A challenging route to EBC across Gokyo Ri, Chola Pass and Kala Patthar 

A legendary and thrilling trek that takes you close to the 3rd highest mountain in the world!

Trek difficulty

Trek Duration

Highest Altitude

SUITABLE FOR

The world knows of the Everest Base Camp trail. To go to the base camp of the highest mountain in the world is on every mountain lover’s bucket list. However, we believe, to truly do justice to trekking in the Everest region, Everest Base camp- Gokyo Ri circuit is the trek to do! This trail offers you the best of both worlds: the well-trodden Everest region and the lesser-visited Gokyo region. By adding three more days to the itinerary, the trail becomes infinitely more rewarding. 

First, the views from the Gokyo Ri summit are much grander than the ones you will see from on top of Kala Patthar in the Everest region.  From Kala Patthar, you would see three of the 14 eight-thousanders in the world – the Everest, Makalu and Lhotse. On the Gokyo Ri summit, you not only see these mountains but also see another eight-thousander, Cho Oyu.  Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain in the world, is an additional treat you get on the Gokyo trail.

Then, when you look down from the Gokyo Ri summit, you see the Ngozumpa glacier – the longest glacier in the Himalayas.   Behind you, you see three blue-green lakes that seem to dwarf everything around them. These are the Gokyo lakes. There are five of them – each grander than the other that you get to visit.  All of this, coupled with the seclusion the Gokyo region offers, makes it a stupendous addition to the Everest Base Camp trail.

That being said, Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri is a difficult trek. You climb to over 17,000 ft at least thrice on this trek (Gokyo Ri, Chola Pass and Kala Patthar). Going to that altitude three times is not easy at all. Then there is the Ngozumpa glacier and Chola Pass, both of these places with terrain that are tricky to traverse.  You must come well-prepared for this trek.

This fee includes everything from base camp to base camp.

Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri - Complete Trek Information 

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Everest Base Camp via the Gokyo Ri trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

Read More on the Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo Ri

Watch these videos to plan and prepare for your trek.

➤ Buffer days: It is recommended to keep a buffer of at least 3 days. Weather can be extremely unpredictable in Nepal. Airports close down at the slightest weather disturbance. This might cause major delays at the start of your trek. 

➤ Documents required:  It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a copy of their ID Card for entry at forest check posts on the trek.

➤ Stay facility: At Lukla, your stay will be arranged in lodges. On the trek, you will be staying at tea houses

➤ Cloakroom facility for excess luggage: We have a cloakroom facility at Lukla. No valuables can be kept. Also, do not carry any excess luggage on the trek.

➤ Insurance: Insurance is not included in the trek fee. If you want to avail insurance for this trek, you can write an email to your Experience Coordinator and apply for insurance. 

➤ Food and Water on Trek: Any food you have during your trek or during the travel is at your own expense. This is not included in the trek fee. You will have access to drinking water at the tea houses where you stay. However, if you are buying drinking water, then the charges are extra. This is not included in your trek fee.

Note: A filtered water bottle is highly recommended when going on this trek.

If you're planning to reach Lukla, take a flight from Kathmandu on Day 0 of your trek. Flights are your only option even though they are unreliable. They can get cancelled if there's bad weather. Planning your flight on Day 0 will give you a day's advantage in case your flight is cancelled.

Example: If your trek date is starting on 1st April, you need to plan on reaching Lukla on 31st March.

Flights from Kathmandu to Lukla have reduced a lot due to traffic. If trekkers cannot get a flight from Kathmandu, they can travel from Ramechap to Lukla. Trekkers can take 6:30 am flight to Lukla.

Ramechap is 4 hours from Kathmandu. They can start from Kathmandu around 2 am and reach Ramechap (It costs 2500 Nepali Rupees).

Note: You are only allowed to carry 15 kg luggage on the flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and return.

Since food is not included in the trek fee, bring INR 35,000 for food only. It costs approx INR 1600-1700 per day. Overall, you can bring INR 45,000-50,000 for the entire journey/trek.

