Location: Zugdidi
Day 1 - 1 Aug 2021
Zugdidi
Content: Start your journey from Zugdidi to Mestia with a shared taxi or a minibus
Location: Mestia
Day 1 - 1 Aug 2021
Old House Hotel/Restaurant
Content: Check-in at the hotel. Located on a small hill overlooking Mestia, this hotel is housed in an old residential home with a defense tower adjoining the building. With a terrace, lounge area, comfortable rooms, and a restaurant that serves delicious food, it is one of the best moderately priced Mestia hotels.
Cafe Laila
Content: After checking in to your accommodation, head to cafe Laila to eat local meals for the lunch. Must try food here are: Kubdari - meat pie; Tashmijab - potato mash with cheese, Petvral - local version of cheese-pie Khachapuri
Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography
Content: The reason to visit this museum is that it is jam-packed with relics found in archeological excavations and kept secretly during the invasions. Georgia’s some of most unique treasures are here instead of Tbilisi museums. It is also a great place to understand the local culture, traditions, and attire. Admire beautiful jewelry works, weaponry, coins of various decades, ancient books and pamphlets, and more.
Guesthouse Svan Tower
Content: For a bit of an adrenaline rush and panoramic views of Mestia, climb to the roof of one of the defense towers. The climb up there is exhilarating, but the way down is scarier. There are no stairs, just wooden ladders that, in some cases, are a bit shorter so, you’ll need to do slight climbing. Also, be aware of dirt and dust, so come in clothes that you don’t mind getting somewhat dirty.
Location: Mestia
Day 2 - 2 Aug 2021
Mestia
Content: Walk from Mestia center towards the Glacier hike starting point. You have to walk towards the direction of Mestia airport.
Chalaadi Glacier
Content: This is probably the easiest day hike you can do in Mestia. If you leave early in the morning, it can even be a half-day hike. Many people skip it as it might not be as scenic compared to other hikes. However, I think it’s a great introductory hike to Mestia and Svaneti to do on your second day. You will familiarize yourself with the climate, elevation gain, and trail characteristics. The trail itself takes 1:30hr to reach the glacier and 1hr to come back. The start is a bit uphill but then flattens in the middle and follows a tree-covered terrain until you enter the alpine zone.
Old House Hotel/Restaurant
Content: Have a dinner with delicious food at the restaurant of the hotel. Order Chvishdari a cornmeal bread with cheese among other food.
Location: Mestia
Day 3 - 3 Aug 2021
Mestia
Content: Take a delica van towards the village of Mazeri to start the hike.
Location: Mazeri
Day 3 - 3 Aug 2021
Shdugra Waterfall
Content: Apart from the highest peaks, Svaneti is also home to one of the highest waterfalls - Shdugra - nestled at one slope of Mount Ushba. The trail starts from the village of Mazari in the Becho community and has two ways to reach the waterfall. The one is a bit longer and starts at Grand Hotel Ushba, while the second is shorter by 3km and starts from Hikers Cafe and camping ground. This trail also continues up to Ushba Glacier if you have time and desire. The shorter trail takes around 2hr one way to get close to the waterfall. The hike has a bit rocky and steep uphill and then continues through the beautiful pine forest. There’s a wooden hut somewhere in the middle serving hot and cold beverages as well as Khachapuri bakes on a fire.
Location: Mestia
Day 4 - 4 Aug 2021
Mestia
Content: Take a Delica van towards Koruldi Lakes
Location:
Day 4 - 4 Aug 2021
Koruldi Lakes
Content: Koruldi Lakes, located around 10.5km away from Mestia at one of the sides of Mount Usha, is one of the popular Mestia attractions. It’s also a popular day-hikes in Mestia for those who’d want a relatively moderate hike from the town. The walk takes around 7 hours in total. Although the lakes themselves are not very interesting, their location and surrounding mountains reflecting in the water make it a fascinating place to enjoy spectacular views. Nestled at 2,850 meters above sea level, you can admire the famous peaks of the Caucasus, including Tetnuldi, Shkhara, Ushba, and Laila, to name a few. On the way up to Koruldi Lakes, there’s a nice viewpoint deck to take nice pictures, enjoy the views or relax for a bit if you are hiking all the way up. Bring a snack and have a picnic while enjoying the tranquility and scenic views of snow-covered mountains all around you
Location: Mestia
Day 4 - 4 Aug 2021
Mestia
Content: Walk around Mestia to get that medival town vibes
Location: Ushguli
Day 5 - 5 Aug 2021
Ushguli
Content: Take a public transport or a shared delica van to Ushguli
Location: Chazhashi
Day 5 - 5 Aug 2021
Ushguli Cabins კოტეჯები
Content: check in at Ushguli Cabins. It's one of the best places to stay in Ushguli with gorgeous views over the mountains and the settlement
XII Century
Content: Come to the restaurant of the hotel for some mouthwatering local food
Ushguli
Content: Walk around the village of Ushguli and feel as if you traveled in time
Location: Ushguli
Day 6 - 6 Aug 2021
Ushguli
Content: See the sunrise over mt. Shkhara, the highest peak of the country. If you are lucky, the sky will be clear to see the top
Muzeum etnograficzne
Content: Visit Ushguli Ethnography Museum to learn history and culture of Svan people, how they lived, what they used, etc.
Lamaria
Content: Visit Lamaria Church for iconic frescos and gorgeous views of the village
Location: Mestia
Day 6 - 6 Aug 2021
Mestia
Content: Go back to Mestia with a public transport or a shared van
Location: Mestia
Day 7 - 7 Aug 2021
Mikhail Khergiani House Museum
Content: Mikheil Khergiani was the pioneer of Georgian mountain climbers. Nicknamed “Tiger of the Rocks/Cliffs” because of this unique technique to rapidly climb the slopes, Khergiani was a seven-time national champion and holder of the Honoured Master of Sport of the USSR title.
Location: Zugdidi
Day 7 - 7 Aug 2021
Zugdidi
Content: It's time to go back to Zugdidi, but gorgeous landscapes of Svaneti will always have a special place in our mind and heart. Until next time!