Walking in Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains: Kazbegi & Tusheti

Walking in Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains: Kazbegi & Tusheti

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13 Days From

$3238

$3076

Walking in Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains: Kazbegi & Tusheti

13 Days

Visiting: Georgia

Tour operator:

Wild Frontiers

Tour code:

WIG

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 12

Interests:

Cultural

Activities:

Walking

From:
$3238
$3076 (USD) The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$162

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

A land steeped in myths and legends and extraordinary natural beauty, Georgia offers the perfect backdrop to this walking adventure in the Greater Caucasus mountains.

Beginning in its capital, Tbilisi, we head out along the epic Georgian Military Highway to Kazbegi National Park and the slopes of Mount Chaukhebi, where we will hike amongst the breathtaking Greater Caucasus landscapes. From here we travel via the country's famed wine region to the majestic beauty of Tusheti National Park, Georgia's true hidden gem. The area is now recognised as a protected landscape and is managed by the Tushetian people. Our local hosts will help give us a unique insight into life in this more remote area, and how our journey helps support the preservation of traditional customs and skills.

On this tour we will venture across a landscape of sublime beauty, crossing a countryside liberally bedecked with traditional villages and historic old towns, all set against the magnificent backdrop of the towering and mysterious Greater Caucasus Mountains.

Highlights

  • Hike remote landscapes and discover hidden communities as you explore the stunning Kazbegi and Tusheti national parks

  • Discover the hidden treasures of the Greater Caucasus, from remote waterfalls and giant stone sculptures, to abandoned towers and fortresses

  • Experience warm hospitality and delicious home-cooked food while you stay with your local hosts

  • Help empower local communities in Tusheti who manage and develop tourism opportunities in this mountainous region

  • Sample the produce of one of the world's oldest wine regions and learn about the traditional methods of winemaking using earthenware Qvevri jars

  • Discover the World Heritage treasures of the ancient capital of Mtskheta and the famous 14th century church at Gergeti

  • Discover the churches, fortress, synagogue, museum and sulphur baths of the capital, Tbilisi

Itinerary

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Day 1: Tour Starts In Tbilisi

Accommodation: Taberne Boutique Hotel or similar

Rooms will be available in Tbilisi from this afternoon. Those arriving on the group flights will arrive in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

Day 2: Tbilisi

Accommodation: Taberne Boutique Hotel or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The pre-departure meeting will take place this morning at the hotel, after which we will have a city tour including all of Old Tbilisi. From the Metekhi Church (13th century) overlooking the river Mtkvari to the Narikala Fortress (4th century), one of the oldest fortifications in the city, we’ll also pay a visit the synagogue, the Anchiskhati Church (6th century) and Sioni Cathedral (6/7th century). In this cathedral the cross of St. Nino – the woman who brought Christianity to Georgia – is preserved. All these sights are in close proximity and it’s a pleasant walk.

Day 3: Tbilisi – Truso Gorge – Kazbegi National Park

Accommodation: Intourist Kazbegi or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we set off north along the famous Georgian Military Highway, taking in the first views of the stunning Greater Caucasus Mountains. This is a spectacular highway that winds its way through sheer mountains, as although it was named by Tsar Alexander I, this route actually dates from before the 1st century BC and is still important as one of the only links to Russia through the Caucasus Mountains. As we make our way north, we find the untouched beauty of the lesser-visited Truso Gorge where we will enjoy our first walk. Walking through the beautiful nature of Truso Valley, we pass by remote villages and ancient towers hidden within canyons and alpine meadows. Truso Gorge is famous for its rock formations formed by mineral water springs, and many houses have now been abandoned due to the challenges of mountain life, showing the resilience of the remaining residents. Once we reach Abano village, we then drive on to Stepantsminda, located in the heart of Kazbegi National Park.
Walking time: Approx. 4hrs
Walking distance: 12km
Ascent/descent: 400m/400m
Highest altitude: 2370m

