Svaneti is the trekker’s heaven. You need at least 14 days for a complete overview of the region from Nakra upstream to Ushguli, so we offer itineraries from 3 days and longer. Below you will find trails of different length and difficulty level with great sights on the way: panoramas, glaciers, waterfalls, forests, meadows and amazing culture-heritage. We ranged the hikes by difficulty, starting with the easier ones. They are listed in order, starting with 1-day there-and-back hikes, then 2-day, 3-day and 4-day itineraries follow. No climbing skills or gear required.
Almost all the routes require drop off to the starting point by jeep and pick up on the way back. This depends on where you stay overnight, but we try to simplify the logistics as much as possible.
Combine the routes described to best fit your schedule and spirit of adventure.
Guided trekking
A lot of the trails are marked and mapped, so you can do them on your own. However, having a local guide with you makes trekking in Svaneti even more pleasant. A lot of the routes are not marked or mapped, so it takes a local to walk them. The guide will take care of the route and safety, and make sure you don’t miss the culture heritage sights if you wish to see the inside of the churches. He will also keep in touch with your guest house hosts and driver.
Prices & what’s included
Non-guided trekking, group of 2-3 hikers, price range depends on the routes:
3-day itinerary: 500 – 630 EUR per person
5-day itinerary: 840 – 1050 EUR per person
7-day itinerary: 1176 – 1470 EUR per person
10 % DISCOUNT for groups of 4 and more hikers
Includes:
- 3/5/7 overnights in guest houses (double room, private bathroom)
- breakfast and dinner daily
- all transport on the itinerary (drop off and pick up)
- maps, route description and online support
Transfer to and from Svaneti NOT included. Information on Transfers.
Guided trekking, group of 2-3 hikers, price range depends on the routes:
3-day itinerary: 630 – 785 EUR per person
5-day itinerary: 1050 – 1310 EUR per person
7-day itinerary: 1470 – 1835 EUR per person
15 % DISCOUNT for groups of 4 and more hikers
Includes:
- 3/5/7 overnights in guest houses (double room, private bathroom)
- breakfast and dinner daily
- 3/5/7 days of guiding
- all transport on the itinerary (drop off and pick up)
- maps, route description and online support
Transfer to and from Svaneti NOT included. Information on Transfers.
1-day hikes
Zuruldi Range
Length: min. 9 km – max. 15 km
Difficulty: easy
Lovely panoramic trail with the best view of Mt. Ushba and very little elevation change. Perfect first-day route, usually accessible directly from Mestia by chair-lift.
Chalaadi glacier
Length: 2 km
Difficulty: easy
The closest glacier and a good cloudy weather option. Short half a day hike, ideal for acclimatization.
Tsaneri glacier
GUIDED
Length: 12 km
Difficulty: easy
Trail with almost no elevation change, good for cloudy weather. Insight into the architectural heritage of Zhabeshi on the way.
Adishi glacier
GUIDED
Length: 12 km
Difficulty: easy
Magnificent Adishi glacier, pleasant trail with no elevation change and a chance to explore remote village Adishi with medieval architecture and unique 10 century Saviour’s church
Tanghili church
GUIDED
Length: 3 km
Difficulty: easy
A perfect combination of trekking and culture-heritage. Tanghili is decorated with lovely frescoes while the trail goes up…
Lasili
Length: 15 km
Difficulty: easy
A very green and friendly valley, trail with a soft elevation gain. Good for acclimatization or cloudy weather. Add a visit to St. George’s church on the way (11 century frescoes attributed to Royal Painter Tevdore) to complete the day’s impressions.
Lakhiri
GUIDED
Length: 11 km
Difficulty: medium
Steady uphill climb from vil.Lakhiri with its set of 18 splendid Svan towers, to the church of Lakhiri’s Archangel, perched on the slopes…
Meziri
Length: 9 km
Difficulty: medium
Meziri is a lovely alpine meadow with Archangel Michael’s church (10th century) and a tiny lake reflecting Mt. Ushba. Panorama of Ushba, Svaneti Range and 2 valleys from Baki pass.
Bezengi wall
Length: 11 km; 2 km
Difficulty: medium
The precious gem in your trip to Svaneti, Bezengi Wall is the highest section of the Caucasus mountains. This combined car & trekking trip shows you the best of its peaks and glaciers. Best panoramas in Svaneti.
Mestia – Zuruldi – Tsvirmi
Length: min. 9 km – max. 15 km
Difficulty: medium
One of the most popular day hikes combining the fun of the cable-lift, 360* panoramas and an insight into village Tsvirmi. Beautifully located medieval settlement with authentic charm, off the main tourist tracks.
Ushba glacier and Becho waterfalls
Length: 24 km
Difficulty: difficult
Explore the reverse side of Ushba, its glacier and the awesome system of waterfalls emerging from the glacier to form River Dolra.
Mkheri
Length: 14 km
Difficulty: difficult
Mkheri is a place of great beauty. Panorama of the Great Caucasus, snowy summits of the Svaneti Range closing in, and a powerful waterfall system. Tiny church overlooking Enguri valley from 2500 m.
Etseri-Mazeri
Length: 15 km
Difficulty: difficult
A great one-day hike that takes you over Baki pass. Explore Etseri in the first part, admire Ushba from Baki, and finally pass the Meziri oasis: tiny lake, 10th century Archangel’s church and a glimpse of Becho waterfalls.
