Svaneti Hut-to-Hut Summer Trekking Tour

This is a difficult trekking trip. It involves daily treks of 12-17km on occasional steep tracks and mountain gravel roads. Nights in simple rural family guesthouses.

^{June – October}
^Guesthouses
^{11 Days / 10 Nights}
^{Max Altitude 2,740m}

The Svaneti region is in the northwest of the Georgia. It is known for its rugged, mountainous terrain and traditional tower houses. On this tour you will have the opportunity to trek through the region, staying in mountain guesthouses along the way. The tour takes place in summer when the weather is warm and the trails are in good condition.

Highlights

A 160 km trekking route along the highest mountains in Georgia. walking from village to village with a small backpack (large bags are carried by a support vehicle).
Visiting Mt Shkhara, Tetnuldi and Ushba, with large glacier tongues and alpine meadows. The massive Shdugra waterfall and trekking through the pine forests of the Zuruldi range.
Meet the local Svaneti people and experience their hospitality in the remote villages.

Trip Details

PRICE

$1,985 USD (twin share)

$250 deposit
Lifetime Deposit. If you need to cancel, your deposit is transferable to other trips.
Twin Share: we’ll match you with a roomie if you’re travelling solo.
Private supplement not available.

TRIP LENGTH

11 Days / 10 Nights
Trip starts and finishes in Kutaisi city (Free transfer from Tbilisi upon request)

DATES

July 2024
0 booked • 12 spots left
Starts: 22 July 2024
Finishes: 1 August 2024

August 2024
2 booked • 10 spots left
Starts: 19 August 2024
Finishes: 29 August 2024

STARTING POINT

Kutaisi city (Free transfer from Tbilisi and Kutaisi International Airport)

ENDING POINT

Kutaisi city (Free transfer to Tbilisi and Kutaisi International Airport)

GROUP SIZE

Max 12 persons, Min 4 persons.
Trip will be confirmed once 4 deposits are received.

Gallery

Tour Plan

On the first day of our tour, we will be driving from Kutaisi city to the Ushguli village in Svaneti. The road starts with an asphalt road, but it will transition into a mountain gravel road. The drive will offer beautiful panoramic views of the Caucasus mountains and the valleys. The road is winding and hilly and will offer a breathtaking scenic drive.

Ushguli is a picturesque village located at an altitude of 2,100m, and it is known for its unique architecture, medieval tower houses and the view of Mt Shkhara, the highest peak in Georgia.

Driving: 250km; 6 hours
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Our trekking journey begins in Ushguli and takes us straight to the top of Tamari castle. The route may be steep, but the panoramic views from the summit are worth every step. After catching our breath and taking in the scenery, we’ll follow a scenic trail through the valley and make our way to Iprari village via a winding gravel road. At the end of the day, we’ll lay our heads to rest in a cozy guesthouse, ready for another day of adventure.

Trekking: 14.2km; ↑ 820m; ↓ 970m
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Today we’ll follow an abandoned Soviet gravel road that winds its way through the Khalde village. The road may be abandoned, but the views are anything but forgotten. As we approach the end of the road, we’ll take a path that leads us up to the Chkhunderi pass. The climb is steep but the rewards are astounding, offering a breathtaking view of Tetnuldi mountain and glacier. After taking in the scenery, we’ll make our way down the valley towards the tiny settlement of Adishi village, where we’ll see medieval towers standing tall.

Trekking: 17.1km; ↑ 955m; ↓ 845m
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Starting in the charming village of Adishi, we’ll hike along a scenic trail that winds through a lush forest, passing by the Tetnuldi ski resort. As we climb higher, we’ll reach the shoulder of Mt. Tetnuldi, where we’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. After taking in the scenery, we’ll make our way down the mountain, through the forest, and towards the village of Mulakhi.

Trekking: 13.4km; ↑ 535m; ↓ 1,025m
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Today we will embark on an exciting trek from Mulakhi village to Mestia town, via the scenic Kaskari pass. Our journey will begin on a gravel countryside road, leading us through the beautiful Svanetian countryside. As we progress, we’ll take a path that winds through the forest, offering us a chance to take in the natural beauty of the area. Eventually, we’ll reach the Kaskari pass, a highlight of the trek, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding landscapes. After taking in the scenery, we’ll continue our journey until we reach Mestia, where we’ll check into a hotel for the night, having completed a trek.

