duration
3 days
moderate
difficulty
distance
19 km
2088 / 2200 m
ascent/descent
Itinerary
Day 1
Tbilisi → Shovi → camp before Kathitsvera Pass
Distance / elevation gain / loss: ~7 km / ↑1100 m / ↓107 m
Trail description: Early start from Tbilisi (05:30). The drive to Racha is an adventure in itself: mountain switchbacks, pine forests, and rushing rivers.
The hike kicks off from Shovi village (1,470 m). We climb through coniferous forest first, then hit open subalpine meadows with our first mountain views. By evening, we'll reach the Chkauri valley (~2,500 m) to set up camp.
Distance / elevation gain / loss: ~7 km / ↑1100 m / ↓107 m
Trail description: Early start from Tbilisi (05:30). The drive to Racha is an adventure in itself: mountain switchbacks, pine forests, and rushing rivers.
The hike kicks off from Shovi village (1,470 m). We climb through coniferous forest first, then hit open subalpine meadows with our first mountain views. By evening, we'll reach the Chkauri valley (~2,500 m) to set up camp.
Day 2
Kathitsvera Pass → Lake Udziro
Distance / elevation gain / loss: ~3 km / ↑600 m / ↓250 m
Trail description: Short on mileage, but big on views. The trail gets steeper as we start the climb to Geske/Kathitsvera Pass (~3,075 m). From the top, you'll get a panoramic view of Kazbegi, Shkhara, Tetnuldi, and the majestic Ushba.
Next, we head down to Lake Udziro (~2,800 m) — the jewel of Racha, often called "Georgian Switzerland." We'll set up camp right on the shore. Spend the afternoon chilling or even take a dip (water is around 10°C).
Distance / elevation gain / loss: ~3 km / ↑600 m / ↓250 m
Trail description: Short on mileage, but big on views. The trail gets steeper as we start the climb to Geske/Kathitsvera Pass (~3,075 m). From the top, you'll get a panoramic view of Kazbegi, Shkhara, Tetnuldi, and the majestic Ushba.
Next, we head down to Lake Udziro (~2,800 m) — the jewel of Racha, often called "Georgian Switzerland." We'll set up camp right on the shore. Spend the afternoon chilling or even take a dip (water is around 10°C).
Day 3
Lake Udziro → Glola Pass → Glola village
Distance / elevation gain / loss: ~7 km / ↑150 m / ↓1600 m
Trail description: Pack up camp and head for Udziro Pass (~2,900 m). Then it's a long descent along the ridge through alpine meadows down to Glola village (~1,300–1,400 m). Our transfer will be waiting there, and we'll head back to Tbilisi in the evening (~5-6 hour drive).
Distance / elevation gain / loss: ~7 km / ↑150 m / ↓1600 m
Trail description: Pack up camp and head for Udziro Pass (~2,900 m). Then it's a long descent along the ridge through alpine meadows down to Glola village (~1,300–1,400 m). Our transfer will be waiting there, and we'll head back to Tbilisi in the evening (~5-6 hour drive).
What to bring
- Underwear
- Thermal layers
- T-shirt
- Hiking pants
- Warm pants for the evening
- Socks or hiking socks
- Warm fleece jacket
- Windproof and waterproof jacket (hardshell)
- Sleepwear
- Neck gaiter / Buff
- Gloves
- Warm beanie
- Headwear (sun hat, bandana, cap)
- Rain poncho with hood
- Hiking boots
- Camp shoes / Crocs
- Hiking backpack 70−90 liters with rain cover
- Sleeping pad
- Sunglasses
- Raincoat
- Sit pad
- LED headlamp
- Trekking poles
- Warm sleeping bag (comfort rating +0°C)
- Insurance
- Cash
- Power bank
- All necessary chargers
- Thermos (1L)
- Bowl, mug, and spoon
- Reusable water bottle
- Toilet paper, wipes
- Personal first aid kit
- Sunscreen and SPF lip balm
- Personal hygiene items
Price and payment
To book your spot, a 50% deposit is required
The remaining balance is due no later than 10 days before the start
If we cancel or reschedule, your deposit is fully refunded. More details on cancellations, transfers, and refunds here
Pay in USD or EUR to a Georgian TBC card
Pay in RUB to a Raif card at the Zolotaya Korona exchange rate
Tour FAQ
No, this is a tough route. You'll need to be in good shape and have solid trekking boots.
- Round-trip transfer from Tbilisi: minivan and driver
- Group gear: tents, cooking equipment, and a group first-aid kit
- Guide support, camp setup, and safety briefings
- Food (dinner on day one, breakfast on day two, and hot tea throughout the trek)
Yes, we carry all our own gear, so we stick to the essentials.
