5 days
duration
hard
difficulty
24 km
hiking distance
↑↓1761 m
elevation gain / loss
Itinerary
Day 1:
Departure and rest
Tbilisi → Zeda Khaishi
We meet in Tbilisi and hit the road toward Svaneti. To avoid starting a tough trek exhausted from the long drive, we'll stop at Zeda Khaishi. We'll check into a cozy guesthouse, grab dinner, recharge, and get a solid night's sleep in real beds.
Day 2:
Off-road, forest, and lake
Zeda Khaishi → forest → Big Okrotskali
Distance / elevation gain / loss: ~8.8 km / ↑938 m / ↓160 m
Early start at 06:00. We drive a couple of kilometers to the village of Lukhi, where we hop into a massive GAZ-66 military truck. Ahead of us: 20 km of serious off-roading.
The truck drops us off at an old yellow Soviet trailer (the local version of the bus from "Into the Wild"). This is where the hiking begins.
First, we head through the forest. The main challenge here is the mud. We'll be trekking through wet ground for about two hours until we break out into a massive valley.
In the valley, we'll hit a 500-meter stretch where the grass grows over 1.5 meters high. There's also an abandoned shepherd's hut here—a good spot to duck out of the sun. Fair warning: this section is swarming with bugs (mosquitoes, horseflies, flies). There are so many that even repellents sometimes fail, so we push through this part as fast as possible.
We reach the Ormaleti River. No bridges here. In early summer, the river is high (guides set up a 20m rope crossing), but by late summer, the water level drops.
After the river, the bugs and tall grass are behind us, but a steep climb begins (about 400 meters up). Budget about 3 hours of hard work for this ascent.
We arrive at the stunning Didi Okrotskali (Big Okrotskali) lake. We'll set up camp on the shore and have dinner.
The truck drops us off at an old yellow Soviet trailer (the local version of the bus from "Into the Wild"). This is where the hiking begins.
First, we head through the forest. The main challenge here is the mud. We'll be trekking through wet ground for about two hours until we break out into a massive valley.
In the valley, we'll hit a 500-meter stretch where the grass grows over 1.5 meters high. There's also an abandoned shepherd's hut here—a good spot to duck out of the sun. Fair warning: this section is swarming with bugs (mosquitoes, horseflies, flies). There are so many that even repellents sometimes fail, so we push through this part as fast as possible.
We reach the Ormaleti River. No bridges here. In early summer, the river is high (guides set up a 20m rope crossing), but by late summer, the water level drops.
After the river, the bugs and tall grass are behind us, but a steep climb begins (about 400 meters up). Budget about 3 hours of hard work for this ascent.
We arrive at the stunning Didi Okrotskali (Big Okrotskali) lake. We'll set up camp on the shore and have dinner.
Day 3:
from big okrotskali to small
Didi Okrotskali → Patara Okrotskali → Didi Okrotskali
Distance / elevation gain / loss: ~6 km / ↑↓823 m
Option 1 (Relax): Stay at the camp by the Big Lake. Wander around, take photos, chill out, drink tea with a view of the turquoise water, and recharge.
Option 2: A light day hike to Patara Okrotskali (Little Okrotskali). It's only 2.5 km one way, but the route is extremely tough. We'll tackle a 450-meter vertical climb over very difficult terrain. But the views waiting at the Little Lake are truly mind-blowing.
Note: The lake is near the border with Abkhazia, but thanks to its remote location, it's safe here.
In the evening, the whole group gathers back at the camp by Big Okrotskali. Dinner and overnight stay.
Option 2: A light day hike to Patara Okrotskali (Little Okrotskali). It's only 2.5 km one way, but the route is extremely tough. We'll tackle a 450-meter vertical climb over very difficult terrain. But the views waiting at the Little Lake are truly mind-blowing.
Note: The lake is near the border with Abkhazia, but thanks to its remote location, it's safe here.
In the evening, the whole group gathers back at the camp by Big Okrotskali. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4:
descent to Zeda Khaishi
Big Okrotskali → forest → Zeda Khaishi
Distance / elevation gain / loss: ~8.8 km / ↑163 m / ↓941 m
Today we head back along the path we already know.
The toughest and most technical part of the day is the first 2 kilometers of steep descent from the lake to the Ormaleti River (trekking poles and healthy knees will definitely come in handy here).
We cross the river, valley, and forest in reverse order.
Our trusty GAZ-66 is already waiting for us by the yellow wagon.
Heading back to the same guesthouse in Zeda Khaishi. Hot showers, soft beds, a delicious dinner, and sharing stories from the trail.
The toughest and most technical part of the day is the first 2 kilometers of steep descent from the lake to the Ormaleti River (trekking poles and healthy knees will definitely come in handy here).
We cross the river, valley, and forest in reverse order.
Our trusty GAZ-66 is already waiting for us by the yellow wagon.
Heading back to the same guesthouse in Zeda Khaishi. Hot showers, soft beds, a delicious dinner, and sharing stories from the trail.
Day 5:
Return to Tbilisi
Zeda Khaishi → Tbilisi
Wake up, grab breakfast at the guesthouse, and hit the road to Tbilisi.
Price and payment
1500 GEL
until July 1
1650 GEL
from July 2
To book your spot, a deposit is required 50%
The remaining balance must be paid no later than 10 days before the start
If we cancel or reschedule, your deposit is fully refunded. More details on cancellations, transfers, and refunds here
Pay in USD or EUR to a Georgian card TBC
Pay in RUB to a Raif card at the Zolotaya Korona rate
let’s stay in touch!
Follow us on social media
Ready for an adventure?
Sign up – and we'll take you on a hike you'll be telling your friends about!