Bethlemi Hut (Meteo)

Betlemi Hut ( also known as Meteo Station) is a base camp for them who are willing to climb to Mount Kazbek It is located in Kazbegi municipality, on the route to Mount Kazbek 3650m above sea level.

Overnight

There are two alternatives for overnight at the campsite: overnight at a private tent, next to the station of Bethlemi Hut, or overnight in Betlemi Hut, where a hostel operates. You will have to pay on both occasions. Overnight at Meteo is more expensive but warmer. If you are sensitive to cold, don’t get greatly disturbed by other’s snoring, and can pay 40 Lari per night, then Meteo station is exactly for you! Although if you have a warm sleeping bag, love to save money, and prefer to sleep in the fresh air, you can spend the night for 10 Lari at your own tent. Do not forget to arrange an anti-wind barrier with stones, otherwise, you may wake up in Kazbegi the next morning. If you decide to spend the night at the building, take into account, that Meteo has most visitors in August-September, therefore during this time, it is better to book a place in advance, so as not to return back.

Water

The water in the camp flows on a schedule: from 9:00 am to 7:00-8:00 pm, depending on temperature. This is because the water gets frozen at night and in the morning, under the sun rays it starts melting and flowing again. The water mostly looks muddy, so if you are afraid of bacterias it is better to carry the water filter pills with you.

Hygiene

On Meteo, hygiene norms do not excide zero much. The official toilet here is so unhygienic and cluttered that people often use the spare plan and get things done near the tent.

Consequently, the wind, saturated with the smell of feces, can blow at any time and from any direction. There is also a huge landfill on Meteo, created by lazy tourists who think that the Tbilisi Cleaning Service serves this place and wait in vain for a garbage truck that flies by helicopter once a year and carries tons of garbage from this place. As we already mentioned the wind is typical for this place and the garbage can often be seen scattered near the campsite as crow’s feathers.

Food

In Betlemi Hut there is one shared dining room for everyone, where if you get lucky, you will find a sitting area and enjoy your noodles deliciously. You need to have your own dish and a gas cylinder. Here you will not find the hot water, washtub, microwave or refrigerator.

The main disadvantage of Betlemi Hut is filthiness and the main advantage is solid walls, which will safely protect you from the wind.