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 6 nights in local guesthousesMeals
8 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinnersTransfers
Kutaisi Airport Transfers and everything in betweenLuggage transfer
4x4 vehicle support throughout the trekSmall 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
Welcome to Kutaisi
Touch down at Kutaisi International Airport where your host will be waiting to take you straight to your nearby hotel. Get settled in 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 your journey up into the Svaneti Region, on to the small town of Becho where you’ll overnight in a local guesthouse.
Day 3
Hike up to Ushba Waterfalls
Hiking
Driving
After a hearty breakfast, you'll set out from your guesthouse for your first hike of the trip. Rising up though woodland, the trail will take around 5hrs to ascend to foot of the mighty Mount Ushba (4700m), starting out as a gradual climb but then steepening as you get further up. This beautiful route will bring you to the Ushba (Shdugvra) Waterfalls where you can enjoy spectacular views of the Laila mountain range. On the way down, the group will stop near a bridge to meet the local transport and drive back down to the guesthouse to collect your luggage. You'll then transfer onwards to the town of Mestia for your overnight stop.
Day 4
Trek from Mestia to Zhabeshi (Jabeshi)
Hiking
Fuel up on a giant homemade breakfast ready for another magnificent day of trekking. Today you'll set out on foot from Mestia, the principal town of the Svaneti, past stone defensive towers called "Svan Towers". Head up the valley on rugged jeep trails up through forest and alpine meadows to a pass at the foot of Mount Khakiani (3702m). From there you'll have expansive views of the Mulkhra Valley to the east, with the towering peaks of Tetnuldi (4858m) and Gistola (4860m) in the distance. Descend down the pass and along the valley to village of Zhabeshi for your overnight
Day 5
Zhabeshi to Adishi
Hiking
Today you'll hike out of the Mulkhra Valley over the Tetnuldi Pass (2500m) and down to the ancient village of Adishi, famed for four deeply historic churches dating as far as the 9th-14th centuries. It's another big day of hiking in spectacular mountain surroundings with glaciers and snowcapped 4,000m peaks on show. You’ll know you’ve arrived in Adishi when the trail descends and its medieval monuments and iconic Svan towers come into view. Enjoy the warm Georgian hospitality for another evening at your local guesthouse.
Day 6
Adishi to Iparali
Hiking
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, and then continuing on to Iparli, arriving at your guesthouse late afternoon for some downtime before dinner.
Day 7
Iprali to Ushguli
Driving
Hiking
Today begins with a (short) scenic drive to the settlement of Ushguli (2000m), located in the very east of the Svaneti region. Ushguli’s medieval constructions are under the protection of UNESCO World Heritage because of their historical importance. It was part of the so-called “Free Svaneti” as for centuries the people here defended the region against numerous attacks. The Church of Saint Mary is located on one of the highest points in Ushguli and it is also the home to the remnants of one of the most ancient fortresses of the Svaneti, with 37 Svan towers, dating back to the reign of Queen Tamar. The views and surrounding landscape are stunning. In the afternoon, you'll hike up to the edge of the Shkhara Glacier and the source of the Enguri River, before returning to Ushguli for your last night up in the mountains.
Day 8
Return to Kutaisi
Driving
Enjoy a more relaxed start to the day before driving back to Kutaisi, arriving at around 16:00. 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 9
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. Wizz Air has frequent flights connecting from Brussels, Frankfurt, Prague, Budapest, Vienna and Athens. Alternatively, you can fly to Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) instead (both British Airways and EasyJet offer direct flights from London to Tbilisi) and your host can arrange a transfer to Kutaisi, which takes around 4 hours. Please ask your host for more information and cost via your booking.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 7
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 8
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 9
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 Becho, Mestia, Zhabeshi, Adishi, Iprali and Ushguli. 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 five day trek in the wild Svaneti Mountains of Georgia is a great choice for those who love to hike on quiet mountain trails with daily views of high summits and glaciers. The terrain on the trail is mixed and ranges from easy paths to rough, rock-strewn climbs as you get closer to the glaciers. The amount of ascent and descent provided in the itinerary should not be underestimated. On several days you will hike above 2500m as you cross high mountain passes from one valley to another along the Transcaucasian Trail. Doing some practice hikes before the trip with your pack and boots is strongly recommended to help you prepare for this adventure!
