Georgia: Kazbegi & The Caucasus
“The Greater Caucasus. Ancient towers, glacial passes, and a church at the edge of Russia.”
Oct 1–8, 2027 · Stepantsminda, Greater Caucasus
About this trip
Stepantsminda sits at 1,740m in the Greater Caucasus, five kilometres from the Russian border. Above the village, Gergeti Trinity Church — a 14th-century Georgian Orthodox church — perches on an isolated spur at 2,170m, with Mount Kazbek's 5,047m glacier rising directly behind it. One of the most dramatic viewpoints in Europe, earned on foot.
Eight days, seven nights, based in Stepantsminda. Each day a different route: the Truso Valley's fizzing mineral springs and ruined medieval fortress, the Juta amphitheatre, and the defining moment — one night wild camping at the base of the Chaukhi Massif. Georgia's Dolomites. Granite towers at 2,450m, no other commercial operator runs this as an overnight. Fire Pot camp dinner under the stars, Kazbek visible on the horizon.
Georgia is not yet on the mass-market radar. Tbilisi is extraordinary — wine, ancient history, some of the best food in Eastern Europe. The Caucasus mountains are staggering and barely visited by Western trekkers. Flights from London are cheap and often direct. The in-country cost of living is low, which is why Jove can offer a full week — all meals, accommodation, private transfers, licensed local guide — at a fraction of what comparable Alpine weeks cost.
Highlights
- Eight days in the Greater Caucasus — one of Europe's last genuinely wild mountain ranges
- Wild camp at the Chaukhi Massif (2,450m) — Georgia's Dolomites. No other operator runs this overnight
- Gergeti Trinity Church at dawn — one of the world's most spectacular viewpoints, earned on foot
- Truso Valley: fizzing mineral springs, medieval fortress, 5km from the Russian border
- Full board throughout — Georgian guesthouse cooking, welcome and farewell dinners in Tbilisi
- Private minibus, licensed local mountain guide, maximum 12 people
- Flights London to Tbilisi — typically under £300 return
- Jove kit gift — merino base layer included for all Georgia expedition participants
Itinerary
Fly into Tbilisi International (TBS). Direct flights from London take around 4 hours; connections via Istanbul are also good value. Transfer to hotel in the old city. Group dinner together: Georgian wine, khinkali, khachapuri. Briefing over dinner. Early night.
What's included
- 7 nights accommodation — hotel Tbilisi old city (nights 1 & 7), full-board mountain guesthouse Stepantsminda (nights 2–6)
- All meals throughout — guesthouse full board, welcome dinner Tbilisi (Day 1), farewell restaurant dinner Tbilisi (Day 7)
- Fire Pot freeze-dried camp dinner and breakfast for the Chaukhi wild camp night (Days 5–6)
- Private minibus transfers throughout — airport, Military Highway, all day-hike access points
- Licensed local mountain guide for all hiking days
- National park entry permits
- Jove kit gift — merino base layer (Icebreaker or equivalent)
Not included
- Return flights London–Tbilisi (typically £200–350 — full flight guidance in your pre-trip briefing pack)
- Tent and sleeping bag for the Chaukhi camp night — rated -5°C minimum. Jove provides kit discount codes in the pre-trip brief
- Personal travel insurance (required — must cover mountain rescue and medical evacuation)
- Drinks beyond wine at guesthouse dinners
Good to know
- £1,450 per person — all in-country costs included, flights separate. £300 deposit to hold your place, balance due 8 weeks before departure.
- Maximum 12 people. Small by design.
- This trip is planned for autumn 2027, subject to our recce visit. Register your interest now — you'll be among the first to hear when booking opens and dates are confirmed.
Physical requirements
This trip suits fit, experienced walkers comfortable with consecutive days of mountain terrain. You should manage 15–20km with 800m+ ascent on back-to-back days without significant difficulty. The Chaukhi camp night adds altitude (2,450m) and a loaded pack — sharing a two-person tent halves the weight. No technical climbing required. Previous multi-day mountain experience essential.
Meeting point
Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) on Day 1. Jove coordinates the group transfer to the hotel. Full flight guidance — including best routes and timing — in the pre-trip briefing pack.
A note from Freddie
“I first read about Stepantsminda in a book about the Caucasus and sat on it for two years. The photos of Gergeti Church with Kazbek behind it look unreal — like someone's composited them. Then I looked at the flights and realised London to Tbilisi is four hours and costs less than a train to Edinburgh. Georgia is one of the most dramatic mountain environments in Europe and almost nobody in the UK goes there. That's exactly where Jove should be. — Freddie, Founder of Jove Club”
Price per person
£1,450
Reserve with £300 deposit (non-refundable) · balance due 60 days before
Dates
Oct 1–8, 2027
Duration
7 days
Difficulty
Advanced
Location
CAUCASUS · GEORGIA
Availability
12 places left
£1,450
£300 deposit to reserve
Google Reviews
What they said
when they got home.
“I had the best time on the Jove weekend trip to the Peaks. Got there and they helped set up my new tent — very friendly from the off. Zero judgement across the weekend for anything. It was about learning the skills needed to thrive outdoors, without any of the judgement you get with some providers. It gave me my confidence back outdoors, and I've booked onto my next trip already.”
Leah Brunskill
2 weeks ago
“Jove are fantastic. I've been going to their weekly strength sessions at Battersea park for a couple of months now and I've felt my confidence and strength for mountaineering and trail running come on in leaps and bounds. Their trips are incredibly good fun and genuinely valuable. Can't recommend highly enough — wish I'd joined sooner!”
