Mestia-Ushguli hiking trail
The warmest shades of the color spectrum, the sun that shines but doesn't scorch, valleys shrouded in ethereal mist, refreshing crispness and mountain villages framed by white peaks. Would you like to be a part of this magical fusion? COME TO SVANETIA! The cradle of the Caucasian peaks (Ushba, Skhara, Tetnuldi), mineral waters and wines.
The raw and rugged appeal of Svanetia attracts hikers like bees to a jar of honey, and travelogues report that 100-150 hikers a day head to the trail during peak season. Since crowded places are no longer fashionable, local mountain guide Misha has prepared an itinerary for us. Under his guidance, we will follow secret trails from Mestia to Ushguli.
The village of Ushguli is one of the highest continuously inhabited areas in Europe, located at an altitude of 2100 m. The settlement has also been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List for the preservation of its milieu with defensive towers.
The hiking route is framed by rugged peaks, we can breathe in the icy breath of glaciers and we can test our strength with a raging mountain river. But that's not all! Georgia is adorned with contrasts, and within the majestic frame there are also genuine rural areas, hospitality, local food and drinks and moderate physical exertion. The entire experience is guarded by the symbolic stone towers of Svanetia.
This is a technically easy trail, which is suitable for everyone, regardless of age, education level and previous experience. The length of the hike is about 110 km, the highest point is 3000 m. The backpack is light (30-40 l), overnight stays are in homestays/hostels. However, the weather can be unpredictable in autumn, and we must take into account rain showers and cool temperatures.
Be ready!
Our goal is to walk. To cover any distance, you have to walk for many hours and take even more steps. You have to keep going even when the fog covers the mountains or the rain starts pouring down. I'm not talking about the discomfort... the miracle is that one is happy not in spite of these discomforts, but precisely because of them: excessive fatigue can drive the soul to delirium; excessive beauty can turn the mind upside down.
Overview - short & sweet
Objective: to complete the Mestia-Usghuli hiking trail
Dates: 30.09-10.10.2022
Activity: hiking
Adventure guides: Lisette Huaniita Sipelgas, Helena Meriste
Technical difficulty level: 1/5 (easy mountain hike; read more From the FAQ page)
Physical difficulty: 2/5 (moderate effort; read more From the FAQ page)
Group size: 14
(I.e. If the trip is canceled due to circumstances caused by the pandemic, we will refund the advance payment in full.. See also FAQ.
Trip price
PRICE INCLUDES
Local transport in Georgia and all transfers
All overnight stays during the trip
Meals on hiking days (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
A sumptuous last dinner in Kutaisi
Group pharmacy
Travel arrangements and implementation
Adventure locomotives with Georgian experience
Local experienced mountain guide
Climbing equipment, except climbing shoes (optional activity)
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE - FLIGHTS, PERSONAL BEHAVIOURS AND OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Flight tickets (e.g. Tallinn-Kutaisi-Tallinn)
Insurance (travel insurance and sports insurance)
Personal camping equipment (including toiletries and medication)
Meals outside Mestia
Extra snacks for the hike
COVID-related travel expenses (e.g. PCR test)
Unscheduled excursions, transportation, etc. (or if you want to do something extra)
Our guide and great friend of the Estonian people Misha
Registration for the trip
Before registering, please read travel conditions. To secure your place on the trip, a deposit (20%) must be paid within 3 business days of receiving the confirmation and invoice by email; if there are less than 30 days left until the trip, the total cost (100%) must be paid. Read more: frequently asked questions ja package tour information sheet.
Schedule and activities
Day 1: Arrival
We fly from Tallinn to Kutaisi, load our luggage into the car and head for Mestia. The first thrill is the narrowing mountain road with every kilometer, which winds itself like a vine around the mountains and valleys, climbing higher and higher. The journey, including photo and shopping breaks, is about 5-6 hours. This is enough time to get to know each other better, taste our first wines and make plans. Overnight stay at Misha's homestay.
Day 2: Mestia-Etseri-Mazeri
We wake up early, have a good breakfast and start warming up. The day begins with a drive from Mestia to Etseri, from where our day trip to the village of Mazeri begins. The trail connects two valleys of Upper Svaneti and takes us closer and closer to the home of the Georgian hunting goddess Dali - Mount Ushba. On the way, we pass a lake, a few huts and go through the forest. The views are beautiful, I would rather not talk about the rhododendron fields, there are no words to describe it - even in rainy weather. The highest point of the day is 2450 m, (Etseri 1600 m), a total of 13 hiking kilometers. Dinner and a decent overnight stay await us in Mazeri.
