Get ready to explore the epic mountains of the Caucasus, see ancient history come to life, and share meals with the warmest people on earth.
Welcome to Sakartvelo, a land of epic landscapes and legendary hospitality, nestled at the very crossroads of Europe and Asia. Here, the soaring peaks of the Caucasus Mountains shelter ancient stone watchtowers and villages seemingly untouched by time. Wander the vibrant, cobblestone streets of the capital, Tbilisi, where historic sulfur baths and modern art galleries exist side-by-side. As the birthplace of wine, Georgia invites you to taste vintages from 8,000-year-old traditions and indulge in unforgettable feasts. From cities carved into cliffs to gargantuan canyons, Georgia offers a journey that is as rich in culture as it is in breathtaking beauty.
Hi, I’m Rhiannon, and I’m dying to explore the mountains in Georgia with equally adventurous hikers! I’ve been travelling the world for 3 years in search of the best hiking on the planet and I think we’re on to something mind-blowing here. So let’s travel, hike, and create unforgettable memories in the incredible Georgian landscape together!
You'll be picked up from the airport and driven to our handpicked accommodation. Meet your fellow travelers over a Georgian Welcome Dinner! Georgian Chacha & Wine included!
Enjoy a walking tour of the charming Old Town of Tbilisi. Afterwards, we'll visit the massive Chronicles of Georgia Monument! Then prepare your hands and stomach for a Georgian cooking class! We'll learn how to make the delicious soup dumplings, khachapuri, and other Georgian staple foods. Then, let's party it up with a bar crawl around Tbilisi!
On our way to Mestia, we'll stop by the monumental Uplistsikhe Cave city. Come face to face with Georgia's ancient past as you walk through the buildings carved right into the cliffs.
We're taking you on an epic 4-day journey across the Caucasus Mountains. More details about the trek below.
On our way back to Tbilisi, we'll stop by the beautiful Martvili Canyon. Here, you'll hop into boats and float through the magical blue waters and gaze upon the cliffs. After, we'll make our way to Tbilisi for our final night together.
Enjoy breakfast before you are transferred to Tbilisi International Airport for your flight home. We hope you enjoyed your time with us!
Get ready for the most stunning trek the Caucasus has to offer. We'll be going from the picturesque town of Mestia to the UNESCO village of Ushguli. Prepare for stunning views, tasty dinners in local guesthouses, and plenty of laughs.
Our journey begins in the shadow of the iconic stone towers of Mestia. After crossing the Mestiachala River, we’ll leave the cozy town behind and start a steady climb through dense pine and hazelnut forests. The first major milestone is a scenic ridge viewpoint (1,915m), where we are suddenly greeted by the massive, snow-capped twin peaks of Mount Ushba to the north and the jagged Tetnuldi straight ahead.
From the ridge, the trail opens into high alpine meadows carpeted with wildflowers. We'll follow the trail that winds through viewpoint after viewpoint. The final stretch descends into the Mulkhura River Valley. We'll spend the night in Tsaldashi.
Distance: ~14–15 km
Elevation Gain: +700m / -400m
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Views of the Mestia valley and the iconic Svan towers of the Mulkhi valley.
After a peaceful morning in Tsaldashi, we’ll begin a steady ascent toward the shoulders of Mount Tetnuldi. The trail winds through dense rhododendron thickets and blooming alpine meadows. As we climb higher, the valley opens up to reveal the massive peaks of the Greater Caucasus.
After reaching the high point, we'll have a winding descent into the remote, roadless village of Adishi. This village feels frozen in time, with no car access for much of the year.
Distance: ~12–13 km
Elevation Gain: +850m / -550m
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Highlights: High-altitude pastures, views of Adishi Glacier in the distance, and the ancient stone architecture of Adishi.
We’ll start with a flat, 6km scenic walk along the river to the base of the Adishi Glacier. Here, we'll cross the Adishchala River by horse. From there, it’s a steep climb to the Chkhunderi Pass (2,740m), followed by a long descent through the abandoned village of Khalde before reaching Iprari.
Distance: ~18–19 km
Elevation Gain: +860m / -950m
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Highlights: Fording the river, 360-degree views from Chkhunderi Pass, and the haunting ruins of Khalde.
The final leg to Ushguli is shorter and less steep, allowing you to soak in the scenery. We'll hike along the beautiful "high trail" via Davberi that stays above the river gorge. Our trek ends in Ushguli, one of the highest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe, sitting at the foot of Shkhara, Georgia’s highest peak.
Distance: ~12–13 km
Elevation Gain: +400m / -350m
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Highlights: The first glimpse of Mt. Shkhara (5,193m) and exploring the UNESCO towers of Ushguli.
All meals on the hike are included.
Every day will end in a comfortable local accommodation with a warm bed and hot shower.
This trek has no technical climbing required.
Hiking gear is available to rent.
You may leave luggage in our Mestia accommodation while on the trek.
You must carry what you will need for the duration of the trek.
We do kindly ask to please ensure you are physically capable of completing the trek.
