SVANETI, TREKKING IN SOUTHERN CAUCASUS, GEORGIA

Edlothia, Nina Kopcavar s.p.
Trzic, Slovenia, EU
E-MAIL: nina@edlothia.com
GSM: + 386 31 872 194
6.-14. JULY 2019
Our calendar is flexible. Please contact us if you have a different date in mind or if you would like a bespoke itinerary.
10 DAYS / 10 NIGHTS
6 days of TREKKING
1.200 EUR (min 10 persons)
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
- 2 x accommodation in the Hotel in Tbilisi with breakfast and dinner
- 1 x accomodation in the Hotel in Kutaisi with breakfast and dinner
- 7 x accommodation in local guesthouses or hotels in Svaneti with breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Private transfer in Georgia according to the program
- 6 days guided trekking with a qualified bilingual (Svan/English) international mountain guide and all his costs
- Organization and implementation of a trip by the Slovenian tourist agency
- Slovenian mountain guide assistant throughout the journey
- 1 x transport by chair lift
- 1 x crossing of the river with horses
- Entrance fees for visiting cultural sites and museums according to the program
- A guided tour in Tbilisi by a local tourist guide
- Meeting the participants before the trip (Slovenians)
- Tours are led in English
- Pre-departure and packing information.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
- Air and land transportation to/from host cities
- Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses
- All types of personal insurance and expenses
- Tips
- Drinks
- Single occupancy of a double room
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN SVANETI
Early morning start from Tbilisi to Kutaisi (3 h). After a short break continue towards Mestia (4-5 h), the main town in Svaneti region and the base for walking, trekking, ski touring in the Upper Svaneti area, Caucasus Mountains. After checking into the hotel, gather for a welcome dinner and meet a local guide. After dinner enjoy tan optional evening walk around Mestia.
Accommodation: Local hotel in Mestia
Activity: Evening walk around Mestia
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Access to extra luggage: YES
DAY 2: DATSIL (2.567 M)
After breakfast short transfer (30 min), to the starting point of todays hike. Follow local mountain paths which lead us from the village of Etseri to the neighboring village of Mazeri. Pass high mountain meadows full of wild flowers, enjoy the shadow of birch trees and pine forests. The highest point of this day is Mt. Datsil (2,567 m), which offers unique views of the magnificent peaks of the Caucasus, Ushba and Laila. Descend down through the mysterious green forest to the fields stretching above the village of Mazeri. Enjoy the dinner in one of the best accommodations in the area.
Accommodation: Local hotel in Mazeri
Activity: 5 – 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Access to extra luggage: after the hike
DAY 3: USHBA WATERFALLS
Accommodation: Local hotel in Mazeri
Activity: 6 – 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Access to extra luggage: after the hike
DAY 4: GULI PASS
Accommodation: Local hotel in Mestia
Activity: 6 – 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Access to extra luggage: After the hike
DAY 5: ZURULDI RIDGE
3 day village to village trek. After a short drive with a chairlift enjoy relaxed walk on Zuruldi ridge. Slowly leave behind impressive Ushba and head towards a new mountain on your horizon, Mt. Tetnuldi. Descend down to Tsvirmi, a typical remote village of Svaneti, and experience local life of Svan people on sight.
Accommodation: Local house in the village.
Activity: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Access to extra luggage: NO
DAY 6: CHUNDERI
Today follow the most beautiful part of the popular Mestia-Ushgui Trek. Short transfer to the starting point of the trek.
Follow the course of Adishi river to the village of Adishi. Cross the river on the back of the horses and ascent slowly to Chundery pass. Get spectacular view on Adishi glacier, Bezengi wall and the highest peak of Georgia, Shkhara (5.193 m). Descent through a flowering meadows to the next valley and follow Kalde river to the next village. Spend the evening with local people.
Accommodation: Local guest house in the village.
Activity: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Access to extra luggage: NO
DAY 7: USHGULI
Short transfer to the village of Ushguli. On 2.200 meters it is recognized as the highest populated village in Europe and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Walk up to the Mapchrani Ridge to 3.000 meters to get close view on Mt Schara and Schara glacier. Spend an evening walking around the village.
Accommodation: Local guest house in the village.
Activity: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Access to extra luggage: After the trek.
DAY 8: USHGULI – MESTIA – KUTAISI
Transfer to Mestia. Visit the local museum, where a local woman takes you to the hearth of Svan culture, history and everyday life. Visit a local museum of local alpinist Michail Khergiani and listen to the history of alpinism in this part of Caucasus. Transfer from Mestia to Kutaisi. Local dinner in a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Access to extra luggage: YES
DAY 9: KUTAISI – TBILISI
Take a chance to see some of the famous Georgian cultural heritage. In the city of Kutaisi stands the Gelati Monastery (Unesco). On the way to Tbilisi is the birthplace of Stalin, Gori, with a rich museum collection. Discover the ancient sandstone town of Uplistsikhe, the cathedral of Mchet and the monastery Jvara (UNESCO). Accommodation in a city hotel and dinner in the city.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Access to extra luggage: YES
DAY 10: TBILISI
Guided walk around Tbilisi with possibility of wine tasting. Accommodation in a hotel in the city of Tbilisi and farewell dinner in the city.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Access to extra luggage: YES
6 days trekking in Svaneti takes you through more or less sparsely populated and remote mountain region of the Caucasus. Guided by a local mountain guide, take a chance to dive into the stories from his life and the life of his ancestors. By living in the villages, communicating with locals, get an insight into their way of life and experience Svan culture in a direct and genuine way. On the way back to Tbilisi, discover the most famous Georgian heritage sites (UNESCO). The adventure finishes at the farewell dinner following an interesting guided walk through Tbilisi.
Attractions:
- Svaneti, one of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in the Caucasus area
- Imposing peaks of the Caucasus, Ushba (4,710 m), Tetnuldi (4,858 m)
- The highest peak of Georgia, Shkhara (5,193 m)
- Glaciers, waterfalls, lush mountain flora
- Local guide, local food, generosity of local people
- Mestia, Kutaisi, Gori, Uplistsikhe, Mcheta, Jvari – world’s famous cultural heritage sites (UNESCO)
- Tbilisi – the lively capital of Georgia
Trekking Info:
- When: 6. - 14. July 2019
- Duration: 9 days
- Price: 1.200 EUR
- Activity level: 3
- Group size: 8 - 10
- Depart: Tbilisi
- Arrive: Tbilisi