While returning, you will reach Kathmandu by taking an early morning flight from Lukla. Plan your travel any time after 2.00 PM from Kathmandu

A small hack for hot water is to bring at least one Metal Water bottle. Tea houses always have fireplaces. 
If you have a metal water bottle, you can just keep the bottle next to the fireplace and get hot water without paying any money. Hot water otherwise costs INR 200 a liter.

Sandhya is a founding partner at Indiahikes. Over the past ten years, she has explored and put on the map a few of the greatest Himalayan treks in India, including Kashmir Great Lakes and Kedarkantha. She is a TedX Speaker and has been awarded the "Women of Worth" Award by Outlook Business in 2017. She believes in sustainable living just as she believes in sustainable trekking.

What I Like About the Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri Trek

Safety on the Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri Trek

Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri trek is a difficult trek on a difficulty level ranging from easy to difficult.

You start from Lukla which is at an altitude of 9,300 ft and reach an altitude of 18,200 ft in a matter of 13 days.

For the most part, it is a moderate hike through the valleys of Nepal.

However, the terrain becomes difficult as you get closer to Everest Base Camp. The days, in general, involve long walks of about 9 hours.

This makes the trek a difficult one. It is a good trek for experienced trekkers.

You will need at least 8 weeks of solid preparation for this trek. You can begin preparation by going for brisk walks and then doing brisk jogs to improve your cardio. Your target should be to cover 10 km in under 60 minutes comfortably by the start of the trek.

At Indiahikes, while rating a trek difficulty we consider a number of factors. These include altitude gained every day, length of trek everyday, highest altitude, nature of the terrain, weather etc. Based on this we rate a trek as easy or difficult or somewhere in between.

There are two distinct seasons for the Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri trek – April (Spring) and October (Autumn) and the weather is very different in these seasons.

Say, in Spring, although you will find patches of hard snow at higher altitudes, the temperature during the day will be slightly warmer than that in Autumn when there won’t be any snow on the trek.

Even the air is different. While Spring is moist, Autumn is dry and crisp.

It’s that time of the year when winter has totally left the slopes. But, you will still find snow patches on the ground above 12,000 feet.

In Spring, expect pleasant daytime temperatures around 18 °C. But at night it dips to almost zero levels.

During the day if the sun goes behind the clouds and there is about of rain, then the temperature can fall to around 12 °C.

Presence of snow: You may find snow patches on the trail.

Day time: Between 18 °C and 24 °C | Night time: Will drop to temperatures between 5 °C and 0 °C. 

Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri in Spring (April)

No. of warm layers required: 4 warm layers

Autumn is slightly like winter. Colder than Summer, although you won’t find patches of snow.

Nights in Autumn get chilly. In October the temperature dips to -5 ° C.

During the day, you will experience temperatures around 12 ° C. But any rain or slight drizzle brings down the temperature by a few degrees. So keep a jacket handy with you always.

Presence of snow: You will not find snow at this time of the year.

Day time: Between 12 °C and 15 °C | Night time: Will drop to temperatures between -5 °C and -10 °C. 

Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri in Autumn (October)

No. of warm layers required: 5 warm layers

Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times. Do not take any medicine unless you have consulted your trek leader. 

Diamox (1 Strip): Be on a course of a half tablet of Diamox starting from Delhi every 12 hours (125 mg). Carry on the medication until you descend to Tapoban. Being on a preventive course of Diamox greatly reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the Pangarchulla Peak trek.

Dexamethasone (1 Strip): This is part of the Live Saving Drugs kit. Do not take this on your own. Your trek leader will inform you in case the need arises. 

Nifedipine (5 tablets): Again part of the Live Saving Drugs kit. Do not take this on your own. Your trek leader will inform you in case the need arises.    

Dolo 650 (5 tablets): This is a paracetamol. It helps to tackle fever, mild pain

Avomine (4 tablets): Carry this especially if you are prone to motion sickness. Pop one-half hour before the start of your road journey.