Enjoying a true Georgian Dinner 🍲
Old Tbilisi Walking Tour 🚶♀️
Tbilisi Bar Crawl 🍻
Feeling small inside the Chronicles of Georgia Monument ☦️
Traditional Georgian Cooking Lesson 👨🍳
Hiking through the Caucasus Mountains ⛰️
Floating through the gorgeous Martvili Canyon🚣♀️
Wandering around Uplistsikhe Cave City ⛏️
Befriending the famously friendly Georgian Dogs 🐕
Witnessing Sunset Views for Days 🌄
Enjoying a true Georgian Dinner 🍲
Old Tbilisi Walking Tour 🚶♀️
Tbilisi Bar Crawl 🍻
Feeling small inside the Chronicles of Georgia Monument ☦️
Traditional Georgian Cooking Lesson 👨🍳
Hiking through the Caucasus Mountains ⛰️
Floating through the gorgeous Martvili Canyon🚣♀️
Wandering around Uplistsikhe Cave City ⛏️
Befriending the famously friendly Georgian Dogs 🐕
Witnessing Sunset Views for Days 🌄
We ensure you get the best experiences and comfort during your trip.
8 nights at our handpicked accommodation ensure you get a taste of the local life without sacrificing comfort.
We require all travelers to take our pledge to ensure everybody feels safe and comfortable during our trips. In addition, we room the same sex together whenever possible.
From hiking in the Caucasus to Georgian cooking lessons to floating through Martvili Canyon, we have plenty of amazing activities planned. All excursions & tickets in the itinerary are included. You won't just be seeing Georgia, you'll be living it!
A Welcome Dinner, all breakfasts, and all meals during the hike are included in your trip. Don't worry, food in Georgia is very affordable and incredibly tasty.
Our experienced local guide will be there to give you the best experience, deep insight, and good vibes.
You won't have to lift a finger once you step off that plane.
International flights, mandatory travel insurance, meals not mentioned, alcohol, personal expenses. Our estimate is $200-250 for everything across the trip.
We create a WhatsApp group chat before our trips so you can get to know your fellow travelers before you land!
With our free help for visas, flights, and packing, we ensure you have everything you need before departure!
Georgia is a world unto itself. Thanks to its relative isolation in the Caucasus, it has forged its own singular language, culture, and cuisine. This distinction extends to its geography, which often surprises visitors with its sheer variety. The country boasts towering mountains, massive cave systems, arid deserts, and a sun-drenched sea coast. Georgians often joke that you can go skiing in the morning and be sipping cocktails on the Black Sea by evening—and they're not wrong.
This incredible diversity is mirrored in its fascinating history. For millennia, Georgia stood as a stronghold of Christianity, where ancient kingdoms erected majestic cathedrals that were among the largest and most impressive of their day. More recently, the Soviet era added another layer of history, leaving behind unique architectural quirks and one of the world's deepest metro systems, which you can still ride in Tbilisi.
Georgia thrives at the crossroads of East and West, a fusion reflected in everything from its food to its cityscapes. You’ll find districts with a distinctly European feel in most cities, yet go off the beaten path and you'll find plenty of Soviet history and brutalist architecture, if that's your thing. But this isn't just a copy-and-paste mix; Georgian culture borrows the best from both worlds to create a vibrant identity that is unlike anywhere else.
Get ready to have your taste buds do a happy dance! Georgian cuisine is a feast, where bread boats called khachapuri sail on a sea of gloriously melted cheese, and juicy khinkali dumplings hide a savory, soupy secret. Forget what you know about comfort food—Georgia has perfected it into a delicious art form you won't forget.
In Georgia, they don't let a single drop of grape go to waste, which is great news for us! You can start the night sipping on world-famous wine from an 8,000-year-old tradition, with unique flavors you won't find anywhere else. Then, you finish the night with chacha, the wine's powerful alter-ego—a fiery "grape vodka" that's guaranteed to warm you up from the inside out. It’s the perfect one-two punch of ancient history and instant party.
Georgia features a highly varied climate with four seasons, ranging from subtropical on the Black Sea coast to continental in the eastern plains. This leads to hot summers and cold, snowy winters, especially inland and at higher elevations. A key feature of the capital, Tbilisi (literally "Hot Water"), is its natural thermal springs. These springs supply the city's numerous historic bathhouses, providing a popular year-round activity for locals and visitors seeking relief from either the summer heat or winter chill.
Ever seen a language that looks like flowing art? Welcome to Georgian, with its own beautiful and totally unique alphabet! While you’ll hear its ancient and distinct sounds everywhere, don't be surprised to also hear Russian, a widely spoken second language that can be a helpful bridge for communication, especially with the older generation.
In collaboration with Rhiannon, we created this itinerary to showcase just how beautiful Georgia is, both scenically and culturally. We want travelers to come away feeling like they not only had heaps of fun, but also with a better understanding of this region of the world. There are so many hidden gems and surprises waiting for you.
*Please note: The full payment for this trip is due 61 days prior to departure. All trips are required to meet our participant minimum to operate. Do not book flights until you receive an email verifying that the trip is operating (or until you inquire to confirm). All accommodation is double occupancy unless the single room supplement is selected.