2 days / 1 night
12 max
01/07 - 20/09
2 Day Trekking Expedition from Kutaisi to the Askhi Plateau
We will take you to the picturesque mountains at the crossroads of three regions Imereti, Lechkhumi, Megrelia. Far from mass tourism. Together with the Kulbaki Horse Trails team, we have been mapping and testing new mountain trails in this part of Georgia for the past years. We know these mountains like few others! Today we are pleased to invite you to a wonderful 2 day trekking adventure! We will set off to Askhi, which forms a 15 kilometre long plateau and was the bottom of the sea as recently as 125 million years ago! We will stay overnight in tents at an altitude of 2200 metres! In total we will walk about 20 km in 2 days. We are going light, our tents, food will be taken by pack horses.
During the expedition, a local certified mountain guide and a Polish-speaking pilot supervise the group.
Alpine glade at an altitude of 2,200 metres
Views on the route to Kulbaka
Day 1 - Take-off from Kutaisi
We will take off from Kutaisi, picking you up from the indicated address. We will drive through the town of Tscaltubo, the Gelaveri Pass overlooking the Okatse Canyon and a picturesque waterfall Rachkha. On the spot, in the village of Kulbaki you will be welcomed and hosted by our friends, native inhabitants of these mountains. This area has belonged for generations to the Gasviani surname, 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 leading to the gateway of the Askhi Plateau!
You will cover about 10 km and 1350 metres of elevation gain. The trail initially leads through forest and passes into open alpine-type glades. We have a rocky and steep section to pass. Being already at an altitude of 2200 metres, cosmic views will open up before us!
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. During the summer season, shepherds live here in wooden and simple huts. They graze their herds of cattle and horses.
Views along the route
Sunset from an alpine glade
The location of our bivouac will be a beautiful alpine clearing. From here we can see the village of Kulbaki, Amalieti, the mythological mountain Khvamli (where Prometheus was imprisoned) and all the picturesque surroundings. In addition, we have a simple wooden hut to provide additional shelter during bad weather. Our team will take care of setting up the tents. Those wishing to do so can take a temporary guided trek to the viewpoint where the cross is located, or towards the plateau itself.
In the evening we will have a camping dinner.
Trekking summary:
Duration: 6-8h
Distance: About 10 mountain kilometres
Height profile: 1350 metres up
Day 2 - Return from Askhi to Kulbaka and to Kutaisi
After breakfast we will assemble our camp and set off back to Kulbaka. We will be returning along the same trail. On the way, we will try to surprise you to a local shepherd who produces the regional Sulguni cheese! Before returning to base camp in Kulbaka, we will still take you to a hidden waterfall, where those willing can cool off in the crisp water!
Trekking summary:
Duration: 6-8h
Distance:approximately 10 mountain kilometres
Height profile: 1350 metres down
On the trail
Views during the bivouac
In Kulbaki there will be free time at the complex with a restaurant on the Green Lake. You have the opportunity to taste the delicious regional cuisine of the Lechkhumi region. Eat fresh trout straight from the lake and many vege dishes! Or taste a unique wine originating from Lechkhumi - Usakhelauri.
In the evening we will return to Kutaisi.
Informations:
- The excursion is only organised on individual request for a group of at least 8 people.
- The tour is organised in the season from 01.07 to 01.10.
- We provide tents and sleeping pads
- We only go on the trail with our personal luggage - food, water, tents, carrimats will be taken by pack horses.
- We cover an average of 10 kilometres per day
- The expedition is open to children aged 12 and over only if accompanied by an adult.
The price of the expedition includes:
- Supervision by a local certified mountain guide
- Assistance of a Polish-speaking pilot
- Transfer from Kutaisi to the trekking starting point and back
- One night in a tent (tents and sleeping pads provided)
- Water for the trail
- Food: mountain supper and breakfast
- Packhorse that takes tents, food, water
The price depends on the number of people in the group and any individual arrangements.
We will send a detailed programme and quotation for the expedition to interested parties. Contact get on with it!
More snapshots from our expeditions:
