guided tour 8 days with hiking trail in the Caucasus, Svaneti region (Georgia). The hiking trail in Georgia travel program as detailed below runs from the Svaneti region between the villages of Mestia and Ushguli (UNESCO World Heritage). In addition to hiking and to make the most of your stay in Georgia will also be time to make interesting and enriching visits the country…

Ushguli

PROGRAM hiking trip in Georgia.

Legend: (D/P/C) = (Breakfast, Food, Price)

Day 1. Spain / Kutaisi.

Departure from Barcelona on scheduled flight to Wizz Air 19:55. Arrival at the airport to Kutaisi 02:45 (local time). I am meeting with the company representative and transfer to hotel 2** to spend the night in Kutaisi. (-/-/-).

Overview of Kutaisi

Day 2. Kutaisi / Canyon Okatse / Mazeri.

In the morning we will have a first contact with the city of Kutaisi, which it is the second largest city after the capital “Tbilisi”, in fact Parliament is Kutaisi instead of Tbilisi… The ancient city of Kutaisi played a key role in the history of Georgia and was the capital of Georgia during 4 centuries, from the eighth century to the XII. In addition the region of Imereti where is Kutaisi is famous for being the final destination of Jason and the Argonauts in their quest for the Golden Fleece. In Kutaisi this day we will visit the local market.

Footbridge over Canyon Okatse

We leave Kutaisi by road to the nearby village of Gordi to start walking in the Cannon Okatse which it offers fascinating views from the suspended walkway 1 kilometer length which has built into the side of the barrel (closed Monday because it is protected area with controlled access). At the end of the runway there is a platform jutting out over the abyss, ideal for the adrenaline and make some fun pictures. The adventure continues to the picturesque region of Svaneti. Stop to take some pictures in the dam of Enguri. We will go by road through the varied landscape of the Great Caucasus mountain. We arrived to spend the night at Becho or Mazeri.

Platform Canyon Okatse

Dinner and overnight in a guest house (private bathroom)
(D/-/C)
↓ 300m ↑ 370m; 3 hours, easy hike.

Road to the mountains

Day 3. Mazeri / Etseri / Mestia

Etseri road we reach and then we started the trekking, It is a very beautiful and breathtaking place. We walk through a very specific nature that you can not see anywhere else in Svaneti, We walk towards Mount Ushba (4.700 meters), which it is very picturesque with its twin summits. Then we return to Mestia that is the gateway to the route of the medieval villages of a thousand towers. In Mestia we visit a local museum, which it is a house-tower of the medieval era belonging to the family Margiani, the type of towers which are the symbol of this region, or historical ethnographic museum that surprises visitors with its exhibition of objects depicting life, history and culture of local people (closed on Mondays) .

Dinner and overnight at hotel 2** of Mestia. (D/-/C)
Walking time: 4 – 4,5 hours.
Trekking moderate to severe.

Ushba Peak Views (left photo) from the trail.

artisan bridge over the river Dolrachala

Mestia

Day 4. Mestia / Adishi

In the morning after breakfast we rode Coches 4×4 to reach the village of Zhabeshi. There we started hiking up Adishi is a small but truly genuine people of this region. Enjoy views towards the mountains Banguriani (3.838 m) and the famous Mount Ushba (4.700 m). The trail passes through a dense forest of conifers and deciduous trees.

4×4 for rough terrain

Dinner and overnight in a guest house in Adishi (shared bathrooms).
(D/-/C)
↓ 900m ↑ 500m; Walking time: 5-6 hours.
Trekking moderate to severe.

Rural Life in Mestia

Descent to Adishi

Day 5. Adishi / Iprali / Ushguli (UNESCO).

This day promises us truly spectacular views of the snowcapped mountains. The first part of the route runs along the River Gorge Adishchala . The cross begins the ascent to the pass of Chkhunderi (2.744 m.). On every step, the beauties of nature shows us more strongly with the background of snow-capped mountains: Tetnuldi (4.858 m.) and its glacier, as well as the mountains of Rustaveli (4.859 m.) and Gestola (4.859 m.). From the pass we descend to the valley of the river Khaldechala, through which we reached the village of Iprali. From this point, We continue the journey by car to the village of Ushguli is the highest inhabited village in Europe, a 2.200 meters. Ushguli has many defensive medieval towers and is included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO. Also from Ushguli the highest mountain in Georgia is, Mount Shkhara (5.068 meters).

Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse in Ushguli .
(D/-/C)
↓ 700m ↑ 850m; Walking time: 7 hours.
Trekking moderate to severe.

Ushguli

Day 6. Ushguli / Mestia.

In the morning we climb the mountain Chubedishi to enjoy the breathtaking views that open from above. In Ushguli we visit a small but significant church called Lamaria (ninth century – X) and Xll century paintings – XIII. The same day return to the administrative center of Svaneti, Mestia.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel 2** of Mestia. (D/-/C).
↓ 600m ↑ 600m; Walking time: 5 hours.
Trekking moderate to severe.

