Tour to Svaneti

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Svaneti Tour: Pearl of the Caucasus Mountains – 7 Days from Tbilisi

Price for one tour per person

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tour features

Tour Duration: 7 Days

Tour Location:Svaneti

Tour highlights: Tour Type: Cultural and nature exploration with moderate hiking

Tour is available From May to October

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Experience Svaneti, the most remote and culturally distinct region of Georgia, over seven days that also cover the country’s main UNESCO World Heritage sites. This isn’t a rushed one-day visit to Svaneti. You’ll spend three full days in the mountain region at elevations between 1,500 and 2,100 meters, hike to a glacier, explore Europe’s highest inhabited village, and stay with Svan families in traditional guesthouses.

The route takes you through Georgia’s geographic and cultural diversity: from Tbilisi through the ancient capital Mtskheta with churches from the 6th and 11th centuries, past Uplistsikhe’s 3,000-year-old rock-carved city, through western Georgia’s subtropical canyons, into Svaneti’s alpine zone where medieval defensive towers still define village skylines, and back through cave systems carved by underground rivers.

Svaneti’s isolation by the High Caucasus peaks preserved a culture that disappeared elsewhere in Georgia. Stone towers built between the 9th and 13th centuries protected families during blood feuds. The Svan language predates Georgian and belongs to a different linguistic branch. Church frescoes show artistic traditions developed without outside influence. Three nights in Svaneti give you time to understand this unique mountain culture beyond just seeing the famous views.

Why This Tour Combines Georgia’s Highlights with Deep Svaneti Immersion

Most Georgia tours either skip Svaneti entirely or include just one rushed day. Tours that focus only on Svaneti miss the context of how different this region is from the rest of Georgia. This itinerary solves both problems.

Days 1-2 establish the baseline: You see mainstream Georgian culture in Tbilisi and at the UNESCO churches in Mtskheta. Uplistsikhe shows Georgia’s pre-Christian past. Kutaisi and Gelati represent western Georgia’s distinct character. This context makes Svaneti’s differences more apparent.

Days 3-5 immerse you in Svaneti: Three full days in the region let you experience it properly. Day 3 covers Mestia’s museums and historic districts. Day 4 takes you hiking to Chalaadi Glacier and up to Hatsvali for mountain panoramas. Day 5 visits Ushguli, Europe’s highest village, with time to actually explore instead of just taking photos.

Days 6-7 complete the circuit: Return through different routes showing more of western Georgia. Matskhvarishi church’s unique frescoes differ from what you saw at Gelati. Sataplia caves demonstrate Georgia’s karst geology. The route back creates a complete loop through the country.

An optional extension to southern Georgia adds 2-3 days visiting Vardzia cave monastery and Samtskhe-Javakheti region if you have more time.

This structure works better than tours that try to cover everything in 5 days (too rushed) or spend 10 days only in Svaneti (too much for one region unless you’re serious about hiking).

What Makes Svaneti the Pearl of the Caucasus

The “Pearl of the Caucasus” nickname comes from how Svaneti’s geographic position created something precious and rare. The region sits at 1,400 to 2,200 meters elevation, surrounded by peaks over 4,000 meters. Only two road access points exist, both built in Soviet times. Before the 1930s, Svaneti was accessible only by mountain passes closed 6-7 months per year.

Geographic isolation preserved medieval culture. When Mongols, Persians, and Turks invaded Georgia between the 13th and 18th centuries, Svaneti’s mountain barriers kept invaders out. Culture that was destroyed or changed in accessible Georgia survived here. Defensive towers that became obsolete elsewhere in the 1400s remained necessary in Svaneti into the 1800s because blood feuds continued.

The Svan language isn’t a dialect of Georgian. It belongs to the Kartvelian language family but diverged over 4,000 years ago. Svan has no standard written form. Most Svans speak Svan at home, Georgian in public, and (increasingly) Russian or English for tourism. The language uses sounds that don’t exist in Georgian.

Svan towers define the region visually. Families built stone towers 20-25 meters tall starting in the 9th century. The towers served as fortified refuges during attacks and blood feuds. When conflicts started, the entire extended family retreated to their tower with livestock on the ground floor and supplies for weeks. Towers have tiny windows, single defensible entrances, and walls over one meter thick. UNESCO recognized Svaneti’s towers as globally unique medieval architecture.

UNESCO World Heritage site:  Upper Svaneti cultural landscape (including Ushguli) is recognized as cultural heritage.

Mount Ushba (4,710m) is Svaneti’s iconic peak. The twin summits create a distinctive silhouette visible from multiple villages. Locals call it “the mountain of evil” because the technical climbing difficulty has killed many mountaineers. First ascent wasn’t until 1888, decades after easier but higher Caucasus peaks were climbed.

