Svaneti · The Greater Caucasus
TrekkingGeorgia
Walk from Mestia to Ushguli, stay in mountain villages and explore the lakes, glaciers and high trails of Svaneti. Eight days in the Greater Caucasus, with our local team taking care of the journey.
Your journey8 days · 6 hiking days
The trailMestia to Ushguli
Your arrivalKutaisi · Land only
Why travel with Lifetrek
Big mountains. Village trails. A different pace.
Svaneti brings together the landscapes you come to the Caucasus for: snow-covered summits, green valleys, glacier-fed rivers and stone towers rising above mountain villages. This journey gives you time to experience them on foot, with nights in local guesthouses and meals around a shared table.
Our route combines a three-day trek along the Mestia–Ushguli trail with three day hikes towards Namkhami, the Qoruldi Lakes and Shdugra waterfall. We start the village trek in Zhabeshi after a transfer from Mestia, saving a day for exploring more of the surrounding mountains. In Ushguli, we stay overnight rather than simply passing through.
Join the land programme in Kutaisi and leave the local arrangements to us. Our Georgian mountain team knows the trails, guesthouses and changing conditions, while you enjoy the walk, the company and the landscape.
Three days on the village trail
Walk from Zhabeshi to Adishi, over Chkhunderi Pass to Iprali, and on to Ushguli. Each stage brings a new valley, new views and a different village for the night.
More than one famous trek
Add three day hikes to the village route: Namkhami beneath Shkhara, the Qoruldi Lakes above Mestia and Shdugra waterfall near Mazeri.
Stay with local families
Sleep in guesthouses, share home-cooked breakfasts and dinners, and experience Svaneti through the people who live here.
Arrive your own way
The land-only journey starts and finishes in Kutaisi. Choose your own flights and agree your arrival and departure arrangements with our team before booking.
Your home in Svaneti
Guesthouses, shared tables and mountain mornings.
Our programme uses local guesthouses in Mestia, Adishi, Iprali and Ushguli. In Mestia, rooms normally have private bathrooms. Along the village trek, accommodation is simpler, with shared bathrooms and a welcoming family atmosphere.
The standard itinerary includes six guesthouse nights: three in Mestia and one each in Adishi, Iprali and Ushguli. Breakfast and dinner are included at the guesthouses. Lunches, snacks and any additional night near Kutaisi are confirmed separately in your offer.
A single room can be requested in Mestia, subject to availability. On the trek, please be comfortable sharing. Luggage transfer between stages can be arranged as an optional extra; tell us whether you would like to walk with just your daypack.
Day by day
Your eight days in the Caucasus
Three days trekking between villages, followed by three day hikes around the great peaks of Svaneti. Daily distances and height gains below are approximate. Weather, river levels, trail conditions and flight timings can change the order of the days or the route. The mountain team will adapt the programme to the conditions and the group.
Day 1 · Kutaisi to Mestia
Meet the team in Kutaisi and travel towards Svaneti. The road takes us through Zugdidi and into the Enguri valley, passing the Enguri dam as we climb into the mountains. Depending on the arrival time, we stop for a meal along the way.
After settling into our guesthouse in Mestia, there is time to explore the streets, discover the local market or visit a museum or a Svan tower. We meet over dinner at the guesthouse and prepare for the first day on the trail.
Day 2 · Zhabeshi to Adishi
After breakfast, a morning transfer takes us from Mestia to Zhabeshi. We start walking from the village and climb towards the Tetnuldi ski area, trading the winter slopes for summer mountain trails. Beyond the lifts, the route continues towards Adishi beneath the great bulk of Tetnuldi.
Our first trekking night is in a simple guesthouse in Adishi, surrounded by the towers and mountain scenery that make this part of Svaneti so memorable.
Approximately 11.6 km · ascent 909 m · descent 527 m
Day 3 · Adishi to Iprali
We begin with a walk along the valley, gradually opening up views of the Adishi glacier beneath Tetnuldi. The glacier-fed Adishi river is crossed with horse assistance, subject to the conditions and the decision of the local mountain team.
A climb then leads to Chkhunderi Pass at around 2,655 metres, with views of the surrounding peaks and the Adishi and Khalde glaciers. We descend towards Khalde and continue to Iprali, where we spend the night above the forests and valleys of Svaneti.
Approximately 18.7 km · ascent 860 m · descent 1,069 m
Day 4 · Iprali to Ushguli
The final village-to-village stage begins with a descent towards the Mestia–Ushguli road. After crossing a bridge near Davberi, we leave the road behind again and follow paths through meadows and woodland above the Enguri river.
As we approach Ushguli, its stone towers and clustered villages come into view. We walk to our guesthouse and spend the afternoon exploring the lanes and everyday village life. An optional horse ride or a screening of the film Dede may be possible locally.
Approximately 12.4 km · ascent 677 m · descent 436 m
Day 5 · Namkhami beneath Shkhara
A morning transfer brings us to the start of our next hike. We follow the river across open meadows towards Namkhami lake, with views of Shkhara and its glaciers. From the lake, the route climbs towards the Namkhami ridge at around 3,160 metres.
We return on a circular route to the lake and the trailhead, then travel back to Mestia for dinner and a comfortable guesthouse evening.
