Chaukhi Pass – One of the Highest Mountain Passes in Georgia

by Tom · Published 13/08/2022 · Updated 10/05/2026

In this post, I want to write about the incredible hike we had across the mountains often called the “Georgian Dolomites,” and later the almost unreal views we experienced at the foot of Mount Kazbek.

Georgia had been on my travel list for a long time. I had heard plenty about the country’s dramatic mountains, and when the opportunity came to join a trip with the Norwegian hiking company Norøna/Hvitserk, I signed up immediately.

This was exactly the kind of trek where travelling with a group made sense. The hike lasted several days, and we needed food and supplies for the entire journey. Luckily, horses carried much of the heavier equipment for us along the route.

After a day in Tbilisi, including some sightseeing around the city, it was finally time to head into the mountains. The drive to the starting point was an adventure in itself. Heavy rain shortly before our arrival had damaged parts of the already questionable road, and in some places sections had partly collapsed.

*The “Georgian Dolomites” are every bit as dramatic as the nickname suggests.*

When we arrived, we were surrounded by impossibly green valleys, while sharp mountain peaks rose dramatically in the distance, still dusted with patches of snow. It looked like a postcard.

The weather could hardly have been better: around 20 degrees, sunshine, and perfect hiking conditions.

*Tent life becomes surprisingly comfortable when horses carry the heavy gear and someone else cooks dinner.*

For the next few nights, tent life would be our reality. I pitched mine a little away from the others and ended up with a spectacular view. Camping is not exactly luxury, of course, but having two cooks preparing all your meals while you sit comfortably inside a dining tent certainly improves the experience.

The following day, we climbed higher into the mountains. The air became colder, the wind stronger, and the landscape even more dramatic.

*Opening the tent each morning to views like this never became normal.*

On the other side of the pass, down in the valley near the small village of Juta, civilization briefly returned. Here it was possible to get a coffee and, for those interested, a beer. Our transport was also waiting for us there.

From Juta, we continued towards Kazbegi, where a completely different level of comfort awaited us at Rooms Hotel.

*After days in the mountains, Kazbegi almost felt suspiciously comfortable.*

The hotel itself was excellent, but the view was even better. From here, we looked directly towards the iconic Mount Kazbek, with the famous Gergeti Trinity Church standing beautifully in the foreground.

*Gergeti Trinity Church with Mount Kazbek behind it — probably one of the most iconic views in Georgia.*

This marked the end of our shared trip with the group. After that, I would continue alone in Georgia for another week, including a journey to Ushguli in the Svaneti region.

What a luxury.