Tourism changed everything after 2010. Better roads and new hotels transformed Mestia from an isolated mountain village into a small tourism center. The change brought income but altered traditional life. Young Swans learn English for tourism instead of agricultural skills. Guesthouses replaced subsistence farming.

Your 7-Day Itinerary

We meet you at Tbilisi International Airport regardless of arrival time. Transfer to your hotel in central Tbilisi.

Tbilisi city tour covers the capital’s main attractions, introducing you to Georgian culture before heading to the mountains.

Old Tbilisi’s narrow streets and wooden balconies date from the 18th and 19th centuries, built after Persian invasions destroyed earlier structures. The architecture shows Middle Eastern and European influences mixing with Georgian traditions. The sulfur bath district (Abanotubani) is where Tbilisi began in the 5th century, around natural hot springs.

Narikala Fortress sits on the ridge above Old Town. Originally built in the 4th century, the fortress was expanded by every power that conquered Tbilisi over 1,500 years. We take the cable car up for views showing how Tbilisi spreads through the valley between mountain ranges. The panorama helps you understand the city’s geography.

Metekhi Church (13th century) stands on a cliff above the Mtkvari River. This area was the royal quarter during Georgia’s medieval kingdom. The church survived Soviet demolition because authorities converted it to a theater, ironically saving it.

Rustaveli Avenue represents modern Georgia. Parliament, Opera House, National Museum, and modern office buildings line the main boulevard. The architecture mixes 19th-century Russian Imperial style with Soviet structures and new glass construction from the last twenty years.

Freedom Square (formerly Lenin Square) shows post-Soviet transformation. The Soviet monuments were removed and replaced with a column bearing Saint George slaying the dragon. Cafes and shops occupy buildings that were once Communist Party offices.

Walk through the city observing daily life. Tbilisi’s outdoor cafe culture, street vendors, and mixture of old and new architecture set the baseline for understanding how different Svaneti will be.

Evening free to explore restaurants. Georgian cuisine centers on bread (various forms of khachapuri), dumplings (khinkali), grilled meats, vegetable dishes, and wine. The food culture emphasizes feasts (supra) where meals become social events with toasts and conversation.

Accommodation: Hotel in Tbilisi

After breakfast, drive west toward Svaneti. Today covers approximately 6 hours of driving with stops at major historical sites.

Mtskheta (20 minutes from Tbilisi) served as Georgia’s capital for 1,000 years until the 6th century. The city sits where the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers meet, a strategic position that made it the political and religious center of ancient Georgia.

Jvari Monastery (6th century) stands on the mountain overlooking Mtskheta. The cross that gives the church its name (jvari means cross) was erected in the 4th century when Georgia adopted Christianity as the state religion. The monastery you see today was built 200 years later. UNESCO designated this a World Heritage Site in 1994. The views from Jvari show why Mtskheta’s location was strategically important.

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) in Mtskheta’s center is Georgia’s most sacred church. Religious Georgians consider this the holiest site in the country. Georgian kings were crowned and buried here for centuries. The cathedral supposedly houses the robe of Christ, brought to Mtskheta in the 1st century. The cathedral’s name means “life-giving pillar,” referring to the cedar tree that grew where the robe was buried.

The cathedral’s architecture represents the peak of medieval Georgian church building. The stonework, proportions, and decorative details influenced church architecture throughout Georgia.

After Mtskheta, continue west.

Uplistsikhe (1.5 hours from Mtskheta) is Georgia’s most impressive archaeological site. Starting around 1000 BC, people carved an entire city into soft volcanic rock. At its peak in the 1st millennium AD, 20,000 people lived in these caves.

Walk through rock-cut streets connecting hundreds of cave chambers. You’ll see:

  • The theater carved into the rock face
  • The Hall of Queen Tamar (named centuries after the original use)
  • Pagan temples later converted to Christian churches
  • Storage chambers, wine cellars, and water systems
  • Defensive walls and gates

Uplistsikhe shows continuous habitation from the Iron Age through medieval times. The city was abandoned in the 13th century after Mongol invasions. The site demonstrates how pre-Christian Georgian culture functioned before Orthodox Christianity became dominant.

Continue driving west to Kutaisi. The landscape shifts as you cross from eastern to western Georgia. Western Georgia has more rainfall, subtropical vegetation, and different architectural styles.

Kutaisi is Georgia’s second-largest city and the capital of western Georgia (it was briefly the official capital after Tbilisi in 1991-1992). The city has a different atmosphere from Tbilisi: slower-paced, less cosmopolitan, more traditionally Georgian.

Gelati Monastery (12th century) sits in the hills above Kutaisi. King David the Builder founded Gelati as an academy that became medieval Georgia’s intellectual center. Scholars from throughout the Middle East and the Byzantine Empire came to study here. The academy taught philosophy, theology, mathematics, and astronomy.