Day 3: Mazeri-Mestia
We wake up early, refuel and start walking. The goal of the day is to visit the Mazer waterfall. Although there are some pretty steep climbs on the trail and we may also cross some watery sections, it is all worth the effort. We come back the same way - and only downhill. Total hiking kilometers 16, highest point 2200 m. We spend the night and recover in Mazer.
Day 4: Mazeri-Mestia
We repeat our morning rituals, pack our things and head for Mestia. Of all the possible routes, we choose the most difficult one — we cross the Gul Gorge. On the way, we pass some completely destroyed houses and a slightly better preserved church. In addition, there are cows, alpine meadows and vastness. The test of the day will be the climb to the gorge, which at first glance seems like a serpentine rising into the sky — every pedometer’s dream. But the effort will be amply rewarded, because the gorge offers views of the snowy peaks and the majestic Ushba. Now we take a few pictures, rest our feet, have a snack and continue mostly downhill. The highest point is 2950 m and hiking kilometers are 19. In Mestia, we make cold beers, eat and sink into bed.
Day 5: Mestia-Jabeshi
Boots warm, body accustomed and pack straps balanced. The five-day journey to Ushguli begins with a hike to the village of Jabesh. The journey begins on the banks of the Tsaneri River in Mestia, passes through river valleys, villages and alpine meadows. The day includes one long climb and an even longer descent - be patient, by the end of the day we reach the very last house of the most remote village in the valley: we eat, sleep and wash. Hiking kilometers 18+ and the highest point 1850 m.
Day 6: Jebesh-Adish
We wake up with the rooster and dawn, eat and head for the village of Adishi. For a hardened body, the day is more like a vacation: a short steep climb to the gorge and a long smooth descent. The village of Adishi is located at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level and is significantly less affected by tourism than other villages in Svanetia. We are greeted by centuries-old huts, stone towers and four churches with traditional frescoes. But that's not all. The Tetnuldi mountain pyramid towering above the village (the tenth highest mountain in Georgia) and the fast-flowing glacial riverbed of Adishi add spice and crispness to the whole. 13 kilometers of hiking and the highest point is 2450 m. The missing steps and daylight can be spent exploring the archaic village. In the evening, a traditional meal and overnight stay.
Day 7: Adishi-Iprali
Did you think the climb to the Gul Gorge was difficult? Only now are we facing the longest and most challenging day of the trek. You can barely shake off the morning stiffness when you have to start crossing the raging glacial river. And there is no supporting bridge, boat, wifi or flight connection. A winter swimmer companion, negotiation skills, iron will and good mood will come in handy. Unfortunately, a beach hotel with a cold cocktail awaits you on the opposite shore, but a multi-hour climb to the Chkhunder Gorge (2722 m). During the breath-taking breaks, you can take pictures of the rhododendron groves that spread all around. Majestic panoramic views of the snowy peaks and the Adishi Glacier open up from the gorge. Once the views have been seen, the journey continues downhill again, we descend into the Khaldechala River valley, pass the village of Khalde, which was destroyed in the 19th century, and arrive in Iprali towards evening. The total length of the trail section is 17 hiking kilometers.
Day 8: Iprali-Ushguli
The last hiking ritual morning and we are going through the last hiking kilometers, which will carry us again through the mountain villages, forests and meadows of Svanetia — closer and closer to our destination, Ushguli. The hike will take 13 hiking kilometers in total, and the excitement that grows with each step is rewarded in abundance: we are greeted by a postcard view of sagging houses, medieval stone defensive towers and the towering Shkhara (Georgia's highest peak) mountain range. Ushguli village is the highest settlement in Europe with 200 permanent residents (2086-2200 m). Part of the buildings with defensive towers have also been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Snow covers the area for six months of the year, which often cuts off the area's only connection to the outside world - the road to Mestia. If the intoxication of reaching our destination has not taken away our energy, we will wander the narrow network of roads for the rest of the day: we will visit the Lamaria church, a local bar and do other cultural activities. We will have dinner and stay at the lodge.