Day 4: Kazbegi National Park: Juta & Sno Valley

Accommodation: Intourist Kazbegi or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Setting off through the spectacular Sno Valley this morning, we’ll travel by road to the remote village of Juta (2165m). En route we can spot the famous Giant Stone Head Sculptures, created by local artist Merab Piranishvili to help immortalise Georgia's great poets. Cut off for six months of the year and surrounded by glorious mountain scenery, Juta provides an unforgettable glimpse into traditions and times long past. It is also the starting point for a pleasant four-hour circular walk to the foot of Mount Chaukhebi. The route in itself is not considered to be particularly challenging but does climb to around 2550 metres and provides some magical vistas along the way. On our return to Juta, we’ll be rewarded with some homemade honey as we visit a local family, before returning to Stepantsminda for the evening. 
Walking time: Approx. 4hrs
Walking distance: 9km
Ascent/descent: 680m/680m
Highest altitude: 2580m

Day 5: Kazbegi National Park: Gergeti Church & Gveleti Waterfalls

Accommodation: Intourist Kazbegi or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we set out on foot for a three-hour walk up through beautiful valleys and woodland to Gergeti Trinity Church (14th century) located at 2170m. Weather permitting we may catch a glimpse of one of the highest glaciers in the Caucasus on Mt Kazbegi (5047m). After lunch in Stepantsminda we then drive through the dramatic Darial Gorge, where we have the opportunity to walk to Gveleti waterfalls (approx 4km, 2hrs).
Walking time: Approx. 5hrs
Walking distance: 11km (total)
Ascent/descent: 740/740m
Highest altitude: 2165m

Day 6: Kazbegi National Park – Ananuri - Kondoli - Telavi

Accommodation: Kviria Hotel or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, we travel into the Kakheti region, surrounded by the snowy Caucasus mountains and fertile valleys and famous for its wine making and welcoming hospitality. We visit the two fortified churches at Ananuri, beautifully situated on the Jinvali Reservoir before continuing to Kondoli. Here we visit a local producer of the natural wine ‘Zhghia’ and can observe the traditions and culture of the region as well as taste the wines, before ending our day in Telavi with a delicious local dinner.

Day 7: Telavi – Alaverdi – Tusheti National Park

Accommodation: Omalo Family Guesthouse

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We start the morning with a visit to the local farmers market, where we can observe daily life and buy some supplies for our picnic lunch, before visiting Alaverdi Cathedral (11th century), the highest cathedral in the Caucasus for many centuries. We then head once again deep into the heart of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, this time to the less-visited Tusheti region. Recognised as a protected landscape, the region is managed by the Tushetian people and here we will get the chance to enjoy local hospitality and sample some typical home-made food (including its famous cheese). This provides a rare opportunity to not only contribute directly to the preservation of this unique area, but also to experience village life first hand. The Tushetian people live very much off the grid, with our guesthouses being run off solar panels. Our visit here too will be very much low impact, with much of the time spent walking through this captivating landscape. On arrival in Omalo, we will enjoy a short walk to Keselo, a collection of nearby towers which once served as a fortress, standing high on the surrounding hills.
Approx. 100km, 4.5 hours driving

Day 8: Tusheti National Park: Omalo – Shenako – Diklo

Accommodation: Diklo Guesthouse

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We set off into this stunning landscape today as we follow rivers, cross wooden bridges and pass through forest to reach the small but striking village of Shenako. A traditional mountain village occupying the southern slopes of the Priqiti ridge, Shenako is filled with historical and geographical appeal. Rarely visited by outsiders and scattered with typical Tushetian towers, it is home to the 13th century Russian built Church of the Holy Trinity. Here we’ll enjoy a traditional Georgian lunch prepared by our local hosts, before continuing on. We pass through pine wooded valleys, after which the road eventually leads up to Diklo. Infused with legend and folklore, it provides an atmospheric setting for the night and a walk up to the moss-covered ruins of its old fortress provides some stunning views out across the surrounding countryside.
Walking time: Approx. 5.5hrs
Walking distance: 15km
Ascent/descent: 710m/680m
Highest altitude: 2150m

