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Caucasus Quest

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!

Arrival to the Caucasus

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 (1,735 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!

Transfer to Stepantsminda

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.

Lower 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!

Upper Base Camp

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!

Acclimatization & Ice Skills Training

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.

Summit Day

Descent day! Gather your things and head back down to Kazbegi this morning. You’ll cover 10 km (6 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.

Reserve/Descent 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 east tomorrow for some cultural touring.

Extra Day

Although you're saying goodbye to Mt. Kazbek this morning, phase two of your trip begins today, as you explore Georgia’s wildly diverse culture and history, starting with Mtskheta, the spiritual center of Georgia.  After lunch, you'll head east to the Kakheti region, Georgia's very own "wine country", where you'll spend the next two nights in Telavi.

Transfer to Telavi & Cultural Touring

We like to call this part of Georgia the “Tuscany of the East” for its similar landscape and focus on wine.  Speaking of wine, you’ll visit a wine cellar today and learn all about Georgia’s unique methods of wine-making, especially how they differ from European wines, both in taste and in the making process.  Georgia’s unique clay vessels that store wine underground truly show its uniqueness in wine-making history and in the world today.  Have you settled on a favorite Georgian food yet? Whether it’s the cheese bread (khachapuri), meat dumplings (khinkali), soup (kharcho), or something else, we’re sure Georgian cuisine will have landed in your favorite foods’ list by the end of your time here.

Telavi & Kakheti Touring

It’s your final day in the mountains and foothills of Georgia, as we visit Sighnaghi and have lunch with a Georgian family, experiencing their home and daily surroundings.  After lunch, you’ll also visit the Nunnery of Bodbe, where Nino was buried, who brought Christianity to Georgia in the 4th century.  Depending on your taste and mood, you may be excited to finally enter the big city of Tbilisi tonight (i.e. finally no more driving! :) ), or you may be sad to leave Georgia’s incredible mountain landscapes behind.  Regardless, Tbilisi is a fantastic place to finish your Georgia tour on, so make sure to maximize every minute of your time in this bustling capital city!

Sighnaghi & Tbilisi

Can you believe it?  It’s your final full day in Georgia!  Enjoy it to the fullest with a guided city tour visiting some of Tbilisi’s most iconic spots: ancient churches, historic baths/saunas, an Old City that rivals any of Europe’s oldest cities, and more.  Tbilisi has something for everyone, so you’re sure to be charmed in your time there.  The city is quite hilly and so many of the views from restaurants are very memorable.  You’ll have a celebration dinner with your guide this evening including a fun Georgian dance & folk show while you eat.

Tbilisi Touring

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

Departure

Kazbek

Climb Kazbek And Georgian Culture

Whether you fly in to Georgia’s capital Tbilisi this morning or arrived yesterday, we’ll meet up at a pre-arranged point 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!

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 (3,150m). 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.

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!

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!

Acclimatization and Ice Skills Training

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.

Pack your bags and say goodbye for now to the Caucasus, a place we hope you will come back to for another adventure very soon. We’ll transfer you in the morning back to Tbilisi, where you’ll either fly out of the airport back home, or spend another night in Tbilisi before flying home tomorrow. We hope to see you again soon!

Departure Day

Climb Kazbek Challenge

Whether you fly in to Azerbaijan’s capital Baku this morning or arrived yesterday, you’ll meet your guide at a pre-arranged point in Baku, then take off for the scenic, 3-hour drive to Quba. Your guide will complete final shopping for supplies in Quba and you’ll proceed on the 2-hour drive to Khinalig village, where you will check in to your guesthouse and eat lunch. After lunch you’ll take a 6 km acclimatization hike to Mount Kharibulbul (2783 meters) and return to the guest house for the night, sleeping at 2150 meters altitude (7050 feet).  The village of Khinalig is renowned for its hospitality towards guests and you’ll enjoy some authentic mountain cuisine today.

DAY 1:: TRANSFER TO THE MOUNTAINS

After breakfast at the guesthouse you’ll depart for Bazarduzu Mountain base camp in 4x4 vehicles. It’s a 2-hour drive through Shahdag National Park, where you’ll stop along the way at Shahyaylag to take in amazing panoramic views of Azerbaijan’s 4,000 meter peaks. The drive continues to Bazarduzu’s lower base camp at 2,900 meters, where you’ll take your pack and continue on foot for 2 hours to the second base camp at 3,250 meters. Horse porters are included to carry the majority of your gear to upper base camp.  Upon arrival at base camp, you’ll set up your tents, have lunch, and set off on a 2-hr acclimatization hike to 3,400 meters. You’ll want to retire early and get a good night’s sleep before summit day tomorrow!

