Upper Svaneti. The Pearl of the Caucasus Mountains

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Batumi – Enguri Gorge – Mestia – Chalaadi Glacier
4 stops
1
Driving towards the Upper Svaneti in the Greater Caucasus Mountains. After three hours of drive we turn to the mixed forests and take picnic next to an beautiful waterfall. Delicious cheese, vegetables, bread and fruits are served
1 hour • Admission ticket included
2
At noon we reach the settlement Mestia and take the cable car up to Mt. Hatsvali (2347m). In the restaurant on the top of the Mountain we enjoy coffee with an unforgettable panoramic view on the Mt. Ushba and Mt. Tetnuldi.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
3
We enjoy a coffee break with an unforgettable panoramic view on the Mt. Ushba and Mt. Tetnuldi. Afterwards we hike to the Chaladi Glacier. The trail starts at the iron/wooden footbridge. We cross beautiful mixed forests along the riverbanks, small cracks, a subnivale vegetation with hundreds of unique flowering plant species and colorful butterflies. Hiking trail info Level of difficulty: easy Distance: 8 km Duration: max. 4 hours Elevation gain: 520 m
4 hours • Admission ticket free
4
Mestia
We end the day in Mestia where a delicious dinner with traditional dishes await us. One of the regional food specialties is “Kubdari”, a Svanetian bread filled with beef or lumb seasoned with cumin, dill, coriander, blue fenugreek, red pepper, onions, garlic, and salt
Admission ticket free
Day 2
Mestia – Ushguli – Sisatura – Batumi
3 stops
5
Ushguli
In the morning departure to the ancient village Ushguli, located at the foot of the Schkhara Glaciers. It is one of the highest continuously inhabited village of Europe (2100m). We stroll through the streets of this UNESCO World Heritage site with medieval houses and watch towers. During the walk you will hear incredible stories about locals and their lifestyle.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
6
At noon, we enjoy lunch at a family-run restaurant. Afterwards, we take a leisurely walk to the Lamaria Monastery, which dates back to the 10th century. This monastery showcases distinctive decorated architecture and medieval frescoes, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the region.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
7
In the late afternoon, we return to Batumi. On the way we stop at the Ethno Village Sisatura. Here await us farewell dinner with delicious Mengrelian dishes. The menu include: Elarji, a thick, elastic porridge consisting of coarse cornmeal, cornflour, and sulguni cheese; Gebzhalia, cheese in mint souce; Chakhokhbili, Chicken in a walnut sauce, spiced with local Saffron; lobio, spiced beans boiled in a clay pot; Ajaphsandali (Georgian Ratatui), fried eggplants and potatoes in spiced tomato sauce. Around 11.00 pm we reach our meeting point in Batumi
2 hours • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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