Day 1: Mestia & Ushguli

Svaneti, the most celebrated and mythological of Georgia’s mountain regions, land of the ‘Golden Fleece’ lies high up in the Greater Caucasus. Local people, Svans are fiercely committed to preserving their traditions. The Symbol of Svan community is the tower. These were built in the Middle Ages not only to protect clans from the threat of north Caucasian invaders and from Georgian nobles who at times sought to dominate the region, but also to protect clan from clan.

Upon arrival in Mestia, regional center of upper Svaneti, we will have an excursion in the region and visit Svaneti Historical-Ethnographical Museum.The museum (established in 1936) houses more than 4.000 items: archaeological objects discovered in Svaneti region, unique samples of engraved and painted icons (of special interest are X-XII c.c. icons), religious objects (IX-XIV c.c.), manuscripts (XI-XIII c.c. New Testaments from Adishi, Labskaldi, Ienashi, Mestia), weapons and armor, iron and cooper items, wooden ethnographic objects, adornments, silverware, textiles, etc.

After the excursion at Mestia Ethnographical museum we depart towards village Ushguli (app. 2h drive). On the way we will stop to have a picnic lunch. The village Ushguli is believed to be the highest permanently inhabited place in Europe. It lies below Mt. Shkhara (5068m), the highest peak in Georgia and the second highest in Caucasus. Its more than 20 ancient stone towers and the ongoing resilience of its population have led it to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In Ushguli we will have a walk in the village, visit Lamaria Church and Ushguli Museum. In the evening some free time before the dinner.

At the end of the day we will have dinner at the bonfire with traditional Svanetian food.

Overnight in Ushguli in a local private guesthouse (with a shared bathroom).

Day 2: Ushguli, Shkhara Glacier & Departure

Early in The morning (app. 06:00) we get up to travel to the particular side of Ushguli Village, from where beautiful sunrise can be watched. (Optional, for most eager travelers).

After breakfast we have free time to enjoy the village life or we take a light walk to Shkhara Glacier (app. 4 hours) or do some horseback riding.

In the second half of the day, after the lunch we drive back to Mestia, to take a flight to Natakhtari airdrome. From Natakhtari we drive to Mtskheta to have a dinner at the restaurant. After the dinner we drive back to Tbilisi city centre.

End of the tour.

Price includes:

• Flight from Natakhtari Airdrome to Mestia and back on a comfortable Helicopter (MI8). Total flight duration 3 hours.
• Drive from Tbilisi city centre to Natakhtari airdrome and back on a comfortable minibus.
• In Svaneti comfortable 4WD vehicles, to drive us in the area and to and back from village Ushguli.
• Horses in Ushguli for horseback riding.
• Entrance fees to the museums.
• Lunches on the way to Ushguli and in Ushguli, breakfast in Ushguli, Dinner at the bonfire in Ushguli and at the restaurant in Mtskheta.
• Service of English & Russian Speaking guide.
• Accommodation at the private guesthouse in Ushguli (bathroom is shared) – Day 1

Price does not include:

• Other services, meals or alcoholic drinks unless specified in the itinerary.
• Any insurance.
• Personal clothing and equipment.

Important note:

Due to bad weather conditions the flight may be impossible, therefore the tour postponed.

Request this tour or for details Contact us.