Imereti-Svaneti-2025
SVANETI TRIP
Day 1
After picking you up from Kopitnari Airport and purchasing SIM cards, we will head to Zugdidi. (about a 1.5-hour drive). Here we will exchange money and have lunch. Then we will go to visit the Enguri Dam (about an hour's drive), which was once the highest (272 m) arch dam in the world, and today ranks sixth in this respect. The hydroelectric power plant on the Inguri River is located partly in Abkhazia, which it also supplies with electricity. In fact, the dam is just a short stop on our way to the Svaneti region. From Enguri to Mazeri, we need another 3 hours of driving. The route is picturesque, but the asphalt is terrible. We will arrive at a guesthouse in the village of Mazeri for dinner and overnight stay.π
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Day 2
After a Georgian breakfast, we are in for a real day-long trek. First, we will walk to the Hiker Cafe, from where we will climb to the 120-meter-high Shdugra Waterfall (we will walk to the foot of the waterfall). The one-way route is about 7.5 km, so about 15 km in both directions. The total elevation gain is about 520 meters, and the descent is 520 m. We will climb to an altitude of over 2000 m above sea level. The views will definitely reward us for the effort of the climb. On the way down, we can have a snack at the Hiker Cafe. Dinner and overnight stay at a guesthouse in Mazeri.
Day 3
From Mazeri, we will take a picturesque drive to the high-mountain village of Mestia (about 25 km by car). We will settle in a guesthouse and set off to explore the town. Here, we will visit two interesting museums: the Museum of History and Ethnography of Georgia, which has a valuable collection from all over Sakartvelo, and the private Ratiani Museum. It is a real gem, housed in an authentic Svan tower, and its host will tell us how the Svans lived centuries ago. This is a day for regeneration and relaxation, so we will not overexert ourselves. Lunch and dinner at a restaurant. Overnight stay at a guesthouse in Mestia.π»
Day 4
After breakfast, we will set off for Heshkili Huts (30 minutes by car), a magical place where you can swing on a swing overlooking the Caucasus, drink coffee or herbal tea, or eat kubdari, a local delicacy with meat. Then we will take the winding Swanetian roads to Ushguli (about 50 km, but on extreme roads). This village, located at an altitude of over 2,200 m above sea level, has four hamlets (Zhibiani, Chvibiani, Chazhashi, and Murkmeli) and is famous for its stone defensive towers. In addition, Ushguli is listed by UNESCO as the highest permanently inhabited village in Europe. The wildness and harshness of this place will surely delight you. We will visit Svan villages and the La Maria monastery. Overnight stay and dinner in Ushguli with a view of Shkara at a local family's house.ποΈ
Day 5
On this day, after a Georgian breakfast, we will enjoy horse riding and a popular hike to the foot of the Shkara glacier. Shkara is the highest peak in Georgia, at 5,203 meters above sea level. But don't let the numbers scare you, we will admire the peak from a safe distance. First, we will ride 10 km on horseback, leave the horses to rest, and walk up to the glacier along a picturesque and not too demanding route of about 2 km. Then we will descend to the horses and ride another 10 km back. Dinner and overnight stay still in Ushguli.π
Day 6
After breakfast, we will set off on our return journey to Mestia. Before reaching the town center, we will leave our cars at the trail leading to the Chalaadi glacier. It is less than 3 km one way from the parking lot and bridge to the glacier, so 6 km in total. There are no significant elevation changes along the way, but the stones on the trail are a problem, so we will move quite slowly (about 1.5 hours one way, 3 hours total). After the trek, we will arrive in Mestia for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Day 7
On this day, we will mainly see the world from behind the windshield of a car, as we will be returning to Kutaisi, which will take about 6 hours. Don't worry, there will be stops along the way, and the route leading through mountain passes with rushing streams below will surely provide us with many attractions. We will stop for lunch on the way. Upon arrival in Kutaisi, there will be time to freshen up before dinner. The last supra at Tina's with cooking workshops and overnight stay in Kutaisi. π·
Day 8
After breakfast, packing and transport to the airport. Possibly here the bazaar on the way. βοΈ
The plan is quite detailed, but it is always subject to change if only due to weather conditions or temporary road closures. You have to remember that Georgia, as beautiful as it is, is also unpredictable, but you love it for that.β€οΈ
Georgia, which lies at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, will always be both familiar and exotic to us. On the one hand, the famous Georgian hospitality, on the other hand, the culture and traditions that are not fully understood for us. We guarantee that you will fall in love as we did with Georgian cuisine, wine, mountains and people. π¬πͺβ€οΈπ¬πͺ
Priceβ¨
The final price depends on the number of people in the group, the date and the route. Those who are determined should first of all buy air tickets. This is a guarantee of the trip for us. Then, after sending confirmation of ticket purchase, a deposit of EUR 50 is required within 7 days (in case of cancellation, the deposit is non-refundable).
What the price includes:
- π Transportation with a Georgian driver and English-speaking guide (transfer from and to the airport and a comfortable minivan for exclusive use throughout our trip)
- π‘ accommodation in family guesthouses / hotels
- π₯ breakfasts
- π assistance of a Polish certified tour manager
- π horseback ride (from Ushguli to the Shkara Glacier area)
- π· supra (dinner with wine) on the last evening in Kutaisi
What the price does not include:
- ποΈ entrance fees to visited places such as:, museums, dam, etc.
- βοΈ airline tickets (Wizzair), we will help you buy tickets
- π· travel insurance (everyone insures individually)
- π₯ other meals (lunches and dinners)
Feel free to contact.
Team Georgia in my heart