Trekking: 12.1km; ↑ 350m; ↓ 540m
Accommodation: Hotel

Today we will take a relatively moderate difficulty trek from Mestia town towards Lakhushdi village. Our journey will take us through the pine tree forest of Heshkili village, offering a chance to take in the natural beauty of the area. The trek will start on a paved road in Mestia, leading us to the pine tree forest and then the path will become narrower and steeper as we climb higher.

Trekking: 13.9km; ↑ 600m; ↓ 645m
Accommodation: Guesthouse

We’ll start the day with a trek from Lakhushdi, and make our way through the charming Latali village. As we hike higher, we’ll have the chance to see Mt Ushba and Mt Laila up close, and the panoramic views from the hilltop will take your breath away. After a satisfying hike through the fields, where local cut the grass, we’ll end the day by descending into the peaceful Mazeri village.

Trekking: 13.3km; ↑ 790m; ↓ 500m
Accommodation: Guesthouse

The day starts early in Mazeri, crisp mountain air filling our lungs as we set out on foot towards the foothills of Mt Ushba. The trail takes us through a forest of tall pine, the trees standing sentry as we cross a wooden bridge spanning a babbling stream. The ascent is steep, but the reward is worth it as we reach the base of the Shdugra waterfall. The rush of water cascading down the rocks is a symphony to ears. We’ll rest here, taking in the raw beauty before making our way back to Mazeri, our bodies tired but spirits lifted.

Trekking: 14.3km; ↑ 715m; ↓ 715m
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Leaving the peacefulness of Mazeri village behind, we’ll set out on a hike that will take us to the charming Etseri village. We’ll traverse through the rugged Detsili pass, nature’s own obstacle course of rocky terrain and steep inclines, followed by a long downhill till the guesthouse.

Trekking: 14km; ↑ 940m; ↓ 1,195m
Accommodation: Guesthouse

We’ll embark on the longest day of this tour, from Etseri village to the beautiful Nakra village. We’ll traverse through the Caucasus Mountains, passing by several traditional Svanetian villages along the way. The trail is challenging and the route is long, but the views of the rugged mountains and the chance to experience the culture of the Svanetian people make it all worth it. As we hike down towards Nakra, we’ll be rewarded with the serene beauty of this traditional village. It’s a trek that will test your limits, but the memories and experiences will last a lifetime.

Trekking: 17.2km; ↑ 1,105m; ↓ 1,315m
Accommodation: Guesthouse

After the adventure of the trek, we’ll hop into our vehicles and take a scenic drive from Nakra village to the historic city of Kutaisi. The drive will be a great opportunity to take in the beauty of the Caucasus one last time and reflect on the experiences of the tour.
As we reach the end of our tour, we hope that you’ve had an unforgettable experience, filled with breathtaking views, cultural immersion and lasting memories. Have a good flight back home and take with you the memories of your journey through the Caucasus.

Driving: 4 Hours

Includes

Guide: 1 English speaking guide throughout the trip.
All transportations: Kutaisi airport transfer, vehicles to/from mountains, luggage vehicle (for carrying large bags from village to village), as well as transfer from/to Tbilisi.
Accommodation for 10 nights in a mountain guesthouses.
All meals, from lunch of the first day to dinner of the last day
All entrance fees to Museums, medieval towers and add-on activities.

Not Includes

Accommodation in Tbilisi
Flights and travel insurance
Personal expenses, alcohol, souvenirs

Dates & Availability

Departing	Finishing		Total From USD
22 July 2024	1 August 2024	available	$1,985
19 August 2024	29 August 2024	available	$1,985

Dates & Availability

Departing	Finishing		Total From USD
22 July 2024	1 August 2024	available	$1,985
19 August 2024	29 August 2024	available	$1,985

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Want to go private?

Book this tour for your group on your preferred dates. Customize the details according to your needs and desires. Get 10% discount for groups of more than 10 people.

