Dream Hike to Silver Lakes, Tobavarchkhili Lakes Trek

by Georgian Tour
19 comments
Tobavarchkhili Lake

Tobavarchkhili Lakes Trek

Tobavarchkhili lakes trip is one of the most impressive alpine treks what you can do in Georgia. It takes average 5 days to complete, goes through fast river gorges, forests,  even tropical jungles in case of descending through Magana gorge, beautiful alpine valleys, snowed passes of an altitude up to 3,000m , 2 big alpine lakes surrounded by stunning rocks reflected in the lake, from 2 to 4 smaller alpine lakes in case of interest, waterfalls, canyons, glaciers, caves, shepherds huts where you can try delicious Georgian cheese: sulguni and dish Elarji, stunning views, panoramas, views to summits in good weather and beautiful unreal landscapes painted by mystic fog flying over the passes, lakes, mountains…

Magic of living outside the civilized world, with no mobile connection, no availability to reach a settlement in at least 2-day period, living to breath the nature, to study and test yourself,  camping in the heaven, in love with sun, mountains and life… Cheering with a shot of hard Georgian vodka to your friends around you and to the moon and stars reflected in the beautiful lake….

Toba Lake

There are many possible variations for this trip, especially regarding the way back from the lake, but obviously you should start your like from the easiest and yet beautiful way, from village Mukhuri.

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The second hut Mt.Natipuru before road construction (now parking)

 

Trek to Tobavarchkhili Lakes Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive from Tbilisi to Mukhuri. Since road is made till Natipuru hut, you should reach the second hut at Natipuru mountain by jeep. There is not much to see on the way and it is around 8 hours hike, so it is advisable to save your energy and enjoy your way up to the second hut.

It’s possible to make fire, drink and rest here. You also have an option to rent a horse, horse can carry some of your food and heavy camping gear, or if you prefer riding you can make the trip 1-2 days shorter. Generally renting a horse in Georgia is 50GEL per day/per horse but locals in Mukhuri might try to charge you more.

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Elbrus

Day 2: I wish you to have a sunny day on Day 2 not to miss some breathtaking views, in 4 hours you can walk through some alpine fields with flowers, small river gorges, strange shaped rocks, shepherds hut and even more till you reach the pass from where you can ,,ski” down to the first lake.

There are 2 big camping sites and some ,,caves” (place below huge stones) near the lake where you can sleep and plenty of water to drink but no trees to burn unless you are lucky to find remains of some wood brought here by horsemen.  You can explore surroundings of the lake and enjoy its beautiful and mystic atmosphere.

It is advisable to camp at least 1 night at both lakes and wait for a sunny day in case of ugly weather with thick fogs. In sunny weather lake changes the color throughout the day. Reflections of Rocks in the lake are even more beautiful than the lake itself.

Toba Lake

Day 3: 1.5-2 hour walk up and down to another pass you are at Greater Tobavarchkhili Lake: Chitagvala Mountain’s Toba. Chitagvala means red mountain in Megrelian language. This Lake is rather larger in size, and more open with wide fields. You need to get up to any of the summits or hills around it to see the full view of the lake and feel it with your heart. Beautiful rocks around it reflected in the lake in different parts of the day. I have enjoyed staying 2 nights here and watching unforgettable sunset above the clouds.

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Small lake with a form of heart (kaliashi)

Day 4: Trip to smaller lakes. Across the mountain north from the camping place west from the lake there are 2 small lakes: Didghele and Kaliashi, one of which is frozen at most times and another has the form of heart. You should visit it without luggage and come back unless you plan your way to Khaishi, Svaneti.

In the latter case you will pass these lakes anyway.There are 2 other lakes in the area, one of those is reachable by crossing 1 pass from the 2 small lakes, if you have time and interest.

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Our group photo (2nd Toba) – sunset above the sea of clouds

Days 5-6:

On the way back from Chitagvala mountains Tobavarchkhili lake (big Toba) you can try several different options:

  1. Through the famous shepherds hut where you can try Elarji down to Magana river to Jvari.
  2. While following Magana river you can take left turn when Jolora river enters into Magana; from there you can continue to Naguru or Skuri resort. Alternatively it’s possible to go up to Kvira mountain to see Kuakantsalia (shaking stone) and descend into Chkvaleri.
  3. Go north through small lakes, cross 1 more pass and descend in Khaishi, Svaneti.
  4. Go back the same way to Mukhuri. The only obstacle here will be that you will cross back 2 passes. Otherwise, this is the easiest option.

I personally tried the 2nd option for my way back, I enjoyed eating Elarji, but it was tiring to make our way to Naguru due to tropical jungles, hard river crossings and a few mountain ranges  where you loose and gain height.

Day 7: I did the same way as Toba Travel does: we had a car waiting for us in Naguru which took us directly to the black sea! Anaklia is the fastest way to swim in the black sea after mountains and camping at 2600m; But you can also continue your way to Batumi if you want to see the best of Georgia or Svaneti if your passion for mountains is still alive at that moment.