What will I need to carry?
You only need to carry a daypack each day, including your waterproofs and at least 2L of water, as the rest of your luggage will be transferred by vehicle from one accommodation to the next. Please check our Kit List section for recommendations on what to pack for this trip.
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.
Incredible trip!
The Caucasus were magical but what was more remarkable was the heart of the Georgian people - warm, loving, and endlessly thoughtful, they made our short stay in their beautiful country so memorable.
Levani and Nata were great hosts with so much to share about Georgian culture and life. And they took great care of the whole group despite our setbacks with the weather and not-so-friendly dogs.
My only wish was that we’d have more time in the mountains rather than in transit. But I hear that the new itinerary for 2025 will address that.
Fantastic week trekking in Georgia
This was my third MBA trip and it didn’t disappoint.
Beautiful country, an excellent group of fun people, fantastic scenery on the hikes, unique places to stay, all the Georgian food you could ask for.
I think the trip will be improved next year with slightly less driving and an extra day of walking. The hikes were challenging but definitely do-able with a decent level of fitness.
If you’re keen to go off the beaten track and don’t mind roughing it a little bit, this is a trip for you.
A beautiful time exploring Georgia
This was my first trip to Georgia and first time booking with MBA and it was easy and stress-free the whole time. The communication with the company and with our guides was excellent from booking to the end of the trip. Our guides Levani and Nata were friendly, kind and taught us lots about Georgian culture. The hikes were challenging but with amazing scenery that made it worthwhile. The guesthouses are comfortable and rustic, the food is amazing, even the weather couldn't ruin the trip. Though autumn is a little cold, I'm glad I got to see the beautiful colours in the Caucasus mountains.
Great hike
Beautiful scenery Great hike
Fabulous experience ! Our guides
Fabulous experience ! Our guides were so helpful and friendly . The areas we hiked were spectacular !
Highly recommend!
It was my first time on a week-long hiking trip, and it did not disappoint! The Svaneti region is absolutely beautiful; and our guides Nata and Sandro were brilliant - passionate about their country, amazing attention to detail, and took great care of us. The food was also fab (there is a lot of it!), and accommodation though basic, completely fit for purpose, clean and comfortable. This was such a unique experience - highly recommend this amazing trip, even if you have not done much hiking before.
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!
Incredible trip
This was undoubtedly one of the best trips I’ve ever experienced. Everyone in my group was incredible and supportive - I most definitely made some friends for life! Our guides, Levani and Neugo, were kind and knowledgeable. They made us feel right at home. The food was also amazing! As the only vegetarian on the trip, I couldn’t believe the amount of options I had for every meal which is unheard of for other places I’ve traveled! The hikes and nature blew me away, I miss it already! I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone wanting to go somewhere different.
Gaumarjos Georgia!
An absolutely fantastic holiday, I cannot reccomend this trip more. Our guides Levani and Nugzar took fantastic care of our group throughout the week as they drove us to stunning mountain trails and beautiful sights across the Svaneti reigon. Travelling with the guides and the group allowed us to experience fantastic parts of Georgian culture that were a highlight of my trip alongside the brilliant atmosphere that the group had. It's not goodbye it's see you later Georgia.
Very special experience
Georgia is a lovely place with interesting history, rich culture, generous people, and amazing food (and tasty local wine!) The Svaneti region is so beautiful and a great destination for hiking. Our accommodation was charming and we were spoiled with tons of food every day. I was lucky to get a diverse yet wondeful group of people to share this experience with. Big big thank you to our guides, Levani and Nugo, who were not just helpful and flexible, but also empathetic and fun to be around! See you soon again Georgia!! :)
Spectacular Trip!
The Svaneti region is outstanding - the scenery is so beautiful!
The local guides, Levani and Nugzar, were amazing, always making sure that we were happy, had everything we needed, while enjoying beautiful hikes and time well spent in Georgia!
