HikeChum.com

HikeChum hiking, trekking and walking tours are for all to experience and enjoy, especially the enthusiastic adventurer, check-out list below:

(1) Tbilisi + Hidden Places

Get a chance to visit hidden places, meet the locals and explore the most interesting parts of the capital city.

• Duration: 1 to 2 day hike including Tbilisi City, fortresses, churches and lakes
• Requirements: water, food

(2) Msekheta + Jvari Monastery

The old capital of Georgia is a religious and historical place where Georgia's love with Orthodox Christianity began centuries ago.

• Duration: 1 day hike to the old Georgian capital of Mtskheta, a taxi ride to the most visited monastery. A visit to century's old Monasteries and Cathedrals, including Svetitskhoveli Cathedral which is built on the same ground where a piece of Jesus's garment was buried. Last stop could possibly be a visit to the hidden ancient city.
• Requirements: water, food

(3) Gori + Uplistsikhe

Stalin's historical home town boast a museum, monasteries and historical age old rock-hewn caves of Uplistsikhe.

• Duration: 1 day town tour including a car ride and hike to the caves
• Requirements: water, food

(4) Chiatura + Hidden places

1 or 2 days' visit to a beautiful but impoverished old industrial town which still uses old Soviet cable cars, 'funicular'. The 'funiculars' resembles a scene from a Hollywood scary movie and are definitely a must-see. Get the chance to visit hidden places that most visitors don't get to see

• Duration: 1 - 2 days hike including the town, and hidden places (the rock monastery is worth a visit)
• Requirements: Tent, sleeping bag, water, food

(5) Bojormi + Bakuriani

The largest National Park in Europe is a worthy hike and exploration of the town itself. Drink the National Park most famous natural spring water that is warm and high in minerals. Try the natural hot spar bath at a cost of less than $2 (payable at the hot bath entrance).

• Duration: 1 to 2 day hike through the National Park. We can also explore Bakuriani and surrounding villages
• Requirements: Tent, sleeping bag, water, food, hiking/trekking sticks recommended

(6) Vardzia + Akhasikhe

The biggest rock-hewn caves are located in Vardzia and camping near the cave is worth exploring
*Akhasikhe - works best as a combination of Vardzia. The town boasts one of the largest renovated fortresses (Rabbat Fortress) in Georgia

• Duration: 2 days' worth of memorable sightseeing experience in two different towns, Vardzia and Akhaltsikhe: Vardzia has over 200 caves and a monastery chiselled deep into the mountain; and finally a day visiting Akhaltsikhe Rabbat Fortress on our way to or from Vardzia
• Requirements: Tent, sleeping bag, water, food

(7) Batumi + Neighbouring Villages

Batumi is a holiday resort designed solely for the more relaxed tourist. It is situated in the South-east of Georgia and bordering with Turkey. Tourists come here to enjoy the black sea, gambling resort and occasionally explore remote villages around or near Batumi

• Duration: 1 or a few days, depending on your interest
• Requirements: water and food. If you plan on exploring remote villages, then a tent and sleeping bag is recommended

(8) David Gareji or Gareja + Udabno Village

Udabno is the last village before continuing with the travellig to the David Gareji's semi-dessert region of Kakheti, bordering with Azerbaijana. David Gareji's remains are enshrined in the monastery. It is well known for its caves and centuries old monasteries. An 80 minutes hike/trekking is a worthy adventure to experience frescoes and Lavra. Visitors usually miss the chance to see other abandoned monasteries in a secluded remote area; it takes at least 90 minutes' walk to reach this hidden monastery of many beautiful frescoes and Lavra uninhabited by monks.

• Duration: 2 days hike/trekking including Udabno and abandoned cave monasteries sharing the border with Azerbaijan
• Requirements: Tent, sleeping bag, water, food, hiking/trekking sticks recommended

(9) Kakheti or the wine region

A visit to Georgia is not over until you have visited the wine region. Wine tour is available at selected factories at amazingly affordable prices. Kakheti Wine Region is a must see for visitors to try traditional organic wines, visit wine factories and taste real Georgian wines and Georgian Cha-cha (Georgian Vodka). Wine testing cost less than $2 and includes wine factory tour.

• Duration: A day's hike/trekking around the town, its wine factories and possible a nearby lake
• Requirements: Tent, sleeping bag, water, food. If the day isn't long enough, we could extend to the next day and spend a night in the tent

(10) Sighnagi - 'The City of Love'

Sighnangi is commonly known as 'The city of love'. A 2km walk from Sighnaghi town will lead to the famous Bodbe Monastery where **Saint. Nino, the evangelist woman who baptized Georgia in the 4th century is buried. You also get a chance to view the magnificent Alazan valley from the hills of Sighnaghi.

