TREKKING IN SVANETI

A travel to Svaneti is an experience of a life time. Hardly anything has changed there for the last few centuries.
Upper Svaneti (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is famous for its mediaeval watchtowers, snow-capped peaks, icy waterfalls, beautiful nature and ancient traditions. The village of Ushguli, the highest permanently inhabited settlement in Europe, is sure to be the highlight of your trip.

• Day 1 : Departure for Tbilisi

• Day 2 : Tbilisi – Kutaisi

Tbilisi sightseeing tour. In the afternoon transfer to Kutaisi.

• Day 3: Kutaisi – the village of Becho (1600m)

On this day we will have long transfer from Kutaisi to Becho village in Svaneti. Overnight in private houses (shared facilities).

• Day 4: The village of Becho – Ushba Glacier – the village of Becho

In the morning we drive through the neighbouring villages of Mazeri and Shikhra and then start our walk through the woods to the foot of Mt. Ushba (4700m). A spectacular walk past the waterfalls will bring us to Ushba glacier. Overnight in Becho.

­??1000 m (7-8 hrs) or ­­??1200m (9-10 hrs)

• Day 5: The village of Becho – Guli Pass – Mestia

This day will be the most exhausting during our journey. We walk 10 – 11 hours. From Becho we head to Mestia. We walk up to Guli Pass (2800m) and then head down to Mt. Zagaro. In the evening arrive in Mestia.
­­?1400m ­?1200m (10-11 hrs)

• Day 6: Mestia – Mt. Zuruldi – Mestia

Mestia is the centre of Upper Svaneti. In the morning we visit watch-towers, the so-called “family churches”, the Ethnographic Museum housing unique collection of icons and crosses. In the afternoon we walk to Mt.  Zuruldi (2500 m) to enjoy stunning views of the Caucasus Mountains (Tetnuldi – 4617m, Shkhara – 5068m, Shkhelda – 3800m, Ushba – 4700m). Overnight in Mestia.
­?? 700m (3-4 hrs)

• Day 7: Mestia – Chalaadi Glacier – Mestia

In the morning we drive (30min) and trek to Chalaedi Glacier.  We walk through beautiful valleys and the forest first before we get a glimpse of the glacier. Then we walk up to the altitude of 2070m. Overnight in  Mestia.
­??700m. (6 hrs)
Days 8 – 10: Mestia – the village of  Adishi – the village of Iprari – the village of Ushguli
In the morning we drive to the village of Mulakhi and then start our 3-day trekking. Each day we walk approximately 6 hours. Overnight in the villages of Adishi and Iprari in private houses.
On day 10 we head to the highest permanently inhabited village in Europe – Ushguli (2200m). The village is most famous for its abundance of watchtowers and this is where you get the view of the highest mountain in Georgia – Mt. Shkhara (5068m). Overnight in Ushguli.
Day 11: Ushguli – Shkhara Glacier – Mestia
We start our morning walk to the foot of Mt. Shkhara. A beautiful walk will bring us to Shkhara Glacier where the Enguri river starts. After returning to Ushguli we drive back to Mestia.

??500m (5 hrs)

• Day 12: Mestia – Kutaisi

Transfer to Mestia. Visit Bagrati Cathedral.

• Day 13: Kutaisi – Uplistsikhe – Tbilisi

Visit Gelati  Cathedral – one of the earliest academies’ in Europe, then drive to Uplistsikhe Cave Town. Overnight in Tbilisi.

• Day 14: Departure