I went to Georgia with my brother and his family and we are so lucky that we have chosen Arara. Shatill’s ancient towers wowed us, and Ardoti’s village vibe was a perfect escape. In general, the trip rocked! We took lots of pictures which will always remind us about those amazing days.
Kakheti and Khevsureti Walking Holiday
8-day guided walking holiday
This is one of our most popular Georgia walking holiday itineraries, promising an in-depth exploration of the fascinating and picturesque Kakheti and Khevsureti regions.
This trip takes you through Georgia's ancient forests, majestic mountains, fortified villages, atmospheric abandoned settlements, and enchanting lakes and waterfalls. Along the way, you'll also encounter numerous cultural and historical monuments. The tour culminates with a wine tasting in Georgia's renowned winemaking centre.
Highlights:
- Begin your journey in the Kakheti winemaking region, celebrated for its sun-drenched vineyards, golden hills, and status as Georgia's premier wine producer.
- Enjoy hiking in Lagodekhi National Park, one of the world's most pristine natural areas, boasting a diverse range of landscapes.
- Embark on an exciting expedition to Upper Khevsureti in the Greater Caucasus Mountains, a historic Georgian province.
- Navigate the extreme road to Bear Cross Pass, situated high in the mountains at an altitude of 2689 metres.
- Be captivated by the striking beauty of Abudelauri Lakes, each displaying unique hues of green, blue, and milky white.
Trip notes:
This is a mild-level guided walking holiday (rated 3 out of 5), suitable for most with reasonable fitness and mobility. There will be short day hikes each day, typically between 5 and 15 kilometres.
This is a multi-stop walking holiday, with road transfers between each location. No overnight camping or point-to-point trekking.
Prefer to customise this trip? Get in touch to book this as a private tour!
Good to know
- Arara Tour: The leading Caucasus specialists
- Book direct, no middleman or hidden fees
- Top rated on Trip Advisor
What's included
- Accommodation
- Guided excursions
- Ground transfers
- Breakfast
- Support
Days
8
Starting from
$2,116 pp
Destinations
GeorgiaActivity
Adventure, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Walking, Overlanding, Nature & Wildlife, Culture, Responsible Travel, Slow Travel, Solo TravelTour Type
Custom itinerary, Private guided tourPhysical Level
MildSeason
May - SeptemberDetailed itinerary
What you'll see and do
This is a customisable trip
Use the following itinerary for inspiration. Remember: all days, hotels and activities can be altered to suit your requirements. A Arara Tour travel specialist will be happy to advise.
Day 1
Arrival in Tbilisi
Tbilisi
After your arrival at Tbilisi airport, you'll have a transfer to your hotel. From this very moment your fantastic trip in Georgia will start. Georgia is a country of stunning landscapes, spicy national dishes, noisy feasts and hot national dances. It is also a great destination for hiking and trekking due to its stunning landscapes, dramatic Caucasus Mountains, rush rivers, majestic waterfalls, thick forests and off the beaten track locations.
Overnight: Hotel in Tbilisi
Day 2
Lagodekhi - Black Grouse Waterfall - Lagodekhi
Lagodekhi National Park
In the morning you will leave Tbilisi and head to Lagodekhi national park located in Kakheti winemaking region. It is a fantastic destination for lovers of hiking as the park is an amazing protected area with waterfalls, lakes and ancient fortresses. After arrival in Lagodekhi town you will set out on a well-marked trail which winds through a thick forest and along a rapid stream before ending at the 6-meter-high Black Grouse Waterfall. With a round-trip length of 9 kilometers, the hike usually takes 3-5 hours to complete. You will stay in Lagodekhi for the night.
Overnight: Hotel in Lagodekhi
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 9 km
Day 3
Ninoskhevi Waterfall - Lagodekhi
Lagodekhi National Park
On the third day you will continue your hiking in Lagodekhi National Park. Your trail will start from Khizabavra village and will lead you to Ninoskhevi Waterfall. It will be a 10-kilometer round-trip hike which usually takes 4-6 hours to complete. You will hike in real rocky jungles. Make sure your shoes are water proof and slip resistant as you will have to cross a river several times.
Overnight: Hotel in Lagodekhi
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 10 km
Day 4
Sighnaghi - Davit Garejia - Tbilisi
Sighnaghi
This day you will depart to one of the most amazing towns of Kakheti region – Sighnaghi. Sighnaghi is a cozy town with colorful houses, carved balconies, narrow streets and wineries. Visitors can stroll along the narrow streets of the city, enjoy the stunning views of the Alazani Valley and taste traditional Georgian wine. Your travel will continue to David Gareja monastery complex located in Kakheti on the Azerbaijan-Georgia border. It is a stunning cave town founded in the 6th century by St. David Garejeli, one of the thirteen Assyrian monks. The complex includes marvelous frescoes, caves and the convergence of architecture into the semi-desert environment.