The monastery’s mosaics and frescoes represent the peak of Georgian medieval art. The main church’s interior shows why Gelati is considered architecturally and artistically superior to other Georgian churches. UNESCO lists Gelati as a World Heritage Site.

Gelati was also a royal burial site. Several Georgian kings are buried here, including David the Builder himself.

Arrive in Kutaisi or nearby Tskaltubo resort town in the evening. Check into your hotel.

Tskaltubo was a famous Soviet-era spa resort built around natural thermal springs. The town has dozens of abandoned sanatoriums from Soviet times (now atmospheric ruins) alongside functioning spa hotels. If you stay in Tskaltubo, the contrast between Soviet decay and modern renovation shows Georgia’s post-Soviet transformation.

Accommodation: Hotel in Kutaisi or Tskaltubo

Today you enter Svaneti. The drive from Kutaisi to Mestia takes approximately 6 hours through mountain roads with stops.

Canyon visit: Choose between Martvili, Okatse, or Balda canyon (selection depends on season, weather, and time). These canyons show western Georgia’s dramatic limestone geology carved by rivers.

Martvili Canyon involves a boat ride through the lower canyon where the river has carved narrow gorges through limestone. The water is turquoise from minerals. Waterfalls drop into pools. The boat ride lasts 15-20 minutes and covers about 300 meters. Above the boat section, walkways let you view the upper canyon and waterfalls.

Okatse Canyon features a metal walkway suspended 20-30 meters above the canyon floor. The walkway extends 780 meters along the cliff face. Views look down to the Okatse River and across to waterfalls cascading down the canyon walls. This is more dramatic than Martvili but requires walking on suspended platforms (not suitable if you’re afraid of heights).

Balda Canyon is less developed than the others but offers more natural experience with hiking along the river. Better for those who want fewer tourists and don’t mind rougher paths.

After the canyon visit, the serious mountain driving begins.

Drive to Mestia follows the Enguri River valley into the High Caucasus. The road climbs from western Georgia’s subtropical zone (around 300 meters elevation) to Mestia at 1,500 meters. You’ll gain over 1,200 meters elevation over 3-4 hours.

The scenery shifts dramatically: from dense green forests to alpine meadows to mountain villages with stone houses and towers. The last section to Mestia winds through steep terrain with views down to the Enguri River gorge hundreds of meters below.

The road was improved significantly in the last decade but sections remain rough. This drive shows why Svaneti stayed isolated for centuries. The mountains create a natural fortress.

Arrive in Mestia in the afternoon. Check into your guesthouse.

Svan guesthouses are family-run properties where the host family lives on one floor and rents rooms to guests. Expect clean private rooms with bathrooms, mountain views, and meals served family-style. Don’t expect hotel amenities, but do expect genuine Svan hospitality.

Walk through Mestia’s historic districts: Lanchvali, Lekhtagi, and Lagami are Mestia’s three old neighborhoods. Each has distinctive tower groups dating from different periods. Walk unpaved lanes between stone houses where Svan families have lived for generations. Over 100 defensive towers stand in Mestia, the highest concentration in one settlement.

Margiani House is a 200-year-old Svan family home converted to a museum. The Margiani family still owns and maintains the property. The house shows traditional Svan living arrangements:

  • Livestock on ground floor (their body heat warmed the house)
  • Family living quarters on second floor
  • Storage and bedrooms on upper floors
  • Defensive tower integrated with the residential building

The interior preserves original furniture, tools, weapons, and household items. This shows how Svan families lived before modern amenities reached the mountains.

Mikheil Khergiani Museum honors Svaneti’s most famous mountaineer. Khergiani (1932-1969) was one of the Soviet Union’s top alpinists, completing first ascents throughout the Caucasus and Pamirs. The museum displays his climbing equipment, photographs, and explains how mountaineering became central to modern Svan identity. Many Svans worked as professional climbers and mountain guides during Soviet times.

Museum of History and Ethnography (Svaneti Museum) houses the region’s most important medieval artifacts:

  • Gold and silver jewelry from 9th-13th centuries
  • Medieval manuscripts in Svan and Georgian
  • Icons and religious metalwork
  • Traditional weapons (swords, daggers, firearms)
  • Ethnographic items showing daily life

The manuscripts are particularly significant. Svaneti’s isolation preserved texts that were destroyed elsewhere during invasions. Some Georgian religious manuscripts survive only in Svan copies kept in mountain churches.

After museum visits, free time to walk around Mestia. The town has small shops, cafes, and a central square where locals gather. See how Mestia functions as a mountain town adapting to tourism while maintaining Svan character.

Dinner at your guesthouse. Meals are family-style with everyone sitting together. Expect traditional Georgian and Svan dishes: khachapuri (cheese bread), kubdari (Svan meat-filled bread), potatoes with Svan spices, pickled vegetables, soups, and grilled meats.