Combiflam (5 tablets): Take a combiflam if you get a sudden twist of the leg or a muscle strain. It is a pain reliever. It also contains paracetamol. 

Digene (4 tablets): Take it if you feel the food that you’ve taken is undigested. Alert your trek leader immediately. It could be a sign of AMS. 

ORS (6 packs): Consume a pack of ORS water at least once a day, usually the mid-day when you are in the middle of your trek. It replenishes essential salts lost while trekking.  Tip: It also makes cold water easier to drink.

Knee Brace (optional): Carry this if you are prone to knee injury or have known issues of knee pain.

Our trek leaders carry a high altitude medical kit with them which also consist of Life Saving Drugs. If there is an emergency our trek leaders know how to tackle it. Meanwhile, contact your trek leader before consuming any of these medicines listed here.

Pro Tip: We find that these medicines by trekkers are rarely used. But you cannot do away with them. At the end of the trek please donate unused medicines to your trek leader. Some of these medicines get distributed to villages on the trek and some are added to the Indiahikes medical kit.

These are documents required for legal purposes by Indiahikes and the forest department. Without any of these, you will not be allowed to trek.

Original and photocopy of identity card. In Nepal, only passports or Voters' ID is accepted as valid ID proof.  

Disclaimer certificate: There are two sections in this. The first part is a personal medical record.  The second part is a legal requirement. Download the PDF, read carefully, fill in and sign it. This must be handed over to your Trek Leader during registration at the base camp. – Download disclaimer certificate

Medical certificate: The medical certificate needs to be filled out by an MBBS doctor, without which the forest department will not issue permissions for your trek. It is also a requirement by Indiahikes – Download medical certificate

Note: Indiahikes has a panel of doctors who can help you with a medical certificate. They are available for online consultation. To get in touch with them, please write to trekmedicalcertificates@gmail.com. They will respond to you within 24 hours.

Keep important documents in a clear plastic cover and slide them into the inner pocket at the back of your backpack. This keeps them from getting wet.  

Here is a list of everything you need for your trek.

Warm layers 
- 3 layers if you're trekking in spring, summer and monsoon (1 woollen sweater, 1 fleece, 1 padded jacket)
- 4 layers if you're trekking in autumn (1 woollen sweater, 2 fleece, 1 padded jacket)
- 5 layers if you're trekking in winter (1 pair of thermals, 1 woollen sweater, 2 fleece, 1 padded jacket)

3 Collared T-shirts (Wear one, carry two)

2 quick-dry trek pants (Wear one, carry one)

Woollen socks (2 pairs of Dry fit + 1 pair of Woollen)

Toilet paper (Wet wipes are strictly not allowed on our treks)

Reusable plastic covers (for used clothes)

Once you run through this list, don't miss this ultimate guide on what gear to take on a trek. It contains tips on what gear to choose, where to get it from and how much to spend on it.

Our only tip: Keep your backpack light. Indiahikes practices low impact sustainable trekking in every aspect of the trek. Carrying your own personal backpack reduces your impact on the mountains by 20%. We expect all our trekkers to carry their own backpacks unless they have a justifiable reason not to.

Frequently Asked Questions About Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri

Please read carefully the following criteria before registering for the trek.

We go to great lengths to keep you safe on your trek. However, trekking with the safest organisation in India comes with certain commitments from your end.

Eligibility Criteria for Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri

We are organising a small group on October 17th, where only 6 trekkers will be accommodated. Our guides from Nepal will lead this group. 

Introducing "Small Groups" at lower costs:

Complete information on the Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri trek. Trek details, experiences, maps, photos, videos, when to go, what to take, how difficult is the trek etc.

Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri 2024 - A More Rewarding Trail to the Base Camp of the Highest Mountain in the World

Evrest Avrest Evrast EBC Gakyo Gokya everest base camp everest mt everest base camp 

TREK DIFFICULTY

TREK DURATION

HIGHEST ALTITUDE

Kilimanjaro needs no introduction. It gives you the unique experience of standing on top of the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

At Indiahikes we are taking the Machame route to the top. This route has the right mix of adventure and dramatic changes in scenery.

