Trek the Caucasus Mountains in Georgia
Hike among the craggy snow-capped peaks and deep gorges of the Greater Caucasus, through ancient hamlets to dazzling glaciers
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking guidesHotel & Guesthouse
2 nights in a hotel and 5 nights in local guesthousesMeals
All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinnersTransfers
Both airport transfers and travel between locationsLuggage transfer
4x4 vehicle support throughoutSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 12 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
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What's it like?
Take on sections of the pioneering Transcaucasian Trail, all the way to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ushguli
Explore the majestic alpine scenery of ancient Upper Svaneti, one of the wildest and most remote regions of Georgia
Tuck into hearty mountain food to fuel your hikes through the Caucasus and sample natural wines, Georgian-style
Key Information
Day 1
Kutaisi
Touch down at Kutaisi International Airport where your host will be waiting to take you straight to a nearby hotel. Get settled and then rest up in preparation for the challenge ahead.
Day 2
Into the mountains
Driving
Time for a road trip through this little-visited land, stopping for a traditional lunch of khachapuri (delicious cheese bread) in a local market. The winding mountain road will pass by the second-highest arch dam in the world, the Enguri Dam, where you can pause for a leg stretch. Continue on to the small town of Mestia where you’ll have time to explore, be sure to grab a drink in the old town square.
Day 3
Hit the trail to Adishi
Hiking
After a short drive to Jabeshi, trek through the meadows and forests beneath beautiful Mount Tetnuldi (4858m). Make the most of the picturesque backdrop by stopping for a picnic lunch and then continue on to the ancient village of Adishi. You’ll know you’ve arrived when the trail descends offering magnificent views over its medieval monuments and iconic Svan towers.
Day 4
Crossing the Chkhutnieri Pass (2722m)
Hiking
Fuel up on a giant homemade breakfast ready for another magnificent day of trekking. Following the trail towards the Adishi Glacier, you'll cross the Adishichala River with horses and then begin the uphill journey to the Chkhutnieri Pass (2722m). From the top of the pass you can enjoy stunning views of the Caucasus mountains and glaciers. Descend down to the historical village of Khalde, arriving at your guesthouse mid to late afternoon for some downtime before dinner.
Day 5
Ushguli
Hiking
Sit back and relax for a while as you take a scenic drive to the historic UNESCO-listed settlement of Ushguli (2000m). Explore the ancient sites of this once clan-led land and after lunch hike through the valley to the Shkhara Glacier and look down on the green slopes climbing up to a snow-covered peak. Head back to Ushguli and spend another night in a local guesthouse.
Day 6
Ushba Waterfalls
Hiking
Start the day with another traditional, homemade breakfast (khachapuri, anyone?) and then drive to the little village of Becho and the start of today’s trek. Take a tranquil stroll through the woodland, then, when the trees break open at the foot of Mount Ushba (4700m), you'll clamber up to the dramatic Ushba waterfalls. From here you can also enjoy stunning views of the Laila mountain range and Dolra Valley, before heading back to your guesthouse in Becho for the night.
Day 7
Kutaisi return
Enjoy a more relaxed start to the day before driving back to Kutaisi, arriving at around 15:00. Explore the city at leisure – walk the cobbled streets to the Bagrati Cathedral, get lost in the largest, liveliest and most colourful indoor produce market in Georgia, or just stroll around the city, taking in the culture and architecture. When you're ready, return to your hotel and indulge in a last Georgian meal of dumplings and natural wines to bring your trip to a suitable end.
Day 8
All good things must come to an end
Time to say your goodbyes! Head back to Kutaisi Airport in time for your journey home.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Kutaisi International Airport
Arrive any time on Day 1
Ends
Kutaisi International Airport
Depart any time on Day 8
Transfers
You can arrive into Kutaisi any time you like on Day 1 and depart at any time on Day 8.
Provided you have supplied your arrival and departure details in advance, your host will provide arrival and departure transfers to coincide with your flights. However, it is also very easy to get a taxi from the airport to your hotel. It costs around £5/$8USD and it takes 25 minutes. If you are arriving in Kutaisi in the early hours of the morning on Day 1, there is an early check-in option at the hotel which you can request via your booking (subject to availability).
Travel options
There are flights to Kutaisi International Airport (KUT) from all over Europe. Alternatively, you can fly to Tbilisi International Airport instead and your host can arrange a transfer to Kutaisi, which takes around 4 hours. Please ask your host for prices.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6 – Day 7
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 8
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Food will be a delicious mix of local Svan and Georgian national cuisine, cooked using produce grown or reared by the guesthouse owners themselves. Georgian cuisine is world-renowned for its mix of eastern and Western flavours, aromas and colours and is slightly spicy and usually based on meat, vegetables, cheese and fruit. There are also plenty of traditional dishes without meat, so vegetarians and vegans will be well catered for. Lunches will be picnic-style, out in the wilderness.
What is the accommodation like?
Kutaisi City
You'll stay in a 3-star hotel in the centre of Kutaisi located in the best part of the city, with the Colchis Fountain, Bagrati Cathedral and Kutaisi State Historical Museum all within walking distance. There is free WiFi, plus continental and buffet breakfast options are available each morning.
In the mountains
You'll stay in well-regarded guesthouses in Mestia, Adishi, Ushguli and the small village of Becho. Accommodation will be in clean and comfortable twin-share rooms, with friendly and welcoming hosts and usually a magnificent breakfast in the morning that you'll want to write home about.