Accommodation: Guesthouse in Mestia

After breakfast, prepare for today’s hiking. Bring layers, water, sun protection, and a camera.

Chalaadi Glacier hike is the main physical activity of the tour. The trail starts from Lenjeri village, about 10 10-minute drive from Mestia. Total hiking distance is approximately 12 kilometers round trip.

The path follows the Mestiachala River valley through diverse terrain:

  • Start through pine and fir forests
  • Cross wooden bridges over glacier-fed streams
  • Emerge into alpine meadows (wildflowers in June-July)
  • Climb gradually toward the glacier (400 meters elevation gain)

The trail is well-marked and heavily used by tourists. It’s not technical climbing but requires reasonable fitness for 5-6 hours of walking at altitude (you’ll reach about 2,000 meters). The altitude makes the hike more demanding than the distance suggests.

Chalaadi Glacier descends from the flanks of Mount Ushba. The glacier face is actively calving, meaning ice constantly breaks off and crashes down. You can hear the glacier cracking and shifting. The turquoise ice color comes from compressed ancient snow with air bubbles squeezed out.

The glacier has retreated significantly in the last 20 years due to climate change. Old photos show the ice face much larger. This is happening throughout the Caucasus as temperatures rise.

From the glacier viewing area, Mount Ushba’s twin peaks (4,710m north summit, 4,690m south summit) dominate the skyline. On clear days, the views justify the hike effort.

Return to Lenjeri and drive back to Mestia. Free time for lunch in town. Try local restaurants serving Svan cuisine. Kubdari (meat bread) is the signature dish worth tasting.

Afternoon visit to Hatsvali ski resort (accessible by cable car from Mestia or by vehicle). Hatsvali sits at 2,347 meters elevation on the slopes above Mestia. During winter, this is one of Georgia’s main ski areas. In summer, the bare ski slopes offer panoramic mountain views.

From Hatsvali’s viewing platforms, you see:

  • Mount Ushba (4,710m) to the north
  • Mount Tetnuldi (4,858m) to the northeast
  • The Mestia valley spread below
  • Surrounding peaks of the High Caucasus

This vantage point shows Svaneti’s geographic position surrounded by 4,000+ meter peaks. The cable car ride and views require no hiking, making this accessible after the morning’s glacier walk.

Return to Mestia. Evening free time.

Optional: During high season (July-August), some restaurants in Mestia host live folk music shows featuring traditional Svan polyphonic singing. Svan polyphonic songs are UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage. The three or four-voice harmonies sound unlike any other music tradition. Ask your guide about current performance schedules if you’re interested.

Dinner at your guesthouse.

Accommodation: Guesthouse in Mestia

This is the tour’s most famous day: visiting Ushguli, Europe’s highest continuously inhabited village at 2,100 meters elevation.

After breakfast, prepare for a long day. Bring warm layers (Ushguli is 600 meters higher than Mestia and noticeably colder), rain gear, water, and snacks.

The road from Mestia to Ushguli covers 45 kilometers but takes 2.5-3 hours each direction. Regular vehicles can’t handle the terrain. We use 4×4 vehicles for this trip.

The road conditions:

  • Crosses several rivers with no bridges (fording through water)
  • Climbs over high passes with steep grades
  • Winds along cliff edges with dramatic drop-offs
  • Partly unpaved with large rocks and rough surface
  • Subject to weather conditions (rain makes it muddy, early snow can close it)

The rough road is part of the experience. This difficulty kept Ushguli isolated for centuries. Even with improved roads, winter still cuts Ushguli off from the rest of Georgia for 6-7 months.

The drive itself offers spectacular scenery as you climb higher into the mountains. Views across valleys to glaciated peaks, through traditional Svan villages, and along the rushing Enguri River.

Ushguli consists of four small communities: Zhibiani, Chvibiani, Chazhashi, and Murkmeli, clustered together at the base of Mount Shkhara (5,193 meters), Georgia’s highest peak and the Caucasus’s third-highest.

UNESCO designated the entire Upper Svaneti region (including Ushguli) as a World Heritage Site in 1996. The designation recognizes both the dramatic natural landscape and the unique cultural value of Svaneti’s medieval defensive tower architecture.

Ushguli has over 200 defensive towers, the highest concentration anywhere in Svaneti. The village’s extreme isolation and continued blood feuds into the 19th century meant families depended on towers for protection longer than in more accessible areas.

Walk through Chazhashi, the most preserved of Ushguli’s four communities. Stone-paved lanes wind between towers and traditional houses. The architecture shows pure Svan building traditions with minimal outside influence. Some families open their towers for visits (small tip expected). Climb inside a tower to see:

  • Ground floor: Stone floor with drainage channels, space for 4-6 cows or horses
  • Second floor: Storage for hay, grain, supplies
  • Third-fourth floors: Living quarters with fireplace, sleeping areas
  • Top floors: Defensive positions with small windows for shooting arrows or firearms

Ancient Svan house visit shows traditional residential architecture. These houses integrated defense, livestock management, and family living in one structure. The design maximized heat efficiency for winters when temperatures drop to -20°C and snow buries the village.

