5 days / 4 nights
20 max
01/07 - 15/10
Trekking Georgia. 5 - day expedition from Klubaki to Mount Askhi and the Amalieti Pass
Join us on a brand new trekking expedition! We will take you to the picturesque mountains at the crossroads of three regions Imereti, Lechkhumi, Megrelia. Together with the Kulbaki Horse Trails team, we have been mapping and testing new mountain trails for the past years. We organise horse expeditions on them together with our partners Lisowczycy. We know these mountains like few others! Today we are pleased to invite you to a wonderful 5 day trekking adventure!
We will set off for Mount Askhi, which forms a 15-kilometre plateau and 125 million years ago was the bottom of the sea! We will reach the Amalieti Pass, an alpine glade with unearthly views of Mount Khvamli and Askhi! We will stay overnight in tents at an altitude of 2000 - 2200 metres! You will taste the regional Georgian cuisine and wine! You will taste the most expensive kind of wine in Georgia, it grows in the Lechkhumi region, and we are talking about Usakhelauri!
In total we will walk about 50 km in 4 days! We are going light, our luggage, sleeping bags, tents and food will be taken by pack horses.
On the Askhi plateau 2200 - 2500 metres
Kulbaki village, Green Lake complex
Day 1 - Take-off from Kutaisi to Kulbaka. Trekking to Amalieti.
In the morning we will pick you up from the centre of Kutaisi or from under your accommodation and set off to Kulbaka! We will drive through the town of Tscaltubo, over the Gelaveri Pass overlooking Okatse Canyon and the picturesque waterfall of the Rachkha. On site, in the village of Kulbaki you will be hosted by our friends, native inhabitants of these mountains. This area has belonged to the Gasviani surname for generations, and on the other side of the mountains to the Nachqebia surname, yes, yes this is the area of our Kote. You will meet our kulback part of the team Giorgi, Irakli, Lasha. We guarantee that you will feel at home! After a welcome coffee, tea and packing our luggage on the horses we will set off on the trail!
We will start our Georgia trek from Kulbaka along a pleasant, wide trail through the forest. On the way we will pass a wooden shepherds' hut. The mountain views will open up before us! We will reach the first clearing, where we will take a short break. The rest of the trail will take you through forests, mountain meadows and tall ferns, just like in Jurassic Park. After a final rather steep climb through the forest, we will ascend 2050 metres to the fabulous green glades of Amalieti!
From the top we will see Mount Askhi, the second destination of our expedition, and the mythological mountain Khvamli, 2003 metres. It was on Khvamli that Prometheus was supposedly imprisoned! In the past, locals used to rear and graze cattle in these clearings in the summer, but today this tradition is practically extinct. We will walk to a wooden shepherd's hut, pitch our tents there and prepare our bivouac. We will prepare dinner together around a campfire.
Trekking summary:
Duration: 5h
Distance: 10km
Height profile: 1050 metres up
On the way to Askhi, with a visit to a local herdsman
Views from the tent on the Amalieti Pass
Day 2 - Return from Amalieti to Kulbaka
After a bivouac breakfast we will assemble our camp and set off back to Kulbaka. Depending on the weather and the patency of the trail, we will return along the route making a loop or we will return along the same trail.
In Kulbaki we will stay in an atmospheric wooden house overlooking Mount Askhi! In the evening we will have a delicious dinner with fresh trout, regional dishes at the Green Lake!
Trekking summary:
Duration: 4-4,5h
Distance: 10km
Height profile: 1050 metres down
Day - Trekking Georgia from Kulbaka to Mount Askhi
After breakfast we will set off on a trek to Mount Askhi! Askhi forms a plateau 15 km long and 2200 - 2500 metres high! This is the second destination of our trek!
We will cover about 15 km and 1350 metres of elevation gain. The trail initially leads through forest and passes into open alpine-type glades. Then there is a rocky and steep section to pass. The final straight to the plateau is a steep and winding trail. Once on the plateau, cosmic views open up before us! On Askhi during the summer season, shepherds live in wooden and simple huts, grazing their numerous herds of cattle and horses.
On the trail
Camping on the Askhi plateau
Mount Askhi is a very capricious mountain. The weather changes there very quickly and fog comes in, which reduces visibility significantly. Therefore, it is very important to know the trails and the mountain. There is also no water on the plateau; we take supplies with us.
At the top we will prepare our bivouac, pitch our tents and prepare a meal. From Askhi you can see the village of Kulbaki, Amalieti, Mount Khvamli and all the picturesque surroundings.
Trekking summary:
Duration: 6-7h
Distance: 15km
Height profile: 1350 metres up
Day 4 - Return from Askhi to Kulbaka
After breakfast we will assemble our camp and set off back to Kulbaka. We will take the same route back. On the way, we will try to surprise a local shepherd who produces the regional Sulguni cheese! The return route also measures 15 km. In the evening, a farewell delicious dinner awaits you in Kulbaka!
* In the event of very heavy fog, we have to return via a gentler but definitely longer trail, which is 30 km long.
A break overlooking Kulbaki on the way to Askhi
Views during the bivouac
Trekking summary:
Duration: 6h
Distance: 15km
Altitude profile: 1350 metres down
Day 5 - Return to Kutaisi
After breakfast, we will say goodbye to the kulback team and set off on our way back to Kutaisi. We will drive you to the indicated address or to Kutaisi airport.
Informations:
- You can join the expedition by signing up for a date from our CALENDAR OF EXPEDITIONS or INDIVIDUAL, then we will agree a detailed date with you. How do I book a tour of Georgia with ToursByKote?
- The tour is organised in the season from 01.07 to 15.10.
- The tour starts and ends in the center of Kutaisi.
- We provide tents and sleeping pads
- We walk to the trail on "light" luggage will be taken by pack horses.
- On average, we cover 10-15 kilometres per day