Day 9: Tusheti National Park: Diklo – Chigo - Dartlo

Accommodation: Dartlo Guesthouse

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we continue exploring the beautiful Tusheti landscape as we walk along the mountain slopes to the village of Chigo. This will take us most of the day and we can enjoy a picnic lunch en route. After some time to relax and explore Chigo, we drive to Dartlo. Often described as a “village-museum” due to the traditional houses and buildings crafted with stone walls and slate roofs, Dartlo is home to beautiful medieval towers, wooden carved balconies and offers marvellous views of the surrounding area. It is a little bigger than the other villages – which are really just hamlets – and so here we will again stay in a small local guesthouse, meet more locals and enjoy more of their fabled hospitality.
Walking time: Approx. 6.5hrs
Walking distance: 10km
Ascent/descent: 700m/640m
Highest altitude: 2500m

Day 10: Tusheti National Park: Dartlo – Kvavlo – Dano – Chesho – Parsma - Girevi

Accommodation: Girevi Guesthouse

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our journey today begins on foot, hiking mostly uphill to Kvavlo, home to a number of towers and interesting sites, before following the trail to the beautiful hamlet of Dano. From here we continue along a pathway that connects us back to the main road, where we once again meet our vehicles and drive on to the picturesque villages of Chesho and Parsma where we can spend some time exploring. Built in the middle ages, the stone tower of Parsma still stands today and was built in a peaceful time by a Kist father-son from Bauli, like many of the towers in the region. Here we enjoy a home-cooked lunch with a local family, before this afternoon walking to the village of Girevi, only inhabited during the summer months. Discover the atmospheric Girevi Fortress, before settling in for the evening with our hosts who will introduce us to the art of making khinkali (a local dumpling), as well as introducing us to some of the local Tushetian beer – Aludi.
Walking time: Approx. 3hrs
Walking distance: 9km
Ascent/descent: 620m/500m
Highest altitude: 2150m

Day 11: Tusheti National Park: Girevi – Ghele – Dochu – Omalo

Accommodation: Omalo Superior Guesthouse

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we drive to the village of Ghele for our final spectacular walk in Tusheti. From Ghele the trail leads us up to the mountain ridge, to provide some unforgettable views of the Tushetian landscape below as we walk along the ridge trail, enjoying a picnic en route. We eventually descend to the mystical village of Dochu, perched on a rocky outcrop, from where we then drive on to Omalo for our final night in the mountains.
Walking time: 6hrs
Walking distance: 13km
Ascent/descent: 970m/1085m
Highest altitude: 2630m

Day 12: Tusheti National Park: Omalo – Telavi – Tbilisi

Accommodation: Taberne Boutique Hotel or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We have an early start today as we spend most of today on the road making our way back to Tbilisi, stopping in Telavi en route for some lunch. This evening we can enjoy our well-earned final dinner in the capital in one of our favourite local restaurants.
Approx. 200km, 7hrs driving

Day 13: Tour Ends In Tbilisi

Meals Included: Breakfast

The tour will end this morning at
the hotel.

What's Included

  • TRANSPORT

    On this tour we will travel by minibus, 4WD vehicles and by foot.

  • MEALS

    12 x Breakfasts11 x Lunches10 x Dinners

  • CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS

    Contributions to climate and community projects for all bookings

  • GROUP SIZE

    Maximum: 12

  • EXPERT TEAM

    The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate

  • ENTRANCE FEES

    All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary

  • ACCOMMODATION

    All accommodation as outlined in the itinerary

  • FITNESS RATING

    Moderate / High

What's Not Included

We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.

Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour
ationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs

Responsible Travel

With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.

When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats. 

Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.

Visas

VISAS
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa

For this tour UK passport holders do not require a visa for Georgia.

Passports should ideally be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the end of your tour.

Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.

VACCINATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for travellers to Georgia.

For all destinations, please make sure you are up-to-date with any standard vaccinations (e.g. MMR, Hepatitis A, Tetanus) as recommended by your local health care provider. 

For the most up-to-date information on all vaccination requirements, we strongly suggest that you seek advice from your local travel centre or consult an official travel health website such as www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.travelhealthpro.org.uk

Covid Testing: No mandatory testing is currently required for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers.

If necessary further details will be sent out to you upon booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas & vaccinations are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.


