Climb Kazbek and Tbilisi

DAY 1:: ARRIVAL TO THE CAUCASUS

Welcome to Georgia (the country!)!  We’ll pick you up at the Tbilisi international airport and transfer you to your preferred 3, 4, or 5-star hotel tonight in Tbilisi.  Georgia’s capital comes alive in the evening so make sure to explore this evening while you have the chance! 

DAY 2:: TRANSFER TO STEPANTSMINDA

We’ll pick you up this morning from your hotel in Tbilisi, then take off for the scenic, 3-hour drive to Mount Kazbek, the 3rd highest mountain in Georgia. Your guide will brief you on the history of the Georgian people along the way, among whom you will be spending the next week. Upon completion of the breathtaking drive to the foot of Mount Kazbek at 5,700 ft  (1,700 m) you will check into your hotel and enjoy some free time to explore the area and take in the views around you.  You will meet with your guide today, rent any needed gear, and go over the plan for the next 6 days, and a successful Kazbek ascent!

DAY 3:: LOWER BASE CAMP 

Today you get to meet Mount Kazbek up close and personal. You will take a 20-minute drive up to the famous Gergeti Church with its incredible panoramic views of the Caucasus range and Kazbegi valley, and then start your ascent on foot to lower base camp at 10,170 ft (3,150 m). As riveting as you will find Kazbek itself, perhaps the surrounding Caucasus range, stretching into Russia and beyond is even more so. The hike today is 4 hrs. of ascent as well as doubling your elevation, not to mention the significantly colder weather. 

DAY 4:: UPPER BASE CAMP

You’ll continue up majestic Kazbek today to the upper basecamp at 3,650 meters elevation (12,000 feet).  There’s a good chance that altitude sickness may start kicking in tonight, so don’t be surprised if it does, this is acclimatization doing its work on your body.  After two straight days of big elevation changes & uphill treks, you’ll be ready for bed tonight after dinner!

DAY 5:: ACCLIMATIZATION & ICE SKILLS TRAINING 

Wake up with excitement today, as it is your final day before your Kazbek ascent. You’ll get acquainted with the first leg of the summit day climb, up to 4,100 meters, as well as do some necessary technical skills training with your guide: how to use an ice axe, getting used to your crampons, climbing with a rope, etc.  Turn in early tonight, as an early wake-up call awaits for your epic summit day tomorrow!

DAY 6:: SUMMIT DAY

It’s Summit Day! You have got a 12 to 14 hour climb ahead of you, and so will start your climb in the dark between 2:00 and 3:00 am. Team is a beautiful thing as you work together with your group up the mountain. The early morning hours of your climb is quite the surreal experience with a line of climbers ascending Kazbek, lit up by a highway of head lamps. Your climb will not be easy by any stretch of the imagination, with altitude sickness, extreme cold temperatures, and unpredictable weather all real possibilities, but it will all be worth it when you reach the top. Take in the view of the Caucasus Mountains arrange at the summit of 16,581 ft (5,054 m). Once you have a quick celebration of your success, prepare for your 5-6 hour descent back to base camp. Dinner never tasted better than it will tonight. 

DAY 7:: RESERVE/DESCENT DAY

Descent day! Gather your things and head back down to Kazbegi this morning. You’ll cover 16 km (10 miles) in 5-6 hrs. and then explore iconic Gergeti Church before the final transfer down to Stepantsminda. After 5 days on the mountain, you’ll be ready for a hot shower tonight. :) In case there was inclement weather on Day 6 (yesterday’s planned ascent), today will be your summit day up Kazbek.

DAY 8:: EXTRA DAY 

In case your group needed to use its reserve day and summit Kazbek on Day 7, today is your descent day back to Stepantsminda.  If you successfully summited on Day 6, and descended Kazbek yesterday, then you have a free day today to explore the Kazbegi region: treks, exploring the local Caucasus markets, paragliding, 4-wheeling, etc.  You’ll have a final tasty mountain dinner tonight, before heading back to the big city tomorrow for some cultural touring.

DAY 9:: TRANSFER TO TBILISI & CULTURAL TOURING

Pack your bags and say goodbye for now to the Caucasus Mountains, a place we hope you will come back to for another adventure very soon. Phase two of your trip begins today, though, as you explore Georgia’s wildly diverse culture and history, including: a 6th-century cave city (Uplistsikhe), Joseph Stalin’s hometown (Gori), and have a homemade lunch with a Georgian family in Mtskheta, the spiritual center of Georgia.  We’ll get you to Tbilisi tonight for your final two evenings in Georgia. 

DAY 10:: TBILISI TOURING 

Tbilisi is one of those cities you’ve never heard of that you’ll probably never forget after this visit.  With its ancient history yet modern feel, there is something for everyone here, esp. the world-renowned food and wine!  You’ll explore Old Town, with its narrow cobblestoned streets and charming feel, as well as visit various churches & landmarks that display Georgia’s prominent role in world history.  Take in a final Georgian sunset tonight with a view of the Caucasus Mountains in the horizon.

DAY 11:: DEPARTURE

We’ll transfer you to the Tbilisi International Airport this morning for your flight home.  We hope to see you again soon!