DAY 2:: BAZARDUZU BASE CAMP

It’s Summit Day! You have a 6 to 7 hour climb ahead of you, so you will wake up at 4:00 am for the beginning of the ascent to Bazarduzu summit. After reaching the summit and taking in the views (and lots of pictures!) of the neighboring region of Dagestan (Russia), you’ll start the 3 to 4 hour descent to base camp. Once at base camp, you’ll pack your tents and gear, hike to the car and return to Khinalig village for a tasty dinner and well-deserved night’s sleep in a guest house.

DAY 3:: SUMMIT DAY

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. After breakfast we’ll transfer you back to Baku, where you’ll either fly out of the airport back home, or spend another night before flying home tomorrow. We hope to see you again soon!

DAY 4:: DEPARTURE HOME

Bazarduzu

Bazarduzu Blitz

Whether you fly in to Azerbaijan’s capital Baku this morning or arrived yesterday, you’ll meet your guide at a pre-arranged point in Baku, then take off for the scenic, 3-hour drive to Guba. Your guide will complete final shopping for supplies in Guba and you’ll proceed on the 2-hour drive to Khinalig village, where you will check in to your guesthouse for the night and eat lunch. After lunch you’ll take a 6 km acclimatization hike to Mount Kharibulbul (2783 meters) and return to the guest house for the night, sleeping at 2150 meters altitude (7050 feet).  The village of Khinalig is renowned for its hospitality towards guests and you’ll enjoy some authentic mountain cuisine today.

DAY 1::  ARRIVAL & TRANSFER TO THE MOUNTAINS

After breakfast at the guesthouse you’ll drive in 4x4 vehicles through Shahdag National Park, where you’ll stop along the way at Shahyaylag to take in amazing panoramic views of Azerbaijan’s 4,000 meter peaks. The drive continues for 1 hour to the foothills of Shahdag Mountain, where you’ll take your pack and continue on foot for 1 hour (2km) to base camp at 3,100 meters. Upon arrival at base camp, you’ll set up your tents, have lunch, and set out for a 2-hr acclimatization hike to 3,500 meters. You’ll want to retire early and get a good night’s sleep before your 4:00 am wake up call and first summit climb!

DAY 2:: SHAHDAG BASE CAMP

It’s Summit Day! You have a 5 to 6 hour climb ahead of you, so you will wake up at 4:00 am and start the ascent to Shahdag Summit (4243 meters) at 5:00 am. After reaching the summit and taking in the views (and lots of pictures!) you’ll start the 3 to 4 hour descent back to base camp. You’ll have a meal, take a nap, and spend the evening relaxing (after all you deserve it!).

DAY 3:: SHAHDAG SUMMIT DAY

You get to sleep in today! After waking up and having breakfast, you’ll pack up your gear, and descend to the car. From there you will drive 1 hour in 4x4 vehicles to Bazarduzu’s lower base camp, grab your packs, and continue on foot 2 hours (4 km) along the Yatig River to upper base camp. Horse porters are included to carry the majority of your gear from lower to upper base camp. Upon arrival, you’ll set up your tents, have lunch, and rest for the evening before your next summit tomorrow! *If needed, per guide’s discretion, you may have a 2nd acclimatization hike this afternoon.

DAY 4:: BAZARDUZU BASE CAMP

It’s your second Summit Day! You have a 6 to 7 hour climb ahead of you, so you will wake up at 4:00 am for breakfast, then start the ascent to Bazarduzu Summit (4466 meters). After reaching the summit and taking in the views (and yes, more pictures!) of the neighboring region of Dagestan (Russia), you’ll continue 1 hour on foot to Zafar Summit (4301 meters). From there, you’ll start the 3 to 4 hour descent back to upper base camp to rest for the evening.

DAY 5:: BAZARDUZU SUMMIT DAY

This morning you’ll wake up around 8:00 am, pack up your gear, and descend to lower base camp. From there you will continue on foot for 3-4 hours (11 km) to the camp located near Tufan Lake. Horse porters are included to take the majority of your gear from upper base camp to the Tufan Lake camp. You’ll set up your tents one final time and rest for the evening before your final summit tomorrow!

DAY 6:: TUFANDAG BASE CAMP

It’s your third Summit Day! You have a 5 to 6 hour climb ahead of you, so you will wake up (again!) at 4:00 am, have breakfast, and start the ascent to Tufandag Summit (4191 meters) around 5:00 am. After reaching the summit and taking in the views (and, of course, more pictures!) you’ll start the 3 to 4 hour descent back to base camp where you can sit back and relax for the evening!

DAY 7:: TUFANDAG SUMMIT DAY

You can sleep in a bit today before packing your tents and gear to hike to the 4x4 vehicles and return to a guest house in Khinalig village for a final taste of local cuisine rural culture. Horse porters are included to carry the majority of your gear from Tufan Lake camp to the 4x4 vehicles.

DAY 8:: KHINALIG

Pack your bags and say goodbye for now to the Caucasus, a place we hope you will come back to for another adventure very soon. After breakfast we’ll transfer you back to Baku, where you’ll either fly out of the airport back home, or spend another night in before flying home tomorrow. We hope to see you again soon!