Lamaria Church sits above the village complex. Dating from the 10th-11th centuries, the church contains frescoes showing Svan religious art traditions. Lamaria is the Svan name for the Virgin Mary. The church served as a community refuge during invasions because its elevated position could be defended.

Icon museum in Ushguli houses religious artifacts collected from the village’s churches. Icons, crosses, and manuscripts dating from medieval times show the wealth that existed in Svaneti before centuries of invasions impoverished the region.

Mount Shkhara towers directly above Ushguli on clear days. The glacier-covered peak rises 3,000 vertical meters above the village. The scale is difficult to grasp until you’re standing there: a 5,000+ meter mountain looming over a village where people are living normal lives.

Weather in Ushguli is unpredictable. Clouds frequently obscure Shkhara even when Mestia is sunny. Rain is common. Snow is possible even in July-August at this elevation. If clouds hide the mountains, the village and towers are still worth seeing, but the full impact requires clear skies.

Lunch in Ushguli at a local guesthouse or small restaurant. Try Svan dishes in their place of origin.

Tourism reality: Ushguli’s entire economy now depends on summer tourism. Traditional agriculture and livestock herding can’t sustain families anymore. Every house offers guesthouse rooms or sells souvenirs. The UNESCO designation brought income but fundamentally changed village life. Winter empties Ushguli as most families move to Mestia or lower elevations.

Return to Mestia by the same rough road. The drive back offers different lighting on the mountains and valleys, making the return journey equally scenic.

Arrive in Mestia in the evening. Final dinner at your guesthouse. This is your last night in Svaneti.

Accommodation: Guesthouse in Mestia

After breakfast, prepare to leave Svaneti. Before departing the region, one final cultural site:

Matskhvarishi Church in Latali village (30-40 minutes from Mestia) contains some of Svaneti’s most unique frescoes. The church dates from the 10th-11th centuries. The frescoes show purely local Svan artistic development:

  • Brighter color palettes than lowland Georgian churches
  • Different compositional arrangements
  • Unique saint depictions
  • Inscriptions in both Svan and Georgian

Art historians value these paintings because they represent Svan artistic traditions that evolved in isolation without Byzantine or Persian influence. The isolation preserved painting techniques and iconographic styles that developed separately from Georgian church art trends in accessible regions.

After Matskhvarishi, begin the long drive back to Kutaisi (approximately 6 hours total).

The route descends from Mestia through the Enguri River valley. You’re retracing the path you took entering Svaneti, but the views look different in reverse. The descent from alpine zone back to subtropical lowlands shows Georgia’s dramatic topographic diversity within short distances.

Stop at Sataplia Nature Reserve (near Kutaisi) to visit the caves. Sataplia is famous for:

Sataplia Cave: A 300-meter walkway through underground chambers filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and limestone formations carved by underground rivers over millions of years. The cave stays at a constant cool temperature year-round. Colored lighting creates dramatic effects on the rock formations.

Dinosaur footprints: The reserve preserves dinosaur tracks from the Cretaceous period (about 145-66 million years ago) when this area was a coastal plain. The footprints are protected under a glass shelter. Over 200 individual tracks show where herbivorous dinosaurs walked through mud that later fossilized.

Glass viewing platform: Suspended over the forest canopy, offering views across the Colchis lowlands toward the Black Sea (on clear days). The platform is built out from a cliff edge for dramatic effect (not suitable if you’re afraid of heights).

Sataplia provides a complete contrast to Svaneti’s high mountains, showing western Georgia’s subtropical zone and karst geology.

Continue to Kutaisi or Tskaltubo. Arrive in the evening. Check into your hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel in Kutaisi or Tskaltubo

After breakfast, drive back to Tbilisi (approximately 4 hours).

The route crosses from western to eastern Georgia via the Rikoti Pass, then descends into the Mtkvari River valley where Tbilisi sits. The drive shows the geographic transition between Georgia’s wet western regions and drier eastern zones.

Standard tour ends in Tbilisi. We transfer you to your hotel or to Tbilisi International Airport depending on your departure plans. Arrive in Tbilisi by early afternoon, giving you time for an evening flight or one more night in the capital.

Optional Extension to Southern Georgia (add 2-3 days):

Instead of returning to Tbilisi, continue south to visit:

Vardzia – 12th-century cave monastery carved 13 stories deep into a cliff face, once housing 2,000 monks. This is Georgia’s most impressive cave monastery complex, far larger than Uplistsikhe.