Approximately 10.3 km · ascent 900 m · descent 900 m
Day 6 · Qoruldi Lakes and the Ushba views
After breakfast, we drive towards the cross above Mestia. From there, we walk to the Qoruldi Lakes at around 2,800 metres. If the weather, conditions and group allow, we continue towards the ridge at around 3,400 metres for wider views of Ushba and the surrounding glaciers.
We descend to the vehicles and return to Mestia. The afternoon leaves time for the town, a café or a few local purchases.
Approximately 8 km · ascent 1,000 m · descent 1,000 m
Day 7 · Shdugra waterfall and the return journey
We travel to Mazeri for a gentler walk towards Shdugra waterfall beneath Ushba. The route follows the valley used by mountaineers heading towards the higher camps. A horse ride may be available by prior arrangement as an optional extra.
After the walk, we can stop for a drink before returning to Mestia for a final dinner and the journey back towards Kutaisi. Departure timing or an additional night near Kutaisi is agreed according to your flight schedule.
Approximately 6.7 km · ascent 380 m · descent 380 m
Day 8 · Departure from Kutaisi
The programme ends in Kutaisi with the agreed airport drop-off. The standard schedule is designed around an early departure; if your flight leaves later, we will discuss the practical arrangements and any extra time or accommodation you need.
International flights and onward travel are arranged separately by you.
Join us in summer
Dates & your land-only package
Choose from our planned 2027 weeks below, or ask about a private trip on your preferred dates. The land-only price is quoted for your group and arrangements. Flights and travel to your departure airport are not included. Availability and the final programme are confirmed in your written offer.
| 2027 departures | Land-only price | Your next step |
|---|---|---|
| 19.06.2027 – 26.06.2027 | On request | Enquire → |
| 26.06.2027 – 03.07.2027 | On request | Enquire → |
| 14.08.2027 – 21.08.2027 | On request | Enquire → |
| 21.08.2027 – 28.08.2027 | On request | Enquire → |
| 11.09.2027 – 18.09.2027 | On request | Enquire → |
Prefer a different week or a private group? Tell us your dates and we will check the options.
Request your summer offer →Included in the land programme
- Arrival and departure transfers between Kutaisi and Svaneti, coordinated with the agreed programme.
- Local transport to the hiking trailheads.
- Six nights in local guesthouses on the standard itinerary: Mestia, Adishi, Iprali and Ushguli.
- Breakfast and dinner at the guesthouses.
- Local mountain team for the planned trekking and hiking programme.
- Horse assistance for the Adishi river crossing, according to conditions.
- Trip organisation, preparation advice and local support.
Not included & optional extras
- International flights and airport transfers in your home country.
- Lunches, snacks, drinks and meals in transit, unless specified in your offer.
- Personal equipment, personal expenses, insurance and tips.
- Luggage transfer between trekking stages, optional horse rides and additional activities.
- Single rooms, extra nights or transfers outside the agreed arrangements.
- Anything not specifically included in your written offer.
Plan the journey
Meet us in Kutaisi.
The land programme begins and ends in Kutaisi. We arrange the journey to Mestia through Zugdidi and the Enguri valley, and the return transfer at the end of the week. Send us your proposed flight times before you book so that we can agree the transfer arrangements and the first and last night.
The standard itinerary returns from Mestia late on day seven for an early flight on day eight. Depending on your flight schedule, an overnight stay near Kutaisi may be a better option; any extra night and adjusted transfer arrangements will be included in your quotation.
Bring broken-in hiking boots, waterproof layers, warm clothing for the high trails, sun protection and a comfortable daypack. The higher walks can reach around 3,400 metres. Arrange insurance suitable for the trekking activities and confirm the current entry requirements for your nationality before travelling.
Questions & answers
How demanding is the trek?
You should be comfortable with consecutive hiking days on uneven mountain paths. Several days involve around 900–1,000 metres of ascent; the longest stage is approximately 18.7 km. The Qoruldi ridge walk can reach around 3,400 metres. Tell us about your experience so that we can discuss whether the programme suits you.
Is this the four-day Mestia–Ushguli trek?
We follow a three-day version. A morning transfer takes us from Mestia to Zhabeshi, where we start walking to Adishi. We then continue via Iprali to Ushguli. The saved day allows us to include more day hikes in the surrounding mountains.
Do I have to carry all my luggage?
Luggage transfer between stages can be arranged as an extra. If you choose it, you carry the clothing, water, food and other essentials you need during the day. Ask us for the current arrangements and price when requesting your offer.
What is the accommodation like?
Expect local guesthouses rather than luxury hotels. Rooms in Mestia normally have private bathrooms; on the village trek, bathrooms are shared. Single rooms can be requested in Mestia, subject to availability.
Are flights included?
This is a land-only package, starting and finishing in Kutaisi. You book your own flights. Please agree your flight times with us before booking so we can confirm the arrival and departure transfers.
Can we travel as a private group?
Yes, ask us about your preferred dates, group size and the walking level you are looking for. We will check availability and prepare an offer for your group.
Let's get you to Svaneti
Plan your summer trek.
Tell us your preferred week, group size and hiking experience. We will check availability, help you plan your arrival in Kutaisi and prepare your land-only offer.
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