Upgrades
If you are arriving in Kutaisi in the early hours of the morning on Day 1, there is an early check-in option at the hotel which you can request via your booking (subject to availability).
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked on request for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please include this request at the time of booking, as it's subject to availability. Although availability is typically not an issue at the hotel in Kutaisi, private rooms are more limited in the guesthouses.
This trip has been rated as Moderate
This trek is great for beginners and experienced trekkers alike. It’s classed as moderate, so we'd recommend a good fitness level to make the most of it. Some days are long with steep sections so being used to walking back-to-back days is essential. You only need to carry a daypack each day, as the rest of your luggage will be transferred by vehicle. The terrain on the trail is mixed and ranges from easy paths to rough, rock-strewn climbs as you get closer to the glaciers. Good trekking boots are recommended.
The average temperature during summer in Georgia typically ranges from 25-35°C 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 1000m of ascent, the temperature can be expected to drop by approximately 6.5°C. 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 5°C. Dry sunny days are common (sunscreen/sun-protection is important) and rain at this time of year is rare but can happen.
Breathtaking views and great camaraderie with like-minded travelers
What an awesome trip! The hikes were a great cardio workout each day, but with ample opportunity for breaks when needed, no pressure to go at anything but one’s own pace, and we were always rewarded with spectacular views! I can’t say enough about our guides Nugo and Levan: they were a great duo with complementary personalities, and shared so much about the country they love! A running joke after each meal was, “Uh great food, but we really didn’t get enough to satisfy our appetites!” (note the sarcasm 🤣). Our group got along and mixed very well even with the split of cohorts by age and UK vs US. I can’t recommend this trip enough!
An incredible adventure
I had the most amazing time exploring Georgia on this trip. Our guides were so enthusiastic about helping us learn about this incredible country whilst also being kind and supportive throughout. The guesthouses in the villages were comfortable and in stunning settings. The food was amazing too with an excellent variety of local cuisine each night. Thoroughly recommend this adventure to a beautiful spot.
The best of times…
An exceptional trip that met all the promises of the rave reviews. Levan and Nugo were the Yin and Yang of brilliant guides: Levan, the pocket dynamo and weaver of tales full of passion for his country and its history. Nugo, the more silent one but with a deeply compassionate soul and such patience with those of us who lagged behind. The spectacular scenery and amazing food and welcoming guesthouse hosts who were so accommodating of our strange collection of foreigners all made this, my first MBA ‘adventure’, so great.
Hiking Georgia and the Caucasus
My partner and I enjoyed a thoroughly wonderful and breath-taking trip around Georgia with a group of 9 other travellers, one of which we had been on a trip with previously by complete coincidence! Much Better Adventures must be doing something right!
The itinerary was improved upon following previous trips' feedback which shows the attention to detail MBA put into their trips and the stunning landscapes and varying hikes were perfectly balanced in challenge and reward. The guides were passionate and knowledgeable about their country and it's past and the food (especially in the evenings) was excellent.
I would highly recommend this trip to anyone thinking of exploring Eastern Europe / central Asia as it combines beautiful scenery with interesting history and great food all while being really well structured and lead by some real experts.
Gorgeous scenery and very hospitable country
The trip exceeded my expectations. The Svaneti region is offers stunning landscapes, from glaciers, to staggering mountains and meadows. We even hiked through rivers (with horses) and had a blast each day. The trip was exceptionally well organized and run. Our guides Sandro and Levan were fantastic: knowledgeable, empathetic and fun. They shared with us a lot about the rich history and costumes of the region and made is want to learn more. The guesthouses were welcoming, charming, with delicious and overwhelming amounts of delicious local food (think khacchapuri). Our group also got along greatly, which made the experience even more enjoyable. Highly recommend this trip!
Best hike for scenic views.
Highly recommend this trip. The whole experience was fantastic. The scenery was stunning, offering a nice variety of hikes in different terrains and interesting villages. Georgia is truly stunning! The guides, Levan and Sandro, were fantastic - kind, caring, considerate, and brilliant fun. This has been a truly memorable adventure.
Please note that some of the accommodations are very basic, with shared bathrooms even if you've upgraded to a private room.
This trip should be on every hiker's bucket list.
Book this trip - you will not regret it!!
Just got back from this trip and I cannot recommend it enough ! The guides Levani & Sandro delivered in every way and went to the utmost limit to ensure we all had a good time. The scenery is absolutely out of this world and never failed to disappoint. If you are thinking of booking this trip - just do it !!
Beautiful hiking with amazing guides
Positives: amazing guides Levan and Sandro took such good care of us and were very knowledgeable and excellent company, differing abilities within the group were catered for with those wanting to go ahead able to do so, more food that you could ever possibly eat for breakfast lunch and dinner every day, beautiful scenery and landscape with a chance to get close to glaciers and see some amazing views of the tallest mountains in the region
Negatives: although each day’s hike was great, they were not sequenced in a way that made much sense, with the route being dotted all over the place and broken up by driving from guesthouses to the start of the walk on some days, although I understand this was not how it was first designed and is changing next year, the trip also only had four actual days of hiking in it which I think could be increased if some of the travel days were changed or organised differently
Overall it was a great experience in a beautiful country with fantastic guides and a great group of fellow travellers!