Overview
An 11 day, self-guided walking holiday in the Svaneti region, in the heart of the central Caucasus Mountains. Starting and ending in the capital city of Tbilisi, with transfers to and from the mountains, there are six days of hiking on this tour. Each day takes you deeper into the mountain range, valued particularly for its traditional tower houses, but also for the fact that it was untouched by external influences for centuries, due to its geographic isolation. One of the cultural highlights is staying in Ushguli, at the foot of Mt. Shkhara, (the highest mountain in Georgia, 5,201m). This is one of the highest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe and part of a UNESCO site, along with many other villages that you visit on your hikes.
- Tbilisi
- Shdugra Waterfall
- Mestia
- Koruldi Lakes
- Ushguli communities
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Tbilisi
Arrive in the capital city of Tbilisi, famous for having been at the crossroads of Europe and Asia for centuries, resulting in a fascinating mix of cultures, traditions and architecture. You’ll see Persian courtyards, Soviet-era buildings, and ultra-modern glass structures all in one walk.
- Accommodation: Epigraph Town Hotel or similar in Tbilisi
Day 2: Tbilisi
Take some time to visit some of the city’s greatest sights. These include Narikala Fortress, which looms above the city, and Dadiani Palace and Zugdidi Botanical Garden, which houses the capital’s finest collections of cultural heritage. There is also an impressive mix of historical places of worship, such as Juma Mosque, the Great Synagogue of Tbilisi and Fire Temple of Yazd, an ancient Zoroastrian temple. A visit to the Turkish bathing houses, built on the natural sulphur springs in the centre of the historic old town, is also recommended.
Additionally, we recommend visiting Alaverdi Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is a 2h drive from the capital by taxi (approx $30-$40 each way). Alaverdi is the tallest church in Georgia and one of the finest examples of Georgian medieval architecture.
- Accommodation: Epigraph Town Hotel or similar in Tbilisi
- Meals: breakfast
Day 3: Tbilisi – Becho
Today, you have a long transfer from Tbilisi to Becho in the Svaneti region (9h), with stops for comfort breaks. It’s worth it, though, as you arrive in the heart of this region famous for its medieval villages, watchtowers, and mountain scenery. Becho is famous for being the gateway town for climbers heading to the top of Mount Ushba (4,700m), and its iconic twin peaks overlook the town.
- Accommodation: Jenna’s Guesthouse or similar in Becho
- Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 4: Becho – Etseri – Becho | 15km
You are transferred (30mins) to Etseri village, where today’s hike begins. After walking through Etseri, continue on to Mazeri Pass through steppes and flowery meadows. At the top of Mazeri Pass, you are rewarded with great views of Mount Ushba. The trail continues through meadows all the way back to Etseri, from where you are transferred back to your accommodation in Becho.
- Walking for the day: 15km, 6-7h, ↑950m, ↓1,000m
- Accommodation: Jenna’s Guesthouse or similar in Becho
- Meals: breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Day 5: Becho – Shdugra Waterfall – Mestia | 12km
You are transferred to Shikhra village (15mins) where you walk across Shikhra Bridge and follow the trail along a small tributary on the other side of the river bank. Continue through a forested area, where the path gently rises and falls. After approximately 90mins, there’s a lovely rest spot at a ranger’s hut. Continue along a steep rocky path that climbs higher through wild landscapes as far as Shdugra Waterfall. Retrace your steps to Shikhra, where our driver awaits to take you to Mestia, a small town in the heart of the Caucasus Mountains at an altitude of about 1,500m. It’s a perfect hiking base for the next two nights.
- Walking for the day: 12km, 6-7h, ↑1,100m, ↓1,100m
- Accommodation: Bapsha Guesthouse or similar in Mestia
- Meals: breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Day 6: Mestia – Mulakhi – Mestia | 13km
You are transferred (20mins) to the village of Mulakhi where the walking trail starts and continues through other mountain settlements. Along the way, there is a great lookout with views of of Mounts Ushba and Tetnuldi (4,858m). Finally, continue the hike through forested areas and green fields, gradually descending back towards Mestia.