Sunset

Tobavarchkhili Trekking Useful Info

  • You need to drive 330km from Tbilisi (or up to 100 from Kutaisi) To reach Mukhuri. Buses to Mukhuri leave from a bus station near Station Square Metro.
  • The best time to travel is from the second half of July till the second half of September. Make sure you have some sun! In foggy weather you may see nothing. You should have 1 extra day in reserve to rest, in case of bad weather,etc.
  • If you are descending through Magana river you in case of rainy days/big water levels in rivers take 1 horseman from the shepherds hut to help you in river crossing otherwise it might be dangerous.
  • Enjoy hiking, you will not regret this trip and will remember throughout your life!

Tobavarchkhili Trekking Tours

Original Tobavarchkhili Trekking Tour

Tobavarchkhili Trekking tour, simplified for the families and inexperienced hikers

You can download GPS track to reach the lake here.

For Mukhuri-Khaishi route click here

For your way back to Naguru you can use:

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19 comments

Tariq June 21, 2015 - 3:36 pm

I need contact details of trustful tour guide please.

Georgian Tour July 20, 2015 - 7:19 am

Dear Tariq, you mean Trustful tour guide for Tobavarchkhili lakes hike?

Alex July 30, 2015 - 2:15 pm

Hi, I would also like to have contact information of tour guide that would take me to that tour ! (dream hike to silver lakes). Can you advice me ? Thanks.

Georgian Tour September 8, 2015 - 8:44 am

Toba travel is a company specialized in tours to Silver Lakes. I can also suggest other guides if you wish.
http://toba.ge/en/index.php

noga August 11, 2015 - 12:24 pm

Out flight to Georgia is in September, 17 do you think its too late in the season?
Also, is there a hut we can sleep at along the way in this trek?

Georgian Tour September 8, 2015 - 8:41 am

Sorry for a late reply, I was away from Tbilisi in the mountains of Racha. September 17 might be late but depends on weather conditions. I can surely say that September 8-12 is a great time for views this year!
You can sleep in tents along the way, also in caves, shepherd huts,etc but you must have your camping gear with you all the time or at least horse carrying it.

stefan zahariev January 18, 2017 - 1:09 pm

hey what about doing this in May… how cold do you think might be.. ?

Georgian Tour January 24, 2017 - 6:21 am

You will not see the lakes, All snowed, all frozen, chance of snowfall, fog, rain/snowy weather possible )

alica June 9, 2017 - 12:42 pm

Hello, is it possible to go also without guide? We are two. Have a nice day, alica

Tim Hewitt July 21, 2017 - 7:17 pm

Hey Davit. Great site; you’re written beautifully and very clearly about some of the beautiful places in Georgia. We’re heading to Georgia in the next few weeks for an off-road motorcycle trip. Is the track up to the lake accessible by motorcycle? I see you’ve mentioned horsemen; I’m hopeful that if the trail is accessible by horse it might also be accessible by bike – we don’t have the time to dedicate to hiking it.

– Tim

Georgian Tour July 26, 2017 - 8:17 am

Hi Tim, thanks a lot! Toba by bike may be possible but some sections u will need to carry bike, like snowed passes

mimi July 22, 2017 - 9:09 pm

hey, we are 4 guys and we are planing to do this trek in the beginning of august.. i wanted to ask if this trek is considered a safe trek, or does it have security risks..

Georgian Tour July 26, 2017 - 8:16 am

hi, trek is in the wild. its surely safe, but there are risks like river level or any regular risks in the mountains, there is no mobile connection for most of the time, route is marked but u can take guide. There are no population on the way

Casper July 29, 2017 - 2:24 pm

Dear Georgian tour,

Is it easy accessible without a tour guide? What are the costs related to an potential tour guide and what are the costs of the camping? BTW: This travel looks to great to be true!!

Thanks for helping me.

Georgian Tour August 29, 2017 - 6:15 am

Hi Casper, route is marked, of course with guide its better, but without guide with gps its possible as well

Béla March 28, 2018 - 2:35 pm

Hello, is it possible to go this hike in the middle of June? If the lakes and country are frozen in May, will it be ok a month later? Is it worth it?
Also, we don’t have 5 days. Is there any time saving, short version for 2-3 days?

thx!

Georgian Tour March 29, 2018 - 5:56 am

Sorry, double NO ) Middle of June it will be still frozen; and u cant do it in 2-3 days )
I advise Abudelauri lakes hike in middle of May; Short but heartwarming )) + You can visit Shatili and Mutso during the jeep tour

Roxana Puris June 18, 2018 - 8:10 pm

Hi!
Thanks for your article and useful details! We are two and planning a trip to Georgia in July. Is this trip doable then? Also, can you recommend a shorter trail, for 2 or 3 days, maybe skip some parts or turn back earlier?
Best,
Roxana

Georgian Tour August 15, 2018 - 2:07 pm

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