Rabati Fortress in Akhaltsikhe – Fortress showing 700 years of Georgian, Ottoman, and Russian architectural layers in one complex.

Borjomi – Mountain resort town famous for natural carbonated mineral water springs.

Sapara Monastery – Hidden in the forest with remarkable 13th-century frescoes.

The southern extension adds significantly more content to the tour, covering regions most tourists never see. Contact us if you’re interested in this option. It requires 2-3 additional days and separate pricing.

What’s Included in This Svaneti Tour

Included:

  • 6 nights accommodation (1 night Tbilisi, 1 night Kutaisi/Tskaltubo, 3 nights Mestia guesthouses, 1 night Kutaisi/Tskaltubo)
  • All breakfasts daily
  • All dinners in Svaneti (Days 3-5)
  • Private transportation throughout the tour (comfortable vehicles, 4×4 for Ushguli)
  • Professional English-speaking guide for entire tour
  • Entrance fees: Uplistsikhe, Gelati Monastery, chosen canyon (Martvili/Okatse/Balda), Margiani House, Mikheil Khergiani Museum, Svaneti Museum, Ushguli museums, Lamaria Church, Matskhvarishi Church, Sataplia Cave and Nature Reserve
  • Cable car to Narikala Fortress in Tbilisi
  • Cable car or vehicle to Hatsvali (Day 4)
  • All parking fees and road tolls

Not Included:

  • Lunches throughout the tour
  • Dinners outside of Svaneti days (Days 1, 2, 6)
  • Alcoholic beverages beyond what may be served at included dinners
  • Optional folk music show in Mestia (if attending)
  • Personal expenses and souvenirs
  • Tips for guides and drivers (optional but appreciated)
  • Travel insurance
  • Single room supplement (if traveling alone)

Meal inclusions explained: All breakfasts are included. Dinners in Svaneti (Days 3-5) are included because guesthouses serve family-style dinners as standard practice. Outside Svaneti, lunches and dinners aren’t included to give you flexibility choosing restaurants that match your preferences and budget. Your guide will recommend good local restaurants in each location.

Accommodation Details

Tbilisi (1 night): 3-star or 4-star hotel in central location. Private rooms with bathrooms, air conditioning, WiFi. Walking distance to Old Town restaurants and attractions.

Kutaisi or Tskaltubo (2 nights total): Hotel or guesthouse. If in Tskaltubo, possible spa hotel with thermal water access. Private rooms with modern amenities.

Mestia (3 nights): Traditional Svan family guesthouses. Clean private rooms with bathrooms. Properties have mountain views and are within walking distance of Mestia’s center. Meals are served family-style (you eat with other guests and often the host family). Don’t expect hotel amenities, but expect genuine Svan hospitality and home-cooked meals.

All accommodations are chosen for location, cleanliness, and appropriate experience rather than luxury level. The guesthouse nights in Svaneti are essential for authentic cultural immersion.

Pricing and Booking Information

This is a private tour with your own vehicle and guide, not a shared group tour. Pricing depends on:

  • Number of people in your group
  • Season you’re traveling
  • Accommodation category preferences
  • Whether you add the southern Georgia extension

Contact us for detailed pricing including:

  • Per-person cost based on your group size
  • Single traveler supplement (approximately 40-50% additional for solo travelers)
  • Optional extension pricing (southern Georgia add-on)

Group size flexibility:

  • Minimum 2 people
  • Maximum 12 people (larger groups use multiple vehicles)
  • Solo travelers pay single supplement but tour operates with minimum 2 total participants

Booking process:

  1. Contact us with preferred dates and number of people
  2. We confirm availability and provide detailed quote
  3. 30% deposit secures your booking
  4. Remaining balance due 14 days before tour start
  5. We send detailed pre-departure information and packing list

Cancellation policy:

  • 30+ days before departure: 90% refund (10% processing fee)
  • 15-29 days before: 50% refund
  • 7-14 days before: 25% refund
  • Less than 7 days: No refund

Weather-related modifications: If roads to Ushguli close due to weather (rare in summer but possible in winter), we substitute alternative Svaneti destinations at no cost difference. If the weather makes any portion of the tour impossible, we adjust the itinerary and refund costs for missed activities.

Difficulty Level and Physical Requirements

This tour is rated Moderate. Here’s what that means practically:

You should be able to:

  • Walk for 5-6 hours with breaks (Day 4 glacier hike)
  • Handle uneven terrain (rocky paths, some steep sections)
  • Manage altitude up to 2,100 meters (may feel short of breath)
  • Sit in vehicles for long driving days (Days 2, 3, 6 involve 6 hours driving)
  • Adapt to basic guesthouse accommodations

Physical challenges:

  • Day 4: Chalaadi Glacier hike (12km, 5-6 hours, elevation to 2,000m)
  • Day 5: Rough jeep ride to Ushguli (3 hours each way on unpaved roads)
  • Multiple long driving days through mountains
  • Altitude (Mestia is 1,500m, Ushguli is 2,100m)

Age considerations: This tour works for ages 12-70 with reasonable fitness. Physical fitness matters more than age. If you walk regularly and can hike for several hours, you’ll handle this tour comfortably.

