Svaneti Tours in Georgia
This high-mountain region in northwestern Georgia remains one of the most untouched corners of the Caucasus. Here, time seems to stand still among snow-capped peaks, stone towers, and narrow paths walked by the Svans for centuries.
Where Svaneti Is Located and How It Is Structured
Svaneti is divided into two parts – Upper and Lower. Upper Svaneti lies along the Main Caucasian Range and administratively belongs to the Mestia Municipality in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region. The main town is Mestia. Lower Svaneti is located further south, separated by the Svaneti Range. Reaching the area is not easy: winding serpentine roads, high passes, and sometimes only 4×4 vehicles or helicopters can get through. Yet it is precisely this remoteness that has kept the region almost untouched.
The Svans and Their Millennia-Old History
The Svans are one of the oldest ethnic subgroups in Georgia. Their language belongs to the Kartvelian family but differs significantly from literary Georgian. As early as the era of ancient Colchis, gold was reportedly mined here by lowering sheep fleeces into rivers – the origin of the Golden Fleece legend.
For centuries, Svaneti maintained considerable autonomy. Even when Georgia became part of the Russian Empire, local communities lived by their own laws. The main symbol of independence was the family defense towers – stone structures up to 25 meters tall, built between the 8th and 18th centuries for protection and surveillance.
Must-See Places in Svaneti
- Mount Ushba – the two-headed beauty of the Caucasus, 4710 m high, with the Gul and Ushba glaciers
- Shdugra Waterfall – one of the most photogenic waterfalls in Georgia
- Ushguli village – Europe’s highest permanently inhabited settlement (2100–2200 m), a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Mestia and its Museum of History and Ethnography
- Koruldi Lakes at 2700–3000 m with panoramic views over Upper Svaneti
- Chalaadi Glacier and the canyon of the Mulkhura River
Popular Routes for Different Difficulty Levels
- Classic 4-day tour from Tbilisi or Batumi The route goes through Mestia – villages of Mazeri and Adishi – Ushguli. No heavy backpacks, overnight stays in guesthouses, 4×4 transfers on off-road sections.
- Ushba Circuit trek (4–5 days) The trail circles the famous double-peaked mountain, passing Shdugra Waterfall and the Ushba Glacier. Perfect for those who want to see Ushba from all angles without climbing it.
- Ascent of Mount Laila (4008 m) A technically moderate but genuine mountaineering route. Offers breathtaking panoramas of Ushba, Tetnuldi, and the entire Main Range. No extensive experience required – professional instructors provide safety and equipment.
Best Time to Visit
The ideal season runs from mid-June to the end of September. In June, rhododendrons are still blooming; July and August offer the most stable weather; September brings golden autumn colors and fewer visitors. In winter, Svaneti becomes a center for freeride skiing and heli-skiing, though most hiking trails are buried under snow.
Svaneti remains a place where peaks over 5000 meters stand side by side with medieval towers, and hospitality is measured not in words but in the amount of khachapuri and shots of chacha at the table. It is easy to understand here why the Svans defended their land for centuries – and why they continue to protect its beauty today.
Camping:
670$
990$
