Svaneti – Great Caucasus Traverse
A village-to-village traverse through the heart of Upper Svaneti, between medieval towers, glaciers and the high peaks of the Greater Caucasus.
Svaneti is one of Georgia's most spectacular and best-preserved regions. Nestled in the heart of the Greater Caucasus, it offers an exceptional setting of high peaks, glaciers, deep valleys, alpine pastures and traditional villages crowned by their famous medieval defensive towers. This journey leads us through Upper Svaneti, from the Zagari Pass area to Ushguli, then on foot from village to village through Khalde, Adishi, Zhabeshi and Mestia. An itinerant journey into an authentic Caucasus, blending hiking, glacial landscapes, Svan heritage and mountain culture.
CODE AA-SVA-02
9 days · Level 2/5
Price depends on group size and season: a detailed, no-obligation quote on request.
- Village-to-village walking traverse of Upper Svaneti
- Ushguli, a UNESCO-listed group of villages with medieval towers
- Chkhunderi Pass facing Mount Tetnuldi and the Adishi glacier
- Spectacular views of Ushba (4,710 m) from the Guli Pass
- Homestay nights and immersion in Svan culture
- Visit to the Prometheus Cave
Day-by-day itinerary
Flight to Kutaisi
Flight to Kutaisi in western Georgia. Welcome at the airport by our local team and transfer to our accommodation. Kutaisi, one of Georgia's oldest cities and former capital of the kingdom of Colchis, is our gateway to the Greater Caucasus. Night in Kutaisi in a 3-star hotel.
Kutaisi – Zagari Pass – Ushguli
Drive to Svaneti and start of our first hike near the Zagari Pass, one of the natural gateways to Upper Svaneti. The walk leads to Ushguli (approx. 2,100–2,200 m), an iconic group of villages with stone houses and medieval towers. 10.3 km, +716 m, -1,167 m, approx. 4h40, moderate. Night in Ushguli, homestay or guest house.
Ushguli – Khalde
On foot from Ushguli through the pastures of the upper Enguri valley, alternating tracks, trails, alpine meadows and woodland. We reach the remote village of Khalde. 15.3 km, +627 m, -654 m, approx. 6h05, difficult. Night in Khalde, homestay or guest house.
Khalde – Iprari – Chkhunderi Pass – Adishi
A superb high-mountain day up to the Chkhunderi Pass with spectacular views of Mount Tetnuldi and the Adishi glacier, then descent to the glacial valley and the remote village of Adishi. 14.2 km, +681 m, -653 m, approx. 5h25, difficult. Night in Adishi, homestay or guest house.
Adishi – Zhabeshi
Traverse westward through pastures, streams and forests with fine views of Tetnuldi, descending to the Mulakhi region and the village of Zhabeshi. 10.3 km, +429 m, -907 m, approx. 3h50, moderate. Night in Zhabeshi, homestay or guest house.
Zhabeshi – Mestia
Hike to Mestia through traditional Mulakhi villages, forests and meadows, with many Svan towers along the way. Arrival in Mestia (approx. 1,500 m), the historic and cultural capital of Upper Svaneti. 15.7 km, +386 m, -633 m, approx. 4h50, moderate. Night in Mestia in a 3-star hotel.
Mestia – Guli Pass – Mazeri – back to Mestia
One of the finest mountain days, up to the Guli Pass with spectacular views of Ushba (4,710 m), then a long descent to the Becho valley and the village of Mazeri, before a transfer back to Mestia. 14.2 km, +548 m, -1,361 m, approx. 6h00, difficult. Night in Mestia in a 3-star hotel.
Mestia – Kutaisi – Prometheus Cave
Return drive to Kutaisi along the Enguri valley, with an afternoon visit to the famous Prometheus Cave and its vast underground galleries. Night in Kutaisi in a 3-star hotel.
Kutaisi – Return flight
Depending on the flight schedule, breakfast and free time in Kutaisi, then transfer to Kutaisi International Airport for the return flight. End of our journey.
Included / Not included
What’s included
- Accommodation as set out in the itinerary
- Full board (picnic lunch, dinner), except meals on the first and last days
- All luggage transfers throughout the trip
- Transfers as set out in the itinerary
- Entrance fees for the sites listed in the itinerary
- A local hiking guide who speaks your group's language
- A group of 4 to 15 people
- Accommodation in 3-star hotels in Kutaisi and Mestia, and homestays or guest houses in the villages
- The hikes and visits mentioned in the programme
What’s not included
- International and domestic flights
- Meals on the first and last days
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Comprehensive travel insurance (cancellation, assistance and repatriation, trip interruption)
- Tips
- Single room supplement
- Optional activities or visits not included in the programme
- Any service not mentioned under 'The price includes'
Frequently asked questions
Who guides the Upper Svaneti traverse? A local Georgian hiking guide who speaks your group's language leads you from village to village. Our local team meets you at Kutaisi airport and arranges the road transfers to Svaneti and back. The guide walks with the group from Ushguli to Mestia via Khalde, Adishi and Zhabeshi; after the Chkhund…
Where do we stay, and can I have a single room? In Kutaisi and Mestia, in 3-star hotels. In the mountain villages of Ushguli, Khalde, Adishi and Zhabeshi, you stay with local families or in family guesthouses, depending on local availability. These houses have limited capacity, so a single room cannot be guaranteed there. The single room supplem…
How much do we walk each day? Six walking days of 10 to 16 km and 3 h 50 to 6 h 05 depending on the stage, with 386 to 716 m of ascent and descents of up to 1361 m. The programme rates three stages as difficult: Ushguli – Khalde (15.3 km, about 6 h 05), Khalde – Adishi over the Chkhunderi pass, and Mestia – Guli pass – Mazeri.…
Which day is the most demanding? The Guli pass day, starting from Mestia: 14.2 km, +548 m / −1361 m, about 6 hours. The climb is steady through forest and then alpine pasture, facing Ushba (4710 m); what tires the legs is the long descent to the Becho valley and Mazeri, before the drive back to Mestia. The Khalde – Adishi stage is…
How do we reach Ushguli and Mestia, and who moves the luggage? The road link between Kutaisi and Upper Svaneti takes about 3 h 30 each way. On the way in, you drive to the Zagari pass area and walk from there to Ushguli. From then on, you walk from village to village to Mestia, where you spend two nights. After the Guli pass, the vehicle picks the group up in…
What do we visit besides the hikes? Svaneti is best discovered through its villages. In Ushguli, a group of villages listed by UNESCO, you can visit the old Lamaria church. Adishi, one of the most isolated villages in the region, keeps its defensive towers, and Mestia, the historic capital of Upper Svaneti, gives you free time in its…