Highest peaks of Caucasus

Morning breakfast at the hotel. Tbilisi City Tour. After breakfast start a full day city tour in Tbilisi. You’ll combine driving and walking through the city and visit: Metekhi church 13th c presents one of the most important architectural monuments of old Tbilisi. Narikala Fortress 4th c dominates the Old Town as a most impressive architectural landmark. With its inaccessible slopes, the fortress served as a main fortification and defended the city for centuries. Legvtakhevi(“Fig Ravine”) and a little bridge across the river. Old Sulfur Bathhouses with healing natural warm water have been praised by numerous travelers who visited the city. Meidan square & Shardeni street neighborhood -famous for cozy cafes, bars, restaurants, souvenirs‘ shops, picture galleries. The Bridge of Peace is the modern architectural glassy bridge in Old Town. Anchiskhati Basilica 6th c is one of the oldest churches of Tbilisi. The first foundation dates back to 4th c and is associated with the adoption of Christianity in Georgia.

Breakfast at the hotel. Stepantsminda - Juta - Approx. driving time: 36 min (20.3 km). Hike to Chaukhi Pass. Drive to mountain village Juta, one of the highest settlements in the area (2200 m asl). Start walking up the village on a steep path, that soon levels up and turns into a more pleasant and relaxing walk towards Chaukhi mountains. Soon you will approach a small but very picturesque waterfall on Chaukhistskali river, cross the river (there is no bridge but there are several crossing points where you’ll need to make a small jump) and walk up until you see a sign and improvised wood bridge leading to the Juta lake. Here you can take a break or pass the bridge, and continue walking North-East, passing alpine basecamp and following the small river upstream until finally reaching the Chaukhi pass at 3338 m asl. Hiking distance: 17,5 km ↑1,150 m / ↓1,150 m; Min Elevation: 2150 m, Max elevation: 3338 m.

Morning breakfast at the hotel. 4X4 Vehicles to Stepantsminda - Gergeti Trinity Church Driving distance: 7 Km / 15 min Drive up to Gergeti Trinity Church by 4x4 Drive to Gergeti mountain and iconic Gergeti Trinity church overlooked by Mt. Kazbegi. Gergeti Holy Trinity Church is an important altar of 14th century, located on the slope of Mount Kazbegi. The church facade preserves stone decorations depicting ancient rituals and beliefs. If we are lucky with the weather, we will see Mount Kazbegi (5047 m. above sea level). According to the legend Amirani – a cult hero and a prototype of Greek Prometheus, punished by Gods was chained on the mountain. Hike to Sabertse Pass - In the morning drive up to Gergeti Church, park nearby the campsite and start walking uphill on a steep path. After reaching the viewpoint with signboard - the trail levels up and turns into easier walk, however this is just the beginning of the journey. Continue walking up, bypassing several memorial signs dedicated to mountaineers who have lost their lives on the way to the summit of Mt. Kazbegi. After few hours of demanding hike you will finally reach Sabertse Pass (3100 m. asl) , offering great proximity views (in clear weather) of the mountain, with nearby Gergeti glacier and a waterfall. Here you can take a break at mountain hut (see AltiHut) - the only shelter before the Meteo base camp (aka Bethlemi Hut), that offers hot drinks and some tasty Georgian dishes. Walk back to Stepantsminda - optionally taking an alternative path that goes down left of the Sabertse pass and joins the main route on a small field below. Gergeti – Kazbegi Approx. driving distance: 12 min (6.2 km) Overnight in Kazbegi

