Hike in the Mountains of Svaneti

After a late breakfast, we start our Tbilisi sightseeing tour to get acquainted with the city. Walking through the historical part of the city and enjoying the unique combination of cultures. Meandering through the narrow streets of the city we will come-across various religious buildings: Churches, Synagogues, Mosques, Wooden houses built in the 19th century with colourful balconies, sulphur baths, the Narikala fortress.

Next, we take in the Georgian National Museum, where a great many intricate Georgian treasures are preserved. To finish up this introduction to the city we peruse Rustaveli Avenue which is the main central boulevard.

The rest of the day is left for exploring Tbilisi further, tasting wine in one of the many wine-bars, and getting acquainted with Georgian cuisine in one of the many great restaurants in the city centre.

Today we leave for Zugdidi by train. In the afternoon we arrive in Zugdidi and get ready for a special part of our journey.

Drive to Svaneti, which is distinguished by towering villages harmoniously combined with huge mountains and cliffs, important samples of Georgian architecture, characteristic frescoes, centuries-old culture, sharply expressed individualism make an indelible impression on the visitor.

This area is especially interesting for nature lovers with alpine meadows and lakes, cliffs, peaks, waterfalls, and a variety of endemic flowers.

At the end of the day, we will stay in Chuberi.

Today we will explore one of the most difficult hiking routes in Georgia.

This is indeed the case, as fabulous views unfold from the highest point of the valley, where the highest peaks of the Great Caucasus, glaciers covered with eternal snow, are gathered.

The place is completely owned by animals and birds, you only meet people if they go to the mountains to herd cattle.

After visiting the alpine zone we arrive in the village of Nakra, where we will be hosted by delicious Svanetian dishes.

(↑1520m ↓1670m, 9-10 hours, 26km).

This day will be relatively easy after the difficult hiking route of the previous day. Today’s route is very different and especially impressive as you will encounter different types of the natural landscape.

We will pass through alpine meadows as well as sparse forests. We will meet small abandoned villages, in one of them lives only one family, which does not leave the house even in winter.

We will arrive in the village of Etseri, where we will spend the night.

(↑650m ↓750m, 6-7 hours, 14km).

Today we will start walking from the guesthouse. A pleasant route awaits us ahead. After about two hours of walking, the tour becomes more and more interesting and leads to the Mazeri Pass (2400 m).

From this place, we can see the village of Mazeri, Guli Pass, Ushba Glacier, Mount Laila and Enter.

It will take us three hours to get from Etseri to Mazeri Pass. Upon descent, the route follows the fields. An hour later we pass the shepherds’ shelter. Then we continue the way back to the woods. A steep descent will lead us to the Dolora River.

At the end, we cross the bridge and reach the destination through the village. The sixth day of the journey ends in Becho.

(↑950m ↓1000m, 5-6 hours, 14km).

Today prepares us for amazing adventures. We follow a misty forest that follows a roaring river and originates from the Ushba Glacier.

Soon, waterfalls will appear – several cascades of water flow side by side on the mountain slope and create an unforgettable panorama.

We can reach the foot of a large waterfall or climb on top of it and look down on the beautiful valley of the river Dolora.

At the end of the day, the pleasantly tired will be rewarded with delicious Svanetian dishes.

The first stage (to the guards’ hut): (↓ 0 270m, 2-3 hours, 7km).
The second stage (to the bottom of the big waterfall): (↓ ↓ 450m, 3-4 hours, 9km).
The third stage (to the top of the waterfall): (↓ 80 980m, 5-6 hours, 12km).

On this day we will pass the most beautiful route of the tour. The farther we go from the village, the closer we get to Ushba, soon its glacier will also appear and a steep, serpentine trail will begin. On Guli Pass (2945 m.), we get a feeling that we can touch the top of the mountain.

From above we can see rocky mountains, clouds, and mountain eagles flying in a circle. This sight fills us with an amazing feeling of peace and freedom.

In the evening we stay in Mestia, which is developed as a regional centre compared to the villages of Svaneti, although the centuries-old towers retain its old look well.

(↑1650m ↓800m, 7-8 hours, 16km).

Today we dedicate ourselves to relaxing and regaining strength. There are many choices as to how to spend the day pleasantly. It is possible to take the Zuruldi cable car and enjoy the unusual panoramic views.

