Dates of trips

  • 12/07/2024-21/07/2024
  • 02/08/2024-11/08/2024
  • 23/08/2024-01/09/2024

Description

The participation in the expedition on Mount Kazbek is a great idea for people who already have at least basic experience in winter mountain tourism and want to reach five thousand meters for the first time. Unlike other tour companies, we have added to our expedition  schedule an extra acclimatization day and extra night over the Meteo Station. This, together with small groups and professional care of the leaders, significantly increases the chances of success, also for members who are not very fit. It also increasess the safety of the ascent.

Our climb on Mount Kazbek will take five to seven days. Expedition members will not have to carry everything on their backs. We will reach the monastery at 2300m a.s.l. by car and while returning ride down by the car, too. From the monastery to the Meteostation, located at about 3700m a.s.l. on the slopes of Kazbek (or to another place slightly lower in case of large amounts of snow) our heavy backpacks will be taken by a horse. To maximize the chances of all participants to reach the summit, we will gain acclimatization gradually and slowly. If only the weather permits, we will start our summit push on Kazbek not like most groups from Meteostation, but from the bivouac located only about 1000 meters lower than the summit. Thanks to this also slightly weaker or slower walking members will be able to reach the summit.

When visiting Gorgia, we cannot focus only on the sport goal of climbing Kazbek. Hence, in our program, there is enough time to visit the picturesque capital of Tbilisi, historic orthodox churches on our route or the charming Truso Valley. We will also have occasion to taste an excellent Georgian cuisine and drinks.

Group

4-12 persons

Time

10 days

Mountains

Caucasus

Activity

mountaineering

Teams

3-4 persons

Price

1900 PLN + 790 EUR

Country

Georgia

Level

medium

Trip program

Day 1 – arrival from chosen airports to Tbilisi. Meeting at the airport at night between day 1 and day 2.

Day 2 – transfer by car or bus (depending on the number of members) to Stepantsminda (former Kazbegi) at the foot of Mount Kazbek. On the way, sightseeing the 16th-century Ananuri fortress and viewpoint. Accommodation in a cozy family guest house. Time to rest after the journey, or shopping. In the evening, dinner in Georgian style prepared by our hosts. Overnight in a guest house.

Day 3 – transfer by the car from Stepantsminda to Gergeti (2170 m a.s.l.)- the fourteenth century orthodox church picturesquely situated on the slopes of Kazbek. Time for visiting the church. Loading luggage on horses. Ascent with light backpacks, accompanied by transport horses, to – depending on the pace and well-being of the participants – to Meteostation (3700 m a.s.l.) or to Sabertse (approx. 3100 m a.s.l.). Overnight in tents around the Meteostation or in Sabertse camp.

Day 4 – an acclimatization trek to the chapel at approx. 4000 m a.s.l. If the night was spent in Sabertse camp, a short trekking to the Meteostation and also an acclimatization walk. Overnight in tents around the Meteostation.

Day 5 – approx. 4-hour ascent to the bivouac (approx. 3900 – 400 m a.s.l.) located just aroung thousand meters below the summit of Mount Kazbek. Preparing  platforms or putting tents on existing ones. Overnight in tents. In case od bad weather, rest day in the Meteostation. Overnight in tents at the bivouac or  around Meteostation.

Day 6 – the possibility of a summit push or, in case od bad weather, training walking through the glacier and crevasse rescue. If the previous night was spent in Meteostation, this day we climb to the bivouac. Overnight in tents at the bivouac.

Day 7 – summit push on Mount Kazbek (5047 m a.s.l.) and return to Meteostation. If a successful summit push took place the day before – the descent to Stepantsminda. Overnight in tents or in a guest house.

Day 8 – descent from Meteostation to Stepantsminda. From the church of Tsminda Sameba in Gergeti to Stepantsminda, transfer by car. If the first attempt fails, the summit push on Mount Kazbek and return to Meteostation. If descended to Stepantsminda the day before – drive to Tbilisi, city tour or trip to the Truso Valley. Overnight in a guest house in Stepantsminda, in a hostel in Tbilisi, or in case of continuation mountaineering activities in tents.

Day 9 – transfer to Tbilisi. Hostel accommodation. Tbilisi sightseeing, including the surroundings of Shota Rustaveli Avenue, the Old Town, Narikala fortress. If we came to Tbilisi and visit the city the day before – an optional trip to the town of Mtskheta, Georgia’s first capital and its spiritual center, full of historical monuments and picturesque landscapes. Overnight in a comfortable hostel in the historic city center.

Day 10 – transfer to Tbilisi airport at night. Departure home in the morning.

The trip price includes

  • service of the BluEmu leader during the whole trip;
  • service of one leader for three – four people during mountaineering above the Meteostation on Kazbek;
  • accommodation listed in the program in the guest house/hostel in Tbilisi and Stepantsminda;
  • accommodation in tents during mountain activities in Kazbek (including costs of accommodation around Meteostation);
  • all car transfers listed in the program, including transportation of members and their luggage from Stepancminda to the church of Tsminda Sameba in Gergeti and back;
  • half board: breakfasts and dinners during the stay in Stepantsminda, breakfasts during the stay in Tbilisi;
  • half board (breakfast and dinner, prepared jointly with the expedition tourleader during all days of mountaineering activity in Kazbek. Meals are available in two options: meat and vegetarian (includes fish). Other options (e.g. vegan, gluten-free) are available after early notice and for an additional charge;
  • luggage transportation (1 piece up to 10 kg) per person on horse backs from the Tsminda Sameba church to Meteostation or Sabertse or other place (depending on snow conditions);
  • medical expenses insurance and accident insurance for the entire duration of the trip (while in the mountains, the policy covers high-risk sports);
  • unique t-shirt and buff;
  • Polish Tourist Guarantee Fund contribution

The trip price does not include

  • air ticket to Tbilisi and back;
  • lunch and dinner while in Tbilisi;
  • costs of an optional trip to the Truso Valley or Mscheta;
  • additional meals, drinks and other private expenses;
  • the cost of individual transfers from or to the airport in case of arrival or departure at a different time than most group members.

Equipment

Sign up for Kazbek with extra acclimatization day