The group was excellent and we all had an amazing time. Would definitely come back to Georgia!
Hiking trip of a lifetime
This trip takes you right into the heart of Svaneti, one of the most beautiful regions of the world. The nature is amazing, our group was fantastic, and our guides were outstanding - always being helpful, responsible, and very eager to answer questions and tell us everything about Georgia. The organisation of the trip was flawless, and the Georgian food is out of this world. Please note that some of the accommodation is quite basic (shared bathrooms even if you've upgraded to a private room). Fitnesswise you'll get most out of this trip if you're in general good shape - but it's not technically challenging, and the guides were always there to help. This trip should be on every hiker's bucket list.
The pictures do not lie
I was blown away that the reality is exactly like in the promo pictures. This has been a truly memorable adventure and we were impressed by the hospitality of Georgian people.
June is an incredible time to visit Georgia given the intense green color of the fields, beautiful pack of wild flowers and the white glaciers. Apparently October is also a good time given the yellow and orange colors of the fall.
Special thanks to our guides, Levan and Sandro that showed us the beauty of Georgia. Also, the food has been incredible (and a lot of it!) - with good options for vegetarians as well.
Amazing country, amazing guides!
Amazing trip!! Local guides were very knowledgable, funny, and made sure all of our requests were taken seriously. They made the experience great. Would HIGHLY recommend to anyone wanting to explore the mountainous regions of Georgia or just want some adventure.
Without question, one of the most spectacular hiking destinations imaginable. You will explore some impossibly dramatic scenery, and discover a culturally unique corner of the world. Georgia was everything I hoped for.
The difficulty rating of moderate is, obviously, subjective, but probably about right for the average hiker. Terrain varied between grassy slopes, forest, and rocky ascents, with opportunities to stop and bathe in refreshing waterfalls and pools (very welcome in hot August sun).
The guides Levan and Nugo were a fantastic double act, professional, hardworking, and entertaining. Be warned, the local hospitality will press so much food on you, that if you're ever able to clear more than a third of the table you will be doing better than we did!
Fantastic trip around beautiful Georgia. The scenery, trekking were beautiful and the people were really welcoming. Very helpful guides where nothing was too much for them to do for us as a group. I would highly recommend this trip
Great, dynamic trip, with sites that never would have been seen if pursued independently. The guides were very knowledgeable and the scenery/itinerary was perfect. Even when not focused on hiking, there was encouragement and education about the local culture, food, people, and travel in and around the country. Highly recommend it to anyone considering - an incredibly unique part of the world!
Great Trip
Beautiful country, very good local guides, well organized, perfect trip.
Fantastic trip! Great to explore somewhere a bit different and see some amazing sights. All went very smoothly and Sandro our local host was superb.
Highly recommend this trip - Georgia is absolutely stunning, the pictures on the itinerary don’t do it justice! The guide was fantastic and the food is delicious!
Really great trip! Excellent local guide… just a beautiful country!
Itinerary Activities
- Guided hike around Mount Tetnuldi
- Guided hike across the the Chkhutnieri Pass
- Visit the historic UNESCO-listed settlement of Ushguli
- Guided hike to the Shkhara Glacier
- Guided hike to the Ushba waterfalls
Guides
- Expert, local, English-speaking guides
Accommodation
- 2 nights in a centrally located hotel in Kutaisi
- 6 nights in well-regarded local guesthouses
Meals
All your meals are provided for the duration of the trip. This includes:
- 8 magnificent breakfasts
- 7 picnic lunches
- 7 traditional Georgian dinners
Transfers
- Arrival transfer from Kutaisi Airport at any time on Day 1
- Departure transfer to Kutaisi Airport at any time on Day 9
- All transfers during the trip
Luggage transfer
- 4x4 vehicle support throughout the trek
Our trips are hassle-free by design. We include all the activities and equipment, as well as many of the meals, so you can simply rock up with your rucksack and share the adventure with your new pals.
Travel to and from the trip
Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point.
