Trekking in mysterious , a land of Georgian defense towers, and conquering the Mountain of Flames: Mount Layla (4009 m) TRIP DESCRIPTION

Svaneti is one of the most beautiful high mountain in . Green valleys, rivers and streams, countless defense towers, cows lying calmly around the roads, and the surrounding ever-snowy Caucasian mountains.

During this trip, we will visit the highest loca- several days, including a spare day, which will ted village in , namely (around allow you to face the mountain in a safe man- 2400 m), we will face the highest mountain in ner, as long as you are physically prepared Georgia (Mt. , 5193 m) as well as the and do not have any health contraindications most dangerous mountain in the (even without previous experience in high (Mt. Ushba, 4700 m). During trekking the gla- mountains). The preceding trekking through cier and its foot, we will meet the inhabitants Svaneti will help you to acclimatize and prepa- of the , the famous , and their lo- re for conquering the 4000 m high mountain. cal beliefs and traditions. Every moment of the Most importantly, for the whole time you will trip will be filled with views which take your be accompanied by our team: English-spe- breath away. A cherry on top will be conqu- aking trip leader and certified high mountain ering one of the highest Caucasian mounta- guides (also trained in medical rescue in the ins, Mount Layla (4009 m), from which you mountains) who will be responsible for your can marvel at an amazing panorama of the safety. It is also important that we are going whole Caucasus (you can easily see Mt. Ushba to help you prepare every single detail of the and Mt. Shkhara, and even the highest peak in trip. You will get access to our private Facebo- whole Europe, ). The local people ok group for participant, where we can share call Mount Layla “the Mountain of Flames”, be- our thoughts, motivate each other, exchange cause at sunrises and sunsets, it is ablaze with ideas, advice etc. Before the trip, you will take all shades of red, from purple, through pink to party in an online training course, which will deep red. Are you ready for this magnificent make you even better prepare for facing Sva- view? We prepared the plan of the trip to ma- neti and Mount Layla. Additionally, of course, ximally enhance your chances of conquering you can ask us any questions via e-mail or our Mount Layla. Our plan is gradual acclimati- Facebook page. zation and spreading the mountain climb on The plan of the trip

Early morning (around 5 a.m.) we will meet Svaneti, with off-road cars (around 8 hours’ in Tbilisi (on the airport or in the city center). trip with stops for breakfast, bathroom, You need to reach Tbilisi on your own. Of lunch etc). Attention! We can also pick you course, we can help you with organizing a up from (around 9 a.m.) In : good flight connection or transfers from accommodation in a guesthouse, free time to other parts of Georgia. If you don’t have your have some rest and enjoy the nature. In the own trekking/high mountain equipment, evening, dinner in the guesthouse. Overnight day you can rent all necessary things from us, stay in the guesthouse in Mestia. and we will bring it to our meeting place in Tbilisi. In our office, you can also order gas List of equipment required for this trip: to camping stoves and lyophilizates. From HERE 01 Tbilisi we will go to Mestia, the capital of

Breakfast in the guesthouse. After the critically acclaimed movie “Dede”, directed breakfast, trekking from Mestia (1500 m) Mariam Khatchvan, who comes from Svaneti. day to the Koruldi Lakes (2740 m), situated at The movie will let us learn about the local the foot of the most dangerous Caucasian history, tradition and customs, including ones mountains, Mt. Ushba (4700 m). The trek’s which are usually hidden from tourist from duration is about 8 hours (20 km). In the Europe. Overnight stay in the guesthouse in evening, a dinner in the guesthouse and Mestia. 02 movies in the local cinema. We will see day Breakfast in the guesthouse. After the about 8 hours (15 km). In the evening: dinner, breakfast, trekking from Mestia (1500 m) to wine and live music in a local restaurant. the village of Tsvirimi (1900 m) through the Overnight stay in the guesthouse in Mestia. 03 Zuruldi (2450 m). The trek’s duration is

day Breakfast in the guesthouse. After the trek’s duration is about 7 hours (16 km). After breakfast, we will go the highest located town the trekking, you will have some free time in in Georgia, that is Ushguli (around 2300 m), Ushguli and then, we will go back to Mestia and and trek to the foot of the highest mountain have a dinner in the guesthouse. Overnight in Georgia, Mt. Shkhara (5193 m). On this day, stay in the guesthouse in Mestia. 04 the highest point of our route is 2430 m. The

Breakfast in the guesthouse. After the to a local alpinist, Mikhail Khergiani. There, day breakfast, trekking from Mestia (1500 m) you can learn more about the history of to the Chalaadi glacier (1835 m). The trek’s alpinism and the region, see the interior of duration is about 5 hours (10 km). After a traditional Svan house, as well as climb the trekking, you can enjoy free time in Mestia. Svan defense tower. In the evening, we will It is possible to visit the local ethnography have a dinner in the guesthouse. Overnight 05 museum in Mestia or museum dedicated stay in the guesthouse in Mestia.