Enguri River at the foot of the glacier Tetnuldi. Pass the bottom Chkhutnieri.

Day 7. Mestia / Chalaadi / Zugdidi / Kutaisi

After breakfast we head towards the Valley Chalaadi, a 30 minute drive. Then we climb to the glacier walk until we reached the foot of the glacier itself. Then let's Zugdidi is a city in western Georgia, in the region Samegrelo-ZemoSvaneti. Here we make a photo stop at the Palace of Dadian, which it was of a noble family of dukes and princes of the region of Samegrelo. Back in Kutaisi vehicle.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Kutaisi 2**.
(D/-/C)
↓ 600m ↑ 600m; Walking time: 5 hours.
Trekking moderate to severe.

Glaciar Chalaadi

Day 8. Kutaisi / Ice creams / Prometheus / Exit

Breakfast at hotel. Visit Gelati Monastery and Academy (XII century), complex Gelati Monastery is UNESCO World Heritage. The founder of the complex is the King David, known as “the builder”, and is more prominent king in the history of Georgia. After see Caves Prometheus are larger Georgia with a length of 11 kilometers. They possess valuable stalactite, estalagmitas, cave pearls, petrified waterfalls, underground caves ending in a large lake, etc. The cave consists of 6 large rooms, filled with spectacular formations. A river runs through the entire cave under or next to the runways by walking visitors. If you look in the water, you will see fish under the surface, newts and crabs are all white or transparent color from lack of light in the cave, and also blind. Kutaisi airport transfer and departure scheduled flight to Wizz Air 16:20. Arrival in Barcelona at 19:20. (D/-/-).

Orthodox Monastery of Gelati – UNESCO World Heritage.

Prometheus Cave in Kutaisi

Prices.

prices including taxes (with Spanish-speaking local guide, transport, accommodation and half board specified in the program) :
Minimum group 2 people: 1.536,00 € / person
Minimum group 4 people: 1.044,00 € / person
Minimum group 6 people: 942,00 € / person
Minimum group 8 people: 764,00 € / person
Minimum group 11 people: 710,00 € / person
Minimum group 13 people: 724,00 € / person
Minimum group 15 people: 662,00 € / person
Minimum group 17 people: 720,00 € / person
Supplement room single use: 85,00 € / person.

View flights from Barcelona to Kutaisi: WizzAir.

The price includes:
• Transfers between Airport / Hotel / Airport
• Private transfers with air-conditioned vehicles according to the program (2 pax - since, 4 pax – minivan, 6 – 10+1 pax – Mercedes Sprinter, 12+1 – 16+1 – Bus)
• private guide service in Spanish during the entire trip.
• Mountain guide in Svaneti.
• Accommodation in double use, except Adishi which is triple or quadruple room:
• 2 x night – hotel 2** in Kutaisi with private bathroom
• 1 x night – guesthouse in Mazeri or Becho with private bathroom,
• 2 x night – hotel 2** Mestia with private bathroom.
• 1 x night – Adishi family hotel with shared bathroom
• 1 x night – huépedes house in Ushguli with private bathroom.
• Foods: 7 x breakfast / 6 x dinner
• Entrance fees to sites and monuments described.
• Vehicle 4×4 where necessary in Svaneti (days 4-6 program)
• 1 bottle of mineral water per day (0.5l).

Price does not include:
• Flight tickets
• Travel Insurance
• Foods, and dinner not specified as included in the program.
• Alcoholic drinks
• Tips and personal expenses
• Baggage Porteo hotels.
• Walk to the boat in the caves of Prometheus (optional).
• The services not specified as included in the program

Technical Sheet our Hiking in Georgia.

Hiking trails in Georgia

Travel Period: June, July, August or September.

DOCUMENTATION FOR TRAVEL TO GEORGIA.
• To travel to Georgia do not need to apply for a visa if he possesses Spanish nationality or any other country in the European Union. This is valid for travel stay in Georgia up to one year. In the case of foreign nationalities who do not belong to the European Union legally residing in Spain, Spanish or foreigners with valid visa, Also you can visit Georgia without a visa issued by Georgian authorities. Although the latter is valid for stays up 90 days.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
• In churches not access skirt or shorts allowed.
• Women need to put a handkerchief to cover the head hair on visits to Christian-Orthodox churches.

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT.
Backpack for daily use. Hiking pants. Waterproof jacket. Mountain shoes. Hiking poles. Sun hat. Sunscreen. Sunglasses.

If you want to learn more about Georgia, and more specifically on this region of Svaneti, Visit our Blog Article: Trekking one Svaneti (Trekking Mestia – Ushguli).