Tips
Tips are not included in the trip cost; these are entirely at your discretion. If you would like to tip, the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality.
Personal Expenses
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness. Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine, as their insurance offers all of the above.
Visas
Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
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What do I need to bring?
BAGS
- Soft overnight duffel bag or rucksack (for your main luggage)
- Daypack (20-30 litres)
- Waterproof liner for kitbag or rucksack / drybags
CLOTHES
- Lightweight down jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof trousers
- Breathable wicking layers
- Fleece jacket or similar
- Thermals (merino best) (for Sept trips only)
- Warm hat
- Gloves
- Buff or neckscarf
- Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts
- T-shirts
- Underwear and socks
- Swimwear
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Sleepwear
- Hiking boots (worn-in)
- Sandals for evenings
OTHER
- Universal travel plug adapter
- Power bank or solar charger
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel insurance documents
- Ear plugs
- Insect repellent
- Suncream
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
- Toilet kit (toilet paper, biodegradable bags to carry paper out to dispose of)
- Quick-dry towel
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Headtorch or torch
- Reusable water bottle/bladder (min 2 Litre capacity)
- Hiking poles (optional but highly recommended)
Pre/post trip accommodation - single room
Payable Before Departure
Pre/post trip accommodation - single room
… Per Night
Pre/post trip accommodation - twin/double room
Payable Before Departure
Pre/post trip accommodation - twin/double room
… Per Night
Kutaisi Hotel Early Check-In (Single Room)
Payable Before Departure
Kutaisi Hotel Early Check-In (Single Room)
…
Kutaisi Hotel Early Check-In (Twin/Double Room)
Payable Before Departure
Kutaisi Hotel Early Check-In (Twin/Double Room)
…
Optional Private Room Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade
… Per Person
Private Transfer Tbilisi Airport to Kutaisi
Payable Before Departure
Private Transfer Tbilisi Airport to Kutaisi
… Per Person
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 389kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
The terrain on the trail is mixed and ranges from easy jeep paths, forest paths and alpine meadows, to rough rock-strewn climbs as you get closer to the glaciers. Good trekking boots are recommended, well worn-in of course, as are trekking poles.
For 2025 and beyond the itinerary has been updated, based on customer feedback, to make the route require fewer road transfers and allow for more time hiking point-to-point, giving the route a better "flow". The local host believes these changes will enhance the experience even further, as Much Better Adventurers really enjoy hiking in the Svaneti region of Georgia. There are now just two short road transfers within the hiking itinerary once up in the mountains: On Day 3, after you hike to see the Ushba waterfalls, there is a short 15km transfer from the guesthouse in Becho to your accommodation in Mestia. On Day 7, in the morning there is a short 10km transfer by road from Iprali to the historic settlement of Ushguli.
There will be 4x4 vehicle support throughout, so you can leave your main luggage/rucksack in the vehicle and just carry a daypack while trekking.
This trip visits locations at or above 2500m. At this altitude some people may experience symptoms associated with Altitude Sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Previous experience at high altitude is not necessarily an indicator of future performance. Your guide(s) are trained to mitigate the risks associated with altitude, by carefully managing the rate of ascent and the intensity of the activity, and to provide the appropriate support response should someone feel ill during the trip. Should you experience health issues during your trip you should inform your guide immediately so the proper care can be provided. Owing to the nature of this trip, it is essential that your personal travel insurance policy provides cover up to the maximum altitude visited on this trip as well as emergency medical evacuation by helicopter.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.
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Flexible payments
Secure your spot with the minimum deposit and pay off the remaining balance in as many instalments as you like, with no interest or fees. Full details
Happiness Guarantee
We’re so confident you’ll have an amazing time we’ll put our money on it. Full details
Full financial protection
To give you complete peace of mind Much Better Adventures is backed by ABTOT, ABTA and ATOL memberships. Full details
Tried & Trusted
Much Better Adventures is rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot with over 1000 verified trip reviews averaging 4.8/5.
Connect before you go
You'll be invited to join a WhatsApp group to get to know each other before your big adventure together. Full details