Mestia

Explore Svaneti

Day 1Kutaisi - Mestia Meet your driver and guide in the morning and start unforgettable journey across the country to visit mountainous region Svaneti. Road trip to Mestia takes the half day, so on the way take a chance to have a lunch in Zugdidi or somewhere on the road. After tasting delicious Megrelian dishes drive to town Zugdidi, where you visit Dadiani Palace, the residence of Megrelian princes.Continue the way to Svaneti and stop near the world's second largest Enguri Dam, beautiful spot for photo shooting.In the evening arrive to Mestia and have Svanetian dinner.     Overnight at the hotelday 2Mestia After breakfast start exploring Svaneti with museum of history and ethnography, where you can find the real masterpieces of medieval Georgian iconography, manuscripts, ancient coins, ethnographic and archaeological artifacts. Mestia amazes its visitors with around 200 towers, originally built between the 9th and 13th centuries, take a chance and visit 1000 years old Margiani's family tower and house museum, to see how Svanetians lived during the centuries.After lunch drive to Chalaadi glacier , hiking activities takes 3 hours. In the evening enjoy with the dinner in local restaurant.Overnight at the hotel.Day 3UshguliAfter Breakfast start off-road journey to Ushguli village, the highest continually inhabited place in Europe. The whole settlement with its fortification is recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Ushguli visit Lamaria church the most sacred place for the locals. After tasting Kubdari (Svanetian filled bread dish), visit King Tamar's Tower and enjoy with the picturesque view on Ushguli. We can hire horses and make unforgettable trip to Shkhara Valley.In the evening return back to Mestia.Overnight in MestiaDay 4Mestia - Ushba - Qoruldi lakesAfter breakfast Drive To village Becho, Hike to Mazeri Waterfall . Drive to the Mestia and take offroad trip to the Qoruldi lakes .Overnight in MestiaDay 5Mestia - KutaisiAfter breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive back to KutaisiEnd of the tour.  

Tour to Mestia from Tbilisi

ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Mountain UshbaWe will visit Inguri water reservoir, turn we will come to Svanetian village Becho, known as the best location to observe Mount Ushba. Duration: 1 dayStop At: Svaneti Museum of History and EthnographyHere you will see artefacts from Svaneti, dating back to 3rd century BC. Also have walk in medieval street of ancient town. Duration: 1 dayStop At: Ushguli VillageUshguli is most Highland village in Europe that is inhabited all year around. Village itself in UNESCO world heritage site and in protected. Duration: 1 dayStop At: Town-Fortress NokalakeviNokalakevi or Archeopolis is ancent city fortress, here all Kolkhis ledend come true. We also visit Palace of Duke Dadiani in Zugdidi. Duration: 1 dayStop At: Gelati MonasteryWe will visit Gelati Monastery, ancent city Kutaisi, with its beautiful old city. Duration: 1 day

Mountains and canyons - private 3-days trip to Svaneti via Martvili and Okatse canyons

We start our tour from Tbilisi in the early morning hours.. The day-by-day schedule looks as following:Day 1 visit Martvili canyon with several small waterfalls and rivers, where you can also take a boat trip through the water filled gorge. visit Okatse canyon and walk on a hanging bridge some 140m above the canyon walk to Kinchkha waterfall, one of the tallest waterfalls of Georgia Night in Kutaisi, the ancient capital of Colchis kingdom Day 2 drive to Mestia via Enguri dam, second highest concrete arch dam in the world short hike to Chaladi glacier or Koruldi lakes folk night at the most famous traditional restaurant Night in Mestia Day 3 visit Hatsvali, the view point of Mestia and ski resort transfer to Tbilisi

Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Mestia - Three Amazing days of your life

Day 1: Tbilisi – Uplistsikhe – Shrosha – KutaisiAfter breakfast, drive to Uplistsikhe, cross point of many Great Silk Road routes. Explore this cave town dating back to Hellenistic Period and notable for unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures and the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture. Drive to Kutaisi, the central city of Western Georgia once called “Aia”. The road to Kutaisi will take you over Rikoti pass and through the longest tunnel of Georgia (1,722 m), that is also considered to be a border between Western and Eastern parts of Georgia. On the way make a stop at village Shrosha where you will have a chance to see versatility of Georgian pottery: “doqi” - jug, “piala” - bowl, “ketsi”- plate and many more are made from clay that is extracted from the soil of the area. Arrive in Kutaisi, take a walking tour around the city’s main sights. Visit Bagrati cathedral (11th century) - one of the best samples of Georgian late medieval architecture towering over Kutaisi and visible from almost any point in the city. Overnight at the guesthouse.Day 2: Kutaisi – Gelati – Motsameta – Prometheus cave – MestiaIn the morning visit the Gelati monastery (12th century) built by King David the Builder. Gelati was the center of spiritual and scientific life of the Middle Ages. Next stop is Motsameta monastery that stands above the rough Rioni river and is buried in coastal vegetation. Tombs of brothers David and Constantine Mkheidze are located here. Continue to Prometheus cave to walk in 1.5 km long tunnel to enjoy breathtaking views of stalactites, stalagmites, petrified waterfalls, underground rivers, and lakes along the cave. Underground light system filled with LED lights of all rainbow colors marvelously highlights natural beauty of Prometheus cave. After lunch get ready for the next part of the tour: a journey to the remote Svaneti region, the highest inhabited area in the Caucasus. On the way you'll see the largest water Dam in the world - Enguri Dam. Mestia is surrounded by mountains, medieval-type villages and distinctive tower-houses. Spend the night in a local guesthouse with shared facilities Day 3: Mestia –Hatsvali – enguri Dam - TbilisiHatsvali is one of the closest peak to Mestia. It's a great destination in Svaneti not only in winter but also in summer because there are stunning views from Hatsvali mountain. Hatsvali ski resort is about 6 kilometers away from Mestia city. But now you don't need a car to get there, as there is a new cable car from Mestia city, which connects the city and resort together. There is a cafe named Zuruldi on top of Hatsvali and it's working on all seasons. You have to experience drinking Glintwine (Mulled Wine) in Zuruldi and watching Ushba at least once in your life.Drive back to Tbilisi. Drop off at your hotel/place Tbilisi.

