Tour Overview
| Duration | 8 Days / 7 Nights |
|---|---|
| Country | Georgia — Svaneti & Racha Regions |
| Price From | $1,295 per person (twin share) |
| Tour Style | Private / Mountain Adventure |
| Data Source | Georgian Tour, Georgian Holidays — 2026 |
Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Tbilisi to Kutaisi
Pickup in Tbilisi and drive west through the scenic Georgian heartland. Stop at the ancient cave city of Uplistsikhe, carved into volcanic rock 3,000 years ago. Continue to Kutaisi, Georgia’s second city — visit the UNESCO-listed Bagrati Cathedral and wander the bustling Green Bazaar. Welcome dinner with Imeretian khachapuri. Overnight in Kutaisi.
Day 2: Martvili Canyon & Zugdidi
Morning boat trip through Martvili Canyon’s turquoise waters, surrounded by moss-covered limestone cliffs and waterfalls. Continue to Zugdidi, the gateway to Svaneti. Visit the Dadiani Palace Museum — one of Napoleon Bonaparte’s death masks is in the collection (his nephew married into the Dadiani family). Afternoon hike in the Kolkheti lowlands. Overnight in Zugdidi.
Day 3: Mestia — The Tower Capital
Up theEnguri Gorge into Upper Svaneti (UNESCO). The road climbing past the Enguri Dam (one of the world’s highest arch dams) is an adventure in itself. Arrive in Mestia at 1,500m, surrounded by 4,000-5,000m peaks. Walk among the famous Svan tower houses (koshki) — medieval defensive structures unique to Svaneti. Visit the Svaneti Museum of History with its priceless collection of 9th-12th century icons and manuscripts. Overnight in Mestia.
Day 4: Ushguli — Europe’s Highest Village
4×4 journey to Ushguli (2,200m), the highest permanently inhabited settlement in Europe. Tower houses beneath the summit of Mount Shkhara (5,193m, Georgia’s highest). Walk through the UNESCO-listed village, visit the 12th-century Lamaria Church, and have lunch in a Svan family home — try kubdari (meat pie) and tashmijabi (cheese with mashed potatoes). Views that define Georgia: snow-capped Caucasus, medieval towers, and wildflower meadows. Return to Mestia.
Day 5: Chalaadi Glacier Hike
Moderate half-day hike to the Chalaadi Glacier through pristine pine forests. Walk to the glacier’s snout and touch millennia-old ice. The valley opens to breathtaking views of Mount Ushba (4,710m), the “Matterhorn of the Caucasus” — one of the world’s most beautiful and dangerous peaks. Afternoon free to explore Mestia or take the Hatsvali cable car for 360° mountain panoramas. Overnight in Mestia.
Day 6: Racha — Georgia’s Hidden Paradise
Descend from Svaneti and drive into Racha, Georgia’s most beautiful and least-visited mountain region. Visit the Nikortsminda Cathedral (11th century) with its extraordinary stone carvings. Continue to the Shaori Reservoir and the alpine village of Oni. Afternoon visit to the Synagogue of Oni (built 1895), a reminder of Georgia’s historic Jewish community. Feast on Racha ham and the region’s famous semi-sweet Khvanchkara wine. Overnight in Ambrolauri.
Day 7: Gomi Mountain & Return to Tbilisi
Morning drive up Mount Gomi (2,750m) for stellar views of the Greater Caucasus and the rocky Skhvava Pass. Hike through the subalpine meadows with wildflowers, butterflies, and the sound of cowbells. Descend through the Rikoti Pass back to eastern Georgia. Evening arrival in Tbilisi. Farewell supra featuring Georgian polyphonic singing. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 8: Depart Tbilisi
Morning at the Dry Bridge flea market for Soviet-era souvenirs. Transfer to Tbilisi Airport. Gaumarjos!
Inclusions
- 7 nights accommodation (guesthouses in Svaneti, hotels elsewhere)
- Daily breakfast + 4 dinners (including a supra feast)
- 4×4 transport to Ushguli
- English-speaking mountain guide
- Martvili Canyon boat trip
- Chalaadi Glacier hike
- All monument entries
- Khvanchkara wine tasting in Racha
Why Svaneti & Racha
- Ushguli: Europe’s highest village beneath a 5,193m peak
- Svaneti towers: nowhere else in the world has architecture like this
- Racha: Georgia’s best-kept secret — virtually tourist-free
- Khvanchkara wine: Stalin’s favorite, only made in Racha
- Glacier hiking on the doorstep of the Greater Caucasus
