TrekGeorgia

Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed feedback. We're glad you enjoyed the landscapes, villages, and overall beauty of Svaneti. At the same time, we would like to clarify a few points about how our group trekking tours are operated. Regarding the hiking pace, this is a group tour, so we keep an average pace that works for the group as a whole. The tour is described as medium difficulty, but naturally people will have different fitness levels and hiking experience. We cannot run a group tour at the pace of the fastest hikers. For guests who prefer to hike much faster or want more flexibility, a private tour is usually the better option. Regarding the Guli Pass day, the first section from Mazeri includes road walking, including asphalt, before reaching the more scenic mountain section. Depending on conditions, we sometimes hike this part and sometimes use vehicles. In this case, because it was the end of September and the weather around 3,000 metres can change quickly, we decided to drive the first section. The company covered the cost of the vehicles. The aim was to save time for the mountain section and avoid unnecessary road walking. Regarding the cancelled hiking day, there had been very heavy rain and thunderstorms, and the planned route also included the river crossing near Adishi. After strong rain, the river level can rise quickly and the crossing can become unsafe. Even if the weather looks better later from the village, this does not mean the river or higher sections of the route are safe. For us, this was a clear safety decision. Concerning the guides and the number of stops, group hiking is not a race. Breaks are part of keeping a safe and manageable pace for everyone, especially on uphill sections. The rhythm can also change depending on terrain, altitude and the condition of the group. For accommodation, we always reserve the best available options in the villages where we stay. In Iprali, there is essentially only Ucha Family Guesthouse, apart from one very small alternative. So there is simply not a wide choice there. Mountain guesthouses are basic by nature, especially late in the season, and facilities such as heating, drying space and private bathrooms can be limited. In Mestia, we intentionally use a better and more comfortable hotel so guests can relax properly after several days of trekking. Some guests prefer small traditional guesthouses, while others prefer larger rooms and better facilities. We try to choose the best overall option available. We are sorry that some parts of the tour did not match your personal expectations. At the same time, on a group trekking tour, everyone needs to adapt to the group pace, local accommodation conditions and safety decisions made by the guides. Thank you again for joining TrekGeorgia and for sharing your feedback.

Thank you David for such a lovely review. You were fantastic and enjoyed the trip with you so much. Have good future adventures. Yours, Dimitri