Day 9: Ushguli - Mestia
We will drive back to Mestia. Everyone whose heart beats towards extreme motorsports or Slavic driving culture, smile… and the driver will laugh with you. And the rest, enjoy the view and trust. Upon arrival in Mestia, we will start with routine-breaking procedures. Everyone is free to choose the most pleasant way to relax. Dinner is also available :)
Day 10: Mestia
A day off from hiking in Mestia. After waking up late and having breakfast, the plan is to go rock climbing. No prior experience is necessary. Under Misha's stern gaze and guidance, even a reptile can gain wings: we will learn the basics of climbing and belaying. Those who are looking for steps can also replace climbing with hiking. In the evening, we will gather around the table again.
Day 11: Mestia-Kutaisi
We wake up at the crack of dawn, pack, say goodbye to Misha and get into the cars to start the return journey to Kutaisi. After lunch we arrive in Kutaisi: we look at the houses, people, cafes, shops - everything that civilization has to offer. We will definitely have a proper last dinner. We spend the few hours of the night in the hostel.
I promise that the whole bouquet of flavors, colors, and smells you've absorbed will stay with you for a long time! :)
NB! There may be minor changes to the schedule and planned activities - for example, due to weather and conditions or passenger requests.
What to consider when traveling to Svanetia?
FOOD CULTURE
When assembling your backpack, I recommend leaving a hole in it shaped like a wine bottle ;)
If you open the Estonian Wikipedia with the search term “Georgian cuisine”, you will find only one sentence under drinks: “A lot of Georgian wines are drunk.” True, the climate of Georgia is much more favorable for cultivating vines than ours, and looking at the natural mastery of their handling, I would like to ask what is in the mother's milk of this people? If not the host himself, then certainly the neighbor has a whole village of wine sloshing around in a corner of the cupboard. But it doesn't stop there. Everything left over from the winemaking process is spun into chacha (grape juice), pressed into snacks, and everything that precedes the sacred ceremony is rolled into dolma, tea mixture, or simply a salad.
PS! And this is not just drinking, enjoying, enjoying, but a magical rite of respect. Alongside the wine and chachapitsi, we greet our family, pets, loved ones, remember the best moments, thank the group leader, God, nature, etc.
Some more keywords from food culture: Georgian bread, khachapuri (cheese pie), suluguni cheese, eggplant rolls, khinkali (LARGE dumplings), tomato-cucumber-onion salad, Svanetian salt (herb salt).
MORE ABOUT SVANETI
Traveling in the mountain villages of Georgia offers not only mental and physical purification, but also digital Detox's option: Internet connection is non-existent on hiking days, weak in villages. It is worth mentioning this to your family in advance.
ATMs in Mestia generally work, but to be on the safe side, we fill up with cash in one of the larger towns along the way.
PS! The trip is also suitable for geologists, gold diggers and crystal collectors. Found, seen, taken with you…
TRAVEL EQUIPMENT
There will be no heavy mountain climbing on this trip, so you will need standard hiking equipment: hiking clothes, preparedness and layers for rainy weather, hiking boots, a day hiking backpack (20-35 l), a change of clothes, etc. We will write more specifically about what weather to expect and what to bring in the information letter sent to all participants before the trip. You can always ask the adventure guides for advice.
Travel documents, flights and COVID-19
The participant is responsible for the validity and orderliness of their travel documents. The following documents are required for this trip:
pass, which is valid for at least 6 months after the end of the trip;
travel insurance;
if necessary, proof of vaccination / proof of negative COVID PCR test*;
A hiking-friendly option is also recommended. sports insuranceif travel insurance does not cover it.
*NB! COVID-related travel restrictions and requirements are subject to change. We will provide more detailed information before your trip begins.
Flight tickets are not included in the price, but we ask that you consult with the tour guide in advance when purchasing them, to ensure that you purchase the right tickets at the right time and to the right destination. We will keep those registered for the trip informed about flight availability and schedule.
We will make a decision no later than one month before the trip whether the trip is possible and safe enough. If the trip is canceled due to circumstances caused by the pandemic, we will of course refund the advance payment in full.
More questions? See frequently asked questions or ask the adventure locomotives.
Adventure guide Helena Meriste
(58027171, maarja[ät]elamuspluss.ee)
