Svaneti mountain hiking horse riding

Svaneti mountain hiking horse riding

Svaneti, region situated on a North-West of Georgia, where you can find hundreds of well preserved Svanetian towers and sure, you will be amazed by the nature of Caucasus. 4 from 10 peaks of Caucasus are situated within a territory of Svaneti.

Isolation of this region from other parts of Georgia probably is the reason Svani people well preserved their unique culture and even language. Yes, while they are Georgian, they speak different language and with Megrels (Megrelian language is spoken there) form the Georgian or Kartvelian language group. Which has not ties with any other language and forms independent language group.

Svans are well known for their brave spirit, Ushguli Svans never had feud rulers and with Pshavs and Khevsurs they were ruled by tribal law and by eldest people.

There are many routes worth to try through scenic villages to snow covered peaks. Overall Svaneti will be intriguing challenge for everybody starting from hiking lower to the professional mountain climber.

Itinerary

Day 1: Tbilisi-Kutaisi

Stop At: Kutaisi Historical Museum, Tbilisi St., 1, Kutaisi 4600 Georgia
Departure, 3 hour drive. Arrival in Kutaisi. Gelati monastery, Motsameta monastery, Bagrati cathedral, old town.
Duration: 6 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: Kutaisi-Mestia

Stop At: Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography, A. Lozeliani st. 7, Mestia 384750 Georgia
Dozens of Svanetian towers, some of them from 9th century. Mestia town center, Margiani museum. overnight.
Duration: 6 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 3: Chalaadi Glacier

Stop At: Chalaadi Glacier, Georgia
Light hike up to Chalaadi Glacier, 1 hour up 30 min down. Then we will drive back to Mesta 30 min drive. Zuruldi mountain by long cable car, scenic views at surrounding peaks including Ushba mountain.
Duration: 8 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 4: Mestia Ushguli

Stop At: Ushguli Ethnographic Museum, Ushguli 3214 Georgia
We will drive to Ushguli 3 hour drive, part of the road in bad condition. It's the highest village of Georgia, actually community comprised of several villages. Dozens of towers, museum and scenic trail to Shkhara by horse or on foot.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 5: Ushguli Mazeri

Stop At: Mountain Ushba, Mestia Georgia
We will drive to Becho village, from here the interesting route to High waterfalls of Shdugra and trail to the glacier Ushba. Difficulty high route length 18km, but worth of it.
Duration: 9 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 6: Drive to Tbilisi

Stop At: Martvili Canyon, Martivili Georgia
Nice canyon on the way to Tbilisi. Can be explored by boats, depends on season and weather.
Duration: 10 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.