It is hard to comprehend the changes in scenery that happen over 6 days. You are looking at the free-standing mountain standing out of the plains on Day 1. You trek through cultivated fields, rain forests, moorlands, and suddenly alpine deserts full of rock and scree. Beyond that, there are arctic snowfields and glaciers. It is too dramatic, frankly. 

On this trek, you have a strong local Tanzanian flavour added to your Indiahikes Experience as well. Our local partners are residents of the villages that surround the mountain. They are going to fill you with stories, culture, and food of the region. 

“This trek must be done not only to experience the Kilimanjaro trek but also to experience the wilderness and culture of Africa. Even before and after the trek, you get to witness one of the most unique wildlife landscapes in the world,” says Arjun Majumdar, founder, and CEO of Indiahikes. “You must spend time in the Serengeti National Park or the wonder of Ngorongoro crater. If time permits, visit some of the old towns. The beaches of Tanzania have crystal clear waters as well!” adds Arjun.

The best part is that it is one of the seven summits that does not require technical expertise or any mountaineering knowledge. On the other hand, we admit it's challenging. You climb to 19,341 ft and trek 60 km in 6 days. Being supremely fit is a basic criterion to do this trek.

This fee includes everything from Hotel Leopard till you leave the hotel after your trek.

There are no optional additions for Mount Kilimanjaro Trek. Your trek fee includes everything from the time you reach the accommodation at Moshi and leave from there. For a detailed list of inclusions and exclusions, click on "See Inclusions and Exclusions" above.

Listen to what trekkers have to share about Kilimanjaro Trek

Mount Kilimanjaro - Complete Trek Information

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a high altitude trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Kilimanjaro trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

A elevation chart of the Kilimanjaro trek

➤ Mandatory Documents required: It is mandatory for trekkers to carry original documents (Passport, Visa, Covid Vaccination Certificate) for entry inside the Kilimanjaro National Park. Keep a watch on the Visa site for any changes in the law on things to be carried inside the state. Along with this, you need to carry the medical certificate and disclaimer form for the trek. 

➤Stay facility: In Moshi, your stay will be arranged in a hotel. On the trek, you will be staying 2 in a tent

➤Cloakroom facility for excess luggage: You may leave behind the luggage that you won't need on the trek at your hotel, near the reception. There will not be any specific cloakroom facility with lockers.

You are going on an International trek, where there are several unpredictable factors. It's best to book flexible flight tickets, which you can reschedule if required. These are available for a small added cost with most travel companies.

If the flight cost to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Tanzania is on the higher side, you can think of an alternative journey to take. Fly to Nairobi and then take a bus to Moshi. 

After a lot of research, we have concluded that flying to Nairobi from Ahmedabad or Mumbai will cut your travel costs by half. From Nairobi, you need to take a 7-hour bus to Moshi. 

This option can be cheaper as compared to flying directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) from any of the metro cities in India. 

However, you'll need to have a Visa for Kenya as well as Tanzania in this case. So calculate the cost including this and then decide. 

Getting a visa for Tanzania is very simple. You can either apply it online or choose to get it on arrival (On-Arrival visa option only for Indians)

1. You can apply for the E-Visa Immigration Online portal. Once filled out, it takes about 7–10 days to get approval.

2. If you are Indian, Tanzanian immigration officials will allow you to get your Tanzanian visa on arrival (VOA). 

Suhas is the head of the DIY and Documentation Team. He has been working at Indiahikes for the past 8 years. Nature, adventure, and wildlife are the top things that get his heart racing. He has done more than 14 Himalayan treks. Along with that, he has done explorations in the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, and around Bengaluru. And it was he who explored the grand Phulara Ridge trek. Suhas was also involved in the exploration of other treks like Ranthank Kharak, Pir Panjal Lakes, Vellore Amirthi Forest Trek and the Goa Netravali Forest Trek. 

He was also the trek leader for the Kilimanjaro Trek in 2022.