It’s nice to take a short walk to Chalaadi Glacier. To get better acquainted with the local culture, we could visit the Svaneti Historical-Ethnographic Museum, which fully presents the ethnocultural heritage of this region.

The diverse exposition of the museum helps us to make the trip to Svaneti more complete and cognitive.

At the end of the day, we can spend quiet time enjoying the night views of Mestia. In the evenings the towers of Mestia are lit and beautiful to see. 

Today we go from Mestia to the village Mulakhi. The route is quite simple and at the same time very beautiful. Our trail passes through flowery meadows and wooded areas.

In a few hours, the village of Mulakhi will spread out in front of us, where medieval towers are still standing, the history of these towers is shrouded in mystery. The village seen from afar reminds us of a picture. This is an ideal place for this village.

(↑650m ↓520m, 4-5 hours, 14km).

Today we move from Mulakhi to the village of Adishi. As soon as we pass the village of Mulakhi, we will start walking on a forest path that will take us to Ughviri Pass (2480 m.).

From here you can see the impressive landscapes of the Great Caucasus. The trail leads again into the misty forest, where numerous ice-cold springs and streams flow.

We also pass through the inaccessible fields and from above we see the village of Adishi, which leaves an indelible impression on our memory.

Only a few families remain in the village. There are still ancient towers, their owners are very proud. Get ready to get acquainted with rural life and special sensations.

(↑1070m ↓530m,  5-6 hours, 13km).

Today a special day of travel awaits us. We have to cross the river on horseback, which makes our journey all the more interesting and adventurous. We pass the beautiful glacier of Adishi.

A huge pile of eternal ice, an evergreen white snowdrop, a green field, and a huge, colourful carpet of mountain flowers will forever be etched in our memory.

Soon, we will also see Mt. Ushba on the horizon. On the Chkhutnieri Pass (2730 m.) we have the feeling that we can touch the Tetnuldi peak and clouds by hand. Arrive in Iprari. Here we taste the most delicious Svanetian dishes.

(↑760m ↓950m, 5-6 hours, 17km).

Today we travel to Ushguli, one of the highest villages in Europe, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The village promises an impressive sight, but until then we have to pass through ancient villages and towers.

We find ourselves on a trial field several times, from where a snow-white Tetnuldi (4800 m.) is covered along its entire length.

Finally, Ushguli will appear – a village where time has stopped and the centuries-old towers still face the highest peak of Georgia – Shkhara (5201 m).

Ushguli is undoubtedly in the must-see sights when traveling to Georgia.

(↑750m ↓350m, 3-4 hours, 13km).

Today we come to the tempestuous river Enguri, which originates from the Shkhara Glacier. During the whole hiking tour, we have a marvelous view of the Shkhara Glacier, huge eternal ice, which is a very impressive sight. On the way, we will meet many endemic plants and flowers.

On the way back we will enter the tenth-century church of Lamaria, which is the best example of Svanetian church architecture.

It contains ancient frescoes – distinctive samples of the school of Svan icon painting. This day of the trip ends in the beautiful Ushguli.

Unusually beautiful night in Ushguli. We can see so many stars in the sky only in mountain villages.

(↑↓550m 5-6 hours, 19km).

Today is the last day of our hiking tour, which will be impressive for everyone. We cross the Latipari Pass (3000 m.) and watch the glorious Shkhara. We follow slopes embroidered with mountain flowers with intense colors, and we reach the tower of Queen Tamar.

At the end of the walking tour, we will meet transport in Lentekhi and we will go to Kutaisi, which is one of the oldest cities in the world.

In the evening we will walk in the central streets of Kutaisi, where the charm of the old city is especially felt. This day of travel ends in ancient Kutaisi.

(↑1254m ↓790m, 6-7 hours, 14km).

Today includes a cultural spectacle and ends in the capital.

In the afternoon we visit Uplistsikhe, a rock carved town near Gori. Uplistsikhe was connected with the Silk Road, which passed here. It was one of the oldest settlements and urban centers in the Caucasus. 

Then we visit the family cellar. It is impossible to complete a trip to the homeland of wine without a visit to the wine cellar. 

The Georgian traditional method of making wine has the status of a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Site.

We will return to the capital – Tbilisi, pleasantly obscured by wine. We will spend the last evening of the trip in Tbilisi.

Transfer to the airport and departure.