have enough fuel for your adventure

Lactose Free -Lactose-free diets are difficult to cater for on this trip. Georgian cuisine makes frequent use of dairy products, particularly cheese and yoghurt, though there are also many naturally lactose-free options such as grilled meats, beans, vegetables, salads, breads, and walnut-based dishes. While your host will do their best to meet these requirements, please be aware that the required produce and ingredients are not abundant in this destination. In more remote areas, choices may be more limited, so meals can sometimes be simpler or repetitive.

ALLERGIES

Our host has confirmed that they are able to accommodate mild allergies to the 14 allergens identified by the UK Food Standards Agency, where these are disclosed in advance. However, if you have a severe or life-threatening food allergy, please get in touch with our Customer Experience team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip. This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority.

Please note that when travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

Add any specific limitations or important details here: In rural and remote locations, meal preparation is often basic and carried out in shared kitchens or by local hosts, so strict allergen separation and avoidance of cross-contamination cannot always be guaranteed. Guests with severe allergies should be aware that emergency medical facilities may be limited in some regions of the itinerary, and appropriate precautions should be taken accordingly.

You’ll be accompanied by an experienced, English-speaking lead guide throughout the trek, with assistant guides added depending on group size. The guide ratio on the trip is one guide per six trekkers. This means that for groups of Seven or more people, there will be two trekking guides.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers review the practical information available on the UK Government’s FCDO website, where you can find up-to-date advice by searching for your destination(s).

If you are based in the United States, you can also check the latest travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State.

For customers joining from other international locations, we recommend checking the official travel advice issued by your country of residence, as guidance may vary.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates daily, so prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips typically consist of a mix of solo travelers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves, and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

The average temperature during summer in Georgia typically ranges from 77-95°F in the lower valleys. However, up on the plateaus and high in the mountains it will be colder, especially when exposed to the wind. For every 3,280 ft of ascent, the temperature can be expected to drop by approximately 12°F. Mountain climates are notoriously unpredictable so it is essential to bring wet weather gear and layers to adjust your temperature as required. At night temperatures can drop down to 41°F. Dry sunny days are common (sunscreen/sun-protection is important) and rain at this time of year is rare but can happen.