Alex White
3 weeks ago
“Enjoyed a wonderful weekend of hiking, camping, trail running, navigation & fitness sessions (and some cracking pubs, pie & pizzas!) in the Peak District with a group of wonderful people. We all had different levels of previous outdoor experience & all were catered for. Thanks to Freddie & the Jove club team for leading us safely & challenging us.”
Claire
3 weeks ago
“I joined a Jove Weekender Trip to the Peak District for the weekend and had an amazing time! Freddie & the team were very welcoming and knowledgeable and it really gave me confidence to try and do more hiking in the future! I'll definitely be joining for some of the London sessions and hopefully a future trip. Would thoroughly recommend!!”
Bryony Kirby
3 weeks ago
“Joined Jove Club for an amazing trip to the Cairngorms to learn winter mountaineering skills! Small group of adventurous people, everyone was super supportive and keen to learn. Perfect weekend spent outdoors!”
Lizzie
2 months ago
“Huge shout out to Freddie for sorting out the winter skills training in the Cairngorms. We had an extremely knowledgeable instructor who took us through everything we needed to know about Scottish winter! I had a great weekend away and the group really topped it off as a stand out trip. Would also highly recommend the weekly social bouldering sessions in London.”
Tom Roberts
2 months ago
“I could not recommend Jove Club enough for anyone who wants to get outside, explore the country and test their physical and mental limits. I've done things in the past year I would never have done myself, with an amazing group of driven, friendly and kind people — and it's been an absolute blast.”
Richard Scothern
4 months ago
“I had such a great time on the Peak District climbing trip! Having joined for their London bouldering sessions for a couple of months, it was great to put my new skills to use outside. We had an amazing instructor who made me feel so at ease. The group was great fun — everybody was so positive and supportive of each other. Can't wait to join more trips next year!”
Emily Elizabeth
4 months ago
“I did the Welsh 3000s challenge with Jove Club in July and it was unreal. Freddie is a fantastic leader — he makes everyone feel comfortable and welcome. Looking forward to my next Jove Club adventure!”
Emily
8 months ago
“Before Jove, I never really thought of myself as a runner. But within weeks of joining, I was running 5Ks, then 10Ks. My first proper test was our Brecon trek — two days, 35km, 1,300m of elevation. It was brutal, but it was also the moment I realised how much the people around you shape the experience. Jove isn't just about getting fitter — it's about pushing your limits in a way that actually feels fun.”
Vevek Shah
8 months ago
“I love Jove Club. On paper, I had everything I needed to be happy, but it wasn't until I joined Jove that I realised something was missing — adventure! It's so easy in London to get stuck in a rut. Jove gets me out of the house with like-minded people and gives me things I didn't even realise I was missing. Join, you won't regret it.”
Christopher Sykes-Popham
1 year ago
“I went on the Peak District Climbing adventure not knowing any of the group but felt immediately welcomed by everyone. The group was very supportive given my lack of any prior climbing experience and definitely pushed my limits. The trip itself was extremely well organised — everything was covered from food and instructors to what gear to bring. Immediately came home and booked myself on another adventure!”
Olly
1 year ago
“I had an absolutely incredible experience on a walking adventure weekend with Jove Club! From start to finish, everything was brilliantly organised. Freddie's enthusiasm and leadership created such a positive, welcoming atmosphere — making the weekend about more than just the hike. If you're looking for a well-organised, exciting outdoor experience with great company, I can't recommend Jove Club enough.”
Henry Lort-Jones
1 year ago
“Can't express enough how glad I am that Freddie has created Jove Club! The recent Brecon trip was epic — a tough challenge that we all pushed through. In only a couple of months I've made significant strides towards my fitness goals. The regular adventure challenges add purpose to the training in London and the people in the club are top quality.”
Harry Webb
1 year ago
“The Peak District climbing weekend was meticulously planned by Freddie and Jove Club. I felt a massive sense of achievement on the Sunday afternoon walking off the crag. If you are considering a weekend away with like minded people to push yourself beyond your comfort zone then I wouldn't hesitate recommending Jove Club.”
Connor Herrington
1 year ago
“The mix of classes — in particular the run and fitness sessions outdoors — is absolutely amazing and unlike anything else I've found in London. The sessions are inclusive of mixed ability but with enough challenge for everyone. Really look forward to putting my fitness to the test during one of the trail runs and adventure trips!”
Francesca Richards
1 year ago
“Joining Jove is the best thing I've done for my fitness and health this year. Anyone looking to get fit, get outdoors and meet great people — this is where it's at. In just a few months I've met some great people, built confidence, and lost 3kg whilst getting stronger and running faster.”
Joseph McEachron
1 year ago
“Jove is the missing piece of London life. Such a welcoming and friendly club with a fantastic range of activities. Everything geared towards adventure trips is such a great way to train and get fit with a proper functional goal. The Peak District climbing weekend was fantastically well organised — can't wait to do another.”
Tom Frew
1 year ago
“I've had a great time with Jove — it's got a great mix of challenging and fun activities. The Peak District climbing trip was super well organised, great instruction provided, and a great way to get out of London for a weekend and learn some new skills.”
Vito Tomasi
1 year ago
“The Jove Club climbing weekend in the Peak District was a fantastic experience, filled with great routes and even better company. Everyone from beginners to seasoned climbers felt included and challenged. A brilliantly run weekend that captured the spirit of adventure.”
John Cain
1 year ago
“Great sessions which are well planned and adaptable to fitness levels. Welcoming atmosphere at meets and easy to use site for booking.”
Calvin Freese
1 year ago
“I have attended fitness and climb sessions and would really recommend Jove. Accessible and tailored to your fitness but with plenty of challenge and very social!”
sioned press
1 year ago
“Attended a session last week — great and welcoming atmosphere, the PT was very knowledgeable and provided alternative exercises. Will be back!”
Elin Wilde
1 year ago
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