trekking tours three - georgianinsider.com

Travelling to Svaneti, Georgia’s most mysterious mountain provinces is like travelling to the fairy tale of medieval ages at present. Enchanting stone villages, defensive towers, spectacular mountains, mighty glaciers and the ice-cold rivers singing you to sleep in the evenings after a mesmerist day of trekking are of such a beauty that one can hardly imagine.

Upper Svaneti is UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the highest permanently inhabited village of Europe – Ushguli. And Ushguli itself is nesteled at the lee of Georgia’s highest peak Mt. Shkhara (5068m).

Svans – the people of Svaneti are a separate Georgian tribe and speak their own language (with no alphabet) “Svanuri”. They’re tough mountain people like the climate there but their open-hearted welcome will warm your souls.

 

  • Available late June to October

Day 1: Arrive in Tbilisi

Arrive in Tbilisi and transfer to a hotel.

Day 2: Tbilisi/Mtskheta/Kutaisi

We have walking tour of Tbilisi visiting the highlights of the Old Town with beautiful Orthodox Christian Churches, Mosque, Synagogue, famous and refreshing Sulphur Baths, narrow cobbled streets with hanging wooden carved multi-colored balconies and the 19th century houses following the architectural styles of the 19th century Europe, Narikala Fortress, the glass Bridge of Peace. Continue to take a short tour to Mtskheta with Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery — UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Drive to Kutaisi for overnight.

Day 3: Kutaisi/Gelati/Mestia

In the morning we visit Bagrati and Gelati UNESCO World Heritage Sites and travel to the wild mountains of Svaneti. Arrive in Mestia and visit History and Ethnography Museum – absolute highlight of this small settlement.

Overnight in Mestia.

Day 4: Mestia/Adishi

Today we start our continuous trek to Svanetian villages. Ready with our day packs and off we go to explore these real gems of the area with so many wonderful natural colors and exciting dotted households. Through the forest and rhododendron bushes we reach the highest point of 2700m today.

On today’s walk you’ll have breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

Overnight in Adishi.

↑890↓300

Distance 10km, walking time 5hr

Day 5: Adishi/Iprari

This morning we cross the Adishchala River with the help of local horses and continue our walk to Iprari village passing our highest point today at 2 720m, the Chkhutnieri pass. Across the Khalde village and onto Iprari village to have a rest.

Overnight in Iprari.

Overnight in Adishi.

↑620↓800

Distance 16km, walking time 7hr

Day 6: Iprari/Ushguli/Mestia

Today we partially follow less the car path. We start at an altitude of 1 890m and end up at around 2200m. The path runs through a dramatic landscape where the river shapes out a gorge and the path winds across the mountain walls.  Arrive in Ushguli – the highest permanently inhabited village of Europe and the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a short walk in the village and transfer to Mestia by a 4 WD vehicle.

Overnight in Mestia.

↑440↓170

Distance 9-10km, walking time 4hr

Day 7: Mestia/Uplistsikhe/Tbilisi

We start the day very early today as we drive a long way to Tbilisi.

En route stop at the Great Silk Road point of Uplistsikhe Cave City. The town is dug in the sun-stone plateau and is of beautiful golden color. Initially there had been more than 500 caves, but during the existence of 3000 years it has lost much of it. Transfer to Tbilisi.

Farewell dinner in Tbilisi with blazing Georgian dances. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 8: Departure

Transfer to the airport and departure.

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