At Indiahikes, while rating a trek difficulty we consider a number of factors. These include altitude gained every day, length of a trek every day, highest altitude, nature of the terrain, weather, etc. Based on this we rate a trek as easy or difficult or somewhere in between.

Here, we rate Mount Kilimanjaro as a ‘difficult’ trek. It is a very high altitude trek that takes you beyond 19,000 ft. The trek climbs rapidly and your safety depends a lot on the preparation you put in for the trek. 

The trek is long and strenuous. Having prior experience trekking in the high altitudes helps in accustoming you to hardship. Having know-how about Acute Mountain Sickness, HAPE and HACE greatly help in dealing with altitude issues you may face on the trek.

Due to Mount Kilimanjaro's proximity to the equator, this region does not experience the extremes of winter and summer weather, but rather dry and wet seasons. Therefore, the best time to climb Kilimanjaro tends to be the warmest and driest months.

The primary issue is safety, as the risks associated with climbing increase significantly when the weather is foul. The effects of rain, mud, snow, ice, and cold can be very strenuous on the body. Correspondingly, your chances of a successful summit also increase significantly with nice weather.

On Mount Kilimanjaro, the most favourable months to trek would be July, August, September, and October. Some trekkers prefer to do the trek in  January and February as these are the warmest months of the year.

The period from end of March to June is the rainy period where clouds tend to pile up and over the summit, dropping snow on top and rain at the base. Visibility can be limited by the cold cover end when no rain falls. The cold and dry season starts from June to the end of July. 

July and August are the coldest months in Kilimanjaro. Barring the cold, these months are ideal to do the trek as the chances of rainfall/snowfall are less, and there is no cloud cover. September is also a month that tends to be cool and has clear days. 

This means you will get crystal clear views of the mountain and its surroundings, while having a favourable terrain to trek, without the mud and slush during rains. Usually, a dripping cloud belt girdles the mountain above the forest and moorland. 

These months are also the busiest when lots of trekkers flock to Mount Kilimanjaro. The summit can be totally clear and the successful trekker looks down on a vast sea of clouds with distant mountain peas poking through like islands. 

The minimum temperature is -20 °C at the summit, and the maximum temperature is 21 °C at the start of the trek in these months.

Mount Kilimanjaro in July, August and September

October to February is the shorter rainy period. It often has thunderstorms that pass over the mountains, dropping rain as they go. Typically, the clouds disappear in the evening leaving the nights and mornings clear with excellent visibility. 

January and February are usually dry, warm and clear with brief rainshowers. These months are also considered to be good months for trekkers to climb Kilimanjaro. 

The minimum temperature is -15 °C at the summit, and the maximum temperature is 26 °C at the start of the trek in these months.

Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times. Do not take any medicine unless you have complete knowledge about them. 

Diamox (1 Strip): Be on a course of a half tablet of Diamox starting from Delhi every 12 hours (125 mg). Carry on the medication until you descend to Mweka Gate. Being on a preventive course of Diamox greatly reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the Kilimanjaro trek.

Dexamethasone (1 Strip): This is part of the Life Saving Drugs kit. Do not take this on your own. Your Trek Leader will inform you in case the need arises.

Nifedipine (5 tablets): Again part of the Life-Saving Drugs kit. Do not take this on your own. Your Trek Leader will inform you in case the need arises. 

Dolo 650 (5 tablets): This is a paracetamol. It helps to tackle fever, mild pain

Avomine (4 tablets): Carry this especially if you are prone to motion sickness. Pop one-half hour before the start of your road journey.

Combiflam (5 tablets): Take a Combiflam if you get a sudden twist of the leg or a muscle strain. It is a pain reliever. It also contains paracetamol. 

Digene (4 tablets): Take it if you feel the food that you’ve taken is undigested. Alert your trek leader immediately. It could be a sign of AMS. 

ORS (6 packs): Consume a pack of ORS water at least once a day, usually mid-day when you are in the middle of your trek. It replenishes essential salts lost while trekking.  Tip: It also makes cold water easier to drink.

Knee Brace (optional): Carry this if you are prone to knee injury or have known issues of knee pain.