Amenities & Accommodation

In Mestia, the capital of the Svaneti region, you will stay in a 3* hotel. Every other village offers twin or triple rooms with shared bathrooms. These clean and comfortable family-run guesthouses are one of the highlights of the trip. They allow you to experience authentic rural life in the Caucasus Mountains.

Guesthouse in Adishi village
Guesthouse in Becho village
Ushguli, Villa Lileo
Ushguli, Villa Lileo

Difficulty: Hard

This is a hard trekking trip, that requires daily 12-17km trekking. Routes are not technical, but long consecutive walking days makes it hard. Having said that, it’s still doable for total beginners, who want to challenge themselves. In case of physical fatigue, it’s possible to skip a day or two, by joining luggage vehicle till the next village. If you are not sure, whether this trip is right for you, contact us and the trip manager will provide all the relevant information.

Safety

Compared to other mountainous regions of Georgia, Svaneti is more developed, due to high tourism activities. Almost entirety of the trip there is a mobile connection and you won’t be more than 3km away from the reach of a vehicle. This trip does not involve technical terrain that requires climbing or ropes. In case of severe weather conditions, we reserve rights to alter the itinerary according to what is the optimal safest solution.

For more information, visit Assumption of Risk and Liability Release Agreement.

Useful to Know

Travel from Tbilisi

If you are planning to join this trip from Tbilisi, you can travel to Kutaisi via train, public bus or taxi. You can also join our bus for free, departing from Tbilisi on the day of tour departure. Downside is that you will need to wake up early, as it will leave Tbilisi approximately at 6am.

Insurance

Having a travel insurance is not mandatory. If you buy one, make sure to have a package that includes outdoor activities in the insurance conditions. Consult our travel consultants in this regard to make sure you have enough insurance coverage. Also, get information about where to get such insurance coverage.

Money

There are some places to spend your money in Svaneti. In Mestia you can use your credit card too. Everything you will need during the trip is covered by us, but you can bring 200-300 GEL for souvenirs and other personal expenses. Tipping is not mandatory, but is a good practice.

What to bring with you

20 to 35 litre backpack: you should be able to carry your gear comfortably so a bag with a waist strap is suggested. Dry bag to keep things dry in the backpack

Hiking boots (Strong and waterproof with a high ankle)
Hiking poles (recommended but not essential – can be rented)
Warm clothes – jumpers, hats, gloves
Shorts, tee shirts (preferably synthetics)
Trainers for the evenings
Water and windproof jacket and trousers
Sun protection – glasses, sun cream, lip balm
Toiletries
Small quick-drying towel

Weather

Weather in Kutaisi and Tbilisi can be hot during the summer, temperatures going up to 40C. Mountains can be cold, as well as hot, depending on the weather. Snowing is unlikely, though it occurs once in a while, during prolonged rainy weather. In case of sunny weather, it will be warm enough to hike in shorts and t-shirt.

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Solo traveler friendly

Frequently Asked Questions

In general, if you are in good health and have an active lifestyle, all our tours are acceptable for you. Easy, Medium, Hard, and Very Hard are the four levels of difficulty that we divide up our tours into. We only presume that you have prepared ahead for the Very Hard. Please get in touch with one of our travel managers if you have any questions. They can reassure or help you decide which tour is more suitable for you. Unfortunately, those with disabilities mostly cannot take part in our tours. However, it also depends on the kind of disability, so it’s worth speaking with one of our tour managers about this in advance.

All guesthouses have fresh, clean linen for your overnight stay, so there is no need to bring your sleeping bag.

The cuisine in the guesthouses is usually similar and consists of dishes made with local products: vegetable or meat soup, tomato-cucumber salad, khachapuri (cheese stuffed pastry), kubdari (meat stuffed pastry with herbs), mashed potatoes with cheese, fried eggs, beetroot salad, etc.
Hot water for coffee and tea is available every morning and evening.

If you have any dietary requirements, let us know in advance to inform the guesthouse hosts.

Tap water is drinkable throughout the trip and we recommend that you bring your own water bottle as mountain springs are not always along the route. Always ask your guide before drinking mountain spring water.