Kazbegi Mountain Expedition (Mkinvartsveri 5054) – 21-25 August

Join us for an ultimate mountain experience and stand on the top of Kazbegi Mountain. Conquer Georgia’s most famous peak under the watchful eye of the best climbing guides in the country and with professional technical support. Adventure is waiting for you!

Dates: Wed 21 Aug – Sun 25 Aug
Duration: 5 days/ 4 nights (+1 extra backup day)
Driving distance: 300 km
Trip difficulty: HARD
The summit route is only somewhat technically difficult. It’s rated at PD and mainly involves glacier walking with about 100 meters of easy ice climbing to reach the peak. The biggest challenge comes from the high altitude and long distance as the summit lies above 5000 m. Travelers require to have trekking/camping/backpacking experience. they must be in good physical shape. Mountaineering can be very physically and mentally demanding, with long hours spent working your way slowly up and down. the summit is not technical, but we still use crampons, ice axe, ropes and carabiners. guide will teach you how to use during your training day.

Group size: Min. 3 participants. The tour fee will be refunded if we can’t reach the minimum number of participants.
Accommodation: Shared twin/double rooms in a guesthouse in Stepantsminda (Day 1).  Meteo station shelter (3600m) dormitory rooms for the rest of overnight (3 – 4 days). please let us know if you have your own tent and want to overnight outside the Meteo shelter (since the shelter is in very poor condition) we will discount the fee.
Pick-up: Wed, 23 Aug, 11:00, Samaia Garden, Tbilisi
Drop-off: Sun, 27 Aug, around 21:00 (Arrival time depends on the group’s speed and traffic)
Price: 2300 GEL / 20% is non-refundable pre payment.
Price without Meteo shelter and technical equipment: 1900 GEL

Itinerary:

Day 1/ Wed 21 Aug
Tbilisi – Stepantsminda / 1800 m.a.s.l.
We will depart Tbilisi and head to Stepantsminda, where we will collect food supplies and recheck our equipment. Overnight in a guest house with a nice dinner and breakfast.

Day 2/ Thu 22 Aug
Stepantsminda – Meteo Station Base Camp / from 22oo m.a.s.l. to 3600 m.a.s.l.
After early breakfast, we will drive to Gergeti Holy Trinity Church to meet our pack horses, load our luggage, and start hiking toward Meteo Station, which we should reach around 15:00. Overnight at Meteo Shelter at Kazbegi Mountain.

Day 3/ Fri 23 Aug
Day at the Meteo Station (preparations) / from 3600 m.a.s.l. to 4000 m.a.s.l. and back
We will spend the day getting ready for the final ascent – we will trek up to the elevation of 4000 m for acclimatization and get used to the equipment. Our training will end at 15:00. The rest of the day we will spend resting and relaxing.

Day 4/ Sat 24 Aug
Summit day / from 3600 m.a.s.l. to 5054 m.a.s.l. and back
We will get up at 02:00 am and prepare for the final climb. Today, we will reach the peak of Kazbegi Mountain. It’s the most challenging part of the expedition but also the most rewarding one. Can you imagine yourself standing on top of the world?! After conquering the peak, we will head back to Meteo shelter. We will reach Meteo Shelter around 18:00.

Day 5/ Sun 25 Aug
Meteo Station – Stepantsminda – Tbilisi / from 3600 m.a.s.l. to 2200 m.a.s.l.
In the morning, we will trek back to Stepantsminda. Return to Tbilisi. The end of the expedition.

Day 6/ Mon 26 Aug
Backup day
An extra day that we will use in case of difficult weather conditions or other circumstances.

Inclusions:

1. 1. 1. Transfers, including 4WD to Gergeti Holy Trinty Church,
      2. Services of professional mountaineering instructors and guides (Every 3 participants have 1 mountain guide),
      3. Overnight in shared twin/double rooms in a guesthouse on Day 1,
      4. Dinner in a guesthouse on Day 1, breakfast on Day 2,
      5. Pack horses to carry luggage to and from Meteo Base Camp,
      6. Technical equipment rental (crampons, ice axe, harness, two carabiners).

Price doesn’t include:

1. 1. 1. Food supplies (We will collect them together in Stepantsminda. meteo base camp has a cafe too),
      2. Travel/ Health insurance,
      3. Private expenses,
      4. Tips.

Equipment you need to HAVE:

1. 1. 1. Mountaineering boots (not trekking boots, we wear trekking boots until Meteo shelter. you can rent mountaineering boots at M Plus),
      2. Two pairs of gloves (one light one and one warm – winter ski gloves),
      3. Ski goggles or good sunglasses,
      4. Headlamp – make sure it will last 5-6 hrs. or have extra batteries,
      5. Trekking poles (we use trekking poles until the last uphill where we switch them with ice axe),
      6. Mountaineering jackets/ Ski jacket,
      7. Waterproof trouser/ Ski trousers + leggings,
      8. Thermal clothes,
      9. Thermal socks,
      10. Balaclava mask or something to fully cover your face,
      11. Gaiters are very important to keep your feet dry,
      12. Water Bottle – 1.5 liter recommended,
      13. Cooking pots and gas,
      14. Two backpacks (one 50 liter or more for horses and make sure it is fully covered to be safe on horse, one day pack for yourself),
      15. Personal first aid + Sunscreen,
      16. Climbing or skiing helmet.

Note:
Closer to the date the whole group will get a detailed update on the itinerary that will smooth final preparations.