Breakfast in the guesthouse. Next, we will Baki pass (2428 m). The route should take day have to pack, as we are going to move to us around 8 hours. In Mazeri, we will stay Mazeri (1600 m), one of the most beautiful in a house of our hosts and enjoy a dinner villages in Svaneti. The driver will take our prepared by a hostess from fresh products stuff to Mazeri, but we will have to walk from her garden. Overnight stay there. 06 there! We have to walk 18 km through the day After breakfast, we start trekking to this route is 2492 m. The trek’s duration on glacier at the foot of the most dangerous this day: around 9 hours (22 km). After the Caucasian mountains, namely Mt. Ushba trekking, we will go back to Mazeri and have (4700 m). On our way we will see the dinner. Overnight stay in the house of our 07 Shdugra Waterfall, which is the biggest hosts. waterfall in Georgia. The highest point of

day Breakfast in the guesthouse, and then, walk around the town, as there are a couple you will have a day for yourselves, to have trekking trails that begin in Mazeri. In the some rest before climbing Mount Layla evening, dinner in the house of local hosts (4009 m) the next day. You can spend your in Mazeri. 08 day reading a book in the garden or take a

day Breakfast in the guesthouse. After the Our luggage will be mostly transported with breakfast, we will go to the village of the help of horses, and we will carry only Tskumari (1600 m), from where we will head small backpacks. Overnight stay in tents in to Mount Layla (4009 m). We can leave all the a basecamp near the Layla glacier (2900 m). things we will not need for climbing Mount During the Mount Layla climb, we need to 09 Layla in the guesthouse in Mazeri. The prepare our meals ourselves (we will need highest point we will reach that day is the camping stoves and gas). Chishdi pass (3228 m). The trek’s duration on that day: around 9-10 hours (around 22 km). day On this day, our goal is to stand on the where we can go to Mazeri. The ascent and Mount Layla peak (4009 m). Early morning descent should take around 14-16 hours. In (around 4-5 a.m.) we will begin our the evening, we will have a dinner and wine push. Depending on the weather conditions, with another hosts in Mazeri. we can conquer one of the three of Layla’s 10 peaks. The decision between them will be made by our team leader and the guides. After descending the mountain, we can take some rest in the basecamp. Next, we will go back to the village of Tskhumari, from

day Spare day in case of bad weather conditions 11 on Mount Layla.

day Breakfast and back to Tbilisi (around 8 to the hotels, where you can stay as long as hours). We will reach Tbilisi late afternoon/ you want. If you want to prolong your stay in evening. This will be the end of our trip. Georgia, we can help you with planning your Depending on the group’s plans, we can journey. 12 organize transportation to the airport or PRICE FOR THE TRIP PER PERSON: 1490,00 EURO

Method of payment:

ST 490 EURO ST 1000 EURO 01 paid to our bank account 02 paid to our bank account at least 14 installment upon signing up. installment days before the start of the trip.

For renting high mountain equipment/ gas, lyophilizates etc. you will pay with cash (euro, dollars, lari). XX supervision of a English-speaking XX renting horses to transport hour luggage leader and Georgian high mountain during the trek from Tskhumari to guides during the trip (one guide the basecamp at the foot of Layla; for every five participants!), which guarantees the highest level of XX 5 nights in a guesthouse in Mestia safety and maximizes chances and 4 nights in local hosts’ houses of conquering Mount Layla, in Mazeri – 2 or 3 people per room (usually with bathrooms, but it can XX help of guides responsible for horses happen that in Mazeri there will be during our trek from Tskhumari to one bathroom for 2, 3 rooms); the basecamp at the foot of Layla; XX 2 nights in tents in the basecamp at the XX comfortable off-road car foot of Layla –2 or 3 people per tent; transportation mentioned in the plan and everyday transfers to our XX all breakfasts and festive dinners starting points for trekking and mentioned in the plan (during the back to the guesthouses/houses; Mount Layla climb, it will be necessary to prepare your meals by yourselves, The price XX help in organizing the trip; online read more in the trip description!); consultation (email, Facebook) regarding includes physical preparation, buying proper XX a dinner with live music in a equipment, organizing flights to Georgia popular restaurant in Mestia; and anything else connected with the trip; XX a ticket to the cinema for movie “Dede”; XX access to a private Facebook group, where we can share thoughts, information, XX gifts from our company: advice, motivate each other etc; T-shirt, mug, magnet.

XX an online training course before the trip, which will help you to prepare better for yours adventures in the Caucasus; ADDITIONAL

OPTIONS renting necessary basic equipment for trekking in Svaneti and climbing Mount Layla (rental prices you can check: HERE),

gas for camping stoves: 12 EURO (450 g). Available dates for open groups in 2020:

27.07.2020 – 07.08.2020* * One day is a spare day. Read more in trip description. SIGNING UP, ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, CONTACT: Whatsapp/Viber +995 593583596 e-mail: [email protected] • facebook: Mountain Freaks - Mountain Travel & Adventure Agency