Trek to Kelitsadi Lake

Difficulty: Hard

Day 1: Truso valley - Keli plateau

distance 8.5km, 1028m

and 281m

Trek starts at Kvemo Okrokana village. Walk on the main road some 500 meters to the southeast, towards the mouth of the valley. Here we turn right onto the hill serpentine, which climbs in the southwestern direction. As we climb higher and higher, nice views into the opposing Mna gorge open up in front of us.

Serpentine leads to the upper part of Truso valley, bypassing the river gorge, but we don’t follow it all the way there. After one hour of walking, we turn left and start climbing on a steep slope, towards the actual plateau. This turn-off is easy to overlook, so I recommend to use GPS device - it lies at the elevation of about 2300m.

The plateau is covered by grass mixed with rocks. We navigate the almost flat terrain to the small grassy/rocky ridge we see in the southeast. Cross the ridge and descend into the small gully. There is a solid chance that you will find water here, but don’t rely on it too much as it may be depending on the weather. Walk down the valley in the southern direction and eventually make a camp.

Day 2: Keli plateau - Kelitsadi lake distance 8km, 1061m and 752m

In the morning, continue walking south. Ahead of you, you see two volcanoes, both of distinctive red color - Higher Khorisar to the right and Lesser Khorisar to the left. You need to reach the saddle between both volcanoes - in the beginning, traverse the southern slopes of Higher Khorisar and then start climbing; the path is quite apparent. The terrain consists of volcanic scree, grade up to 30 degrees.

Saddle between Higher and Lesser Khorisar lies at the elevation of 3220m and provides a nice view over sharp granite peaks to the south. But you are not yet at the actual Khorisar pass - to reach it, you will have to overcome another 200 height meters. Turn west and head to the small depression covered by a snowfield, where the red rock of Higher Khorisar meet granite massif. It´s not too far, just a little more than 1km.

Khorisar pass lies at the elevation of 3429m. From there, you can already see the Kelitsadi lake to the west. Finally, after 1,5km you will reach the source of the river White Aragvi. Cross it and continue west, traversing northern slopes of Sherkhota volcano. After another 2km, you will come to the Kelitsadi lake.

Day 3: Kelitsadi lake - Ketrisi village distance 11.5 km, 753m and 1681m

Bypass the Kelitsadi lake from the north (or take a stroll around it, as you wish) and head north-west, towards the High Esi pass. You need to overcome some 350m of elevation, the terrain is mostly composed of screes. The pass lies at the altitude of 3435m and offers superb views of Kazbeg massif to the north.