The Marvelous Svaneti

Svaneti – the most mysterious and mysterious region of Georgia – is one of my favorite tourist routes. It is Svaneti that is considered the quintessence of all Georgia, Georgians say: “Not to visit Svaneti means not to see Georgia.”

A car trip to this mountainous region, long lost from civilization and preserved its unique appearance for several centuries, will be for you an interesting and exciting event. Here live proud and freedom-loving mountaineers - Svans, who were never enslaved and did not wage wars of conquest.

Svaneti is a region of the highest mountains of Georgia, it is here that the highest mountain peak of Shkhara is located, whose height exceeds 5100 m. Historically, Svaneti is divided into Lower and Upper.

We recommend to get acquainted with Svaneti at least two days and start the tour from Kutaisi. We will make the way from the flat part of Georgia through Zugdidi – the capital of Mingrelia – to Upper Svaneti, surrounded on all sides by high mountains, through Lower Svaneti and get to Mestia – the main city of Upper Svaneti. In Zugdidi, we will stop and visit the family palace of the Megrelian princes Dadiani, rulers of Megrelia, where rare examples of Georgian national culture are exhibited, including one of the three death masks of Emperor Napoleon.

From Mestia on a lift with a length of 1.5 km we will be able to climb Mount Zuruldi, an altitude of about 2400 m., and enjoy stunning views of the slopes of the Caucasus Range and Mount Ushba, the peaks of which sparkle with appetizing freshly fallen snow at any time of the year. The picture of virgin nature will conquer you and at the same time make you reverence for its greatness. You will experience true delight in the world around you. Here you can take some of the best photos for your album.

It is also recommended to visit the historical and ethnographic museum, where unique archaeological exhibits, ancient manuscripts and icons are stored. In the morning we switch to SUVs and climb even higher into the mountains. Our way lies in Ushguli, the highest permanent settlement in Europe, located at an altitude of 2200m. at the foot of Mount Shhara. The unique architectural ensemble of Ushguli is a valuable architectural and historical monument, largely thanks to which Upper Svaneti was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The oldest towers in Ushguli are dated to the IX century, here the spirit of time and the memory of ancestors are especially acute.

Among the monuments of Ushguli, it is especially worth noting the functioning church of the Virgin Mary (in Svansky - Lamaria) of the XI century, standing on a hill above the village. In it you can see ancient frescoes and minted icons, locals believe that it is under this church that Queen Tamara is buried - a central figure in the history of the Svans.

Instead of a trip to Ushguli, the second day can be devoted to a hike to the Chalaadi glacier. From Mestia on an SUV along the river Mestiachala we follow to the bridge at the confluence of Mestiachala with Chalaadi. From the bridge is only a walking path through a picturesque forest with a tangible climb. The glacier is located on the southern slope of the Caucasus Range under the rocks of the impregnable Ushba in the source of the Mestiachala River. The height of the glacier is 1850 m.; Chalaadi is the only glacier in the forest zone. The road to the glacier is a real exciting adventure for all lovers of nature and outdoor activities. You can get close to the glacier and touch the centuries-old ice.

Believe me, you will have the brightest impressions. Returning to the flat part of Georgia, you will definitely feel that you have visited another planet.

In two days you will see so much beauty that in another trip does not happen in three weeks.

The cost of a two-day tour with the beginning in Kutaisi: $ 250 for a group of no more than seven people

The price includes transfer, fuel, guide services, soft drinks.

Not included in the price of food, hotel accommodation, a trip by SUV to the ski resort of Tetnuldi and the alpine village of Ushguli