The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check for the latest advice before travel. For the most up to date information on entry requirements, please visit the UK Government website.

Visa Georgia

UK and USA passport holders do not require a visa for short stays.

If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

VACCINATIONS

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella, along with hepatitis A and typhoid. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro.

The unit of currency in Georgia is the Lari. 

Getting some additional exercise before coming on an active holiday makes a lot of sense. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience.

You should be aerobically fit and comfortable with 6 - 8 hours for consecutive days. Hill walking, with a good amount of ascent and descent, is the best training. Running, cycling and swimming are also good for developing cardiovascular fitness and stamina.

Daytime temperatures in the lower valleys will vary between 20ºC/68ºF and 25ºC/77F at the times of year we operate this holiday. The weather in summer is generally excellent - with hot days, clear skies and little rain. In the mountain villages at around 2000 metres elevation, the night time temperature will fall to 10ºC/50ºF. As with any mountain region, cooler conditions and stormy weather cannot be ruled out at any time of year. In Tbilisi temperatures are much hotter in the summer months and can reach well into the 30's.

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware’ campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that before travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe.  Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation.  We receive regular updates directly from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground.  If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

• Georgia: A Sovereign Country of the Caucasus - Roger Rosen

• Bread & Ashes - Tony Anderson

Georgia: Geoland 50K Trekking Maps 1:50,000. Sheets 2, 3 and 4

These maps have contours at 20m intervals, with additional relief shading and numerous spot heights, plus colouring and graphics to indicate different types of terrain. The road network distinguishes between local paved or unpaved roads, dirt tracks, forest roads and footpaths. Sheets 2 and 3 cover the main walking area, whilst sheet 4 covers Kazbegi. Note that it is possible to obtain good maps from the tourist information office in Tbilisi.

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation.  When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct.  Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

Please try to keep the weight of your baggage to a minimum. See the ‘baggage allowance’ section for further details.

You SHOULD bring the following items:

• Daypack 30 litres
  

• Sleeping bag (comfort rated 0°C)

• Sleeping bag liner

• Hiking boots

• Gaiters*

• Trainers for camp

• Sandals for river crossings **

• Walking socks (2 or 3 pairs)

• Spare laces

• Trekking trousers*

• Waterproof over-trousers

• Waterproof jacket

• Underwear

• Thermal baselayer  - leggings

• Thermal base layer shirts (2 short sleeve, 2 long sleeve)

• T-shirts / Long sleeved tops *

• Headtorch and spare batteries

• Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)

• Water bottles 1 Litre (x2) (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)

• Water purification tablets

• Sunglasses

• Thermal or fleece gloves

• A selection of dry bags (to keep the contents of your luggage dry)

• Antibacterial handwash

• Washbag and toiletries

• Trekking towel

• Sunhat

• Fleece hat

• Headscarf for ladies (for church visits)

• Fleece jacket or warm jumper

• Basic First Aid Kit including: Insect repellent (DEET); antiseptic cream; throat lozenges; diarrhoea treatment (Diocalm or Immodium); painkillers; plasters/band-aids and blister treatment; and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose sweets and vitamin tablets are a useful addition.

The following items are optional:

• Thermarest (a foam mat is provided)

• Shorts* (shorts are not allowed in many church visits)

• Travel clothes

• Trekking poles

• Camera

• Pen-knife (note: always pack sharp objects in hold baggage)

• Repair kit – (eg. needle, thread, duct tape)

• Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

Notes

*Note that on some days you will have to walk through areas of undergrowth and full-length trousers & long sleeved tops will be necessary. You may also wish to wear gaiters on these days. Your trip leader will advise when this is necessary.

** There are several river crossings encountered on the trek. The most suitable footwear is a pair of open sandals that can be securely fastened and remain comfortable to walk in when wet. Crocs and flip flops are not suitable footwear for river crossings.

Many of the equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive a 12.5% discount with Cotswold Outdoor, Snow+Rock and Runners Need. The discount code can be downloaded from your MyKE account and you can use this code at the checkout, either in store or online.