Our Trek Leaders carry a high altitude medical kit with them which also consist of Life Saving Drugs. If there is an emergency our trek leaders know how to tackle it. Meanwhile, contact your trek leader before consuming any of these medicines listed here.

Pro Tip: We find that these medicines by trekkers are rarely used. But you cannot do away with them. At the end of the trek please donate unused medicines to your trek leader. Some of these medicines get distributed to villages on the trek and some are added to the Indiahikes medical kit.   

Original Passport. This is required by the National Park authorities for your identification.

Original and photocopy of a government photo identity card. Anything such as an international driver’s license or even your passport. This is required by the National Park authorities for your identification.  

Keep important documents in a clear plastic cover and slide them into the inner pocket at the back of your backpack. This keeps them from getting wet. Please note there might not be any no facility to get printouts and photocopies at Machame.

Warm layers: 5 layers - 1 pair of thermals, 1 woollen sweater, 2 fleece, and 1 padded jacket
(Cross Fleece Cap and Crosstrek Neck Warmer are available for purchase)

Sun cap, preferably with flaps (Available for purchase)

Waterproof gloves (Available for purchase)

Woollen socks (2 pairs of Dry fit + 1 pair of woollen) (Available for purchase)

Rain jacket + pants/poncho (Rain jacket available for purchase)

Steel lunch box, spoon and a coffee mug (coffee mug available for purchase)

Once you run through this list, don't miss this ultimate guide on what gear to take on a trek. It contains tips on what gear to choose, where to get it from, and how much to spend on it.

Our only tip: Keep your backpack light. Indiahikes practices low-impact, sustainable trekking in every aspect of the trek. Carrying your backpack reduces your impact on the mountains by 20%. We expect all our trekkers to carry their own backpacks unless they have a justifiable reason not to.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mount Kilimanjaro

We recommend jogging as the best routine to get fit for a trek. It works on the same muscles that you use while trekking — your calves, glutes and hamstrings. It helps increase your stamina day by day. It is also an easy routine that does not require any equipment or tools.

To do this trek comfortably, you must be able to cover 10 km in under 60 minutes. This is the minimum fitness required for this trek.

If you cannot run 10 km immediately, start with 2 km and increase to 5 km over 2-3 weeks.

Once you’re able to run 10 km, increase your pace day by day. 

Gradually increase your pace and bring it down to 10 km in less than 60 mins.

You must be able to run 10 km in 60 mins consistently for at least 2 weeks before the trek. 

This trek requires at least 6-8 weeks of preparation. The longer, the better. So plan your trek soon and start preparing. 

Here's a complete guide to get you trek fit.

How to get Fitness Approval from the Indiahikes team:

Every trekker needs fitness approval from the Indiahikes team 20 days before the trek date. Without this, you will not be allowed on the trek. 

A minimum of 3 screenshots of your runs/jogs/walks/cycling 

Every high-altitude trek comes with a set of challenges. Steep ascents and descents, uneven terrain, snow walks, stream crossings, pass crossings, and summit climb. Even the easiest of treks have some of these challenges if not all of them. Without fitness, trekkers struggle, get injured easily, lag behind, or simply fail to complete the trek. 

At Indiahikes, we take pride in the fact that our trekkers are among the fittest in the country. Those who do not meet the fitness requirements are often sent back. Our philosophy is that trekking and fitness go hand in hand. Without fitness, there’s no trekking. 

Complete the steps below to register for your Kilimanjaro Trek

We  go to great lengths to keep you safe on your trek. However, trekking  with the safest organisation in India comes with certain commitments  from your end.

We are organising a small group on August 22nd, where only 6 trekkers will be accommodated. Our local guides of Kilimanjaro will lead this group. 

Complete information on the Kilimanjaro trek. Trek details, experiences, maps, photos, videos, when to go, what to take, how difficult is the trek etc. 

