Georgia itinerary questions

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jonnyc
jonnyc

Hi,

I'm heading to Georgia from September 10-27th, hoping to spend as much time as possible around Kazbegi, Khevsureti, and/or Tusheti. I'm realizing that getting to these places by public transport may be difficult/impossible, but I'd like to avoid an organized tour if I can. I was thinking about trying to get a ride north towards Omalo from Telavi, since it seems 4x4s can be hired from there and going from there.

Does anyone have a recommended itinerary for this area (preferably that includes a bit of information about getting from one place to another) that is reasonably independent? Perhaps one that stretches over a week or so. Or is a guide absolutely recommended? Also, was thinking about renting horses for some horsetrekking... is this do able once I arrive in the mountains or does it have to be pre-arranged?

Any advice very appreciated. Thanks!
Jon

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celticbhoy7
celticbhoy7

I highly, highly, recommend Khevsureti. I don't know how long this schedule will last but right now there are marshrutkas from Tbilisi-Shatili leaving Didube station on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9am, returning on Thursdays and Sundays at 12pm, as well as one leaving from Samgori station on Fridays at 9am and returning on Sundays at 10am. Double-check the return times with the drivers though. It's about 5hrs Tbilisi-Shatili and it cost 20 Lari.

Last weekend I took the one from Samgori. We were dropped off about an hour and 15min before Shatili, from where we walked over a hill and down a canyon to Khakhabo. Camped wild there and continued the next day to Mutso and then Shatili. It was a pretty long hike but since the marshrutka was going back on Sunday it was better to push on than camp in Mutso and get up at 5am to make it back to Shatili in time.

I can't put into words how beautiful the area is. There are several trails and places to visit, just do an online search and find a good map. Unfortunately I can't tell you because we went with our Georgian friend and just followed him because he had been there before. Trails are well marked though you often have to jump over or ford the river (from Khakhabo to Mutso).

Shatili itself was rather crowded for its size but it seemed most people didn't leave the town. There are no restaurants and only one very basic shop with beer, soda, sausage, snickers, chips, etc. Up on the hill there is a small street of houses and people there can prepare you khinkali which you can eat at their place.

I haven't been to Tusheti so can't advise you on that. Kazbegi is incredibly easy, hourly marshrutkas from Didube station taking 3hrs and costing 10 Lari.

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evilshrubbery
evilshrubbery

Personally I'd go for Khevsureti over Tusheti. While Tusheti has more guesthouses and is more populated, its beauty pales in comparison to Khevsureti. Tusheti is a great location for hikes and walks, but there is something magical about Khevsureti that is just hard to describe. Kazbegi is easy to get to, but I'd only advise it if you can't make it to the other mountain regions.

Go to Khevsureti, trust me you won't forget it.

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mamoudm
mamoudm

What about accommodation in chevsureti?
Is there any tour to there from Tbilisi
How long it takes me to there and how long should I stay ? One day is ok??
The u

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nopasaran
nopasaran

Khevsireti can become inaccessible in a couple weeks from now. Several years ago the Datvijvari pass was blocked by snow in late October.

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