Chizhdi pass
Length: 17 km
Difficulty: difficult
Get ready to see a big section of the Caucasus including Shtavler, Elbrus, Ushba, Asmashi, Tetnuldi from 3000 m and summit Laila from close. One of the best panoramic trails. This hike repeats the first day of the 4-day mountaineering tour…
Banguriani plateau
GUIDED
Length: 12 km
Difficulty: difficult
As close to mountaineering as trekking gets. A beautiful mountain sprawled over Mestia like a gigantic eagle, Banguriani is covered with forest and flowers. At the plateau (3000 m) meadows give way to rock, snow and a feeling of complete freedom.
2-day hikes
Some of the 1-day trails group logically one after the other to form multi-day itineraries. Here are some of the options.
Mestia – Adishi – Adishi glacier
Length: 23 km
Difficulty: easy
Overnight: Adishi
This hike is a good combination of trekking and insights into culture-heritage. On the first day you have a chance to explore…
Mestia – Zhabeshi – Tsaneri glacier
GUIDED
Length: 26 km
Difficulty: easy
Overnight: Zhabeshi/Chvabiani
A pleasant hike that takes you through several authentic medieval villages, so you get to see a lot of Svan towers and manors…
Bezengi wall + Ushguli
Length: 17-24 km (2 versions)
Difficulty: medium
Overnight: Iprali
The top 2 sights of Upper Svaneti: UNESCO village Ushguli and Bezengi wall. The most cost-effective option to explore…
Kvirike monastery – Ushguli – Bezengi wall
Length: 16 km
Difficulty: medium
Overnight: Ushguli
A most balanced combination of trekking and art heritage in the Ushguli region of Svaneti. You get to see the 2 gems of Svaneti…
Mazeri – Meziri – Becho waterfalls – Ushba glacier
Length: 29-35 km
Difficulty: medium/difficult
Overnight: Mazeri
An easier version of the 2-day hike exploring Mazeri and its surroundings. A lighter option is to trek to the foot of the waterfalls on the 2nd…
Mestia – Mazeri – Ushba glacier
Length: 49 km
Difficulty: difficult
Overnight: Mazeri
For those who are strong in body and spirit, have trekking experience and want to get as close to Ushba as you can without gear…
Etseri – Mazeri – Ushba glacier
Length: 41 km
Difficulty: difficult
Overnight: Mazeri
A thorough investigation of the region west of Mestia with lovely panoramas of Ushba, Svaneti Range, Etseri and Mazeri valleys…
3-day hikes
Mestia – Adishi – Iprali – Ushguli
Length: 36.5 km
Difficulty: medium
Overnights: Adishi, Iprali
A shortcut of the most popular trekking route in Svaneti. If you only have 3 days to get from Mestia to Ushguli on foot, we will drop…
Mestia – Adishi – Iprali – Latphari pass – Ushguli
Length: 38.5 km
Difficulty: medium
Overnights: Adishi, Iprali
Can a hiker see this much in just 3 days? We think you should! The less obvious route to Ushguli via Latphari is so beautiful, it’s…
Adishi – Bezengi wall – Mushuri – Latphari pass – Ushguli
GUIDED
Length: 43 km
Difficulty: medium/difficult
Overnights: Iprali
3 days of great trekking in the region with the highest mountains in Svaneti + UNESCO site Ushguli. Svan towers, summits,..
Etseri – Mazeri – Ushba glacier – Mestia
Length: 56 km
Difficulty: difficult
Overnights: Mazeri
A thorough overview of the region west of Mestia with lovely panoramas of Ushba, Svaneti Range, Etseri and Mazeri valleys…
4-day hikes
Mestia – Zhabeshi – Adishi – Iprali – Ushguli
Length: 49 km
Difficulty: medium
Overnights: Chvabiani/Zhabeshi, Adishi, Iprali
The most popular summer hike in Svaneti showcasing the unique feature of the region: Svan towers against the natural landscape…
Mestia – Zhabeshi – Adishi – Iprali – Latphari pass – Ushguli
Length: 52 km
Difficulty: medium
Overnights: Chvabiani/Zhabeshi, Adishi, Iprali
A panoramic version of the previous hike. The difference is Day 4: instead of the classic route, we take you to Latphari by car…
Mestia – Tsvirmi – Adishi – Iprali – Ushguli
Length: 48 km
Difficulty: medium
Overnights: Tsvirmi, Adishi, Iprali
Another version of the most popular 4-day hike to Ushguli. We added the chair-lift and you get a great view of Mt. Ushba…
Mestia – Tsvirmi – Adishi – Iprali – Latphari pass – Ushguli
Length: 51 km
Difficulty: medium
Overnights: Tsvirmi, Adishi, Iprali
A panoramic version of the previous hike. The difference is Day 4: instead of the classic route, we take you to Latphari by car…
Etseri – Mazeri – Ushba glacier – Latali – Mkheri
Length: 64.5 km
Difficulty: difficult
Overnights: Mazeri, Latali
A complete overview of the region west of Mestia with lovely panoramas of Ushba, Svaneti Range, Etseri and Mazeri valleys…