• Duration: A hike/trek throughout out the town culminating in Bodbe Monastery and the blessed swimming pool lasts half a day
• Requirements: Tent, sleeping bag, water, food (Tent only required if you would like to explore the entire area)

**Saint Nino was a virgin and the Apostle of Georgia and the most venerated Saint of the Georgian Orthodox Church. She was born in Cappadocia and became a slave. She later travelled and settled in Iberia, now known as Georgia, where she converted the King and Queen to Christianity. Legend has it that Nino received a vision from the Virgin Mary who gave her a grapevine cross. She placed her first Christian cross in Akhalkalaki and finally reached Mtskheta. The Iberian King Mirian III, was the first Christian King of Iberia; he suffered from severe illness and was baptized by St. Nino. In 327 A.D King Mirian made Christianity the State religion, making Iberia (Georgia) the second Christian State after Armenia (In Georgia, Queen is called King).

(11) Tusheti + Fascinating villages

One of the most fascinating and interesting hike/trek is Tusheti. It offers a serene atmosphere with its old abandoned villages, watchtowers, shepherds and big scary-looking shepherd dogs. Tusheti is remote and has one of the most dangerous mountain road, in the world famously known as 'Abano Pass', it is almost 3000 metres above sea level. 'Abano Pass' standard requirement is a 4x4 vehicle or a horse ride. The road is scary and not for the feint-hearted, however, we hike/trek through the remote villages of Omalo, Dartlo and Shatili.

• Duration: 7 to 8 days hike/trek including Omalo, Parsma and Diklo (Pirikiti Alazani) and possibly Gometsari Alazani valley and beautiful Oreti lake
• Requirements: Tent, sleeping bag, water, food, hiking/trekking sticks recommended

(12) Kazbegi + Stepantsminda

A minibus first stop in Ananuri and possibly Gudauri culd b added to the tour. A hike/trek around the town of Stepantsminda to the famous Gergeti Monastery sitting at 2200 metres and appreciating the 5200 meters Mount Kazbeg.
*Ananuri - We would negotiate with the minibus driver to consider stopping for 10 minutes at Ananuri for sightseeing.
*Gudauri - We would also try negotiating with the driver for a 15 minutes stop in the beautiful Gudauri mountainous terrain where thrill-seekers come to paraglide with professional pilots. Should you wish to paraglide, let us know so we can arrange an hour stop (we do not include paragliding in our tours)

• Duration: 2 day hike/trek including camping near the monastery to catch the sun-rising and shadowing the famous Mount Kazbegi sitting at 5200metres
• Requirements: Tent, sleeping bag, water, food, hiking/trekking sticks recommended

(13) Juta + Fascinating places

One of the most beautiful villages is inaccessible in the winter but the summer brings it to life. A hike/trek that lasts almost 20km is worth the experience. Camping near the three lakes is one of those hidden germs of the beauty of Georgia

• Duration: 2 to 3 days hike/trek including Achkoti, Chauki Massif and the three lakes
• Requirements: Tent, sleeping bag, water, food, hiking/trekking sticks recommended

(14) Kutaisi + Canyons

Kutaisi boasts monasteries, caves and Kinchkha Waterfall. Experience the Canyons (Martvili and Okasa); Samagrelo's Martvili is near Okatse Canyon. Kutaisi's Prometheus Caves is accessible by kayaking (our tour doesn't include kayaking or boating, however, we will provide you with the contact).

• Duration and requirements: To be arranged in our discussion

(15) Mestia + Ushguli (Svaneti)

One of the most beautiful places in Georgia proudly presents Mount Ushba and Mount Tetnuldi, a complete adventurer's paradise.

• Duration: 4 to 5 days hike/trek including hiking/trekking near Mount Tetnuldi, other villages and finally Ushguli, the highest inhabited settlement in Europe
• Requirements: Tent, sleeping bag, water, food, hiking/trekking sticks recommended

(16) Train trip through the mountains

A 2hrs train ride snaking around the mountains on a railroad that runs on a 900mm narrow gauge line creates an unforgettable experience that most visitors never get a chance to experience.

• Duration: 1 day train trip and a hike/trek around the town
• Requirements: Water and food. Tent and sleeping bag only recommended if you intend to spend more time in the villages and national park

(17) Train trip for the Locals

Travel like the locals and experience the Georgian train that stops almost everywhere, it moves like a taxi and stops anywhere for 15 seconds, it is definitely worth a try, but you have to get up early. Most tourists are not aware of this amazing train experience. What's interesting is the final stop the train makes; unfortunately HikeChum is not going to share with you here, but you can experience this train ride with an experienced HikeChum guide.

• Duration: 1 day train trip and a hike/trek around the final destination town and village
• Requirements: Water and food. Tent and sleeping bag only recommended if you intend to spend more time in the villages and national park