Samtskhe-Imereti-2024

TREKING IN BORJOMI KHARAGAULI NATIONAL PARK / October 1-8, 2024

Day 1 (October 1)

After picking up from the airport (around 1 pm depending on which city you are arriving from) near Kutaisi, exchanging money (from euros or dollars to lari), buying SIM cards we will head towards the capital of Imereti i.e. the ancient city of Kutaisi. After settling in at the hotel we will go for lunch and visit Bagrati Cathedral and the city center with the Kolchida Fountain and numerous bridges and sculptures. If there is enough time we will visit the Green Bazaar for wine and churchuela. The first evening we will have dinner and overnight in Kutaisi.

Day 2 (October 2)

After breakfast, we will set out for the capital of the Samtskhe region, the city of Akhalciche, where we will visit the Rabati fortress. We will stroll through the restored courtyards and cloisters of this 900-year-old citadel. A beautifully restored structure, combining many styles. In places like our eagles' nests, at times like a princess palace from Disney's fairy tales, and topped off with a mosque, polished domes, neat flower beds, a very romantic place with a beautiful panorama of the city. On this day we have to buy accommodation in Borjomi Kharagauli Park. Before visiting the fortress, lunch at a local restaurant and shopping for provisions for the entire trek, and after the tour continue to the village of Atskhuri located at an altitude of 930 m. Here dinner and overnight at the gesthouse.

Day 3 (October 3)

In Atskhuri we will say goodbye to our driver and repack for the trek. For luggage and carrying provisions, we will hire horses to go lightly. From Atskhuri we will start a trek of more than 13 km to the Amarati mountain hut, which is located at an altitude of 1940 meters above sea level, which means that we will face more than 1 km of elevation gain. The route we will start that day and end in Marelisi is called the St. Andrew's trail. St. Andrew is an important figure in Georgian history and religion, as he was the first preacher to preach Christianity, even before St. Nino spread the religion in Sakartvelo. According to legends, St. Andrew traveled this route at the request of the Virgin Mary to convert pagan Georgia. Along the way we have to get drinking water from a spring, as there will be no drinking water on the way, only in Amarati. The route will lead partly through forests, along the Bagebisghele River, we will pass the rengers post guarding the park. Then through uncovered hills overlooking the mountain panorama to finally reach the huts for tourists. In Amarati, we will prepare dinner on our own and stay in the huts for the night.🗻

Day 4 (October 4)

After breakfast, we will leave our camp in Amarati and head to Sametskhvareo hut. On the way, we will cross a peak named Meghruki at 2475 meters above sea level, then we will reach the highest peak of the Bordjom park named Sametskhvareo located at 2650 meters above sea level. On this day we will cross the mountain border between Samcche and Imeretia. This will be the most demanding trekking day, despite the fact that the distance this day will be 10 kilometers, the up-and-down altitudes can give us a good chuckle. If we are lucky, in good weather we will be able to admire practically the entire panorama of the Greater Caucasus. At the end of the day we will reach the Sametskhvareo hut, which is located below the summit at 2,500 meters above sea level, here we will prepare food and overnight.🏡

Day 5 (October 5)

In the morning after breakfast we will set out on the route to the hut at the top of Sakhvlari. Along the way, we will pass the summit of the 2440-meter-high Rkinisjvari mountain, where there is a St. Andrew's cross to which pilgrimages are held on May 12 from the village of Marelisi. We will reach the cross by uncovered ridges, after the cross the route will slowly lead through the forest. The distance on this day will be 19 km and will lead mainly downhill, as we will slowly descend to the end of our trail. We will descend to the Sakhvlari hut at 1050 meters above sea level. Here we will camp for dinner and overnight at the huts.🏔️

Day 6 (October 6)

This is the last day of the mountain trek in the national park. We will be walking mostly in the shade of the forest, and will have to cross the river at the ford several times. Don't expect bridges, as they are repaired every year and then torn down by the rushing water. We will reach civilization in the village of Marelisi by a route of almost 13 km. Here we will stay for dinner and overnight in a family gesthous.

Day 7 (October 7)

After breakfast we will already set off by car towards Nunisi. Nunisi is a balneological and climatic resort that is famous for its therapeutic waters, as well as its specific climate, which it owes to a mixture of deciduous and coniferous forests. Nunisi's waters are unrivaled in terms of composition and healing properties anywhere in the world. They are salutary for people with skin problems or nervous disorders, while the air is particularly helpful for lung and bronchial ailments. The mineral water "Zvare", one of the many treasures of the resort, is best for balancing the low acidity of the body. So we'll take a bath in this wonderful water, we'll certainly need relaxation after many days of trekking, for those who are willing, we may be able to buy treatments at the dzaiłający SPA. After relaxing for the evening we will arrive at the hotel in Kutaisi. In the evening we will have a supra at Tina's with a cooking workshop. Last night together in Kutaisi.🍷

Day 8 (October 8)

After breakfast, packing and transportation to the airport.✈️

The plan is quite detailed, but it is always subject to change if only due to weather conditions or temporary road closures. You have to remember that Georgia, as beautiful as it is, is also unpredictable, but you love it for that. 🇬🇪❤️🇵🇱

Georgia, which lies at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, will always be both familiar and exotic to us. On the one hand, the famous Georgian hospitality, on the other hand, the culture and traditions that are not fully understood for us. We guarantee that you will fall in love as we did with Georgian cuisine, wine, mountains and people. 🇬🇪❤️🇬🇪

Price✨

50 EUR (reservation advance) on account + 700 EUR payable on the spot upon arrival (total 750 EUR).

Those who are determined should first of all buy air tickets. This is a guarantee of the trip for us. Then, after sending confirmation of ticket purchase, a reservation deposit is required within 7 days, in case of cancellation the deposit is non-refundable).

Number of places strongly limited, only intimate groups. The minimum number of people for the tour to take place is 4.

What the price includes:

🚐 Transportation with a Georgian driver and English-speaking guide (transfer from and to the airport and a comfortable minivan for exclusive use during our entire trip)
🏡 Accommodation in family-run gesthouses/hotels in 2-3 bed rooms and in dormitory huts in the park area
🥐 Breakfast in gesthouses and provisions along the trekking route
💃 care of a Polish certified tour leader
🍷 supra (dinner with wine) on the last evening in Kutaisi

What the price does not include:

🏛️ entrance fees to visited places such as canyons or national parks, museums, caves, etc.
✈️ air tickets (Wizzair), we will help you to buy tickets
🚷 travel insurance (everyone insures themselves individually)
🥐 other meals (lunches and dinners)
🏡 you should bring sleeping bags and sleeping pads for trekking

Feel free to contact.