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Staying in a Karavi

28May

A Karavi is the traditional Georgian name for a small wooden mountain hut found at higher altitudes. These huts have long served as seasonal shelters for shepherds during the summer months, when the high pastures of the Caucasus are used for grazing livestock. Around mid-September, as summer fades, the cattle are led back down into the valley.

Today, Karavis offer a unique and authentic mountain experience for hikers and nature lovers. Perfectly positioned within a day’s trek from surrounding peaks, they provide an ideal base for alpine adventures. Set amidst dramatic landscapes, each Karavi boasts unforgettable views of the majestic Caucasus mountains, with summits soaring over 5,000 meters.

Each hut is simply but functionally equipped with a wood-burning stove, eight beds, a kerosene lamp, and basic essentials for an overnight stay. Karavis are typically accessible and livable from at least May to November, though exact availability may vary depending on weather and avalanche risks, which are monitored in coordination with the local community.

THE REGION

01Jun

Until recently, Svaneti was largely isolated from the outside world due to its surrounding steep, high mountains and the lack of proper roads connecting it to the rest of Georgia. Because of this, visiting the region feels like stepping back in time.

The valley is home to about 23,000 people, most of whom live in small villages nestled along fertile mountain slopes. Not too long ago, the Georgian government restarted maintaining a road that leads through the rugged mountains, again properly connecting the region to the rest of the country. Before this, reaching Svaneti by car was nearly impossible.

Due to its former inaccessibility, there was little to no import or export in the region. As a result, local life remains very different from the fast-paced rhythm of the Western world. Most residents are engaged in small-scale farming as their main livelihood.

Today, with new infrastructure and growing awareness, the community is embracing the potential of tourism. Svaneti is now ready to welcome visitors from all around the globe.

THE CULTURE OF GEORGIA

23Jan

The Georgian people are known as the epicureans of the Caucasus. It is very common to invite people home to eat and drink. They are very people-oriented, it is a culture in which relationships are considered as more important than material things.
The country is known as a very hospitable, sometimes when crossing a border, you get a bottle of wine as a welcome gift from the Georgian customs. Georgian adhere little to the time events, they give preference to spontaneously visit. 84% of the Georgian is Christian, in the region where the company is located is virtually anyone practicing Christian.

MOUNT LAILA

23Jan

Mount Laila is 4010 meters high and it is not very steep. For this reason, it is the perfect mountain for unexperienced alpinists, and also for the more experienced alpinists who want to train for expeditions to the higher summits around Laila.

In the backyard of the village where our company is estabilished, Mount Laila is located. It is not the most difficult mountain if you compare it to its altitude. If you do not have many experince in alpinism but you often dream of climbing mountains, Mount Laila is recommended. To reach its summit, little experience with ice climbing is needed, and also the right experience. If you do not have this experience, we reccomend to get yourself our experienced, professional mountain guide who lives in the village. When you stand on the summit of Mount laila on a clear day, you can see the whole Svaneti valley and many of the highest summits of the Caucasus, wich are Elbrus (5642 m.) Ushba, (4710 m.)Donguzorun, (4458 m.) Tetnuldi, (4858 m.) and Shkhara, (5193 m.)