- Walking for the day: 13km, 4-5h, ↑520m, ↓650m
- Accommodation: Bapsha Guesthouse or similar in Mestia
- Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 7: Mestia – Koruldi Lakes – Mestia – Ushguli | 8km
You are transferred (30mins) to the start of the hike at 2,170m. Follow a ridge to the north, past shepherd huts then steadily climb up to Koruldi Lakes. Please note that, depending on the time of year and weather conditions, some of the lakes may have dried up during warmer months. After walking around the lakes, retrace your steps back to the starting point. You are transferred to Ushguli (1h 45mins). Ushguli is a community of five medieval villages in the Svaneti region. We recommend visiting the Ushguli Mother of God Church which dates back to the 9th and 10th centuries.
- Walking for the day: 8km, 3-4h, ↑600m, ↓600m
- Accommodation: Hotel-Cafe Koshki Ushguli or similar in Ushguli
- Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 8: Ushguli – Shkhara Glacier – Ushguli | 18km
Starting from your accommodation, walk parallel to Patara Enguri River to the base of Georgia’s highest mountain, Mount Shkhara (5,193m). The terrain becomes rockier as you approach the glacier (2,500m). Shkhara Glacier, with a length of over 12km, is one the largest glaciers in the Caucasus Mountains. From the glacier, return to Ushguli following the same route.
- Walking for the day: 18km, 5h, ↑320m, ↓320m
- Accommodation: Hotel-Cafe Koshki Ushguli or similar in Ushguli
- Meals: breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Day 9: Ushguli – Gorvashi Pass – Mestia | 8.5km
Today’s hike begins from the hotel, ascending above the Ushguli community of Murkmeli. The trail ascends alongside a small stream up to a small plateau on the left side of the valley, with views of the Greater Caucasus mountains. Once you arrive at Gorvashi Pass (3,050m), you get to take in some superb views of the mountains, a perfect finale on your last day ot hiking. Return the same way to Ushguli, where you are met and transferred to your accommodation in Mestia (1h 15mins).
- Walking for the day: 8.5km, 5-6h, ↑710m, ↓710m
- Accommodation: Bapsha Guesthouse or similar in Mestia
- Meals: breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Day 10: Mestia – Tbilisi
Transfer to Tbilisi. Driving time 8-9h.
- Accommodation: Epigraph Town Hotel or similar in Tbilisi
- Meals: breakfast
Day 11: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
- Meals: breakfast
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view pictures of our default hotels
- Epigraph Town Hotel (Tbilisi)
- Jenna’s Guesthouse (Becho)
- Bapsha Guesthouse (Mestia)
- Hotel-Cafe Koshki Ushguli (Ushguli)
In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
All breakfasts are included, as are four lunches and seven dinners. Dinner, when not included, is available either at the accommodation or from restaurants in the local area.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated moderate, with daily walking distances of 8-18km. This holiday is suitable for regular hikers and a good level of fitness is required to get the most out of this tour (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from May to October. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your trip on any date in the season.
The climate in the region is continental, cold, and temperate. Svaneti has alpine weather with long, cold, and snowy winters. Snowfall is also possible in June and September. In summer, it can become cold, especially at night.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Tbilisi International Airport (TBS).
By train or bus
- If you are able to travel to Georgia without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail with a train stations in Tbilisi. For more details, see the national rail operator TRE or use the Omio planner above.
- Tbilisi city centre is easily reachable from the airport using public transport. For more information, click here or use the Omio planner above.
- Private airport transfers are available upon request.
Inclusions
Included
- 10 nights in private rooms with en-suite/private facilities
- 10 breakfasts
- 7 dinners
- 4 packed lunches
- Luggage transfers between accommodations
- Private transfers, as stated in the itinerary
- Welcome meeting with a local representative
- Digital pre-departure information pack, including GPX tracks
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners not mentioned in the itinerary, drinks and snacks
- Visa for Georgia (if applicable*)
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses such as snacks, drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
- Any items not specifically mentioned as ‘included’ in the program
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
*Most UK and European citizens do not need to obtain a visa to enter Georgia. Detailed information regarding visa requirements can be found here. If a visa is required, travellers can apply for an e-Visa here.
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms, and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) are not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own rooms. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Extra nights in Tbilisi
- Airport transfers