Svaneti Hiking Paradise

Itinerary:  Day 1: Tbilisi- Enguri Dam -Mestia Driving Distance 460 km, Duration 8 hours  Tbilisi-Enguri Dam: We will meet at your hotel and drive to Svaneti which is an outstanding example of an exceptional mountain landscape composed of highly preserved villages with unique defensive tower houses, examples of ecclesiastical architecture and arts of medieval origin. Visit the Museum of History and ethnography and Svanetian Architectural Museum in Mestia and explore the small town by walking into the narrow streets, visiting small cafes and local souvenirs shops.  Day 2: Mestia-Ushguli -Mestia Driving Distance 92 km, Dur. 5 hours, Walking Dist. 16 km, Dur. 5 hours  We will travel  to the Ushguli which is located at the foot of mount Shkara and at the confluence of the rivers Enguri and Kvishiri. The highest permanent settlement in Europe (2200 m) with the outstanding mixture of mountainous landscape and the medieval-type towers and churches will astonish visitors. Here you will visit the Ushguli Ethnographic museum located in the 12th-century old Svanetian tower-house. Wee also visit a medieval Lamaria church ( of the assumption of the Mother of God). Afterward, you can take an optional hike to Shkhara glacier.  Day 3: Mestia-Koruldi Lakes-MestiaWalking Distance 18 km, Starting elevation 1,695 m, ending elevation 1460, maximum elevation 2500 m We start hiking in the early morning. We hike up towards mount Ushba and reach alpine lake of Koruldi. Koruldi Lake is a small alpine lake but is surrounded by great impressive mountainous peaks including Ushba.  Afterward, we hike back to Mestia. Day 4: Mestia- Mazeri – Ushba Waterfalls-Mazeri-MestiaWalking Distance 14 km, 7 hours, Starting elevation 1,648 m, Maximum elevation 2113m, 506 Up, 506 m Down We will drive to Mazeri village from Mestia (40 minutes), and start our hiking from Grand Hotel Ushba. The path passes mineral water springs, a small church with the picturesque location, beautiful meadows, and then ascends slowly in the path of beautiful pine forests until it reaches the border post from where the last ascent starts. The trip is 7km long and takes around 3-4 hours one way. Afterward, we travel back to Mestia. Day 5: Mestia- Chalaadi Glacier –TbilisiDriving Distance 480 km, 8 hours, Walking Dist. 5 km, duration 3 hours  After an energizing breakfast and morning beverages, we travel to the Chalaadi glacier.  We will follow upstream of Mestiachala river and after 1,5 km, we reach our finish, a place where the river is born. Afterward, we travel to Tbilisi.

3-Day Tour in Svaneti: Majestic Caucasus Mountains

Itinerary: Day 1: Tbilisi- Enguri Dam -Mestia Tbilisi-Enguri Dam :  We will meet at your hotel and drive to Svaneti. After 4 hours driving, we stop at Enguri dam which is one of the highest arch dam in the world(a height of 271.5 metres). Then we drive to the region of Upper Svaneti which is an outstanding example of an exceptional mountain landscape composed of highly preserved villages with unique defensive tower houses, examples of ecclesiastical architecture and arts of medieval origin. Visit the museum of History and ethnography and Svanetian Architectural Museum in Mestia and explore small town by walking into the narrow streets, visiting small cafes and local souvenirs shops. Overnight in Mestia Day 2: Mestia-Ushguli-Mestia After a hearty breakfast at our local guesthouse, we will depart to the Ushguli which is located at the foot of mount Shkara and at the confluence of the rivers Enguri and Kvishiri. The highest permanent settlement in Europe (2200 m) with the outstanding mixture of mountainous landscape and the medieval-type towers and churches will astonish visitors. Here you will visit the Ushguli Ethnograpic museum located in the 12th century old Svanetian tower-house. Wee also visit a mediaval Lamaria church ( of the assumption of the Mother of God). Afterwards, you can take an optional hike to Shkhara glacier. The way is long (8 km one way) but easy. We just follow upstream of  the river Enguri towards Shkhara peak.  Overnight in Mestia Day 3: Mestia- Chalaadi Glacier -Tbilisi After an energizing breakfast and morning beverages we travel to the Chalaadi glacier.  We will follow upstream of Mestiachala river and after 1,5 km, we reach our finish, a place where the river is born. Afterwards, we travel to Tbilisi.