ACTIVITY LEVEL
3

LODGING
City hotels, local hotels and guest-houses

LUGGAGE
BASE & HUT-TO-HUT

MEAL
Local style breakfast & dinner
Guests about this trip
Ida,
Slovenija
Trekking in Georgia ranks among my most beautiful trekking in the ranks of Patagonia, Nepal and Peruan Huayhuash.
Svaneti has everything that is most fascinating to me in the nature – magnificent forests, flowering fields, wild waters, glaciers, snowy peaks.
And of course, hospitable people, good food, excellent wine.
Everything was excellent in this trekking, management and organization, a good company, and good weather, just the right summer temperatures and daily distances.
Nina thank you for allowing me all this.
Mojca,
Slovenija
Traveling and walking with Nina in Caucasus is one relaxed experience in the embrace of the beautiful mountain nature.
The balance of the group contributed to a good atmosphere, infectious positive energy of the guide and wide knowledge of the local guide to excellent trekking.
Marta,
Slovenija
When you walk through Svaneti province of Sakartvelo, you are walking in a way in the past:
lonely paths over the passes lead from one clustered village to other, where domestic animals are still free to walk between poorly-maintained stone houses;
and where women bake khacapuri in hundreds of ways. On your way you pass rosy meadows at a height of 2.000 meters and try to understand Svan aesthetic language, which can not be read by Europeans.
From this past, you can return to the present if Nina arranges for an hours-long transfer to the first town where you can buy churchelas …