Tour in Svaneti

Why October Is Perfect for a Tour to Svaneti

• Daytime temperatures +12…+18 °C, nights down to +5 °C — perfect hiking weather
• Deciduous forests turn gold and crimson instead of summer green
• Three times fewer people on the trails
• Fresh snow on Ushba, Shkhara, and Tetnuldi creates postcard-perfect scenes

Tour to Svaneti Itinerary: 6 Full Hiking Days Without Rush

Day 1. Tbilisi → Mazeri. Tour to Svaneti Begins Early departure from Tbilisi at 6–7 a.m. (Batumi participants picked up in Zugdidi at 10:00). The scenic 8–9-hour drive passes through Zugdidi and mountain serpentines. Arrival at the campsite in Mazeri village right beneath the south face of Ushba. Tent setup, campfire dinner, group introduction, detailed briefing about the tour to Svaneti program.

Day 2. Shdugra Waterfall & Ushba Glacier — First Big Day Light daypacks only (main luggage stays at camp). Route: Mazeri → Dolasvipi valley → Shdugra Waterfall (one of Georgia’s most photogenic) → toe of Ushba Glacier. Total elevation gain ~1500 m, distance 14–16 km. Picnic lunch by the waterfall. Return to the same campsite in the evening. Sauna and dinner under the open sky.

Day 3. Gul Pass — Camping Face-to-Face with Ushba Pack up camp and follow the Kheldra River. Gradual ascent to Gul Glacier, touch the ice, then traverse to Gul Pass (~2950 m). Tents are pitched right on the pass — sunset and sunrise over double-peaked Ushba are among the absolute highlights of the entire tour to Svaneti. Distance 10–12 km, elevation gain 1100 m.

Day 4. Koruldi Lakes → Mestia. Back to Civilization Morning sunrise over Ushba, breakfast, then hike to the turquoise Koruldi Lakes (2700–3000 m). Photo session, ridge traverse toward Tsakhazagar peak, and descent to Mestia through rhododendron fields. Evening — guesthouse accommodation, hot shower, resupply, and well-deserved rest after four mountain days.

Day 5. Tetnuldi → Adishi → Lardad Glacier Morning 4×4 transfer to the foot of Tetnuldi. Hike to one of the most picturesque Svan villages — Adishi. Afternoon continuation along the Adishchala River to the tongue of Lardad Glacier. Overnight camping by the Khaldeschala River — silence so deep you can almost hear snow falling on distant Shkhara. Distance 12–14 km.

Day 6. Adishi → Ushguli. The Grand Finale of the Tour to Svaneti The most atmospheric day. Ascent over Chkhutnieri Pass (2700 m) into the Ushguli community — Europe’s highest permanently inhabited village and a UNESCO site. Explore ancient Svan towers, Lamarian churches, and stone houses. Camping at the foot of Shkhara (5193 m) — Georgia’s highest peak. Distance 12–15 km, but emotions override any fatigue.

Day 7. Ushguli → Mestia → Tbilisi. Farewell to the Mountains Morning in Ushguli, relaxed photos among the towers. 4×4 transfer to Mestia (2 hours). Lunch with authentic Svan kubdari and cheese khachapuri. Short walk around Mestia center and optional museum visit. Departure for Tbilisi at 15:00, arrival around 23:00–00:00.