Morning breakfast at the hotel. Stepantsminda - Truso Valley Driving distance: 35 Km / 2 h. Hiking in Truso Valley - roundtrip. Drive to Truso valley, bypassing village Kobi. Explore colourful travertines and mineral springs spread throughout the valley, take an easy atmospheric walk towards Abano bubbling lake and medieval Zakagori castle. Pass by orthodox convent and monastery, with monks (the few permanent inhabitants of the valley) selling their handicrafts and paintings to passersby. Meet nomad families, that bring their cattle and sheep for summer pastures in the valley. Hiking distance from Abano Lake bridge to Zakagori castle & back: 12.0 km/ Ascent 246 m/ Descent 246 m. Truso Gorge -Tbilisi - Driving distance: 142 km, 2 h 52 min. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Morning breakfast at the hotel. Tbilisi - Sadakhlo - Approx. Driving distance: 70 Km / 1.5 hr. Sadakhlo Border - Pass the Georgian - Armenian Border in Sadakhlo. Meeting on Sadakhlo border. Change of Guide and transport. Drive to Odzun church - Approx. Driving distance: 60 Km / 1 h. Odzun - Kobayr - Horomayr - Hiking route starts at the Odzun Church. From there, it continues by foot to the medieval Horomayr Monastery, which is 1,000m above sea level. Then, the Kobayr Monastery, which consists of several medieval churches. This complex was one of the significant educational and cultural centers of Armenia. The visitors passing this route enjoy not only the monastery’s beauty and significance, but also the ravishing nature of this area of Lori. While passing the route, a few more chapels and water sources can be seen as well, some of which are mentioned in the route. The way back is through Kobayr. The path is easily discernable and, in the distance, settlements, villages, foggy forests, canyons, gorges, and waterfalls can be seen. This is the richest province of Armenia for travel tours, with many routes undergoing preparation to be open to visitors. Trekking distance: 8.1 km Hiking time: 5-6h Elevation gain/loss: 1,109m, - 822m Kobayr – Dsegh (Driving distance: 20 Km / 30 min) Overnight in Dsegh.

Morning breakfast at the hotel. Dsegh - Kari lake (Driving distance: 150km / 3h). Southern and Western summits of Aragats - Breakfast. Drive to to Lake Kari (Stone Lake) on the southern slope of Aragats. The lake is located 3200m above sea level. Most of its water comes from ice and snow. We will start hiking from the lake and, taking the path on the slope of the Southern summit, we will reach the saddle (3790m) between the Southern (3887m) and Western (3995m) summits. We will leave our backpacks here and climb both summits. You will get amazing views from the top of the huge crater, Mount Ararat, and the Armenian Highlands. When we get back to the saddle, we will grab our backpacks and descend to the crater (3500m) to set up camp. Trekking distance: 9km Elevation gain/loss: 855m, -509m Overnight in camp

Breakfast at the Camp. Northern and Eastern summits of Aragats - Then, we will pack our bags and get ready to climb to the highest point in Armenia, the Northern summit of Aragats. We don’t need to carry our backpacks with us as we are going back to the camp when we’re finished. The way to the North summit is steep and sandy, which makes it more challenging. But as soon as you climb to the top, you will forget about the effort it took to get there. You will feel like a bird when you look around you on top of the highest peak in Armenia. On the way back to the camp side, you can choose to climb the Eastern Summit (3908m) of Aragats. When we reach the camp, we will take all of our bags and continue the hike to the picturesque Gegharot waterfall (3000m). This waterfall is 17m high and is included on the list of hydrological natural monuments in Armenia. An SUV will wait for us close to the waterfall, which will bring us back to Yerevan. Trekking distance: 8.5km Elevation gain/loss: 720m, -1385m To note, there are real and fake Northern peaks and the difference between them is only a few meters. For safety purposes, all tourists will ascend to the “fake” Northern peak. Aragats - Yerevan (Driving distance: 80km / 1.5 h) Overnight in Yerevan.

Morning breakfast at the hotel. We will start the tour with the capital of Armenia: Yerevan. For ages this city has been known as a “pink city” because of the color of the stone it has been built with. Experience the enchanting charm of Yerevan as the sun sets with our City Tour. Discover the Armenian capital's vibrant nightlife, illuminated landmarks, and bustling streets, all while a knowledgeable guide shares fascinating insight into the city's history and culture. From the iconic Republic Square to the Cascade complex and lively cafes, this tour offers a captivating glimpse of Yerevan's after-dark allure. Enjoy the perfect blend of history, architecture, and contemporary urban life in this dynamic and welcoming city.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the Zvartnots airport. Departure from Zvartnots International Airport.