Mount Kilimanjaro 2024 - Trek in Tanzania, Africa - Machame Route - Indiahikes

kili kilimanjaro kililima njaro kilimenjaro killimanjaro kilimanjaaro kili killi keliman 

Trek Difficulty

The Atsunta Pass trek, we believe, is the greatest trek in Georgia. We don’t say this without reason. The trek passes through the most breathtaking mountainscape of the Caucasus Mountains. 

The grasslands, for which the trek is famous, are perfectly landscaped. They extend as far as your eyes can reach. The lush greenery of these grasslands, with wildflowers growing almost every inch, is something so unique to the Atsunta Pass trek. These wildflowers extend not for a few hundred metres but for kilometres together!

Nestled in these grasslands are the charming Georgian villages that give you an insight into the culture. At Omalo and Dartlo, you stay in these villages, experience the warm hospitality and delicious local food. 

In addition to the villages, the ruins of ancient fortresses decorate the entire remote trail. These are not just heritage but history, many centuries old. While you marvel at these towers jutting out of the grasslands, at Dartlo, you even get to explore one.   

The thrill of climbing the high Atsunta Pass is pure adventure. Not many treks in Europe give you the high of a pass crossing as much as the Atsunta Pass. It is no less than any high-altitude Himalayan pass crossing. The landscape shifts dramatically from lush green grasslands to moraine terrain. The changes in the scenery during the pass crossing are stunning.

The drive before and after the trek are as thrilling as the trek itself. You drive to the country parts of Georgia on the bone-jarring dirt tracks. But the scenery on both sides compensates for that. You wouldn’t want to close your eyes, even for a second. The drive and the trek combined give you a unique experience of crossing a mountain pass before, during, and after the trek. This is a rarity on any trek.

Most people have not heard of Georgia, but when you get there, you will be somewhat taken aback. Georgia in itself is worth visiting. The history, tradition, and culture are vibrant. Tbilisi, the capital, is modern and yet holds on to its deep roots. Theatre, music, and the arts are thriving. There is a lot of heritage to see and discover. The food is delicious and wonderful. Georgians are extremely warm and friendly. For us Indians, it is amazing how affordable everything is. 

Please note that the experience of this trek will be different from a typical Indiahikes experience:

The trek will be run in an assisted Do-It-Yourself (DIY) style: This means we are going to be doing the trek all by ourselves, without the regular Indiahikes support team. In terms of safety, our highly trained Trek Leaders will be with you. You will not have to carry any tents or sleeping bags but you have to help with cooking meals and pitching tents, including toilet tents.

The food will be different: You may not find your usual Indiahikes food. Instead, you will be served good Georgian cuisine. On camp days, the food will be Indian.

Apart from these, you can expect to see our own tents, our toilet tents and our Green Trails practices.

The trek is open only for a short window, from July to September. This is when the snow and rain are less, making the pass accessible. The meadows are at their greenest in July and transition to golden towards September.

Atsunta Pass - Complete Trek Information 

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a High-Altitude trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Atsunta Pass trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

Refer this chart to get an idea of altitude gain or loss on each day of the trek

Keep at least 3 buffer days in your travel plan. One before the trek, when you arrive at Tbilisi, two days after your trek. This is because the Atsunta Pass trail is susceptible to heavy rain, which could delay your return from the trek. 
For buffer day, we will charge only if we use it on the trek. The charges are €80 (approx. GEL 270). You will have to pay this in cash to your Trek leader on the last day of the trek. We accept both Euros and GEL. Keep this cash in hand.

This trek will be run in a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) style. This means we are going to be doing the trek all by ourselves, without the regular Indiahikes support team. You have to help with cooking meals and pitching tents, including toilet tents. You will not have to carry any tents or sleeping bags, but you will have to work together with the team.

Expect the experience to be different from a typical Indiahikes experience. In terms of safety, our highly trained Trek Leaders will be with you. You can expect to see our own tents, our toilet tents and our Green Trails practices.  
In terms of food, you may not find your usual Indiahikes food. You will not find Gulab Jamun after crossing the pass. :P Instead, you will be served good Georgian cuisine. On camp days, the food will be Indian. 

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