Not suitable for:

  • People with serious mobility issues
  • Anyone unable to walk more than 3-4 hours
  • Very young children (long driving days are difficult)
  • Travelers requiring luxury accommodations throughout

The Chalaadi hike can be shortened if needed (hike partway, return early). Ushguli is accessible even if you can’t hike much (the jeep takes you there, walking in the village is minimal).

Best Time for This Svaneti Tour

June to September is the optimal window. Here’s the seasonal breakdown:

June (Early Season):

  • Pros: Wildflowers in full bloom, fewer tourists, dramatic snow-capped peaks, comfortable temperatures
  • Cons: Ushguli road sometimes closes due to late snow, trails can be muddy, some guesthouses not yet fully open
  • Average temperatures: Tbilisi 20-28°C, Mestia 12-18°C, Ushguli 8-15°C
  • Best for: Photography, wildflower enthusiasts, avoiding crowds

July-August (Peak Season):

  • Pros: Best weather reliability, all facilities fully operational, warmest temperatures, longest daylight (sunset around 8-9pm)
  • Cons: More tourists (especially Ushguli), highest prices, Tbilisi very hot (30-35°C), Mestia more crowded
  • Average temperatures: Tbilisi 25-35°C, Mestia 15-22°C, Ushguli 10-18°C
  • Best for: Reliable weather, family vacations, guaranteed access to Ushguli

September (Shoulder Season):

  • Pros: Autumn colors beginning, fewer tourists than peak summer, comfortable temperatures, harvest season
  • Cons: Days getting shorter (sunset around 7pm), weather less predictable, possible early snow in Ushguli late September
  • Average temperatures: Tbilisi 18-25°C, Mestia 10-16°C, Ushguli 5-12°C
  • Best for: Photography, comfortable hiking temperatures, avoiding peak season crowds

Why not other months:

  • May: Snow still blocks Ushguli road, cold temperatures, many guesthouses closed
  • October: Roads start closing, snow begins, most guesthouses shut for winter, unreliable weather
  • November-April: Svaneti inaccessible for tourism, roads closed by snow, extreme cold

What to Pack for This Tour

Essential items:

  • Sturdy walking shoes or light hiking boots (broken in, not new)
  • Waterproof rain jacket and rain pants
  • Warm fleece or insulated jacket (evenings in Svaneti are cold even in summer)
  • Sun hat and sunglasses (high altitude means intense sun)
  • Sunscreen (SPF 30+) and lip balm with SPF
  • Daypack (20-25L) for the glacier hike
  • Water bottle (1 liter minimum)
  • Headlamp or small flashlight (power outages can occur in mountain villages)
  • Basic first aid kit including blister treatment
  • Personal medications (bring adequate supply)

Clothing layers for varied climates:

  • Quick-dry pants for hiking (avoid cotton)
  • Long-sleeve shirt for sun protection
  • T-shirts for warm weather
  • Warm layers for evenings (temperatures drop 10-15°C after sunset in mountains)
  • Underwear and socks (bring extra for Svaneti days)
  • Light jacket for Tbilisi and Kutaisi
  • Comfortable shoes for non-hiking days
  • Modest clothing for church visits (covered shoulders and knees required)

Optional but recommended:

  • Camera with extra batteries/cards
  • Power bank for phone charging (electricity can be intermittent)
  • Trekking poles (helpful for glacier hike if you normally use them)
  • Binoculars for viewing distant peaks
  • Small towel (guesthouses provide towels but they may be thin)
  • Snacks you prefer (Georgian food available but you might want familiar items)

Don’t need to bring:

  • Sleeping bag (guesthouses provide bedding)
  • Camping equipment (all nights are in guesthouses/hotels)
  • Extensive warm gear (unless visiting outside June-September)

Luggage note: You’ll access your main luggage at hotels. For the Svaneti portion, keep clothes for 3 days in your daypack or small bag. Full luggage can be left in locked storage at the Kutaisi hotel if needed.

Ready to Book Your Svaneti Adventure?

Contact us with your preferred travel dates and the number of people in your group. We respond within 24 hours with detailed pricing and answers to any questions.

Best booking timeline:

  • Summer travel (July-August): Book 1-2 months in advance
  • Shoulder season (June, September): Book 2-4 weeks ahead
  • Winter travel (December-March): Book 3-4 weeks ahead (fewer tourists, more availability)
  • Last-minute bookings possible if space available

This tour operates year-round:

  • June-September: Standard itinerary with glacier hiking as described
  • December-March: Winter itinerary with skiing at Tetnuldi/Hatsvali replacing glacier hike
  • April-May, October-November: Transitional periods, itinerary adjusted based on trail conditions

Georgia rewards travelers who venture beyond Tbilisi. Svaneti rewards those who stay long enough to understand it. Three days in the mountains, medieval towers, glacier hikes, and family guesthouses show you Georgia that most tourists never see.

