- Georgia – the land of high mountains, beautiful nature and historical gems
- Svanetia – a region below the High Caucasus with strongly rooted traditions
- Excellent local cuisine and friendly hospitable people
- Autumn hiking in Svaneti and UNESCO-listed monuments
- Direct air connection from Prague to Georgia
- Accommodation in pleasant hotels, double rooms with private bathrooms
- Rich half board included in the price of the tour
- Small group of up to 10 people
Tour program:
DAY 1: BY AIR FROM PRAGUE TO GEORGIA
Morning departure from Prague on a direct flight to Kutaisi, followed by a transfer to the mountains of Svanetia, to the village of Mazeri.
DAY 2: MAZERI VILLAGE AND SHDUGRA WATERFALL
After breakfast, we drive from the village of Mazeri (1650 m) through the valley of the Dolra River to the beautiful Shdugra Waterfall. The waterfall lies at the foot of a glacier falling from the Ushba peak. Ushba is known as the “Matterhorn of the Caucasus” for its picturesque double tower-shaped peak (16 km, ↑ 560 m, ↓ 560 m, approx. 5-6 h).
DAY 3: CROSSING THE GULIPASS PASS, LAKE KORULDI
After yesterday’s warm-up stage, we have a beautiful but more challenging stage today. First we will climb from Mazeri to the Gulipass Pass (2,847m) where we will be rewarded with views of the peaks of the Kavaz. We will then descend gently and traverse until we reach Mestia below Lake Koruldi (2,740 m). Spectacular views will open up down to the town of Mestia, the surrounding mountain meadows with the summer huts of the herders and the rocky massif of the Svanetian four-thousanders Ushba, Tetnuldi and the three-thousanders Dalakora, Mestiachala and Banguriani. We will be taken to the lakes by jeeps and after a sufficient bath, an early evening descent to Mestia, the centre of Svanetia, set in the beautiful natural Caucasian scenery whose charm is completed by the typical medieval Svanetan defensive towers scattered on the slopes. Accommodation in Mestia (19 km, ↑ 1380 m, ↓ 1000 m, approx. 8 h).
DAY 4: CROSSING THE RIDGE WITH THE PEAKS OF MENTASHI AND ZURULDI
In the morning a short transfer by jeep/van or, if interested, on foot to the Zuruldi ridge. From there, walk along the ridge over the peaks of Mentashi (2472 m) and Zuruldi (2332 m), then descend to the picturesque village of Tsvirmi with its preserved original churches and Svanetian defensive towers. Panoramic views of the main ridge of the High Caucasus, the 4,000-foot Ushba, Tetnuldi and the Mulkhura Valley with Mestia. From Tsvirmi back by jeeps to Mestia. (13 km, ↑ 680 m, ↓ 700 m, approx. 5-6 h).
DAY 5: FROM ADISHI OVER THE CHUNDERI PASS
Morning transfer from Mestia to Adishi (2050 m), a small village at the foot of Tetnuldi Mountain (4858 m). From here we will head up the Adishi River to the glacier of the same name. At the end of the valley, we cross the river with the help of horses and start climbing up to the Chchunderi saddle ( 2722 m). From the saddle we will have beautiful views of the surrounding glaciers and the border ridge of five thousand peaks. Descend into the valley to the village of Khalde. (19 km, ↑ 730 m, ↓ 1038 m, approx. 7 h)
Jeep transfer from Khalde to Ushguli (UNESCO), a picturesque cluster of four Svanetian villages at about 2100 m, making it one of the highest settlements west of the Ural Mountains, according to the Georgians: in Europe. The unmistakable Svanetian towers, surrounded by the highest peaks in the country and mountain pastures, make this an extremely charming place. Overnight in Ushguli in a family-run hotel.
DAY 6: SWANETIA – USHGULI, TRIP TO THE SKHARA GLACIER
After breakfast, hike from Ushguli through the Enguri River valley to the head of the glacier, located at the foot of Georgia’s highest mountain , Shkhara ( 5193 m). On the way we can admire the wild Caucasian nature and views of the surrounding mountain panoramas. The same way back to Ushguli. In the afternoon, walk through the village, where you will be impressed by a bit of history and the local traditional way of life. (17 km, ↑ 390 m, ↓ 390 m, approx. 5-6 h).
Return to Mestia, with a stop at one of the publicly accessible Svanetian towers, which you will be able to climb and explore more closely. Accommodation in Mestia.
DAY 7: RETURN TO KUTAISI, BAGRATI CATHEDRAL
Morning farewell to Mestia and transfer to Kutaisi. Stop at the Enguri Dam, which with its 272 m high dam is one of the highest concrete dams in the world.
In Kutaisi, we will stop at the 12th century Gelati Monastery (a medieval royal centre of religious learning) and then have a spectacular last supper.
DAY 8: RETURN TO THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Departure from Kutaisi by direct flight to Prague.
Further information
Price includes:
- international airfare (Prague – Kutaisi)
- 7x accommodation (7x hotel, double rooms)
- half board (6x breakfast, 7x dinner)
- services of Czech guide and local guide
- transport by private minibus from the airport to Mestia and back
- in Svaneti transport by jeeps
- horses to cross the Adishi River on day 4 of the program
- insurance against bankruptcy
Price does not include:
- Drinks and other meals not listed
- optional activities (local museums, cinema)
- insurance for cancellation fees and medical expenses (we can arrange)
- single room supplement – 5 000 CZK
- tips for local guides and drivers
Suitable season for visiting Georgia: in Georgia, due to its location, we can encounter very diverse weather. On the Black Sea coast, the weather is warm subtropical, while below the Greater Caucasus, the weather is cooler, alpine. Svanetia is situated in the north of Georgia in a mountainous region. The suitable period for travel is from late June to early October. The remaining months are winter in Svaneti. In summer, average daily temperatures range between 18-24 °C (15-20 °C in September), with temperatures dropping to 5-10 °C with altitude. Night temperatures then average 10-18 °C (8-12 °C in September). As in all mountains, the weather is variable, with occasional rain showers. In Kutaisi, the weather is much warmer than in the mountains (the daily average in summer is 20-26 °C).
Group size: 6-10 participants.
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