Meals are included (dinner on day 1 and breakfast on day 2, plus hot tea throughout the trek). Everyone chips in—guides and hikers cook together, and we'll set up a rotation for kitchen duty. For vegetarians, we set aside portions before adding meat, but we use the same cooking pots. For snacks and extra bites, bring as much as you'll need for the two days.
Light, easy-to-pack snacks that are great for keeping your energy up on the trail:
There will be springs along the way, but keep at least 2-3 liters on you at all times.
Mineral water is best — Nabeghlavi or Likani are perfect choices.
Light, easy-to-pack snacks that are great for keeping your energy up on the trail:
- Protein bars
- Hard candies
- Gummy candies (the kind that don't make you super thirsty)
- Mini pretzels or sushki
- Churchkhela
- Nuts
- Isotonic drinks
There will be springs along the way, but keep at least 2-3 liters on you at all times.
Mineral water is best — Nabeghlavi or Likani are perfect choices.
Nope, so bring a power bank, and ideally more than one.
Minimum age is 18. Minors can join if we clear it first. The upper age limit depends entirely on your health and fitness level.
If you have chronic respiratory, nervous, or cardiovascular issues, you'll need to consult a doctor (a sports doc is best). It's super important to let us know about any conditions or medications beforehand.
We strongly recommend getting medical and/or sports insurance.
HEADS UP!!! If you don't have it, you'll be responsible for all expenses yourself.
HEADS UP!!! If you don't have it, you'll be responsible for all expenses yourself.
To keep things comfortable on the trail, we recommend packing the following gear:
- trekking poles
- trekking boots
- hiking backpack 55+ liters (bigger is fine, smaller is tough to fit everything). Must have a hip belt!
- sleeping bag (comfort rating around +8°C/46°F is ideal; +10°C/50°F works if you bring thermal layers and warm socks)
- sleeping pad (mat)
- sit pad / foam seat
- thermal base layers and warm socks for sleeping
- beanie and buff
- sun hat — mandatory!
- mess kit (mug, spoon/fork, bowl, knife)
- headlamp (+ spare batteries or power bank)
- power bank + phone cable
- Crocs or flip-flops
- windbreaker
- light but warm jacket for the evening (hardshell or thin down jacket)
- change of clothes and underwear (better to have two sets — one for day two, one for the ride back to Tbilisi. You can leave the second set on the bus)
- socks — 3 pairs
- sunglasses
- sunscreen
- towel
- personal hygiene items (toothpaste and brush, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, wet wipes)
- personal first aid kit (whatever you usually take) + meds for diarrhea, antihistamines, painkillers, and motion sickness (if you get car sick)
- plastic bags — small and large (pack your gear in bags inside the backpack; the sleeping bag MUST be in a waterproof bag!)
- lighter
- raincoat — mandatory! (mountain weather is unpredictable)
❕ALSO, you'll need to bring:
- passport/residence permit/copy (pack in a zip-lock bag)
- insurance details (send them to us or print the policy and zip-lock it too)
You can rent all the necessary gear from us — we’ll make sure you’re comfortable and safe.
- trekking poles
- trekking boots
- hiking backpack 55+ liters (bigger is fine, smaller is tough to fit everything). Must have a hip belt!
- sleeping bag (comfort rating around +8°C/46°F is ideal; +10°C/50°F works if you bring thermal layers and warm socks)
- sleeping pad (mat)
- sit pad / foam seat
- thermal base layers and warm socks for sleeping
- beanie and buff
- sun hat — mandatory!
- mess kit (mug, spoon/fork, bowl, knife)
- headlamp (+ spare batteries or power bank)
- power bank + phone cable
- Crocs or flip-flops
- windbreaker
- light but warm jacket for the evening (hardshell or thin down jacket)
- change of clothes and underwear (better to have two sets — one for day two, one for the ride back to Tbilisi. You can leave the second set on the bus)
- socks — 3 pairs
- sunglasses
- sunscreen
- towel
- personal hygiene items (toothpaste and brush, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, wet wipes)
- personal first aid kit (whatever you usually take) + meds for diarrhea, antihistamines, painkillers, and motion sickness (if you get car sick)
- plastic bags — small and large (pack your gear in bags inside the backpack; the sleeping bag MUST be in a waterproof bag!)
- lighter
- raincoat — mandatory! (mountain weather is unpredictable)
❕ALSO, you'll need to bring:
- passport/residence permit/copy (pack in a zip-lock bag)
- insurance details (send them to us or print the policy and zip-lock it too)
You can rent all the necessary gear from us — we’ll make sure you’re comfortable and safe.
Ready for an adventure?
Sign up – and we'll take you on a hike you'll be telling your friends about!