Georgia

Upon your arrival at Tbilisi International Airport, you will be welcomed by a Rahhalah representative, and you will be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of your day exploring the beautiful capital of Georgia at your own pace, until the group reassembles in the evening for a briefing meeting.

Accommodation: City Avenue Hotel (4*) or similar

After breakfast, you will check-out from the hotel and head towards the Ananuri castle: the epicenter of numerous battles in the 13th century, and a popular attraction today thanks to its unique architecture and location.

You will then continue driving towards Stepantsminda, one of the most beautiful destinations in Georgia. Until the 21st century, this small town on the mountains was called Kazbegi, after the famous, Georgian writer Alexander Kazbegi who was born there in 1848.

After a backpack lunch, you will hike to the 14th-century Gergeti Trinity Church, perched at an altitude of 2,180 m. Its isolated location on top of a steep mountain surrounded by the vastness of nature has made it a symbol for Georgia. The 18th-century Georgian author Vakhushti Batonishvili wrote that in times of danger, precious relics from Mtskheta, including Saint Nino's Cross were brought to this church for safekeeping. Even though it stopped operating as a church during the Soviet era, it remained a popular tourist destination thanks to the stunning views of Mt. Kazbek one can enjoy from the top.

Upon your return from the church, you will take the cars again to drive to Juta, the highest mountain village in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti Region (at 2,250 m). From there, you will begin your hike to the base of the Chaukhi Massif, where you will camp for the night.

Total driving time: approx. 4 hours (175 km).
Hiking to Gergeti Trinity church: 7 km (3 hours - roundtrip) – Altitude: 2,170m.
Hiking from Juta to Chaukhi Massif: 8 km (3-4 hours).
Elevation: 600 meters (from 2160 to 2860 m).

Accommodation: Camping in a tent.

After an early breakfast, you begin your hike towards the direction of Roshka village. The path takes you deep into the Greater Caucasus Mountains, through alpine meadows, the Chaukhi Pass (3,338 m), and the majestic White, Blue and Green lakes of Abudelaurebi.

The Abudelauri Lakes are situated at an altitude of 2,500 m in the alpine zones that stretch at the foot of the Chiukhi Massif. Their most striking characteristic is their color that differs from one to the other, despite their proximity: one (near your camping site) is plain green; the second is of a stunning blue shade; the last one is milk-white because of the glacier’s reflections.

Hike from Chaukhi Massif to Abudelauri: 12 km (7-8 hours).
Elevation gain/loss: ↑800m ↓600m.

Accommodation: Camping in a tent.

After a beautiful morning exploring the slopes surrounding the lakes, you will descend to the Roshka village, where you will ride the car and drive back to Tbilisi.

On the way, you will stop for a thrilling rafting adventure on Aragvi: a system of rivers including the Mtiuleti White Aragvi, the Gudamakari Black Aragvi, the Khevsureti and the Pshavi Aragvi. In the upper and middle streams, Aragvi is a mountain river, and in the downstream, it becomes Vake River.

In Mtskheta, from the Cross Monastery, you will also enjoy panoramic views of the two rivers – Aragvi and Mtkvari – connecting, their merging point quite distinct thanks to their different colors.

The rafting adventure will take place on the Pshavis Aragvi River, led by experienced guides who will give you the necessary instructions and will equip you with life jackets and helmets. You will traverse about 15 km, enjoying currents II and III on the way.

Rafting time: approx. 1.5 hrs.

After lunch, you will continue towards Tbilisi, where you spend the rest of the day relaxing and exploring the city and dinner in city.

Total driving time: approx. 3 hours (110 km).
Hiking details: 6 km (3 hours).
Elevation loss: ↓600 m.

Accommodation: City Avenue Hotel (4*) or similar.

Tbilisi’s old town is a jewel worth exploring, and no trip to Georgia is complete without strolling in the cobblestoned alleys that reflect a long and complicated history, with periods under Persian and Russian rule. The town’s diverse architecture encompasses Eastern Orthodox churches, ornate art nouveau buildings and Soviet Modernist structures. Looming over it all are Narikala, a reconstructed 4th-century fortress, and Kartlis Deda, an iconic statue of the “Mother of Georgia.”

During this walking tour, you will pass by ancient monasteries, old wooden buildings, and houses with beautiful architecture. You will take the cable-car up to the Narikala fortress, and you will stop at the sulfur baths district, exploring on the way the essence of this mountainous city and understanding why the Georgian culture has inspired so many famous writers, artists, and poets.

Later, depending on your departure details, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.

Note: We recommend that your departure flights are in the evening.