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For those who want to try a bit of everything, we have put together a multi-adventure itinerary: 3 most scenic horse-riding trails, 2 trips where jeeping and hiking are combined, and 2 moderate hikes on foot without too much elevation gain. The itinerary is moderately difficult: any reasonably fit office-worker should be able to do all the activities on the tour. No technical skills or special gear is required. A pair of good walking shoes plus trekking poles are all the equipment you will need. All the overnights are in guest-houses, and there is a daily transfer to the starting point of the route and back (where necessary), which means there is no need to carry a heavy bag all day. However, the elevation gain is up to 1000 vertical meters on the toughest day and the daily hikes are up to 15 km long.
7 nights / 7 activity days
Starting location: Mestia
Finishing location: Ushguli in Svaneti and on to Kutaisi city
5 nights in Mestia, 2 nights in Ushguli
2 trekking days, 3 horse-riding trails, 2 jeep tour+trekking days
Walking distance: 8 — 15 km per day
Elevation gain on foot per day: 150 — 1000 m
Max altitude: 2830 m
Town of Mestia, Svan towers, Mestia treasury
Zuruldi ski lift and panorama of Mount Ushba
The 3-level village and panorama of Mount Tetnuldi
Alpine lakes and Archangel’s church of the Dolra valley
Mount Elbrus
Svaneti’s oldest churches and the frescoes of Tevdore
Svaneti’s highest mountain pass
Bezengi wall, the tallest section of the Great Caucasus
The glaciers of Adishi and Khalde
UNESCO site Ushguli
Mount Shkhara and its glacier
Overnights, meals, transfers and guiding. We’ve tried to make your tour comfortable and flexible at the same time
If you prefer to go on different dates or with just your family/friends, you can book the itinerary individually. Contact us for details:
After breakfast we set out to the ski-lift and arrive at Zuruldi viewpoint. This is the best view of Mt. Ushba and one of the loveliest scenic hikes in Svaneti. The trail is perfect for first-day acclimatization, as there is very little elevation gain, and the total walking distance is about 8-9 km. What’s more, from the viewpoint we will be able to see some of the important landmarks of Svaneti (Ushba and Tetnuldi, several communities and valleys, and even some of our trails for the next days). Return to Mestia. Brief visit to Mestia museum, the treasury of Georgian art and craft. Overnight in Mestia.
One of the loveliest panoramic horse-riding trails in Svaneti. This trail allows you to get as close to Ushba as possible without actually climbing. The path starts at river Guli, then dives into a pretty mixed forest and starts ascending to a small forest lake and some shepherds’ huts, higher and higher until you find yourself in the alpine pastures right underneath the rocks of Ushba. You can go even further up along the ridge to find several more tiny alpine lakes, greet “Grandma and Grandpa” – the rocky figures on Ushba’s southern “shoulder”. Overnight in Mestia.
Today’s trail is longer than our first hike, though still without dramatic elevation change. It follows the Enguri river through the folds of the Svaneti Range and takes us one after another into three small villages off the tourist track. We finish the hike in 3-level village Ipari with a splendid view of Mt. Tetnuldi near Archangel’s church of Tsvirmi. Return to Mestia by car. Overnight in Mestia.
A tour with fantastic scenery and one of the very few which allows you to see Mount Elbrus in good weather. This is not a regular tourist trail, so you will not be seeing many other people on your way. The first part of the trail goes through the settlements of Latali, over Bali range and up into the higher pastures belonging to Latali community right under Ushba. In summer the meadows are full of flowers, the tiny shepherds’ huts contrast with the skies and layers of ridges. A feeling of absolute freedom and truly Narnian landscapes. Return to Mestia.
Today is a long day, however, a little less intensive than the previous one. We set out by car to the most remote and elevated part of Svaneti. On the way we will stop for pictures and drop in two amazing 9-11 century churches to admire the frescoes and ancient icons in their natural place. We will do the long ascent to Latphari pass (2830 m) by car, and then hike along the ridge separating Upper and Lower Svaneti to admire The Great Caucasus from Ushba to Shkhara, the Bezengi wall, with glimpses of Mt.Elbrus (5642 m) in fine weather. We will descend into Ushguli (while the car takes our luggage to the guest house) and take a walk through the historic part of the community to top off the day. Overnight in Ushguli.
We will approach the beginning of today’s trail by car. The hike is a long one and will require some effort. The trail will take us along Khaldechala river towards Khalde glacier, however we will turn aside and ascend a side-ridge (2722 m) of the Bezengi wall for the best view of Adishi glacier and the 5000 m summits. The distance for today’s hike is 15 km, with an elevation gain of 1000 vertical meters, however we will be rewarded with one of the best views in Svaneti and the closest a trekker ever gets to the glittering ice of the 5-thousander. Return to Ushguli. Overnight in Ushguli.
This is our last day in Svaneti, but we will do a short ride to Shkhara glacier in the morning and a tour of Ushguli itself. In the afternoon we will drive off and over Zagaro pass along a mountain road of amazing beauty, passing Soviet alpinist training camps Zeskho and Ailama on our way, and descending into Lower Svaneti with its milder climate and lower mountain ranges. The finishing point for today is your hotel in Kutaisi city.
Local certified English-speaking guides with the best tourist reviews. The focus is on safety and guest-care.
