Expedition to Mount Kazbek
Climb the mythical Kazbek (5 033 m) towering over the beautiful valleys of the Georgian land of Khevi!
The magical atmosphere of this mountain has attracted daredevils for many, many years. Greek mythology tells the story of Prometheus who was chained to Kazbek. Georgian mythology has its own Prometheus - the fearless hero named Amirani who also opposed the gods. The first Europeans reached the summit in 1868.
Mount Kazbek is an extinct or dormant (scientists have not reached an agreement yet) volcano and its last eruption took place around 750 BC. After Shkhara and Jangi-Tau, it is also the third highest summit in Georgia, and, after Mount Elbrus, the second highest volcanic mountain of the Greater Caucasus.
Join us on a trekking trip to Georgia that will combine climbing Mount Kazbek with exploring the extraordinary Georgian capital, Tbilisi.
ITINERARY:
DAY 1-2
Departure in the evening. Next day in the morning we will reach Tbilisi. From there, we will head north on the Georgian Military Highway to reach the town of Stepantsminda after a few hours. We will rest, and then we will go to buy additional supplies in the local stores. In the afternoon, we will go on warm-up walks to Gveleti waterfalls, located on the outskirts of the unusual Darial Gorge.
DAY 3
We set off on a journey towards the beautifully situated monastery of Tsminda Sameba (2150m above sea level). From there, a few hours' hike to the edge of the glacier awaits us. Overnight in a tent or in a shelter at a meteorological station (3650m above sea level). Time: 7-8 hours.
DAY 4
Acclimatization and climbing to a height of about 4300 meters (about 5 hours). Preparations to get to Kazbek while we will be surrounded by beautiful views of the glacier and rocks. Observation of birds, sunbathing and other attractions. Overnight in a tent under a glacier or meteorological station.
DAY 5
A group of volunteers will attempt to reach the summit under the care of a local, licensed mountain guide. Hiking will begin in the early morning. We will cross the glacier on the plateau, from which we will have a steep climb to the top of Kazbek. Return to meteorological station in the afternoon. Overnight. The climb and descent take together about 10 hours.
DAY 6
If the weather is not proper the day before, we will try to reach the summit for the second time. If we can climb there the day before, we will devote the day to a few hours descent to Stepantsminda (about 6 hours).
DAY 7
Additional day. We will devote it to descent Stepantsminda or for peaceful walks in the mountains around the town.
DAY 8
We leave the High Caucasus and through the ski resort of Gudauri and Ananuri fortress, we will reach the former capital of Georgia - Mtskheta. We will visit the temple complexes of Sveti Tskhoveli and Jvari, which remain on the UNESCO list. We will have a delicious dinner in one of the oldest restaurants in Georgia and in the evening we will reach Tbilisi.
DAY 9-10
A day-long tour of Tbilisi. We will visit the old town, among others we will climb to the Narikala fortress. It is possible, gor those willing to take baths in the sulfur baths. We will go to the Dry Bridge flea and antique market. We will also go to the "Art Nouveau district", a part of the city located along the beautiful newly renovated street of King David the Builder. For those who want we can go for an evening party in one of the numerous Tbilisi bars. Resting in a hotel. Around 2 o'clock at night, departure to the airport and return back home.
PRICE INCLUDES:
• a return flight ticket with airport charges
• care of an English-speaking guide
• care of the local mountain guide
• transfers on site
• a horse carrying luggage to and from meteorological station
• two nights in a hotel in Tbilisi
• accommodation in Stepantsminda
• breakfasts in Tbilisi and Stepantsminda
• information packages and maps
• obligatory insurance guarantee for the travel agency
• NNW and KL + insurance of luggage up to 200 Euro
• a mandatory fee for the State Tourist Guarantee Fund (TFG) for each person
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
• food during trekking and in Tbilisi, except breakfast
• renting equipment if you do not take your own
FLIGHT:
The place of departure is WARSAW. In case you wish to travel from another destination or book flights on your own, please contact us for price quotation for this trip.
ACCOMODATION AND FOOD:
In Tbilisi we will be accommodated in a hotel. In Stepatsminda we will be accommodated in a guest house. Other accommodation in own tents. It is also possible, at an additional cost, to stay in a meteorological station, which should be notified to the office well in advance. Dining while climbing on your own, just like dinner during your stay in Tbilisi.
GROUP:
We travel in small groups. The minimum number of people on the trip is 8, maximum 16.
DETAILS ON THE SUMMIT OF KAZBEK:
When climb to Kazbek (from the Kazbegi village), we will be accompanied by a licensed guide. From meteorological station to the top, you climb in four-person groups whose members are connected by a rope. In each group - four people, one Georgian guide goes. The price of the guide is constant regardless of the number of people in the group. We cannot guarantee that a group of four will be gathered. Approach requires physical fitness (not technical skills!) On the day of conquering the summit, we will leave the camp at 3am to return around 4pm.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
• The itinerary may change depending on the date of departure, weather and other factors.
• Learn more about general conditions of participation and find out how to sign up for a trip.
• The organizer of the trip is Active Travel Agency Barents.pl.