The “Pearl of the Caucasus” name fits. Like a pearl formed by isolation and pressure, Svaneti’s culture developed its unique character by being cut off from the outside world, protected by mountains that both preserved and challenged its people.

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Most nationalities get visa-free entry to Georgia. Citizens of EU countries, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, UAE, and 90+ other countries can stay up to one year without visa. Check Georgia’s e-visa portal for your specific nationality.

Moderate difficulty. The 12km round trip with 400m elevation gain takes 5-6 hours. The trail is well-marked and heavily used. Main challenge is the altitude (reaching 2,000m) making you breathe harder. If you walk or hike regularly, you’ll be fine. Trail can be shortened if needed.

Children 12+ with reasonable fitness can handle this tour. The glacier hike is the main physical challenge. Younger children (under 12) struggle with long driving days and the hiking. We’ve had successful family tours with teenagers who enjoy outdoor activities.

You can skip it and have a rest day in Mestia, visit local cafes, walk around town at your own pace, or do a shorter easier walk. The glacier hike is the main physical challenge but not mandatory for the tour.

Very rough. It takes 2.5-3 hours for 45km. You’ll ford rivers, bounce over rocks, and wind along cliff edges. The 4×4 vehicles handle it fine but expect to be shaken around. If you get carsick easily, take medication beforehand.

We monitor conditions daily. If roads close due to weather, we visit alternative Svaneti villages like Adishi or Ipari, or extend time in Mestia area. This happens rarely in July-August but occasionally in June or late September.

They’re clean and adequate but basic. Private rooms, private bathrooms (usually), hot water, and mountain views. Don’t expect hotel amenities like air conditioning, room service, or English TV. Expect family atmosphere, home-cooked meals, and genuine hospitality.

Most guesthouses have WiFi but it’s slow and unreliable. Don’t expect to video call or stream content. Basic messaging and email usually work. Some remote areas have no internet at all.

Georgian networks (Magti, Silknet) cover Mestia and the main road to Ushguli. Remote valleys and areas between villages often have no signal. Don’t rely on phone connectivity in the mountains.

Yes. Georgian cuisine includes many vegetarian dishes: khachapuri (cheese bread), various bean dishes, eggplant dishes, fresh salads, and bread. Guesthouses accommodate vegetarian diets easily with advance notice. Vegans face more challenges but it’s manageable.

Most Georgian meat is not certified halal. However, many dishes are naturally vegetarian or use chicken. In Tbilisi and Kutaisi, halal restaurants exist. In Svaneti guesthouses, you’ll need to rely on vegetarian options. Let us know dietary requirements when booking.

Yes. Adding 2-3 days for Vardzia cave monastery, Rabati Fortress, and Borjomi is popular. This extension visits regions most Georgia tours skip. Contact us for extension pricing and detailed itinerary.

Georgian Lari (GEL) is the local currency. ATMs are available in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Mestia. Cards are accepted in cities but bring cash for Svaneti villages. Exchange rates are better at local exchange offices than at airports.

Yes, strongly recommended. This tour includes mountain activities, rough roads, and remote locations. Insurance should cover emergency evacuation from mountains, medical treatment, and trip cancellation. Ensure your policy covers activities up to 2,500 meters elevation.

Yes, solo travelers are welcome. You’ll pay a single room supplement (approximately 40-50% additional) for private rooms throughout. Alternatively, we can try to match you with another solo traveler if dates align for shared accommodation at lower cost.

We can arrange tours with 7-10 days notice if space is available. However, peak season (July-August) books 1-2 months in advance. Book early for summer dates, especially if you have specific date requirements.

Not required but appreciated for good service. Standard tipping in Georgia is 10% in restaurants if service charge isn’t included. For guides and drivers, 10-15 GEL per person per day is typical if you’re satisfied with service.

June to September is optimal for hiking. July-August offers best weather but more tourists. June has wildflowers and fewer crowds. September brings autumn colors. Winter (December-March) is great for skiing at Tetnuldi and Hatsvali resorts, though glacier trails close.

Yes, Svaneti is accessible year-round. In winter the Chalaadi Glacier hike is replaced with visits to Tetnuldi or Hatsvali ski resorts, winter village exploration, or other winter activities. The itinerary is modified but the tour operates December through March.

In deep winter (January-February), heavy snow can temporarily close the Ushguli road for days or weeks. If this occurs during your tour, we substitute with alternative Svaneti villages or extended time exploring Mestia region at no additional cost.

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