Mount Kazbek Ascent in Georgia

Your adventure begins at Tbilisi Airport, where your guide will meet you. From there, you will drive to the mountain village of Stepantsminda, set at the foot of Mount Kazbek. The scenic journey takes about three hours and winds through dramatic gorges and mountain roads.

After check-in, you will have a gear check, and any missing equipment can be arranged locally. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Georgian dinner followed by a briefing for the days ahead.

Today we begin our approach to Sabertse Pass. The trail passes the famous 14th-century Gergeti Trinity Church, one of Georgia’s most iconic landmarks, before continuing toward Altihut, a comfortable high-altitude refuge at 3,014 m. Main equipment will be transported by horses to make the ascent easier.

We leave Altihut and continue to Betlemi Hut, our base for the summit attempt. The route crosses the impressive Gergeti Glacier, offering dramatic scenery and a true high-mountain atmosphere. After a demanding day, we rest at the simple hut near the weather station.

This day is dedicated to acclimatisation. You can either hike to Kazbek Pass or follow the route toward Mount Ortsveri, both reaching around 4,000 m and helping your body adjust to the altitude.

The Ortsveri option is less frequented and offers especially peaceful views. After the hike, we return to the meteo station for rest and preparation.

Today is spent training on snow and ice. You will practise roped travel, self-arrest with an ice axe, and other essential techniques for summit day.

There is also time to visit the small modern chapel near Betlemi Hut, where it is traditional to ring the bell for good luck before climbing Kazbek.

This is the most challenging and rewarding day of the trip. The ascent to Mount Kazbek, at 5,054 m, takes around 7 to 10 hours, followed by a 5 to 7 hour descent back to Betlemi Hut.

Known in Georgian as Mkinvartsveri, meaning “ice-capped peak,” Kazbek offers unforgettable views from the summit.

This day is kept as a reserve in case bad weather affects the schedule.

We hike back down to Stepantsminda and transfer to Tbilisi, either to your hotel or directly to the airport depending on your travel plans. It is also a great idea to add time in Tbilisi before or after the climb to celebrate your Kazbek success.