Key Aspects to Consider

You will need to be in a good state of health and have a high level of fitness to be suitable to join this tour.  The trek is graded as high with average daily walking time of 5-7hrs. The maximum trekking altitude reached will be 2650m.

Please note that
the only access road into the remote region of Tusheti is a dramatic and
beautiful route of winding mountain passes with steep drops. We use 4WD
vehicles with experienced drivers in the region for this section of the tour
and only travel in the summer months when conditions are at their best.
However, it may not be suitable for those with a fear of heights, travel
sickness or anyone with back problems or recent hip or pelvis surgery.

Travelling Solo and single supplements

As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!

Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip. On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour except in Diklo, Dartlo and Girevi in Tusheti, where due to limited infrastructure depending on the group size you may need to share.

Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.

Insurance

Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.

Check out our Q&As

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 2002

  • Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?

    In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.

Reviews from Travellers on this Tour

Jean Dawes  

Jean Dawes

I thoroughly enjoyed this holiday including the dr

I thoroughly enjoyed this holiday including the drives through interesting and beautiful scenery.

David Saunders  

David Saunders

This astonishing tour took in valleys and mountain

This astonishing tour took in valleys and mountains, city and country, past and present, sacred and secular, wine and spirits, near-desert and riotous fruitfulness – variety almost beyond belief. It was overwhelming to see so much in such a short space of time.

Dhala Campbell  

Dhala Campbell

One word for Georgia - Gorgeous-stan! A truly amaz

One word for Georgia - Gorgeous-stan! A truly amazing country, from the landscapes to the people and the food.

Dates & Availability

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Sunday - Friday

Aug 17, 2025 - Aug 29, 2025
$3238 $3076 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$162 (USD)

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Wild Frontiers allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 90 days before the start of the tour.

  • Low Deposit

    Wild Frontiers requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of wild frontiers charges.

    Up to 71 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 51 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

  • Wild Frontiers' COVID Promise

    You will have the right to transfer without any transfer fee, from any of our trips at ANY time if your trip is not Covid Viable (see below).*
    We will not ask you to pay your final balance if your trip is not yet Covid Viable.
    If your trip is not Covid Viable, by 30 days prior to departure at the latest, we will cancel your holiday and you can either transfer your funds to another departure or have a refund.**


    We will only consider a trip Covid Viable*** if pre-departure it meets all of the following criteria:

    There is no national lockdown or ban on foreign travel for the period when your trip is due to depart.
    Destinations on the tour must not be on the UK’s Red List. ****
    No destinations visited on the tour have in place any significant COVID-19 restrictions for travellers.
    Tourist visas (if required) are available.
    There is reliable airline access to/from the start/end of the trip.
    Following an assessment by both Wild Frontiers and our local partners we are confident that your trip is able to run in both a safe and enjoyable manner.*****




    ** If you were originally booked to travel before 30 April 2020 and transferred to a later date, or if you have a tailor-made booking, there may be some irrecoverable costs which we cannot refund. Please speak to us and we will be able to advise you if this is the case for your booking.
    ***Since our HQ is in London, Covid Viable status for our Group Tours will be assessed on UK-based travellers. However we are fully aware that many of our clients live in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and beyond. As such, when we deem a trip to now be Covid Viable, everyone booked will have a chance to review their own personal situation before deciding whether or not to remain booked on the trip. Anyone wishing to, will have the option to transfer without fees to another trip at this time. For tailor made bookings, we may also able to consider additional countries’ travel advice when deciding if a trip is Viable. Please discuss this with us at the time of booking.
    **** This relates to bookings from UK clients only. We may operate trips to destinations which the British FCDO advise against travel for Covid reasons. If this is the case, anyone wishing to will have the option to cancel with a refund or transfer to another trip. In some cases we may choose to offer a tour to a Red destination but these will be at both clients’ and Wild Frontiers’ discretion and will be subject to alternative conditions to be discussed on an ad hoc basis.
    *****If a destination, that we have deemed to be Covid Viable, subsequently fails any aspect of the criteria for two consecutive weeks, you will have the right under our Covid Promise to transfer without any fees.

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