Меню
The itinerary is moderately difficult: fit and experienced trekkers will not find it hard, while the average, reasonably fit office-worker might need more time to do the hike. However all the hikes are doable in one day, follow a tourist path and do not require hiking or climbing gear. A pair of good walking shoes plus trekking poles are all the special equipment you will need. All the overnights are in guest-houses, and there is 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 hiking days
Starting location: Mestia
Finishing location: Ushguli in Svaneti and on to Kutaisi city
3 nights in Mestia, 2 nights in Becho, 2 nights in Ushguli
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 Mt. Ushba
The Svaneti Range
The 3-level village and panorama of Mt. Tetnuldi
Alpine lakes and Archangels’ churches of the Dolra valley
Frescoes of Tevdore
UNESCO site Ushguli
Svaneti’s highest mountain pass
Bezengi wall, the tallest section of the Great Caucasus
The glaciers of Adishi and Khalde
Mt. 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.
Day 1. Acclimatization hike. Zuruldi. Mestia.
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.
Day 2. The Svaneti Range
Today’s trail is longer, 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.
Day 3. The Dolra valley, Meziri, Baki pass
Today we transfer to the Dolra valley and into the community of Becho, where the classic alpinist route to Mt. Ushba starts. The trail is a 6-km ascent, with an elevation gain of 730-900 m and total length of 13 km. The main goal for today is Meziri, a tine alpine lake reflecting Mt. Ushba, with a 10-century St.Michael’s church nearby. Those who feel strong enough can do an extra 150 vertical meters to reach Baki pass offering a magnificent view of Mt.Ushba sideways as well as the valley of Etseri. Return to Becho, overnight in Becho.
Day 4. Ushba
This long trail will allow us to get as close to Ushba as possible without actually climbing. The total distance is appr.15 km, elevation gain — 950 m.The path starts at river Guli, then dives into a pretty mixed forest and up to a small forest lake and some shepherds’ huts. Further on we will find ourselves in the alpine pastures (and wild raspberry bushes) right underneath the rocks of Ushba. We can venture further up along the ridge to find several more tiny alpine lakes, and greet “Grandma and Grandpa” – the rocky figures on Ushba’s southern shoulder. The ridge offers a truly Narnian view of village Becho, the Svaneti range, the summits of the Great Caucasus, the valley of river Dolra and the Shdugvra waterfalls – the most powerful waterfall system in Georgia. Return to Becho. Overnight in Becho.
Day 5. Latphari pass and legendary Ushguli
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. 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 brings 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.
Day 6. Towards the Bezengi wall
A closer look at the splendid wall of 5000 m peaks which we saw yesterday from Latphari pass. We will approach the beginning of today’s trail by car. The hike 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 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.
Day 7. Shkhara and its glacier
This is our last day in Svaneti, but we will do a short hike to Shkhara glacier in the morning. After we return to Ushguli from the hike, we will drive off and over Zagaro pass along a mountain road of amazing beauty, passing on our way Soviet alpinist training camps of Zeskho and Ailama, 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.
