Tour Overview
| Duration | 8 Days / 7 Nights |
|---|---|
| Destination | Georgia — Svaneti (Mestia, Ushguli), Zugdidi, Tbilisi |
| Price From | $1,895 per person (twin share, private) |
| Tour Style | Private Mountain & Cultural Expedition |
| Best Season | June — September (Ushguli accessible) |
| Data Source | Georgian Holidays / Wanderful Holidays — 2026 |
Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Arrive Tbilisi — Georgia’s Capital
Land at Tbilisi Airport. Transfer to hotel in the Old Town. Afternoon walking tour: Narikala Fortress (4th century) via cable car for panoramic views, the sulfur baths district (Abanotubani) — the very reason Tbilisi (“warm place”) was founded, the modern Peace Bridge, and the Sameba Cathedral (Holy Trinity) — one of the largest Orthodox cathedrals in the world. Evening: welcome supra (Georgian feast) with khinkali (soup dumplings), khachapuri (cheese bread), and local Saperavi wine. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 2: Tbilisi — Zugdidi (Gateway to Svaneti)
Drive west across Georgia through the scenic landscapes of Kartli and Imereti. Stop at the Mtskheta (UNESCO) — Georgia’s ancient capital and spiritual heart. Visit Jvari Monastery (6th century) perched on a hilltop with views over the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century), where Christ’s robe is said to be buried. Continue to Zugdidi, the capital of Samegrelo region. Visit the Dadiani Palace — the 19th-century residence of the Mingrelian princes, housing a fascinating museum including one of Napoleon Bonaparte’s death masks. Overnight in Zugdidi.
Day 3: Mestia — Enter the Svaneti Kingdom
The dramatic 4-hour drive from Zugdidi to Mestia along the Enguri River is one of the world’s great mountain roads — winding through deep gorges, past waterfalls, and up into the High Caucasus. Arrive in Mestia, the regional capital of Svaneti (1,500m). The town is dominated by its iconic koshki — medieval stone towers built from the 9th-13th centuries, each belonging to a Svan family and used for defense during blood feuds. Visit the Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography with its extraordinary collection of medieval icons, manuscripts, and gold artifacts — Svaneti was never conquered and preserved a unique cultural heritage. Afternoon hike to the Chaladi Glacier. Overnight in Mestia guesthouse with Svan hospitality.
Day 4: Mestia — Koruldi Lakes & Svan Towers
4×4 excursion to the Koruldi Lakes (2,700m) — a cluster of pristine alpine lakes reflecting the twin peaks of Ushba (4,710m), the “Matterhorn of the Caucasus.” The view is simply one of the most spectacular in the entire Caucasus range. Hike around the lakes. Afternoon: visit the village of Latali, known for its 9th-10th century churches with remarkably preserved frescoes depicting Svan kings and saints. Learn about Svan culture — their unique language (one of the oldest in the Kartvelian family), polyphonic singing (UNESCO Intangible Heritage), and ancient pagan traditions that coexist with Orthodox Christianity. Overnight in Mestia.
Day 5: Ushguli — Europe’s Highest Continuously Inhabited Village
4×4 journey to Ushguli (2,100-2,200m), a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the highest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe. This community of four hamlets — Zhibiani, Chvibiani, Chazhashi, and Murqmeli — is surrounded by 5,000m+ peaks including Shkhara (5,193m), Georgia’s highest mountain. Over 200 medieval towers dot the landscape, some over 1,000 years old. Visit the Lamaria Church (12th century) and the Ushguli Museum. Walk among the towers, meet Svan families who still live in this remote highland, and photograph one of the most photogenic mountain villages on Earth. Overnight in Ushguli guesthouse (basic but unforgettable).
Day 6: Ushguli — Shkhara Glacier Trek
Full-day hike toward the Shkhara Glacier at the foot of Georgia’s highest peak. The trail follows the Enguri River to its glacial source, passing ancient watchtowers and summer pastures. The glacier face itself is an immense wall of ice and rock, with the summit of Shkhara towering impossibly above. Picnic in the alpine meadows. Return to Ushguli. Evening: Svan polyphonic singing around the fire — deep, haunting harmonies that have echoed through these mountains for millennia. Overnight in Ushguli.
Day 7: Return to Tbilisi
Descend from the mountains. Drive back to Tbilisi, arriving by evening. Farewell dinner at a traditional Georgian restaurant with full supra — tamada (toastmaster), multiple courses, and flowing wine. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 8: Depart Tbilisi
Morning at leisure — visit the Dry Bridge flea market for Soviet memorabilia and Georgian antiques. Airport transfer. Gaumarjos! (Cheers!)
Inclusions
- 7 nights (hotels + Svan guesthouses)
- Daily breakfast + 5 dinners with wine
- Private 4×4 vehicle (essential for Svaneti roads)
- English-speaking guide throughout
- Mtskheta UNESCO churches visit
- Svaneti Museum, Dadiani Palace
- 4×4 to Koruldi Lakes & Ushguli
- Shkhara Glacier trek (guided)
- Supra experience & Svan singing
- All entries