Overnight: Hotel in Tbilisi
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 3-4 km
Day 5
Datvisjvari Pass - Shatili
Shatili
In the morning you will start an exciting trip to the historical Georgian province of Upper Khevsureti, to the Greater Caucasus Mountains, with a final stop in Shatili historic highland village. On the way you will stop at Jinvali Reservoir – one of the largest artificial water reservoirs in Georgia. It lies at the confluence of the Mtiuleti Aragvi and Fshavi Aragvi rivers. Then the trip will continue to the Bear Cross Pass set high in the mountains at an altitude of 2689 m. The mountain road leading to the pass is extreme and dangerous but it worth the effort due to the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Your overnight will be arranged in Shatili village.
Overnight: Hotel in Shatili
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 1-2 km
Day 6
Abudelauri Lakes - Tbilisi
Abudelauri Lakes
Your last tour day will start with a trip from Shatili to Roshka settlement. After arrival you will start hiking to Abudelauri Lakes. Formed by glaciers each of these picturesque three lakes has different colors: colors: green, blue and milky. Lots of legends and myths are connected to these lakes. They are located at an altitude of 2500 m in alpine zones at the foot of the Chaukhi massif. After crossing the Chaukhi pass you will first see an amazing White Lake. Next, you will continue hiking to Blue and Green Lakes. After the end of the tour you will return to Tbilisi.
Overnight: Hotel in Tbilisi
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 6-7 km
Day 7
Departure
Tbilisi
After breakfast you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight home – or onwards to Georgia or Armenia! Contact us to customise this itinerary.
Speak to a Georgia specialist about this trip
Where to stay
Some of our sample accommodation.
What's included
Accommodation |
All accommodation in our carefully chosen hotels and guest houses, 3* European standard |
|
Guided excursions |
Fully accompanied by an English speaking expert local hiking guide. All admission fees as required. |
|
Ground transfers |
All airport collections, hotel transfers and other ground transport |
|
Breakfast |
All hotel breakfasts. |
|
Support |
24/7 emergency support while travelling |
How to book
Arara Tour trips can be booked as a private-guided tour, or as a small group tour. Please contact us now to discuss your preferences.
Once we've confirmed your itinerary we will send you a deposit invoice for 200 Euro (USD, AUD, GBP). Once your deposit is received we will start booking your hotel reservations and other services.
Your final payment will be made 15 days before the start of the trip. We can accept payment by bank transfer or credit card.
FAQs
CAN I ADD AN EXTRA NIGHT ON THE BEGINNING OR END OF MY GROUP TRIP?
Yes sure, you can. Just ask your travel specialist at the time of booking and she/he will book accommodation for an extra night for an additional charge.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO TRAVEL TO THE CAUCASUS?
We operate the Caucasus trips from the start of April (Easter time) to the end of October. The weather is usually good in that period. Only if you chose adventure tours, it's preferable to travel from the end of May to the end of September.
I HAVE SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS – WILL THEY BE CATERED FOR?
Yes sure, your special dietary requirements will be cared for. Just let your travel advisor know, and she/he will care about the food included in the tour price.
IF I AM A SINGLE TRAVELER WILL I BE CHARGED A SINGLE SUPPLEMENT?
As a single traveller, you will usually have the choice of either paying a single supplement or sharing with someone of the same gender.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO CARRY MONEY?
We recommend having access to money from a variety of sources – cash and cards. There are ATM-s in Yerevan and in big towns of the Caucasus.
WHAT ARE THE MEDICAL AND VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS?
No vaccination is required for travelling to the Caucasus. There are no infections or health risks. The only caution is the high elevation of some sites. Please consult with your doctor and take the necessary medicine for high blood pressure.
WILL I HAVE ANY FREE TIME DURING THE TOUR?
Yes sure. The trip usually lasts 6-9 hours a day. So your evenings are totally free.
WHICH COUNTRIES ARE YOUR TRAVELERS MOSTLY FROM?
Our groups mostly consist of travelers from Australia, the UK, the USA and Canada. Average age of travelers is from 45 to 80 .
Reviews
What people are saying about Arara Tour
Carol T
30/06/2024
Christopher J
28/06/2024
Our Georgian tour expedition was a dream!
The National Park felt like stepping into a paradise of greenery, while the majestic Black Grouse Waterfall left us in awe of nature’s beauty!
For an unforgettable taste of Georgia’s natural wonders, this adventure is a must-do!
Steven B
12/05/2023
Me and my friend spent an amazing time in Georgia during our short but adventurous trip. It was fun to see Shatili and its unique architectural styles. In addition to enjoying the breathtaking scenes of the country, we were satisfied with the choice of hotels and guesthouses. Some of the guesthouses were family run, which was exactly what we wanted to experience. One thing I would note is choose wisely when to travel to this area. The weather might let you down. Our guide Tazo and driver Giorgi were friendly and helpful. Giorg helped us with our luggage every time and remained a professional during the heavy city traffic or comprehensive routes. I will recommend your company and using your services.
James & Susan
18/11/2022
I travelled with my partner Susan and chose to visit Georgia, which is a great way to get off the beaten path and see a side of Georgia that most tourists never get to experience. During our tour we visited very nice and stunning ancient monasteries; traditional villages were amazing with their landscapes. The hotels were nice and comfortable. We learned so much about Georgian history and culture, and had a lot of fun along the way that next time we decide to explore Georgia with Armenia and Azerbaijan.